A/N: Hello, my lovelies! So this story is a bit different than anything I've done before. So some time last year I was approached (I think, or maybe I volunteered, it was a long time ago) about being involved in a little project over on tumblr. Wherein there would be a story written everyday for an entire year, each about 1000 words and each a USUK fic. You can find those stories over at 365daysofusuk on tumblr. Check them out. I think they still may need some submissions, so if you're inclined, maybe help them out. ;D

So, now that my stories have all been revealed for the year, I figured I'd post them here so everyone can read them. :) And so they can be found later and not lost in the tumblr abyss.

Hmm, that's about it for introduction. These are all USUK stories, obviously. I tried to go with AU ideas that I don't see super often for most of them. I won't be putting intros or Authoress Notes on any of them since I'm just gonna upload them all today. So read/enjoy. Please review to let me know what you think! *kisses*

April 4th

It was stupidly simple to sneak his way inside the palace. The guards were distracted this evening by carriages filled with bejeweled royalty, their roles checking invitations and watching the guests' servants with eyes like hawks. It had taken very little effort to climb up the garden wall, just as he had hundreds of times as a child, and drop down into the bushes where his brother, Mattie, had dumped his clothes for tonight.

Alfred would have kept his brother in the dark about tonight, but he needed someone on the inside and Mattie had been working in the royal kitchens for years now. He'd been worried and panicky when Alfred had told him about his plan. He'd paced the tiny room that served as their home and told him that he'd be imprisoned—possibly even executed—if he were caught sneaking into the king's private masquerade. Was he seriously willing to risk his life?

That question nestled in the back of his mind as he strolled down the hallway, dressed in stolen finery. He'd felt terrible throughout the theft, but it had been a necessary dishonesty, and now he blended in seamlessly with the masked nobility.

There was music mixed with laughter and chatter, drifting through the hallways from the ballroom that he knew was ahead. His heart pounded, a mixture of excitement and nervousness. And a slight fear that he would be caught.

But it was worth the risk. He breathed in deeply and then reached up once more to check that his mask covered his face before he stepped inside the crowded room.

Extravagantly-costumed figures, each with a face covered by an exorbitant mask, whipped by in a never-ending dance. He caught a few eyes and flashed their owners his friendliest smiles, but he moved by without exchanging pleasantries. He was here for one reason and one reason alone.

And there he was. His majesty, leaning against a wall with one of his arms resting against his stomach; the other held an almost empty wine glass, which he lifted to his lips and now drained. His face was hidden behind a green, beautifully-decorated mask, but Alfred would have known him from miles away. Alfred also knew that their king was probably scowling to himself, as cranky and anti-social as ever.

The guards, each masked but more heavily-armed than any actual reveler, watched as he approached their ruler but made no move to stop him. The king himself straightened from his slouch against the wall and motioned with a finger for a servant to take his empty glass.

Alfred stopped a few feet away and lowered himself into a deep, reverent bow. "Your majesty." He half-expected somebody's sword to come down across the back of his neck; he was incredibly relieved when it didn't. "I wondered if we might share a dance tonight, your highness."

Mattie was probably right that he was an idiot to do this, but this was his only chance now to speak with and touch the man that he'd loved for years… He'd fallen for him when they were still children, back when Alfred would climb over the palace's garden wall to play with the young prince after he snuck away from his nanny and tutors. Before his father had died unexpectedly and he'd suddenly been thrust into a king's role. Back when Alfred knew him simply as Arthur, instead of your highness.

He was actually rather surprised when he heard a sound like a snort from the king and then, "Fine."

And that was all the answer Alfred needed. He jerked up straight and then moved forward and grasped Arthur's hand, yanking him away from the wall and toward where other couples were dancing. Arthur made a rather surprised yelp-like noise at the manhandling, but followed.

Some of the other pairs sent them rather amazed looks, but no one dared comment. Even if it was practically unheard of for the king to dance in public, especially with a stranger.

Alfred couldn't stop his lips from stretching in a maniac's happy grin as he stopped and turned toward Arthur, who settled a hand on his hip and began move them in time with the music.

He stared past the mask, into the familiar green eyes from his childhood. They were more tired, but still held that fierce stubbornness and intelligence that had always been defining aspects of Arthur's personality.

They danced for a long while without words, through a full song and half of another, before Arthur finally asked, "I know you from somewhere."

Alfred wasn't sure how to respond, whether it would be smarter to reveal his identity or pretend to be someone else for the night, so he just smiled at the other.

Who scowled in response before poking at Alfred's mask. "I hate these bloody things. They look idiotic."

"I like yours." Alfred squeezed Arthur's hand and was overjoyed when his cheeks flushed slightly and then he felt an answering pressure. "So, are you enjoying your party?"

Arthur snorted. "Hardly. It was my bloody advisors' idea." He continued to stare at him, eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm sure I know you from somewhere."

It wasn't surprising that he was confused. Alfred had shot up and gained plenty of muscle since he'd last seen Arthur.

They continued to dance and Alfred watched delightedly as the tension slowly left Arthur's face. And there was nothing that he wanted to do more than stay there, dancing with the other all night, but people were staring and whispering… So he took a step backwards and bowed again. "I shouldn't steal you away from your subjects, your highness." And then, softer so that only Arthur could here, "Little Artie."

He saw the recognition dawn in Arthur's eyes and his mouth form the word, "Alfred," before he turned and gracefully made his way through the watching crowd.

And while he sharply felt the disappointment of leaving, he had already vowed that he would return and see the man he loved again. So he smiled as he walked away.