The worst bet ever [Face family fanfic]
Random FrUk because I was bored:
Your prompt: Arthur staying up half the night to finish a game with Francis.
It started out as a bet with their youngest, Alfred. That boy was really testing his parents ever since he started walking.
But that was back then. Now, Alfred was 14 and thought he was the king of the world. He asked for everything he saw, and when he didn't get it, he just took it anyway.
Arthur was at his wit's end. And Francis just as much. They tried everything, but couldn't find a way to make Alfred do his chores, listen, study... anything!
When Alfred turned 12 he asked for a PS4 console. Back then, Francis gave him a goal, Arthur kept using it as a warning every time Alfred said "No!" to anything they asked him... and in the end, Alfred persuaded them.
Ever since then, it was harder and harder to get the boy to do anything. Alfred was always glued to the console. All. The. Damn. Time.
"Francis," Arthur growled, "this is the fifth night. Just give up already..."
The whine didn't even seem to get through his husband. So he went to stand in front of the TV, frowning.
"Come on. Bed time. You have work tomorrow and I want to cuddle."
Francis looked up and frowned back at Arthur: "Not now. I need to finish this."
Arthur had to admit, he was offended by that. He even went as far as to ask for cuddles and all Francis said was 'not now' ?! How dare he?!
"Excuse me. Not now?! Francis, this is ridiculous! You're a grown ass man and you spend all night playing that stupid game? And for what! I bet you even forget what you asked of Alfred!"
Francis lost another round and groaned: "It's not about that anymore. It's about the principle. My pride is at stake at this point! I am not going to sleep until I either pass out, my alarm rings or I win."
Francis' word seemed final and Arthur gave up. He rolled his eyes and walked off to the kitchen.
Francis was so incredibly stupid. Betting Alfred that he can beat his high score was ridiculous. Francis never played the game and Alfred... well it was all he ever did.
Making two cups of tea, he walked back, sitting down next to Francis.
He still thought Francis was insane for doing this, but... he was his husband and he wanted to support him. (Okay, that was a lie. He just wanted to be near him.)
"Jump now," he muttered, putting a blanket over their legs."
"You should wait or you get hit..." he hummed, stretching and sipping on his drink.
"See, I told you," he yawned when Francis didn't listen and died.
"See, I told you," Francis mocked, "how the hell do you know what I'm supposed to do?!"
Arthur shrugged.
"Last week I was doing crosswords when Alfred was playing. I got so mesmerized by how deep he was in the game, I couldn't stop watching. Some of it stuck with me, I guess. Climb up now, don't go down..."
In similar fashion, Arthur guided Francis through places he remembered and lied his head on Francis' shoulder.
Neither of them noticed that the sun had come out and the doors around the house started opening.
Matthew was the first one to come out, noticing his parents and coming to cuddle with them with a giggle. He tried to cuddle Francis, but the man was glued to the TV, his eyes big.
"Daddy... what's papa doing?" Matthew asked, finding his place in Arthur's lap.
"Papa went insane..." he mumbled and shook his head, "why are you up?"
"Cuz our alarm went off..." Alfred yawned from the doors and watched Francis, "go up now!"
Francis, thinking it was Arthur, jumped and... died. He stood up, ready to curse, when the screen light up.
NEW HIGSCORE
"Yes! Yes yes yes!" he yelled and grabbed Matthew, hugging him tightly.
Turning to Alfred, he smirked: "I won! I won and you lost the bet! Now go and... do the thing!" he said smugly.
Alfred rolled his eyes with another yawn: "Sure. I'll clean my room when I get back from school."
Francis' jaw fell.
"Is that... why I spend three nights up to beat that stupid game?!"
Alfred left and Matthew ran after him with a giggle. Arthur stood up and folded the blanket, shaking his head.
"You're such a fool, Francis..."