The rain poured outside the house. The lightning struck the ground, basking the room in white light. In a corner, a little boy was cuddled with a stuffed rabbit, whimpering. The thunder shook the room once more, causing the boy to cry harder. Suddenly, the door of the room opened, and a woman walked in. "What's wrong," she said, "What is it now?"

Alfred shook his head as he looked out the window. It was raining that day, the school grounds covered in puddles of water. Alfred sighed as he looked back at his papers. "Why do I keep remembering that," he thought sadly, "it's been so long since I've remembered, why?"

The door of the classroom opened, causing Alfred to look up. Standing in the doorway was Arthur, with a surprised look on his face. "Oh, Alfred, I did not realize you were still here."

Alfred looked, a small grin forming on his face. "Yeah, I had some work I needed to finish. How about you?"

"I had some work as well, but I'm finished," Arthur answered walking over to the desk. "You know," he continued, smirking, "if you need some help, I would…of course, it's because you move slow and I don't want to wait so long."

Alfred looked at Arthur for a while, before saying coolly, "No, that's fine, I'm already finished." Before Arthur could speak, Alfred stood up. "I have practice, see you later, Arthur."

Alfred walked passed Arthur and out the door before Arthur could mutter a goodbye. Arthur stared at the door and then sighed. "Well, that was weird," he thought, "He didn't look like his normal cheerful self. Then again, he has been acting cold to me for a few days. I wonder if I did something." Arthur sat down and put his head in his hands. "We were getting along fine, until last week…"

1 week earlier-Wednesday

"Hey Alfred," Arthur said one day during lunch, "How about you and me get together after school and study." Alfred's face lit up, causing Arthur to quickly add, "Finals are coming up, and it would be bad if we didn't study, and…well, two is better than one…"

Alfred clamped his hand on Arthur's shoulder, cutting him off. "That's a great idea, the idea of working together! Smart as always Artie!"

Arthur blushed, shook Alfred's hand away, and then glared. "Sometimes, I can't tell when you're sarcastic or not." Alfred laughed, and the two decided to go to Alfred's house that day.

When school ended, the two males headed towards the Jones household. After walking for a bit, Alfred stopped and Arthur gaped. "This…THIS IS YOUR HOUSE? I…I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU WEREN'T RICH?"

Alfred laughed. "We're not, my parents bought this house for me and my brother to live in for high school. They live in the town over."

Arthur gaped at Alfred. "You're parents live in the town over? Then…you have two houses?"

Alfred sighed. "Well, my parents own that hospital I told you about…"

"You said only your brother worked there!"

"He does…he's an assistant…to my dad…who's a doctor."

"YOU ARE RICH!"

"You're overreacting," Alfred sighed, opening the door with Arthur following. The two walked down the hallway, Arthur looking at each object as if it were like a historical artifact. Arthur would stop at some points to marvel at a painting on the wall. Alfred chuckled as he watched Arthur's child like fascination. Reaching the living room, Alfred poked his head in, his smile growing. "Yo, Matt, I'm home, and I brought a friend with me," he said smiling at the man in the room, "This is Artie."

Alfred turned and saw Arthur staring at a painting, before he quickly ran back to Alfred. The man stood up and walked over to the pair. "Nice to meet you Artie, I'm Matthew," the man said quietly."

Arthur looked the man over. "They look exactly alike." Arthur smiled. "I'm pleased to meet you Matthew, and please, call me Arthur."

Alfred gaped at Arthur as Matthew smiled. He looked over to Alfred. "Al, if you want, I'll make some pancakes for you and your friend."

Alfred smiled big. "Awesome! We'll be in my room, come on Artie." Arthur sighed as Alfred dragged him upstairs. Once the reached his room, Alfred closed the door, and said, "I am really amazed at how quickly you changed your expressions…so amazed that it freaks me out!"

Arthur smirked as he sat on the chair at Alfred's desk. "Years of practice, Alfred, years of practice." Arthur took the moment to look around the room. The walls had posters of superheroes on them, ranging from Superman to Spiderman. He had a computer desk with a laptop, a lamp, and a bed. Arthur turned back to Alfred, who was looking at him with a big grin. "Before I comment on your room, your brother is really nice. You must have nice parents."

Alfred looked shocked for a minute, flinched, and then smiled. "Um, yeah.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That Friday, Alfred asked (more like convinced) Arthur to take him to his house. The two walked down the sidewalk toward the Kirkland household, Alfred humming, Arthur grimacing. "Listen, Alfred," Arthur started, "my house isn't like yours, so no laughing.
"I've already been to your house before," Alfred said, Arthur shuddering at the memory, "so I won't laugh."

