Chapter 10
After school, Feliciano practically sprinted to Ludwig's school, only slowed by his inch-high heeled boots and Arthur's pleas to slow down. When he reached the building he stood under the tree, feeling safer with Arthur's presence. Students were spilling from the building, and Feli stood on his toes in hopes to catch sight of Ludwig- he was excited for their date this evening.
Eventually, he spotted him walking trough the crowd beside a sprig of hair- Alfred. Feliciano was practically bouncing as Ludwig got closer to breaking from the crowd. As soon as Ludwig had broke from the crowd Feliciano just couldn't take it anymore- he ran to Ludwig, who had been looking at Alfred with an expression that told anyone that Alfred F. Jones had yet again said something idiotic. Feliciano collided with Ludwig in a big hug and a smile.
"Luddy~ How was your day?" Feliciano asked sweetly. Lud seemed a bit surprised at the lack of self restraint on Feliciano's part, but still smiled and answered the excitable Italian.
"It was good... Alfred spat food at people because he was talking with his mouth full and it was gross, but still good." Feliciano just pressed his head to Ludwig's chest with a giggle as Arthur walked up.
"We might want to be on our way- after all, you two have preparations to make," he reminded the two. Alfred snickered.
"Remember that thing I told you?" Alfred asked Ludwig, who swatted at him, annoyed and embarrassed.
"No," he said, placing a hand on Feliciano's back and walking with Arthur. Alfred trotted along and laughed.
"Sure you do- it's super easy, dude. You just have to-"
"Oh, hush. Nobody cares about your stupid idea," Arthur said. Alfred just slung an arm over the Englishman's shoulder.
"You're just jealous because I have better advice when it comes to romance," Alfred said. "Maybe I could give you some advice, dude." Arthur's look hardened and he shoved Alfred's arm off his shoulder.
"Alfred don't antagonize Arthur," Feliciano chided. "So... You remember the day I met you?"
"Yes," Ludwig responded. "You were chasing a cat."
"I love cats... They're the best," Feliciano said.
"I prefer dogs..." Ludwig said. Feliciano smiled.
"Both are good," he agreed.
"So do you have a favorite food?" Ludwig asked.
"I like all kinds of foods- but my favorites are pizza and pasta!" Ludwig nodded and smiled, his hand still on Feliciano's back. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I was thinking after the movie you might be hungry. And don't worry about money at all- I have it covered," Ludwig promised. Feliciano nodded.
"Okay," he said. "So..." Feliciano said, trailing off when he realized Alfred was being unusually quiet. Ludwig seemed to notice, too and both turned around, only to find that their companions were no longer with them.
"Where did they go?" Feliciano asked softly.
"I don't know..." Ludwig answered. "Do you think Alfred chased him away or something?"
"Maybe... Should we wait for them?"
"No... They're grown enough- they can take care of themselves." Ludwig continued to walk. Feliciano followed, knowing there wouldn't be much he could do for the other two boys. Feliciano picked back up in conversation until they reached his house. When they got to the place where Lud had waited that morning, they stopped to avoid being seen by people in the house.
"Here we are..." Feliciano said. Ludwig nodded.
"I guess so..." he looked back to Feliciano, his previous focus on Feli's home. Feliciano hugged him.
"I'll see you at six thirty, then..." he said, and stood up on his toes to kiss Ludwig. This time, however, Ludwig lowered his head just enough to allow Feliciano's lips to meet his own for a second. He straightened up as soon as Feliciano was back on his heels. Both were blushing and Feliciano gave a shy giggle and waved before retreating to his house. Ludwig waited until the front door was closed and began to walk back to his own house so he could prepare for his date.
Arthur grimaced, his face bright red as he sat across from that idiot. Alfred had chased after him when he had run away, highly upset because something Alfred had said...
"Maybe I could give you some advice, dude." Feliciano had started to talk to Ludwig, leaving Arthur to deal with Alfred.
"I don't want or need your advice. I'm perfectly happy now," Arthur said.
"Aww, that's just what desperate people say so they don't seem so desperate. Dude, why don't you just, I don't know... man up..." Arthur froze. 'Why don't you just man up? Take a hint and move on- I just wanted a good lay, okay?'
Francis' words rang through his head again... He was just so cold about it all-
"I mean... Hey, dude- what's wrong?" Alfred asked, but Arthur wasn't listening. He was going back through the moment Francis had broken him.
"But those things you said..." Arthur protested. Francis laughed.
"Like I said, I was bored. Trying something new- it wasn't going to last to begin with. Do you really think I could date a punk like you? And those eyebrows..." the Frenchman chuckled. "You were never my type."
Arthur turned abruptly and headed into the park. He had to get away- hide. Take the long way home to calm down; just something.
"Dude, wait!" Alfred called after him. Arthur just started running. That idiot was annoying enough without having just reminded him of his ex. After a moment, he found it hard to see with the tears in his eyes- he had began pushing these feelings deep down after the incident, and now they were bubbling up harshly as a reminder that he couldn't hide them forever. He ducked into a ring of bushes and leaned against a tree. As he slid down to the base to sit, he realized this place was familiar... This was where he first kissed that French jerk. That just brought him to a small fit of tears...
"Dude, Artie- you okay?" Alfred asked, actually sounding concerned. Arthur quickly wiped his eyes to avoid being seen crying.
"I'm absolutely fantastic, now why don't you just go home?" Arthur asked, sarcasm and anger laced into his words.
"Really? Cuz you don't look fantastic. What's wrong?" Alfred sat down in front of him cross legged. "And I won't go home until you tell me." Arthur sighed and looked away.
