Mein Vögelchen

Twenty Nine

Sorry it's late boys and girls! I thought I had two chapters done but one of them turned out to be a repeat and I was pissed.

Other than Arthur's fading health and the absence of Gilbert, Matthew was feeling right at home in this cabin. Francis made him pancakes in the morning and he got to read stories to Peter before bed.
And the coolest of all was the little polar bear who came to visit. Matthew had named him Kumajirou and he came closer day after day.
The Canadian fed him bread and table scraps, winning over his love.
A week went by and Arthur's condition had taken a turn for the worst. He was barely breathing and Francis stopped cooking to stay by his side.
He knew this would be the end. There was nothing Matthew could do to help him.
On the day when it happened, Matthew could hear Francis talking to Arthur in a choked voice. He stopped at the door to listen in as subtly as he could.
"It's okay to let go, mon Cher. I will forgive you. I just don't want to see you suffering like zhis."
Matthew couldn't hear much more apart from Arthur letting out a weak cough and Francis sobbing.
When Matthew returned Francis had fallen asleep on Arthur.
And Arthur...was cold...
That night Francis crawled into Matthew's bed.
The Canadian allowed it without hesitation. He knew his friend was grieving and needed the support.
"I 'aven't asked. What 'appened to you and Gil?" Francis wondered. He had been so distracted by Arthur that the two hadn't had time to talk about romance.
"A lot of crazy stuff happened but I love him and he loves me back."
"Zhat's wonderful! Where is 'e now?"
Matthew rolled over to face Francis. "I don't know. He was supposed to be here by now."
Francis took his hands. "'E will come back for you. I know it." He glanced at the ring on the Canadian's finger, smiling.
"Let's not talk about my problems. They're not nearly as bad as what you're going through." Matthew squeezed Francis's hands.
The Frenchman bit his lip. "Zhis is 'elping. Trust me." He pulled Matthew into a tight hug. "Did you get to know 'im biblically?"
Matthew blushed. "Yes..."
"Zhat's wonderful! I'm so proud of you!"
Matthew grinned. "I miss him so much."
"I know you do."
"Do you think he's okay? I don't know what's taking him so long."
"He's definitely okay."
"But where is he? Why hasn't he come back?"
"He's coming. I can feel it."
"What are you going to do now?" Matthew asked.
"I think I'm going to go back to zhe agency."
"Why?"
"I'm going to tear zhem apart from zhe inside. I'm going to stop zhis war and bring peace to zhe world."
"What aboot Peter?"
"Zhere's zhis couple living in anozher sanctuary...one is Swedish and one is Finnish. I zhink zhey'll be good for him."
"When are you going?"
"As soon as possible. I just don't want zhis to get out of 'and."
"We should get to sleep."
"Oui."
Matthew pet Francis's hair, helping him get to sleep. He waited until the Frenchman's breathing softened and his eyes closed before he too let sleep take him away.
Tomorrow would be better.
He knew it.