Alfred Jones was sitting in a field a fair distance away from his farm, his back leaning up against a tree. A blue lake shimmered not too far away from him. The sun shone down on his tan and muscular frame, his white as snow shirt slightly buttoned and open and suspenders hanging loosely from his hips. The boy's sky blue eyes were closed in the heat of the mid-summer day. Tall grass swayed in the dusty breeze, stirring his honey colored locks. Alfred shifted slightly in the sunlight, his body drinking it in.

Nearby, a British soldier was walking along the sandy beach of the lake. The sleeve of his shirt was torn up, blood seeping through the opening. He was obviously lost. The Brit had hair the color of sun ripened wheat. Eyes the color of emeralds complimented it fantastically. He paused at a rocky outcrop of rocks by the lake, setting down his weapon and shrugging off his shirt and coat. The man waded into the cool water, delighted by the feel of it against the hot pressure of the summer day. His attention was focused on his injured arm. The Brit cupped his hand, scooping water into it and rubbing it into the wound. His green eyes were focused on the task at hand. "Damn American ambush plan." He mumbled under his breath, cursing frequently under his breath.

Meanwhile, Arthur was oblivious to the fact that an enemy of his side of the war was no more than ten meters away from him. His eyelashes cast small shadows over his sunburned cheekbones, sweat glistening on his forehead. The American's blue eyes snapped open when he heard a splash of water coming from the lake. Alfred's gaze wandered to the lake, eyes resting on the Brit's figure. He stood up, shading his eyes from the sun.

"Ya lost?" He called, loping over to the lakeside.

The stranger jumped, turning, eyes on the defensive. He relaxed slightly at the sight of the unarmed boy. "Aye. But keep it quiet. Wouldn't want anybody knowin'." He winked, giving Alfred an easy smile. The man had an English accent. His muscular body had the American's full attention. Al blushed slightly, rubbing the back of his sweat plastered neck with a hand.

"I'm Alfred Jones. An' you are?"

The stranger cast a careless glance over the boy. "Arthur Kirkland." He ducked his head under the water, resurfacing soon after. Arthur's breath hissed out from clenched teeth. "Water's bloody cold…" He griped.

"Well, it's hot out here, I reckon." Alfred answered wryly, stretching his toned arms over his head. The Brit smiled wistfully, sliding out of the water and pulling his shirt over his head. "No kidding, eh? Hotter 'n Hell in July, I'd say."

Alfred's lingering blush returned, causing him to avert his bright gaze. "'Tis that way round these parts."

"Mm, I wouldn't know much about that." Arthur muttered, nodding slightly and running a hand through his damp hair.

"You new 'ere?" The taller boy inquired, wiping the sweat off his brow.

"You could say that." Arthur smiled faintly, looking down at his still-bloody arm. "Persistent little bugger, aren't ya?" He wiped the blood away, but more surfaced after he had done so. Alfred's eyes widened when he saw the blood. "You're bleeding!" He exclaimed.

"No kidding…" The Brit answered. Wordlessly, the boy crossed over to his newfound friend. He tore a strip off of his white shirt and used it to bind Arthur's shallow wound.

"Careful you don't take my arm off, mate." Arthur commented dryly, wincing as the American tightened the cloth over his bicep.

Eyes twinkling, Alfred chuckled and looked back down at the shorter man. "I'll try not to, Arthur."

"Alright, then, Alfred." He answered. Alfred liked the way his name sounded with Arthur's accent. He adjusted his glasses, giving the other boy a charming smile. The guarded expression slipped from Arthur's face. He gave the boy a genuine smile, eyes softening. "What's a fine lad like yourself doing out here on a day like this, eh?"

"Gettin' away from the farmwork." He smiled sheepishly, scratching his head. Arthur chuckled, nodding. "Ah, I see."

"Well it get's 't be a pain in the arse when you want to dream the day away instead." Alfie gazed at the lake, his eye color matching that of the lake. It was almost enchanting.

"I know the feeling," Arthur admitted, smiling at the other male. Alfred looked back up, returning his smile. "You're British, aye?"

Arthur nodded, eyes amused. "Aye, that I am. What was it, the accent that tipped you off~?"

Alfred nodded, chuckling and tilting his head sideways. "What's a Brit doin' round here?"

The Brit in question let out an exasperated sigh, looking up at the sky. "Bein lost." He responded gruffly. Alfred tsked, smiling and shaking his head. "Need any help findin' yer way back?"

The shorter man shook his head. "I rather like being lost on a day like this. No point in going back now…" Alfred nodded in agreement. "True enough."

Arthur grinned. "How old are ye, anyways?"

The American puffed out his chest proudly, smiling. "Sixteen. Only a few years short of being a man. And you?"

The Brit smirked. "Eighteen. I beat you by two years." He proclaimed smugly.

"No fair…" The blue eyed boy huffed.

"It is so." Arthur bumped his shoulder playfully. Alfred rolled his eyes and began to unbutton his shirt, walking towards the lake. "It's hotter 'n hell out here. I'm going for a swim." The boy cast aside his white shirt, whistling softly. Arthur grinned, following him. "I think I'll join you there…"

Alfie grinned, shading his eyes from the sun and discarding his glasses as well. "Sure thing." He hopped slightly, running into the lake with a whoop. The Brit laughed, watching him. Alfred reminded him of himself at that age. The American slid himself into the water, sighing with satisfaction. He tilted his head back, water droplets littering his darkly tanned torso. Arthur climbed onto a rock, lowering his feet into the water and kicking his feet lightly. He liked the feeling of the water lapping at his knees. His green eyes were downcast and unfocused.