"Just some old stuff..."
"What kinda old stuff? Breakups? I'm good with those- I had to watch my mom divorce my dad and get back with Matt's dad only to have him die when Matt was ten. I'm good with losses." Arthur sighed.
"That frog across the street... I dated him sometime back and it was one of those lay-and-leave situations..."
"Wait, so you're into dudes?"
"You bloody idiot!" Arthur hissed, then lowered his voice. "I don't know! I had a bad experience and I don't care for romance..." His face turned red. Alfred reached out and patted his shoulder.
"I was just asking, dude. I don't care if you're gay." Arthur flushed.
"I- I never said-" he spluttered, and Alfred laughed. "What the hell are you laughing at!?"
"Just the situation. Your face," Alfred said, pointing. Arthur glared.
"Thanks," he said bitterly.
"Dude, that's not what I meant- your expression. It was kinda funny." Arthur sat up a bit straighter for dignity.
"Fine, then- tell me some things about you. I think it's unfair right now how I just had to tell you two secrets."
"Well..." Alfred said. "I don't know..." Arthur huffed and turned away.
"Just leave me alone. I told you what you wanted, now go."
"No, no! Wait- I'm bi," Alfred said. "And sometimes I fart on my brother while he sleeps." Arthur just looked at Alfred, disgusted.
"Dude, your brother Colin does it all the time," Alfred pointed out, causing Arthur to gag.
"Ew! What- how do you...?" Arthur asked.
"I can see through your bedroom window from my hall window."
"I'm gonna... Why do you look through your window at me?" Arthur asked. Alfred shrugged.
"Boredom. Trying to see if you're actually cool. That kind of thing. You're actually kinda boring." Arthur frowned... Francis had said that, too... He felt the threat of tears.
"Go away, damn it!" he cried and tried to hide it unsuccessfully. He wiped his eyes and felt arms wrap around him.
"Listen, dude- I didn't get to finish. It's kinda cool when you do that magic crap. Calm down, okay?" Alfred said quietly. "And don't keep hiding it. If your hurting let it bleed so it cleans it out a little before it scabs over, ya know? That's what my mom tells me..." Arthur tried to hold back, and when he failed he just let it go...
"You okay now?" Alfred asked softly once Arthur was quieted. Arthur just nodded and tried to shove the bigger boy away. Alfred released him with a smile.
"How about we go get something to eat, huh?" he asked.
...
And that's how Arthur ended up sitting there, sipping an iced tea while Alfred ate his third burger.
"Why did he do it, anyway? Other than your less than interesting habits I don't see anything wrong with you," Alfred said. Arthur hardened his gaze out the window.
"He's just an arse..." he muttered.
"You weren't so boring when you were dating him, right? So really nothing was wrong with you. I don't get it."
"I don't either..." Alfred put down his burger, something he rarely did.
"... I don't know if now is a good time, but... Maybe you would want to go out with me?" Alfred asked quietly. Arthur let the straw fall out of his mouth as he looked at the American, shocked at his proposal.
"What?"
"I mean, if you don't want to it's fine, but... I wanted to know if you'd be willing to try again. Maybe this time will be better," Alfred said, offering a small, nervous smile... Which was adorable, even Arthur had to admit. He looked into his drink... Should he?
He looked up at Alfred, who's hopefulness was fading as Arthur hesitated with his response.
"Fine..." Arthur mumbled, his face turning red. Was this really a good idea? Alfred smiled widely.
"Really?" Arthur gave a small nod and Alfred gave a small cheer.
"Dude, say the word- I will kick anyone's ass, dare they cross you. I'm good at that kind of stuff," Alfred said, flexing an arm. It wasn't quite as big as Ludwig's, but it proved to make Arthur give a small laugh and shake his head.
"That's nice... I better get home, though- I still have to drop Feliciano off at her date."
"Cool- can I walk you home?" Alfred asked hopefully. Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Sure, fine," he said, getting up. Alfred grabbed the rest of his burger and Arthur the rest of his tea. As they walked, Alfred had finished his food and the walk was a quiet one. Eventually, Alfred took Arthur's hand... Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea, after all...
Feliciano tied his hair with a red ribbon- he was wearing a knee-length pink dress and his usual one-inch high heeled brown leather boots. He trotted downstairs and out onto the porch to wait for Arthur, the light of day dimming. At about six fifteen, just as promised, Arthur showed up. Feliciano skipped from the porch and got into the modest car. As the car pulled away, he caught a glimpse of Mr. Edelstien with a peculiar expression- one that said Feliciano was in trouble.
"Umm... Arthur?" Feli asked.
"What?" the Englishman replied... He sounded unusually chipper...
"Did you tell anyone about Ludwig?"
"No."
"Then why did Mr. Edelstien look so..." Arthur looked as though a thought hit him.
"Oh! I forgot- you told Monday that you were supposed to have dinner with Francis today!" Feliciano mentally slapped himself.
"Darn! I totally forgot! Oh... I'm gonna be in trouble if they find out I ditched Francis for someone like Luddy..." Feliciano pouted. Arthur smiled.
"Not if it's me. You could lie- I'll back you up. When you have a date with Ludwig I'll be your driver and your alibi. How does that sound?"
"Really? Oh, thank you, Arthur!" Feliciano said gratefully. Arthur smiled.
"What are friends for?" he asked.
(note: dang... sorry about short chapters lately my family just keeps bugging me about stuff- so please forgive me! i type as fast as i can to deliver a chapter every day if i can help it... except sundays.)