PART TWO: Pride and Sloth are drinking buddies.

It was morning. Alfred had driven for hours straight, allowing Arthur to nap in the backseat. The Texan didn't mind at all really, it was comforting watching the sunrise as well as Arthur's sleeping face. Warm oranges and golds danced across Arthur's slumbering face, the light creating a halo and an ethereal scene. It was breathtaking and Alfred could feel his love swelling to an almost unbearable level. God... life was amazing.

An hour in, Alfred heard a rustling, followed by hot lips kissing his cheek.

"Morning Love," mumbled Arthur as he climbed back into the front seat, yawning loudly and stretching his arms. His messy hair was even more wild than before, sticking out at odd angles, matching the creases of his suit. "Do you want me to drive? You must be absolutely knackered."

"I'm good babe, we'll be in town in another hour or so. I'll sleep then." Alfred accepted the lit cigar that Arthur poked at his mouth. The Texan's lips quirked up in a smile when Arthur leaned closer and lit his own smoke.

A soft hand kneaded Alfred's thigh teasingly, slowly moving higher up. "Shall I keep you company?"

"Artie Darling, When have I ever said no to your company?" Alfred blew some cigar smoke out of the corner of his mouth and smirked in a cheeky manner. "But I gotta hit the hay for a bit before we fuck like bunnies." The hand that had been caressing him turned into a painful and sudden pinch. Alfred let out a painful yowl, "Babe!" he growled.

"How crass!" scolded Arthur as he returned to his seat and crossed his arms with a 'Hmph'. "Next time you utter something rude, I'll wash your mouth out with soap."

"Aw shucks, sounds like school all over again," Alfred took his eyes off the road, waggling his fine eyebrows at Arthur. "Gotta admit though, Love, you're a lot sexier than my grade school teacher."

"Vulgar twat!" exclaimed Arthur as he blushed and looked away, his reaction so innocent it clashed with the reality of their lifestyle.

Alfred just continued laughing; it wasn't till they drove for a bit more that he saw something beyond the horizon. As they drew closer, the Texan noticed it was a car that was currently immobile. The hood was up, but it was the person bending over the vehicle that caught his eye. Long feminine legs were bare and a shapely peach ass was covered in coarse blue denim. Even from this distance, Alfred recognized who it was.

"Isn't that…?" Arthur's thick eyebrows furrowed. He'd recognize those shapely legs anywhere.

Alfred drove closer, till their cars were neck and neck. "Howdie-"

Instantly the woman spun around, her cow boots kicking up dust in the process. A revolver was clasped tightly in her hand. She pointed it straight at Alfred's heart. Of course, Alfred had his own weapon out and in the direction of the woman's head. He smiled as recognition flashed through the woman's eyes. Her short, sun kissed hair bouncing as she leapt up. "Al!" she exclaimed. Her bountiful chest, squeezed in a tight white shirt that was knotted under her cleavage, bounced at her every movement. "How've ya been?"

Alfred tucked his gun away. "Good, lil' Missy, 'n you? I see you're in a bit of a tight spot. Need some help?"

Amelia F. Jackson grinned, "That'd be mighty helpful of you." she drawled, her Texan accent much deeper than Alfred's.

If Arthur didn't know better, then he would've thought they were twins. He had met Amelia and her lover years back, and although the two couples got along well, their way of conducting... business… was too different, so they had parted ways. Amelia and Anna preferred seducing wealthy men, killing them in their own homes, and then stealing and pawning off anything of value. It was more... discreet. But it was nice to catch up every now and then. "Where's Anna?" asked Arthur, slightly curious. He'd never seen the two females apart before.

Amelia rolled her eyes and knocked on the roof of the car. "My Princess, our knights in shinin' armor are here."

There was a shuffling noise and the door opened as Anna Kingsley stepped out in a dainty manner. Her frilly blue skirts flowed around her ankles. She looked rather miffed, her long golden locks, tied in pigtails, looked damp from the heat. She snapped the book that she was holding shut, and her forest green eyes, at first filled with disdain, softened when she saw the two males. "Alfred, Arthur! It's wonderful to see you again."

Arthur, being the gentleman that he was, got out of the chair and bowed as he took Anna's small hand in his and kissed it as a knight would. His smile was teasing, "We've come to rescue the fair maidens from the horrid beast that is this heat."

Anna laughed and curtsied in an exaggerated way. Alfred and Amelia just looked at each other before rolling their eyes. The English...

