Chapter 4
"I'm sorry," was the last thing Arthur wanted to hear after Alfred stormed out of the room. He looked over to Antonio as he whispered this, Lovino peering out from his spot on the other's shoulder to give a 'Lovino-ish' sympathetic look. Arthur looked down at his shoes and tried to fight back tears as the bell rang and the group left without another word.
"Come on, what do you have next?" Toni reached down a helping hand that Arthur unhesitatingly took.
"S-Study Hall." He blubbered, just wanting to run away. Lovino knew that Arthur had feelings for Alfred, which meant Toni knew also. It wasn't that Arthur trusted either of them to openly admit he had feelings, or even trusted himself to admit he had feelings in general, but rather both of them just knew. Lovino saw the way Arthur looked at Alfred all the time and confronted him at one point about it. Arthur of course got defensive, which just made Lovino laugh, call him a lying bastard, and say that was all the confirmation he needed.
"Cool, you get some time to relax. Lovi and I both have art so we will probably have to leave. Either way, I am sorry, Arthur. I'm sure he will come around." On that note he turned around to run down the hallway hand in hand with Lovino.
"I doubt it," Arthur mumbled, walking outside. He looked around at the open track and field, the library adjacent to it with…was that Alfred? Arthur looked up to see him, sitting on the ledge of the library tower. No one else seemed to notice him, but that's just because Arthur naturally had the ability to see him from a mile away.
He debated for a moment on whether or not to go up and see him, but realized he had to. Who else would he turn to for comfort? Alfred is his comforter, his rock, and his best friend. If he didn't have him at least for that, life would appear pointless.
As he walked up the fire escape, he remained deep in thought, thinking only about Alfred. It was because of that, that he didn't even notice the fire extinguisher that was out of place on the top step; and he didn't have enough time to think about what was happening before he slipped, fell, and was quickly knocked unconscious by it.
Swimming in that peaceful darkness that everyone always mentions in his favorite novels, Arthur saw Alfred.
Arthur's POV continued
This darkness, he thought, I've been trying to get to this for so long and now I'm finally here. He felt like he was swimming in a pool of warmth, a light comfort. All through middle school this is what he has been trying to achieve and now here it was. All he ever wanted was the ability to escape the real world. He achieved this through his imaginary characters and Alfred. Always Alfred. He felt like he was flying whenever that git was around.
His gentle touch despite his size
His accidental ignorance and yet the ability to try something new at random times
His smile that seemed to be eternally plastered on his face
His ability to care for someone even if he doesn't understand why they are upset
All of these things top the endless list of reasons why Arthur loved Alfred. Sure, there was also a "Reasons Alfred Annoys the Fuck Out of Me" list, but it was easily crushed under the loving reasons of the prior.
If he were dead, the one thing he would miss from the Earth would be Alfred. He pondered for what seemed like hours on whether he would go to heaven and how Alfred would surely be an angel. He wondered if he would be able to love him in heaven, then quickly decided not to think about it for the sake of not wanting to damper his dream.
"Arthur," He felt himself jump with shock at the voice, looking around the blackness. "Arthur, please be okay." The voice was so soothing and yet in distress. It sounded like Alfred's.
That's right, he thought I still have Alfred. I can't die, not yet at least. I'm not ready to watch him from afar.
It's amazing what the will of a person will do to change the fate of a fall from severe hospital visit versus a small bruise.
Arthur felt himself slowly regain consciousness and as he opened his eyes, he found himself gazing into a gem, an ocean of beauty. His eyes were peering down on him with the most genuine concern, his strong arms wrapped completely around him, caressing his hair.
"Alfred," he muttered, still only half conscious, the walls of the fire escape circling around him.
"Thank God, Arthur. Are you okay?" Alfred brought the boy even closer to him, supporting his head as if he were an infant or the world's most delicate doll.
"Now that you're here," he chuckled madly to himself, beaming up at the American.
"You must have hit your head really hard," Alfred gained a pained look to his face but shrugged it off with his great, ever-present smile.
"Mhm" He muttered pushing his head onto Alfred's chest. "Can we leave here, Alfie?"
"Where do you want to go, Iggy?" Alfred laughed standing up in the fire escape, holding the older boy bridal style.
"Anywhere…as long as you're there." And with that Arthur felt himself fall under a light sleep against the perfect beat of Alfred's heart.
