AN: Hello again dearies! Another chapter for you has arrived. Shout out to everyone who has commented, faved, & followed my little tale. Special shout to Romano's curl! You are the driving force behind this fic right now! All your lovely comments are very encouraging. Things are just getting crazier from here kids. So strap in and hold on tight.
As always, I own nothing. Comments and favs feed my drive to continue.
Alfred jovially hummed 'Flight of the Valkyries' as he took long purposeful strides toward the door of a certain Frenchman's apartment. It had been several days since the bar incident and that had given the wheat blonde time to sort out what he was going to do about Francis. As he stood in front of the apartment door the American took several soothing breathes to quell his rather aggressive emotions.
'I'm just here to talk. I will not do anything rash like, oh, sock the smug douchebag in his face. Artie's already gonna be pissed I'm here in the first place. No need to make him madder,' the azure eyed man thought as he knocked firmly on the door.
A few moments later he heard the door unlock and open to reveal an annoyed Francis. The wheat blonde instantly plastered a friendly, forced smile on his face.
"Hey, Francis. May I come in? I have somethings I want to discuss with you," the American said with an edge to his voice that indicated 'no' was not an acceptable answer. The Frenchman cautiously eyed the younger man before stepping back and gesturing for the other man to enter.
"Oui, come in. I was wondering when you would be by," the deep blue eyed man said. Still smiling Alfred moved past the light blonde and walked into the apartments living room. He eyed the rather large apartment and gave an appreciative whistle.
"Nice place you got here," the American said before taking a seat on the plush couch.
"Oui, better than that tiny 'ovel you live in with mon lapin," Francis said snidely as he took a seat opposite Alfred in a cushy armchair. The younger man was stunned silent for a second, but quickly recovered letting the rude comment slide.
"So how have you been since I saw you last?" the azure eyed man asked with forced kindness.
"Alfred, let's quit with the niceties and get to the real reason why you are 'ere," the Frenchman said bluntly and glowered at the younger man.
"Okay then," the wheat blonde said cheerily with a boyish grin. "I'd really appreciate it if you would stop trying to steal my boyfriend,"
Francis smirked and leaned forward toward his guest.
"Non, I don't think I will," the Frenchman said coldly. Alfred's false smile fell and he fixed a scowl on the older man.
"So that's how it's gonna be," the wheat blonde said with a hard edge to his voice and barely containing his mounting rage.
"Oui, the kid gloves are off," the Frenchman said with a devious smirk. The American was really tempted to knock that look off his smarmy face.
"Right, then. Listen good so I don't have to repeat myself," the azure eyed blonde said his tone threatening as he leaned aggressively toward the other blonde. "I'm on to you and I'm no longer going to tolerate your shit. So back off. Got me, Frenchie?"
The pregnant silence that followed Alfred's statement stretched on for several moments before Francis replied.
"Non," his smirk widened and the American was stunned momentarily. Again.
"Excuse me? Could you repeat that? I must not have heard you right due to your stupid accent," Alfred said snidely.
"You 'eard me correctly. I said no. I will not back off," the Frenchman said and leaned back in his chair gloating.
To say Al was shocked would be an understatement. He could not believe the gall of this asshole.
"What makes you think you have the right to even try and take him from me?"
"It's simple really. I think Arthur would look better with me," the Frenchman said as if his answer was the most obvious thing in the world. That damn smirk never once having left his face. The azure eyed blonde gripped the couch cushion beneath him in an effort to not lose control of himself.
"It will be rather simple to take 'im as well because Arthur is so insecure it's almost pitiful. One more fight, a little wine, and my charms," the Frenchman flipper his hair and his eyes took an a victorious gleam. "You 'ave lost already, mon stupide ami,"
'Oh that is it!' Alfred thought angrily as his vision became a wall of red. When his vision cleared the American he was on his feet and was also greeted with Francis nursing his swelling jaw. Seeing this only spurred on the enraged man.
"That is your only warning. You so much as look like you are considering touching Arthur and I will beat you to within an inch of your life," Alfred ground out between his teeth and if looks could kill Francis would be six feet under. On that note the azured eyed man turned and stormed out of the apartment.
"Babe, I'm back," Alfred called warmly as he entered their apartment. He knew Francis would have called the Brit by now to try and paint him as a villain. As he had expected an irritated, exasperated Englishman sat on their worn couch glowering at him.
