"Why did you bring Alayna to the US?" Francis asked venomously. His eyes were narrowed, and his arms crossed. Gilbert stood dumbfounded with his arms staying at his side.
"Blackmail. Arthur knows what he did to her. So having her here makes the guilt stronger, and our secret quiet until we finish the job," Gilbert grinned conceitedly at the Frenchman who was not pleased with the explanation. "that way, both of our asses are saved."
"You mean yours," Francis spat. "I told you to leave her in England. Where she would be safe with Arthur's family, and not have to deal with any more trauma than she already has."
"She'll be fine," Gilbert said, turning his back to Francis now. "in fact, I bet she doesn't even know that her parents were murdered. She just thinks they disappeared, right?"
"She has the feeling they are dead," Francis stated. "and I don't want her knowing that Arthur and I had something to do with it. It will break her heart even more…"
Gilbert rolled his eyes and sat down on the couch, patting the seat next to him. Francis walked over and sat next to the German man.
"Don't worry," Gilbert said. "she's fine. She's here. You can keep an eye on her. I won't hurt her, I promise." Francis stayed silent before stating,
"And that is the same thing you told Elizaveta before you shot her."
Because it was a Saturday afternoon, the cafe that Arthur and Alfred had originally chosen to eat at was packed. Arthur held his stomach as it growled rather loudly.
"Bloody hell…" Arthur muttered. Alfred sighed heavily.
"This is going to take forever…" Alfred groaned. "We should just get take out."
"And where would we eat it?" Arthur asked.
"My place. I have a nice apartment, and it's like five minutes away from work." Alfred grinned, and pulled on Arthur's sleeve as he continued, "C'mon! I can call in something now then by the time we get to my place the food will be nearly there!"
"I suppose…" Arthur agreed, reluctantly.
The two men then made their way back to Alfred's car, and got in, buckling themselves up. Alfred pulled out his cell phone and asked Arthur,
"Do you want to just share a pizza or something?"
"Sure, I'm fine with that," Arthur answered. "Green peppers?"
"And bacon?" Alfred added. Arthur looked towards Alfred in disgust.
"Bacon? On bloody pizza? Where the hell are you from?"
"New York," Alfred said with a childish grin. "I'll get half bacon, alright?"
"Fine." Arthur said.
Alfred then ordered the food, as well as two two liter bottles of coke, and drove off to his apartment. He put the radio on to a country station, and the two stayed quiet for the rest of the car ride. It was by chance that Arthur and Alfred arrived at the apartment at the exact same time the food arrived. Alfred tipped the delivery guy, while Arthur took the pizza. Alfred then took the two bottles of coke and lead Arthur inside of the apartment. Once inside, Arthur smiled and commented,
"Good timing, yeah?"
"Perfect," Alfred agreed, laughing as well. Alfred then lead Arthur into the living room, and the two of them sat down on the couch.
"Just put the pizza box on the coffee table," Alfred said. "I'll go grab some plates and cups." Arthur did as told and sat on the couch after. While Alfred was away in the kitchen, Arthur took a moment to take in the surroundings; there were a few Dunkin Donuts iced coffee cups around (empty) as well as multiple video game consoles by the TV. There was a fluffy, fawn blanket on the other side of the couch as well.
"Not very cleanly…" Arthur muttered to himself. Alfred then approached the Brit and placed a pile of paper plates with two paper cups as well. Grinning, the American chimed,
"Ready to dig in?"
Arthur rolled his eyes, but agreed and opened up the pizza box while Alfred opened up the soda. After pouring the soda, Alfred capped it and jumped up excitedly.
"There's someone I want you to meet!" he exclaimed. Before Arthur could even answer the American, he darted off and headed towards where Arthur presumed his bedroom was. Less than three minutes later, Alfred came back out, but in his arms was a fluffy, floppy-eared fawn colored belgian malinois puppy. "Meet Koda! The newest member of our team and my family!"
"Oh my god," Arthur said, jaw gaping. "she is bloody adorable."
"I know, right!" Alfred said. The puppy cried, wagging her tail as she licked Alfred's face. The American chuckled and placed her on the floor, patting her head. "I've been nagging Ludwig forever to get us a police dog trainer. He told me if I found a dog, he would find a trainer. Her training starts next week."
The puppy raced over to Arthur, flailing her two floppy front legs onto Arthur's knees while barking and wagging her tail.
"What a pretty girl you are," Arthur cooed with a smile on his face.
"And she's gonna be a total badass," Alfred said with a laugh. He then walked over and pushed her off of Arthur, sitting next to the Brit himself. "go lay down, Koda." Alfred said, and the puppy trotted over to her bed at the end of the couch, curling up and plopping down.
Arthur and Alfred then began eating their lunch and chatting. Even though Arthur claimed this was going to stay professional, it was the complete opposite. They talked about their lives, their interests and their friends. Alfred was an open person, and he didn't hold anything back.
"What made you want to be a detective in the FBI?" Arthur asked.
"My parents," Alfred said, chewing a piece of pizza. "My mother was murdered by my father when I was fourteen. My brother, sister and I were then thrown into foster care. My brother and I were kept together because we were twins, but our sister was separated because it's hard to keep three kids in one foster home together."
"I-I'm so sorry," Arthur said. "was your sister younger?"
Alfred nodded. "Two years. I was pissed when they took her away from us, but there was nothing I could do. We reconnected again when my brother and I got out, and we were given custody when we both turned eighteen.
"That's good…" Arthur said softly. Alfred nodded.
"What about you? What got you interested?"
Arthur went quiet. He had a bad history and was nowhere nearly as open as Alfred was about his hard life. Therefore, he decided to stretch the truth just a little.
"I was also in foster care," Arthur said. "hopped around from house to house, then was tossed in a group home. Nobody thought I would accomplish anything worth something, so I decided to prove those twats wrong."
"Well looks like you did just that!" Alfred exclaimed, a giant smile plastered on his face. "I'm glad you did that. Us foster kids gotta stick together, right?"
"Ah… right." Arthur agreed, beginning to feel awkward. His past was the last thing that he wanted anyone, especially Alfred, to find out about.
AN: Bit of a short chapter I know. But if I didn't end it here, it would have been WAY too long. Anyways, what are you guys thinking? What do you think about Arthur's past? And Alfred's puppy (I love mals but could never own one so Alfie gets one instead)? Please give me your feedback! That's what makes these chapters happen!
I also want to thank everyone who has reviewed, favorited and a followed this story! It means a lot to me that you all seem to be taking such a liking to it. I might start making the chapters a little longer after this, but I'm not sure yet. Do you guys want longer chapters? Let me know!