My apologizes for many many things! 1) Not updating soon enough, 2) this being so long... 3) my writing going down the drain, 4) for not editing again before I update.
Thank you for reading and bearing with me! :')
Chapter Fourteen
Arthur was jealous. He didn't mind saying it, to himself that is, but his brothers suspected enough. After all, Alfred was his best man, not theirs. He was suppose to be helping him with the wedding preparations, but was off with Liam, Patrick, and James instead. The four of them would go drinking, to the gym together, watch TV at Arthur's home, and even go as far as going to work with the man!
Well the groom has had it. He pulled the lad away from his brothers to talk to him seriously in the kitchen. They didn't get far in the discussion for Michelle walked in just as Arthur was going to explain how he felt, abandoned. His feelings intensified when instead of her wrapping her arms around her future husband, she hugged Alfred instead while watching Arthur's jealous reaction. She saw it, but did not suspect it was directed at her. He wanted the to give the taller man the hug.
Wait, Arthur mentally stopped himself. Did I really just think that?
Whether he had or hadn't, he didn't ponder on it much.
"Alfie! I'm so glad you're here!" She grinned up at the taller man then at her groom. "Arthur's been so hostile since his brothers got here. Make him stop so he can be nice again."
Alfred winced at her touch, but went unnoticed by the two. "HAHAHA! Artie being nice, that's a tough one! But, you know, me being the hero and all, I'm sure I can do it by the time you come back from your dress shopping. Shouldn't you be leaving?" His inner thoughts were a lot less friendly, but he was a hero, therefore should not be thinking that way. Instead, he focused on Arthur's cute little scowl at the mention of his temperament. He seemed different for some reason, but he figured it must be the stress and his brothers like Michelle had suggested.
"I should! Thanks Alfie! I'll leave my groom in your capable hands!" She released him and hopped over to her betrothed. Michelle cupped his face and kissed him tenderly, maybe even hesitantly as if she was unsure of her action as he placed his hands on her hips and took in the kiss. "Please lighten up, Arthur. They're your brothers no matter what they do or say. It's been so long since they've seen their baby brother, that they don't remember how to love you. Now don't murder them, I'll see you all alive later."
Arthur smiled sadly, but with one glance at the idiotic look on Alfred's face, it changed into a full grin. The man's blue eyes were crossed and his lips puckered like a fish as he brought his hands to his cheeks to imitate its fins. Although Arthur saw it as a way to cheer him up, it was Alfred's true feelings. Al was only imitating what he thought of her kiss as, but was glad it brought a smile to the Englishman's face. He had missed that expression, but enjoyed new ones like embarrassment and panic. Arthur would blush with embarrassment at what they do or say and talk a thousand words a minute as he paced back and forth when his brothers discussed amongst themselves.
And talk between themselves they did often. The Kirkland brothers loved to reminisce about their little brother, each had stories to tell.
Apparently, as a little tot, Arthur had enjoyed cross-dressing and often stole Fiona's dresses. With the embroidery skills he was learning at the time, he would even add to the already cute dresses by ruffling them up even more or placing more ribbons on them. It had to be Alfred's favorite story, because not only could he imagine it, but Liam had taken pictures. Just as the elder brother extended his arm with the picture in hand, the adorable, blushing Brit tackled Alfred in his seat, landing on top of him. Because Alfred was bigger, he had no choice but to straddle him to put all his weight on his hands in order to cover his best man's crystal eyes.
Alfred swore he'd never forget that night. As much as he wanted to see the picture he enjoyed having Arthur's hands on him, even if they were only touching his eyes. That's why he didn't try so hard to remove them from him. He'd pretend to give it some effort, but let the Brit win for the time being. Liam had shown him the picture when Arthur wasn't around the day after.
For now, however, they had more pressing matters. "So what's up?" Alfred asked as soon as Michelle was out the door.
"Well, er...," Arthur really couldn't say what was on his mind. He couldn't just say, see, I'm a little jealous that you're hanging out with my brothers more than me. It may sound selfish, childish, and irrational, but I want you by my side only. It sounded silly, even in his head. So he chickened out. "I was just curious about the bachelor party. Did you say it would be right after our rehearsal lunch next week?"
"You excited, dude?" Alfred wrapped his arm around his love and led him towards the living room with his brothers watching a soccer match. "I can't wait to see you a little smashed!"
"Oh he'll be more than a little smashed!" Liam, a man with shocking red hair, laughed loudly. "Our baby brother cannot handle his alcohol no matter what he says! You should ask my missis. We met that night we took Artie for his first drink. The poor lass had to nurse us four. We had the mightiest hangover and Art here was missing his clothes!"
Another thing Alfred couldn't resist imagining as the four started to recount their side of the story. If he could have a peek of this wild side of the prim and proper Englishman, then Alfred could send the man off to his honeymoon in peace. If it wasn't for the party, Alfred would wish the day would be further away, but the days ran rather quickly for him.
~14~
"Take care of yourselves and each other," Mr. Kirkland senior clasped his youngest son's back. "I'm not going to your party for fear of having to care of you drunken lot. It's the worst babysitting duty in the world. Poor Kiku, you'll probably end up as the designated driver, and right after your flight right back from Japan. I hope you don't pass out from exhaustion."
Kiku lightly bowed, "Thank you for your concern, but I'll rest once the wedding is over. I wouldn't want to miss it." With camera in hand, he recorded Arthur slapping a muffin out of Alfred's hand as he was about to eat his 15th one.
