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For the most part, Thursday was just miserable for Arthur. With all the tension between the two, Arthur thought it would be best just to leave Alfred alone for the day. He went about his daily things, as usual, but knowing that things weren't right with his son put a damper on his mood.
If I don't talk to someone about this, I'll go mad..OH! I know! I'll just talk this little matter over with flying mint bunny! Then I could invite the faeries over and we could have a tea party! Perhaps Captain Hook could make it too… I'll just have to remember to have Tinker Bell sit next to me... Right! I should get that started.
And that is how Arthur kept himself busy for most of the day...
On the other hand Alfred spent most of his day moping around his room. A permanent pout stuck on his face he IMed his friend in Japan, Kiku Honda. The two had met on a pen pal website for cultural exchange. Alfred bit his lip as he type vehemently.
Alfred said: Goddddd. This sucks so much man! Kiku-chaaaaan can I live with you?
Kiku said: Alfred, you insisted that we were to drop honorifics so please stop adding them to my name. Also no, you cannot live with me all the way in japan. You don't even speak it.
Alfred said: Oh cmon. I can pick up a phrase book.
Alfred said: And I picked up some from anime.
Kiku said: You can't be serious. A lot of people would like to go to Russia, just dress warmly and you'll be out of there in no time.
Alfred said: BUT KIKU! COMMIES ARE THERE!
Kiku said: Alfred you'll be fine. It's rather late here and I need to sleep, travel safely and at least try to have fun in Russia.
Alfred said: Bleeeh. I hate time zones D: Okay whatever man. I'll talk to you later! And yeah we'll see. I'll email you if my balls fall off from the cold. Night
KikuHonda has left the chat
After Kiku was gone Alfred closed his laptop shut. Well it may be late for Kiku but the sun was still up here, which was surprising since it always seemed to rain.
I''ll stay here all day, protest going to that damn place and maybe Dad'll realize. Alfred though determinedly.
However that fighting spirit was broken when his stomach growled something fierce. He hadn't eaten since breakfast. Cursing loudly he glanced around his room for any source of snack. Ten minutes later he came up with a small packet of crackers that were so crushed you could hardly identify them. Tossing the crackers in anger he stomped down the steps and into the kitchen; he ignored his father and his creepy as hell tea party. After nuking a microwavable dinner he ate quickly before making his way back upstairs, collapsing onto his bed with a small sigh. It was already four o'clock by then. Tomorrow was coming way too fast.
Friday was finally here. The day their trip to Russia would begin. Arthur had been so excited that he could hardly sleep, so he decided to start the day a little earlier than planned. Arthur glanced at the clock on his bedside dresser to find the display reading 4:45 a.m. Our plane tickets are scheduled for 9:30 a.m., so we should arrive at the airport around 8:00 a.m. Factoring in the time it would take both of them to load up the car and travel to the airport, Arthur estimated that they should leave around 7:00 a.m.
Deciding not to waste any more time, Arthur made his way to the restroom. Grabbing a fresh towel, he turned the shower on the hottest setting possible and stepped in. This was one of the ways Arthur could relax, save for cracking open a book. Soaking up the heat and basking in the fog, Arthur quickly washed up and hopped out of the shower. Wrapping the towel around his waist, he headed towards Al's room. Knocking first, Arthur cracked the door and peered into the dark room.
"Hey…Alfred. It's time to wake up". It was no use. The lump in the bed hadn't even moved a muscle. "Alfred. ALFRED". Honestly…this kid could sleep through anything. Gently nudging him, Arthur tried waking him up again. Oh for the love of…
Reverting to what he had to do when Al was younger, Arthur ripped off the covers while yelling, "Help, someone help! McDonalds will be shut down internationally if Alfred doesn't get up right now to object to the idea! No more fries! No more milkshakes! No. More. Burgers!"
Alfred had been sleeping soundly when Arthur came in. He fell asleep late that night watching a drama anime that Kiku sent him. By the time he collapsed into his inviting bed it was already 1:10 a.m. Alfred fell asleep instantaneously, hoping not to wake up until late in the day. His new plan was to stay up late, sleep in late, then miss that plane. Sadly, this isn't how it went. Instead he heard those frightening threats and bolted straight out of bed.
"Oh god! For the love of all that is holy DON'T TOUCH THE BURGERS!" He screamed before noticing his father staring at him with a smug smirk. "You're an ass." He grumbled. Arthur only replied by sticking his tongue out.