Al ducked under the water, coming back up, shivering with pleasure. He raked his hand through his sun bleached hair. His blue eyes settled on Arthur, who was sitting with his head tilted back towards the heavens. His skin was slightly freckled, slightly sunburnt. A slow, mischievous grin slid into place on Alfred's face. He scooped water up at the relaxing man. Arthur's vivid green eyes snapped open, shock accenting them mildly. He recoiled from the cold water, pulling his knees up to his chest.

"Hey! That's cold!" He snapped, irate. Alfred just snickered. The Brit rolled his entrancing eyes and slid his feet back into the water. Arthur wasn't done with his share of fun, though. The American boy grabbed the other's legs up under the knees and pulling him into the frigid water. Arthur yelped, eyes widening as he was dragged in. He rose to the surface of the water, spitting water at Alfie. Alfred's electric blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

Arthur shrugged his soaking shirt off, tossing it onto the rock he had currently inhabited. He turned to the American, pushing him lightly and brushing his now wet hair out of his eyes. "Cheater…"

Arthur grinned, eyes trailing over the Brit's muscular body before ducking his head under the water to ovoid an onslaught of water from his companion. After Alfie had disappeared into the foamy depths of the lake, Arthur dragged himself back onto his previous perch. He patted it almost affectionately as Alfred came up for air. "This is my rock. No touching it."

"Yeah, yeah." The American rolled his eyes.

Arthur grinned triumphantly, crossing his toned arms over his dripping chest. Alfred's eyes flickered over to him, studying him. He bit his lip subconsciously. He hummed his approval. Arthur shivered as the wind picked up. He slid back into the water. "'S too cold up there…" He grumbled. The blue eyed boy shrugged, eyes sliding back down as he bobbed in the water.

The Brit splashed him halfheartedly, earning a grin and a return splash from his friend. Arthur ducked his head to avoid the water, holding arms halfway up. Alfred looked at his hair. It seemed so soft. His hands itched to touch it. The boy found himself running a hand through it. Arthur looked up curiously. After a moment, he decided that it felt good, and leaned into the taller boy's hand. His cheek rested in Alfred's wide, work-worn palm. His green eyes half closed as he made a small purring-like sound.

Alfie's eyes widened slightly, a blush dusting his cheeks. The green eyed boy's eyes closed all the way. The American's eyes went from his eyes to his lips, licking his own self-consciously. His blush burned deeper, lighting up his sunburnt cheeks. Just go for it, he thought to himself, closing his own eyes and leaning forward. Without a second thought, he connected their lips. Arthur's fluttered open. He blinked in surprise, melting into the kiss. Alfred cupped his cheek, running a thumb lightly over his cheekbone and deepening the kiss. Arthur brought his arms to rest on Alfie's shoulders, fingers tickling the nape of his neck. He tilted his chin up slightly to compensate for their height difference. Alfred moved his hand to cup the back of the Brit's neck. He pulled away for air, face lit up.

The Brit looked up at Alfred, eyes lazy. He ran his tongue over his bottom lip, a small blush on his cheeks. The American boy leaned down, resting his forehead on Arthur's as the water lapped at their waists. The shorter man sighed softly, placing a small kiss on the tip of the taller man's nose.

"I-I…" Alfred began, cheeks aflame.

"No need to apologize," Arthur cut him off gently. "I liked it.

Alfred's eyes widened as he came to a sudden realization. "I won't be able to go back to church now.."

This earned a startled laugh from Arthur. "That's what you're concerned about?" He asked almost incredulously. The American slid deeper into the water, blushing darkly. "Y-yes…"

"Oh, Alfie…" Arthur sighed, patting his head affectionately at his naivety. Alfred bit his bottom lip. The Brit sighed softly, running a hand over the younger male's enflamed cheek. He clapped his hands to his face. Arthur sighed, face falling. He pulled himself onto his rock, leaning back and focusing up on the sky.

"I-I'm sorry…" Alfred apologized, slipping out of the water and pulling on his shirt. Arthur looked up at him, brow furrowing. "What for?"

"Th-that." He sighed shakily, running a hand through his wet hair. Arthur let out another sigh, gazing back up at the sky and lacing his hands behind his head. "No need to, love."

"I have to go…but…will I see you again?" The American asked hopefully. The Brit's eyes darkened as he remembered his loyalty to the King. "I'm not sure…maybe one day." On the battlefield, he added to himself.

"I'll….be going to join the service in th' war." Alfred said, smiling brightly, his eyes shining with pride. Arthur's eyes widened slightly, his worst fears confirmed. "O-oh…"

"Somethin' wrong?" Alfie asked, tilting his head and furrowing his brow. Arthur shook his head sullenly, climbing off the rock and going to the shore of the lake. "No, everything is fine…"

Alfred crossed over to the shorter man, tilting his chin up and hesitating only briefly before placing a soft kiss on the other man's lips. He broke the kiss abruptly, turning and walking off, waving over his shoulder. "See ya! I can feel it, Arthur. We'll meet again." He announced proudly, eyes twinkling behind his glasses.

"Righto…" Arthur said, less confidently. He felt a piece off him break as he watched the man walk away. It was clear; he had fallen for this naïve American boy. Too bad he had to be on the opposite side of the war.