Chapter 11? Are you kidding me? Woooah! Achievement dude! Achievement!
The sun is bright. Actually it seems to shine brighter than any other rare sunny day here. Despite the warmth it brings, cold wind would make the temperature balance, enough for people to enjoy the weekend. Sundays are somewhat the best time for families to enjoy the company of each other after a long work of 6 days for parents, and 5 days of school for the children. The parks are crowded with families, and group of friends who are obviously happy with each other's company. Couples walking hand in hand with ice cream and cotton candy on their free palms, smiling like this is the happiest day in their life with their lovers. I smile to myself as I see the happiness of Sunday. For a few minutes now I'll be as happy as they are as well.
I remember Arthur asking me a question that caught me off guard.
"Why aren't you wearing any shoes?"
"Oh uh… Well.. I saw you on the street and then I had to make sure it was you and so I ran and the shoes somehow slipped off and well tada! Thanks for letting me know."
And so the next day I remember asking Gilbert for shoes…
"What do you need'em for?"
"Let's just say I realized how awesome you look in those and thought maybe it would fit me as well?"
That worked. Awww yeah!
As I soar the sky, I hear the cooing of pigeons to my sides. For some reason I find myself in the middle of their group and enjoying their company. As the heavy wind blows I steady my wings and let myself be carried and I feel as light as my feathers. The pigeons do the same and I chuckle at them when they even follow me as I descend a little lower, catching the top of the condominium Arthur's staying at.
As I near a little more, I glide sideways, waving goodbye to the birds who had kept me company on my trip here a bit late in the morning. A loud coo is what I get as a response and I laugh. Birds are such amazing creatures, aren't they?
I stop at Arthur's big glass window (as always) on the living room which he has left open. I peek in, entering half of my body as look for any signs of him. I hop inside fully. My wings folding close and becoming invisible automatically as soon as my feet touched the carpeted floor. Not a sound can be heard though, but I know he's here. Someone as responsible as Arthur will never leave the windows open even if his home is 42 floors above the ground. I take the liberty to hop inside and look for him. Usually in weekends like this I would find him sitting quietly on the soft L-shaped couch, sometimes he's lying on his back, and on his hands is a thick book which is half-way open already. Then an atmosphere of 'do-not-disturb me is enveloping him. If no reading, the T.V. would be open and he would be either drinking tea, or sleeping. T.V. bores him, I can say.
Just last Sunday, I caught him sleeping on the couch with half of his body close to falling off. I had to push him gently back then. Then I ended up watching T.V. with a sleeping Arthur and well, I waited for him to wake up before going out the door and ringing the doorbell.
Anyway, where is he now? The kitchen's empty too. He's not into cooking trials for now.
Maybe he's in his room? I quietly walk towards his bedroom door and stick my ear on it, hoping to catch the slightest of sounds. When I heard none, I open the door as gently and slowly as possible. He might be inside sleeping or just relaxing on his bed. I can't just barge in and scare him and let him think it's the wind that opened the door.
I peek inside, my head first and let my eyes move around. The bed is neatly arranged and the light is turned off. The glass window on his room is open as well and the loose thin curtains fly with the constant breezes of the wind. I welcome my whole body inside and shut the door close carefully without any sound. Where is Arthur? I decide to sit down on his bed. It's so soft like you're sleeping on pure cotton. I let my back fall and my body slightly bounces. I giggle like a child at the moment. I wonder if Arthur does this too? There's this childish part of him and I had seen it quite a few times. I close my eyes, arms laying by my sides. I inhale deeply and the scent of roses fills my nostrils. So very Arthur… I smile and open my eyes again. Then it roams around Arthur's room. It has been a long while since I had been inside here and I never really get to observe properly since Arthur of course would be stealing the view away from my sight, and my eyes would focus on him.
