Alfred stared blankly at the ceiling of his room, watching the slow trek of that spider he'd tried to kill earlier as it headed toward the cracked-open window. He'd been lying in the same place on the bed for the several hours since Arthur had left, his listless stare tired and unfocused.

The rest of the trip had been uneventful after that Francis guy had left. They'd eaten in relative silence, because Arthur was still fuming from Francis's little visit, and Alfred found himself for once drawing a blank on what to say. He hadn't ended up finishing his burger either, because it had tasted oddly bland. They'd gone home and finished up Alfred's homework, and Arthur had left shortly after, much to Alfred's disappointment.

Was it odd that he hadn't thought Arthur had any friends? Well, no, now that he thought about it, Arthur had told him several times that he didn't want any. So it wasn't all that strange that he'd been surprised. Although Alfred still couldn't really imagine Arthur hanging out with that pretentious tool, sitting next to him during class, smiling at him, laughing with him, his green eyes lighting up the way they would when he was with Alfred…

…was it weird that thinking about it made his chest hurt? What about the hot, bubbling, angry feeling in his stomach that he couldn't quite place, was that weird too? Were these normal feelings for humans to have? He sat up, these questions passing sluggishly through his mind as he sighed to himself. Maybe there was something weird in his burger. Or he was getting sick or something.

On a completely unrelated note, there was something Alfred definitely didn't like about that Francis guy. Aside from his, um, personal space issues with Iggy (lol seriously why didn't Arthur like that nickname?) he seemed sort of like a snooty jerk. Why would Arthur want to hang out with such a creepy guy anyway?

Alfred frowned, finally hopping to his feet to slip into the next room. His homework was still strewn across the table, his copy of Romeo and Juliet lying on top. He smiled slightly at the tattered book. The play was impossible to figure out, but it was starting to grow on him. Maybe Arthur's enthusiasm was starting to rub off on him.

He couldn't help but laugh slightly at the words 'Arthur' and 'enthusiasm' used in the same sentence, in his mind seeing his friend's smile as he rambled on about pentagramic iambeter, or whatever it was. As unusual as it was to see Arthur happy, Alfred could help but find himself grinning back. Arthur was just so…

…so…

…cute? Alfred blinked, trying to decide if that word fit. Arthur, being cute? That…no, that wasn't right, was it? Why would Arthur be cute? That entire thought process made no sense. Because Arthur was a guy. And mean and sarcastic. And Alfred definitely wouldn't find a guy like that cute in any way, especially one with huge eyebrows and a constant scowl and messy gold hair and vivid green eyes that Alfred couldn't help but stare at whenever their eyes met and—

Ack, brain, stoppit!

Alfred conked himself on the head angrily, trying to rid himself of these strange thoughts. What the fuck, dude, he told himself. That is not right…

Alfred sat there for a minute or two, trying to clear his head, the palm of his hand still pressed against the side of his head in frustration. After accomplishing absolutely nothing, he did the only other thing he could think of to distract himself. Namely, bothering Kiku.

He pressed the redial button (no one else called him and he didn't actually know what his number anyway) and waited for a few seconds. Kiku usually picked up fairly quickly, and today was no exception.

"Alfred-kun, are you feeling okay?" Kiku questioned him as he picked up his phone.

Alfred blinked, startled that Kiku was already wondering what was going on. "What? Me? I'm fine, totally. Why wouldn't I be, man?"

Kiku replied, "You were acting sort of odd, just a second ago."

"U-Um, what, no I haven't. You're totally imagining things. I-I mean, I mean what about you? Are you feeling alright today, since you're imagining things? Maybe you're the one acting weird, huh? Didja ever think of that?"

"…um…no?" He replied weakly.

"Well—Well exactly! Maybe I'm the one acting normal and you're the one acting weird. You think of that? Well I thought not."

There was a long pause as the both of them tried to decipher the long stream of consciousness that had just left Alfred's mouth. Finally, Alfred blurted, "Kiku I think I'm going crazy or something."

