Stubbornness would be the death of him. Stubbornness and pride. Arthur knew his flaws, knew that he was distant from friends, argumentative and flipped from one emotion to the next. He knew this, but still he could not fix it. So, when Francis commented in passing one afternoon that Arthur would grow up to be a grumpy, lonely old man, much to the amusement of Gilbert who happened to be close by, Arthur had no choice but to retaliate.

"Well Frog, at least I'll get to live that long, with all the wine you drink you'll be dead before you're 55!"

"Ha! Mon cher at least it is a life well lived, unlike your current saddening existence. Really, you're already acting like a 55 year old man I am surprised that you're not already in retirement! You need to learn how to have fun."

"I have plenty of fun thank you. Not that you would understand considering your idea of fun is to get absolutely hammered and start flirting with the closest object that has a heartbeat"

"Honhonhon, at least I have a love life mon lupin. I would bet $200 that anyone that tries to get romantically involved with you would be bored to death and be gone in the first week!"

"Well I bet that anyone that tries to live with you would get tired of the abundance of parties and one-night stands that you bring into the house and leave you for the snail you really are!"

"Is that a challenge monsieur Kirkland?"

"Ha! As if you would accept a challenge that you would so easily fail."

"Is it a deal or not?" Francis' eyebrow quirked upwards challengingly and he stuck out his hand for Arthur to shake. Arthur hesitated.

"Unless you believe that it will be you, that will lose?" Francis continued

Arthur crossed his arms defiantly "I'm not stupid frog, if we made this bet you can just break it up whenever you please and win the $200."

"Vhat if ze tables were turned?" inquired Gilbert from the sideline.

"Hmm? What do you mean Gilbert?" queried Francis

"Vell, because I am so amazingly awesome I vill personally give $200 to you Arthur if you can live with Francis for a veek. And, Francis, if you can stay in a committed relationship with Arthur for a week, zen you will win ze $200"

"So let me get this straight," said Arthur, "If Francis stays in a committed relationship, meaning no flirting, one night stands or any such thing, then he will get $200. And all I need to do is stay at his house for a week to get $200?"

"Zat is correct" Gilbert smirked

"This will be easier than I thought." Arthur gloated, "Still willing to make that bet Francis? Or maybe you should back out now to save yourself the humiliation of defeat."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that" Francis replied, once again sticking out his hand.

This time, Arthur took it with no hesitation. Consequently destroying the next week of his life.