"You git, you won't be able to fit into your suit tomorrow if you keep eating like that!"
"But I always eat like that Artie!" Alfred whined as he draped his arm around the smaller man and took a bite out of the cookie he grabbed instead.
Arthur rolled his eyes, but smiled. By now, he definitely knew Alfred could eat like that and not put on any weight. He looked away from his glutton of a best man and towards his father. "Do not worry, father. I have no intentions of being hungover. I plan on being sober all throughout these next few days. I wouldn't want to be in a haze during my wedding."
Liam, Patrick, and James smirked devilishly and picked this opportune moment to pick the two small men, Arthur and Kiku, up and drag Alfred out of the restaurant.
"Yeah right," Patrick, the strawberry blond, who carried the stiff Japanese laughed. "You can never resist rum and once you've had it, you can't stop until you pass out. All talk is what you do. This will be one night to remember! You better record it all, Kiku!"
Despite being carried by another man and embarrassed, Kiku kept filming every moment. The lens were trained on Arthur as he kicked, punched, and squirmed in his eldest brother's arms while Liam ignored him.
"See you tomorrow morning," he walked through the door followed by Patrick, then James who only had to tug on Alfred's shirt to get him to move. It wasn't like he even stood a chance on carrying the American.
"Take care of him!" Michelle yelled after them, but only received a wink from James as he excited with Alfred in tow.
A block away from the restaurant, Patrick finally released Kiku while Liam only handed Arthur off to Alfred. "Don't let him down. I have a feeling he'll make a run for it if he touches the ground."
"I would never leave my bride!" Arthur protested, but didn't fight as much in his best man's strong and ready arms. "Just set me down Alfred."
Liam had managed to steal Arthur's keys when in his arms and unlocked his vehicle with the remote when they reached the car. "Of course you wouldn't, but I wouldn't put it past you for skipping your own bachelor party. Do not set him down, Alfred, or all of your hard work planning this party will go to waste."
He nodded, but with a confused look on his face. "Yeah, but I didn't have anything planned until five. We have three hours."
"And I would not leave if Alfred really worked hard on it!" He defended himself.
Patrick smirked as he opened the passenger's seat. "Touching, but we're not risking it, and three hours are plenty."
"Eeh... how are we all going to fit in the car?" Kiku interrupted as he looked at the six men and the five seats.
Patrick grinned, "He told Alfie not to let Art go, didn't he?"
The Asian quickly swiveled in time to catch Arthur's face burn crimson and Alfred gulp on camera. This was priceless, and hopefully enough to stop Elizaveta from sending him irate, ranting emails. If he wanted his plan to work, he had to work alone. That meant having Elizaveta in the dark so the two men could discover their love for each other on their somewhat-slightly-tampered-with own. If she had known his plan, it might have leaked accidentally and possibly ruined it.
Everything, however, was going according to plan. Arthur looked comfortable, if not embarrassed, in Alfred's arms, but the two fit perfectly together. From what Kiku had observed during the rehearsal lunch, the two seemed to be in perfect sync with one another and were only a few steps away from realizing what a big mistake the wedding would be.
Arthur ducked down and whispered something in Alfred's ear as his brothers began to file into the car. Hoping Alfred would listen to reason, he told the law-abiding hero that he wouldn't be a hero if he broke the law.
"No worries Artie." Alfred grinned up at him for a change. His arms were wrapped around his waist and thighs, basically framing his butt- a fact he tried not to think too much about- making the Brit so much more higher. "Your windows are tinted so they probably can't see us and I wouldn't be a hero either if I let you miss out on the second most awesomest night of your life!"
"You leave me no choice lad," Arthur sighed before he ducked down and bit Alfred's shoulder.
He yelped in pain, but did not let go of the man. Arthur had only managed to slide down the other man's body. Now Alfred's arms enclosed around his slim waist. "Ow! Artie! Don't bite me!"
Kiku grinned as he kept recording. Elizaveta would most definitely forgive him.
The strong blond attempted to maneuver both of themselves into the car as Arthur began to fight back with more kicking, punching, squirming, and now bitting. If he kept this up, Alfred wouldn't be able to stop himself from being aroused. In a low and husky breath, he practically panted, "Please stop, Arthur," into his ear, sending shivers down the other man's spine.
Arthur settled down and began to inspect his hands while Kiku attempted to fit in. "Ano, sumimasen, but I do not think I will be able to fit." He voiced his idea out just as fast as he thought of it. "Maybe if Arthur sat a little more on Alfred, I could fit my overweight self in."
"What are you talking about?" The author tore his eyes away from his hands. "If anyone is overweight in here, it'd be Alfred here. He practically inhales McDonald's and you're so much more smaller than me!"
"Just move Arthur," Liam sighed. "The sex shop won't stay open just for you. If you don't hurry, we won't have the whole time!"
The three men's jaws dropped.
"We're going bloody where?" Arthur would definitely not move now!
"W-wa-wait, a sex shop?" Alfred didn't want Arthur to move any closer to him now.
"NANI?"
In the midst of Kiku's shock, he accidentally closed the door behind him and Liam took the opportunity to take off.
"Turn back around! I demand it! We are not going to... Why would we even need to go there?" Arthur couldn't wrap his mind around the thought.
