Hello, my lovelies! I'm sorry for the wait… You know, I get blocked sometimes. I've been having a hell of a time trying to churn this chapter through my brain. It's easy for me to get unblocked, once I find inspiration. (Lately that's been the problem…) SO. I'm sorry! Casey Hence, England can't be nice! It's against his belief system! darkestlight96, I haven't done that in so long either. Maybe that's why I'm stressed. Meep, ah, hello to you! Wait…is that a threat?! Izaya can protect me from ANYTHING1 incidentalmusic, thank you, my dear! Kats With Shamrocks, Mobile! Go, fellow Alabamian! Quiet. Crash, he loves you too! As much as he can… I'm glad you've been here since the beginning! ZillaMeister, where are we going? Ah… Wouldn't it be best for you to just trust me? Because, you know, I have a plan… *cough* Pennilee, I try! 91RedRoses, Arthur worries very much for Al! Aerowave, the cuddling was very cute~! Kit-Usa, I'm good? You think so?! YES! AllTheLovelyBrains, your Wifi hates me? Man… I'm honored you catch up on my stuff when it lets you though! I love you~! Fynniona, yes, you get it! It's quite important to look at the sky at night! Now, let's all observe as I attempt to get unstuck. ON WITH THE STORY!

Scream of the Butterfly

(Acid Bath)

[A creature made of sunshine, her eyes were like the sky. Rabbit howls like something old as we twitch to her lullaby. The scalpel shines in God's sunshine street lights whisper pain. Down here the poison stream our God has gone insane.]

February 3rd, 1943.

The New Year has come, and things are relatively the same…on this end, at least.

Alfred has been happily meeting Arthur on a regular basis now, the two becoming even closer.

Arthur is used to the American's presence now of course, but every now and then he still likes to marvel at the man like he's made of sunshine. Hell, if someone came along and told him Alfred was really just an angel from Heaven, he wouldn't doubt it for an instant.

It's gotten unbearably cold again, but Alfred is as stubborn as usual.

"What's the point of having free time if I can't spend it with you?" he asks as they meet in their spot again. Things are fairly silent today, because the Allies are celebrating a victory.

The Germans met their first major defeat just the day before in the Battle of Stalingrad.

"We could meet in the barracks again. I'm more than certain all of your friends are out at the pubs to celebrate," Arthur replies, stroking the younger man's hair in an attempt to flatten the insufferable cowlick on his head. It pops back up, as always.

"I don't like meeting in there. It's too stuffy. Besides, I'm fine," Alfred says brightly, sending the Reaper a warm smile. He's shaking though. Arthur can see it.

"You truly are the definition of the word 'idiot'."

"Hey!"

Smiling fondly, Arthur tugs the shivering man to him, the electric feeling between them sparking again. Alfred buries his face in Death's neck, inhaling deeply.

"You know…for someone who's not really alive… You smell good…"

"…I'll take that as a compliment, seeing as how you always associate with dead people," Death says flatly.

"It sounds creepy when you say it like that!"

"It is creepy."

The American pouts up at him, still shivering as he places his arms in the robe.

"Let's l-l-lie down…" he suggests, trying to form a logical sentence.

Arthur simply rolls his eyes, allowing himself to be dragged down to be made the man's personal pillow. He feels vibrations from the sandy blond's shaking, and he sighs as he rolls his eyes, turning his head to observe blue eyes staring back at him.

"Are you certain you don't want to go inside? I feel like I'm holding a penguin," Arthur says.

"I'm s-s-s-sure. I l-l-like it out h-h-here!"

The sun is steadily getting lower on the horizon, signaling the temperature will drop even more soon. It looks like snow in the dark clouds, so Arthur knows it's only a matter of time.

Ever since he was little, he's loved the snow. So white, clean, and pure. In his time, it was a signal of purity. Untainted and cold.

Alfred reminds him of snow.

No matter how much he's trampled, he always seems to remain innocent. He is a rarity in the world of man. However… When there's something pure, there will always be a desire to taint it. Even Arthur is guilty of that.

He looks at the man curled up on his chest, slowly receding into a tiny ball. He chuckles at the childish American.

"Are you sure you're not cold?"

"S-Stop ask-k-king that!"

Arthur places his hands on the lean man's shoulders, rubbing them quickly to help provide heat. Alfred groans happily, leaning into the hold.

"Ahhh…f-f-feels g-good."

Immediately, Death feels a surge of heat at the words.

Like any man, he has his urges. Of course, he's a member of the afterlife now, but still…not really. He's a little stuck in between.

Nevertheless, Alfred is basically pressing his luck. How could anyone in the world be so damn adorable- Arthur feels thoroughly accomplished that he's been with the man for over a year, and able to control his urges.

Still…

All things come to an end.

"Are…you still cold?" he asks quietly, his voice taking on a more husky tone, sounding foreign to his own ears.

"N-Not so much…"

Arthur bites his lip, observing Alfred's blissful face. The blue eyes are closed, hidden behind a slight glare on the glasses from the setting sun. The American must sense he's being stared at, because he cracks an eye open to smile warmly at the Reaper.

Arthur gulps. The sun has made those perfect eyes glow…

"W-What's wrong…A-Arthur?"

