1. Introduction

It shouldn't be that hard.

Really, this was the kind of thing you learned when you were still very young; something that stuck with you for the rest of your life. It was a vital skill... despite common knowledge and practice, it was still very much a skill. This wasn't something that a college student should be struggling with.

'Hello. My name is Alfred F. Jones.'

There! It wasn't as if he was socially backwards or anything like that (Alfred would boast that it was quite the opposite, actually). He knew how to greet people. It wasn't that hard. And he had the simple mechanics down. But... It wasn't simple. He had to get this right. This was of the upmost importance, after all.

What if such a greeting was too basic? What if the other died from the blandness or worse, what if he scoffed and told Alfred he needed to put more effort into such an introduction? Hell, that was something you found on most name tags. It definitely wouldn't do! Bland and boring was not the Alfred F. Jones style!

'Good evening, my fine sir. How are you? My name is Alfred F. Jones and I was wondering if that seat was taken.'

That's a bit too... stuffy. Sure he wanted to impress the other with the greeting but he didn't want to end up looking like a snob. Or from some sort of old black and white movie ('Who spoke like that?'). Sure the other had a sophisticated air to him, but Alfred couldn't let it seem as though he were trying too hard to be something he wasn't... Besides, Alfred wasn't even that polite to his mom (not that he wasn't polite to her or anything). He needed a greeting that showed the real Alfred. An introduction that was completely him.

'Hiya, I'm Alfred!'

Too informal. Not that it definitely wasn't him, because it so was. That was a typical first greeting. But this wasn't a typical person. This was a matter of upmost importance! What would the other say to that?

'Good for you, now get out of the sodding way. You're blocking my light.'

It really could end like that! Alfred had witnessed such an event occur just moments after gaining enough heroic confidence to approach the other boy. But apparently someone had the same stroke of confidence and it didn't really seem to help... Or turn out well... He need something perfect! Something quirky that showed his boyish charm and awesome wit!

'Hey! Did you know than an Americano expresso gets its name all the back from WWII when American GIs would order expressos with a whole buncha water to dilute the really strong flavor? And then that eventually lead to coffee being called 'Joe'... Because, you know, GIJoes and all. Oh, by the way. I'm Alfred.'

... Okay. Maybe fun facts are not the route to follow with this one. While his coffee knowledge was superior to most, he didn't want the other guy to think he was some sort of freak. Really, what sort of person goes up to a stranger and starts babbling about coffee. The other blond would surely think he was crazy or something.

'Do you know how much a polar bear weighs?... Enough to break the ice. Hi, I'm Alfred.'

Hello cheesiness, thy name is Alfred... Not to mention he totally saw that on a movie commercial. Cheesy was hardly ever a good route to go. Occasionally it would be awesome, but Alfred had a feeling this guy was a man of class and culture (simply because Alfred spent most of his stalki- research on the other in the library. Classy people use the library when they have no assignments, and the other boy practically lived in the library in his free time).

Alfred let out a loud groan. This would not do! This was the absolute love of his life he was talking about here. If he screwed this up he'd have a hell of a time convincing the other that he wasn't a complete idiot... or a lunatic... or a psycho. Then, if things spiraled, they'd never date through the rest of college; and get an apartment; and cuddle and watch silly dramas; and have stupid arguments about little things; and have awesome make up sex when they fought; and grow old together; and other fantastic things, because Alfred was absolutely certain the other was The One. So he couldn't screw this up!

...And currently the only things coming to mind were terrible pickup lines that would spew from his mouth whenever he was really drunk and horny! Fuck! He was going to botch this up.

'If I could arrange the alphabet I'd put-'

"Alfred Jones?"

Said named man, who was currently debating whether or not to bang his head against the table, jumped almost a mile in his seat as that accent assaulted his ears, ripping him from all previous thoughts and addressing him specifically. Turning slowly around, azure blue met clover green and blinked dumbly for a second. Wha?

There stood the object of his current fascination; the only subject that could capture Alfred's attention for more than a minute for the past few weeks. The lone person that wouldn't leave his hormonal thoughts for anything; the cause of his currently declining grade in his Lit class and well every class really (but mainly Lit for the other blond was actually in that class with him and alway chose to sit directly in front of Alfred).

Eyebrows McSnootypants: that cute foreign student from England currently utilizing his school's study-abroad program in order to be here and terrorize innocent Americans' thoughts with his incredibly sexy accent, huge (yet stunningly appealing) eyebrows, lithe form, those pretty green eyes and an ass that seemed to be sculpted by the gods.

And he was just standing there in front of Alfred like it was nothing; one arm wrapped around a few books and papers, the other fitting snuggly onto his hip, fingers drumming almost expectantly, an ankle crossed with the other that was currently balancing him. He acted like his presence wasn't a big deal. He had to have known! The boy must have owned a mirror at some point in his life. You didn't go around looking that awesome and not know it (Alfred could back this notion up from personal experience).

"Erm... Yeah! Need something?" Alfred gave the other a wide smile, and scratched his neck out of nervous habit.

This was unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome. He never really factored in a scenario where Eyebrows made the first move. In all honesty, it was probably better this way. This meant Eyebrows wanted to talk to him; that he caught the Brit's interest and that the other was here willingly, by his own choice and not because Alfred intruded on him; which ultimately meant that he was more than likely not going to be shunned or rejected for stepping into the Englishman's habitat unwelcomed. Alfred had the upper-hand in this one. He could call the shots, after all, the Brit was imposing on him, not the other way around. This was better than he could have asked for!