Little rays of the sun enter from the window and touches Arthur's glasses which is why I notice it. Since he left it here he must be somewhere around his home. He always wears those glasses and removes them only when he sleeps or takes a bath. How weird for me to know that huh? I take the glasses and open them, raising them on angle in front my eye. I wonder how it's like to wear this thing on? With a bit of hesitation I slip them on my face. Whoa, everything's a blur! I can't see clearly, and for some reason the whole place seems a lot bigger. It's like I'm looking on a super magnifier thing. I stand up and take a step while looking at my feet with each step I try to take and balance myself. Little by little I walk in circles and then I laugh. How weird is that? I think I feel a little dizzy walking in circles with a very complicated sight. Is Arthur's sight really that bad? I sigh and take the glasses off, wiping them with my clean shirt and folding them back to where they were before just beside the medium sized picture frame.
I lean closer. Arthur wasn't able to show this to me yet. The sun is making the glass shine so I just take it in my hands to have a better look.
I could tell who's who on the picture, though not all of them. There are five people and the three at the middle from left to right is Peter, Arthur, and then Scott who seems to enjoy the moment. It's the first time I see Scott have a very wide and carefree smile on his face. Arthur as always smiles so innocently and sweet. Peter looks like the happiest person on the world. They look very young in here. Probably 7 years ago?
There are two other people behind the three of them. A man and woman who both have blonde hair. The man has blue eyes, they're like mine, only darker. His hair is all messy just like the three siblings. His eyebrows are kind of thick too but doesn't make him look bad. And he's smiling at the camera casually, one hand on Scott's shoulder. The woman who's holding Peter's head as if forcing him to face the camera has the same sweet smile as Arthur. Bright emerald eyes shining with happiness too. Her long blonde hair is being carried by the wind. What a perfect timing. She looks like the female version of Arthur.
Are they their parents?
With the big similarities I could tell that they are. I notice small numbers below the picture… 10/14/1994… No wonder it seems a little old. The shot was taken last 7 years ago.
The picture is overflowing with happiness. The perfect family, one may say for it really seems to be perfect. It's just an old picture with 5 people smiling, unmoving, and yet just by looking at it you could feel your heart beat lighter and it's like you're part of the picture and you could feel whatever it is that these people are feeling. I smile and then I sigh. What a wonderful family Arthur came from. For him to smile so carefree like that, and so sweet. That smile from years ago which is rarely seen now. Scott and Peter's also. I want to know more about them, especially about Arthur. What really happened back then? What made Arthur lose his sight and Scott to act grumpy and over-protective towards his siblings. I can feel it, there's something. I want to ask Arthur but I'm not sure how he will react. I can't afford to see his frowning face. I grip the frame tighter as I look at it more.
I suddenly hear loud footsteps and a door closing making me stand up and place the picture back on the table very quickly. I jog to the door and press my ear on it just like minutes ago and yes there are indeed footsteps. Arthur's here, I'm right. Maybe he was just on the bathroom when he was gone? I don't really know. Then the sound of the T.V. shatters the silence of his home and his footsteps seem to sound fainter, indicting he is nowhere near this door right now. Slowly I open it and peek to make sure he's not somewhere near here. I see him, his back facing me while he does or prepares something on the kitchen. I close the door again and walk towards the open window of his room. I glance back at the picture and smile. Then I jump, my wings feeling the warm sun again together with the cold air. It's really a nice day.
Off to the main door!
Arthur smiles at me and hands me the cup of coffee he made especially for me. "I hope it's to your liking." He says and I smile a brighter smile at him as he leaves again, I guess to make himself his favourite tea and prepare the scones he bought at his favourite café and bakery a few blocks from here. He always tells me about how good the food and beverages are in the particular shop. I would love to actually go with him there, and he asked me once before but I refused much to my own disappointment. It's for the better anyway. I just tell him I'm better of spending time alone with him and drinking the coffee he always makes for me. It is also a lot quieter than the world outside his home.
He comes back immediately still with his sweet smile on his face. It never left I think. He sits comfortably beside me as he takes a sip from his cup with gracefulness I had always admired. Tea does make him relax, I can see that just from his shoulders and soft breathes after drinking it.
"So, you're here again." He slowly brings down the half empty cup on the table and looks at me.
"Of course…" I chuckle and bring my arms around his shoulders. "Can't afford to have you miss me too much." He laughs. Such sweet laughter. We both laugh and he leans on my shoulder as the soft laughs die.
"Who said anything about missing you?"
"Nothing's needed to be said. Quite obvious ya 'know."
He raises a brow. "Obvious that I miss you?"
