Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the song "Love" by luvjOi. Some of the lines (the spoken stuff) is taken from the comic.
AN: This is for luvjOi. A songfic centering on Arthur/Alfred's relationship prior and during the Revolutionary War.
Spent a long time teaching myself what not to do
"I won't let you leave!" young Alfred cried, running after Arthur. "Please stay!"
"You know I can't, though I want to," Arthur explained. "I need to get back to Britain."
"I don't want to be all alone! Please don't leave!"
Arthur placed hand on Alfred's shoulder. "I'll come back, don't worry. I know how it feels to be alone. I'll come back as soon as I can, all right?"
After all these years I've still got nothing to prove
The only thing that's changed is I...
When England came back, America had grown up. Rebellion was brewing beneath the cool surface. It was only a matter of time. Everyone sensed the coming conflict. England tried to stop it, by imposing taxes and laws.
"What is it?" Arthur asked coldly.
"I don't know what you mean. This is how I look every day," Alfred replied, his tone even.
"You're giving me a bloody awful look."
"No, I'm not."
As Alfred tried to leave the room, Arthur blocked his way. Arthur grabbed Alfred's face and forced him to meet his eyes. "What is it?"
Alfred looked away. "Nothing."
Took a long hard look and I think I was screwed
"'Give me liberty or give me death'?"
Alfred shrugged, not looking up from the book he was reading.
"A bill of rights?"
Alfred shrugged again, turning a page.
"Give me liberty, or give me death?"
Arthur hit the book from Alfred's hands. Alfred looked up at Arthur. "What did you do that for—"
I gave up my mask of disrepute
Now the only thing that's changed is I
"Just what is Patrick Henry proposing, hm? What are you thinking of doing?"
"People are allowed to express their opinions."
Don't give a fuck about you
Alfred punched Arthur. Hard.
"What?!" Arthur cried, looking confusedly at Alfred.
Alfred was angry. "Some of your people killed some of my people!"
"They were baiting the soldiers. They had weapons!"
"They were unarmed civilians just walking down a Boston street when your people opened fire!"
"They had rocks and other weapons like that. They ganged up on my soldiers!"
Arthur shoved Alfred out of the way. Alfred grabbed Arthur's shoulder and wrenched him closer. "You're killing innocent people."
"They're not innocent."
I'm just a little bit out of tune
I bet you wish I'd quit really soon
Arthur pushed Alfred up against a wall. "What are you doing?!"
"It wasn't my people, it was the Mohawks—"
Arthur slapped him. "It was your goddamn Sons of Liberty!"
When a flicker of arrogant pride appeared on Alfred's face, Arthur punched him in the gut.
"You will not do this!"
Alfred smiled somehow. "But we are. We're boycotting tea. I don't have to listen to you."
But if you don't like my song
You don't have to sing along
Because I
"Do you know how much I've done for you? Can you even begin to comprehend all I've done?"
Arthur tossed Alfred to the ground. Alfred straightened up slowly and didn't dare speak or look Arthur in the eye.
"I made sure Spain wouldn't bother you. I made this country up from nothing but woods and fields. I've given you all you want. I helped you fight the French and the Indians. Without me, you would have been destroyed. I've supported you every step of the way and this is how you repay me? Pouring tea into a harbor? Say something, damn you!"
Don't give a fuck about you
"It never was about pouring tea into the harbor."
If you don't believe that could be love
England received a document during the early stages of the war. The Declaration of Independence.
Then it wouldn't even matter if I filled the cup
They met on the battlefield. Alfred led the Americans. Arthur led the English. After the fighting began, Alfred found himself face to face with Arthur. He couldn't shoot Arthur. Arthur was his big brother, his protector. He couldn't fight him.
But, Alfred had to fight him. For the American people.
Now please don't get me wrong
I hope we can get along
"Hey, England, I want freedom."
Every word was torture for both of them.
"I'm no longer your child or your baby brother.
"From now on, I am independent.
"Acknowledge it!"
England raised his gun, but America's gun stopped the bayonet. America's gun went flying though.
"You were always so naïve, always the fool, America."
But I
Arthur felt his heart break. He couldn't shoot him. He just couldn't. Arthur dropped the gun and slid down into the mud.
"There's no point in firing, is there? Fool…"
Alfred saw the tears on Arthur's face.
"Why…damn…damn…"
Don't give a fuck about you
"You used to be so big…"