"Yes, well, I... It seems that I am rather stuck on some concepts in my chemistry class-"

Ah. Eyebrows just needed a tutor. Not exactly the ideal point of conversation—a confession or at least some sort of advance would have been ideal— but it could have been worse. Good 'ol Eyebrows could have came over here to yell at him for staring at him or to tell of his love for Alfred's brother, or even asked for help with getting a girl. The possibilities were endless! He was lucky with this.

"— gone over notes, rewritten them several times, read the book to the best of my ability and I've even went to seek help from my Professor—"

'What a long winded speech. It's okay Eyebrows! Anyone could have picked up that you need my awesome heroics to save your grade from dropping so low that they'll ship you back off to Britlandia. It's cool. Despite popular belief, one can have the full package of brains and good looks... He probably knows that though... Really! Have you ever seen a mirror?'

"Well... To put it simply. She said that she didn't have time for me—which is understandable, she is a busy woman I would assume—"

'Ah... That accent. Mmm... Actually, now that I'm looking, he has okay teeth for a Brit. I mean aren't they all supposed have like crazy bad teeth? They're pretty much straight. Probably has a nice smile too... Considering how neat he is, he probably brushes periodically so he's probably minty... Yeah, definitely not a bubblegum kind of guy. I hope it won't taste wonky when we makeout, because I am a bubblegum kind of guy... Then again that sort of problem would only appear in mornings or at night. But we can throw out night because you don't brush your teeth before passionate love-making and then afterward you kinda just fall asleep cuddling, no time there. And it'll be at least a while before both of our tooth-pastes will be present in the morning... Unless he's the kind of guy that carries it with him and we end up at my apartment...'

"—and recommended I see you. Apparently you were rather brilliant with organic chemistry. And that was all after I had to deal with that horrid student receptionist. But she did say that you are usually free to tutor. And I figured that since we're in some of the same classes that it would be best to ask you— save myself the awkwardness of asking someone who I'm not even acquaintances with... So what do you say?"

'I suppose if it really persists, I can always switch tooth-pastes. I mean, he's definitely worth the absence of bubblegum flavoring and sparkles in my life. I could stick with plain boring stuff, if it came down to it... It wouldn't come down to the age-old 'it's-me-or-the-tooth-paste' type of deal, would it! '

"Hullo?... Alfred?... Have you even been listening to a word I've said?" The Englishman raised an unamused eyebrow at the other boy. Really, if he was putting himself out like this, the other could at least hear him through!

A panicked expression crossed our hero's features before he quickly blurted out, "You wouldn't make me choose between you and my tooth paste right! That would be like a total dick move, okay. You can't expect me to change every little aspect about myself just because you prefer mint! Give bubblegum a chance!"

"What?..."

"Huh..?"

"I...I'm sorry. I didn't quite catch...er... Something regarding toothpaste?"

"Er... Heh... Caught up in my own thoughts. Sorry about that... uhhh... You need me to tutor you in chem?"

"I would greatly appreciate it... If you have time that is." The Brit still gave him a bit of a perturbed, weary glance..

"Nah, I don't mind helpin' ya out at all. It's the least a hero such as myself can do to help! When'dya wanna start?"

Eyebrows quirked an eye brow at the statement but shook it off. "Yes, well... I have classes at twelve, but I'm free after that." He took a piece of scrap paper and scribbled on it for no more than a few seconds and handed to Alfred. "That's my mobile's number. If you're free anytime later this afternoon or this evening just call... You're sure you're not too busy?"

"No problemo. I'm pretty free this semester, actually. So anytime is fine with me. Only core classes; I've had hardly any assignments. So whenever I'm not in class, I can be at your services."

"Ahh, that makes sense."

"Huh?"

"Well, simply considering the amount of time you spend here in the library, reading books upside-down and staring off into thin air when most would be spending time on more productive things or perhaps actually talking to others whom they seem to be staring at; I would hope that your schedule wasn't too full... but to each his own I suppose." He sighed briefly and looked at his wristwatch. "I'll see you? My classes should be done in two hours or so. You can call me then if you please."

And with that he turned on his heel and left for class. Alfred just sat there stunned and enjoying the view of the other's retreating form.

Unexpected. Eyebrows was just chalk full of surprises... They'd be the most awesome couple ever.

But the only thing he hoped for was that the Brit was better at chemistry than he was at first-time introductions or else Alfred would have his work cut out for him.

Really, weren't you supposed to supply the other person with your own name too? Alfred had been waiting week for this big reveal and the other boy didn't even care to write it down on his phone number. A little more effort would have been appreciated Eyebrows! He took the easy way out! The whole 'I need a tutor' introduction is horribly over used and cliche! That's why Alfred didn't even consider it an option... But he'd let it slide; this was Eyebrows after all.

An introduction was an introduction.

A/N: This is my first fanfic ever, so I hope it's semi-decent, makes sense, doesn't seem too awkward and was enjoyable to read! Hopeful you liked it.

This will hopefully be one of 100 little oneshots because I figured that if I did a 100 theme challenge I wouldn't run out of ideas. Some of the prompts seem more difficult than others, so perhaps I substitute my own. They'll all probably be circled around this pairing in one shape or form.

I appreciate any comments or criticisms. Don't be too harsh though, haha.