Movie: Cinderella

Gimmick: High School AU

Rating: T for language and child abuse

Part: 2½/3


He wearily checked the clock.

9:30

Prom had been in progress for exactly an hour and a half.

The most painful hour and a half of his life.

Didn't help that Alfred kept sending him text messages saying who he was dancing with and how much he wished Arthur was there.

Damn insensitive git.

He sighed and nuzzled into the wet towel from his shower, used as a makeshift pillow. Already he wasn't looking forward to the next day, when Alfred would undoubtedly come to him to brag about who he danced, kissed, and possibly slept with. The thought made something foul rear its head in the pit of his stomach that he quickly quieted. He had a suspicion that he knew what that something was, but naming something gave it power, and he was nowhere near ready to surrender himself to that.

For now, he could call it jealousy.

He grumbled as his phone vibrated again, although this time, he noted with a raised thick eyebrow, it was from… Ludwig?

"Hello?"

"Hallo? Arthur?"

"Yes?" He asked quizzically, as he heard the distinct lack of chattering or music.

"Open the door."

"What?"

"Open the door, Kiku's arms are about to fall off." He sounded amused.

Very confused, he obeyed Ludwig's odd orders to find Kiku on the opposite side, straining to hold what looked vaguely like a pirate chest.

"Thank you, Arthur-san." He said as he sat the chest on the couch, panting.

"Kiku? What the bloody-?"

"We don't have time, Arthur-san. Quick" He opened the chest and pulled out a pair of knee high boots "Put this stuff on."

He was confused beyond all belief. Kiku shook his head with his ever patient smile.

"Feliciano called us. Don't worry, we got you another costume."

The Brit nodded a small smile starting to creep on his face. Kiku rushed him to the bathroom and handed him individual items through the door.

It was a pirate costume, a long decorative red coat, leather gloves, a peasant shirt and a silk sash, complete with what looked like tan riding pants and a grand feathered hat.

Kiku appraised him with a critical eye, and finding this attire to his satisfaction, handed him a black cloth mask.

"Why do you have all this?" He asked, disbelieving. Kiku flushed and said nothing.

The drive back to the hotel where prom was being held was filled with hearty small talk and gossip, Kiku snapping the occasional picture of Arthur in costume.

The parking lot was packed, and Ludwig let them out at the entrance while he went to find a place to park.

The ballroom was lit with candles from five large chandeliers in attempt to copy the atmosphere of a real 18th century ballroom. It did fairly well, and the other student's costumes added to the atmosphere rather than detract like thought they would.

Kiku squeezed his arm "There's someone over there that I want to talk to over there. Will you be alright?"

Arthur's emerald eyes scanned the crowd and he nodded "Your ears are crooked." He shifted the kitty ear headband in to it correct place and sent the Asian boy off with a small smile.

"Well, hey there, haven't seen ya'll 'round here before." Said a voice behind him in the most obnoxiously fake southern accent that could only come from one American.

Alfred was dressed in sinfully well fitting tan chaps with black leggings and cowboy boots. A matching tan vest was decorated with a sheriff's badge that looked like it came out of a cereal box, layered over a light blue flannel shirt that brought out his eyes hidden behind a clumsily fitted cloth mask fitted around his glasses with a gaudy cowboy hat tilted at an angle.

The blushing Brit offered a small smile in place of a verbal greeting and Alfred seemed to accept it.

"Some party, right, this place is hoppin'."

Arthur nodded, not saying anything. Alfred didn't seem to recognize him, which meant that he could at least attempt to flirt with the American without jeopardizing their friendship.

Win-Win

The song suddenly changed to something more upbeat and Alfred perked up "Ooooooh! I love this song! Come on!"

"Wha-"

Arthur was dragged unceremoniously into the middle of the dance floor. He stood awkwardly as Alfred started swaying to the overly pop-y beat.

"Come on, Mr. Pirate Guy, you can dance, right?" The bigger blonde teased. Arthur huffed and reluctantly began to swing his hips to the beat. Alfred smiled approvingly and took it up a notch, moving closer to the pirate.

One dance turned into two, then three, and then five. By the seventh Arthur was dying of heat stroke in the heavy fabric of the overcoat. He excused himself with an apologetic look to the American and quickly exited into the air conditioned lobby, which, much to his relief, was deserted. He collapsed against the wall and shed his coat and hat, sighing as the cooled air touched his skin.

He had danced with Alfred. He had danced with Alfred. He didn't like the girly sense of glee that developed with that thought.

"Aw, poor wittle pirwate, did the dance tucker you out?" Arthur shot a glare at the American. When did he get here?

The bigger blonde slid to the ground next to him. They sat in a silence that should have been awkward, feeling the pounding beat of the music through the walls. Arthur felt a pair of eyes on him and turned to the American, who was staring at him unabatedly. He flushed under the intense gaze, turning his to the floor.

"I think they're starting the slow dance now." The cowboy commented. He stood and offered his hand to the still sitting Brit.

"Mr. Pirate Guy, may I have his dance?" He asked, playing imitation gentleman.

The shorter blonde rolled his eyes, hesitantly taking the American's hand. Blue eyes smiled as he gently helped the pirate up.

This song was much slower than the others they had danced to before, and they could barely hear the tempo through the walls but their imaginations took over as they began to get closer. Alfred wrapped his arms around the Brit's waist, and Arthur's around his neck, their faces so close it would be so easy to-

Alfred pressed his forehead against the pirate's, noses bumping. "You wanna hear a secret, Mr. Pirate Guy?" He whispered, breath tickling his ear. A small nod.

"I really, really like you." He said softly, their faces not even an inch apart. Arthur's heart stopped beating for several seconds, which Alfred took advantage of and finally pressed their lips together.

It was a moment that lasted forever and not long enough, in Arthur's opinion, and air became an unfortunate necessity much sooner than he would have liked. They pulled away, Alfred's face spilt in an impossibly wide grin. Arthur had not right to complain, he was sure he sporting his own dopey smirk.

Somewhere in the back of his consciousness, he had been aware of the chiming of the old grandfather clock in the corner of the lobby, on its twelfth chime.

Twelfth.

Midnight.

Mom…

His eyes widened. Shit.

He tore out of Alfred's grip, the latter of which, staring at the empty space where a body used to be, extremely puzzled. He watched him sprint out the door with the same look of confusion until his blinked himself back to coherency.

He chuckled "See ya, Artie."


He had never run so fast in his life. His lungs were burning by the time he burst through the back door, all but diving into the kitchen.

The light flickered on.

"Hello, Arthur. Guess what you didn't do?"

An icy grip wrapped around his heart and stole his breath away.

There was a loud 'clank' and a very sharp pain in his head, and he was thrust into the warm grip of unconsciousness.


DUHN DUHN DUHNNNNNN.

And here's the rest of chapter two before I go.

So the Fairy Godmother was the Axis Powers… huh. Also for the sake of the story, lets pretend that Proms run 'til midnight. Yay, next chapter's in Alfred POV. Huzzah.