Carry that weight (Fruk)

15

"Thank you so much for coming over to help! Although, you should have brought your friend!" Conner laughed a bit, and I only nodded. He needed help moving stuff and asked me for a last-minute request. "He has work, I told you," I explained. I was lucky to have finished everything I needed to do today. Besides, Antonio would probably let something slip by accident.

"That's okay...I asked Alistair if he could come, and he and Francis should be here soon," he cheered. I froze in place, feeling my soul leave my body. I only saw Francis yesterday, I wasn't ready to see his face again.

"Great...so exactly what was it that you needed help moving?" I asked. I quickly changed the subject of them, and to the main task I came here for. Maybe if I finish everything before they get here, I can leave. "Ahh, the attic mainly. I needed help going through those things. I mostly need help removing the old furniture so they can go to the rubbish; I was going to organize stuff in the basement, so you can start there," he smiled.

"Everything up there needs to be tossed, so don't worry if you aren't sure if something needs to go. All of it is garbage!" He added. I nodded in acceptance, rubbing my forehead. At least I came correctly dressed. "Do you happen to have a band? I need one for my hair," I explained. Almost prepared.

He nodded with glee, showing a few on his wrist. My hair wasn't long, but it was long enough to get in the way of my face. He handed me the band, and I used it immediately. My hair fit in it small, but it was the best I could do. I had a small ponytail at the top of my head, and I could imagine how ridiculous I looked.

As I was about to walk toward the attic, the front door began to jiggle, making me pause in place.

Well, so much for trying to finish before they got here. "Ah! That is them!" Conner cheered. He helped open the door and smiled upon seeing my brother and Francis. And well, me...I began to back away slowly so I wouldn't have to interact with them.

"Hey!"

"Hello!"

They had begun greeting each other, but I still wanted to escape. "Arthur! I didn't think you'd be here first! You are always fashionably late!" My brother laughed. Francis turned to me quickly, and I kept an awkward smile. "Ah! Well, I didn't have anything particular today; I figured I'd come early to help," I spoke. My brother smiled at me, and I twiddled my thumbs.

The two came inside, closing the door behind them, and I stood still. "Well! I think it is swell that you are starting to be punctual!" Francis spoke. He came beside me, placing a hand on my back. I tried to control my breathing but couldn't stop thinking of his hand on my back.

"Yeah? You think?" I asked, a bit nervous. I smiled at him and felt him trace his hand down my back. "Of course! I think your world should be built on punctuality," he smiled. His hand was now on my lower back, and I still smiled.

Really?

In front of everyone?

"I will consider that!" I smiled.

"That would be the day! Arthur picks when he wants to be on time," Alistair laughed. He nudged Conner, and he nodded in agreement. "Well! Shall we get on? The sooner we do this, the better! Conner? You said the attic, correct?" I asked. I changed the subject quickly, moving from Francis.

"Yes!"

"Great, I'll be upstairs!"

"Oh, would you like some help? Do any of you want to help? I was going to be in the basement, I needed help too!"

My head shot toward him, shocked, and I could see how an eager smile spread across Francis's face. "I can help Arthur, and you help your brother? I'm sure the basement has heavier things; I don't want to sweat so much!" Francis pleaded.

My brother smiled at him, nodding. God, was this how Francis got whatever he wanted? Scary if you ask me. "Yay! Thank you, he has been so sweet to me lately," Francis smiled. Jesus, he seemed like the manipulator. However, I know for a fact that my brother didn't want to get on my bad side or Francis's bad side, so he was walking on rocks.

"Alright, well, I'm going. I will throw everything out the window," I spoke. Conner just smiled and nodded at me. I was sure he was happy to be the one putting me to work.

I began walking toward the attic, and Francis followed behind me. "Why do you want to be around me?" I whispered. I looked at him, and he shrugged innocently. "I want to help, obviously," he sassed.

I stood under the opening of the attic, reaching for the string. "Mhmmm," I hummed. The stair came down, and I gestured for Francis to go in first. He can't seem so fine about us kissing; it would get my hopes up.

"Thank you!" He spoke. He began to climb up first, and I stood by the stairs, looking away. There was still a part of me in the back of my head that wanted to see what he looked like from the back, even if I had taken a look before.

Once I saw he was at the top, I climbed up behind him. This was fine! I know it is! We were going to clean and not be weird. I mean, it was strange yesterday, but it's a new day! No more weirdness! We will be perfectly normal!

Pulling the string up to close it, I reached the top of the staircase. I didn't want it to be in anyone's way downstairs, so I had to pull it up. Then I put the latch on it so that it wouldn't fall out.

"Wow, so eager!" Francis laughed. I looked at him, confused, standing up. "Eager? Eager for some safety! It is the smart thing to do if you ever have an attic. Not that you or my brother would know anything about," I laughed. He laughed at what I said, and we stood in front of each other.

"Yeah, as I said, eager," he smiled.

We both became silent as we stared at each other. "Yeah," I laughed.

God...

Why did there feel like there was so much tension?

"Well, we should get started," I spoke. There was a lot to do, so there was no time to stare at each other like this. I turned away from him and picked up a trash bag that was left on the floor. Conner probably brought them up here to help us.

"Here, here is a bag; make yourself useful and start cleaning," I demanded. My face felt hot, and my voice was shaken up. I reached the bag out to him, and he placed his hand on it. Not pulling away.

Please!

TAKE THE DAMN BAG!

Don't do this to me!

He moved his hand toward mine, placing it on my wrist and pulling me toward him. NO, NO, NO! I need to stop this!

Francis pulled me closer toward him, kissing my cheek softly.

God damn it!

"Maybe...we should talk...first..." I spoke. He placed a hand on my cheek, looking me in the eyes. "I don't think talking is needed in this situation," he spoke. My heart dropped down into the basement.

Francis pulled me into another kiss, and I was on my knees. I gave in quickly and felt even more of an idiot.

Then...it only grew more tasteful and yearnful. I didn't push him away or refuse to kiss back. I kissed him back, and it felt amazing.

I dropped the bag below us, feeling his hand trace up my arm, holding me still as he kissed me. I felt my body get so hot, and I didn't know what else to do but separate from him. "Is this okay? Should we be doing this?" I asked. He held my arms gently, nodding eagerly. "Yeah, let's do it," he spoke.

Francis kissed me again.

And again...

And again...

And I let him.