I move in America to finish my studies and the address given to me was unclear, because of that I stumble into this hidden bar where entertainers present with their skill in dancing and that's how I met him. The performance was beautiful, two men dancing on the stage as the music goes on, working on the pole with ease and perfection… I'm suppose to leave this place since clearly this is the wrong building but for some reason that blue eyed man caught my attention. Captivating like a Siren lulling it's prey.

"Do you want to take a seat, Sir?" One of the waiters asked and then Arthur quickly said no. Right after that, he venture towards the door, but he did look back to gaze at the blue eyed for the last time until he reach the door and finally steps out. He stayed in the hotel that night since he couldn't find the apartment he's suppose to stay in. Best to look for a new one instead if he wants to settle in before school days starts. Exhausted from the travel, Arthur Kirkland went straight to bed after doing his nightly routine, the usual. Taking a bath, brushing teeth, and putting on his PJs.

The next day he continue his search for an apartment, he's ridiculously picky when it comes to this due to tight budget and so it needs to be somewhere close to his College school and perhaps within a walking distance for a possible part-time job. He's free from his household, which is way across the pond, but he never imagined that taking a step in becoming independent is difficult. He receive a call after a few hours of putting up a search ad in the internet- lucky or not, it is vacant... BUT expensive.

"Too expensive." He said dryly after meeting up with the apartment owner. Quietly hoping that he will lower the price.

"It's the last one and if you want something cheaper, sad to say it's all taken and the only available ones are located 2 hours drive from this place." Arthur bit his lower lip as he stare at the empty room. He want it but his wallet screams no. "Look, boy. If you're that desperate then why not look for a roommate? This flat have two bedrooms, you can ask a friend of yours to stay in and share the expenses." Good solution but there's a wee bit of a problem- he's new here.. No friends yet. Perhaps putting up a list in the internet will do the trick? He's certain that there are people out there who are willing to share, right?

"..Okay, I'll take it." He said finally, hesitant but desperate at this point. "I'll make it work."

"Good! Now, I want you to sign these papers."

"Alright.." Somehow a small part of him scream that he will regret this.

"Good God, my back hurts!" Arthur exclaim after carrying the heavy boxes. Moving in early so he can start cleaning and arrange everything in place. It will be a long day and task must be done before he post something in listing for a qualified roommate. Glasses in place, mask on, Arthur start his day by vacuuming the carpet until he's done, lasted for an hour- this unit is huge, too huge for his liking which explains the expensive rental. Two spacious bedroom with bathroom each, then there's the living room and a wonderful kitchen. One month cost him his whole allowance! He wince at the thought, good bye lunch money and grocery.. A practiced farewell IF he won't be able to find a roommate, unless he works two part-time job but if that's the case.. His studies will be at risk.

He's always the type who works hard and even push himself to the limit. Never have the time to mingle with others or go out to meet new faces or even fall in love.. How can he? Arthur prefers reading books while staying indoors, he rarely socialize unless it's necessary and all the time he wear these huge baggy clothes. Messy sandy blonde hair like he just got out from bed, he wears huge glasses and his cheek- pale skin but with freckles here and there. A corpse, his siblings would call him. He misses them dearly.

Friends? Well, they became your friends for a reason- they want to copy your homework, use you for their advantage and then once school year is over they forget about you. Arthur detach himself from those kind of individuals.. He may respond to them, smile to fit in the society and once done, he will revert back to his old self.. The Arthur who only desire to be left alone in his own world, to be in his sanctuary where he does not require to wear a mask. "Done." Finally the unit is clean, furniture in place and now it's time to post in the listing. He made rules of course.. "Let's see."

Someone who enjoys cleanliness

Can give privacy

Comes home on time unless working in the evening, provide schedule.

No pets (For now)

No guest unless discussed

Share in all expenses. From rental, electricity, water and grocery (50/50)

Shares chores.

That's it. He add photos of the apartment and lastly his contact number before he hit send. "Now to wait." If his new roommate will be someone who enjoys causing trouble, he'll kick his bloody arse out for sure.

Stupid alarm… It was too early for our brazenly sexy Hero, Alfred F. Jones. A hand snaked from the the bundles of covers in the hotel room to slap the clock to shut up. Just as he did, the other side shifted about and a slim male crawled out, heading to the bathroom, leaving the other cold and alone. Half awake. It was the two from the night before. Both with sunny blonde locks and lightly tanned skin. Fit and lanky. They were brothers, contrary to what their dances lead people to think. Twins really, but they were overly comfortable with one another.

