How to leave the closet (121/?)
anonymous
June 13 2010, 13:30:26 UTC
Dinner was awkward. Not for most of the guests, but for Arthur it was.
On his right, he had Ludwig who was being careful with handing people stuff. He made sure to fake smiles, but he would avoid touching anyone who was openly gay. Even the girls. Though, as he said, they were just 'being gay to look attractive to men'. Arthur didn't correct his way of thinking. The less people Ludwig would hate, the better.
On his left he had Alfred who was keeping an eye on Ivan sitting across of him. They we having a kicking-battle underneath the table, and it was obvious to everyone though no one commented on it. Sometimes Ivan would 'accidentally' knock his glass over so that his wine hit Alfred's food. Then Alfred would 'by mistake' send a piece of ham flying over onto Ivan's vegetarian salad. And then their feet would start kicking again. All while they were smiling friendly at each other.
Then Francis got up and demanded everyone's attention. Arthur felt slightly relieved. At least Alfred stopped kicking at that point.
"Dear family, dear friends," Francis lifted his glass and smiled, then his eyes fell onto Katyusha, the not-good-enough-for-my-son girl, and he added, "and Katyusha as well." There was a hushed mumbling around the tables. Katyusha got up and left. Matthew kept sitting, staring at his father with a fake smile and bright eyes. Francis smiled back. "Thanks to all of you for coming. It thrills me to see so many of you have shown up. I-" Francis kept speaking sugary nonsense. Arthur couldn't concentrate on what was being said as Alfred grabbed his hand underneath the tablecloth. Arthur glared at Alfred. Alfred didn't react, he was just looking at his father. He gave Alfred's hand a little squeeze. Then Alfred smiled. "Such a child." Arthur couldn't help but smile as well. A warm, nice feeling was filling up his heart just holding the other's hand. Despite Ludwig sitting behind him, despite Ivan sitting across of them, despite Francis standing and blabbering. He was feeling a little joyful.
However, he couldn't wait to get out of there and back to Alfred's, watch cartoons with him and hold his hand out in the open. Like lovers should.
"-today I am announcing something important. Arthur, will you please come up here?" Arthur blinked. He was ripped out of his daydreaming as all eyes fell on him. Especially Alfred was looking at him with wonder. Arthur was just as confused himself. Francis was smiling sweetly at him. "Arthur, please." Arthur got up and slowly walked up to Francis. Francis slipped an arm around his shoulders and sighed lovingly. "Everyone, this is Arthur Kirkland. This man has worked for me through years. He's a good employee, has for the last few days been a good friend. But today we'll openly announce," he held a pause, then spread his arms, "that we're settling down as lovers."
A gasp went through the guests. Arthur just gawked and felt his face whiten. Alfred knocked over a bottle of wine as he got up.
"What the fuck are you talkin' about?" Francis pulled Arthur in closer to him. Arthur snapped out of his thoughts and wriggled free.
On his right, he had Ludwig who was being careful with handing people stuff. He made sure to fake smiles, but he would avoid touching anyone who was openly gay. Even the girls. Though, as he said, they were just 'being gay to look attractive to men'. Arthur didn't correct his way of thinking. The less people Ludwig would hate, the better.
On his left he had Alfred who was keeping an eye on Ivan sitting across of him. They we having a kicking-battle underneath the table, and it was obvious to everyone though no one commented on it. Sometimes Ivan would 'accidentally' knock his glass over so that his wine hit Alfred's food. Then Alfred would 'by mistake' send a piece of ham flying over onto Ivan's vegetarian salad. And then their feet would start kicking again. All while they were smiling friendly at each other.
Then Francis got up and demanded everyone's attention. Arthur felt slightly relieved. At least Alfred stopped kicking at that point.
"Dear family, dear friends," Francis lifted his glass and smiled, then his eyes fell onto Katyusha, the not-good-enough-for-my-son girl, and he added, "and Katyusha as well." There was a hushed mumbling around the tables. Katyusha got up and left. Matthew kept sitting, staring at his father with a fake smile and bright eyes. Francis smiled back. "Thanks to all of you for coming. It thrills me to see so many of you have shown up. I-" Francis kept speaking sugary nonsense. Arthur couldn't concentrate on what was being said as Alfred grabbed his hand underneath the tablecloth. Arthur glared at Alfred. Alfred didn't react, he was just looking at his father. He gave Alfred's hand a little squeeze. Then Alfred smiled. "Such a child." Arthur couldn't help but smile as well. A warm, nice feeling was filling up his heart just holding the other's hand. Despite Ludwig sitting behind him, despite Ivan sitting across of them, despite Francis standing and blabbering. He was feeling a little joyful.
However, he couldn't wait to get out of there and back to Alfred's, watch cartoons with him and hold his hand out in the open. Like lovers should.
"-today I am announcing something important. Arthur, will you please come up here?" Arthur blinked. He was ripped out of his daydreaming as all eyes fell on him. Especially Alfred was looking at him with wonder. Arthur was just as confused himself. Francis was smiling sweetly at him. "Arthur, please." Arthur got up and slowly walked up to Francis. Francis slipped an arm around his shoulders and sighed lovingly. "Everyone, this is Arthur Kirkland. This man has worked for me through years. He's a good employee, has for the last few days been a good friend. But today we'll openly announce," he held a pause, then spread his arms, "that we're settling down as lovers."
A gasp went through the guests. Arthur just gawked and felt his face whiten. Alfred knocked over a bottle of wine as he got up.
"What the fuck are you talkin' about?" Francis pulled Arthur in closer to him. Arthur snapped out of his thoughts and wriggled free.
"We're not lovers!" Arthur cried. Ludwig got up.
"Arthur, what is this?"
Reply
Leave a comment