Note: This is the second to last chapter so sorry about the events occuring in it and shall try to treat you all in the next chapter! Thankyou all for sticking with me through this, I probably would've deleted it if it wasn't for the reviews and favourites and followers during my time of inactivity. It's a little short, but whatever; it's pretty much like all of the other chapters.

Late July. The transfer was almost finished and so was school. Yet, Arthur was far from scared until his boyfriend skipped school on the last was curious to begin with and texted to ask where he was, but hours later he was still awaiting a response. It was rather unusual. Alfred always answered him fairly quickly and always had his phone switched on, so it was hard to believe that he hadn't been made aware of the message. In fact, thinking about it the American had seemed somewhat distant during that week. His responses tended to be short or quiet and it genuinely seemed as if he were thinking about something, although it was most likely that he was just having a quiet spell.

It was only when he heard the gossip about his boyfriend leaving a week earlier than planned that he began to panic. Just to check, he walked past the house that he was staying in to see that all of the curtains were drawn. He called the phone instead this time and finally got a response just before it cut off. "Arthur, it's best that you don't come to see me," he mumbled.
"Why?"
"I've spent the entire day packing and I hate goodbyes. So just forget it and I hope for the best for you." Tears formed in the corners of his eyes, and he hung up without an answer.

The walk home felt as if it lasted forever, yet he was too numb to sob or even let out a single tear for that matter. He held it together perfectly fine until he walked in through the front door and his mother asked how his day had been.

That was it; the trigger.

Arthur burst into loud sobs as he ran up to his room and buried his face in the pillow. He had indirectly been dumped by the only boy that he had ever fallen for properly, incidentally losing the respect from everyone he now knew at school. He didn't need to be a genius to know that they only spoke to him because he wasted around ten months of his life dating the most desirable jock in the school. His heart felt as if it had physically been torn in two, which was made obvious by his short, choked breaths between each sob. He hadn't had a boyfriend before, never even felt another's lips against his own until Alfred came into his life and now he was gone. Sure, he knew it was coming, but he never once thought that his first relationship would end in such a way.

And that was when the door opened. The Brit glanced up with puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks to see the boy that he loved so much but hated with everything he possessed. He flinched, and shuffled further onto the bed, his knees tucking to his chest. "I-I don't want your damn g-goodbyes," he stammered as his eyes searched for interest in the carpet. The American completely ignored his words and moved closer, before wrapping both arms around him in a tight embrace. Arthur desperately wanted to squirm out of the grip, but quickly found himself unable to do anything other than rest his cheek on him supposed ex boyfriend's shoulder.

"Look, Artie, I'm so sorry... I didn't mean for it to sound harsh but I don't want you to remember me with sad goodbyes." No answer. "I'm sorry for this week, too, but mom said to cut down on going all out so you won't get withdrawal from it and so you won't miss me as much." Again, no answer. "Arthur, I'm serious now. I'm completely, insanely in love with you but I'd rather get sport and physics done in uni first so I can get a good job and support us when we're together properly." Their eyes met for a long moment, very softly compared to the expected harsh glare, then their arms wrapped tight around each other.

"You won't hit on any Nebraskan girls or guys, will you? Not even visually unappealing ones?" Alfred let out a slightly hoarse laugh as he shook his head.
"Would you like to come to the airport with me though, just to be sure that I won't be flirting with everything and everyone?" Arthur stood, naturally knowing that the time to go would be approaching soon, and he let his eyes wander over the beautiful American before he finally nodded and allowed himself to be led towards it. The drive there was short yet neither the couple or the Brit's mother spoke, making it feel as if it were much longer. Hands clasped in a tighter as they got closer to the destination.

His mother stayed in the car as he helped Alfred with his luggage and helped him to find where he was going. His mind was gradually going blurry as they sat for a coffee, and the American ended up drinking both of the hot beverages. It wasn't long before it was time for him to leave and go towards the boarding area, so they walked up to the furthest possible point together before joining in a tight embrace and pressing their lips together one final time. The sadness was even noticeable in Alfred's eyes as they began to glaze over. "I-I love you Alfiebear," the Brit said in a choked whisper. He was brought into another tight embrace in response.
"I love you too, Arteddy." The American's voice broke before he could even get the first word out.

As he turned around to leave, the Brit panicked and quickly grabbed his shoulder in a semi-tight grip. "Marry me, Alfred," he instantly blurted, earning a shocked noise from some passers-by, who seemed to be unaware of the circumstances and likely thought that it was the most unromantic place to pop the question. Alfred seemed almost as shocked as he turned to look into the emerald eyes.
"Arthur," he started in an unusually quiet tone, "I want you to concentrate on your studies and a career, but I promise you that we'll talk whenever we're available and webcam every Sunday morning. Then when you get your degree, and I know for certain that you will, I'll pay for you to come and visit me, and we'll go to the most romantic place in the entire town, and I'll propose to you under the stars after the best date of your life. Just promise me you'll concentrate on studying and wait for me."

He gave a single nod, pressed his lips to his sort-of boyfriend's lips for a moment and weakly waved until he was completely out of sight. The walk back to the car with such a heavy heart made him feel sick, and once again he was alone.