"Alfred, did you read about the thief that's stealing art lately?" Arthur was reading the paper in the dorm that he and Alfred shared at school.

"Yeah all the girls talk about what's his name."

"Phantom Dark."

"Right, that's it."

"I think he's a cocky bastard. Always sending his warning letters telling the police what he's going to steal before he even steals it."

"You're just upset because he got past Scotland Yard when he stole 'The Girl with the Pearl Earring' from a museum in London."

Arthur looked up to Alfred who was doodling in his note book for history. Alfred never read the paper.

"You've actually been reading the paper?" Alfred stopped mid doodle and stuck his tongue out at his roommate.

"Heck no! I've been watching the news reports in the student lounge."

"Why such an interest in the Phantom Thief?"

"Because it's the only thing anyone on TV is talking about. Even my favorite cartoon has made him a character in the show. It's actually getting on my nerves. No one messes with my cartoons!" Arthur just laughed. He had always found Alfred's childish antics to be annoying as hell but they were starting to grow on him. Arthur couldn't admit it to Alfred let alone himself but part of him was sure that he loved the juvenile American.

"Did you hear that he's going to steal 'Our Banner in the Sky' from the Metropolitan Museum of Art?"

"Yeah but I'm not worried. I'm a hero and I can't let him steal that painting! I'm gonna stop him!"

"You should just leave it to the police, Alfred. You would just get in the way." Arthur snapped the newspaper in his hands and continued reading.

"The police aren't helping. Just look at Scotland Yard." Arthur was offended and took a book from the shelf and threw it at Alfred. He exclaimed harshly when the book hit his head.