Wherever

Teenage Rebellion

Francis was left staring at the stairs where Arthur had just stood. He hadn't just imagined that... right? They had been so close, so close to whatever the hell they were to each other now. Co-Parents? Strangers? Friends? More? He had no clue. But he felt the attraction as soon as he saw Arthur in the lobby. He felt the old feelings coming back. Had they never left?

Was it even right to feel this way about someone right after you broke off the engagement? Was it even right to feel this way about the man you divorced? Was it right to feel this way about Arthur? Francis had no clue about that either. He knew the boys would have been happy if they got back together. No more confusing parents and step-parents. No worrying about dating and if they like children because Arthur did. Because he and Arthur had kids together. Because Arthur was familiar, Arthur was... home.

But hadn't that ended almost 16 years ago? Hadn't all these feelings gone away a long time ago? Weren't they both over it? Moved on?

Evidently not. Not after what happened. Not after what Arthur couldn't leave. Not after their boys met. How would they do this?

Could they even live together? Would this be okay? Or would what just happened happen every time they were alone?

Of course, the one thing loudest in Francis' mind was...

Was it Arthur, or the alcohol?

Finally, after many many all-nighters, weeks of running on as little as 2 hours of sleep, Arthur got it done. He had gotten them ready for everything, and now Arthur and Alfred were citizens of Canada. It was official that they were staying, they weren't ever leaving now. Alfred, Matthew and Francis all cried at that. Arthur rolled his eyes pretending that he wasn't tearing up himself.

Although that did mean Arthur was stuck here with Francis. They hadn't spoken all too much after the incident. Even when they did speak it wasn't all that bad, which managed to frustrate Arthur even more. Shouldn't things between them be more... awkward? They almost... well they almost started something that they might not have been able to finish. Maybe they could... but they hadn't last time. What would make this time any different from before?

"Father, could you help me with history?" Matthew asked, walking into his study.

"Hm? Oh sure. What do you need?" Arthur replied, shaking himself out of his thoughts.

"The American revolution." Matthew answered. Arthur couldn't help but snort at the irony. He nodded anyway. Not to brag but Arthur had a pretty good grasp of history. Almost as if he was there. It was always his best subject in school.

"Come here." Matthew smiled and came in, sitting across from his father. "I'm pretty good at history. Even if it is American history." Matthew snorted this time.

"You should have seen Dad when I asked him about the French Revolution. I don't think I have ever seen so many French flags... or heard the song Madame guillotine so often." Matthew replied. Arthur couldn't help but laugh at the visual Matthew was depicting.

"He was rather infatuated with that book when we were younger. I'm not surprised he became focused on the musical." Arthur told him. Matthew groaned and slammed (not that hard though) his head on the desk.

"Don't even get me started." Matthew said. "Once he found out that it became a musical, I have never been dragged to the theater that many times before." Arthur smiled at him. "Don't get me wrong. It was a good play, I loved the music but there's only so many times a kid can see a musical so many times before they begin to loathe it." Arthur chuckled.

"I agree with that. He's always been a fan of the arts hasn't he?" Arthur reminiscenced. Matthew nodded.

"Being a fan is a bit of an understatement." He replied, a slightly smug smile on his face. Arthur smirked.