Howdy! Are you guys enjoying this so far? Please show this around to your friends and such, I would absolutely love it if this story got a little more love.. Is that asking too much? Oh god, i'm being pushy. I'm sorry, I just want you guys to like this story and.. :S I'll shut up now..

Enjoy, lovies!

Arthur was pushed awake by strong hands. He cracked his young eyes open and coughed, a thick smell coating his nose and slipping to his lungs. He looked up to his father, shocked at the terrified look across his face. Arthur quickly sat up and grabbed on to the man, feeling tears well up in his eyes. They burned so badly.

"Dad? Where's Mom? What's going on?!" Arthur hacked again and his father cursed. He felt his thin frame being lifted from his bed and quickly carried out his door. His father dropped to his knees and shoved Arthur, yelling at him to get outside.

"Go, Arthur! I have to get your mother! Get outside, quick! We'll be right there, son, don't worry!" rushed his father, covering his mouth as he spoke. The air was getting increasingly thicker as the seconds ticked on. Arthur whined, the tears pooling down his cheeks, and he continued to crawl to the front door. He tried to grab the knob, but it sizzled in his hand. Arthur hissed and pulled back, turning instead to the window.

He pushed with all his might as his strength was dwindling fast. The room was bright with snapping flashes of orange and red, clouded only by a heavy smoke. Arthur cried harder as he pulled his body through the window, tumbling to the ground in a heap. He rubbed his eyes repeatedly, trying to clear his vision but to no avail. Arthur crawled on his hands and knees to a bush on the edge of their property, where he could see clearly when his parents came through the same window.

Suddenly, the roof groaned. Arthur's eyes widened, and all he had time to do was scream. Wood snapped, and the building caved in. There was a loud explosion of sorts, forcing shattered wood in every direction. Fire pushed out from underneath, quickly enveloping the entire home. Arthur sat frozen, his arm outstretched and trembling. The tears continued to roll, but for an entirely different reason now.

"MOM! ! DAD! !" he screamed, his voice cracking pitifully. He coughed harder into his hand, ignoring the small amount of blood that spatter onto his fingers. Arthur sobbed miserably, staring at the pile of burning wood and brick that used to be his home. He hoped with all of his aching heart that two figures would emerge, but he knew they wouldn't. Arthur rose on his shaky legs and screamed one last time.

"I love you!" Arthur turned and ran as fast as he could, sputtering and wheezing all the way. He sprinted into the woods, finally falling on his chest in the middle of the thick trees, far from his home. He wanted to escape this pain, this horror. Arthur felt his ragged breath steady slightly, and his burning eyes droop closed. He cried softly before his body slipped into sleep.

"Last night, at approximately 1:32 AM, the Kirkland residence caught on fire. Officials have confirmed the fire was started by a gas leak. No bodies have been found. With no traces of any of the family having been found, they were assumed burned in the fire, and have therefore been declared dead."

*.~.*

Arthur awoke in a pool of sweat. He panted hard, staring wide-eyed at the stained ceiling. For a moment, he half expected it to collapse on top of him. Arthur sighed and rolled out of bed, crawling to the kitchen. He opened the mini fridge and frowned. It was empty, as usual. Arthur pushed himself to his feet and cursed.

"I'll have to go get some food somewhere," he breathed, looking around for a clean outfit. He found a relatively stain-free green shirt tucked under the corner of his mattress and pulled it out. He swiped his pants from the day before and struggled into his boots. Arthur gave a quick look over of himself in the standing mirror beside his desk before heading out. It was a nice day today, he figured he didn't need a coat.

Arthur strode down the streets, weaving through busy bodies casually. Soon he was at the shop he had rushed into the day before. Arthur examine the rack of tea for a moment, when a familiar voice called his name.

"Hey, Arthur! Remember me?" Arthur spun on his heel, coming face to face with Alfred. He scowled and hissed lightly.

"What are you doing here?" Alfred stared blankly for a split second before bursting into a fit of laughter. He pointed to the name tag pinned to his apron and smiled.

"I work here." He puffed his chest proudly, "just started last week!" Arthur grimaced and muttered a sarcastic congrats, which Alfred accepted gratefully. Clearly he didn't quite grasp the concept of sarcasm.

