"So," said Alfred as he sipped at the cup of liquid which was handed to him by Arthur, "what do you call this?"
"Oh, do not fret about that," responded Arthur with a chuckle. Alfred knitted his brow and looked to the cup.
"Is it, perhaps, tea?" asked Alfred, seeming slightly worried. Arthur shook his head and sat. "I am not sure if I should say that I enjoy it." Arthur smiled. Alfred was uplifted a bit. "Is it going to kill me? Th-the drink, that is."
"No, it will not kill you. I have no reason to kill you! I have only just met you! I need to know you before I kill you. You seem rather unique, however, so I have no future plans on doing so..." Arthur's eyes, after looking over Alfred's blue eyes and angled face, got to his blonde hair. The small lock of hair that stuck up led to his inquiry. "What is that?" asked Arthur as he pointed to the lock. Alfred lightly touched it.
"Oh, this? I am not quite sure... It always stays like that..." Alfred glanced over Arthur's face. "I must say something... I hate your eyebrows." Immediately, the brows furrowed. Alfred chuckled. "Now that I spoke of that, how much do you loathe me?"
"I loath you not in the slightest," said Arthur. Alfred stood suddenly and walked to the window. His drink sat at the table. Arthur watched the man as he said nothing. Alfred turned and peeked over his shoulder.
"I do not know whether I should become your friend or not... I seem not to have a great time with other people. Just the way God said for it to be, I suppose - "
"Alfred, do you really believe God would have sent bad onto you?" asked Arthur.
"I haven't gone to church in a long while... They probably believe me to be a heathen or heretic. That was kind of you to say, but words aren't always truths. It is only that when I was younger, I had a brother. He was very small, smaller than most children... He caught an illness, and died. My parents also passed in the same year. Since then, I have only come across one person with whom I became friends. His name was David. He, too, passed before my eyes. I do not like forming relations with others. That is why I am hesitant to get to comfortable," said Alfred as he watched the low hanging fog. Arthur stood and stepped up to him.
"That sounds awful, I apologize..."
"Your apologies can't rightly repair it, but thank you," said Alfred with a smile.
"Do you remember me, Alfred? We met years ago at church. You sat beside me for a while, then left quickly after the service. We spoke a few times after, but then I never saw you again... I suppose it was God that brought me here. I am quite glad it happened that way," said Arthur happily. Alfred cocked his head.
"I do not recall seeing you before. Quite possibly I met you during church, however, I do not recall the direct memory. If you are happy to see me, then I'm happy for you-"
"I truly missed you. I thought you were... dead..." Arthur stepped forward and shyly hugged Alfred, who drew back in surprise. "I apologize." He ended the hug. "That may have been a bit too much... Just a little joy. Do not expect too much of that." Alfred only watched in confusion... the man seemed to be very different from those in his life before... And maybe that is what made him so alluring.