Hi I have returned. I have nothing else to say. Enjoy~
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A week pasted and Arthur eventually was discharged from the hospital, his recovery having sped up significantly. The doctors had been impressed with how quickly he was able to get out of the hospital, but that still didn't mean he was able to escape landing in a wheelchair. Arthur hated the thing with all of his being and would do anything to get out of it right away. He felt lazy with how much time he now spent sitting in the wheelchair.
If things were still on normal terms, Alfred would be the one always helping Arthur into the wheelchair issued to him, but because of the past events, Arthur found himself requiring Francis's assistance. It was a bit awkward too—for Arthur that was. Francis was just the seemingly oblivious pervert he was. Every now and then Francis would say something that made Arthur want to hit the guy upside the head. Other times, Francis remained silent as if he were respecting something with silence.
Every now and then during lunch Arthur would catch Alfred looking at him with a forlorn look in his eyes and it almost made the Brit feel bad for the American. He would then eventually smother the feeling out and return to eating; reminding himself that he didn't want anything to do with Alfred anymore. Whenever he would though, his heart would squeeze uncomfortably in his chest and he'd have to wipe away whatever moisture formed at the corners of his eyes.
Today, like a few other days for the past week, Alfred found himself watching Arthur eat his lunch alone at the vacant table. He was currently sitting with Matthew and his buddies, but Alfred never spoke with them while they never spoke with him save for Matthew.
Sighing in misery, Alfred returned his attention to the phone in his hand which was hidden under the table top. He was surfing the internet at the moment. Glancing under the table, having to lean back a bit to do so, Matthew watched Alfred type in words on the keypad to his phone. Alfred had been on the internet quite a bit lately and Matthew began to wonder why Alfred had given it so much of his attention suddenly.
"Hey, you've been on your laptop and phone a lot lately, what's up?" Matthew then asked, glancing at his cousin who grunted in reply.
"Stuff," was his answer and Matthew furrowed his eyebrows at that. He didn't pry any further though.
"Are you looking at porn?"
"Why the hell would I be looking at porn?" Alfred asked, cocking an eyebrow at Matthew. His cousin's expression was so straightforward that Matthew actually believed him. Alfred wasn't exactly the kind of guy to look at such things either, so Matthew let himself believe his cousin. He sent a concerned look at Alfred before returning to the conversation he was having with his friends. Alfred glanced over at Arthur once more before returning to his phone again. Life really sucked right now.
"Mm, hm. Yeah sure…" Alfred muttered, sitting cross legged on his bed, hunched over his laptop as he talked on his cellular with Matthew who was currently going on about himself and Francis like a giddy schoolgirl. What the hell had happened to Matthew? Someone must've slipped something in his drink at one point during lunch—probably that Gilbert guy who used to hit on Matthew a while ago before the Canadian had his whole hockey team beat the shit out of the guy. "Uh huh," he grunted. He was also getting irritated with how Matthew couldn't hear how uninterested he was with the conversation at hand.
"Man, I'm actually excited for Valentine's for once," Matthew went on, Alfred could just imagine the love sick smile on his cousin's face. The guy was so lucky the road was rather smooth for him. Alfred's made a sharp turn into a cement truck apparently. "I wonder what Francis is planning for that eh?" there went Matthew's Canadian 'eh' thing. He didn't do it much, but every now and then it'd slip out.
"Mm hm," Alfred hummed. He wondered if Matthew knew what he was doing to him. He was talking about his love life to someone who had a love life that just crashed and burned. It wasn't exactly something Alfred wanted to talk about obviously and hearing how good Matthew and Frenchie had it made his mood go sour.
"I really hope Francis does something really nice you know?"
"Yup," Alfred clicked on a link Google had brought up for him.
Matthew rolled onto his stomach, pressing the cell phone to his ear a bit. "Are you all right?"
"You talking about how happy you and Bonerfoy are is kind of killing me here…" was Alfred's response and Matthew mentally slapped himself for letting himself talk so openly about it to someone who was in pain on the subject.
