Warning(s): Language, slight gory…? More below.
Author's Note: So. This is only a trial and just-for-fun fic; please bear that in mind. Alternate Timeline.
Warning: At first this story is supposed to contain racial matters... but after some yelling from my friends I've decided to change them out. Tho' the main story wouldn't be far too different from the previous one, but the characters are going to change. Hope that wouldn't offend anyone... I don't want any FBI-like thing running after me anyway -_- And I'm not American at all, so I have no idea of what is the inside of the USA, cities and things like that; thus there is a very big chance that the places will be - geographically - incorrect. Trying my best to get them right tho'.
This is an America-centric fic... as in, the USA. Yeah I know Al is America... it's kinda hard to explain.
Human names are used here, 'cause I think if use the nations' name it'd be confusing whether who was talking about who or what. Beware of some OOCs; while OCs are a yes… just see it later.
Chapter 1
December C.E. 2062, World Meeting
"Al, you okay?" Matthew asked anxiously. His brother hadn't looked well since several days ago, and he couldn't help but to worry about him. Al has always been a cheerful and loud guy… him being silent was already strange. Not to mention that he had begun to daydream while in the meeting.
His brother blinked wearily, yawning in the process. "I'm fine, Matt. Just a bit tired."
But living together with Al for years couldn't fool him that easily, because his blue eyes told a different story. "You sure? You can go home if you're not feeling good, you know…" He advised.
"Nah, s'not a big prob. Just need more sleep later, trust me." Alfred yawned again and adjusted his glasses, leaning back into his chair.
"Al, do you have something to say?" Arthur called from the end of the table.
Waving his hand airily, he closed his eyes to stifle another yawn. "Nope, just go on, Arthur."
The older blond nodded, and then turned his head to face the whole room once more. "All right. So as I was saying…"
Soon enough the meeting ended, and Alfred walked out of the room tiredly, followed by Arthur behind. His face was all scrunched up, and it was clear as a day that he needed some rest, else he'd collapse anytime.
"I think you need a rest, Al." Arthur suggested, flipping the man's file. "You look like you haven't slept for days."
"Yea, gotta agree with you on the resting part." The taller blond gave an agreeing nod, "and your second part wasn't wrong either…" He trailed off.
"Huh?" Arthur stopped walking instantly, and when the man in front of him turned his body he raised an eyebrow in a questioning manner. "What do you mean – you've not had enough sleep?"
Alfred laughed nervously, and scratched the back of his head. "Well yeah, you're right."
"And why, if I might ask?" Arthur questioned again, curiosity getting the best of him, "it's not like you to not having enough sleep."
Groaning audibly, Alfred gestured for the shorter blond to follow him. "I'll tell you… but accompany me to the café, okay?"
And that was why both men had ended up in the nearby café, with the taller blond slumping like he had no more energy inside his body. He swigged his cup of black coffee, and let his head hit the table. "So that's why, Arthur… work's been hectic like Hell." He complained, "oh, and don't tell Matthew, please? I don't want him to worry about me too much."
"…I see." Arthur nodded in confirmation, "rest assured, I won't tell anyone about this. But my advice, you balance your life and your work… or people would notice, even if not immediately."
"Yeah, like," Alfred snorted indignantly, "I've got two people telling me the same thing today."
"That is, if you want to get better." Arthur retorted mildly.
The younger man stayed silent for a few more minutes before smiling and nodding weakly. "I know," he answered, "I'll get better in a flash, don't you worry. I've been through times like this a lot of times already… a condition such as this won't defeat me that easily."
They stayed in silence for several more minutes, the only audible sound was the music playing softly from behind the counter. It was rather mellow yet relaxing, and both Alfred and Arthur found themselves relaxed with just each other's company.
About 20 minutes later Alfred stood up from his chair, straightening his body. Groaning audibly, he did a slight exercise just to warm himself back again. "Hey," he began, turning to the older blond and smiled, "thanks for accompanying me, Arthur. I appreciate it, really."
"It's no problem at all, Al. Just thought that maybe someone's company might cheer you up a bit."
"Yea, you're right." The taller blond nodded in agreement, wearing his coat once again. When he noticed Arthur taking out his wallet, he immediately stopped him in doing so, yanking out his own as he did so. "I'll pay this time, Arthur."
"Huh?" The shorter blond blinked in surprise, and was about to retort when he noticed the younger man's blue eyes. The shine was back in its place, and though it wasn't as strong as usual; it was there, lightening his posture and each of his movements. "…Okay then, whatever you say."
But the American suddenly grinned and smacked the Briton's back rather hard, causing him to cough and scowl. "Hey, what was that about?"
"No, nothing," Alfred sang happily as he began to walk out of the small café, waving to the owner behind. The tip was already on the table, and the older blond only shook his head, because he knew how much money Alfred usually left. He then followed the taller man out of the café.
Outside, the snow had begun to fall lightly, swirling in a circular pattern around the streets. The lamps were on, dimly enlightening the covered-with-white road. It was about 3 or 4 pm, but as it was already winter the sky was starting to get dark.
Alfred huffed out a white puff of breath as he said, "Arthur, you can go back now. I can handle it from here on… and thanks for accompanying me… again."
Eyeing the taller blond for a second, Arthur asked once more, just to make sure he was alright. "You sure you can take care of yourself?"
"Yea, trust me, okay?"