"Alfred, this shop has sandwiches, does it not?.." prodded Arthur carefully, not noticing that he had grabbed his stomach while he spoke. Alfred eyed him curiously and nodded slowly. He glanced at the clock above the door and smiled.

"Yeah, it does, but you don't want them! Come on, my shift is about over, let me take you out." Arthur stared stupidly at him. Why was everyone buying him food? He didn't have time to argue; Alfred pulled his apron off quickly and wrapped his arm around Arthur's swiftly, dragging him out the door.

"Hey, idiot! What are you doing?!" he yelled, thrashing in the surprisingly tight grip. Alfred laughed lightly and barreled through the crowd.

"There's this really good restaurant fifteen minutes from here, and you look hungry, so I'm taking you to get some food!" Alfred suddenly veered to the right and pushed Arthur forward. He smiled happily at his car and hopped into the drivers seat. Alfred grinned at Arthur through the window and patted the seat beside him. Arthur groaned and walked to the other side, climbing in hastily. Alfred turned the car on and nearly scared Arthur half to death with the sudden blasting music.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked after he slammed his finger into the stereo's power button. Alfred shrugged and pulled into the street.

"Friends give other friends favors," he said simply. Arthur crossed his arms and scowled.

"We aren't friends."

"Yes we are."

"No, we /aren't/." Alfred suddenly reached over and grabbed Arthur's hand, much to his surprise. Alfred giggled and squeezed tightly, rubbing his thumb along the back of Arthur's hand.

"Yes we are; best buddies!" he said with a childish accent. Alfred paused for a second before adding, "You have soft skin, Artie.." Arthur blushed and turned his head away, pulling back rather weakly. Alfred kept his fingers intertwined with Arthur's still, though.

"My name is Arthur," he snapped, feeling his cheeks heat up. Alfred laughed a soft 'I know' and pulled his hand back, placing it on the steering wheel again. Arthur couldn't help but feel a tad disappointed; he had longed contact for a while now, and that had actually (though he would never admit it) felt good.

"I like you, Arthur," smiled Alfred lightly, "you're funny." Arthur merely grumbled in response. Alfred sighed and parked the car, unbuckling himself quickly. He pointed to the burger joint in front of them and smiled.

"This place is amazing, Iggy. Trust me." He climbed out hurriedly and ran to the door, turning to look at him expectantly. He looked like that one poor kid whose parents never let them go in the candy store, just look through the windows. Arthur sighed and climbed out.

"Iggy?" he whispered under his breath. Arthur decided he hated nicknames. He waltzed to the door and reluctantly allowed himself to be dragged inside and shoved into a seat. Alfred plopped down across from him and beamed excitedly.

"So, listen," he said while he picked up the menu that lay on the table, "I'm having a little party with a couple friends Friday. Do you want to come?" He looked up and his eyes flashed behind glass wickedly, "Oh, and 'no' is not an acceptable answer." Arthur sighed.

"I don't have much of a choice, do I?" he huffed, choosing to look at his own menu instead of Alfred. Alfred scoffed and rubbed his neck gently.

"Great! Where do you live? I'll come pick you up!" Arthur suddenly stopped. He swallowed and casually hid himself behind his menu further. Arthur didn't want Alfred to see where he lived, it would drive him away!

Wait. But Arthur didn't care, right? It's not like he /wanted/ to be friends with Alfred or anything..right?.. Arthur sighed deeply and fidgeted in his seat.

"305 Aldersgate Street. I live in apartment 2D.." he said lowly, his cheeks heating up again. Alfred gave a thumbs up and pulled a pen from his pocket. He scribbled the address on the back of his hand quickly and smiled. Just then, a waitress popped around the corner.

"Hi there! My name is Jenny, can I take your order?"

"Mm, yes," hummed Arthur, "I'll have the fish and chips with tea." Alfred slammed down his menu, his finger firmly pressed into an item on the page.

"And I'll have the burger, extra bacon, and a coke!" Arthur recoiled in disgust. Americans.

#%#%#%

Yay the USUK is starting! Sorta. I'm going to make them both really awkward, okay? Fair warning. Frustration ahead! "The sexual tension!" Lol what am I doing I don't even know.. I love you guys, you're all so awesome :3

Everything is welcome, as it always is! 3

Ciao~!