"Hop in" Alfred gestured to the car. "We'll take you back into town."

"That's mighty swell and all but we have a bit of a problem..." Amelia gestured to their own car, specifically the back seat. Sure enough, there was another man, totally bound and gagged. He was awake, eyes brimming with fear. His screams and pleas were muffled. "Whadda we do with him?"

Arthur peered in the back seat, his green eyes turning into that sickening shade again. "We could kill him?" he offered.

"Nah. If it was killing him, then that'd be easy."

"Blow up the car!" recommended Alfred.

"Yeah!" exclaimed Amelia and the two Americans looked very happy at the prospect of a big boom.

"Americans and their unhealthy obsession with explosives. Tsk tsk. Why don't we just let him stew in his own fat?" Anna brushed a lock of hair away. American summers were so cruel. Sometimes she missed England's pleasantly dreary weather. "It's too hot to put any effort into this matter."

Anna looked at the glaring sun and covered her eyes. "You're right Ann. We should hurry along before it gets hotter. Poor thing, you must be dying in those clothes." she reached inside and pulled out a suitcase that no doubt contained a ridiculous amount of money. Amelia jumped into the front seat of the car and left her legs hanging out the side near the rear-view mirrors. "Yeehaw! This is going to be one glamorous trip, ain't it?"

Anna on the other hand waited as Arthur opened the door for her. Only when she was properly seated did Arthur close the door and enter the car himself.

The ride was peaceful with the wind blowing. The two Americans in the front seat began bickering on what was better, hamburgers or hot apple pie and donuts while the two Britons sat in a comfortable silence.

It was Arthur that spoke first. "Anna?"

"Yes?" came the refined answer. She was softly spoken, as if it were unrefined for a lady of her stature to raise her voice.

"Do you believe in soul mates?"

"Yes." said Anna without any hesitation; she caressed the spine of the book she was holding. "Because I found Amelia." She turned to face Arthur, "Do you? You have Alfred after all."

"I do." Arthur smiled and watched with content as Alfred lightly shoved at Amelia in a very sibling manner. "My friend from Japan, whilst I was in boarding school, once told me that your soul mate was decided before you were born, and that you were tied together by a red string of fate." The Briton held up his pinky finger and grinned at Anna. "Tied to this finger, destined to find the person connected to the other end of the string."

"I see... personally, I prefer Plato's theory of soul-mates… He proposed that humans originally had four arms, four legs, and a single head made of two faces… but you see, Zeus feared their power and split them all in half, condemning them to spend their lives searching for the other half."

Arthur chuckled, "You're lucky, you've had years with your other half. You met her when you were 15?"

"In an all girl's school. Even after all these years, she still hasn't learned proper manners, nor etiquette. But... she's utterly twisted… just like me." A darkness, sick and vile leaked into Anna's emerald eyes before dying down again.

Arthur patted Anna on the shoulder. "They're American, It's a lost cause my dear. Alfred still won't say "May I" or drink tea."

"Shame."

"Indeed, tea is a wonderful thing."

Anna rested her head on Arthur's shoulders and sighed happily. Arthur was like an older brother to her. Surprisingly, he was the only one that was able to touch her and not face the wrath of Amelia F. Jackson. "Do not worry Arthur. You have many years to come with Alfred."

The British male laughed. "That's the dream. Grow old together, Alfred sitting on the porch with a shotgun, screaming about aliens. I'll be cooking in the back and you'll occasionally drop by with Amelia."

"Whatever do you mean 'occasionally'? We shall be neighbors."

In the middle of their talking, the two Americans in the front seat took a truce in their bickering and turned to face the Britons.

Alfred scowled and rolled his eyes. "Damnit Artie are you two talking 'bout Shakespeare again? You know that old bastard's dead right?"

"Yeah!" chimed in Amelia, "It's so boring! Revenge this, love that, a bit of irony here and there... and all that ye old English rubbish as well!"

"Oh man." Drawled Alfred," Hamlet was such a mopey sop, MacBeth was a kept man and Romeo just needed a good fuck."

There was a pause, the tension rose between Anna and Arthur and Alfred and Amelia. Lips thinned and eyes closed, both their brows twitched in annoyance. Almost at once, their eyes snapped opened. Both Brits violently kicked the front seat in unison, refinement and upper-class upbringing thrust out the window as they screamed in perfect unison. "KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BLEEDING ROAD AND MIND OUR OWN RUDDY BEESWAX!"

