"I-I-I" Arthur backed up, looking caught.
Alfred clenched his fists. "You storm out, then break-in into my house? And you were following me, weren't you?" Arthur looked down, feeling guilty. "And for what? Some kinda revenge? If you had just let me explain, we wouldn't be in this mess! What is wrong with you?!"
Alfred then teared up, sinking to his feet. "What is wrong with me?" Alfred sobbed, and Arthur was at a loss for what do to. "W-when you left, I was sure that we were over. A-and I c-couldn't deal with losing you this early. I can't deal with losing you again."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "This early? Again? Whatever do you mean?"
Alfred didn't answer his question, instead continuing to lament. "I know I've been distant lately, and I'm sorry, I just-" Alfred took a deep breath, composing himself. "I just couldn't deal with the thought of losing you again, and I panicked, and the thought was so suffocating I decided to see a therapist, Matthew. We were ending a session. Just hugging. Nothing more, I promise. He's that kind of person you see? He's very big on physical comfort. And then you walked in, and you looked so hurt, and you didn't let me explain, and it broke my heart. I'm sorry. I should've just told you how I was feeling."
Arthur chuckled very softly, sinking to Alfred's level and putting a hand on Alfred's shoulder. "And I should have had a better judgement of your character. In the back of my mind I knew you would never cheat. My paranoia got a hold of me and I panicked. I'm sorry love."
Both the Brit and the American smiled, relived that their fears weren't true, and then leaned in for a kiss. It was full of apologies, forgiveness, happiness, and love.
"I'm kind of glad you broke into my house." Alfred said after they parted.
Arthur laughed softly. "I suppose. If I never broke in, we might have never made up.
"I never would've remembered to fix my windows."
"Honestly! It should be the first thing you do as soon as we're done here. I mean, what kind of man doesn't wire their windows to the system?
"Hey! They were at one point! It only broke recently and I was too preoccupied to fix it."
The two men laughed heartedly, but soon Arthur's expression grew serious. "Alfred, there is still something we haven't settled."
Alfred instantly grew nervous. He was hoping Arthur would forget about it in the midst of clearing up their misunderstandings. Unfortunately he was mistaken.
Alfred tried to keep an innocent face. "What? What haven't we settled?"
"Alfred, stop playing dumb. Did you really forget what room we're in? Now. Tell me. What's the meaning of all this," Arthur gestured around the room "and why do you have my ancestor's clothes?"
Alfred was at a crossroad. He couldn't tell Arthur the truth. But not telling him could seriously damage their relationship. But so could telling him, and it also could endanger Alfred's life if Arthur told anyone else. Arthur could also fall under serious danger, and Alfred didn't want to risk that.
In reponse to Alfres's silence, Arthur sighed, and caressed Alfred's cheek. "Love, why can't you tell me? Please, just trust me."
Just trust me. The words made Alfred have flashbacks, countless Arthurs repeating the same words. Each time, Alfred would always deny them, never telling them the truth. Just trust me. Alfred looked deep into his beloved eyes, seeing all the past Arthurs he had ever loved in those emerald orbs that he adored so much. With a deep breath, he decided to make a change.
"Arthur…what I'm about to tell you, you can't tell anyone. You have to promise me."
"I promise love."
"No Arthur, you have to promise."
Arthur exhaled. "I promise to keep your secret till the day I die."
Alfred squeezed his eyes shut. "I'm immortal" he breathed, opening his eyes.
"What?"
"I'm immortal, like I can't die. At least, not of old age. I kinda just linger in this state, forever, I guess.
"You're playing a trick on me.
The American sighed, got up and walked over to a cabinet, and pulled out an old case. He opened it, revealing a sword inside, and presented it to Arthur.
"A renaissance age longsword? But they don't have those anymore! Not even at festivals!" Alfred also pulled out a piece of paper, showing it to the Brit. "To Alfred. Hope this one is to your liking. -Matthias" Arthur read the paper, shocked.
"Bought her with my own money. Took a while, but Matthias finally found one to suit my impossible standards."
"So you're telling me-"
"I didn't lie"
Arthur was speechless. "T-that still doesn't explain why you have so many pictures of me!"
Alfred sighed, sitting back down next to Arthur. "That's what I was getting to. I'm immortal, but you're a reincarnation. You reincarnate. Have been doing so since the first time I met you."
"So my ancestors…."
"Previous versions of you."
"Bloody hell, I was Captain Kirkland?"
"The most notorious pirate on the seven seas."
"So on our first date you-"
"-already knew everything you were telling me After all, I was on the ship with the man." Arthur blushed, and Alfred chuckled. "It's fine! Like I said, it was cute!"
"So that's why you knew I would like the Britannia Angel."
"Yep. It is made out of your old ship of the same name after all." Then at Arthur's look of indignation, Alfred added, "trust me. That was the best use for it."
Arthur shook his head, murmuring something along the lines of 'my poor ship,' got up and walked to the wall full of pictures, stroking it. "So this wall…"
Alfred's smile dropped, and he joined Arthur, staring at the wall as well. "I take photos of all the Arthurs I meet. I do it to preserve the memories of us together. I miss you after you…pass, you know? This room is full of your essence, and it gives me solace.
Arthur looked at Alfred, eyes full of sorrow. Alfred smiled back. "It's fine, I'm used to it. And you're here now aren't you? So everything is fine."
Arthur reached over and squeezed Alfred's hand, gently leading him away from the wall. "So the pirate attire, how did you aquire it?" Arthur asked, trying to change the subject to something less somber.
The American brightened a little, and carefully touched the Captain's coat. "He gave it to me. He wanted to leave his pirate life behind after he retired, and he trusted that I would take the best care of it."
The Brit marveled at the pirate's collection, then picked up a musket that was nearby. "And this?"
"Your musket from the Revolutionary War."
"Why in the world would you keep that?"
"Because" Alfred strolled over and wrapped his arms around Arthur, "at the end of it is where I met you again."
Arthur leaned into the touch, examining the weapon. "So our whole relationship back then was centered around the Revolutionary War?"
"Yep. Long story short, we met on the battlefield. You got wounded, and I took care of you, hiding you as an Patriot. You decided to stay, and the rest is history."
Arthur leaned back and kissed Alfred, and the two walked around the room, Alfred sharing stories about their past. Eventually, they left the room and settled on the couch, but Alfred still looked unsettled.
The Brit nudged Alfred. "What's wrong, poppet?"
The American brushed it off. "Nothing."
"You're lying to me love. Come on, trust me.
Alfred shifted. "I'm just afraid of losing you. I'm tired of this cycle. I'm tired of watching you die.
Arthur flipped over, gazing into Alfred's sapphire eyes. "You're not gonna lose me."
Eventually, I will. Alfred thought, hiding his melancholy with a grin directed at Arthur.
The two laid there, enjoying the other's presence until Arthur tried to leave.
"Stay, please." Alfred tugged on Arthur's shirt, begging him.
Arthur silently nodded, sinking back into Alfred's hold. Later that night, however, the Brit was consumed with thoughts.
Nevermind the whole immortality and reincarnation thing. What really bothered him was how tired Alfred seemed of the whole thing. The Brit loved Alfred. He didn't want to see him suffer throughout their years together. There has to be something I can do. There has to be something…. The thought repeated itself in Arthur's mind like a mantra. He turned over, gazing at the American's sleeping face. Arthur smiled, He's so at ease in his sleep. Arthur's smile dropped for a moment as he caressed Alfred's cheek. I promise love, I'll find a way to fix this situation.
AN: Matthias is Denmark! I like to think the Nordics were kick-ass warriors during the Renaissance.
