Over two hundred years. And yet, he still couldn't find the courage to tell him how he felt. How could he? They had been happy, until he had gone and ruined it. It seemed like all he ever did was ruin his happiness. What words could he use to ever even hope to apologize for what he did? Hey you remember how I broke your heart well I'm sorry here have some flowers? No. There was no way that would work, besides, Arthur deserved much better than him. He really was an idiot if he thought that after the revolution he still had a chance. He'd waited too long, and now it was just far too late.
It felt weird to be back in America. Sure there had been world meetings here before, but that feeling of being out of place never died. He remembered when America had still been his colony, and he always felt welcome here, but now, after the revolution their entire relationship was awkward. If only he still had the confidence of his pirate days, when he wasn't afraid to tell anyone how he felt or to even kill whoever dared to so much as give him a bad look. But those days were long gone, and in place of the fearless pirate stood and awkward gentleman in a world that moved by much too quickly for him to keep up.
As he wandered down the busy street to the hotel he would be staying at, he couldn't help but feel like coming at all was a big mistake. Maybe he should have just called in sick and done that pile of paperwork he had left at home. That's what he usually did. Instead he had found himself packed and on a plane to America for the meeting, feeling as though a storm of emotions was trying to tear him apart from the inside out.
When he reached the hotel, he picked up the key for his reserved room and went upstairs, glad to make it there without running into any other countries. Right now he just needed time to sit down alone with a cup of Earl Grey and a good book. He would deal with the meeting when it was time.
The meeting wasn't until tomorrow, so Alfred decided to take a short walk around the block to think. He really wanted to tell Iggy how he felt…but how would he react? Would it be like in those movies when the other character also had hidden feelings then they kissed, or would Arthur just be ticked and never want to see him again? And even if he did like him as well, where would they go from there? A kiss could only work so much magic.
He hadn't really been focusing on where he was going, and was surprised to find that he had ended up on the old path in the forest about a mile from his house. He stopped walking and debated whether or not he should turn back, after all, the sun would be going down soon and he didn't want to be walking home in the dark, that's when those horror film situations occurred! Suddenly a twig cracked from farther down the path, drawing his attention away from thoughts of axe murderers and rapists hiding behind garbage cans to thoughts about rabid animals and scary clowns that have been kicked out of the circus and held grudges. "Hello?" he called out. "Dude if someone is out there I'd appreciate it if ya would let me know. Cuz I watched a scary movie last night and I'm still kinda freaked out!"
There was silence that carried on for a few minutes, and when he assumed that he had just heard an animal hurrying by, a voice answered. "Why ever would you be afraid of me, poppet? It's not like I would hurt you." Walking down the path came Iggy, or at least someone who looked like him. A few things about him were different, instead of piercing green eyes he had bright bluish-purple eyes that seemed to glow with their own light. And something about him was different in how he made Alfred feel. Instead of feeling happy about being with him, for some reason he felt like the air around them was too still, like the forest itself was also unsure about the new arrival.
"…Iggy, is that you?" he asked in disbelief.
The person in question laughed causing the hair on the back of Al's neck to stand on end. "No, I'm not your precious little 'Iggy' my name is Artie."
"Artie?" A nod of the affirmative, "how do you know Iggy?"
"It's complicated to explain, but if you would like I can try to explain it to you." He grinned, and Alfred couldn't decide if the grin was supposed to be inviting, or if he was supposed to feel uncomfortable.
"Um…okay I guess, but I gotta go home soon, I don't want to walk home in the dark, like I said earlier, the movie I saw last night was scary as hell!"
Another laugh, "Alright poppet, just follow me then." Without looking back to see if Alfred was going to follow, he continued to walk down the path deeper into the forest. He really is an idiot! He thought gleefully when he heard the sound of crunching leaves behind him.
A cup of Earl Grey and a few chapters later, Arthur looked out of his hotel room window. The daylight would only last about an hour or so more, it was almost time to decide what should be done for his evening meal. He didn't feel like dealing with others much at the moment, so he decided to make his own meal for the night. A small market was next door to the hotel and since it was almost empty he bought the ingredients he would work with there. The cashier had seemed very confused for some reason when he rang up the various items; obviously he wasn't used to the combination of flavors needed for a proper meal.
Once he had collected what he would need, Arthur returned to his room and turned on the oven in the compact kitchen area. He took out a small pot and filled it halfway with water. After it boiled he started to chop, crush, and slice the various foods and add them to the pot. Once there was nothing else to add he set the lid on and waited for it to finish. It was hard work, but he was sure it would be more than worth it, after all, he didn't want to brag but he was a very good cook in his opinion.
Alfred followed Artie along the path and listened in confusion as he explained that in a way he was Arthur, but in a different form. Well that would explain why they looked so similar. "So does Arthur know about you then?" he asked.
"If he did then I doubt you would have ever even met me dear. You see, I'm like an opposite of sorts."
"An opposite? You mean like a he's light and you're dark kinda thing?"
"Couldn't have explained it better myself, love."
Al jumped inwardly at the final word he spoke, love? They had just met! Then another thought made his stomach drop. What if this Artie did like him…would that mean that Iggy hated him?!
"We're here!" Artie announced cheerfully.
They were still in the woods, in fact, the trees had only gotten denser, and blocking out even more of the now-fading sunlight, yet Alfred could still the small house that stood before them. It wasn't very big, probably only a few rooms, and was painted white so it stood out which must be useful when you live this deep in the woods. There were a few windows that showed that no lights were on inside, and the door was black with a few roses planted around the front. All in all it didn't look dark at all, well aside from literal lighting at least. It just looked like a normal house you would pass by on a street. "Do you live here?" Alfred asked in slight shock.
"I do, you see it's too dangerous to live in the city with my job." He replied casually.
"Why, what job do you have?" Must've been a really unusual job if he couldn't work in the city.
"I enjoy baking." He answered with a wide smile.
"But can't you bake in the city?" that smile…he felt like it was one a hunter would give to cornered prey…He mentally shook himself, now he was just spooked by the approaching darkness and his previous thoughts about murders. Which reminded him…"Hey Artie, even though I'm sure you have an awesome house I really need to get back home. It's starting to get dark out now."
"Aw, but surely a small peek inside wouldn't cost you too much time? After all, it's a shame for you to walk all the way here with me if you won't even allow me to show you around a bit." He pleaded.
He hesitated before answering, "…alright, sure. But only a quick look dude, okay?"
"Alright, I daresay you may find yourself unable to leave however, many people seem to stay longer than they mean to when they visit." He grinned, opening the door to invite his 'guest' inside. The plan is falling into place perfectly now!