It was three hours of driving and pleasant bickering before they returned to town. Their car came to a puckering stop in the middle of the city and they were met with gawks from men as Amelia hopped out of the car. Anna departed the car in a more refined manner, waiting for Arthur to open the door for her like the gentleman that he was.

"So what are you gals gonna' do now?" asked Alfred as he took out Anna's suitcase and passed it to Amelia.

Amelia glanced around, noticing the looks that the men were giving her. She rolled her eyes, "Don't worry Al, we'll do fine. Lots of opportunities in a town like this."

Anna fixed her glasses, her eyes glinting in this… desire that was inhuman and daunting. "Indeed, lots of... pickings in a town like this." Her voice was gentle and refined.

Alfred scoffed before shaking his head, "Women are fucking scary!" he muttered before placing his hands around Arthur's waist. He absentmindedly placed a small kiss on the smaller male's crown.

"That's because you like dick Al~" Amelia laughed. The sound was loud and shrill, drawing more attention. Anna gasped at the crude word before pinching Amelia in rebuke.

"Yeah, and you hate dick." Alfred stuck out his tongue, but inhaled sharply when Arthur jabbed him in the ribs using his elbow.

"Are you sure you'll both be fine?" Arthur pulled away from the Texan and then petted Anna's head affectionately. "It'll be no trouble escorting you to the nearest hotel."

"Nah, S'all good Artie, you'd be cramping our style if you came with us." Amelia ran up to Arthur and Alfred, pecking them on the cheek before running back to Anna and grasping her hands. "And, well, best be off now or we'll never find a place for the night!" and then before the males could say good bye, the two women sprinted off into the distance in a flurry or swishing skirts and long legs.

"I worry about those two sometimes," Arthur shook his head gently in exasperation, his tone full of affection.

"They're big girls, they can take care of themselves." Alfred smiled and wrapped his arms around Arthur's shoulders. "Now quit thinking 'bout people who aren't me and let's go find something to eat!"

Arthur scowled, but the expression then morphed into a look of concern. "I thought you wanted to sleep?"

Alfred shook his head and then grinned boyishly. It was the smile that made everything in the world perfect. "Food, sex then sleep."

"Are you sure you want it to be in that order?" Arthur grinned, "I don't want you falling off to sleep in the middle of our love making Darling."

The Texan's mouth gaped open before he spluttered, "Babe!" he exclaimed, looking aghast. "When have I ever done that?!"

"Never, but there's a first for everything."

Alfred seemed speechless at the mere prospect of him being anything less than the sex god he thought he was. In retaliation to Arthur's words, the larger male bent down and sharply nipped the Briton on the ear.

"Ouch!" gasped Arthur as he tore away and gingerly touched his ear, "Alfred!"

Alfred gripped Arthur's arm and pulled him closer. "Babe, sweetheart," he cooed, "I'm going to make you regret those words."

Arthur took in those words, shivering in delight as the images of rough sex ran through his mind. He grinned, his emerald eyes gleaming and shimmering. "I'll hold you to it Love."

Arthur watched in horror as Alfred consumed another burger at a worrying rate. There were two piles in front of the Texan, a pile of rumpled up wax paper and a pile of burgers which Arthur had turned into a pyramid in his boredom. "You're going to get sick again."

"Nof I'mf notf!" said Alfred through a mouth full of burger. He swallowed. The huge lump of food could be vividly seen traveling down his throat. Then he grinned, looking utterly happy and content, before shoveling more burgers into his mouth.

Arthur smiled fondly before he looked down at the table, fiddling with the rim of his empty beer glass. He looked around the bar they were at. The dim lights and cheery music created a pleasant atmosphere. In the center of the bar was a dance floor where couples were moving together rapidly in joyous occasion.

"Wanna dance?" asked Alfred when he noticed Arthur's gaze.

Arthur looked back at Alfred, his smile teasing, and yet there was a hint of hope in his eyes. "Are you going to throw everything up if we do?"

The Texan grinned, leaving his chair he held out his hand towards Arthur in a very gentlemanly manner. "Sweetheart, I'm made of tougher stuff."

Arthur took the hand, "I'll hold you to that."

