There are some bits I love in this chapter. Just what happens in it. Hope you like it. :)
The next morning, Alfred woke to the smell of something burning. "Shit!" he exclaimed, stumbling out of bed and pulling some boxers on. He rushed out of his tidier room – which was now getting a little messy again – and rushed down the hall towards the front door.
He was stopped in his tracks by Arthur – now back in his angel's attire – stepping in front of the door. "Ah, you're awake!" he exclaimed cheerily. "I've made you breakfast so you should come eat. And you have plenty of time, too!"
Alfred groaned as he was ushered to the kitchen. He collapsed onto a stool at the unit which gave a clear view of the TV and tried to ignore the smell wreathing round him, gradually dispersing through the window which Arthur had thoughtfully opened wide. Arthur produced a plate with a mass of blackened food. Alfred stared at it for a moment before picking up the remote and switching on the TV to watch the early morning cartoons.
"Alfred…?" said Arthur with a stern tone. "Should you not be studying with your spare time?"
"No," said Alfred, groggily shovelling some food onto a fork and crunching into it.
After a pause, Alfred heard the angel say, "I-Is it… good?" Confused by the tone, Alfred looked up at Arthur. He was twisting his wand round and round in his hands, his expression twisted in nervousness. He looked really ugly, especially with the unnaturally thick eyebrows.
"It's awful. I hate it. But I have nothing else to eat, even if it is disgusting." Alfred watched the angel droop with glee. If he made the angel feel awful, perhaps he'd disappear. Then Arthur's expression changed to embarrassed anger.
"You-You don't have to eat it! It's not as if I made it for you, anyway! I just wanted to try out cooking with human appliances! If you don't like it, give it back!"
Alfred shook his head. To annoy Arthur, he'd now just eat it all. Ha! That'd teach the angel. He stuffed the lot into his mouth before Arthur could remove the plate. "Finished!" he said with his mouth full, waving the plate at Arthur.
The angel stared at him, looking rather shocked. "You-You ate… it all…" he said, haltingly. For a moment he just stared at him, his pale face slowly becoming flushed. Then he broke into a smile. "I'll wash the dishes, then," he said happily.
As Arthur turned to the sink, Alfred blinked. When Arthur had smiled, he was sure he had lit up and begun to glow. It was quite beautiful.
He shook his head and went back to his cartoons.
Half an hour later, Alfred felt slightly more awake so he stood and stretched, his muscles straining as he did so. A shower would do wonders, he thought. He turned to Arthur to find him staring at him.
"What?" he asked.
Arthur blinked. "I'm just watching over you Alfred."
"Right… Thanks. I'm going for a shower. Please try not to watch me there, okay?" Arthur only nodded in reply and Alfred went to the small bathroom.
It only contained a cabinet, a sink, a toilet and a cramped shower. He pulled off his boxers, letting them drop to the floor and stepped into the shower. He quickly washed his hair before lathering soap on himself, rinsing himself off shortly afterwards. Once out, he quickly dried himself before letting the towel drop beside his boxers. Then he left the room.
He was immediately confronted by Arthur who was standing in front of the door, staring at it. They both froze as Arthur's eyes flickered downwards.
Alfred gave an embarrassed yell and leapt backwards, slamming the door. He retrieved the towel and wrapped it around himself before slowly opening the door, peering round it. He couldn't believe he had forgotten about the angel! But there he was, staring at him. He burst out of the bathroom. "What the hell, dude?!" he exclaimed. "Stop staring at me! It's unnerving."
"But it is my duty-" began Arthur.
"I don't care!" snapped Alfred. "It's creepy! Stop it!
Arthur eyed him for a moment before sighing. "Are you ready for college, then?"
"I still have to get dressed, y'know!" exclaimed Alfred in exasperation.
Arthur nodded. "I also have to get changed," he said, gesturing at his angel outfit.
Alfred stared. "You're not coming with me, are you?!"
"Of course," said Arthur, looking at Alfred as though he was stupid.
"No! No, you can't!"
"Well, you can't leave here, then. I must stay with you."
Alfred bit at his lip slightly. He would either have to stay inside, unable to pick up girls or take this weirdo with him. Why did this have to happen to him?
