A Teacher's Heart

Chapter Fourteen

To Arthur's surprise, his family and Francis were getting along quite well.

Well, until their food arrived, that was.

Fish and chips, Francis thought with horror. Of course. Well, I guess I couldn't outrun it for forever! So...here's to trying new things....?

However, after he had taken a bite of the fish, he immediately grimaced at the taste!

"Francis?" Elizabeth asked him, Arthur's siblings snickering as well. "What's the matter? Is your food cold?"

"Non, it's just...bland!" Francis assured her, blushing in embarrassment and clearing his throat awkwardly as well. "I-I mean good, ha, ha!~"

"I guess he isn't used to eatin' our kind of food, yet!~" Alistair grinned.

"Aye!~" Connor agreed. "I guess he's just used to the high life, ha, ha!~"

Arthur immediately kicked both of his brothers' shins underneath the table, scowling at them as well.

"Stop it!" he ordered them. "He's only been here for a month! Give him a break!"

"OW!" Alistair cried, glaring at Arthur as well. "What a brat! How dare you kick me like that?"

"Boys, enough," Alexander spoke firmly.

"Tell that to Arthur!" Connor protested. "He's the one who kicked us!"

"Because you are insulting my friend!" Arthur replied.

"Arthur, it's fine," Francis said calmly. "You don't have to-"

"Would you like something else?" Arthur asked him. "I can have the server bring you a dessert, or something."

"Non, it's fine," Francis repeated. "The food is wonderful. It really is."

Besides, I don't want you to protect me, Francis secretly wanted to add. Not on your birthday.

"Well...okay," Arthur replied with uncertainty. "If you are sure...."

"I am." Francis smiled. "Truly."

"Okay." Arthur smiled back. "I trust you, then."

Francis nodded, and soon, everyone began to eat again.

"But why did you move here?" Bella wondered. "Normally, people here would be movin' to Paris, and not the other way around."

Francis was silent for a few moments, but he finally found the courage to speak up again.

"Well, I figured I could use the change of scenery," he explained honestly. "I will admit that it was hard leaving my own family at first, but I actually like it here more than I thought that I would."

"I'm glad you do." Alexander smiled. "When you are free from work, you should check out our museums. They are quite wonderful."

"I bet I will." Francis smiled back. "I've already seen the Aquarium here, so I can only imagine what the museums are like!~"

"The Aquarium?" Dylan raised a brow. "Isn't that for kids?"

"Oui," Francis nodded, "and my son liked it very much!~"

Arthur's eyes widened instantly at Francis' sudden slip of the tongue, as well as his family's!

Francis suddenly realized what he had said, then, and he looked away from them awkwardly.

"U-uh, I mean-"

"You have a son?" Alistair asked him incredulously. "So that means you an' Arthur really aren't datin'?"