Sorry for the wait!
I'm not sure I'm entirely happy with this ending but... we'll see.
It ended with a defeat.
Christmas approached. After weeks of an awkward atmosphere between the three of them – Alfred was definitely noticing something was wrong and kept asking Arthur if he was all right – Arthur was almost relieved. Over the Christmas holiday for the last few years, Arthur and Kiku's families had been taking it in turns to return to their countries of origin. It wasn't deliberate but it would always work out that, for instance, Arthur would go to England one year and the next would see him remaining at home whilst Kiku was in Japan. Alfred would always hang out with whoever was left behind and, thankfully for Arthur, he was the one going to be present for Christmas.
This year, though, he found himself Christmas shopping alone. Usually, he would ask either Alfred or Kiku to help him find presents for everyone else. It was supposed to be Kiku but he decided not to bother asking as he didn't seem to want to interact with him beyond things to do with the newspaper or homework. Seeing as he was also buying things for his family on his shopping trip, he found the task a lot more daunting and disheartening than normal.
Thankfully, he found the perfect gift for Alfred: a lightsaber torch. It even had sound effects. He was sure Alfred would love it and was sure he'd instantly play with it when he saw it. So he bought lots more batteries so he would be able to replace the ones that would run out in a day.
Even though they weren't on speaking terms, Arthur decided that, since it was Christmas, it was about time they buried the hatchet. So he bought Kiku a set of Studio Ghibli themed chopsticks: they had been rather expensive but he had decided their friendship was worth it. He even wrapped it with paper decorated with cute cats.
A week before Christmas, he had finished the work he needed to do on the last newspaper of the term and had also completed most of his assignments. Since he had nothing better to do and he knew for sure that Kiku had gone straight home after school rather than wait through Alfred's practice, he picked up both presents and made his way out. Each present was in a Christmas themed gift bag; a reindeer for Kiku and Santa for Alfred. He thought they were perfect but he would have to wait to see Kiku's reaction. Perhaps, he thought to himself, he should ask Kiku to open his on the spot so he could see that Arthur still wanted to be friends.
When he reached the Jones's house, he rang the doorbell and waited, tugging on his scarf. Mrs. Jones answered, phone held to her ear. She said, "He's upstairs." and hurried off, already engrossed in her conversation. Arthur stepped inside, slipped off his shoes and coat and tugged off his scarf. Turning to hang them up, he found Kiku's coat and scarf already there and his heart stopped.
Arthur forced himself to walk upstairs, his steps slow, wondering what he would find when he reached Alfred's room. Would they be kissing? Would they look at him with disgust? Would Alfred throw him out? And surely Kiku would hate his present...
Reaching Alfred's door, he knocked and quickly entered, equal parts hoping and dreading to catch them in the act of whatever they were up to. Unsurprisingly (or, perhaps, surprisingly), Alfred and Kiku were playing a video game. Alfred lay on his stomach on the floor and didn't look around when Arthur entered. Kiku sat on his knees beside him. When the latter glanced up, he promptly paused the game, looking sheepish. Alfred turned around.
"Ah, Artie! What're ya doing here?!" he exclaimed, grinning up at him.
"I was just... What are you doing?"
"Playing a game. Kiku suggested it when I texted him after practice."
"You texted...? Oh," Arthur said, his heart sinking and breaking at the same time. There had been no-one to tell Alfred not to text Arthur so he must have opted not to include Arthur. Which probably meant that Alfred wanted Kiku to be with him, not Arthur. It wasn't as if Arthur played the same games as Alfred or was any good at them. Kiku was, though, so it was obvious that Alfred would want to be with Kiku and not him. Never Arthur. That was clearly why he'd texted Kiku and didn't bother with Arthur.
"What're ya here for?" Alfred asked, even as he turned back to the game. He reached over to Kiku's controller and un-paused it, beginning to play without looking at Arthur.
"I... Well... I came to give you your Christmas present."
"Oh, cool, thanks! I'll get yours to ya later," Alfred told him, still ignoring Arthur.
Meanwhile, Kiku kept glancing at Arthur, looking worried, though he never looked away from the TV for more than a few seconds. "I will hand mine out before I go," he told them.
"Cool! You'll love mine, Keeks. Got it specially ordered and everything!"
Clutching at the bags in his hands, Arthur felt his heart break further. Alfred had specially ordered something for Kiku? He didn't think Alfred had ever done that for him. It was obvious who Alfred liked more. Taking a deep breath in an effort to stall his despair, Arthur placed Alfred's present next to the bookcase he used for his collection of comics.
"I had best go..." he said, shakily. When Kiku glanced in his direction, he raised the reindeer bag to catch his attention and placed it on the bed. He hoped the message was clear: he's yours. Kiku's eyes widened and, once again, he paused the game.
"Wha-? Huh?" said Alfred, turning to look at Arthur. "What'd you say?"
"I'm going," Arthur repeated. "I only came for this." He nudged the bag with Alfred's present and shrugged a shoulder.
"Aw, c'mon! Stay and play with us!" Alfred cried, shaking his controller for emphasis.