"Fine, fine!" said Alfred, hurriedly. "Go and get changed…"
Arthur nodded and turned towards his room, slipping in quietly. Alfred sighed and hurried to his own room. He tugged on a fresh pair of boxers, grabbed a pair of jeans (which appeared to have been washed) and pulled on a favourite t-shirt of his which was starting to get quite worn. He paused and then struggled his way into a thin blue hoodie. Slipping into his Nikes, he hurried back out of the room, grabbing his bag as he did so. Looking up and down the hall, he didn't see any sign of the angel. Maybe I can get away without him!
But his jubilation was cut short by his imagination which threw up a scenario wherein the angel would burst into his lecture room. Demand to see him. Drag him back here. And then-
Alfred frowned. He wasn't entirely sure what an angel would do for punishment. Keep him locked up? He doubted that. So, perhaps he could just go…
With a sigh, Alfred took the two steps to the other bedroom's door and knocked. Then he turned the handle and pushed.
"No! Stop!" came the cry from the other side of the door as bright white light spilled through the gap. A weight was thrown against the door and it was shut on the American.
He blinked and, suddenly, the door was opened again. Arthur stood there wearing a t-shirt and shirt combo and a pair of loose jeans, a black belt holding them in place. A pair of nondescript sneakers were on his feet to complete his look. He had a small rucksack for a bag, slung over one arm. He looked rather sheepish.
"S-Sorry – but you can't see when I'm changing. It's too dangerous for you…"
Alfred rolled his eyes. Then he caught sight of the room behind the Brit. "What the-?!" he began, shocked. He pushed passed Arthur who blinked in confusion at his shock. The room had been stripped bare. There was a wardrobe at one end. In the middle of the room was a single solitary table, a Bible carefully placed, a ribbon poking out of its place. "Why don't you have a bed?!" demanded Alfred.
"Angels don't sleep," explained Arthur. "At least, we don't need to when we have all of our powers. So I don't need one."
"What are people going to say if they see this?!" Alfred said in exasperation. "They'll think you sleep with me!"
Arthur frowned. "I don't see why they would think that. Besides, I can just tell them that I don't need sleep and everything will-"
"That'll just make things worse!" exclaimed Alfred, hurriedly. "We need to get you a bed!"
"Ah, well…" said Arthur, a little confused. "I suppose I could magic one here. Even though I'd rather not use it on something as trivial as this…"
"Look," said Alfred, giving up as he glanced at his watch. "I'll help you find one on the way home later, okay?" Arthur nodded, following the American as he hurried out of the door, regretting not having left while Arthur was still preoccupied.
Alfred slipped into a seat beside his friend Kiku and Arthur sat down next to him. Kiku stared past the young student and at the man who looked a bit older. Alfred ignored this, not keen on trying to think of an excuse for who Arthur was. Unfortunately for him, Francis then turned up, sitting next to Kiku, glancing at Arthur as he did so. He leaned forward to talk to Alfred. "Who is your friend, mon ami?"
"Uh…" said Alfred, trying to think quickly.
On his other side, Arthur leaned forward. "I'm a friend of his, Arthur, from England. We're pen pals. I'm here visiting for a few weeks before I go back to university."
"Vraiment?" said Francis, smiling politely.
"Yes," said Arthur. "I have nothing to do during the day so I thought I would sneak into Al's lectures to see what he gets up to."
"So, Arthur-san," said Kiku, finally speaking up. "Where are you staying?"
"Al and I are going to pick up a bed today to put in his second bedroom. I've been using the sofa for the past couple of nights."
"Ah," said Kiku. "Well, what will you be studying at university, Arthur-san?"
"English Literature. I just love to read books – especially by authors from Britain."
"Hm," said Francis, grinning a little. "I wondered who I would give zis to," he said as he produced a red rose. "I was passing some girls earlier and zey 'anded me 'zis to give to my 'one true love' – and I zink I just found 'im, non?"
Arthur stared back at him, frowning a little before glancing around. "I don't understand," he said, finally. "Who are you talking about?"
"You, mon cher!" said Francis, his grin faltering a little.
Arthur stared for a moment, turning slowly red. "M-me?!" he exclaimed. Then he threw himself backwards in his chair and out of Francis' line of sight.
"Francis-san! Don't tease the guest!" exclaimed Kiku, a reproachful tone in his voice. He looked round in Arthur's direction. "Do not listen to him, Arthur-san. He is just having fun at your expense. He does this with anyone new he meets."
"Hey," said a low voice and Kiku and Francis both glanced at their friend. Alfred was looking gloomy. "Why are you ignoring me? I'm more important than him!"