"Care to explain to me why I just received a call from Francis saying that you went to his apartment and attacked him unprovoked?"
The wheat blonde gave a heavy sigh as he removed his shoes and set them by the door.
"Firstly, it wasn't unprovoked and secondly, bitch deserved it," the American said as he moved to the couch and sat beside his lover.
"Could you elaborate on those statements a bit more and explain why you went over there to begin with?" Arthur queried as he edged away from Alfred slightly in irritation. The American gave another sigh. He really hated being guilty until proven innocent.
"I went to the damn wino's place to talk. Just to talk I swear, Artie," the wheat blonde said as he turned his azure eyes toward the Brit. Arthur saw the sincerity in those gentle eyes and his irritation subsided slightly.
"I believe you, love," the sandy blonde reassured and gave the younger man's knee a gentle pat. A small smile spread across Alfred's face and he placed his hand on top of Arthur's. The Englishman returned the smile briefly before remembering he was upset with the American. He withdrew his hand and set his face with an indifferent look.
"So what could you possibly have been talking to the frog about that would lead to you punching him?"
The wheat blonde frowned at the sudden mood swing of his lover, but quickly became sheepish at the Englishman's query.
"Well, actually we were kinda, maybe, sorta talking about you," the wheat blonde absently scratched at the back of his head and looked away from the sandy blonde.
"Me?" Arthur arched a massive brow at this.
"Yeah, I was trying to get him to back off," Alfred couldn't look at Arthur. He knew the Brit was going to be mad at him for acting like a possessive, over protective asshole, but damn it the Frenchie was way too handsie with Arthur.
"Back off of what?" the Englishman questioned a deep frown creasing his face.
"Please, don't make me spell it out for you Artie. It's just going to get you mad," the American said with a groan and dropped his head to his chest.
"I'm already mad, Alfred. You assaulted my oldest friend and I'm starting to think it's because of your damn possessive nature. Francis is not a threat…"
"But he is, Arthur. You just don't see it," the wheat blonde said as he turned fiery blue eyes onto the emerald eyed man. Arthur could feel his irritation rising.
"Alfred, I know you don't care for how freely Francis gives his affection, but he does that to everyone," the Englishman argued and his brows furrowed.
"That's what he makes everyone think. When was the last time he was handsie with anyone, but you?" the American countered.
"I can't really say, but then again we're both usually drunk…"
"No, you are drunk. Haven't you noticed that he only ever sips at his wine? You guys only think he is drunk because you don't notice how much he's had to drink compared to what you've drank. Snail sucking bastard deserves an Oscar," Alfred growled out as his earlier anger started to resurface.
He really did not want to argue with Arthur, but he was starting to get frustrated with the Brit for being mad at him. Why was he taking that damn Frenchie's side anyway? HE is Arthur's boyfriend, NOT Francis.
Arthur could tell from his body language that his American was getting quite upset. The Brit really didn't want to have another fight, but he really did not appreciate the younger man's behavior. He opened his mouth to voice his irritation, but was cut off by the wheat blonde.
"I know you hate when I act all possessive, but I do it cause I'm scared, babe. When I think of you not being in my life my whole body aches. I don't think I could live without you," sad, fearful cerulean eyes lifted to look into shining green. "You are the most precious person in my life sweetheart. I know I'm no prize, and Francis has a lot more to offer you. The only thing I have over that wino is that I love you more than he ever could,"
They sat staring at each other for sometime. Pleading blue eyes locked with contemplative green. Arthur was first to break the moment when he dropped his eyes to his lap.
"Idiot," he muttered and toyed with the hem of his shirt. "Do you have so little faith in me? In us? To think that my heart can be so easily swayed?"
Without warning Alfred took Arthur's hands into his surprising the Brit and once again their eyes locked together.
"Artie, if I have faith in nothing else I have faith in you and our love," the American leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on the older man's lips. "I'm sorry I went and acted like a macho douchebag. I'll call Francis right now and apologize if it will help you forgive me,"
The Englishman was taken aback by the sudden actions and words of his usually immature lover. A warmth that centered around his heart slowly spread through the sandy blonde. Pulling his hands free of the younger man's Arthur raised them to gently hold Alfred's face.
