Losing Grace

By Ryukansen

Chapter One: Parallels

The neon lights slowly fade in as the jocund crowd of native people sluggishly move into the already packed auditorium. He fidgets in his burgundy seat as he tries to calm his nerves down. It was one of these sudden interviews, that Arthur Kirkland, hated the most - and even more so he detested the host. He wished that man to burn alive. The said, hated figure was a mediocre Frenchman who's hobby was to ruin pop idol's lives (mainly his), in an instant with gossips from unreliable sources originating from paparazzi and fans. Arthur could hardly believe why he was here. Who said he had to face the whole of England in that lunatic's television show because of a simple misunderstanding? It was all that Francis' fault he blames with following curses. Although his manager did force him to explain himself in the show as well...

"Relax, Arthur-san." Kiku replies encouragingly from behind the stage. The young Japanese was wearing one of those wacky headsets again, speaking in a low profile voice as the audience settled themselves down with much excitement. He mouths a few more words, but Arthur's irritated and wandering mind can not focus to apprehend them. Another manager, probably that idiotic Francis', had given him a glass of water while eyeing him with an eye of fancy - probably, no doubt, amused by the gossips that had circulated not too long ago around him. The young woman smiled, (however true it may seemed) and left immediately without any other word as she traveled to where Kiku had arranged himself - right behind that twat who had seated himself with such "noble" fashion in front of him.

"Let us begin, shall we?" The gruff, blonde replied with a raspy voice as he took a swig of wine placed at the right side of his cherry-brown table. The Frenchman makes a wink before any protests could ensue from the British actor as the lights at this point begun to filter the whole room with dazzling blends of purple and blues. Arthur could feel his stomach tighten as all eyes were fixed on the two idols. Especially at him.

"Bienvenue!" The git had started with a proud smirk wiped on his disgusting, eerie face. If England had to stay here any longer he would vomit on that repulsive man, not caring if it would be on the front page news of London Times, not at all. "Let us welcome our guest, Mr. Arthur Kirkland - famous actor of the widely known drama series, Glisten!" His accent was furthering annoying the said artist who was clenching hard on the satin gloves he had just removed out of sheer pressure.

But, no - he would not show how much sweat he was shedding because of the nerve wracking moment, instead he remained composed while skillfully wiping away rising perspiration. Although Francis, himself, could immediately tell how nervous the Briton was compared to the audience... "So, the world has been hearing much racket from you lately Mr. Kirkland." Francis plays with his satin tie as he thrusts his right leg out on top of his desk, dirtying the furniture. "Explain to us about your recent brawl with your "friend," He replies in a sarcastic tone further irritating the unwell actor, "Rodrich Edelstein."

"We never got into a stupid fight." Was his immediate response earning a few chuckles and mumbles from the audience. Francis allowed another one of his goofy smiles to make an appearance as he snickers to himself, but immediately restrains himself from speaking rather inappropriate jokes. "Really? Well, let's take a look at this scene, shall we?" He smirks earning a shocked expression from the Brit who was now biting his lower lip in fear.

The video was on screen and the camera was focused on two shady figures moving rather intensely in the bar; the men drinking rather a fast amount of alcohol as they make peace by humming a few songs. Francis continued to eye at Arthur who was amazed at himself on the screen, eying his every movement with suspicion as he leaned forward to take a better look at his drunken nature.

The video would have begun or continued, if it were not the Brit punching Francis square on the nose while storming out in complete anger.

The first thing he was going to do, he told himself in fury, was drown himself in more alcohol after having punched that bloody git in the face. He swore, he should have punched that man in a different more deserving area, but he had (luckily) withstood the anger welling up inside of him and had gone with whacking that brainless twat rather than castrating him.

"That son of a bitch." He muttered darkly taking out silver keys to a Mclaren F1, as he attempts to make his getaway from the urban area.

"Arthur-san!" Kiku's voice was stern but worried, and he had to turn around to find his manager in a contemplative mode - ready to spit fits at him despite his calm demeanor. "What were you thinking?" The man was able to muster while holding onto his breath and getting in his car, worried that maybe more paparazzi would come and make more needless drama from his actor's wrongdoings.