"You've never seen the inside," Arthur muttered, though truthfully what he was worried about the most was Alfred meeting his family. "Well, here we are."

They walked up to the house and Arthur opened the door. Wendy was near the door, about to head out. She looked up to Arthur. "Oh, Arthur you're home…" Her voice got caught in her throat when she saw Alfred behind him. "You…you're…"

Arthur sighed as Alfred smiled. "Nice to meet you Artie's sister, I'm Alfred Jones."

Wendy's face went from shock to excitement. "Al…Alfred Jones!"

Her scream rang throughout the household, cause the rest of the siblings to run to the door. Arthur was pushed out of the way as his siblings talked to Alfred, who only smiled and laughed. Eventually, Arthur was able to grab Alfred and take him to the office room. Once the door closed, the siblings started talking. "I think this is the first time Arthur's brought a friend home," Patricia said smiling.

"Well, that's because Jerk Arthur has never really cared about friends or anything like that before," Peter said while chewing gum, "But of all people, I didn't think he'd be able to get Alfred to be friends with him!"

"Well," Wendy said dreamily still excited from earlier, "It sometimes happens like that. From rivals to friends…and then maybe lovers if I don't steal him for myself! He's so handsome."

Peter started to choke on his gum as Scott ignored her and listen to the door. "What in the world are you doing Scott," Patricia asked.

Scott shrugged. "Making sure they aren't doing anything…inappropriate for Peter's ears."

"It's not like you care or not," Patricia said smirking, "That reminds me, doesn't Alfred's family own that famous hospital in town.

Scott perked up. "You're right. Maybe we should head over; they might give us a discount if we tell them we're friends with the owner's son!"

Peter laughed. "But we're all healthy!"

The four laughed, unknowing that they were loud enough for Alfred and Arthur to hear their whole conversation. Arthur clenched his pencil hard enough for it to break, while Alfred tried to calm him down. "Calm down Arthur, it's not like…"

Arthur didn't hear the rest. He got up, threw open the door and screamed, "WHY IS MY FAMILY FULL OF A BUNCH OF WANKERS?" He then proceeded to chase his brothers and sisters around the room, Alfred helplessly watching.

Present

Arthur rubbed his head. "Okay, that was a little embarrassing, I'll admit, but that wouldn't make Alfred act cold to me, would it? Before now, he was always laughing with me, and we were always together. But now…when I think about it…he's become distant."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, Arthur walked through the hallways in search of Alfred. The teacher had given him some papers that Alfred needed to see as well. Arthur eventually spotted him talking to Toris and Toris's friend Feliks. Walking quicker, Arthur kept on a straight face and tapped Alfred on the shoulder. "Hey, Alfred…"

Alfred turned. "What is it Arthur," he said without a smile on his face.

Arthur flinched. "Um, someone wanted me to give these to you."

Alfred snatched the papers. "Thanks," he said quickly.

Arthur, hurt shown on his face, turned around and walked away. Toris watched him leave. "Alfred, are you okay?"

Alfred put on a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine, why?"

Toris just looked at him with a worried expression. Down the hallway, Arthur continued walking, his head hurting. "So he's really avoiding me," he thought, "Now he's only using minimal words. Did I do something wrong? That…was rejection…wasn't it?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When the next Monday came, things had gotten worse. Arthur arrived at school at his normal time, just to see Alfred walk towards him. Arthur opened his mouth to speak, but Alfred walked right passed him without a word. Arthur turned around to speak, but could not find the words. "What is going on," he thought in a panic, "two weeks ago we were acting like friends! I…don't know how to deal with this. I…only acted nice to people, but never treated people nice. I have never had friends, so I don't know how to deal with fights like this. I never argue with people outside my family. I always hid behind a mask. Before Alfred…I really had nothing."

Later that day, during gym, Arthur watched Alfred play basketball with confusion. "What could it be," he kept thinking, "He's acting like normal, except when he's around me? I'm the only one who knows how he really is! Though…I don't even know that much about him myself. Why does he pretend to act this way in public? I do it for praise…I wonder why he does it. I wonder…if Alfred is actually as happy as he acts." Arthur sighed and stepped outside. He shivered in the December air. "I wonder if it was something I said…or could it…no way!" He froze, horrified at his new revelation. "It can't be possible that he found out that I have feelings for him? Damn it! That has to be it! I knew he was straight; he must have figured it out and is disgusted with me. Well, if that's how it is…then he should just say so!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Alfred!"