"There is nothing to forgive, love," the Brit leaned upward and placed a tender kiss on the younger man's forehead. "I'm sure the frog deserved it. He can be quite crass often,"
A broad smile spread across the wheat blonde's face and he gathered his lover into his arms. He showered the smaller man's face with kisses causing him to laugh that laugh that made the American melt.
"I love you, Artie," Alfred exclaimed as he laid back onto the couch so that Arthur lay atop him.
"I love you, too, Alfie," the Brit said as he affectionately nuzzled the younger man's firm chest.
They laid there on the couch in tender silence for sometime enjoying the feel of each other. Alfred was on the verge of falling asleep when he suddenly remembered that he needed to tell Arthur something.
"Hey, babe, you awake?" the wheat blonde asked looking at the top of the Englishman's head. Arthur merely grunted in response making the American chuckle.
"So you remember I was planning that surprise, right?"
"Yes," the emerald eyed man said as he lazily lifted his head so that he could look at the younger man. The American smiled at how cute his lover looked with his eyes half hooded with sleep.
"You're so freakin adorable, sweetheart," the azure eyed man cooed as he lifted his head and kissed the tip of the Brit's nose. The Englishman flushed and buried his face in the American's chest.
"Belt up, wanker," Arthur muttered earning another chuckle from the younger man.
"So cute. Anyway, tomorrow night I'm going to give you the surprise. So I need you to wear that green suit you look so damn sexy in and makes your eyes shine," Alfred said with a sneaky smile on his lips.
Arthur slowly lifted his gaze and locked eyes with his lover.
"Will you be wearing your blue suit?" the Brit asked as he licked his lips and his eyes became hooded.
"Yes," the wheat blonde answered simply.
"With the matching fedora?" the Englishman shifted uncomfortably atop the American
"Naturally," the azure eyed man's grin grew more devious.
A predatory smile graced the Brit's rosy lips and a hungry look filled his eyes.
"Now, Alfred, you know that when you wear that suit I can barely keep my hands off of you," Arthur said huskily as his hands began to roam along the younger man beneath him.
"I know, but you'll have to behave tomorrow if you want your surprise," Alfred replied as his own hands slid along the Englishman's sides to stop and knead the older man's hips.
"But tonight I can be as naughty as I please?" the emerald eyed man asked with a devilish grin.
"I was hoping you might say something like that," the azure eyed man said as he pulled the Brit into a hungry kiss.
"Arthur, I swear dude, if you can't keep your hands to yourself I'm going to tie them behind your back until we get there," Alfred said irritatedly as he removed Arthur's hand from his thigh for what felt like the hundredth time that evening. The couple were in their red Honda Civic driving to the location of Alfred's 'surprise'.
The Brit glowered at the American with a huff and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Well, excuse me for finding you attractive and wanting to be affectionate,"
"That's not affection. That's molestation," the American countered as he brought the vehicle to a stop for a red light.
The Englishman gave another huff and looked out the window. He could see that they were in the 'richer' part of the city and his curiosity was peaked.
"Where exactly are we going?" he asked turning curious emerald eyes toward the American. A wide grin spread across the wheat blonde's face as the car shifted into motion again.
"The Garden,"
Arthur felt as if his jaw had literally hit the floor of the car. The Garden was the premier fusion cuisine five star restaurant that had opened the year prior and was already booked solid until October 2016. As the name suggested the dining area was set in the middle of an expansive roof top garden filled with almost every flower imaginable. As soon as Arthur had heard about the place he had wanted to go there.
"How on Earth did you manage to get a table at The Garden? It is book solid for nearly three years," the Brit asked in complete and utter awe of his boyfriend.
"I'm the hero, Artie! I can do anything. Especially when it is for you," the sandy blonde blushed crimson. "That and my cousin might possibly be dating the owner,"
"You have to be the single luckiest person on the planet, Alfred Jones," Arthur commented as he continued to stare at his lover in shock.
"Yup and you're the proof of that statement," Alfred said as he quickly stole a kiss making the Englishman's blush impossibly deeper.
AN: I had to cut off here because there is SO MUCH I want to fit into the story and if I tried to put it here we'd be looking at 6,000 word chapter! That would be a lil crazy. So next chapter will be a HUGE advance in the story. It's mostly written so we may even get an early chapter, but don't hold your breath. Until next time doll babies!