Arthur said nothing, he just nodded and turned to walk to the opposite direction as Alfred's instead. He waved his right gloved hand at the American, but didn't see that the latter smiled and waved back at him before going back to his own house.
Several hours later, Arthur was just about to drink his tea when his cell phone vibrated inside his pocket, so he took it out and flipped it open. On the bright screen was a small box of a message notification.
It was from Al.
He put his cup back on the table and opened the message.
Hey, Arthur, do you mind coming to my house now? I have a helluva work here… I mean, it's 'kay if you don't want to though… if you're coming, tell me so I can pick you up at the airport. And don't worry about the tickets, I'll pay. Al.
When he finished reading the message, his eyebrows furrowed into a frown. Hadn't Al said that he was okay? What had happened after he had left to his house? Without a really proper consideration, Arthur typed his reply.
I'll be there shortly, Al. Did anything happen after I left?
Arthur rushed to his room leaving his phone beside his cup before grabbing his suitcase and stuffing things like clothes and personal accessories into it immediately. Five minutes later Arthur believed that he had just finished the fastest sudden packing in his whole life, and locked it tightly. He went back outside with the suitcase on his left hand, checking his phone again. Al's reply had arrived about three minutes ago.
Thanks, Artie.
Arthur's previous frown reappeared, now even deeper. Something must be wrong with Al, he thought, he won't be like this if there hadn't been anything wrong.
Don't think about it. Was his immediate reply.
And that was why Arthur found himself here, standing in front of Alfred's huge mansion. Staring at the brown door for a moment, he knocked at it. Even though he had the key to Al's house, he didn't feel like just storming in, especially when he didn't know what had happened to the younger blond.
Seconds later the lock clicked, and Alfred poked his head out of the door. When he saw the man who was standing there, he smiled and pushed open the door wider. "I think I've told you that I'll pick you up at the airport… but anyway, come in Arthur."
Shrugging himself out of his coat, the older man hung his coat on the provided pole near the door. He then turned to face the taller blond fully, and looked directly at his blue eyes. "What happened, Al?" The fact that he was looking rather disheveled – from his clothes, his hair, heck his face also – didn't really help at all.
"Ah, well," the American fidgeted slightly, eyeing the floor, "s'just… I'm kinda feeling lonely with all the stacks of papers…" But then he looked up again to Arthur's green ones, "I've told you it's okay if you didn't want to come, did I?"
"I wouldn't have come if I don't want to help you, idiot." The Brit retorted, "you're just too daft, you know?" He sighed, but continued again, "now just tell me where am I supposed help you."
"…You sure?" Alfred asked, with a hint of uncertainty. When he saw the other man glaring he quickly raised his hands and laughed, "alright, alright, Artie. Geez you're just too serious…" He finished.
The two men walked into the main hall in comfortable silence albeit the previous bickering, with the younger man leading them both. Soon they arrived in front of another door, though this one was a common type.
"Hey," Al began, capturing Arthur's attention, "I'll be in here if you need me, yea?"
"Sure," the Brit nodded easily, "but what am I supposed to do?"
"Oh yeah!" The other blond exclaimed, and led him to the next door. "I just need you to, uh… sort the files inside for me? It won't be that hard, I promise."
After Alfred opened the door, Arthur came in, taking on the room. It looked just like an ordinary working room… but there was some sort of relaxed aura that lingered around the place that made… breathing, easier. Common offices usually had a tense aura, making works even harder. But this room, Arthur thought to himself, was probably specifically designed for ease at work… especially when the designer was Alfred.
"Okay then, I'll take it from here." Dropping his suitcase next to the desk, he asked again, "do you have anything else for me to do?"
"Ah, no," Alfred answered, "t'was bad enough of me already to ask for your help, giving you more works isn't what a hero would do, ya know?" He grinned before walking out of the room, leaving Arthur with the files. "Just call me if you need anything!" He yelled from the outside.
Arthur began working, starting with the file on the top of the stack. After about half an hour, he turned his head around to look for a drink, and found a small refrigerator at the corner of the room. Grabbing an instant can of coffee (since it was the only thing that was inside the fridge), he got back to his work.
When the clock hit eleven o'clock, Arthur stood up, straightening himself. His back was stiff after about four hours of sorting and no standing, and his eyes were starting to burn. Yawning, he walked towards the door and opened it. "Al?" He called. No answer.
He knocked on Al's office, but still received no answer at all. "Hey, Al?" He called again, this time louder. After a few seconds with still no answer, he decided to look in.
There, Alfred was behind the desk, but his head was on it. Three cans of coffee stood at the corner of his desk, while his pen was threatening to fall down. A constant yet barely audible snore could be heard, and Arthur smiled to himself as he shook his head.
He went out of the room again, only to come back with a blanket and a small pillow on both hands. "Idiot, you could've just stopped if you were tired," he muttered quietly. Lifting Al's head, he collected all the papers that had been under with the head before putting the small pillow there. After the desk looked tidy enough, Arthur wrapped the blanket around the younger man's body.
"G'night, Al." Arthur bid quietly before turning off the lamps and closing the door with a quiet click.
A/N: I'm sorry if this chapter didn't really contain anything :p The main problem would show up on the next chapter... hopefully.
And if you noticed any mistakes, I'd be really grateful if you would point them out... anyway, thanks for reading! XD