"Yup." I nod my head and then place it carefully on top of his own. The smell of shampoo lingers. "You wouldn't be cuddling with me now if you didn't."
And then he pulls away, moves at the other end of the couch and crosses his arms. "Fine then. I'll sit straight like this and watch T.V. like this, far away from you like this."
I laugh at him. His childish and cute side showing again. "I doubt you'll last 5 minutes without sticking close to me."
"I doubt your idea."
"Wanna bet?". He turns his head to look straight at me with interest. "If I win, I get a kiss from you. If you win, I'll be in charge of cleaning the whole week…." I say with overflowing confidence and look at him with challenging eyes and he looks at me just the same with a smirk on his face. "So, what now?"
"I'm on. 5 minutes is nothing."
"Time starts now then."
"Time check, 2:25." He glances at the wall clock above the T.V. and I nod my head. 5 minutes… Now I need to plan on something within minute. A plan on how to get him sticking close to—
"Okay I lose!" My thoughts are shattered at the sudden loudness. I turn my head from the clock to look at him and I am surprised by meeting his face only a few inches from mine. I grin.
"It wasn't even a minute yet."
"Can't you just be happy that you won?" He rolls his eyes and I laugh, suddenly pushing him to lie on his back causing him to gasp from surprise. I hug him very close to me.
"I won."
"Yeah git. You won."
I lay my head on his chest and look at the clock."Time check, 2:25 and 20 seconds." He doesn't say anything but I could feel his heavy breathes escape him. "I won." And then I prop myself up with my elbows supporting me. "My prize?"
He instantly flushes pink but again he doesn't say anything. He bites his lips and looks at me.
And slowly he reaches up, his hands pulling me back down with our foreheads touching. I smile at him and he smiles back. "I love you…" I whisper to him.
"I…"
What was that?
"I… Alfred…"
Arthur? Why can't I hear him clearly?
"Alfred…"
"I.. Alfred."
"Alfred…"
Arthur?
"ALFRED!"
Pain suddenly crawls on my both cheeks and I find myself face to face with Arthur though it's not the same smiling and flustered face anymore, rather he's looking a bit concerned and somewhat looking at me like I'm a very weird guy. "Hi Arthur!" I smile brightly.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing." Except that I just imagined you and I feel embarrassed by myself right now. I feel like banging my head on the floor, geez brain! What is wrong with you brain?
"Nothing my arse." His fingers pinches my cheeks some more and I gasp. He lets go with an unconvinced face and walks away towards the kitchen. I touch my cheeks. I bet they're really red right now for various reasons. "I was asking you what fruit shake you want. Or would you like coffee again?"
"Oh… You have uuh.." Think of a fruit, think of a fruit… "Coconut?"
He turns to face me and crosses his arms. "You clearly weren't listening to me. I told you a while ago I have mangoes, strawberries, a big watermelon here. Which do you want or do you prefer coffee?" I bite my lips with the way he speaks. It is like I'm being scolded by a mother. Not that I had one.
"Strawberry please." I say shyly.
"Finally an answer." He turns around with a sigh. I hear the sound of him chopping the fruits so I stand up to help. I feel kind of bad and guilty for having such a cheesy imagination. I mean, seriously? A bet? Missing missy? What is wrong with my brain? Hah.
"Need help?" I pick one strawberry and take a look closely as I play with it with my fingers.
"I can manage." He mutters. "Anyway, what were you thinking about?"
"Eh? Oh, nothing much."
The slicing stops and he looks at me. I really feel like he's my mother now. Well that's a cute thing too and what if—Damn I really need to stop thinking and imagining weird things.
"You really are weird." He chuckles. And here I thought I had him pissed off. "I'm not going to force you to tell me don't worry." He continues cutting the strawberries and place them in a bowl before getting some more to slice. I decide to eat the piece I'm holding, tossing it in the air and catching it with my mouth. As my teeth bites the fruit, the sweet juices fill my whole mouth but it's not enough to let my lips smile. I look at Arthur who is now placing the strawberries on the blender and adding some sugar on it. Then my brain reminds me of that cheesy fantasy again. I still can't believe I happen to form that on my mind. Though I do hope Arthur just pinched my cheeks minutes more. I mean, we were about to kiss! It was the godliest part!- I'm thinking about weird kissing Arthur… Damn I'm hopeless.