How early was it? The sun wasn't even up yet. Growling lowly he turned to his guardian. "What. Do. You. Want?" He asked with a scowl on his face. This was unbelievable. Then he realized his covers were off. "It's cold." He half whined, "Why're you waking me up when it's early an' cold." He didn't exactly wait for an answer before all but crawling to the bathroom. As he moves to get out of the bed, he almost collided head on into Arthur's chest. "Ahhh! Put a shirt on! Pants too!"
Chuckling to himself, Arthur just smiled at Alfred. "Yes, yes, I know. Just get yourself presentable. It's probably 5:30 a.m. by now. We're leaving for the airport around 7 a.m., our flight departs at 9:30 a.m. If you want, we can grab a bite to eat at the airport". Turning to go back to his own room, Arthur felt a little better inside knowing that Alfred wouldn't avoid him like the previous day.
A nice, long hot shower later, Alfred emerged from the bathroom. Steam rolled out of it as his jean clad legs strode to the kitchen where Arthur was. "When're we leaving?" He asked with a sigh. He was too tired to put up a fight. He needed, desperately longed for coffee. Or a coke. He just wanted caffeine, sweet, glorious caffeine.
"Well if someone had listened to what I was saying instead of just waltzing into the bathroom then you would know that we leave in approximately thirty minutes. Considering how long you shower it's rather amazing your skin doesn't just turn into wrinkles."
Alfred just rolled his eyes at the comment, "I'm too sexy to prune." He countered back weakly as his eyes glazed over with sleepiness.
"Since you took your sweet time, we'll have to eat at the airport. It is quite early though…are you even hungry yet?" Arthur knew Al would be hungry. He was always hungry. He would never understand how one person could eat so much in one sitting.
A grunt was all Arthur received, Alfred's brain wasn't functioning enough to think about food. He slumped back upstairs and grabbed his book bag that contained his laptop, sketchpad and a few comics. It also had his iPod. He made it downstairs in one piece, almost falling only twice. A blank stare present on his drained face.
"Is the shit in the car or what?" He just wanted to get this over with already.
Alfred's sleepy state was barely tolerable, especially if things needed to be done. I'll surprise him with some coffee. That should help improve his attitude a little… "Yes, the luggage has already been loaded into the car. The only thing I need loaded now is you. Move your arse!"
Alfred grunted lowly, "Mhm."
Arthur assisted Al to the car by pushing him to the door. "Don't think there will be a way out of this. It'll be fun, you'll see. Trust me. I think you're going to find the visit pleasurable". Arthur looked down at his son and gave him a genuine smile, letting him know that he really believed what he just said.
Alfred offered his dad an almost minute smile. He couldn't be angry with his father when he smiled like that. Arthur wasn't a big fan of smiling, so when he did it was always a treat. After Arthur was done locking the front door of the house and settling into the driver's seat in the car, they began their journey to Russia. Arthur popped in one of the many CDs left in the car deciding it would be best to keep Al's grumpiness at bay. Today, they would listen to one of Al's favorite bands: Placebo. As soon as the song came on, Arthur could see Alfred coming back to life little by little.
Alfred's eyes flickered with recognition, a light growing in his eyes. The band seemed to grow on him after Arthur bought him a few CDs some years back. He sang along to the songs in his head, too tired to speak. Faintly he wondered if it was possible to be too sleepy to breathe. Finally they arrived to the airport. Sighing loudly he unbuckled his seat belt and scrambled out the car.
Rolling their luggage into the airport, Arthur went to the kiosk to print out their tickets while Alfred waited for him to finish. Strolling up to the front desk, Arthur presented the proper information and had their bigger suitcases checked. They both carried on smaller bags that contained things to do while in the airport along with the things that airport employees didn't always handle with care. Luckily, nothing held them up when they went through security. The only thing that happened was the apparently random selection of who was to be patted down. Arthur had to stand off to the side while he watched some prat feel him up and down searching for who knows what. Slightly annoyed, Arthur let out a sigh of relief when he was granted permission into the rest of the airport.
Quietly, they walked along side each other in the direction of their gate. On the way there, they came across a section with a few stores and little cafes. By this time it was around 8:30 a.m. "Wait here, Alfred. Watch over our things."
"Mhm."
He sighed and left him seated in an open area with huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the runways and the planes.