"Ah, désolé, Alfred, cher," said Francis, cringing at the stern look.
"Gomennasai, Alfred-kun," said Kiku, bowing his head slightly as the lecturer came in. The students sat back as they watched him set up his lesson and begin. As soon as the title slide came up, Arthur gave a chuckle.
"I remember this," he muttered as several people glanced around at him, Alfred included. "I was there, you see. The Fall of Babylon. I didn't think you had the patience for history lessons."
"Shut up," hissed Alfred, turning red as he noticed people frowning in their direction.
Arthur did so for a while until the lecturer highlighted a particular detail. "That's wrong," he said, this time loud enough for people to hear. Alfred sank down in his seat.
"Oh, really," said the lecturer. "And why do you think so Mr…?"
"I'm Arthur," said the angel as Alfred sank further down, desperately wanting a hole to open up beneath him so he could fall through to the floor below. "That's not how it happened."
"Can you explain, Arthur? Or are you just disagreeing with me for the sake of it?"
"Of course I can prove it," said Arthur while Alfred begged silently for the angel to not say that he had been there… Instead, much to everyone's great surprise, Arthur listed several sources which quoted the point differently. Once he finished, he sat down in the silence. It was only broken by scribbling as the students took notes.
The stunned lecturer glanced at his watch before dismissing everyone, collapsing into his chair as they left. As Alfred hurried by, beckoning Arthur to follow, he heard him mutter, "A student actually did research before a class…?" Out in the hall, Alfred hurried into a broom cupboard and dragged Arthur in with him. That was when he rounded on him.
"What the hell was that, dude?! You freaked everyone out with your- your- your stuff! You can't just correct a lecturer!"
"But he was wrong…" said Arthur, sounding confused.
"Look, you told me you had to watch me," said Alfred, irritated. "So use your eyes and not your mouth! Don't talk outside of the apartment unless it's urgent! Got it?"
Arthur thought about it for a second. "I suppose that would be wise," he admitted, eventually. "But I'm only going to stop talking because it benefits me in that I can keep within the boundaries of the rules imposed on me, okay? It's not because you asked me to."
Alfred, an angry expression still on his face, watched the blush creep onto Arthur's cheeks and finally wondered why angels could blush…
After a rather stressful day at college, Alfred trudged into a huge department store, Arthur trailing behind him. He made his way reluctantly to the bed section, collapsing into the first one he came across.
"Yes, that one will do," said Arthur, scanning the single bed.
Alfred glanced at him, an expression of disbelief on his face. "You should test the others first, y'know. Or are you just stupid as well as weird?"
Arthur bristled before stalking off to test the others. Alfred breathed deeply, relieved that he'd gotten rid of the angel for a few minutes. He closed his eyes and relaxed, his breathing slowing as he began to fall asleep in his comfortable position. He had barely done so when he was aware of a presence and someone spoke.
"I've tested them all," said Arthur.
Alfred jolted upright. "What?! Already?"
Arthur just nodded. "As you almost fell asleep on that bed, I would say that is the best one, even if I won't use it."
Alfred stretched and nodded. "Let's go get it, then." He led Arthur to a salesperson and began the purchase. Arthur just watched. When the man Alfred was speaking with realised it was a single bed, he smiled knowingly.
"Ah, is one of you a snorer? Trust me – worst thing in the world is a partner who snores. My Johnny – wow, what a-!"
"No!" exclaimed Alfred, quickly. "He's just my roommate! It's not like that! I'm into girls, dude!"
"Ah…" said the man, looking from the outraged and red Alfred to the rather confused-looking Arthur. "I'm sorry sir…" he muttered, ashamedly. The man then proceeded to help them with the transaction, no further comments added.
Once they were inside the apartment, Arthur at once opened his mouth as he single-handedly dragged the bed into his room, Alfred watching. "That was rather rude Alfred. Why on Earth did you snap at the man?"
"Dude, you did not just ask me that," muttered Alfred before shaking his head at the naïve angel and walking into the living room to play video games.
I'm trying to write from Alfred's point of view but it's really difficult when trousers = pants and trainers = sneakers. I mean, I know all this but there's a part of my brain which seems to be a stubborn Brit which says "No. What are you doing? That's wrong! Use the right word!" =/ It's sort of annoying...
EDIT: I've finally realised my asterixes don't work... ^^" So I'm finally putting in the line separater thingys. :)