Arthur rushed back to their shared bedroom, tears clouding his vision. He locked the door behind him and rushed to his wardrobe hurriedly looking for his luggage. He stuffed his clothes and whatever necessities he'd need along with necessary documentation. When he felt he'd packed enough, he took his ring off and left it in Alfred's side table. He thought maybe he was being to brash, but if Alfred lied to him about something as heavy as this, he could only imagine what else he'd lie about. Promptly exiting the room, he called for his car to be ready for when he got outside. Two of the people in the staff helped him take his luggage downstairs. At this time, Alfred had calmed himself and had been exiting the study when he heard the rapidly descending steps.

"Arthur?" he called out confused at seeing his husband leaving with his bags. At hearing his name, he only walked faster and headed for the front door. When Alfred realized what was going on, he ran to block his exit.

"Arthur, you can't leave me please. I'm sorry I didn't say anything but please don't do this." Alfred begged him, tears returning full force. Arthur tried to move around him.

"Alfred, move or I'll move you." hearing this, Alfred snapped and took Arthur from his arm tightly and led him into the main living room, ordering the staff to take the luggage back to their room and unpack Arthur's belongings.

"Let go! You're hurting me!" Alfred loosened his grip but refused to let go.

"You're not leaving Arthur. Can't you see that I love you? I need you, Arthur please can't you see? From day one everything I've ever done was for you. I can't see myself without you please don't do this." Arthur tried to free himself of his grip, Alfred just brought him into a tight hug, resting his head in Arthur's.

"You lied! And what hurts is that you lied to my face! What am I to you? A joke? How are you going to stand there and smile and tell me I'm delusional? 'Cleaning product' really?" pushing himself free he pointed at Alfred.

"I warned you Alfred. I warned you that whatever it was you were hiding was going to end us." spit Arthur in a venomous tone. Alfred took hold of his wrist and brought him in for a kiss. It was rough and hard and their teeth clashed as Arthur sunk his on Alfred's lips, drawing blood. Alfred pushed him away and wiped the blood away.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Arthur turned to leave, feeling he had made his point. However, Alfred noticed that Arthur was missing something.

"Where's your ring?" Alfred's whole demeanor changed, his air of desperation gone, replaced with a cold chilling tone. Arthur froze and turned, looking down to his left hand. He looked up to Alfred and answered simply.

"What does it matter?" he smiled a bitter, vicious smile. In a split second, Arthur felt himself go down, a surprised look overtook his features as his reddening cheek stung from the blow. He felt his eyes water and promptly started crying. He looked up to his husband who had a mortified look in his face trying to desperately apologize. He backed away and huddled himself, holding his cheek. It was a new experience, a terrifying one at that. He'd never imagine Alfred raising a hand on him. It was, unreal. And while Alfred tried to get closer to him, spouting apologies left and right, he realized that maybe Alfred wasn't all that he had imagined. Maybe he changed, maybe he was always like this. He didn't know, he didn't care. All he knew was that his face hurt, and that he needed to treat it right away. As he got up to get some ice, his vision blurred slightly, not from the tears but from the blow Alfred had given him. Alfred tried to help him stand up but he pushed him away, supporting himself on the walls and making his way to the kitchen, Alfred following in case he fell. Once in the kitchen, Alfred dismissed the staff and took some ice in a towel, handing it to Arthur.

"Artie I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you! I just, I'm scared of losing you, and I panicked. I don't want you to leave me Artie please understand I love you." Arthur didn't reply, just stared straight ahead.

"Leave me alone Alfred." he tried to protest but Arthur gave him a sharp glare. Finally alone, Arthur allowed himself to cry fully and let all his rage and sorrows and stress finally out. He had never felt more hurt, more betrayed and more degraded in his life. It was a traumatic ordeal for him and all he could do was cry.

Days had passed since the incident, and during those days, Arthur refused to leave the bedroom, locking Alfred out and spending his days in there, never coming out. The only time the door to the bedroom opened was for his meals and laundry. Alfred couldn't concentrate those days, thinking solely about Arthur. He didn't feel right just leaving him alone and the crippling anxiety of not knowing if he was alright. Finishing up his work for the day, he made his way home straight after work. However, today he placed all his calls and emails to the side, vowing to get Arthur out of the house. Heading for their bedroom, he knocked on the door. A confused Arthur opened the door.

"What do you want?" he asked in a clipped tone. Alfred sighed and rubbed his neck, a nervous habit of his.

"It doesn't matter how many times I apologize, I feel like you'll never forgive me. But I don't want you to spend the rest of your life inside because of this." he gestured to the two of them. "Come out with me tonight Arthur. I'm not asking for much, just your company. Please." Arthur's expression softened and he sighed, nodding slowly.

"Fine. Let me put something on and we can go." Alfred smiled happily, heading downstairs to wait on his husband. He scrolled through his phone distractedly, until he heard Arthur's footsteps coming downstairs. He turned to look at him, and maybe it was just the natural light emanating from the afternoon sun through the windows that gave him a beautiful glow, or maybe it was the way Arthur softly smiled when he looked at him, or the way his figure gracefully descended down the stairs, or maybe the stars had aligned, who knew? All he knew was that in that moment, in that very moment, Alfred had fallen in love all over again. The feeling of warmth in his chest and the wonder of seeing him blew him away.

"Arthur, you, you're ethereal." breathed out Alfred. Arthur could see the admiration in his husband's eyes and it filled him with an inexplicable type of glee. It reminded him of the feelings they both shared when they had first started seeing each other. And it gave him hope, that maybe they could fix this, that maybe it didn't have to be over. And when Alfred glanced at his left hand, he saw the ring again. And just like that, everything fell into place. Everything was right and Alfred took him into his arms and spun him around in pure glee. They shared a kiss and momentarily stared into each others eyes.

"I love you."