"You're spacing out again Alfred." I look at Arthur again and let out an awkward laugh. He isn't looking at me though. He just continues on preparing those fruit shakes.
"I wanna ask you something." What? No you don't Alfred! What are you going to ask anyway? For him to kiss you? It's a freakin' fantasy! Duh duh duh? "Are you like, dating now? You know…" Safe. Wait.. What the hell?
"Huh? What is with that so suddenly?"
"Oh, you know…" What? You know what? "I might uh, be disturbing you and your supposed to be dating hours…" I honestly don't know where these questions are coming from.
The sound of the blender takes over the silence. He doesn't answer right away. Am I right? Am I a bother? Just thinking about it.. Oh gosh just thinking about it…
"No. I'm not seeing anyone." I look up at him and I see him smiling at me. "So you don't need to worry about that silly."
Okay that's a good thing. Now for the next question I will dare ask since I'm on this asking thing already. "Well, do you have someone you like… love?" I gulp. He returns back to the shake again. Now stopping the noisy blender and pulling the plug off.
"Well… That's a pretty normal thing is it not?" He speaks as a matter of factly. I feel like I've been shot by a million small thorns right now. Why do I always ask stupid questions? "Does this person know?" He shakes his head as he wipes two tall glasses. The casual smile still there.
"Yeah… I actually have someone too and he doesn't know..."
"Why don't you tell him? You're good-looking Alfred."
"He said he likes someone else."
"Oh… " Arthur looks at me with understanding eyes. "Then we're pretty much the same then."
I watch him in silence as he pours the cold drink on the first glass careful not to spill anything. I lean on the kitchen counter with my elbows supporting my face.
"Hey Arthur… Why do you like that person?" He pauses and looks at me. Then he smiles again as he places the glass pitcher down and hands me the glass.
"Well… Let's just say he makes me happy an awful lot." He chuckles and serves himself with his own drink as he leans on his back on the sink. "And I feel special when he's around. Actually he's one of the reasons I wanted my sight to return. Seeing him is enough..." He looks and smiles at his drink as if it is that person he likes. I can't help but feel jealous and I can't do anything about it.
"I see…"
"Well how about you?" He takes a sip. "Why do you like him?"
"Ah…" I smile truthfully. If he only knew… "He makes me happy… Just his genuine smile makes me smile and it completes my day." Just like now… "And this is the first time I ever felt like this you know? After all these… years." You know? You know that Arthur? "I'll literally die for him." When I look at Arthur again he is looking at me like he is surprised or shocked to hear what I just said. I chuckle. "It's true. I'll really do you know."
He takes a few gulps of his drink and I think I could hear every swallow he makes. When he places the glass away from his lips, it's already half empty. "Lucky person…" He says in some kind of a whisper. "He doesn't know what he's missing." With that he drinks the rest of his drink all the way down to his throat and I stand there watching him empty the glass up. Is he really that thirsty?
"Bloody hell…" He places the glass down on the sink with a soft clink and rubs his forehead.
"Hey, you alright?" I leave my own shake on the counter and walk towards him.
"Brain freeze." He chuckles but he frowns again. "I shouldn't have drank like that."
"Yeah… Are you really that thirsty?"
"Not really." He lifts his head and our eyes meet. "I just think it's cool?"
"Silly." I mess with his hair and we both laugh.
Happy, happy Sunday…
Yeah… This is a nice day. Nice enough. This will do. I'm enjoying the day, laughing with him and basically enjoying the day…
Maybe it would have been a perfect day if I kept my mouth shut though…
.
.
.
He doesn't know what he's missing…. Huh?
Well he's missing you, you…
...you...
...
...
...you damn lovely Brit!
There! Gah I can't believe this is going to reach this far... yes this is really far for me. When teachers ask me us to write stories, my best work is half a page... HALF A PAGE! And this! wohoo!
I read the last chapter of this fic...aaah noo it's no good! So this is to make up for it wohoo! *The cat is locked in my room so.. yeah!* For the record I did his with a flying cockroach... O.O I hereby congratulate myself. :D