Liam laughed so hard he had to rest his head on the steering wheel. "Oh Arthur, how else will you spend your honeymoon? Knowing you two, Michelle will probably bring her work with her and you'll write the whole time as well. With toys or videos, there's practically a guarantee neither of you will leave the-"
Arthur turned on Alfred lap facing his two blushing friends. "I cannot believe this! Please kill me now! James please! Stop them!"
Distracted, James turned away from the window. "Stop what?" When his little brother started to bump his head on the car's ceiling, he began to laugh as well. "Okay, okay. Don't get anything; just enjoy the ride and let us still lonely bachelors and Liam find something. You know Liam is only using this as an excuse so he can find new things to try out with his pregnant wife."
"If you lads only knew!"
"NO THANKS!" The car echoed.
"I'm joking, I'm only joking," the redhead whipped tears from his eyes as he tried to stifle his laughter and drive at the same time. Scaring and grossing his brothers out was his favorite pastime for a reason. The reactions they came up with was enough to keep him in spirits for a week or two. "Relax. We're taking our fruity little brother out for a soothing day at a spa. Then we'll get crazy-shit drunk at that kiddie-bar Alfred had planned."
"Guys!" Alfred whined as he failed at covering Arthur's ears in time. His hands only made it to Arthur's shoulders, where they dropped and remained in a half embrace. "It was supposed to be a surprise. And it's not kiddish! It's totally cool! They have a bar," the Kirkland brothers mused in accord, "karaoke," Kiku perked up, "pool tables, poker tables, and even a cool-ass lazer tag area! We're going to have so much fun!"
Patrick turned from the passenger's seat to just stare at the American, but it was James who asked, "Alfred? How old are you?"
"Twenty-two in about two days!" Alfred smiled, but it was not his typical one. Possibly the saddest Fourth of July and birthday in the history of human kind. God, I'm going to need to get drunk off my ass just to make it... Maybe Gilbert and Ludwig will join. They love a good beer or two... or five or however many I need to forget.
Arthur barely caught that look; it was laced with sadness, and he didn't quite understand it. It didn't look right. Not on him. He wanted nothing more than to place his hands on cheeks and pinch them into the obnoxiously annoying, completely egotistical yet handsomely adorable, grin he loved to see so much. Alfred just wasn't really Alfred without his cheeky grin.
And he would have done just that if his idiotic of an older brother didn't stop suddenly at a stop light, sending him forward.
It was too quick for him to brace himself against the seat behind Alfred, or even know what to do. He had been reaching for his face when the lurch caused him to hug Alfred's head to his chest. His face met with the top of Alfred's head, filling his nose with his scent. The honey blond hair smelled earthly, of some sort of wood, but very comforting and appealing. Before he could pull away, however, Alfred wrapped his arms around him again and laughed into his ribcage.
The author's heart went into a frenzy at the vibration he felt ripple through him. It felt funny, both inside and out. "Alfred, let go you git!" Arthur attempted to pull away to make it go away. When it didn't work, he began tugging at the hair in between his fingers, but Alfred only attempted to burry his face further in, practically snuggling into him.
"No worries, Artie! I won't let you go flying though the window!" He continued to laugh for some unknown reason. "I'll be your seat belt!"
"Alfred! Let go!"
"No!"
"Alfred!"
"Never!"
"Really?" James stared at them along with his brothers and Kiku recording. "You're going to do this, children?"
"Well tell him to let go! You git! You're squeezing me!" Arthur smacked his captor's head.
"But then you could escape!" All of the smacks to his head seemed to go unnoticed.
"I promise I won't."
"Pinky-promise?"
"Now I wouldn't-"
"Pinky-promise?" He looked at him with eyes that gripped at the author's heart. Alfred almost looked heartbroken if his Artie wouldn't grant his this simple wish.
The two stared at each other for a while, oblivious to the looks they were receiving from those around them and camera rolling. That look of helplessness, a look he had come to know so well- yet hadn't come up with any defenses for it- had him cornered. Arthur bit his lip, "Fine."
"Woo! We're gonna have so much fun! And look! We're here!"
~14~
The six of them were separated once in the salon. None of them had expected it, but they really couldn't complain once they were being massaged. They were in pairs with the two elder brothers together and the groom and best man were with each other, leaving the odd pair of James and Kiku in a room together half naked. Neither of them truly minded, Kiku practically grew up with Arthur therefore with the other brothers as well.
That is why, when James asked, "Kiku, you're a woofter right?" he wasn't in the least bit offended.
"Well, uhm, bisexual actually," he peered at the dark blond, curious as to what he was getting at. He really doubted James was now starting to realized Kiku's orientation.
"Nn, yeah," James looked away, feeling uncomfortable, but relaxed in the masseuse's hands. "Do you... is Arthur also gay?"
Kiku attempted to keep a straight face, but his smile couldn't be held back. "Why do you say that? Did you think I was going to tell him I loved him?"
James blushed. "Sort of, but that was when we were kids..."
He didn't say anymore, but Kiku waited for him. The Japanese man knew James wasn't finished, especially since he kept glancing his way. After a few more silent moments, he encouraged James. "I do love Arthur, but more like a friend and even brother. It's not the same like..."
