Chapter 4: Date Night

Word Count: 2,982

Short I know, but seemed a good place to end to me. Enjoy.

"This is getting out of hand." Alfred grumbled, looking out at the lake view before them. The air was too cold, so he had the car engine going. He grabbed some food he had picked up very quickly before leaving. "He's there like everyday. It's aggravating."

"I get to beat on him then?" Ivan asked hopefully. "It is still my turn, whether you are aggravated at him or not."

"Yeah, but see I don't want my mom thinking I'm gay for you. She hate you enough already. Last thing I need is for her to worry about you taking advantage of me and practically raping me and shit."

"Why do adults not like me? Is it my face?"

"Hell yes. Looked in a mirror lately you fucker?" Alfred smiled, looking at Ivan, who glared. "I'm serious, it's your smile, makes people think you're up to something."

"You smile all the time."

"I. Am full of charm that impresses. Now shut up and help me with my problem."

"I only am with you for sex, all these problems not so much."

"Too bad. I'm thinking of an idea, you're not going to like it though."

"Then no."

"You still get sex." Alfred rolled his eyes.

"... How much will I not like this plan?"

"You're going to hate it."

"I am intrigued, tell me." Where they were parked talking was a place Alfred usually sat when he wanted to isolate himself more than his house allowed, a place usually used for camping but in the winter it was dead and even wildlife was scarce during such times. The place they were had a view of the lake through the tall, untouched trees that had grown for many, many years. A fire pit and a couple picnic tables were sitting in the dirt. "You are right." Ivan said as Alfred finished, "I do hate it. You're not allowed to do it."

"Look, I already explained to you that it's perfect to handle Arthur. And I dunno, I find it hilarious, and if it works out right then he won't have blackmail on me. Meaning we can beat on him again and everything will go back to normal."

"I still don't have to be happy."

"Fine, be a fucking bastard. I'm still doing it."

Arthur sat, feeling downright miserable. He was sore in several places. Alfred and Ivan seemed to pick up their hobby full force. The thing was Arthur didn't understand why. When he mentioned their bargain, Alfred had just laughed. Pricks. The both of them. Perhaps they didn't believe he would say anything, well they were wrong about that. "How was it that you got so beat up dear?" Mrs. Jones asked, looking genuinely concerned. She was such a nice woman, how did she raise such a rotten son?

Well, he couldn't say that her son had beat him up, from what he had seen Alfred was her world, and she wouldn't believe that he was the one to beat on him. He understood why Alfred had laughed at that bargain when it was first brought up. "Ah… Just some bullies at school."

"You should go to the counselors for that, I'm sure they'd be able to help out." Right, and have Ivan murder him. He wouldn't put it past the taller male, he enjoyed beating on people too much, much more so than even Alfred.

"Actually I was wanting to ask you something. Do you know that Alfred is… gay?" Mrs. Jones looked at him, stared in what seemed shock.

She slowly put her cup she had been drinking out of down and asked, in a guarded sort of tone, "What makes you say that?"

"Well… It's just I've seen him hanging out with Ivan a lot, and just the way they act around each other leads me to believe that they are… Well, together."

Mrs. Jones let out a deep breath and for some reason looked… Relieved. "Oh, no, I know that Alfred's not dating Ivan." She said it with such certainty that Arthur had to wonder what Alfred did to make it so she didn't suspect the two of them of being together. But more so, she specifically mentioned Alfred not dating Ivan.

"So… you knew he is gay?"

"Of course, he told me." What? Alfred had told her? How had he managed that?

"And you're sure that he's not dating Ivan?"

"Positive. Don't worry about them, they're just good friends. Alfred's always told me about his crush's. But I'm a bit surprised you've taken such an interest in Alfred's sexual preference."

"Oh… I was just… Worried about him being with Ivan."

"You don't have to worry about that at all dear."

Arthur nodded, taking a sip of his tea, Alfred's mother looked quite happy with the subject matter. But if he had been able to use Alfred's sexuality in the past for blackmail then this shouldn't logically be the response he was getting. What the hell had Alfred said to turn things in his favor?

That question bothered him well into the next few days. He thought hard about it, re-visiting the conversation he had had with Alfred's mother to try and come up with the answer. He couldn't find it. He watched Alfred through their math class, the blond sat two rows from the front and Arthur had the back row, so he was free to watch the other without Alfred knowing. It puzzled him how his blackmail had turned around so easily. Alfred really had to be a master of persuasion to turn such a situation around. But there had to be something that he was missing.

