Curious: Finch's Chapter

            “Now why would I do that?” Francis questioned, smirking through his voice. “Clearly, I’ve already beaten your stupid curse. I won’t be needing your Option B. So sorry.” He paused and thoughtfully cocked his head. It was as if he was listening to a response. “No, I don’t think I’m going to regret anything.”

            Francis rose from the table, his one-sided conversation apparently over. Before he could be noticed, Finch tiptoed back into the bathroom. Most people would have been quite concerned if their spouse was talking to themself, especially the way Francis did. Finch didn’t mind it though. He knew that his husband’s family had a mild streak of insanity, and, while curious, the silent voices he conversed with did no harm. It was simply another curiosity. Life had given him plenty of those before.

            Finch was no fool. He knew that Francis had married him for his money. That didn’t stop him from loving his much younger husband though. Growing up, his eyes had lingered too long on plenty a man. His parents highly disproved of this. Coming from family money, Finch quickly decided to brush away any confusing feelings in exchange for financial security. He’d been able to live a life of leisure. It was quite comfortable save for the occasional wife and then inevitable divorce.

            He’d nearly forgotten about his curious attractions when Francis came into his life. He was inappropriately young at the time, but his bold behavior brought memories back. And after the Duvall boy became an adult, Finch allowed himself to be pulled down into a romance that his Father would have called a debauchery. But his father was no longer around, nor anyone else who might strip him of his modest riches. Francis became a peek into the window of what could have been had he chosen love over money.

            But Finch didn’t just love Francis because of that. And he didn’t only love him for his youthful body either. Although, that was an added bonus.

            What made Finch love Francis was Francis. He was a kindhearted family man, one who knew the hands of responsibility, even if he vehemently denied it. Under the excuse of wanting to test out his new appliances, Francis taught himself to cook, making dinner nearly every night.

            Francis was passionate. Finch loved to watch his eyes widen as he spoke about all the dreams he had for his future, even if most of them were financially driven. And so what if the boy wanted money? He worked hard to advance further in his career, whatever it was. It was more than Finch had done in his life.

            The simoleons Francis brought in didn’t only go towards his desires. He paid all the bills for his family, and never once did he complain about it. At least, not within Finch’s ear reach.

            Sure, Francis had kicked his brother out of the nest. It was a necessary step in every person’s life though. Frederick had finally found a job and a fiancée for himself because of it. The sisters still living at home were given the gift of their brother’s time. He often played around with them, giving Gloria good scares every now and then. Their sibling quarrels made the old man smile.

            He handled the more serious duties as well, taking the load from his mother’s shoulders. When Aubrey went through a period of disappearing after school, Francis was the one to scold her and put her in timeout.

            Despite not loving the older man, Francis gave him marital attention. Finch considered himself lucky, even if the affection was occasionally used as a way of teasing the girls.

            “Don’t worry, I know a way we can get rid of her.”
“I’m not getting out, even if you guys are macking all over each other. You’re always hogging the hot tub!”

            “Okay, fine, you win!”

            Most of the time, Francis was generous to his husband for reasons that Finch could only believe came from a goodhearted place. At those times, he considered himself extra lucky.

            Extra, extra lucky.

            With their marriage, Finch had not only gained a husband for a short while, but also a family. Something he never thought he’d be blessed enough to have. He had not conceived with any of his wives, and he’d never been close to his parents or siblings. The Duvalls had taken the old man in with open arms, allowing him to be privy to their sometimes odd, but always endearing, lives.

            So you see, Finch had many reasons to marry an obvious gold digger. To make up for poor decisions of his past, to adopt people to love and accept him, to have a young warm body at his disposal. But mostly, Finch simply loved Francis. He was more than willing to stay by his husband’s side for whatever amount of time he had left. In fact, giving up the entirety of his wealth did not seem a price high enough.

            Francis started to take ill shortly after his sisters aged and moved out of the house. This worried Finch terribly.

            But it also allowed him an opportunity to give back to his husband. Rushing to his aide made him very happy. He hoped that the younger man saw it as some sort of repayment for whatever chunk of his youth he dedicated to him. He hoped that Francis could see that he really did care about him for more than his body and family.

            Finch could never be sure what Francis thought though. He’d just assure him he was alright and ask to be left alone. That was okay for Finch too. He was used to having curiosity in his life.