A Teacher's Heart

Chapter Four

"So, how was work yesterday?" Antonio wondered, looking at Arthur with interest as he and Gilbert joined the green-eyed blond in the kitchen the next morning. "I'm sorry we couldn't ask you last night. We had to work."

"It's okay, I understand." Arthur assured them with a smile. "And it was good. I even got a new sign-up. His name is Matthew, and he's just adorable!"

"Aw, that is cute!" Gilbert agreed. "Is his mom hot?~"

Arthur rolled his eyes as Antonio laughed.

"No, he's not."

"Uh...he?" Antonio asked, confused.

"Yes," Arthur nodded. "His father is taking care of him."

"Oh," Gilbert said awkwardly. "Well that's unusual."

"He's divorced," Arthur answered seriously, "so I don't think so."

"Is he hot, then?~" Gilbert smirked at Arthur.

"No," Arthur repeated firmly, but then he suddenly became confused. "Well...maybe a little, I guess? He's from France, so he has to be naturally handsome, right? Anyway, how was your shift at the hospital last night? I must be spending too much time with those kids because I had forgotten you two work the graveyard shift, ha, ha!"

"That, or you're just getting old~" Antonio teased him.

"What?" Arthur laughed. "I'm only twenty-six!"

"Which is one year closer to eighty!~" Gilbert grinned. "Face it, Arthur!~ You even dress like an old man, ha, ha!~"

"Si, he really does!~" Antonio confirmed.

"Ugh, you two are insufferable!" Arthur huffed, crossing his arms as well.

"But you still love us!~" Antonio nudged him.

"You two are my roommates," Arthur replied flatly. "I have to care about you."

"Pfft, you hear that, Toni?" Gilbert playfully pouted. "We're being demoted from best friends to roommates!"

"Si, a sad day indeed," Antonio agreed, putting his hand over his heart solemnly as well.

Arthur laughed again, amused by their behavior as usual.

"What would you like for breakfast this morning?" he asked them, getting their attention again. "Waffles or pancakes?"

"Mmm...waffles," Antonio finally decided. "You make them the best, after all!~"

"Thank you~" Arthur answered proudly, beginning to get the ingredients out. "But I could use some help!~"

"Baking time!~" Gilbert cheered happily. "Hell yeah!~"

"I'm down for that, too!~" Antonio announced.

"Then let's get started!~" Arthur told them excitedly, all three of them beginning to make their waffles with happiness.

"Oh, and work was good last night," Antonio informed Arthur, carrying on their earlier conversation. "It was busy as usual, though."

"And the new arrivals were a little frustrating, if I'm being honest," Gilbert added. "They don't understand that Toni and I are just nurses and not actual doctors!"

"Si, they think they can just take advantage of us," Antonio agreed, "and it's not fair!"

"Well, that's just how some people are, unfortunately." Arthur frowned. "They think that just because they're sick or injured they can treat people however they want. They don't care if it's immoral or not, they just do it."