"Alfred," James quickly finished as he finally turned to look head on into Kiku's knowing eyes. "I think Alfred loves Art. I mean, not like your kind of love or mine, but actually in love. He looks at my little brother as if... as if he can't have him. Not completely. It's seems like he feels like do with...Michelle. But I don't know. God!" He turned away again, tensing up despite the talented hands on his back. Her hard work at taking the knots out of the man's back had gone to waste at his explosion.
He was stunned at the revelation. It had come out of nowhere.
After a few more moments, James continued with an explanation. "I shouldn't have, but I fell in love with Michelle a while back. I had talked myself out of it. At least, I thought I had, but when I saw how close-maybe too close- Arthur and Alfred had gotten, I began to hope. If those two do love each other, then maybe...? No, but I don't know about Arthur. He looks the same as he did with Michelle, but with Alfred, he's different somehow. Art's still stuffy and irritable, but he's also... softer? Happier?
"So I was wondering if you could tell, you know, if Arthur's gay as well. Has he told you anything? Does he love Alfred back? What about Michelle?" Hazel eyes peeked back at brown ones expectantly. "Does he even know about Alfred's feelings?"
"No he doesn't. Alfred had made me promise I wouldn't tell him anything. As far as I know, Arthur's straight, but I like to think he does love Alfred. That, however, could just be what I want to see. I am not one hundred percent sure of myself."
"Well then, what is your percentage?"
"Eighty-nine percent?"
"Then let's help them out!"
Kiku raised an eyebrow. "The wedding's tomorrow... and don't you think them being alone together, well semi alone, and half naked isn't doing anything to them now?"
James shivered. "I really don't want to think about it that way."
~14~
The bar was any young man's dream. It had all that Alfred had mentioned plus alcohol; the only thing that was missing from the paradise were the scandalous-clad women, but Arthur was actually glad of it. All his nerves had dissipated as he realized it would simply be a guy's night out. He even chuckled as his brothers' and Alfred's eyes gleamed at all the entertainment around them. And thanks to the soothing three hours before hand, the men were energized and ready to go for a game of laser tag and Arthur was ready for whatever was thrown at him
His other friends, mostly whom he had met through Alfred, had followed the anxious four into the laser tag locker rooms. They assigned themselves into teams of five, forming four groups.
"Don't worry, Artie!" Alfred patted the man a little too hard as he was adjusting his gear, sending him forward. "I won't let you die the night before your big day. I'll protect you!"
Arthur glared up at him, "I wasn't worried..., but I am now."
"Hey!" The American pouted as his best friend smirked.
They men went three rounds of games, with Arthur's and Alfred's winning two out of the three, before most of the men tried of the game. Alfred, Gilbert, Antonio, and the older Kirkland brothers continued an extra game before they found themselves with Francis playing poker.
Arthur had opted to follow Matthew and Kiku to the Karaoke section of the bar for a milder night. A night, that most of the guys didn't want him to have for some reason. That is why, a few hours later, Arthur found himself at a table with multiple alcoholic drinks scattered before him. Each of the guys had wondered over to the trio at some point in the night and bought him a drink as part of their gift.
Despite his initial worry and large temptation set before him, he was actually enjoying himself. There were lights, drinks, music, and friends scattered about. He hadn't really thought of this an ideal night before his wedding, but considering other hazardous possibilities, this was the best. At least there were no scantily clad women that Francis had begged for and his brothers had settled down...somewhat.
He could tell his brothers were beginning to get tipsy along with the other men. Arthur really didn't really want them to get out of hand, but knowing his brothers, if he tried to stop them now, the outcome would be worse, far worse. Instead, he sat back, listened to Kiku and Matt sing a few songs, and drank a soda while Matthew had some drink called a Maple Kiss and Kiku had a Neo-Tokyo waiting for them.
"Are you really drinking that?" The groom asked his friends once they sat down. "I mean it's practically glowing. You won't even eat any cake with those colors on it."
"It does look odd, but curiosity got the better of me and it's not that bad," he took another sip of the drink. "The real question however, is why are you not out there with your brothers-wherever they are now-, playing pool with Ludwig and Feliciano or playing poker with Francis and Alfred. You've been glancing at their direction often enough."
"I'm sure they'll teach you if you don't know how, eh" Matthew encouraged. "It's your 'last night as a free man' as Alfred puts it. You should be enjoying- Oh maple. It's strip poker. Al! Put your shirt back on! Excuse me." He scurried after his now shirtless brother surrounded by giggly women as his muscles moved and the young man grinned.
"He looks handsome with or without his shirt, doesn't he?" Kiku commented as he observed his friend watching the man across the room. "The women sure do like it. Maybe he'll bring one of them as his date for tomorrow."
Arthur shook his sandy blond locks. "No, he wouldn't. He already has his eyes on someone remember? I hope he brings her and woos her with his newly acquired dancing skills. I would really like to meet her." He practically boasted about the dancing lessons he gave the younger man.
"And if it's a him?"
He stiffened, but then relaxed and smiled. "Oh? Have you developed a crush on him Kiku? He is crush worthy, I must admit. Alfred gets along with men, women, and even children. You two would look... cute together." He turned to face his editor as he placed a hand on his forearm in a serious matter. "But I don't want you to get hurt. You where there when Al admitted he had his heart set on someone. Unless he's completely over her... or him as you put it, I can't encourage you to go after him."
Kiku looked back and forth between his friend's emerald eyes and found what he wanted to see. "Do not worry yourself. I am not crushing, as you put it, on Alfred. I honestly don't think I could handle all of his energy all the time."
