Trusting Francis

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

~

Francis sighed as Matthew yanked his hand away. The Canadian had been refusing physical contact for about two weeks after he had been picked up from Gilbert's.

What is wrong with him?

It hurt the Frenchman that his boyfriend who'd trusted him and loved him for two years straight was now keeping his distance, barely talking to him, flinched when Francis tried to hold him, and didn't initiate any contact whatsoever.

So he just gave up and stayed quiet, trying to keep his cool as he became frustrated to his wits end.

He grabbed his coat and shrugged it on and pulled his hair back into a loose ponytail.

It's time to see Katy.

This time he didn't tell Matthew he was going for a walk and just left without an explanation. The Canadian huffed and texted Gilbert.

I'm coming over.

~

Francis walked up to the wooden door and knocked three times. After waiting a little, Katy opened the door and smiled.

"Hello, Francis. How are you tonight?" She asked.

"I'm okay. But I'm sure you can help." He smiled and followed her upstairs and into the small room that served as her office.

He sat on the loveseat and Katy sat on the one across from him, crossing her legs. "What can I do for you, Francis?"

"It's Matthieu." Francis sighed and leant back. "I mean, it's always Matthieu. That's the reason I need to see a therapist and you are the best one around."

"Thank you." Katy smiled sweetly. "So, what seems to be your problem this time?"

"Well, he will barely talk to me and every time I touch him, even just holding his hand, he recoils from my touch. He flinches when I hug him and Katy, it hurts me to see him like that." He explained, covering his face with his hands. "I love him so much."

"Francis, you came to me because you didn't want to hurt Matthew. You always struggled with being faithful to your partners and treating them like you truly loved them. You came to me because you didn't want to break Matthew's heart by cheating on him and you've made so much progress. You don't even glance at other attractive people because you have an eye for only Matthew. Do you know how important that is?" She leant forward. "You are head over heels in love Francis and I know you will not break this boy's heart because you're not cheating on him, you're not even thinking about other people in an inappropriate way, you're completely faithful, and you just have to believe in yourself."

"But I know if I don't have someone to talk to about this, I'll cheat. I'm a horrible person and I don't deserve Matthieu whose done me no wrong and I've hurt him in ways I can't even explain. It is true that I've never cheated on him and I don't even think about doing that but I don't even trust myself! Do you know how hard it is not to trust your own self?!" He shouted, sniffling as tears sprung into his eyes and streamed down his face. "And now Matthieu won't even listen to me. Where did I go wrong?"

Francis felt his phone buzz in his pocket, indicating he got a text but he didn't look at it. He just wiped away the tears that came and huffed, frustrated to no extent.

"Maybe, you should give him some space and then see if he comes to you. He might have a family issue or work but he's just not ready to talk about it so he feels insecure. Just let him be and see where that takes you. If there's no improvement, then you can tell me and I'll come up with an idea." She passed him a tissue box and he gratefully took it.

The Frenchman thanked her silently and used the tissues, determined to stop the tears. He calmed himself down before reluctantly moving on to a different topic. They talked for two more hours, relieving more of Francis' stress and receiving good advice.

After their session was over, he put on his coat and turned around to hug her.

"Thank you, Katy..." He whispered.

"You're very welcome, Francis." She smiled and hugged him back.

He pulled back and left with a wave. When he got into his car he realized that it was almost midnight. He checked his phone and noticed a text from Matthew that came in about an hour before.

I'm going to hang out with Gilbert at his place. I'll be home tonight. Don't worry.

It read. Francis glared at the screen and the urge to race over there and take Matthew home washed over him. He calmed his anger and knew that disrespecting Matthew wasn't the way to go. So he drove home feeling defeated.

~

Matthew leant forward as his fingers made deft motions, pressing buttons on the Xbox controller while he shot another zombie.

"That's how it's done!" He shouted and continued slaying the decaying beasts.

Gilbert sat on the other side of the couch with his sketchpad on his lap as he drew Matthew in that position; leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees as his hands gripped the controller tightly, his eyes fixated on the screen, and his bottom lip taken between his teeth.

Matthew finished his mission and put the controller down before looking at the complete drawing. There was no denying that Gilbert was an amazing artist and he could draw people perfectly.

"Don't you find it strange that you only draw me?" The Canadian asked.

"No. You're a fine person to draw. Just perfect." Gilbert said as he picked up another controller and starting on his own mission.

Matthew started flipping through the drawings and blushed when he found one of him sleeping on the couch. It was probably the day he came a few weeks before. He put it down and then grabbed his phone, noticing a text from Francis.

When are you coming home?

He looked at the time at the top of the screen and was shocked at the time. 1:24 AM.

"Jeez, I need to get home." He stood up and pocketed his iPhone, grabbed his sweater and pulled it on.

"You can stay, you know? It's already so late." The German piped up.

"No, it's okay. I have to go to a doctor's appointment tomorrow before I go to work." Matthew walked towards the door.

Gilbert paused the game and followed him, opening the door for him and standing in the doorway.

Matthew stepped out but he still stood, facing Gilbert. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Uhm... How many pictures have you drawn of me?" He asked bashfully.

"Hundreds." He answered, staring deep into Matthew's eyes.

The Canadian nodded slowly and then turned on his heel, about to walk away when Gilbert placed a hand on his shoulder and stepped closer, their bodies so close that he could feel the heat radiating from the German and his hot breath on the back of his neck.

"Matthew," He purred. "Next time I want to draw you naked."

~

To be continued...