"…I'm not sure if 'going' is the right word…"

"I keep thinking about weird stuff and I can't—hey!" He stopped indignantly.

"S-Sorry," Kiku stammered. "U-Um, maybe you are getting sick? Sometimes demons are effected by, um, 'climate' differences between Earth and Hell. Did this start during your date with Arthur-san?"

Alfred froze. "W-W-Whoa, hey, what? Date? D-Dude, it wasn't a—w-we're not a—why the heck would it be a date?" He managed stammer, suddenly feeling his face reddening.

"What?" Kiku sounded startled. "Oh, g-gomen'nasai, I just thought….I just assumed that you…never mind."

Alfred groaned, leaning back against the couch. "I mean, seriously, why would me and Arthur be dating, I don't even like him that way, come on dude…"

"Well, you are pretending to be a human, sometimes things like that will help you blend in," Kiku told him. "You do not necessarily need to…like him…Other demons usually wouldn't…"

Alfred paused, thinking about that statement. It's true, that's how msny demons operated. Well, that's how almost all demons operated. Maybe he could pretend to go out with Arthur. Would that accomplish anything? He closed his eyes, imagining if he and Arthur were together. He'd seem pretty human, he supposed. It's be easier to look for that angel if he didn't need to pretend as hard. And he and Arthur would go on date,s and hold hands and Alfred could press his lips against Arthur's—

"Alfred-kun, are you still there?"

Alfred snapped out of that daydream quickly. "W-What? Yeah, sorry." He coughed nervously, scratching at the back of his head. "H-Hey Kiku?" He asked. "Um…is it possible for demons to fall in love?"

"…what?" He could almost see Kiku's confused frown in his mind. "Uh, no."

"You sure?" Alfred continued. "'Cause I mean I…" He trailed off, trying to figure out what to say. "…well, um…okay, so I've been doing a bit of soul-searching—"

"Alfred-kun, demons do not have souls."

"Shut up," he muttered dryly. "I just mean I've been thinking a lot…and I just…I mean, are you sure, Kiku? Y'know, 'cause…" He trailed off, finding himself unable to finish his sentence.

There was a long pause. Alfred swallowed nervously, pulling the phone away slightly to double-check that Kiku was still there. Finally, Kiku answered, "I do not believe so."

Alfred nodded slowly, unsure why he felt so disappointed about that. "Haha, yeah, you're right, dumb thought," he mumbled, tucking his hand into his pocket. Besides, he would be a pretty shitty demon if he ended up falling for a human. Come on, Alfred, think about this stuff, he told himself, shaking his head.

And somehow, the thought of kissing Arthur popped back into his head.

He flinched, hitting his head again, face flushing. Damn it, get outta my head, Artie," he thought furiously. "I mean, seriously, I definitely wouldn't date him…"

"It wouldn't be horrible if you did, as long as you don't do anything dangerous," Kiku told him quietly, hoping to make him feel better.

Alfred jumped, and only then realized he'd finished his thought out loud. "Never mind it's not that big a deal," he replied quickly. "It's a stupid idea anyway right? I mean…it's dumb…" He laughed nervously. "Y'know, I think I forgot to, um, write my name on my history homework I'll call you back later or something bye." He hung up and tossed the phone onto the table before Kiku even realized what he'd said.

He sighed, thinking hard. Dating Arthur…

Alfred flopped sideways onto the sagging couch cushions and shut his eyes, that vague thought still drifting through his head…

…

Arthur sat in silence as he gazed at the cityscape from his perch atop his building, his wings stretched out behind him. It was his favorite spot, because he was completely secluded from the rest of this miserable world he called home. Well, okay, he didn't consider this place home. That word was exclusively reserved for his real home. The one in Heaven.

He folded his arms together, watching his own breath rise in mists from his mouth as he breathed the crisp air, eyes gazing toward the sun sinking on the horizon. That was one perk about Earth; it got a much better view of the sunset than Heaven did.