At this Arthur laughed. "Someone's bound to take that responsibility off of Matt's hands. Look at the poor man struggling with such an oaf. Alfred's lover must be motherly and understanding, but firm, dedicated, but creative and energetic to keep up with the lad. Oh dear, let's go give Matthew a hand before their little spat gets out of hand. Patrick begins to pout like that before he goes into a drunken rampage. ...Has Alfred drank so much?"
"Hai," Kiku could not contain his smirk as he followed close behind. "I don't think he'd really be stripping if he wasn't somewhat intoxicated."
"Yeah right," Arthur scoffed. "The git looks for any chance he can get to showoff. You should have seen how he'd flex in front of Elizaveta." They had reached the poker table in time before Alfred reached for his belt. "Alfred. Should you really be causing such trouble for your brother?"
"I werz winning I sweah!"
"Oui, Al wa-"
The Englishman's glare ended Francis's defense of the drunken man. Emerald eyes pierced him, causing a shiver of fear, possibly even terror, to rip though his body. The Frenchman could only do what he did best; he took another swing of his wine and looked away. Only then could he hope to avoid the groom's fury, a better alternative than him running away completely. When Arthur directed that gaze at the American, he didn't shiver, but seemed to crumble under the stare.
Alfred's lip jutted out and trembled just as his eyes began to prick with tears. "I'm so sowwy, Awtie! I didn-"
"Arthur Kirkland! Where have you been young man?" Came a loud, thick, accented voice from across the bar.
"I want more beer lad! We need to celebrate the end of your chastity!"
"Art? Wheh ah ya? I miss you alreafy! How ya eben get engaged before meh?"
All three of the Kirkland brother stumbled towards their youngest brother from different directions and fell on him. With the three men's weight on the one man, there was no hope for him to remain standing. Arthur's legs gave out on him, sending them sprawling in the middle of the bar. Fortunately for the elder brothers, their fall was cushioned. Unfortunately for Arthur, he was the cushion. Arthur wheezed underneath their combined weight.
On the floor, James and Patrick giggled while the eldest and youngest groaned. They all laid motionless on top of the groom while he cursed and tried to wiggle out of their hold.
"I wanna join!" Alfred peered at the brothers on the ground before he too accompanied them.
"No!" Arthur attempted to yield the man, but failed. "Nononono-OOF!"
Kiku chuckled, but desperately wished he had recorded it. Alfred wouldn't believe how he's been unless he had real proof.
"Ack! I'm so sorry Arthur!" Matthew tugged on his brother, but like before, it had no affect on the man. "Al, get, up!"
"Shh, just enjoy the moment, chap," came a muffled response from one of the brothers.
"Okay! Moment is over!" The small, trapped blond exerted his strength, yet it wasn't good enough. "Get off you twits!"
Suddenly, the doors opened and a beautiful blond who Arthur loved to call sister-in-law strode in with her high heels clicking menacingly. "Liam! Patrick! James! In my car now! Party time over. I don't want to hear about your hangover tomorrow morning before the wedding so we're going now before you get even more drunk. Same goes for you two, James and Pat."
The men didn't have to be told twice. They scrambled up in drunken fear at the woman and did as they were told like obedient little children. Liam, the last to get off the floor, draped himself over his wife, not as terrified by her potential wrath. "You know I love your right?"
"Car. Now. Sweetie," her hazel eyes gave him no room for discussion. Whipped and throughly drunk, Liam followed his others with his tail between his legs as his wife helped Arthur up even with Alfred still attached. "I hope they didn't give you too big of a headache. I would have been here sooner to relieve you of them, but you know, being in America, not knowing my way, and driving on the wrong side of the road can slow a woman down. Well sweet dreams, young one. We'll see you bright and early tomorrow."
With that, she swiveled on her heel and excited with just as much as attention as she entered.
"Nice laday," Alfred's eyelids drooped closed, resting his chin on Arthur's shoulder.
"Al!" Matt swatted him.
"She really is, but she's the perfect combination of tough and gentle, a perfect match for Liam...," Arthur chuckled. "Possibly too perfect of a match."
"Is dat jeawousbly I heah?" Al mumbled as he fought to opens his eyes. "Well, yah know wah? You shouldn' 'cause I-"
"That's enough Alfred, let's go home," his brother saw a moment of weakness in Alfred's stance and tugged at him, loosening him from his grip on Arthur. "I think we've had enough."
Kiku and Arthur nodded, but were held back by a forgotten Frenchman's grasp. "One more drink, mon cher. Your lazt drink az a zingle man. I 'ave already ordered an Anime Freak, a Bootlegger Tea, a Texas Apple Delight, and a Maple Kizz for Mathieu, you wouldn't leave moi alone would you?"
Said Man stopped in his tracks at the drink's name. "Well..."
"Awrigh! More drinks!" Al stumbled over to Francis with Matthew in tow.
"No Al! No more for you!"
"But-"
"I'll let you have your drink with the frog," Arthur took Alfred from Matthew's hold. "I'll drop him off at your apartment, lad."
An exaggerated sigh escaped Francis's lips. "LIam waz right I zuppoze. Arthur juzt can't, how you say, 'chug it down' anymore."
He knew it was a ploy. He knew Liam would never say that or even give the Frenchman any ieas... right? Yet the temptation was too large to handle. Just one glass and he'd be out of there and into his bed to await his wedding morning. Prove that frog wrong and get him to shut up. He could do it. It was too simple. One drink wouldn't do him any harm.