"Nothing. I had nothing in mind." The Brit gritted his teeth making a full speed getaway avoiding anymore cameras for the rest of the day.

"Exactly why you shouldn't have done that." His manager replied solemnly while checking his clipboard hammered with so much events Arthur needed to attend to. "You understand that you might have jeopardized your meeting with Feliciano Vargas, right?" He replied while gazing hard at the next bolded event. "You know, the Italian talk show?" The Japanese murmured while earning more ignorant responses from the spoiled man.

"Yes, yes I know. I'll contact him as soon as possible - after I get my drink." Was his quick response.

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"Mr. Kirkland, or can I call you Arthur?" Replies the young Italian who was seated at the left side of the screen taking a small drink of iced lemon tea and humming annoyingly while ignoring the other man's response. "The news regarding you and Francis Bonnefoy, it's just another one of those random skirmishes, ne?" The Italian smiled after taking his sip and relaxed himself in a reclining beige chair.

"Y-Yes, as a matter of fact Francis and I are," He coughs a little while staring with mocking eyes at the television viewers, "We're very good friends. That punch was just one of those friendly punches, you know? I just got too nervous - you know, it was so sudden…and I have so much things in mind, for this year…I couldn't take it." The Britain replied while laughing a little childishly and crossing his legs with satisfaction.

"Oh, really? Well, that seems about right - Mr. Bonnefoy is a very considerate man, I suppose." Feliciano continued on, hoping to help pass the phase of the London Front page, with ease. He; however, continued on praising the said French Host, earning a slight twitch of the pop star's bushy brows.

'So, enough with your petty fights, but let's get with the actual news everyone wants to hear about, shall we?" The host quipped with a toothy and innocent grin as lights flashed around the room with a pleasant noise making its way in the staging. "We hear that you're engaged to the Pop Diva, Seychelles, am I correct?" The audience makes an applaud while a blush escapes the young man's face.

"W-Well, yes…Actually we've been engaged for about two months now." Arthur fumbles with his thumbs while looking up at Feliciano with embarrassment. "We plan to marry in the end of the year." He stutters while earning giddy and happy sound effects from his many female fans.

"Well, you two sure are an item." The Italian replied, encouraging the Briton while taking another sip of his cold beverage.

"Mr. Matthew, despite your outstanding success in my class I only want you to pay attention to me during class." Replied a tired and sarcastic voice. The said man looked up meeting one of his teacher's gazes - obviously irritated but very tired. "I'm glad I have you back in my session, welcome - now can you please answer my question?" The professor murmured while pointing at a strange diagram of the human anatomy.

He remains blank for a while, but manages to answer the question albeit a little slowly.

"Thank you, finally - goodness, boy, I was worrying about you!" The professor replied while rubbing his forehead as a gesture of how frightened he was of the boy's retarded reply. The class laughs, but then is dismissed as the evening bell rings to notify them of their leave. "Pay more attention, next time, will you?" The professor smirks while taking his luggage and preparing himself to leave as well.

"Y-Yes sir." Matthew replies quietly while taking his things as well and scurrying out the door.

He is walking through a lonely street towards his dorm, carrying his precious belongings - a sturdy backpack and a laptop with a few other writing equipment inside. He's tired and bored at the same time, but he calms himself down by closing his eyes and humming a familiar tune sung by Seychelles herself. He always was a fan of the woman and Arthur, but he never knew the two would ever get together. He was excited at that news, but at the same time questioning why Arthur never told him?

Yes, he was a normal undergraduate college student, and yes he knew a famous actor hailing from London, but it was always a hazy memory on how the two met. It was definitely, not a bar though.

"I wonder if he ever had the time to reply to my emails?" He asks himself while clasping tightly onto his bag after hearing a few squawking noises made from flurrying birds making their way to their respective nests. He shakes his head, thinking of only the negative while opening the entrance and heading towards the elevator.

