Summary: Dr. Kirkland, after a long string of events, finds himself shuttled into the dusty old town of Sandy Flats, adjusting to the hilarious characters, dark villains, and charming heroes of a classic but eccentric Western town.
Pairings: USUK, PRUCAN, GERITA, SPAMANO, HUNGAUST, possible GIRIPAN.
Warnings: Yaoi/Boys-Love, heavy language and possible suggestive situations. Minor violence.
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Chapter Twenty Eight: Gunshot in the City
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"We're saddlin' up, you, uh, wanna come out an' say goodbye to everyun?" Alfred asked from behind Arthur, who was talking to Matthew. The blonde had been well for days, and wouldn't stop teasing his friend about the kiss, making swooning noises whenever his brother entered the room, or cracks about how Arthur would soon be a part of the family. The doctor nodded and gave him a shy smile, which Alfred returned tenfold. He glared at Matthew, who gave him a knowing smirk, and followed the other out the door into the blistering heat, the younger twin behind him.
There, at the edge of the town, was almost everyone in the small village, saddling their horses, checking their packs, and telling loved ones that they'd return safely. Feliciano looked as if he were holding back buckets of tears, and Romano wasn't being nearly as fussy as usual. Arthur saw people there that he hadn't seen before, except perhaps at that party such a long time ago. Matthew tugged his sleeve, pointing at a friend. "That's Kiku," he whispered in his ear. "Don't tell anyone, but he and Heracles are sleeping together. Wouldn't guess it, huh?" he asked, chuckling. Arthur raised an eyebrow. No, he would not have guessed such a stoic little Asian man would be dating the lazy Greek. "Oops! I forgot my glasses-cleaner by the bed. I'll be right back, okay?" he told Alfred and Arthur, winking at the shorter man and running back into the doctor's house.
The two walked over to the group in silence, tension beginning to crackle. They avoided one another's eyes, occasionally brushing against one another and breaking out into a flurry of apologies. Eventually, they managed to awkwardly walk over to Alfred's horse, and Arthur gave the mare a soft pet to her forehead. She whinnied, and pushed her head into his hand. Smiling softly, the Brit let the coarse hair tangle in his fingers, pushing it out of her eyes and tenderly petting her. When he looked up, he saw Alfred pausing, watching him. They both turned red and looked away.
"I'll miss you, you know," Arthur said timidly, starting conversation for the first time between the two. Alfred gave him that award-winning smile and tossed his pack over the mare's back, tightening the girth one last notch. He put an arm out, hand open, and Arthur stared at it for a moment before catching on and placing his own hand in the larger one. He was immediately yanked into an embrace, Alfred wrapping his arms around him and whispering something in his ear, he couldn't quite tell what, he was trying too hard to keep his pulse in check.
"Oi, lovebirds, we've got to head out!" Gilbert shouted at them, probably quite angry that Matthew wasn't there to see him off. Arthur snorted at his jealousy.
"You will come back, right?" Arthur asked in a hushed voice, green eyes filled with worry.
Alfred pressed a soft kiss to his cheek and nodded against his face. "Of course. I'm th' hero, I gotta come back in one piece."
"Oh, you'd better or I'll never let you forget it, even in the afterlife!" Arthur snarled, and after another whistle from Gilbert, they unlatched from one another, awkwardness returning full force as people sent them knowing looks. When the doctor turned to see the cowboy, he was already on his horse, cowboy hat tilted forward, feet in the stirrups.
"Don't worry, babe, I won't be gone long," he promised, leaning down to pull something out of his sleeve and tuck it behind Arthur's ear. The Brit huffed and immediately pulled it away. It was another cliffrose, which he kept in his hands, too embarrassed to wear it behind his ear with other people nearby.
They were all packed up, ready to go, Feliciano now bawling openly, Romano holding something that Antonio had given him; for sure it was the Sheriff, Kiku and Heracles sharing a quiet look, and an overall furious Gilbert. The sun was high in the sky, being around midday, and sweat had begun to make the back of Arthur's hair damp. He idly wondered where Matthew had gone to, if it took this long, and leaned against the post that Alfred's horse had been tied to. He prayed they wouldn't be in the canyon the weeks that the two scouts had been; but still, it was only two people, surely the entire group of seven men could handle them, right? Suddenly, Arthur wished he could have gone, told them that they needed a doctor on the trip, that if someone got wounded, they might not get back in time…. It wouldn't have worked anyway. It was a feeble excuse to make sure that Alfred would be okay, and they would all know it.
His silly infatuation – couldn't he just admit it to the world, instead of sitting there like a blubbering fish and be embarrassed whenever someone saw them together? Be the man that he was, instead of some – some – simpering schoolgirl! He had had relationships in University, he hadn't been so bloody bashful then!
Yet, Arthur knew why. This world was so… romantic, in any sense of the word. A fanciful adventure, with his cowboy hero out saving the town; now he felt like some housewife. So different from England, from the gloomy world he had left, unknowing of the adventure he would come across in the desert. The horses had begun to walk, everyone waving and cheering.
But then there was the gunshot, and the laughter that pierced the heavens. Arthur turned, he knew that laughter. A tall man with two women by his sides, backlit by the burning sun overhead, held a gun high in the air. "What a happy reunion, da? Were you looking for me?"
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SUSPENSELOLOLOL.