"Mattie… bed…" But the smaller of he two had already climbed into the shower. The second emerged, bedhead something fierce and dull baby blue eyes. He had a hard time sleeping that night, for some reason, the panicked and cute man who had locked his gaze the night before was bothering him. In a way, he wanted him to come back. The violet eyed male distracted his brother from his thoughts quickly.

"You need to find your place, my apartment would be too small if you're staying here and gonna make your break, Alfred." Matthieu leaned against the wall, eyebrow cocked as he stared at his over tired brother. "You're really trouble some. Check the papers and listings. I have to go to work." He walked to the dresser, putting on neat clothing and brushing his hair. "Check the listings, Al." With that, he left. Leaving Alfred to flop on his back, staring at the ceiling and setting up a mailing list for Apartment findings.

"Expensive… too far… run down… creeper.. Way too close.. not attractive enough.. boring.. boring! Ugh!" He sighed and dropped his phone on his chest. "Lame."

Annoying. Everything during the day. Alfred enjoyed the pure and bliss of the night. Sins can be committed, lies are shown, everyone the same. Human, longing for another human. It made for good money. Still, for the path he desired, he would have to trample with the best of the liars in the world. He lugged himself to the bathroom to shower and ready for the day, without shame, he walked around the hotel room naked, grabbing clean clothes to wear, bootcut jeans, sneakers, tight long sleeve shirt and a vest. There. He grabbed his guitar case and left for his first 'gig', an old cafe, dark with a small stage in the corner. Alfred was really the only talent they had and he worked two nights a week, a total of $40 and two free meals. It was better than nothing, and it got his real name out there as a singer, not an entertainer named… well, we'll save that for later.

A few hours later and Alfred was slumped over the table in the back of the cafe with a heavy sigh. Taken off stage because of poor turn out. Half pay. This sucks! At least he got his meal. With the economy so bad, this job wasn't brining much and his night gig was only bringing a portion of what it should. People pay still, but not as much as they used to. They want more for less now! Like he would even sell his body for less than a Franklin. This was lame, he didn't even have friends that he could hang out with on slow nights like this. He and Matthieu had grabbed all they wanted and left home on the eve of their 18th. Now Mattie was better off than he, a happy little bird with his jerk off of a boyfriend. Alfred sighed and took a swig of his drink- which only happened to be a smoothie, but just as he did his phone beeped with an email.

"Probably spam." Still, he took it out to check. To his surprise it was a high rate apartment offer That was one he passed up the other day because it was way too expensive.

"There's… rules?" He read them over and burst out laughing. "It would be just like with Mattie, but with my own room- AH! It's HUGE!" He leapt up, the cafe owner giving him a strange look. "S-sorry, I found an apartment." The man chuckled and shook his head, letting Alfred have his moment. Which ended with the lanky man running out of the cafe with his guitar to go back to his hotel to make this call. In fact, he sat on the bed staring at the number. "What if it's an old guy? Well, won't hurt to look." Send. The receiver pressed to his ear as he waited for the click and a accented hello.

"Hiya! I saw your add for a roommate, I was wondering if it's still open. If so, I was wonder what the rent would be around?" Hopefully this was it. He was getting tired of that 'college' routine of him having to sit outside the hotel room while a sock hung from the door.

Exhausted. That's what you get for cleaning this giant unit in one day and even move in the furniture in place, at least he doesn't have to worry about organizing his possessions. His clothes are in the closet, books in shelf and the empty unit earlier transformed into a new home, a cozy one.

Now I have to contact my brothers and inform them that I'm well, those sods tend to worry too much… treating me like child. Not really but the thought of letting Arthur explore this dangerous world frighten them. They're not babying him; it's just that… this world is filled with dreadful people and Arthur might breakdown if someone manage to shatter the barrier he carefully built. He's well reserved, honest, and vigilant and smart- one wrong step and he will fall. All his effort will be gone and his mind will be stained with muck.

"Arthair? Did something happen?" That would be his older brother, Alastair, he's in Scotland at the moment and working hard for his slowly growing family. He got married a few years ago and had their very first child, parents, they work until their bones get worn just for the sake of their offspring.

"Can't I give you a call that is not for emergency reasons?" Sighed. "Alastair, I found an apartment and it's a decent one."

"Not those thing in slums?"