"U-uh—! I'm so sorry Al! I just…it slipped my mind," Matthew muttered. Really. How the hell could something like Alfred and Arthur breaking up, resulting in the latter crashing his plane and nearly dying slip his mind? Way to go Mattie—you really screwed up here. "I feel really dumb right now for letting something like that slip my mind…eh heh…" he bit his lip and thought over whether he should ask what was on his mind. "…What're you going to do for Valentine's? I really don't want you to be like…upset about it and uh…I don't even know how to word this."
"I'll be wallowing in self-pity of course," Alfred replied and Matthew could just imagine the other shrugging his shoulders as he said so. Furrowing his eyebrows, Matthew sat up and switched the phone from one ear to the other.
"This isn't the Alfred I know."
"What do you mean?"
"The Alfred I know would've gone immediately to trying to win Arthur back. You're just…giving up too easily for my liking," Matthew sternly remarked, balling his free hand into a fist with determination that Alfred should be having right now. "I mean, you should see me," Matthew decided to point that out. "I'm being the determined one and you're just sitting there, giving up on yourself. Normally, I'd be the one wallowing in my own self-pity and you'd go off and be the hero," he went as far as calling Alfred a hero.
"People change."
"Well I don't like this change. Call me stubborn and childish, but this change sucks," Matthew flatly remarked, hoping that it got through the other's thick skull. "Your life will go down the gutter if you continue to act like this Al. This is stupid—giving up is so not heroic," he continued, mentally telling himself to stop before he became Alfred all together. "Now, go do something about it."
"I am," Alfred grunted, a bit moved by Matthew's determination.
"Hell no you're not!" Matthew wailed into the phone and Alfred had to hold it a bit away from his ear to keep it from being damaged. "You haven't done anything ever since Arthur made you leave his hospital room."
"Well then what would you do if you and Francis broke up and Francis told you that he didn't want do see you?" Alfred asked, his voice frustrated. With the way Matthew remained silent, Alfred assumed that his question had killed Matthew's 'Alfred-phase'. "Exactly."
"Shut up, it's not about me or Francis," then came Matthew reply, shocking Alfred a bit. "This is about you and Arthur. What does this have to do with me? I'm different from you and would've done something different. You would've probably supported me and I'd probably be an emotional wreck—worse than you are right now. I'd be sobbing in my room, but look at you, you're still on your feet and are perfectly capable of trying to rebuild your relationship with Arthur. I'd obviously have more trouble than you giving who I am. So quit blaming other people—blame yourself and get off of your ass and go talk with Arthur."
"You should be a pep talker or whatever they're called…" Alfred grumbled, smiling a bit to himself.
"Why?"
"I dunno, you're just really good at talking some sense into me whether I want it or not," Alfred shrugged his shoulders, staring down at the laptop screen, still smiling. "Sometimes I don't want it, but keep it up—it helps me a lot."
"No problem Al. Now are you going to try to see Arthur tomorrow during lunch? Oh, and when you sped off from the hospital that day—did you hit anyone or anything, just don't want the police on your ass."
"Nah, just hit a few mailboxes, that's all," Alfred chuckled, leaning his elbow on one of his knees. "Had to apologize the next day and had dad pay for it all, though I think I should've."
"Totally."
Okay, he really did hate this wheelchair. It was a pain and got in the way of everything, there was almost no benefit to it other than he could make it move faster than his normal speed-walking when he was almost late to class every now and then. They had said it'd be quite a while before he'd be able to get out of it, the earliest being early June. That was a while from then with it being the beginning of February and all.
He glanced up when he saw someone approach his scarcely populated table and narrowed his eyes when he saw that it was Alfred. "What?"
"Can I sit here?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No," every time Alfred continued to ask, Arthur would decline it. He watched the hopelessness become more visible in Alfred's blue eyes and began to feel guilty. He still turned Alfred down and soon enough the other slunk away from the table he was at. Once Alfred seated himself at Matthew's highly populated table, Arthur buried his face in his arms which were rested on the table in front of him. He remained in that position for a moment before sitting back up at pulling out his cell phone.
[Angleterre]
Why is Alfred still bothering me when I clearly told him I don't want to see him?
He sent his question and got an almost immediate reply.
