Coming Home Ch.5

Alfred and Matthew sat on the bed, remaining motionless as Arthur entered the room. He took the chair from the room’s desk and sat in front of the two boys.

“Okay,” he said rubbing his forehead. “Explain to me what all happened.”

After they described how the fight went Arthur rubbed his temples. “Okay, now I think I understand what happened.”

He sat up and looked them in the eyes. “Alfred I’m glad you’re so willing to protect Matthew, and I understand that you naturally deal with your problems by punching them, but even if it was a natural reaction and you were provoked I simply can’t let this go unpunished.”

Matthew’s head slowly rose. “Are you going to spank us again?”

Arthur opened his mouth to respond but Alfred beat him to it. “Why you? You didn’t do anything wrong. I was the one doing the fighting.”

“But I shoved one of them too-”

“No! You were just following my bad example.”

“But-”

“End of discussion,” he turned to Arthur. “I’m not letting you hurt him.”

Arthur shrugged. “I wasn’t planning to.” Alfred stood. “So, are you gonna get your cane thing or what?”

Arthur shook his head. “I hardly think you’ve earned a canning.” He straightened up in his chair. “I think a short trip over my knee will be plenty. Come on.” He patted his lap.

Alfred stood there a second before reluctantly climbing into the awkward position.

Arthur placed a hand on his back. “Matthew, you may wait outside if you like.”

Matthew looked at Alfred once more before quickly leaving.

Alfred’s stomach twisted when Arthur gradually pulled down his jeans exposing his boxers but he didn’t struggle.

Without speaking Arthur raised his hand and brought it down quickly.

*SMACK!SMACK!SMACKSMACK!SMACK!*

Alfred flinched when Arthur’s hand struck him.

*SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!SMACK!*

Alfred yelped as the pain increased. “Ah, ngh, ow!”

“Alfred,” Arthur continued smacking the arse in front of him as he spoke. “I’m glad you want to protect your little brother but the way you handled the situation is not okay with me!”

Alfred kicked his legs and bit his lip.

Arthur picked up the pace. “Alfred I want you to tell me what you should have done.”

Alfred let a few tears slide down his face. “I don’t know! Walked away?”

“Don’t answer my question with another question.”

“Ouch! Walked away!”

“Yes or gotten me to help.” He finished with a firm smack and let the teen up.

Matthew came in as Arthur left.

He ran up to Alfred and wrapped his arms around him; he returned the gesture when he saw that he had tears in his eyes as well. “Hey lil bro, I’m fine. There’s no need to get all washed up on my account.”

Arthur left them alone and went to check his computer for updates from his co-workers.

He did a double take when he read there progress on finding the boys a more permanent home. He’d forgotten that their stay with him was only temporary.

He sighed and scrolled through his emails. No one had found a foster home that would take them yet, not that it upset him.
   
If Arthur was honest with himself he liked having them around. Living alone for so long with hardly any friends made him quite lonely. Taking care of the boys gave him something to look forward to.

‘Ping!’ Arthur snapped back to reality when a new message popped up on his screen.

He opened it and began reading. His heart skipped a beat.

One of the other officers had found two foster homes, each one would only take one of the boys.

Arthur quickly replied. ‘Re: What are you thinking?! We can’t split those two up!’

‘Re: We’ve got no choice, none of the other homes in the city want them!’

‘Re: That’s no excuse! I can’t allow you to split them up, I won’t stand for it!’

‘Re: Do you have another solution?’

Arthur paused, he did have another solution, one that he hadn’t had very much time to think over but if it meant that Alfred and Matthew could stay together it didn’t need considering.

Then he sent the three words that would change his life forever.

‘Re: I’ll adopt them.’

…

‘Re: Are you serious?’

‘Re: Yes.

…

‘Re: Okay.’