Alfred turned around to see Arthur behind him. "Yes," he said calmly.

Arthur glared. "If you have something to say to me, then say it now!"

Alfred stared at him, looking confused. "I don't know what you're talking about…"

"Don't play dumb with me, you git! You have been ignoring me for the past week, so I want answers! If you have a problem with me, then say so!"

Alfred sighed and turned around. "It's nothing," he said as he walked away.

Arthur was taken aback and went after him. "Don't say it's nothing! I thought you told me not to run away!" Arthur grabbed Alfred's arm. "What is wrong with you?"

That was when Alfred snapped. "Shut up," he yelled, pushing Arthur away, "You're annoying, so leave me alone!"

Having pushed harder than necessary, Arthur fell to the ground. He looked up at Alfred, a wounded expression on his face. Alfred looked back, his face filled with distressed, and he ran away. "Al…Alfred," Arthur whispered.

Alfred kept running, jumping down the stairs two at a time. "Damn it," he said out loud, "why?" He stopped at the bottom of the stairs, memories flooding through his mind.

"Why are you crying you brat?" SLAP "Stop crying!"

Alfred held his head. "That's the only memory of my parents I have. Them slapping me." Alfred landed on his knees, tears falling down his cheeks. "Why…Arthur?"

Arthur was still in the same position, glaring into space. "You liar," he said bitterly, "You said you wanted to hang out with me. You said I made you happy…that we were friends! You bastard, I was an idiot to fall for you." Arthur stared at the ground, tears forming. "Well fine! If he's going to be like this, I will as well!" Outside, the rain poured harder as the two boys cried.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day had begun normal. Alfred stared blankly as he listened to Feliks chatter. He was beginning to feel guilty for what he had done to Arthur. "Move it," someone suddenly said behind him. The boys jumped to see a very angry Arthur in front of them. "Move," he growled, "if you want to live." Everyone quickly moved out his way, Alfred gulping.

Later on, near the end of homeroom, one of the girls came up to Arthur. "Um, Arthur, do you think you can help me with this problem?"

Arthur looked up at her calmly and then, "WHY DON'T YOU JUST ASK ALFRED? AFTER ALL, HE IS SO MUCH MORE AWESOME AND SMART THAN ME! HE KNOWS EVERYTHING!"

Everyone stared at Arthur in shock, while he simply huffed and looked away from Alfred's gaze. Alfred felt a chill go done his spine. "Oh shit," he thought.

"Alfred, like, what did you do to Arthur," Feliks asked, "I've never seen him angry before."

Alfred sighed and looked away. "I wonder," he thought, "when did this happen?"

Flashback

The rain poured outside the house. The lightning struck the ground, basking the room in white light. In a corner, a younger Alfred was cuddled with a stuffed rabbit, whimpering. The thunder shook the room once more, causing Alfred to cry harder. Suddenly, the door of the room opened, and a woman walked in. "What's wrong," she asked, "Are you scared?" She looked at his bed. "Oh, you wet the bed?"

Alfred clutched his rabbit harder as she came closer. "She's going to hit me," he thought.

The woman came to him and raised her hand. Alfred prepared to be hit, only to feel a hand rubbing his head instead. He looked up to see the blond woman give him a warm smile. "Are you scared? Do you want to sleep with us?"

End Flashback

Alfred grew melancholy. He knew what he had to do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alfred waited outside the school, the sun setting over the fields. He shivered, pulling his jacket closer to him. He heard the crunch of a leaf and turned to see Arthur walking towards him. Arthur saw him, a glare quickly falling on his face. "Arthur," Alfred said, but Arthur walked passed him.

"No, I'll let him learn what it's like to be ignored!"

"Arthur!"

Arthur walked faster, looked back for a second and walked right into a pole. "Oh, bollocks, that hurt! Bloody hell," he muttered, holding his head. That was when he heard laughter and turned to see Alfred holding his stomach laughing. "Damn it, why do I always embarrass myself in front of him?"

Alfred walked over to him. "Wow, even I wouldn't do something like that Artie! Here, let me see."

Arthur backed away from him, looking away. "Leave…leave me alone," he yelled.

Alfred sighed, and grabbed Arthur by the shoulders. When Arthur didn't move away, he bent down to look in his face. "Hey," Alfred said softly, causing Arthur to look at him, "I'm sorry."

Arthur's expression went from shock to relief. "That's him," he thought, "that's the Alfred I know."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The two went over to the park. It was getting late so no one was in the park at the time. The boys sat on a bench in silence. Eventually, Alfred broke it, "There are…secrets from my past that I had forgotten for a long time. Somehow," he looked at Arthur, "You brought all those memories back." Arthur listened intently, so Alfred went on, "We're the same….yet we're different. Me avoiding you…wasn't your fault. You see, after I went to your house…I got to see what a real family was like."

