Rating: T

Warnings: Boy love, corpses, a failed attempt at writing piano

Sorry for the piano scene later on. I really tried... but it didn't turn out so well. That's what you get for writing at 3 am.

I hope you enjoy this chapter~ I'm already writing the next one.

Alfred had quickly grown tired of being the only one in this dead world to fall asleep at some point. After all, having a bunch of the dead wandering around and staring at you while you slept was kinda odd. He thought about trying to rent out a room or something for sleeping, but when corpses had no need to clean irritants out of the spaces, he doubted it'd be clean. So, instead, the teen decided to hull up on a bench on the same street Arthur had left him and rest.

The next time he'd waken up, streaks of sunlight shone from the sky dankly and were quickly vanishing, and he realized he'd slept an entire day. After only actually resting once before in the span of the days he'd been here, it made sense, but, still, was rather unexpected. It had already passed from night-to-night.

Alfred sat up on the metal frame, stretching his arms above his head and groaning at the ache in his back. He felt like he'd just risen from his coffin. The American sat back in the space, trying to recall how he'd ended up in such an odd place, anyways.

Then his fight with Arthur came flooding back into his mind.

"Dammit..." He groaned, holding his head in his hands. Alfred felt guilt spreading through his chest. He had been pretty rude just the other day, and he was sure, after Arthur not hearing him from a day, and the groom nor seeking him out, he wasn't going to be forgiven.

Alfred forced himself to stand, his legs wobbly from their lack of use. He peered around the dank light of the underground city. Everything seemed twice as eerie and lifeless as normal without the light beaming on it.

He knew he needed to go see Arthur.

However, Arthur did not want to see him.

Alfred slumped against the door, letting his back press against it until it supported his weight. He had waited until early morning to show up, quite used to the patterns and times it was polite for typical humans.

Still, that hadn't proved to lessen Arthur's anger any more than he'd expected. The corpse had still slammed the door in his face when he tried to apologize. Of course, that wasn't anything out of the ordinary.

Alfred waited for hours. He simply sat alone, listening to the sounds on the inside of the home, hoping Arthur would take pity on him and let him come outside, or discover him and realize how sorry he truly was.

He began dozing off, after being antsy and shifting for hours as he waited. He was on the verge of falling asleep when a haunting melody began echoing in his ears from somewhere off in the distance.

Alfred jumped upon hearing it, perking up at the sound. He could recognize the beautiful instrument the second he'd heard it. A piano. A beautiful piano that sounded quite like the one he played constantly back home.

Piano was his one passion he'd picked up as a child. He loved it. Hearing it in his situation was like seeing the ray of sunshine in the dark. The American twisted where he was, placing an ear against the door behind him to listen closer. Indeed, it was coming from the home in which Arthur resided.

Alfred bounced to his feet, eager to see the source of the sound and listen closer. His hand went to grab the handle, when his arm slacked. Arthur was still angry with him. How would he feel if Alfred suddenly bounded into the room and watched him? He'd probably be scolded harshly.

However, that didn't stop him. He pushed through the door, stopping when the room came into view. It was quite like how he remembered from a few days ago. Nothing had been pushed out of place.

In the middle of the far wall stood a piano, occupied by a man in white. He didn't even look up, despite the sound Alfred made when he entered. Instead, Arthur continued on with his playing, not giving any heed to the fact he recognized Alfred had entered.

The sandy blond slipped into the room, inching up behind Arthur and peering over his shoulder. It was a very simple tune Arthur played. Something he didn't recognize, but still all so beautiful. It was in the higher keys, and the pure sound of it made him shiver. It gave the unexplainable sadness all minor songs could.

Arthur's played one last note before he stopped altogether. His head shifted to face the other way of Alfred, as he looked off to the side and avoided eye contact.

"Don't stop," Alfred said with a slight excitement in his voice. "It sounded... cool. I like listening." He grinned in response, and stepped back to give the dead man room. He watched as Arthur generally relaxed, and returned his fingers to the keys. He played a few soft notes, and picked back up in his tune again rather quickly.