"I'm sorry," Arthur lied, "but I have things to do for the newspaper. A few last minute things before the end of term. I'll see you tomorrow." And, without looking back, he fled. He heard someone call out after him but he refused to stop. Once he had practically shoved his feet into his shoes and only partially wrapped his coat and scarf around him, he braved the cold and hurried out.
A few minutes later, he found himself in the local park. He sat on a swing and tried to quell the despair. The pressure on his chest and in his eyes only increased but he willed himself not to cry.
He failed.
At school the next day, Arthur avoided both Alfred and Kiku as much as possible. It wasn't that he didn't want to be friends with them any more but it was painful to see Alfred light up when he saw him or Kiku's split-second grimace. To see what he could have had and seeing Kiku's undisguised disgust tore at his heart. So he left each class exactly on time, running from both of them, and he arrived a second before the teacher so they were unable to speak to him when he sat beside them. He ignored the notes Alfred tried to slide across to him and even flicked a couple from the desk.
Relieved to have avoided them all day, Arthur left school, convinced he was quite literally home free. Unfortunately, as he exited the building, Arthur spotted Alfred hovering. Freezing, Arthur had to force himself to breathe as Alfred strode towards him. Arthur tried to leave but Alfred grabbed his arm and tugged him into the shadows of the stairs.
"What do you want?" Arthur snapped, annoyed that he had to face Alfred so soon.
"What do I want?" Alfred demanded. "What's up with you? I've been trying to talk to you all day!"
"Why? Can't you just talk to Kiku?" Arthur knew what he was saying sounded bitter but he didn't care at this point, not even when Alfred briefly looked confused.
"What're ya talking about?" Alfred sighed, rolling his eyes.
"Didn't Kiku tell you? He likes you, Alfie. I would have thought he told you last night."
Alfred blinked at him, appearing confused. Then he released a bark of laughter and shook his head. Arthur almost punched him but Alfred gave him a smile so fond that Arthur paused. "Yeah, he told me."
"Then-"
"But I told him I liked someone else."
Arthur stopped breathing. Kiku had suggested the possibility but he had pushed it to the back of his mind. Now that he knew Alfred did like someone, he wasn't sure he could bear it, despite what he had said to Kiku. He lowered his gaze so Alfred couldn't see how upset he was.
"Aren't you gonna ask who I like?" Alfred asked him, sounding rather amused.
Irritated, Arthur glared up at Alfred. "Who?" he asked, bluntly.
"Well, you gotta guess!" Alfred declared, causing Arthur to sigh in exasperation. "I'll give ya clues."
"Oh, what fun," Arthur said, dryly.
"They've got green eyes."
Frowning, Arthur thought hard. "What, Lili?"
"Nope. They do have blond hair, though."
"That helps..." Arthur glared at Alfred. "Why don't you just put me out of my misery?"
"Your misery, huh? You're upset?"
Flustered, Arthur shook his head. "Look, forget it. I don't want to know. I've got to go-" He was cut off as Alfred grabbed his arm once again, stopping him from walking past the taller teen. "Wha-? Would you just-"
"It's you, silly," Alfred said, rolling his eyes again.
"What?!" exclaimed Arthur, eyes wide. Was this real? Was he dreaming? Or...? "Are you mocking me?!"
"Eh?!" Alfred cried, his own eyes widening. "What-? Of course not! I-" Alfred stopped, gaze distant as he stared at Arthur. The boy was getting worried: was Alfred all right? Was he ill and delirious? Then Alfred slowly began to smile and his gaze settled on Arthur who blinked back at him. "I'm not mocking you, Artie. I like ya. A lot. And, um... My true love grows to such excess that I can't... can't sum up half its wealth..."
Staring at him, Arthur was sure he'd stopped breathing again. Then he blinked and whispered, "Eh...?"
"God, sorry. Was that wrong? I mean, I read 'em and everything but I can't remember every single word. Ah, wait – is it 'grown' instead of 'grows'? I-"
"Do you really mean it?" Arthur asked, quietly, certain Alfred would babble on if he let him continue.
"Of course I mean it, Artie! You bought me a lightsaber torch – that was well awesome. And ya know me so well. And, um, yeah..." Alfred's cheeks turned red and he fidgeted, not looking at Arthur as if he had to hide himself from the editor.
He wasn't quite able to believe his luck so Arthur said, "What about Kiku? He knows you just as well as I do."
"But I don't like him, Artie. Just you." Alfred gave Arthur a shy smile and reached out to him. He paused, a hand close to Arthur's cheek. "Do-Do you...?"
Nodding, Arthur stepped closer so that Alfred's fingers were brushing his cheek. He sharply inhaled before he let his breath out slowly. "Yes. I do. It's been a strange few months."
"God, you're so slow," Alfred teased him. "I knew from over the summer." He winked at a blushing and grumbling Arthur before he pressed closer. "Hey, can I...? I mean, I've been trying to get you out on a proper date for ages but you and Kiku were so wrapped up in whatever that you never seemed to notice. And I've wanted to kiss ya. Can I?"