Alfred's always told me about his crush's. That was what Mrs. Jones had said, so perhaps she assumed since Alfred hadn't said he had a crush on Ivan that he didn't have one. No, if Alfred told Mrs. Jones that he was gay, the first person she would have suspected Alfred liking was Ivan, they hung out all the time from his understanding, both in school and out of it. So it had to be further than that. He could have easily said he had a crush on somebody else, which would have depleted his mother's suspicion that he was dating Ivan.

What's more, Alfred had said his mother was very big on the stereotypical American family, which meant a straight son. But she seemed fine - no, more than fine, she had been more than happy talking about the subject. So he would have to tell his mother that he had a crush on somebody respectable. Probably somebody that his mother had seen him around too, that would be preferable for a lie anyway. A person who would be respectable for dating one's son would have to be somebody with good grades, smart, probably in a club or two, on the student committee, and somebody who never got into any trouble. Sounded more like the type of person Alfred would pick on more than a crush, but of course his mother wouldn't suspect that.

Well, there were quite a few students who matched that description, but the question was who had Alfred been around the most that his mother would have seen. That was harder, there wasn't anybody Arthur could think of- Oh. Arthur's eyes widened as he realized he fit the example perfectly.

During lunch Arthur looked around for Alfred and Ivan. It didn't take long before Arthur found them at their normal lunch table, seeing as it was cold outside. He hesitated only a few seconds before he approached the table. When he got closer, Ivan noticed him first and elbowed Alfred, who first glared at Ivan, who in turn nodded towards Arthur. Alfred turned to look at him, raising his eyebrows as Arthur stopped on the other side of where they sat. "Again, you've got some nerve if you can just come up and interrupt our lunch." Alfred tisked, shaking his head as if it was a shame.

"I figured out why my blackmail isn't working anymore." Arthur ventured.

Alfred once more raised his eyebrows and sat up in his seat, resting his hands on the table and regarding Arthur with what looked like mock curiosity. "Why do you think then?"

"You told your mother you had a crush on me."

The blond before him let out a low, impressed whistle, clapping his hands a couple times. "Wow, never thought you'd be this sharp. Must say, congrats on figuring that one out. I'm genuinely impressed." He did sound sincere this time, and Arthur got the feeling it was a feat to actually impress Alfred, but he didn't focus on that.

"That's it then?"

"Yeah, you got it. Mom was really impressed with you, she didn't even mind that I took an interest in guys. You must have gotten on her good side."

Arthur couldn't believe that Alfred had told his mother that he had a crush on Arthur. It seemed so ridiculous in several ways. But the whole point was that Alfred now had the upper hand, he could beat on him or anybody else. Arthur wanted the upper hand back, he wanted blackmail and he quickly thought of a way he could get it.

It was hard waiting a few weeks, being beat up by the two off and on. Arthur felt even more motivation to put in his plan, for while it probably wasn't the best way, he was almost certain it was going to be good enough blackmail. "Yeah mom, what's up?" Alfred asked as he came out of his room after his mother had called him, he gave Arthur a funny look, as if wondering why he was there, and indeed, he'd probably be wondering that anyway.

"You're friend is here, he wanted to talk to you."

"Oh, okay, thanks." Alfred smiled and looked towards Arthur. His mother gave a nod, and considering how busy she usually was, she'd probably leave them alone, or worse yet, leave the house, so Arthur had to do this quickly.

"Well… Alfred… I was wondering if you would go on a date with me." Arthur said as slowly as he thought he could risk being hesitant while keeping Alfred's mother there, the key was for her to know. Alfred looked shocked, genuinely shocked, he obviously hadn't seen this coming.

"What?" Alfred spluttered, but the situation seemed to dawn on him. With what he had told his mother, he couldn't say no. "Yeah, I mean… Of course. Ah… When?" He still seemed rather flustered, or maybe that was just part of the act, hard to tell.

"This Friday, at the movies. So you'll be there?"

"Of course!" Alfred said, once more with an award winning smile.

"Great… Um… So I'll see you tomorrow at school." Arthur said, nodding his head to the both of them in farewell before leaving. He wasn't stopped and as soon as he was outside with the door closed behind him, he let out a slow sigh. This was going to be difficult, but if it worked, then Alfred wouldn't be able to beat up on him.

"So what did you want to talk about?" Ivan sighed, obviously exasperated.

"Don't sound so fucking annoyed! This is important, you fucking bastard."

"Your insults are always so original."

"Whatever, listen already you russian monkey! Arthur asked me out on a date."

Ivan chuckled, smiling in amusement, "That is funny, tell me what you did to him."

"Nothing, I said yes."