Alfred took the opportunity to tip-toe up to the bench, and sit down beside him. Arthur tensed and avoided any kind of recognition, scooting off to the far side of the bench. The American did the same, hoping to give Arthur the free space he wanted, while still edging him into the comfortableness of having them next to one another.

Listening to the soft tune of the piano, Alfred attempted to play a note or two in harmony to his song. Arthur would tense up, and refuse to acknowledge he'd made a sound.

Arthur played a single score of keys in his higher range. The pause he took before his next measure was prime for Alfred. He mimicked the exact keys he'd played in the lower range. The second he had, Arthur had turned a bitter expression to the American. Alfred flinched and drew back his hand, smiling uneasily.

The Brit began playing a haunting tune once more, only making it a measure before Alfred, once again, decided to copy his song with both hands, making his playing louder and more confidently than before. Arthur didn't react much this time, though he still looked peeved, as he finished off the song with heavy hands.

Alfred watched him for a few moments, wanting to speak, but not knowing what to say. A phrase that his mother had said quite a few times sparked in his mind. "Music speaks better than words." Seeing Arthur hold himself hunched over the piano was enough to get Alfred to try.

And so he did. The tanned man pressed his fingers lightly and quickly on the keys, flitting across his half of the piano in a fleeting song. His hands danced across the piano, creating a more uplifting tune than before. He finished with an extended chord, and turned his chin over to face Arthur expectantly. The groom said nothing, propping his chin on a fist and looking off the other way.

He continued on the song, half-notes and melodies floating into the air around them and slowly heating it up. Again, when he finished his tune, he glanced at Arthur in wait of him returning or mimicking his song just as he had. There was still no response.

Alfred sighed, breathing in a light breath that he felt in his sinus cavities. He began playing a steady, low rhythm as a base, starting slowly at first, and speeding up as the measures went on. Arthur slipped back in the seat until he faced front. The American man only caught a glance of him rolling his eyes before he noted, quite happily, Arthur was setting his hands onto the keys in preparation of what he hoped to be playing.

Arthur began playing a quick grouping of chords, joining in as to combat Alfred's grouping of flitting notes. Alfred turned to smile at the man next to him, just to see Arthur turning towards him with the ghost of a competitive smirk.

Their songs turned into a happy race, both keeping pace with one another, and shifting keys as they played. They never once lost eye contact, grin soon spreading onto both of their lips happily. Alfred slipped in closer, transitioning his keys until he played in the range close enough to Arthur that they could touch arms.

Alfred's elbow bumped into Arthur's, hesitating both their notes for seconds. They both jumped in quickly once more, though the emerald-eyed player turned a spiteful scowl over towards Alfred. His foot kicked at the American's. Alfred leaned against him until they were both tipping over. Arthur yelped out, whacking at Alfred until he let up and they both sat upright. Arthur gasped for air, having had his lungs crushed, and played more fiercely as to one-up Alfred's silly antics.

Alfred laughed in utter joy. It was quite amusing to think of the change Arthur had had just after playing together for minutes. Maybe hearts really did connect through music. Arthur seemed to be enjoying himself quite a bit to. His blue eyes flashed to Arthur, lighting up when he saw the genuinely happy smile on his face.

It turned to sudden shock, however, when his hand started playing by itself. Literally by itself.

Arthur's music shut down with a sour note, and he stared in horror as his hand began skipping up and down the keyboard, leading up to Alfred's arm. Alfred tensed himself, the hand begin playing up his arm until it reached his shoulder. Once their, it continued to dance around, acting as if it was still touching notes. Alfred couldn't help but chuckle at the ashamed expression on Arthur's face, as he grabbed the bones. He took Arthur's wrist, and lightly connected the hand back on, listening as a click sounded and the corpse could move his hand again.

"S-Sorry," Arthur stammered out, slamming both his hands into his lap. He refused to look up in clear embarrassment. "Pardon my enthusiasm..."

Alfred grinned, holding the other's hand in his own. "I like your enthusiasm."

The two basked in the cold silence of the room. Neither made an attempt to talk. There was too many thoughts of lost forgiveness and apologies they wanted to get out.