"Of course," Arthur breathed, lifting his chin to look into Alfred's eyes. Alfred smiled down at him and gently cupped Arthur's cheek. "Maybe next time you can make your requests for a date more obvious."
Alfred laughed even as he moved closer; Arthur's eyes flickered from his eyes to his lips. "Fine, fine. How about we go on a date right now?"
Just as Alfred's lips brushed his, Arthur pulled away slightly, eyes narrowed. "Well, if we're going on a date," Arthur said, teasingly, "then we should wait till later for this."
Again, Alfred laughed. "Oh, no, you don't!" he declared and, quicker than Arthur could react, he leaned down further and pressed their lips together in a sweet kiss.
Despite his new relationship and happiness, Arthur was still worried about Kiku. He caught up with him the next day, managing to pull him aside at lunch. "Are you okay?" he asked, as he presumed his friend knew about the change in status.
Kiku paused before shaking his head a little. "I'm still upset..." he murmured.
Nodding, Arthur sighed. "I understand. But I really..." He trailed off and shrugged.
"I just need a little time to... digest... this development. And I'm sorry for before."
"It's not your fault," Arthur reassured him.
They went their separate ways, Arthur's elation at having Alfred as a boyfriend tempered somewhat by the absence of his friend. Later, though, he was pleasantly surprised to open his locker and find a Christmas gift bag, a cartoon robin looking out at him. Grabbing the tag, Arthur read it and the happiness returned.
Thank you for the present.
Merry Christmas, Arthur. I shall see you after the holidays.
Kiku
And so it was that Arthur had a lovely Christmas with his new boyfriend, somewhat marred by the brief flashes of guilt about lonely Kiku that Alfred was always too good at distracting him from. They had no contact with their friend whatsoever and Arthur began to worry more the closer they got to the new school term. Finally, it was the first day of school and he and Alfred entered, hand in hand, both on the lookout for a familiar face.
Spotting Kiku walking ahead of them with someone else, Arthur called out to him. Kiku stopped, turned and waited for them to catch up which Arthur took to be a good sign. "Good morning, Kiku," he said when they reached him. "And a Happy New Year. Did you have a good holiday?"
Smiling benignly, Kiku inclined his head. "Same to you and Alfred," he said. "It is... nice to see you." Arthur who had been watching him closely, spotted the brief flash of pain and he grimaced. Before he could say anything, though, Kiku turned to his companion: a boy with brown hair down to his chin, two strands sticking upwards, and tired green eyes. "This is Herakles. He moved into the house next to mine over the holidays."
"Oh, cool!" cried Alfred, sticking out his hand. Slowly, Herakles took it. "I'm Alfred and this is my boyfriend, Arthur. Nice t'meetcha!"
"I'm sure you'll get on well here," Arthur added as he also shook Herakles's hand.
"I am just showing him around," Kiku explained, gazing at Arthur and Alfred expectantly.
"Ah, then we should get going. We'll see you at lunch?"
Nodding, Kiku said, "Definitely."
Once Kiku and Herakles had walked off, Arthur turned to Alfred, still worried about their friend. "Do you think he's okay? With us, I mean."
"I think everything's gonna be fine," Alfred assured him, dipping down to press a quick kiss to Arthur's lips.
The school editor blushed and pulled back. "None of that now," he scolded his boyfriend. "Nothing in public till Kiku feels comfortable with us." Alfred groaned but, after a quick peck to Arthur's cheek, he acquiesced. "Now, I have a newspaper to run so I'll see you later, love."
"But not too much later!" Alfred declared even as he hurried off.
Arthur rolled his eyes but waved until he was out of sight. Then he took a breath, focussed his thoughts on the day ahead and walked briskly along the corridor in the direction of his office. After all, high school wasn't over yet and there was still plenty of events to be reporting on.
There wasn't meant to be the bit with revolving around Kiku at the end but I figured people might want to know what was going on with him. He's still not quite over Alfred at this point (and, in my mind, he knew he liked Alfred for longer than Arthur but c'est la vie).
Kiku got Arthur a River Song journal and a tiny motorised K-9. Arthur loved it. Alfred got him fancy editions of the Harry Potter series which is more for show than for reading and Arthur loved them, too.
Alfred's confession is kinda crappy but, eh.
By the way, Kiku and Herakles has a 'boy next door' thing going on. Kiku just won't realise it for over a year because Herakles's flirting is probably a little out there... Also, he hangs out with Arthur and Alfred less for a few months, goes abroad on holiday and then returns and starts being friendly with them again. (But the four of them probably go on double dates once Kiku's with Herakles. ;) )
Sorry Herakles didn't talk. I kinda forgot to have him saying anything - mainly cause Alfred and Arthur talk too quickly and Herakles ain't awake enough for introductions. It's too early for him. (Also, I just forgot to give him lines, somehow...)
Here's the original request, by the way: I just wanted someone to like write about Kiku and Arthur both having a crush on Alfred and stuff since he's best friends with both of them, but in the end he chooses arthur and stuff, I REALLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT'LL GO BUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT
So you can see why I couldn't have Al end up with Kiku or even AsaKiku as someone suggested at one point...
