Breaking point (F.A.C.E) [Under Editing]

CH 13: Unresolved Conflicts (edited)

Arthur sat crisscrossed on the bed, it was way past midnight and the boys were already tucked in bed dreaming of mystical wonders and whatnot. Arthur faced Francis who was uncomfortably fidgeting on the bed. "Francis I think it's time for you to tell me what happened when you left," Arthur said in a demanding tone.

Francis swallowed thickly and built the wall of courage he had been storing up. "Okay.." He nodded and looked down at his lap as he began. "I returned to France and was given a job there, people seemed to be rioting because they were barely getting paid for all their hard work." Arthur listened to every single word that left Francis's lips. "One day someone finally had enough and ambushed the warehouses that belonged to the company. They burned down the buildings with us people still inside.." A shudder ran through his spine as he recollected his horrid memories.

Francis took a shaky breath before continuing. "I ran..but I saw a woman who was stuck under heavy machines. I tried to help but the hysteric people kept pushing and pushing, I couldn't do anything to help!" he trembled violently and wrapped his arms around himself. "That was a reason why I wanted to return, I wanted to help since I couldn't help you or the children, all I did was cause trouble." He hid his face in his hands.

Arthur rested a reassuring hand on Francis's shaking shoulder. "After that, I couldn't find a way to earn money to survive... I...I did so many disgusting things with my body..." Sobs now shook his frail body Arthur felt tears fill his eyes, not wanting to think about how much Francis had suffered. He pulled him into a tight comforting hug and rubbed circles in his back. "It's okay Francis..you're safe now, I promise," Arthur muttered in a soothing voice.

Francis wrapped his arms around Arthur and lied his head against his shoulder letting his tears silently fall from his cheek, his warm breath tickled Arthur's neck sending shivers down his spine. "Francis, thank you for telling me," Arthur said in a glum tone not feeling relieved until he was certain Francis was alright. Time passed and both men still held onto each other fearing that once they let go they would never see each other again.

Francis had eventually drifted off to sleep and Arthur was beginning to doze off, with great ease he lied Francis down on the bed and lied next to him facing his sleeping and calm face. He slightly smiled to himself and moved the strands of blonde hair that covered his face. "I see now, you felt guilty after you realized all the damage you were doing to our family." He sighed and continued to stroke his hair.

"You didn't have to leave.." He trailed off instantly knowing that he could've stopped Francis from leaving, his chest ached because he knew he could've made up his mind and answer all the calls, he could've listened to Francis instead of completely cutting him off, he could've stopped Francis from getting hurt. In Francis's point of view, he was trying to find a way to help instead of hurt.

So when he made the decision of returning from where he came he needed to stay as far away from the family he hurt, Francis wanted to reprove himself. He wanted to become someone who spread love, not hate or fear, he wanted to help instead of hurt. The place he went didn't only just fix all those things, it made him the product of what he once had. All the hatred, fear, and pain was now scarred onto his body and soul, the little voice in his head reminding him that this is what his family had gone through.

The result of that was a broken man who understood everything now. And amongst that his heart and mind filled with desperation, he wanted to show his family that he was changed for their sake, that he was different. Now there Francis laid in the bed beside his lover, his eyes shut, his cheeks flushed pink with tear stains, and his heart light with no trace of pain or fear. Arthur sighed once again allowing himself to fully forgive Francis and wanting to love him all over again, to hold and kiss him, to hug and cuddle, to always stay by his side.