[French Pervert]
Ah didn't expect for you to text me during school hours ;)
[French Pervert]
Can't you see that he loves you too much?
Arthur huffed at the continuation of Francis's reply. What was the bastard thinking? Doesn't he remember that he and Alfred had fought? And Alfred was the one that suggested that they break up in the first place?
[Angleterre]
That doesn't make any sense since he's the one that suggested that we break up in the first place…
[French Pervert]
You're making no sense.
[Angleterre]
What do you mean? I'm making perfect sense.
[French Pervert]
No you're not.
Arthur let out a frustrated noise and stuffed his phone into his pocket, not wanting to hear any more of Francis's nonsense. He wouldn't even bother with replying. With a sigh, he threw away his lunch and wheeled out of the cafeteria and to his next class. Arthur then remembered that he had an expensive hospital bill to pay.
The first thing Alfred did when he got home was open up his laptop and resume with what he was doing. Matthew had told him to keep trying with Arthur and Alfred had decided that he should follow Matthew's advice since the other seemed to know a lot about life in general. He wasn't sure how Matthew figured out so much, but didn't bother with delving any deeper on the subject. He had a pilot to win back.
Eventually, about four hours later the sun had begun to set and he began receiving a few texts from someone. He wondered who it was and pulled his phone out to be shocked that it was Arthur. Licking his lips, Alfred hesitantly opened the phone to read the messages, the first things he spotted were all of the spelling mistakes. This couldn't be good.
[Arthur]
You fuckng bastrd.u sug-jested tht we brek up. is al your fault.
[Arthur]
Watt he hell were you thnkng? Bastrd of a pig-you desurv too bee slaughtered
[Arthur]
And why the hell did you visit me hospital room tht day? Bloody fucktard.
[Arthur]
Ill half too beet your face in-come here ill do just that.
[Arthur]
Y'd yoo have to destroy our good time together? Sea? All your fawlt
[Arthur]
The stupid bastard fucktard that thinks hee haz the rite too be my dad wont even help me pay the bucking bil
[Arthur]
You owe me a load of pounds bloody wanker pig
There were three more from Arthur, but Alfred couldn't read anymore. Even though he knew Arthur was drunk right now, he began to question himself. Was Arthur really worth it? He sniffed and watched a drop of liquid hit the screen of his phone before realizing that he had started crying. Sitting up a bit more straight, Alfred squeezed the phone tightly in his hand before letting out a frustrated grunt and throwing the device at the wall. He wasn't sure how much more abuse the thing could take, but was glad it was so durable. He wiped his tears away furiously before staring down at the screen to his laptop, returning to wondering if Arthur was worth all of his time.
Matthew and Francis were sitting atop Matthew's home on the rooftop, gazing up at the stars. Matthew lived just outside of the city just like Alfred and unlike Arthur, so the stars were visible from where they were. It was Valentine's Day and school had been a wreck. Alfred had skipped out for some reason and Matthew had no idea if Alfred's absence was excused and a few people ended up flirting with him. He had explained as politely as he could that he was already taken, pushing down his irritation. He didn't know why he was so irritated, though he did assume that his worry for Alfred fueled it.
"So have you seen Alfred lately?" Francis asked, his voice slightly hushed, not wanting to disturb the silence too much. Matthew sighed and shook his head wordlessly. He had tried to call his cousin, but the other hadn't picked up his calls at all, he hadn't replied to any of his texts either, so Matthew assumed that Alfred wasn't around his phone.
"I'm pretty worried about him and I wonder where he is, dropped by his house two hours ago and still wasn't home," Matthew then spoke up. He sighed once more before smiling and looking at his boyfriend. "So…are we going to do something tonight? It's Friday and I was wondering if you wanted to do anything special," Matthew then asked.
"Ah, I did want to do something and it is pretty warm for a February night no?" Francis answered before leaning closer to Matthew who rolled his eyes, his smile never leaving.
"If you're implying what I think you are, we should go inside to do it," Matthew shoved Francis away from him slightly.
"Well then maybe we should get settled in your room," Francis grinned, glancing slyly at Matthew who turned a bit red.