"Oh well, I shouldn't worry about him….I should worry about the other one." He mutters to himself quietly while taking out his cell phone and gazing at the number written in memory, all over his black screen. "It's been a while since I had the time to talk to him.." He spoke to himself while continuing to gaze at the number. He could feel a surge of guilt push on top of him as he continued to stare at the digital writing.

The elevator opens and he steps out, dialing the number with slow pace. The hallway was quiet at this point and all he could hear the was the electronic noise of beating sounds - he continued waiting for the person to pick up.

"Hello?" The voice replies quietly, he was probably awoken from the noise and Matthew could feel his heart sink even more as he had done a terrible thing. "Matthew, is that you?" The young voice was full of energy as an instant recognition of the man's breathing hit the other fellow with surprise. "Speak up! I haven't heard from you in a while!" His brother's strong voice both eased and terrified him as he managed to make a small noise.

"Ah, Alfred…I was just coming back from class, and I had the time to call you - that's all." He murmured truthfully while turning his brass key to his room. He opens, and closes the door immediately while turning the light on and closing the blinds as quickly as possible. "I didn't mean to wake you up - after all you have morning chores and everything." He whispers ashamed of his own ignorance. A hearty laugh is heard from the other end and he is surprised but still terribly guilty for his stupidity.

"Oh, come on Mattie, I haven't heard from you for days - I was beginning to worry about you." Remarks his brother with happiness despite the exhausted tone in the back of his strong vocals. "I rather have you call me than me having to worry about you all throughout the days." His reply was earnest and Matthew bit his lower lip.

"You must be tired, I'll call you tomorrow in the afternoon this time? Okay?" He whispers thoughtfully although Alfred protested lightly. "I promise, that's the first thing I'll do after lunch period begins, alright?" The young man was able to muster while lying on his bed and gazing at the empty ceiling wall hanging above him. Sometimes he wished he had never called. Every time he called his brother he always felt heavily punished by guilt.

"Alright, then. I expect a call." Alfred let's out a small smile and hangs the phone. Matthew sighs and decides to check his email maybe, to erase the previous conversation with his sibling.

He manages to enter his domain, for once without fail, and sees a listing of email surprisingly sent by the British actor himself. He happily opens them , ridding of his grievances, for the time being, to read what the Briton had been complaining or raving about.

Most of the sent messages were composed of trashy insults about the Francis Bonnefoy, but the last one was a very exciting piece of news he had wanted to read.

Matthew, it's been a while hasn't it? I'm sorry I haven't had the time to reply back…Say, I'm coming over to New York in May 20th, we should come and meet each other? I know what you're probably saying, I have a whole lot to explain about the Seychelles engagement, but I'll tell you everything as soon as I can. I'll be rooming in the Hilton hotel closest to the Cooper Union University. I hope to meet you there soon!

His heart was immediately enlightened the moment he had read the news and was thrilled to have to meet his idol again. Sure, he had met Arthur more than the normal average fan - but every time with the British star was a moment cherished in his memory, other than the ones with his own dear brother. He smiles back and replies with smiling faces to Arthur - obviously excited about the next meeting.

"I will be certainly there!" He presses the enter button and exits out of the domain with increasing excitement. Maybe he should tell his brother about this meeting, he conjectured to himself thoughtfully while staring back at the ceiling, only with more heavier and lighter thoughts.

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The clock is droning out, and he flutters his eyes open to see a wooden ceiling hovering above him. A sigh escapes his dry, thin lips as he heaves himself up from the rusty bed. Slicking the mop of his golden, unruly hair, the young man automatically walks into his shower. "I hope it's hot." He replied with a small plead written in his tone as he turns the knob to the right expecting immediate warm droplets, but only receiving the coldest shards of the drops. He sighs in defeat.

Walking quietly down the stairs he finds an old friend hanging out in his dining room, checking the rifle he had just bought the last Sunday. "Hey, how'd you get in?" He replies with a smirk plastered onto his cheery face. The stoic figure sort of glared at him before letting out a small, shameless smile.

