"No, no, I don't want any."
Arthur attempted for the at least the tenth time that day to wave off the ragged man trying to sell him shoelaces in the crowded New York streets. He shoved his way through the unforgiving and unmovable masses of Americans, standing outside the bank. Some shook their fist and shouted, while other faces had a forsaken and utterly abandoned look about them.
It wasn't like the last time Arthur had visited America. Last time, he attended Alfred's party and everyone was in good cheer, where as now, gloom had settled over the nation. Not that it was a surprise to the Englishman. Everyone was on hard times with the economic downturn. Arthur, himself, felt weakened by the whole experience, and was struggling back in Britain. He knew he didn't have a legitimate reason for visiting Alfred, and refraining from it would have saved a bit of money; but he wanted to.
He stepped over a man sleeping on the street curb. At least he assumed he was sleeping. Arthur sighed and swallowed. He had finally shaken off all of the self proclaimed shoelace and daffodil vendors as he entered the lobby of Alfred's apartment building that sported the ever-so-common "evicted" notice. No one sat at the desk. Everything was silent, sans the faint noises from the street outside.
Arthur wandered casually over to white sign plastered to the wall.
Evicted Building. Mr. Alfred Jones: Floor 23. Room 351.
The elevator was out of order. No surprise.
"Shit…"
Arthur grumbled to himself and started up the stairs.
• • •
Arthur reached the 23rd floor with beads of sweat forming on his brow. He hoped that Alfred was home, and if not, he would wait outside his door until he arrived.
He rapped his knuckled on the door. No answer. He knocked again.
"Alfred? It's me, Arthur. I've come to visit."
Within seconds, the jingling of locks and chains on the door could be heard. It opened to reveal Alfred in the most casual attire Arthur had ever seen him in. His pant's were worn and made for working in the fields. His leather shoes had scuffs and scratches on the toe and side; but more shocking, he only wore a military T-shirt that was now an off-white colour. He smiled at his English friend and invited him inside. It was unusual. Alfred always maintained an everlasting, glowing smile that enhanced his already bright, blue eyes. However, now he was lacking the same fierce-ness and intensity in his expression, and his attempted grin seemed almost sad.
"Sorry about the furniture. I had to sell most of it."
"That's understandable."
Arthur had a look around Alfred living room. Everything down to the wallpaper was gone, only leaving three wooden chairs and a table.
"Have a seat, Artie. What brings you here?"
Arthur allowed himself a seat next to Alfred, noticing the other's defeated and stressed tone.
"Nothing in particular; I just wanted to see what you were up to."
Alfred looked down and released a slightly bitter laugh.
"Just trying to make it another day, Artie…"
There was a pause before Arthur spoke again. It was worst then he had predicted.
"I know what you mean, mate."
Alfred gave a small nod continued to stare at the flooring. The two sat in silence, as Arthur really didn't have anything interesting or productive to say.
"Why did you really come, Arthur?"
"What do you mean?"
The Englishman was slightly startled by the other's suddenly accusatory inflection. Alfred looked up with his eyes, while Arthur's mind fumbled with a response.
"Well…I just wanted to see you, that's it. I mean it gets pretty lonely after a while…and- I supposed I missed your company."
Arthur stared off to the side in order to avoid Alfred's gaze. To be quite honest, Arthur was usually fairly snippy and reprimanding of the other. It wasn't something the man would usually admit to, but Alfred's condition almost forced him to confess the fact that he missed him.
Arthur brought his attention back to the American when he heard him suddenly inhale sharply.
"Alfred?"
Alfred raised his hands to his face, inhaling again. His rounded back shook as he ran his fingers back though his hair, revealing his reddened face.
"Oh god- Alfred…"
Arthur, without much thought, slipped from his chair and knelt before Alfred with raised eyebrows and a truthfully concerned expression.
"Alfred…Don't cry…It'll all be alright in time. I promise."
Alfred just shook his head, not able to form words yet as tears began streaming down his face.
This was new to Arthur. All new. He never thought he'd ever see Alfred Jones weep like a child. The last time he saw the American shed a tear was when he fell and scraped his knee as a toddler. He wanted to do something. Thoughts raced though his head, but before long, his parental instincts kicked in.
He remembered all the way back to the last time he saw Alfred cry. It was a warm, afternoon in the Spring, and Arthur was walking with the child, that only learned to walk not too ago, who had his small, soft hand wrapped around his larger fore-finger. The young Alfred became incredible intrigued with the flock of birds that had landed in the middle of the dirt path they were on. He released Arthur's finger and only made a few quick waddle steps before he fell forward. Arthur immediately swooped down to pick him up, making clucking noises of disapproval and concern. The boy was wailing in his arms, trying to shape words with his mouth to express his pain and discomfort, but Arthur silenced him by petting his back and holding him close to his own chest. He made soft coo-ing sounds and 'shh-ed' him, while rocking gently side to side. The man whispered soothing things to the boy, causing his tears to halt and mouth yawn, before reaching up to touch Arthur's face in a curious manner with furrowed brows.
Now he had a fully grown man in his arms and sobbing endlessly into his shoulder. He could feel the wetness, the other's tears were creating, seep to the skin below his clothing; but he didn't care. He hugged Alfred back, shushing him calmly. He felt it odd that he didn't initiate the embrace. Sure he was in the process of getting closer to the American in order to, but Alfred was the one who threw his body forward and began sobbing in to the well-clothed shoulder with his limp arms hanging around Arthur's neck.
"G-God- A-Artie- "
His voice shook and he stumbled along his words, choking on his tears.
"I've r-really sc-screwed up this time, h-haven't I?"
Arthur clicked his tongue, allowing Alfred to bury his damp face into his neck, resting his chin on top of the other's head.
"You haven't screwn up, lad…Everyone has it rough right now, yeah? Even I do."
"Y-Yeah…But I'm just such a god-d damn failure! This is s-supposed to be a-a fucking land where the r-roads are p-paved with gold! I was j-just running around trying to be everyone's-s hero."
He dug his nails into Arthur's back in anger, but Arthur ignored it. To see Alfred with such incredible lack of self confidence only made Arthur want to hold him tighter and feel that there was no way the two could be any closer.
"Alfred, darling…"
Arthur caught himself, recalling how Alfred used to bully him to stop using such terms of endearment when he was younger.
"I mean- Alfred, calm down please. It's not just you, I understand…I'm here… Shh, Alfred...don't cry...heroes don't cry…"
He ran his hands up and down the other's back slowly, feeling his back muscles vividly with his palms. He gave him reassuring squeezes as he waited, more than patiently, for the tears to subside.
Alfred finally worked himself back down to hiccups and pulled back slightly with reddened eyes and a childish face.
"You won't tell anyone else that I cried will you?"
"No, no, of course not."
Arthur smiled inwardly, knowing that somewhere in the weeping man before him, was the old fiery, prideful self he knew.
"Cross your heart and hope to die?"
The Englishman paused for a short moment before responding.
"Cross my heart and hope to die."
Gah! I would have had this updated two days ago, but fanfiction was being stupid. BUT HERE IT IS NOW! Great Depression!
Poor Alfred...no self confidence...
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK! There is so much more to come! Thank you!