Arthur's pen flowed across the page skillfully, despite being alone and having no reason to write. He had secretly been writing letters, to virtually no one, but keeping them in his room, locked in there along with himself.

Dear Alfred F. Jones.

I don't find it bothersome that you wrote me...

In fact I quite like the idea of having a friend... or even just someone to talk to.

I'm pretty sure I'm 23, And my name is Arthur Kirkland. I haven't left my home in Seven years.

Maybe one day I'll tell you the story that goes along with that.

To be honest, I would love to go outside, but my own fear keeps me from stepping outside the door. I've been in this house for a long time, and things have changed without me. It would be frightening to be suddenly thrown back into everyone's attention, and into all the technology that exists now...

Hopefully someone can help me break that fear.

I kind of hope that someone will be you.

Arthur stared down at the paper, and before he could change his mind, his folded it up and ran to the door, slipping it through the mail slot so it would land on the front porch. Arthur's mind made the action seemed horrible, almost rebellious, but he pushed those thoughts away. He wasn't going to let the past get in his way now.

He could hear his father's voice though, cussing him out as he had the night Arthur had been caught by local authorities. He pushed that out of his mind, numbing himself once more against the unwanted images that haunted his mind.

Arthur went back to that same chair, surprised to see Alfred had disappeared. He saw the young man reappear moments later, walking from Arthur's front step to his own yard. It was interesting, to say the least, to watch someone just move about, especially someone as interesting as this Alfred F Jones.

Perhaps... they could grow to gain a friendship.

Two weeks past quickly, with the same routine of getting up, making tea, then going to sit in the chair by the window. Days passed quickly, much faster than The Briton was used to from the past seven years.

Alfred continued to write him letters, and Arthur soon learned that he was indeed 19, he worked as a kind of an in-house babysitter for the folks across the street, and he had a younger brother named Matthew.

Arthur could feel himself slowly waking up from his solitary years. Different things returned, slowly but surely. He had begun to feel sensations, begun to think again, and begun to feel.

His mind was filled with thoughts of the American, whom was currently playing with a small child in the yard across the way. The way his hair shone in the sunlight, and his smile... that was Arthur's favorite part. When Alfred smiled, Arthur couldn't help but smile himself, not minding if he saw.

His feelings... were another thing, they confused the Brit constantly. He had begun to feel a great desire to leave the house, even if just for a minute. He longed to smell the fresh air, compared to the damp, musky scent of the house he had grown accustomed to.

He wanted to hear the laughter that spilt from the American's lips, rather than even bother trying to imagine it. His mind had nowhere near enough imagination for that.

Arthur found himself watching as Alfred played with the small child, chasing them around the green grass and occasionally tickling them when he caught up. For someone so young, the child sure could run fast, Arthur briefly thought to himself, before his attention was caught by a car pulling up in front of the house. Alfred looked up, grabbing a hold of the wriggling child and seemed to answer the two men.

After a moment he shook his head, then pointed down the road. It must have been some soliciters or something. Arthur got up from his chair, and walked down the long hallway leading to the front door. Everyday, for the last two weeks, he had been able to move a little bit farther, take one step closer to that dreaded door.

Today Arthur walked right up to it, and put his hand on the door knob.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment, then Arthur looked down at himself. " No... Not today." He mumbled. " Or at least... not yet." He backed away from the door, going upstairs to his room. He didn't want to look like a bum the first time he went outside. He quickly changed into a white dress shirt, and put a black vest on over that. His pants he dubbed fine, and he slowly wandered his way back downstairs and towards the door.

Today. It opened.

Arthur stood in the open doorway for a few moments, blinded by the sudden bright light. He rubbed his eyes for a moment, then looked down at them, realizing just how pale he really was. He shrugged slightly, then looked up. The car had gone from the road, Arthur could see it's tail lights leaving.

Alfred was still in the other yard. The child had disappeared, and Alfred laid in the grass of the yard. He was writing in a notebook, smiling softly. Arthur assumed he must be writing another letter to the Briton.

Alfred folded up the paper, then stood up, and started making his way toward the house, looking more at the ground then anything else. He looked up right before he reached the porch, emitting a small gasp. His eyes widened, and he stood frozen for a minute.

"Alfred?" Arthur questioned, looking over the blonde's face, now that he could see it closer for the first time. His eyes stood out the most. They were a dazzling, bright blue, sapphire-ish color. Arthur instantly loved them, possibly more than his smile.

Alfred laughed, almost disbelievingly. " A-Arthur?" He whispered in awe, looking over the British man. Arthur nodded, then broke out into a bright smile, suddenly realizing his feat. " I... I did it... I'm outside..."

Alfred nodded, smiling. " Ya did it Artie... Wow..."

Arthur blinked, looking down at his feet for a moment. " Alfred..." Alfred laughed. " Yeah?" The Brit then took his chance, leaning forward to quickly place a small kiss on Alfred's lips. He pulled back, then, his face burning, he retreated back into the house, leaving Alfred wide-eyed and slack-jawed.

...

finally...

I made a chapter longer than 700 words...

1,107 words...

finally...

I am now proud of myself for this feat.

And here's another chapter of Doll, since y'all seemed to like it so much.

Reviews, they keep me going ;)\