The Englishman walked over to the drink, drank it, then slammed it down before his neighbor. He smirked down at him lopsidedly, but frowned immediately at the woozy effect. Arthur has had worse, but the drink educed movement of the room was enough to make him sway in the slightest. "There. We're going now. Be there on time Francis, or don't go at all. Just don't ruin Michelle's big day. Good night."
"And good luck," Alfred giggled, brining a smile to Arthur's lips.
"Yes, that is how I say it on air, don't I?" He spoke to the man as if he were a child. And in his drunken state, he supposed Alfred was just a child inexperienced at drinking. "Are you coming Kiku?"
Kiku waved his and, "No. I will stay with Matthew to make sure he gets home safe."
"Great idea. We can't leave him alone with that thing," Arthur nodded approvingly. "I'll see you bright and early tomorrow then."
With that, the two left the trio drinking and time alone for the groom to lecture his intoxicated best man. Surprisingly, Alfred took it all without saying a word back at him. The twenty minute ride to the Jones's place was filled with mini rants that came into Arthur's mind, but the man failed to notice the other's tears. It wasn't until he killed the engine that sniffling was heard.
"Alfred? Are you alright?" Arthur directed Al's face towards him.
"No!" He ripped his head away from him so he wouldn't see his waterworks. "Th-this wasn' how it waz suppose ta been."
"There, there," the elder man ruffled Al's honey locks before he slapped his hand away.
He pouted, "No! I'm not suppose ta be drunk. You not suppose to wanna geh married."
"I'm not?"
"Nuh uh," he looked back at the dark forest green eyes in the dark. "I'ma hero. Your hero, who-who you were suppose to fall in love in. Den we woulda just left happy ever after." More tears gathered in midnight eyes as he confessed his heart and mind. "It waz suppose to be happy."
"And Michelle?" He was too stunned to say anything else.
Again he looked away and let his head drop back into the headrest. "You woulda toll her before we left."
"Where?"
"Montana. I waz gonna go dere after de reception when you on honeymoon with her," his eyes closed, but the tears still ran down.
It was quiet. Not even the occasional car passing by was noticed between the two.
"Why?" The question escaped his lips.
"Because I love you Arthur."
He hadn't noticed how close he had gotten to him until Alfred leaned in to kiss him. Slowly, he brought his hand up to Arthur's face to caress his face before moving upward to his hair, entangling his fingers in them. It was sweet as it was soft and gentle. His left hand was brought up to cup his face in his large hands.
Arthur was mesmerized by those lips, but gasped away when they barely left his. "Alfred!" He panted even though it wasn't strenuous.
"Arthur," Alfred breathed.
"Stop, you can't. I can't."
"We can still runaway," Alfred peered into his favorite pair of eyes again. "Arthur, please?"
"No, we can't."
"We can." He kissed him again, just as gentle if not more than before.
"... We shouldn't... Michelle?"
That was not what he wanted to hear. "Then... then let me kidnap you. Blame it all on me."
Arthur couldn't help but smile at this. "Alfred," he whispered in his ear. "You're drunk. Listen to yourself. What kind of hero would you be if you kidnapped me? Come now." He got out and quickly walked around the car to the passenger's seat to get Alfred out.
"I'd be... you... your hero...," he stumbled, but Arthur caught him. He continued his rambling up the stairs, into his apartment, his room, and straight to his bed. "Artie?" He could only keep one eye open as the Briton tucked him in.
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
"I..."
Soft snores interrupted him, making him smile sadly. "Al, you're the worst best man when intoxicated. Good night, love."
He got up to leave, but tripped over something. A copy of his fourth book lay open with a bunch of little stick notes attached to it filled with Alfred's scribbles and hearts. Arthur grinned at what the man had written, and even at such a tense atmosphere in the man's room, ideas managed to creep into his head.
The fifth installment of the series was almost done, and if Arthur was honest, it was all thanks to Alfred. "You mean so much to me...," he muttered into the room as he closed it.
~14~
By the time he had gotten home and into his own bed, it was the early hours of his wedding day. He had scheduled in an hour of extra time in case he needed it, and it seemed like an ingenious idea when the sun peeked through his window. Arthur turned away from the light to hit his alarm clock before it went off then snuggling into his sheets. Sleep was the only thing he wanted to use for that hour, but it was shattered by the loud slam at seven o'clock in the morning.
"Artie! Get up! It's your special day!" Came a loud, obnoxious, American voice. "You better not have a hangover~!"
Arthur groaned into his pillow and tightened his bedding around him. "Bloody git, how the bloody hell does he not have a bloody hangover of his own?"
"Oh, but I do, Artie!" Al was on his knees before the bed with his elbows propped up on the bed close to Arthur. "It's killer! But today's not about me, it's about you and Michelle! Come on now you lazy git!"
"Don't say that, it doesn't sound right coming from an American," the author kicked his sheets off of him, abandoning all hope of an extra hour of sleep. "So uh, last night?"
"Hmm?" The blond cocked his head as he stood up. "What about it? Do you not remember it either?"
"What?"
Alfred laughed, wincing a bit when his head pulsed. "Dude, I don't remember almost anything after the rounds of laser tag! Patrick and Liam challenged me to a drinking contest afterwards and I don't even know who won. Uh, you okay man?"