"What do you mean," Arthur asked quietly.

"The truth is," Alfred said sadly, "I'm adopted. Matt is actually my cousin. His name is really Matthew Williams. I love him and my parents but I know I could never have the kind of family that you have. My real parents…abused me, made me feel useless. They stole, used bribery, and then one day they left, leaving me behind. They were the shame of the family. When my father's sister adopted me, everyone in the family came and they said…that a child from such evil could never amount to anything." Arthur's eyes widened as Alfred glared, "I knew I had to prove them wrong. I was not evil, I was going to be perfect, a hero! That way I could save the Jones name, which is why I kept the name. I was always satisfied was myself and my life. I thought I could go on pursuing this dream…that is, until I met you Arthur."

Alfred smiled at that and looked away. Arthur, hesitantly, put a hand on his shoulder. "Go…go on," he whispered.

Alfred looked back sadly. "When I first met you, I thought you were exactly like me. That's why I wanted to know you. But when I learned more about you, and saw your other side…I realized a side of mine I didn't know I had. That there could be a more evil…a darker side to me that I've hidden behind smiles and laughs. It was hidden behind a smiling mask that you are slowly destroying Arthur. I didn't want that to happen, so I thought it would be best to avoid you and drive you away."

"But why," Arthur asked jumping up, "If you've found your true self, why not face it?"

"Because," Alfred yelled, "What if I become an evil person? What if my real parents passed it on to me! I…I don't want to be like my real parents…I want to be a hero…to be good…for my adoptive parents and for Matt."

Arthur's expression softened. He stood in front of Alfred. "Alfred, you care for them very much, do you not?" When Alfred nodded, Arthur smiled. "They must love you as well. And…even if you became evil, you will never be like your parents. Your relatives and friends will understand your weaknesses, and accept you. That's what it means to be a family." Alfred looked at him was amazement. Arthur smiled and walked closer to Alfred. "This guy…I want to protect him…I want to protect this person who cares so much about people…because," he thought, placing a hand on Alfred's cheek, "…I love him."

Alfred gazed at Arthur. "Ar…Arthur?" Then Arthur took the same hand back and punched Alfred across the face. Alfred held his face for a minute before jumping up. "You…WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?"

Arthur held up his hand. "That," he said, "is the real Alfred." Alfred blinked, causing Arthur to chuckle. "You are not evil; you get angry, happy, and sad, like a normal person. I prefer this Alfred. I believe that the hidden you was waiting for the hidden me so that both of us could come out."

Alfred smiled a little. "That's sounds cheesy Arthur," he said chuckling.

"Oh shut up," Arthur said teasingly, "I've decided…that I'm done pretending and I'm going to act like my real self from now on. I…I think I'll be happier that way. What about you, Alfred?"

Alfred stared at him, before smiling big. "I'm really glad I became friends with you Arthur."

Arthur blushed and looked away. "I…I'm happy I'm friends with you too, I suppose." Alfred laughed as snow began to fall from the sky.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After that, the two began to work on their goal to reveal their true selves. Although some of it they had to hide for public image (though Alfred began to care less) the two would just laugh it off. During the time, Arthur's feelings for Alfred kept growing from a crush to love. Whenever Wendy brought it up, he would deny it. Truthfully, he enjoyed being Alfred's friend, but wanted something more. "If only I could say something, but," is what Arthur would think, but he never got past the "but."

"Christmas is coming soon, isn't it," Alfred said after school at the end of the week.

Arthur hit him on the head. "Soon? It's in a week! I thought you would know when your favourite holiday was?"

Alfred laughed, putting his arm on the desk. "Oh yeah, you're right! Besides, Christmas is my second favorite. The 4th of July is my favorite holiday."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "That's just because it's your birthday as well." Arthur looked out the window. "It's hard to believe half of the school year has gone by. So much has happened in these four months." Arthur chuckled, "We went from acquaintances, to classmates, to friends, to…close friends I suppose."

Alfred smiled. "Do you know what's interesting about this," he asked. Arthur turned back to him. "Despite changing a little and learning about the real you, my feelings for you haven't changed since the beginning."

Arthur looked at him in shock. "What…what are you saying, Alfred," he asked.

Alfred smiled warmly and got very close to Arthur. "Arthur," he said quietly, "I've been in love with you this whole time. Will you go out with me?"