You Haven't Got A Clue

Part Four

He put Kiku down hurriedly in front of the house, flattening his clothing.

"Man, haha... I really hope Pops didn't see that... He'd be mad at me, oh Lord," He said, shaking his head. He knew his father would scold him, probably saying something along the lines of, 'This is why Kiku is not your boyfriend!' He shook his head at the thought of being humiliated in front of his crush and his little brother.

"Um, my dad is a bit, uh... Eccentric, so don't... Just... Sorry if you get a little uncomfortable," He said carefully, troubled eyes finding Kiku. But Kiku merely chuckled and shook his head, a coltish tone coming from him.

"Alfred, have you met my dad? And I'm sure he can't be that bad... He... He tolerates this..." He said, gesturing down at their joined hands, Kiku swinging them a little. Smiling at them, he looked up again, asking the question that has been on his mind since the strawberry field today. Alfred almost wanted to say that being okay with gay relationships didn't automatically make someone an okay person, but decided against it, staying silent. He did not want to ruin the good feeling that had not rubbed off since their kiss.

"So, like... Is your dad gay?" He asked a little hurriedly, already embarrassed at having the question pass his lips. He never really wanted it to go farther than a thought, a question, but he was just dying to know. Very rarely were people other than themselves tolerant of it. And Kiku was excited to know. He was about to meet him, after all.

"Oh, haha. I... It goes both ways for him, though I think he leans a little more towards men..." He said, laughing a little. Yes, Alfred had a mother, but Alfred didn't think Francis loved her. Not in a romantic way, anyways. He probably loved her in the same way in which he loved his children, or in a way in which one would love their best friend.

With a sudden realization dawning on him, he looked to Kiku, hand on his chin.

"Say... Is today Friday?" He asked, a nervous smile suddenly grabbing hold of his lips, his hand suddenly slack in Kiku's hand. Kiku knitted his eyebrows in confusion at this, a little concerned. Didn't everybody love Fridays?

"Uh, well, yeah, why-"

"Boys! I've been sitting here watching you talk outside in the cold for forever, here, come in! Don't catch a cold!"
Kiku jumped away from Alfred, subconsciously ripping his hands out of Alfred's. They both flinched at the way their hands felt so empty and cold, also finding how sweaty their hands were. But... Really, how long had they been standing outside?

Francis ushered them in with good natured hands, mumbling soft chastisement to Alfred for being home so late. Kiku stared at him, not even registering he was doing so. Not only did he have a strange accent, he was... Well, he was extremely handsome. Kiku blushed and looked down. If Alfred and Francis were this handsome, how would his brother look?
"Aw, papa... It's not cold outside, it's summer...!"

Sitting at the table, Kiku thought he might've gotten a whiplash from their house. Not only were there excessive amount of pictures of Alfred and Mathieu lining the walls, the walls were painted yellow and orange. Kiku got a bit dizzy just from looking around, although it was sweet they had such a... Homely, unique feel to it. The smaller size of their house helped make it feel cozy, not cramped. Kiku thought he would like to have a small house such as Alfred's but he knew he probably would have room for all of his belongings.
The walls in Kiku's house were painted cooler colors, making everything seem very drab and dreary, making everyone who came sleepy, although in Kiku's house, Yao had hung up many pictures of Kiku as well, adding to the 'spoiled only child' bit.

"Kiku? That's you, yes? The sweet boy Alfred told me all about?" He asked, shaking his hand vigorously. Francis was acting as if he were meeting a movie star, and Kiku was half expecting Francis to ask for an autograph.
Kiku enjoyed the enthusiasm, shaking it back with his own firm grip. His father always reminded that a 'sure shake and a firm grip' told people one was confident, and eye contact was important as well. But... Francis' blue eyes were bright and limpid like Alfred's, so he found himself shying away from it, looking up from his hands to his eyes in a flurry, making himself dizzy.