I've been working on this in all my free time at school, so I should have chapters up pretty quickly. These first few chapters aren't the most exciting but it'll get better as it goes. Thanks for reading!
Chapter Two
Reading Quietly
"Tell me when you feel ready
I'm the one, there's not too many
Hold my hand to keep me steady
Just to be quiet
With you"
Lyrics from Light's 'Quiet'
The school bell rang, signalling the end of the day. A ghost of a smile crossed Arthur's face, but he made sure to straighten his face before quietly walking out of the classroom.
All the other students were obnoxious, some even screaming at the top of their lungs, just because the day ended and such a miracle was damn worth some applause.
Yes, school ending was totally a damned miracle. What else could it be?
Arthur sighed and kept walking. Keep calm and carry on, as his mum said. Wonder where she got that from.
"Hey Arthur!" a voice from behind him said. It was that Alfred boy again, wasn't it?
Arthur whipped around and Alfred greeted him with a hug. Arthur was so surprised he almost fell over. Of course this set him right off.
"W-What do you think you're doing?!" he screeched. Alfred slowly pulled away with a frown. That boy was an odd one all right. Always laughing too hard or pouting. Unfortunately, Arthur couldn't tell if this was annoying or cute.
"Oh. Well hi!" Alfred said with a giggle. Arthur rolled his eyes and started walking out the school's front door, not even looking back.
"Arthur?! Wait!" Alfred cried behind him. Arthur paced faster. Alfred was still following him. So Arthur paced faster.
No, he wasn't running away. He was pacing.
"Arthu~ur wait!" Alfred whined. He was getting closer. Arthur ducked behind a nearby tree. Alfred passed him. Arthur sighed in relief. After a moment he pulled a book out of his backpack and put his backpack aside. He flipped to the page he had left off on and started reading quietly.
The princess was still locked in the dark tower. A dragon approached her from a dark corner she hadn't noticed until then. His breath smelled like blood and his scales were as sharp as knives. He slowly reached for her face and-
"Arthuuur!" Alfred cheered as he leapt for Arthur.
"Ack!" Arthur choked out. He dropped his book, forgetting to mark his place, and stood up with his hands in front of his chest.
"S-Stop!" he squeaked. He closed his eyes, preparing for impact. Alfred hugged him.
….
Why didn't that hurt?
Arthur opened an eye, and upon seeing Alfred he opened the other. Not that he wanted to see Alfred. He was just curious.
Alfred's eyes were closed, and he was snuggling into Arthur's chest. Arthur, not knowing how to react, awkwardly patted Alfred's head with one hand and hugged him back with the other.
"W'ch uh d'in?" Alfred mumbled into Arthur's shirt. Which felt weird. Arthur pursed his lips.
"I was reading quietly." he answered bluntly. Alfred opened his eyes and looked up at Arthur. Not that Alfred was short, he was just a little hunched from the fall from hugging Arthur.
"Okay." Alfred answered. He couldn't seem to stop giggling, which led Arthur to be very concerned.
"Eh...Are you all right?" Arthur asked. He then noticed he was still patting Alfred's head. He of course stopped.
"I'm all right." Alfred said, mimicking Arthur's voice. More giggling. Arthur sighed and Alfred shut up. Suddenly Alfred let go of Arthur and started running away.
"See you tomorrow!" Alfred called back. Obviously this was followed with more laughing. Arthur tried to bite back a smile and failed.
"See you tomorrow..." he whispered. He picked up his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. Then he picked up his book, flipped to a page, and started walking. Reading quietly.