The sandy blond shook his head, adding to the messiness of his hair. He hadn't even realized he was making a face. "Just tired after hauling you arse up four floors. Next time, I'm leaving you wherever you fall."
"Nah! You wouldn't do that!" The tall man jumped on Arthur's bed once it was made, earning him a disapproving glare. Unfazed by it, he grinned his cherubic smile up at him, "You love me too much to leave me hangin' like that. It wouldn't be very gentlemanly of you to leave a drunken friend behind and you know it."
Arthur's heart skipped a beat. '"You love me too much to leave me..." "Because I love you." His mind echoed back and forth, bringing forth the memory of their kiss. Can he honestly not remember that? Was it my own dream...? It must have for him not to remember such a confession even in such a state. I mean, I remember all of my actions for previous drunken night. Of course it was a bit hazy, but I know the gist of it. No it couldn't have been a dream.
Baffled and also oddly hurt, Arthur smacked Alfred with his pillow before arranging it on his bed. He couldn't believe he had lost sleep over the man's kiss and even dreamt of those lips. No, it wasn't a dream for I remember last night's dream. Oh God, now I can't stop thinking about it! A warm blush spread across his face as he heard Alfred chuckle at the feathery pillow smack.
"Out, come on now, we need to get changed into our attire that Yao had worked so hard on these past few weeks!" The groom pushed his thoughts about the man before him out of his head and focused on his wife-to-be.
Soon enough, the other groomsmen arrived while Arthur rushed about his home. He did anything and everything to distract himself from Alfred and the night before, so much that most of the men with him noticed.
"Calm down Arthur," the ever wise older brother drew his brother back when he attempted to rush by him. "Everything is read, you don't have to go into a frenzy."
Patrick laughed, "Or maybe you're just trying to find a way to get out of this mess. Good God, I'm so glad it's you who's being tied down. I don't think I could handle it!"
"You're truelly missing out," Liam frowned at him but then grinned as he explained the wonders of marriage life to Patrick, Kiku, Alfred, and Matthew.
James pulled Arthur away from Liam's grasp and looked him straight in the eye. Being the closest in age, James and Arthur were really close and understood each other. He was the only one who could have an inkling as to what was bothering him. "Arthur, you know you really don't have to go through with this if you're not ready. Michelle will understand, Mum and Dad will understand, screw the guests whether they get it or not. This is the biggest moment of your life; the biggest commitment."
That's why, as the groom and bride were at the alter, Arthur gulped and stuttered. James's concern and Alfred's confession kept running marathons in his head. The fidgety movements either of the men beside him made him even more anxious. There was no turning back now. It was too late; they were before God, and everyone who showed up.
Alfred squirmed one last time before he opened his mouth.
"WAIT!"
Cried three voices at once.
James, Michelle, and Francis stared at each other while everyone else stared at the insane trio before the three turned to the stunned groom. Alfred's mouth remained open while Arthur's dropped after the exclamation.
"I can't marry you, Arthur."
"Michelle can't marry you."
"Arthur can't marry you, Michelle."
"What?" Arthur wanted the Earth underneath him to just swallow him. This can not be happening to me.
"Arthur, mon amour, I cannot let you go zrough wiz zis! I love you too much to let you go," the Frenchman proclaimed.
No, this really couldn't be happening.
"What?" Another voice burst into the collision of a wedding. "You can't love Artie! He's mine!" Alfred wrapped his arms around the man defensively.
But it was happen.
"Oh, well," James added awkwardly. "I was just going to make up some shit-oh sorry God- about how they were related or something... Er... Well, hmm. Carry on."
Michelle was next to speak with tears in her eye. "I'm sorry Arthur. I should have told you earlier, but I don't think I'm ready at all. There's still so much I want to do and accomplish before I settle down with anybody. And Arthur, are we really right for each other? I'm so sorry, but I think I've fallen out of love with you."
Arthur wiped the stray tears from her cheeks as best he could with Alfred's arms around him, "It's alright Michelle. I don't think I was ready for this either. I have other matters to attend to."
"Does this mean you're mine?" Alfred brightened before sending a glare at Francis in the pews.
"This doesn't mean anything you git!" Arthur snapped at him. "I have a bone to pick with you mister! Last ni-"
Mrs. Kirkland slapped a hand over you son's mouth as she and Michelle's mother stood before the guests. They declared the reception would continue, only they'd be celebrating their children's friendship and future.
That night at the open bar, it was all revealed. Francis, being a soldier of love, could not let Arthur make such a huge mistake when there truly was someone in the church madly in love with the sour Englishman. He did have his own feelings for the Briton, but he supposed they weren't as strong as the other's. Kiku had it all recorded from all different angles thanks to his help from Elizaveta and even Matthew. The only confession that was left was Alfred's.
Their friends trickled away into the party, leaving the two men alone.
"Arthur...," Alfred began.
"That drink better not have any alcohol in it." Arthur interrupted.
"It doesn't. I don't think I'll be able to drink for a while, but I just wanted-"
"Good."
The man stuck out his lips in a pout. "Hey! Listen to me... and look at me!"
With a sigh, Arthur's wary emerald orbs looked up at sapphire ones. "Yes?"
"Arthur," he straightened out. "I love you, have been for a really long time now. Practically since the day we met... er,... bumped into each other around the corner."
"I know."