He shut his eyes, wishing his height could distance him from the noise of the city, sirens and cars and that faint, ever present din from farther into the city. That was something he could live without. There were plenty of things Arthur could live without. The smog and the noise and the people on the streets were mosquitoes, constantly biting him, buzzing in his ears. Honestly, he could only think of one other perk to living in such an irritating place.

He smiled slightly to himself, recalling his second perk's goofy grin…

He shook his head slowly, trying to force his usual scowl back onto his face, but eventually just giving up with an amused sigh. It was amazing how used to Alfred's silly quirks Arthur had become. He would almost call them endearing (if he hadn't known Alfred would never let him live it down if he did).

He hadn't done very much since he'd left Alfred's house. He'd tried to be productive, he really had, but this demon was giving him nothing to go on. No path of destruction to follow, no murders or explosions. If it's lying in wait for a good time to strike, then it damn well better hurry up, Arthur thought bitterly. Really, demons usually weren't this stealthy.

…Except for when they were searching for something…

He frowned slightly as that thought passed through his mind. Of course, this notion had been plaguing his mind for weeks now. He hadn't mentioned it to Francis earlier, though, because he already knew what it was searching for. Because the only thing of interest for miles around was the Angel currently sitting on his rooftop.

Distain creasing his brows, he sighed again. He'd been contemplating how to lure it out of hiding, but his only real plan involved revealing himself as an Angel, which would certainly give the demon the upper hand. He could obviously set a trap, but the risk, coupled with the problem of revealing himself and thus ruining his disguise, made the plan seem fairly irrational.

He let his eyes open again, startled to see that the sun was already beneath the horizon, and the sky was already transitioning to an inky black. He stood up, stretching his arms and his wings as he strode purposefully toward the rusting door leading back into the building. A few years ago he'd found the old key leading up here. He hadn't mentioned it to Francis out of spite (they'd lived in the same building for a short period of time before Francis left, and good god did that prick make it difficult to live near him), but he still snuck up here often.

I wonder if Alfred would find it cool, he wondered idly, slipping through the door as quietly as the rust would allow as he pulled his jacket back over his wings. Maybe if he comes over I should show it to him. I wonder if he'd be willing to hang out again next week. Maybe we could get something other than burgers, like some scones or something. Or dinner.

"I was going to mention, that is quite the catch you've got there." Francis's voice rang in his ears. He scowled slightly, feeling his face warming even through the numb from outside. Why did that statement bother him so much? It was just Francis, he said idiotic things like that to everyone. Especially when he saw someone attractive, like Alfred.

Not that Alfred was attractive. Because he wasn't.

…a-alright, he is attractive, Arthur admitted to himself, unlocking his front door with a weak smirk. But he's still an obnoxious prat.

He strode inside, shutting the door and tossing his jacket aside, smirk still on his face as he slipped into his bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. Why was he even thinking about this? Alfred was straight, so Arthur had no chance even if he wanted to (which he certainly didn't). Why would he care whether or not Alfred and he were dating? The thought probably hadn't even crossed Alfred's mind.

Arthur sighed, lying back on the mattress. Stop thinking about him, he told himself. Focus on that demon. Worry about it, not him. Focus on going home.

But then you won't see him again…

Arthur froze, lying on the bed for about a minute. He sat up, that thought beginning to sink in. It was true, he wouldn't see Alfred after he went home. Francis hadn't seen his friends since he left just over a year ago. Angels couldn't keep in touch.

He wouldn't see Alfred again…

I wanted to post this yesterday but there was a spider on my chair.

Like, a really big spider.

Anyway, chapter hooray managed to finish. If only my essays turned out as well as these. *sigh*

Hope everyone likes it, even when it gets kind of rambly. And sorry it kinda ends abruptly, I just wanted to finish in case I don't get the chance the rest of my busy weekend.