I thought I saw a decent looking coffee shop around here somewhere…Ah, there it is. I'll buy him a large…no, an extra grande cup of the most caffeinated beverage they offered. I should probably get him something to eat as well. I know it isn't healthy, but there is a doughnut shop over there…
Alfred pulled out his iPod lethargically and turned it on. He threw it on shuffle and rubbed his arms lightly. All these people... They were all single serving friends, there for a few hours then gone. Before he could completely zone, he dad was back.
About ten minutes later Arthur was making his way back to Al carrying a huge cup and a box containing six doughnuts. His son was sitting down, glancing out the window listening to his iPod. Surprising him, he plopped the box onto Al's lap and placed the cup by his side. "Eat this. I don't need you whining about how hungry you are on the flight." Arthur turned around and hid a coy smile. Surely he had just won his son over for the rest of the day.
Alfred stared at the box in surprise, smiling when he realized they were doughnuts. His mood instantly boosted when he saw the cup of coffee. He took it into his hands as if it were sacred. Taking a deep whiff of it, he gave a little giggle and took a huge gulp. He didn't mind the slight numbness of his now burned tongue, all that mattered was the sweet coffee.
"Thanks dad!" He chimed as he bit into one of the doughnuts, finishing four more within a few minutes.
He sipped his coffee before looking at Arthur, "Hey you want one?" He asked offering the last doughnut, rotten mood completely forgotten as his energy kick seemed to set in.
Usually he didn't indulge in such a sweet snack, but since Al's mood had gotten so much better, he couldn't help but think why not. "Thank you," he said while nibbling on the last doughnut. Just in time, too. The plane will be boarding soon. That reminds me…
Alfred gulped down the rest of his it in the nearest trashcan he felt the caffeinated buzz really set in.
"Oh, Alfred. I forgot to mention something to you earlier. This being our special adventure and all, I took the liberty of booking us first-class seats. It's worth it since the flight will be a bit over 3 hours. It should make the travelling more comfortable. Would you like the window seat? I thought you looked a little upset about not having one last time."
"Really? Yes I want the window seat!" He made an unintelligible noise that attracted some people. "First class, first class. How I love you, first class!" He sang rather loudly.
Arthur watched his son jump around, talking a mile a minute. That was when Arthur made a mental not to give Alfred so much sugar and coffee in one sitting.
Arthur and Alfred gathered their things together and went to wait in line as they boarded the plane. Letting Al walk in front of him, they found their seats and waited for the take-off.
"Don't be afraid to ask the flight attendants for anything."
"I won't.
"In first-class, everything is free."
"Awesome!"
And don't even think about asking for liquor...I'll chop your bloody head off."
"Ah, damn. There goes my plans for boozin'."
Arthur looked at his son and gave him a wink before pulling out a Sherlock Holmes novel. While Arthur sank into his blissful world of mysteries he'd already read countless times, Alfred began annoying the attendants. Not even twenty minutes in he had pressed the button four times, asking for a soda, a snack, and if lunch would be served. Finally he gave the poor, annoyed woman a break and placed his headphones back on. He didn't like drawing on a plane so instead he looked out the window, smiling at their great distance from the ground. Too buzzed on caffeine, the sight of clouds couldn't hold his attention span…so Alfred rang the button again. This time it was a different attendant.
"Excuse me sir, I want a hamburger."
Oh God…here we go. Arthur knew he should've explained what he meant by asking the attendants for anything…
"We aren't serving those."
"Oh, I think you are."
Son, when will you ever learn? I hope the attendant isn't too offended by this.
"Excuse me?"
"I paid good money, I want a hamburger."
At this point it was hard for him to control his facial expressions. Arthur wanted to laugh, chastise, and apologize all at once.
"But sir we-"
"I paid good money!"
"I paid for these tickets and this is senseless prattle, Alfred. Do stop now." Turning to the attendant, Arthur apologized and asked what entrees were offered for this flight. Selecting a sirloin steak with French fries, Arthur dismissed the service man. "That'll be all for now. Thank you."
The attendant sighed; this was going to be a long flight.
When there was no sign of the attendant, Arthur punched Alfred in the arm. "Who do you think you are, you little prat?" Then he proceeded to capture his son into a headlock. "You think you're so tough! Can't do anything to stop me though, can you?" Arthur took his free hand and began to give Alfred a noogie while the teen tried to escape from his grasp. "Do you give up? Say I win! Say I am the greatest father there ever was! Say it, Al! Say It!"