Arthur is holding on to his last bit of sanity now, trying very hard not to give into his urges.

"Nothing, love. Nothing at all."

"Heh… You're l-l-looking at m-me like you wanna…e-eat me."

Arthur pulls his face closer, so his lips can meet the taunting ones. Alfred purrs quietly, opening his mouth without needing to be asked. Their tongues meet, and their passion heats up. The Reaper can't stop himself from rolling over, pinning the strong soldier to the ground.

"A-Arthur…"

"Still cold, eh?"

"Ahh…y-yeah…"

Arthur sucks on the devilish muscle in his mouth, biting into it gently, making the sandy blond release a groan of desire.

"Do…you want me to help?"

A blank stare is his response.

"H-How?"

Oh, all of the ways…

He uses one hand to hold Alfred's chin, slamming their mouths together again. The American sighs happily, thoroughly distracted by the kiss. He's unaware of the roaming hand.

Until it makes contact.

"Ahh- Arthur…"

Death presses down more firmly on the rapidly hardening arousal between the soldier's legs. He feels strong hands grip his arm, trying to move it away.

"S-S…Stop…hah…"

"No, Alfred. I'm warming you up."

Alfred's head flops back against the grass, his arms still uselessly trying to tug the hand away as it speeds up. His mind is emptied as Arthur begins kissing his jaw, pausing at his ear.

"Mmm, Alfred… Your voice…"

"Stop…s-saying…stupid…t-t-things…"

Arthur makes a disapproving snarl as he bites the man's earlobe, earning another cry of pain mingled with lust.

"Mmm… Arthur…"

Death speeds up again, pulling back to look at his love's face.

If his heart was beating, it would stop.

Alfred's mouth is open, breathing heavily before he bites his lip to try and silence himself. His glasses are askew, in danger of falling off his face. His hair… His hair is everywhere, tickling Arthur's face as he kisses along the man's perfect face again.

He loves this man. He loves him.

"Ahhh…Ar…Arthur…"

"Mm. Still want me to stop?"

Alfred squeaks, placing his hands in golden yellow hair, pulling the Reaper's face back to his.

"Don't stop…"

Arthur groans with desire, moving down to devour the man again. He swallows the tiny whimpers as they're released, and he presses harder whenever he feels the American is growing closer to the edge.

"It's alright. Let go, Alfred."

Nails dig into his shoulders as the soldier throws his head back, arching his spine so his hips thrust forward into Death's hand. He topples over the edge with a lewd moan, still biting his lip to try and muffle himself.

"Ar…Arthur…Arthur…Ah-"

Arthur cups his face, staring lovingly into the man's sapphire eyes.

"Alfred…I…"

A scream shatters the silence, and both men jump off each other from shock.

"What was that?" Alfred asks, no longer stuttering.

"I… I'm not sure…" Arthur pulls his list out, checking for new names in the area. To his horror, a familiar one pops up.

Joseph Murphy.

Murphy… Alfred's friend.

He looks at the American in guilt, knowing he has a job to do. Alfred stares at him blankly.

"Well?" he asks.

"Wait here…"

"Fuck that! I'm going with you!"

They make their way toward the direction the scream was heard in. Alfred squeaks when they behold the remains of a building, a pool of red slowly circling around it.

"Who is that?"

Arthur doesn't respond, because he's seen Murphy's face from the other side of the ruins. The building seems to be cutting him in half. He winces when he hears Alfred's voice again.

"MURPHY!"

The young man runs to his fellow soldier, who's still alive, but only just.

"J-Jones…"

"Don't talk, stupid! I'll call for help!"

Arthur grabs his shoulder as he tried to run by, tugging him back.

"Arthur, what the hell?! I've gotta get a medic!"

"And do what exactly?"

"Save him!"

Arthur pulls Alfred into his chest, holding him close.

"It's Murphy's time to die."

Alfred thrashes in the hold.

"No! No, I can save him! I can save him! Let me go!"

"You can't save him! He's suffering!"

"I can fucking save him!"

"He's cut in half, Alfred!"

The man ceases his struggles, looking up into mint green eyes with pure horror.

"I-In half? In half-"

"Shhh, love. Shhh. Close your eyes."

Alfred keeps them open defiantly, but doesn't turn to observe. He can't.

He hears shuffling as Death moves around, no doubt collecting the soul of his friend. He looks up at the rapidly darkening sky, and feels something cold against his cheek.

"It's snowing…" he says to no one in particular. Arthur answers him anyway.

"I've been waiting for the snow. It seems you're going to have to walk back in this."

"Well… I do have a death to report now…"

Arthur walks behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist, resting his chin on his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry…" I took your innocence, and then took your friend. You'll hate me forever…

Alfred chokes, placing his hands on the Reapers. Their vision is soon consumed by white as the snow begins to fall more quickly.

It is the end of innocence for Private Alfred Jones.

[Sunshine in a house of flames. She likes it when she gets it, but it's never felt the same. Surgery in the house of dissection. When your candle burns out, I will resurrect you. She runs through the field of daises. Yeah, it's just a shame that they eat their own babies. Who cares? 'Cause the air is free. When you get there, will you kiss the dead for me?]

Sachi: Whoo! I can't even tell you how long this took… I need more inspiration!