After The War

by paraduxks

Once upon a very long time ago, a new land was discovered. Hundreds of soldiers died to fight for it, their names lost to time. Finally, the war was won, but at a cost. Money was one, yes. Lives were lost as well, but that was not of the utmost importance to two soldiers. For Arthur, winning had only broken his heart.

10. 1759

1759. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The pair of them sat below a tree that had been there for many more years than either man would live to have. The younger of the pair sighed, and glanced at his counterpart. The older of the pair picked at his fingers, dissatisfied by the quality of his skin in that location.

Alfred sighed softly, wishing he could stop staring at Arthur. No, he wished that he could stip the thoughts that came with staring at Arthur.

Arthur looked away from the young man in his nubile body. It was making him think dangerous thoughts, the most dangerous he had had in America. And it was during a goddamn war that this was happening! It wasn't fair that he was afraid more of a child than of hoards of enemy soldiers, when he was outnumbered and outgunned! Arthur needed not to be afraid of Alfred, he needed to be afraid of the French! It simply didn't make sense, and wasn't fair.

"Mister Arthur, why do people fight wars?" Alfred asked. Arthur was struck by something strange. It was like fear, only it wasn't. It was like pride, only it wasn't. It was like sadness and joy and anger all at once. He hated it.

"Do you ever argue with Matthew? Or John and Elizabeth? Emily? I'm sure you argue with Billius. You two are quite the opposite." Alfred digested this for a few seconds before nodding.

"The older ones don't like me because I'm the youngest. I'm supposedly very hungry, but I can't help it, Arthur! I'm out here all day and sometimes longer than that, and I don't get fed much because the other soldiers think I'm too young to be here! They're just like my siblings, and hate me! You're the only nice one of these soldiers, Arthur!" Alfred said, all in one breath. Arthur was taken aback. He wanted to hit himself for allowing his heart to go aflutter, but all the same enjoyed the sensation.

"You've not experienced much. I've killed in the past, I believe you have too. And I'm most certainly not kind."

"But you are, Arthur! You took me in when I was alone and kept me alive!" Alfred said happily. He leaned his head on Arthur's shoulder, blissfully unaware of the affect he had. Arthur was frozen, facing the sky. Alfred's hand was shyly clutching the hand of his senior.