"Can't that wait? I thought we were going to do something nice, that can be like, the last thing we do for the night—how about dinner? I'm kinda hungry," Matthew rubbed his red cheeks, smiling sheepishly at the Frenchman seated next to him.
"Hmph, fine, you're no fun," Francis pouted before sliding down the roof and swinging into Matthew's room. Matthew followed, having a bit more difficulty in doing so, though he did receive a bit of assistance from Francis. "So, where to?"
"Somewhere nice, that's all I request," Matthew answered as he threw on some more proper clothes for the night. "Man, if Al and Arthur were still together, I'm sure Alfred would take the poor guy to a McDonald's or something," Matthew giggled as he pulled one some socks—sometimes he went barefoot in his shoes.
"That sounds a lot like him," Francis agreed, grinning to himself. "Is that the only fast food restaurant he goes to?"
"Pfft, no way!" Matthew grinned toothily at his boyfriend. "He's all over the place, McDonald's is just his favorite one. He goes to Burger King quite a bit and Arby's, Taco Bell, which is more like Taco Hell, Wendy's, KFC, you name it," he continued.
"Yuck."
"I know right?" Matthew shook his head, smiling fondly. "But that Alfred for ya."
"After dinner, would you like to come over to my place for some wine?" Francis suggested, taking Matthew's hand once the other had finished wiggling his feet into a pair of winter boots.
"I'm underage."
"You've done it before, you can do it again," Francis grinned and Matthew rolled his eyes before accepting the offer, stating that some wine didn't sound so bad at the moment.
Alfred knocked on the door in front of him before stepping back a pace, nervously nibbling at his bottom lip along with twiddling his thumbs behind his back. He really hoped this would all work. As expected, the person he didn't want to talk with answered the door, his appearance having yet to change. "You again?"
"Yes me again," Alfred started. "C-can I—err, may I speak with Arthur?" Alfred asked, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. "It's kind of important," he added, hoping that it'd persuade Arthur's father into letting him speak with him. The guy simply stared down at him for a long moment before grunting and turning around, calling for his handicapped son.
"Who is i—oh dear God, what do you want?" Arthur asked.
Smiling sheepishly, he motioned for Arthur to come out into the hallway. "Could you come with me for a moment?" Alfred then asked, nervously adjusting his glasses even though they'd been adjusted just a few seconds ago.
"Why?"
"Please! I'm like, literally begging you here! Give me a chance Arthur," Alfred's voice was as desperate as he wanted for it to sound too. He mentally pat himself on the back before glancing hopefully down at Arthur. He really didn't like having to look that far down at him—Alfred hoped Arthur would be out of that wheelchair soon even though he broke both legs.
Arthur's shoulders visibly slumped and Alfred could see the internal conflict going on in Arthur's green eyes. "…Fine…" Alfred lit up like a Christmas tree and thanked Arthur happily. Oh how he wished he could hug him like he always did in the past. Unfortunately, that wheelchair got in the way.
The two walked down the hall and to the elevator in silence. Once they reached the bottom floor, they headed outside and Alfred helped Arthur into the passenger's seat before folding up the wheelchair with a bit of difficulty and tossing it into the bed of the truck. "Oh, and could you put this on?" he grinned sheepishly, handing Arthur a blindfold.
"Who do you think you are, Francis?" Arthur questioned, but tied it around his head anyways. "I don't know what you're up to, but it better be worth it."
"Hopefully it will," Alfred answered and started up the truck. The roles have been reversed is seems. Their drive was in complete silence though. Arthur refused to talk and Alfred just didn't have anything to say, so he just settled with driving the Brit to their destination.
When they arrived, Alfred took out the wheelchair, unfolded it and helped Arthur into the thing. Arthur complained about being unable to get in correctly with him being blindfolded and all, but Alfred simply told the other to sit tight for a bit longer. Arthur could feel the difference in temperature when they entered a building and the amount of light seeped into the blindfold, telling him that the place was bright. They suddenly stopped and Alfred placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "You can take that off now…"
Arthur did so moodily whilst questioning Alfred why he did that before falling immediately silent. Alfred was standing next to a blue and white biplane that looked pretty new. Since Arthur forgot types of planes, he had no idea what it was, but it did look more capable of performing aerobatics better than his old…what was it again? An old model, that's all he could remember. "Wh-what?"
