Until the End Do We Part BOOK TWO

Chapter Two II

May 1st, 2024
7:24 p.m.
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"Francis, I'm fine," Matthew said into the receiver, rolling his eyes at the London traffic. "I said I'm fine, what, is the signal not great where you're at?"

"Matthieu, I- *static* Arthur," he heard Francis say.

"What about Arthur?"

"I worry about him! You know that ever since - since, you know, he's been different! No one knows him better than us. Something is wrong with him."

"I can see that Papa," Matthew replied quietly, almost hitting his head on the steering wheel after hitting another traffic jam.

"But what is wrong with him?"

"I don't know!" Matthew snapped.

"..."

"H-hey, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to snap," the younger said tiredly.
"I'm just stressed, okay? I'm worried about Arthur too, and I haven't been getting sleep..."

Francis sighed on the other end, pulling his hair into a pony tail.
"I know mon choux*."

On his end, the stewardess announced that all phones should be turned off.
"Matthew, I have to go now; we are taking off in a few minutes," Francis said, buckling his seatbelt as the sing in the front flashed on.

"You are still in London, no? Just talk to him."

Matthew sighed, staring out at the light rain outside.
"Okay. I will."

"I will visit you soon, mon petit choux."

Matthew said good bye, and closed his phone, "This is gonna be a long day, isn't it Kumajello?"

"Yeah," The small polar bear buckled into the passenger seat looked up at him, "Who are you again?"

Matthew sighed, "I'm your owner, you little ball of fluff."

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May 1st, 2024
8:25 p.m.

Matthew knocked on Arthur's door, Kuma trailing behind. It took a minute, but eventually the locks clicked and the door opened.

"Hello who is- oh, hello Matthew."
Arthur caught himself, looking a bit disheveled.

"Um, hi Arthur," Matthew replied.

"Would you like to come in?" Arthur stepped back, opening the door wider.

"Sure," Matthew sidled past him and into the foyer.
"So how have you been lately?" Matthew said, if not a bit careful.

Arthur sighed, leading him to the living room, "I'm better, I guess. How about you?"

"I'm fine, just a bit tired is all."

Arthur suddenly stopped, "Hey Matthew?"

The Canadian looked up from a book on the coffee table, "Yeah?"

Arthur hesitated. Would Matthew believe him? Or would he think he was crazy? Alfred and Matthew were extremely close... he wouldn't hide something like that from his own brother, would he?

...would he?

"Arthur? What is it?" Matthew stepped closer to the shorter, and the Brit turned around.

Arthur took a breath; "Matthew, you have to promise that you'll at least consider what I'm about to tell you," he started in a low voice," and please, if you don't believe me, then forget everything."

Matthew's eyebrows furrowed in concern, "What are you talking about?"

Arthur sighed, motioning for Matthew to follow; he didn't head to the kitchen, like normal, but instead up the stairs and into his bedroom.