"You know I would never stay in such place, right? Especially with you worrying about. Yes. Nothing compared to that.. I will send you photos of my place and the address so you can visit if you wish— Ah, I have to go, someone's in the other line, I will call you again— tomorrow, alright?" He hang up before Alasdair throw a word or two, not that he's being rude. Just that sometimes his older brother gets too chatty—err more like nosy, asking him questions here and there, poking about his love life and many others. He's just being protective but sometimes it gets in your nerves, you know? No time to rest.. Arthur push himself to sit up on his bed, soft bed to be exact and it took him a full minute cheering about how lucky he was to have this unit. Good bye stiff bed, good bye smelly neighbors and hello new place. "Hello, Kirkland speaking." Said too cheerfully, he smacks his head mentally for being chipper. The caller might think that he had gone bonkers or worst.

"Hiya! I saw your add for a roommate, I was wondering if it's still open. If so, I was wonder what the rent would be around?"

Judging by the caller's voice, he's most likely in his twenties. "Yes, it's available… Rate here is 1.2k so we're going to pay that 50/50, that already includes the facilities here.. Gym, pool, dance hall…" Why would anyone use a dance hall anyway? Well suppose it's for those who enjoy having classy time with their love ones. "If you wish to become my roommate, I hope you read the rules.. I'm quite strict when it comes to that. Anyway, how about you come here to check the apartment? I will show you around." The man in the other line sounds chipper and straightforward.

Alfred bounced on the edge of the hotel bed with a happy hum as he listened to the other man. Wow, he had a really thick accent, he must been someone who had recently moved here. Even better! That means that they'll be pretty cool to get along with for a while. "Alright, I can afford that easily." It has a gym! That's great, he needed to keep his figure for that other gig. "Yeah I read them all up, the only thing is the being home on time. I have a job that runs from around 8pm to anywhere from midnight to 3am on there." Alfred looked around the hotel room, eyes catching on the huge mirror on the wall. He looked himself over in it then frowned. I want to start my own life. He bit down on his lip and looked away, staring down at the floor. "Look. I really am interested in this offer. Would it be alright if I stop by tomorrow afternoon to possibly seal the deal and talk more rules if needed."

Was he desperate? Yeah a bit. He really wanted to start his own name, to get out there as Alfred. He needed a home, a fresh start. To be closer to school. Everything would start to fall into place after this. This was the first step. "Anyways! I'm Alfred, and you can call this number if you have any questions as well, other than that I'm excited about this tomorrow! There's a cafe in town if you feel uncomfortable being in the apartment alone."

He can pay his share easily, well that's what the man said and Arthur want nothing else but that. "Good.." Tomorrow, Arthur hum while musing on his schedule- he need to do some groceries tomorrow but he can do that today. "Alright, tomorrow- no.. There's no need to meet up somewhere else. I'm kind of in a hurry so having a roommate is a must, I'll send you the apartment address after the call. Drop by during lunch time?" He can cook, of course he can! He's been living all by himself for years now. Those rumors about British men couldn't cook is all bollocks and Arthur here is a living proof of that- just don't ask him to cook any French cuisine or he will strangle the life out of you. "Let's continue our talk regarding your schedule tomorrow. Alright, Alfred. I will be expecting you."

The American fell back on the bed with a happy hum again. "Yeah! Meeting up to check the Apartment would be good. Thank you for your time. I appreciate this." He's being very polite about this. Well, he had to this was basically a business deal. "Thanks! Bye." Click. Alfred nibbled at his lower lip and stripped off his clothing, dialing another number on his phone and leaving it on the dresser while he pulled on another rather tight outfit.

"Hello? This is Matthew!"

"Mattie!" Oh, his other brother replied with a low grunt. "Come on, be nice. I wanted to tell you that I found an apartment, up by the two schools." Matthew sounded chipper now, happy that his brother had finally found a permanent residence! "Anyways, I'm getting ready and will be at the bar in a bout half an hour. I'll see you there?"

"Where else would I go?"

True enough. They said their goodbyes and Alfred grabbed his hat and jacket, marching out the door. He was in extremely high spirits. Having a living opportunity opening up was amazing! It even cut his mind from the strange man that he had locked eyes with yesterday. It wasn't a big deal that they had gazed at each other, but the heated look in the green eyes was something fierce. That was his full reasons for being distracted by him that night. "Oh well. I hope my roommate is nice and not too stuck up. Or nosy. That would be trouble." He pulled the heavy steel door open to the back of the bar, greeting the bouncer as he did. Another night. Another game.