"Alfred, you know you always leave your doors open, right?" The man replies while rolling his eyes and checking at his sister who was currently making breakfast for the two. "Sorry, I just wanted to check on you. Haven't heard from your brother, have you?" He replies while gazing at a couple of scattered birds among the fields. He was tempted to shoot them, but not in front of his sister.

"Yeah, well it's more peaceful here than over there, am I right Liechtenstein?" The other man teases while circling his arms around the small, thin girl.

She blushes at first, but smiles sweetly while gently shoving the man away from her. "I prefer Liecht…if you don't mind." She laughs heartily while distributing plates of the common breakfast: scrambled eggs and bacon. Alfred seats himself down with content, next to Vash, her brother, who was now glaring at his friend after having performed such an embrace with his sister.

"Thank you, Liechtenstein." Vash properly replies to his sister while tasting the rather oily strips of bacon with hidden delight. Alfred on the other hand had zoned off from this world and was enjoying his meal; showing no signs of holding back as he seemed too happy to eat something edible, for once.

"You must be sad that your brother has gone off to college, am I right?" The girl had sat between the two while taking her own time to finish her breakfast. At this time Alfred stopped while letting out an honest grin.

"Well, if it's for his own better good. Than I don't mind…." His speech dies off as he stands up and places his dish into the only empty sink. The two stare at him as he travels outside to stretch - ready to perform his daily routines.

"I told you not to mention Matthew in the morning." Vash scolded Liechtenstein lightly while finishing off his scrambled eggs with savor.

"Still, it must be lonely to live in such a huge farm….all by himself."

"That's why we're here, remember? Friends." Vash reminds her with a soft pat on her head as he leaves to join Alfred in his morning stretches. She sees her brother and fiancé talking animatedly with random subjects about the news, economy, and whatnot they could think of in the fresh morning. A small smile spreads across her pink lips as she heads towards the sink to do her own tasks.

Does Alfred, really only need them?

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"Kiku, I'll be fine." Arthur reports to his manager through the phone while pushing his way through the crowds of fans who had managed to pinpoint his exact location. "No, I do not need your goddamn help. I told you, I've done this before - therefore, I'll do this again. By myself!" He shuts his phone with irritation while shoving the noisy gits away from him before he actually starts to punch his own admirers in the face.

Yes, he admits he has an anger issue. And No, he denies he should go to a management specifically suited for his problem.

"Flight to New York….GateA4, leaving in 30 minutes…" He is able to look up at the giant screen and dashes away with a crowd of frenzied fans following after. He curses lightly as he manages to allow himself some time by using the police Kiku had earlier called onto for action. He was actually proud to have Kiku be his manager, sometimes - well, no…all the time.

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"Mr. Bonnefoy, are you alright?" The Frenchman had gotten up after hearing his name pop up from that dazzling voice. He eyes the tanned diva in front of him with an almost disgusting, lecherous grin - but manages to contain himself by nodding in an honest fashion while holding tightly onto the bridge of his nose, emphasizing that Arthur's punch was not to be dealt with without any preparations. "I'm so sorry that Arthur did that to you!" Seychelles explained while coming forth to her former vocals instructor. The Frenchman let's out a sneaky remark but she chooses not to hear it.

"Well, I'm glad that you helped him out a bit…If you hadn't agreed with Arthur about being true friends it would have made his life a lot more miserable." The girl replies bubbly while playing around with the ends of her hair. Francis let's out a little smile when seeing her sun shining grin. "But, I have to go! I have an audition at 8, and I'll be late if I stay too long!" She remarks to herself with excitement and panic and dashes immediately out of the room with a scarlet face.

She had never thought she would encounter that man again. It had been so long since they had last met. It was so sudden to have to start a conversation with him that it made her heart beat so frantically.

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Author's Note: Sorry that hardly any action has taken place as of yet. But next chapter will be very entertaining and I promise you the two (I'm not indicating who) will finally meet! I hope to have some R&Rs please!