"I'm bi and have dated a lot of people before you, but you're the only one that has made me feel- wait what?" Arthur's words finally sunk in his thick skull, stopping his rehearsed speech he'd practiced in front of the mirror so long ago before the marriage drama happened.
Arthur chuckled at Alfred's shell-shocked expression. "You told me yesterday."
"Oh."
Silence enveloped them.
"Well?" The man was impatient.
What could Arthur say? Only the truth he supposed. "I think I love you as well."
Alfred was overjoyed. "Really? Then you'll marry me?"
At this Arthur laughed so hard it drew much attention. "Al, I just terminated my previous engagement. Give me time. Oi! And we've only known each other for a few months, not even a year has gone by!"
"So?" Al grinned at him. "Romeo and Juliet only knew each other for a few days!"
"And they died..." The author did not like the comparison.
"And I'll die without you," he gave his most adorable, in-pain-puppy look he could muster. "Will you please be my boyfriend then?"
He was silent for a few moments to watch Alfred squirm. "I suppose," Arthur smirked as he looked away, unprepared for the tackle of a hug.
"I really do love you Artie!" He turned Arthur's face towards him to kiss his parted lips, stopping the man's complaint in mid throat. "Yay! Our first kiss!"
"Second," the sandy blond smirked again as he held up two fingers. Not only was Alfred a good kisser when drunk, but even better when sober. "You also kissed me last night."
"What!" His blue eyes filled with fake tears. "That didn't count because I don't remember it!"
"Oh, but I do." Alfred's theatrics were so amusing to watch. "Not to worry love, I suppose we'll have plenty to remember and cherish."
x.X.x
It was a quarter past nine at night when Alfred was reading his boyfriend of two year's final book in the Enchantment series. Arthur usually read his books out loud to the man after he'd been persuaded with kisses, but the American was never one for patience. The second Arthur had handed Matthew and him their own copies of the book they had run to their room to devour it. Luckily for them, it was the weekend and they spent all of Sunday and after work on Monday with the thickly bounded book. They were the first to read it before it was officially released the following week and would not waste any spare time.
Alfred could hear Arthur's voice from his stereo, but didn't pay attention to the story he was reading on air that night. Most, if not all, of his attention was on the last few pages of the story when Matthew burst into his room.
"Did you read that?" The usually quiet, composed, and meek man was grinning ear to ear.
"SHHH!" Alfred kicked the air while on his bed reading furiously.
Matthew's extended arms from bursting in dropped. "You're so slow Al."
"Shut up!"
Unlike Alfred, Matthew was patient. He sat beside his brother on his bed with the smile still plastered on his face. It remained motionless until Al finished the book with a satisfied sigh. "You didn't read it all!" The smile fell when Alfred closed the book to look up at him confused.
"What? I did too!" He protested as he sat up.
"Not all of it!" His brother countered.
"All that's left are the acknowledgements," Alfred's shoulders lifted and fell, oblivious as to what his sibling was after.
"He mentioned me," Matthew grinned again, but pointed at the book still in Alfred's hands, "but that's not what I was getting at! Before the acknowledgements! Read what's before the acknowledgments!"
Confused, Alfred opened the book once more and leafed through the pages again before his eyes settled on a white page. In the center of the mostly spacious page was a question in elegant font, reading:
Will you marry me, Alfred F. Jones?
"Wah?"
"Well?" Mattie giggled next to him.
He was ignored as for Alfred's fingers rapidly dialed a number on his cell phone.
"D.O.C one-oh-two point three, this is Arthur Kirkland, thank you for calling."
"No fair Artie! I was suppose to propose!" His voice echoed in the room, startling Matthew and himself a little.
"Wahdeblehahdba- A-Alfred? Do you have a-a request for the next story or a song y-you'd like to hear?" The radio personality's stuttering caused Alfred to imagine his Arthur steadily blushing.
"I do have a request actually!" He grinned into the phone, forgetting about his brother in the room right beside him and the fact that he could here his own voice through the stereo. "I want you to hear it from you."
"Well be back after a few adverts from our sponsors...," Arthur attempted to go off air, but his switch wouldn't change. "Huh?"
"I'm waiting~!" He had no clue what was going on, but he still heard himself and Arthur.
Alfred thought Arthur's nervous chuckle was adorable. "O-on air?" At the station he looked up at his technical assistants on the other side of the glass with a deer-in-the-headlights look.
"That's my request."
How it had turned out this way, the sandy blond had no clue, but it seemed as if the whole station had known and gathered around the glass with the females at front and center.
"And the book wasn't enough?"
"Nope~. It's your punishment for not letting me do it."
Even though Alfred couldn't see him, he shook his head, "No, I can't."
Arthur wasn't there before him, but he could hear the pout in his voice. "Then I'm not giving you my answer. I guess you really don't love me as much."
"You!" Being a radio host was an interesting job for the author and he didn't quite want to give it up because of a few selected words he wanted to call the git of a boyfriend he had. He was on air after all. Sighing, there was no way out of it. "Al-Alfred F. Jones, will you marry me?"
"Of course! I love you too!"
Matthew tackled his brother in a hug as congratulations.
"Hahaha! Mattie says he loves you too, but I love you more! He's so excited you'll be his brother-in-law~."
Arthur grinned into his microphone, wishing Alfred was there with him in person. Neither men could wait until marriage life.
End.
Thank you!