"It's a Bucker Jungmann," Alfred's voice was shaky from his nervousness. "I-it's one of those that's made for aerobatics or whatever you call it…"
"…Why?"
"Artie, I-I love you like, more than this much!" Alfred spread his arms in a childish way. "I heard from Francis that you were like, stressing out 'cause you lost your old plane and I-I got you this new one," Alfred continued. "You're worth more than this plane Arthur I swear! Th-this thing cost me ninety thousand dollars!"
"Alfred…"
"Can't you tell that I love you? It's—it's like…stuff!" Alfred fumbled, shaking his head. He turned to look at the plane, it was beautiful and he really hoped Arthur would accept it. He heard footsteps blending together as if someone was stumbling over their own feet and turned just in time to catch Arthur who had swung his arms around Alfred. "Arthur?"
"You didn't have to spend ninety thousand dollars on me Al…" Arthur's voice was hushed against Alfred's jacket and he could hear the tears in the pilot's voice. "We would've figured something out sooner or later…"
"With the way you were acting, I don't think we would've gone anywhere any time soon," Alfred muttered, holding Arthur close to him. "It also gives me an excuse to be epically awesome," he continued, nuzzling his cheek into Arthur's hair. "'Cause I'm serious Artie, I love you so much not even however amount of money I have can buy and show you how much I do. I mean, not everyone gets a plane for Valentine's, I had to call in sick to get this thing here on time! And this still doesn't show you how much I'd do for you—remember when I asked you if you could have anything what would it be and you said a new plane since yours is an old model? Back when we were cleaning out my attic and you found that old flag?"
"Yeah I remember."
"I listened to you. Look, I listened to you and you know me. I kinda tend to forget things like that unintentionally," Alfred smiled down at Arthur who was still looking at the distant wall that supported the hangar they were in. "So…I'm sorry for being a dick I think one or two weeks ago. I'm sorry for landing you in that wheelchair and making you lose your plane."
Arthur listened to Alfred apologize before deciding that he didn't want to hear any more of it. He tilted his head up and kissed the other on the lips. Alfred didn't exactly expect it, but was prepared for it nonetheless. When they separated, Alfred grinned down at Arthur. "I'll even pay for the hospital bill?"
"That's a bit much love," Arthur muttered. "I'll pay that off somehow," he continued, hugging Alfred closer to himself.
"…So I guess you accept my apology?"
"I have the second I saw that you bought me a ninety thousand dollar plane," Arthur answered, wiping away the tears that had rolled down his cheeks. Alfred smiled down at Arthur and they kissed once more. "I'm sorry for being mean to you earlier."
"Apology accepted," Alfred smiled before pulling out his phone when he felt it vibrate in his pocket.
[My New Therapist]
YO ALFREDO COM OER N HAVE SOME WYNE. SEXY FRENCH GUY GIVE ME SOME 8D
Arthur glanced at the screen and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "My New Therapist?"
"It's Mattie, decided to change his name since he gives super good speeches," Alfred snickered. "And it looks like Bonerfoy gave him some more wine," he continued.
[Alfredo]
sory Mr. Williams, jus got arty a nu plain!
"You're spelling remains atrocious," Arthur grunted as he watched Alfred type his reply.
"But that makes me a fun guy right?" Alfred asked, grinning at Arthur before leaning down to kiss him again. "And did you seriously just get out of your wheelchair and walk over here with two broken legs?"
"More like stumble," Arthur muttered and Alfred hugged him tighter.
"Thanks for doing that even if it hurt you."
"It didn't hurt."
"I love you."
"I love you too you rich git."
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Grr, I didn't feel like I executed the Alfred telling Arthur how much he loved him part good enough. I shall now go off to sulk in a corner for my failure. Lol, it also feels kinda cheesy :P So…did you see that coming? I probably wouldn't have since I'm not very observant. So please review, I'd love to hear what you have to say 8D Peace out my friends ;)