All the humor in Ivan died quickly and his smile became strained, "You did what?"

"It was in front of Debby, I couldn't say no. Little bastard's got something planned."

"I told you this was a bad idea from the beginning."

Alfred rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, "Yeah, that's just because you hate the idea of me crushing on anybody."

"What do I care? Whore yourself out for all the fucks I give."

"I know I've told you not to call me that. You could get no sex for an entire week if I had my say!"

"If I recall, it is you who needs sex."

Alfred gritted his teeth, eyes narrowing dangerously, "I dare you to say that again." Ivan didn't say anything, just glaring back at Alfred, "Yeah I thought not. Whatever, if you don't want anything to do with this then fine, I can figure it out on my own."

"... Arthur is turning out to be quiet the opponent."

"Yeah, who would have thought?" Alfred muttered, sighing out as their argument faded. "I'm going to have to come up with something, or figure out what he's planning, he's got to have thought it through more than this."

"Assuming makes an ass out of all of us."

"That's not how the saying goes, moron."

"Oh, I thought that was your title." Ivan chuckled.

"Shut up already." Alfred muttered, walking away. Ivan let him be, deciding it be best to let the other separate from him after their near argument. Alfred in the meantime looked for Arthur, and after spotted him and made a beeline towards the other. Once they were close Alfred said, "Hey, asshole." Arthur startled and turned towards him, looking a bit nervous, as per usual.

"Yes?"

"What kind of crap do you think you're pulling? How exactly are you going to get you out of a serious bruising? Well?" Alfred asked when his answer wasn't answered right away.

"Well, I'll just tell your mother that you cheated on me with Ivan, and Ivan beat me up. It ensures that she won't want Ivan around."

Alfred thought about it for a moment, thinking of ways around it. The thing was, if he did anything Arthur disliked, the story would more or less hold out. Even if Arthur just said one or the other - the cheating or the beating - Ivan wouldn't be allowed to come around anymore and Alfred's own reputation with his mother would be at least somewhat sullied. "I see. Good enough for now, I suppose." For who knew how long, until he could think of a way to counter it. Which he would, sooner or later, he just hoped that it would be sooner rather than later. "Well I guess I'll see you Friday night then."

"What, you're going to actually come?" Arthur asked, sounding shocked.

"Part of keeping up a lie, you actually have to keep up with it. God, amature." Alfred sighed heavily, standing up, "And ah, since you asked me, you get to pay for the snacks, have fun." Alfred smirked, patting Arthur on the shoulder none too gently before leaving.

Arthur found a movies was an okay choice for a date, seeing as Alfred ignored him the entire time, and was silent too. It seemed the best pick to avoid each other. After it was over though, Alfred demanded he bought him ice cream from a place nearby. How was it Arthur had the blackmail but he still felt terrified of the other beating him up? Perhaps it was just habit. Luckily, Alfred got a medium size and Arthur himself got a small, figuring if he wa buying ice cream he might as well get himself something. Alfred apparently didn't want to stay in the shop and walked out, after a moment of hesitation, Arthur followed after him. They walked in silence around the area, it was somewhat cold at night, but he didn't make a comment on it. Instead he had another question, "Why is it that you beat people up?"

"What, first date and already asking the big questions huh?" Alfred laughed, and Arthur spluttered, mostly out of shock at such a normal, non hurtful jest. "I have my reasons, but they're not up for your annalicious."

"Why are you still hanging out with me? The movie's over."

"Yeah, I know. I wanted ice cream though, and while you're paying, might as well take advantage of that."

"Unbelievable." Arthur muttered, shaking his head. Alfred just shrugged. An awkward silence fell over them again and Arthur tried to think of something to say. While Alfred was responsible for many injury, physical and mental, this silence in a casual setting wasn't something he was used to. After a moment he asked, "Do you ever regret it?"

"What? Beating up on people?" Arthur nodded. Alfred replied with a snort, "No, just cause you're all pathetic isn't any reason to lose sleep over." Arthur sighed a bit, the blond really was heartless, wasn't he? How could somebody not care over the suffering of others. "That was like me asking you if you got a thrill out of being beaten. Stupid question."

"I hardly find it stupid wondering if you have a heart that isn't completely pitch black."

"Ah, stop you, now you're just trying to romance me, aren't you?" Alfred spluttered again at the unexpected response, but again, Alfred just laughed loudly. It seemed if he wasn't allowed to attack he was going to tease Arthur. He wasn't sure if he liked that. But it was something he dealt with until Alfred finally threw away his paper ice cream bowl and said goodbye before leaving. Arthur didn't know if he could handle another date if it was like this one.