Alfred just dragged the Briton onto the dance floor, and they were consumed in a sea of dancing couples. The sound of violins and fiddles made a fast paced tune as Arthur was spun around 'til he was dizzy. He let out laughter and returned to Alfred's embrace. They were deliriously happy in the warmth of each other. There was a feeling of fulfillment, of absolute content welling up as they moved in harmony with one another, as if they had never spent a day apart, as if they were born for one another, as if in this world there was only them and nothing- no one- else. No one at all. Alfred's smile was so bright, matching the dazzle in his eyes, as he looked down at Arthur adoringly. The Briton's own smile was wide, his eyes holding a trust that was given only to Alfred.

Although people would usually stare and gawk at the two men dancing together, it seemed that most, if not all of the current customers were so drunk that they neither noticed nor cared.

Arthur craned his neck, his voice filled with breathless panting as he spoke into Alfred's ears. "What's after this, My love?"

"Sex. Sleep." Alfred growled sexily, the noise full of primal want and need. He leaned down so that Arthur could wrap his arms around his neck. Then, in a sudden movement Arthur was lifted up, Alfred's strong hands gripping his waist tightly as the Briton was twirled around in circles till he could barely stand on his own feet.

"Al! Al!" yelled Arthur, bellowing with laughter, "Stop! Stop!" he begged.

Alfred continued his onslaught, picking up the speed of his twirls even as he laughed merrily. He was becoming dizzy himself, but it was just so fun. The world around them was spinning.

"Alfred!" yelled Arthur as he clutched onto the Texan even harder, "I'll throw up on you!" he threatened. Those seemed to be the magic words as immediately Alfred ceased his spinning.

The taller male stuck out his tongue in a childish manner. "Spoil sport!" he accused, but his words were empty, rendered useless by the loving smile on his face.

Arthur was grinning, panting like mad. He cupped Alfred's face with his hands and brought their faces closer. "Shall we do the next thing now?" The Briton leaned even closer and licked at Alfred's bottom lip.

"Ab-so-fucking-lutely" growled the Texan, a different hunger gleaming in his eyes.

Arthur leaned down till his face was in the crook of the taller male's neck. He bit onto the nape before letting go. "Language." he chided with a knowing smirk.

Alfred hissed at the slight pain. He pulled Arthur closer and whispered into his ear dangerously. "Babe... You're so going to regret doing that."

In a matter of 20 minutes the two lovers found themselves at the nearest hotel. They booked a room, not once letting go of one another as they headed to the bedroom.

Arthur tore off his own clothes at a rapid pace, before tearing away at Alfred's clothing. He tore at the shirt, not caring about the ripped buttons and ruined material. All he wanted was Alfred's bare skin against his.

They kissed. Hungry and wanting, full of desperate need as their desires became uncontrollable. Alfred bit onto Arthur's lower lip, nibbling and chewing softly till those lips looked raw and wet. The Briton moaned into the harsh kiss, plunging his tongue into the Texan's mouth, attempting to taste every nook and cranny. Alfred kicked their hotel door closed and somehow the two males fell upon the king sized bed.

Alfred pulled off Arthur's trousers, cursing softly when the belt became something of a hindrance. It was easily dealt with, but still, it was a hassle that had clearly been unwanted. He took off his own pants, throwing them away somewhere beyond the confines of the bed. Then he finished taking off his shirt and finally, finally, they were both naked, gloriously bare and aching with need.

"I love you," muttered Alfred as he covered Arthur's smaller frame with his own. The Briton wrapped his legs around Alfred's tapered waist.

"I love you," he muttered again, he kissed Arthur's lips. Those soft, delectable lips.

"I love you," a kiss to that long sexy neck that more often than not was marred with love bites.

A kiss to those toned shoulders, so strong and yet so slender. "I love you."

Alfred nibbled at the jutting collarbone, before placing a heated kiss on it, like a brand, a permanent seal. "I love you." he muttered those words over and over again, like a mantra from a crazy man. But he was crazy. Twisted and bound by the love he had for the English man that was currently writhing underneath him. The Texan was too far gone to save himself, but he didn't want to be saved. He didn't need redemption or forgiveness. Only Arthur mattered in this world. Only him.

Arthur let out a desperate sob before wrapping his arms around Alfred's neck, bringing the two of them closer. But he wanted more. He didn't want to be close. He wanted, no, needed to be together, joined in body, mind and soul. "Alfred," he whimpered and keened, almost crying as the emotion of love overwhelmed him, almost suffocating him. "Alfred, I love you."

And they made love, in every sense of the word, over and over again. The whole night spent in each other's sweet embrace, welcoming the rapture that consumed them. Trying to quell the addiction that they had for one another. Whispering and crying out words of love again and again till the sweet darkness of sleep embraced them.