"Hey, Artie.." Alfred squeezed the hand in his, and gazed into the inquisitive eyes of the shorter one. "I'm really sorry. For lying to you about wanting to see my parents. It's just... this week hasn't exactly gone according to plan, y'know? I've just been pretty confused."

Arthur smiled sweetly, though there were still the hints of hurt in his eyes. It was obvious the blonde felt pretty betrayed, which Alfred knew was all his fault. The man had trusted him, and he'd ruined that. "I shouldn't have kept you hostage either, love." He said tenderly. His face suddenly fell, and he drew back until he sat without contact. He coughed in sudden discomfort, and slipped his hands into his lap. "R...Rather, I should have let you do as you wish. It was wrong of me to force this on you." He said quieter.

Alfred watched him in confusion. It was almost humorous how bipolar Arthur could be. One moment he'd be doting on you, the next he'd be sitting on the other side of the room and staring in horror. Just another funny quirk about him. "I should probably explain it though."

"Don't force yourself," Arthur muttered.

"Nah, it's fine. I should be honest with my fiance." Alfred's words clearly made Arthur perk up, who sat up and looked at him in hidden shock. Alfred beamed in return, and shifted until he straddled the bench to face the other. "So, you know... Lili and I were engaged, but it was an arranged marriage. I just... the day I met her, I thought I had fallen in love, y'know?" Before Arthur's shoulders could sag, Alfred continued. "But I don't think I did. Lili's special to me, sure, but... maybe it's just an adoration. When she kissed me... nothing clicked. That's how you always hear you love someone. When you kiss them, you're supposed to hear crackles in your ears, and see fireworks fly, right?"

"Childish thinking," Arthur huffed, but let him go on.

"Yeah.. I know. But I didn't feel that with her. Maybe it was utter terror or something. I just... I don't think Lili's the one for me," Alfred pulled himself forward until his knees brushed Arthur's side, and they were close. Arthur's eyes widened in surprise, but being on the edge of the bench, he had nowhere to go. "Those vows... they were for her. I admit it. I was practicing them because I was scared to get married to her. I messed up. I even set her mom on fire at our rehearsal" Alfred cracked a grin, watching Arthur's eyes roll. "But I don't think I want to use those vows on her anymore... I've had three days to think it over. If seeing her means I don't get to duet with you on this piano." Alfred placed his hand on the other's thigh. "Then I'll choose to stay down here."

*Alfred..." Arthur clenched his jaw, his eyes softening. "I can't ask you to do that."

"I wanna, Arthur."

"...I've been thinking as well," The Englishman said softly in return. "And I-."

His words came out as nothing more than a screaming bell. The two covered their ears simultaneously Alfred stared up into a red light that flashed in the room, coating it all in a blanket of red. He looked questioningly at his British partner, only to see him laugh and mouth the words "Follow me." Alfred stood as he was told, and the two slipped out of the home.

They both walked in silence, letting the ringing in their heads die down. The alarm was nearly silent out here, as they seemed to only be going off in the buildings. The chill of the underground bit into Alfred's nose and mouth. He rubbed at them, trying to make the redness disappear.

"What exactly was that?" Alfred's voice was nasally as he was still holding his nose. He blinked and laughed, letting his hands fall to his sides. "And where are we going?"

"Since you can't have any patience, it seems, there's a party. The alarm is a signal for everyone to head to the pub."

"Why's it so loud though?"

Arthur smirked and pointed at the undead hopping in the same direction as them both. "Half of them are missing their ears or heads altogether. Making it loud and obvious is the only way to get people's attention."

Alfred nodded in understanding. "Makes sense... but..."

"But?"

"What's the party for?"

Arthur shrugged in response, lazily walking ahead of Alfred by a few steps. It was kinda funny. For every step Alfred took, his shorter companion had to take two to compensate. The pace had kinda sped him up. "Probably a newcomer. You had one as well... you just slept through it like a dunce."

Alfred scoffed and lightly pushed Arthur's shoulder. The other laughed back teasingly, pushing him back, and soon it had turned into a war of running down the streets and bumping into one another. Alfred's stamina and Arthur never growing tired proved to make it last forever.

Which was perfectly fine, as the two were pleased with the fun they were having.