Uhm... Wow o.o I can't believe I got so many reviews so fast! And alerts and faves! Wow, thank you all so much! It's a pleasure to write~ And I promise, I'll update my other stuff soon~
"Arthur, grab the towels!"
"I know, I know, love. It's right on the rack."
"No, no! Grab all the towels!"
"All of them? Alfred, come on! I still have to take a shower tonight. And, no, you cannot join me."
"Artie! Don't talk like that! I'm serious! Bring me the freaking towels! All of them!"
Arthur blinked and looked up from his work on the kitchen table. First, Alfred never came home from work in a bad mood. Sure, he would talk about how he got screwed over, but his voice would still always seem optimistic. Maybe it wasn't anger, though. It seemed more like he was frantic or nervous, two things Alfred F. Jones never was. He was the bloody "hero" after all.
Second, Alfred never. Ever. Told Arthur to stop talking dirty. Hell, he loved it when Arthur would say something sexual. And when Arthur would tell him he couldn't sleep or shower with him, Alfred would pout and whine until he got his way. Especially after work. Something was up.
Still, Arthur got up and ran to the hall closet, pulling out the few towels they had. He then went to the bathroom and grabbed the ones in there before heading back to the front door.
"I swear to God, Alfred, if you stepped one foot in this house and got the living room all wet, I'll castrate you. And I'm not joking this—" His eyes widened as he took in the sight that was right around the corner. His mouth opened, then closed. Then opened and closed again.
"First, off, Artie, this isn't a house. This is an apartment," Alfred said with slight teasing. He noticed Arthur's shock, but chose to ignore it for the time being. "But Arthur, gimme the towels!" He reached for the towels, trying not to step off the mat as though the rest of the floor was lava.
Arthur, as though in a daze, handed over the towel to Alfred. "A-Al... Who are..." His voice failed him and he couldn't go on. He gestured to the two children. Lily was still shivering as Alfred pealed off the bomber jacket, tossing the soaked thing to the ground. He began to wrap her up in a towel and dry her off. He then handed her to Arthur.
"She's sick, so be careful. But dry her off." Alfred then turned to Peter and began to get him dry. He glared and grabbed the towel, starting to dry himself off. Alfred chuckled softly and helped with the hair, much to his disliking.
Arthur blinked, but started to dry the girl off. She coughed, but didn't stir as he got the wetness off her drenched body. He frowned and placed a hand on her forehead.
"Alfred, she's burning up," he reported, looking over at Alfred who had finished with Peter and was now drying himself off.
"Yeah, she's not doing too well," Alfred nodded. "You think she'll be alright?" Arthur paused for a moment, but nodded with a slightly confident smile. He wanted an explanation, but for now he had to help the children and make sure they were alright.
"Awesome," Alfred sighed. Peter seemed to brighten as well. "Give her our room. We can crash on the pull out couch. And I have shirts she can use as a night gown." Arthur nodded and hurried her off to the master bedroom.
Peter turned to look at Alfred. "Don't worry, I have some shirts you can use too. They should be perfect for night shirts." Alfred smiled, but Peter still frowned. He glanced off after Lily, worry etched in his face. Alfred picked up on this immediately.
"Don't worry," Alfred said softly and placed a hand on Peter's shoulder. "She'll be alright. Arthur's a doctor in training and he knows lots of smart stuff. She'll be fine in no time! Is she your sister or something?"
"... Yes and no."
"'Yes and no?'" Alfred asked, tilting his head to the side. "What do you mean?"
Peter looked away and didn't answer. Alfred sighed and started to hang the wet towels on the rack. As he was finishing, Peter let out a sneeze followed by another and then coughed. He wiped at his nose and looked up at Alfred hoping that somehow he hadn't heard. Alfred smiled knowingly, having heard him easily.
"I think it's time for bed," Alfred said kindly. Peter sighed and nodded. He was tired and his head hurt. Plus, he was cold, but he wouldn't admit it.
Alfred touched his shoulder gently and led him to the master bedroom. Lily was tucked into the bed neatly while Arthur was attending to her. He placed a cool cloth on her head as they entered and looked up, smiling softly. He placed a finger to his lips to tell them to be quiet. Alfred and Peter nodded as Alfred made his way to the dressed and pulled out one of his hamburger t shirts. He handed it to Peter with a smile. Peter looked at it for a moment before taking it to the bathroom and going to change.
Alfred came over to the bed. "How is she?" he whispered, wrapping his arm around Arthur's waist.
"Better," Arthur responded with a faint blush. "Her fever's still up there, but it should go down soon. She's breathing much easier as well and when she wakes up, I can give her some medicine." He then turned to Alfred and placed his hands on his hips, glaring at the American. "And you have a lot of explaining to do."
"I know, I know," Alfred sighed. "I'll explain as much as I can when Peter goes to bed."
"I'm not tired!" a voice said loudly. Alfred and Arthur spun around, Arthur glaring because he hadn't been quiet. Peter walked into the room and looked up at the bed.
"What are you doing?" he demanded. "Is she alright?"
"Yes, lad," Arthur said softly with a small edge in his voice. "She'll be fine if you just let me help her and let her rest." Peter looked up at him and glared, crossing his arms.
"Hey, let's head into the living room," Alfred suggested, trying to break the tension that had arisen. "Then we can get this all straightened out." Peter and Arthur looked at him before nodding and leaving the room. Alfred sighed with relief and left as well. He kept a small light on for Lily in case she woke up and headed into the living room.
Peter sat in the arm chair and Arthur was on the couch, staring him down. Alfred took a seat next to Arthur and placed an arm around his waist again. "So, Peter, where are your parents?" Alfred asked, deciding to not beat around the bush. Peter looked tired and Alfred wanted to try to get as much information from him as possible.
Peter glared at him. "Dead." Alfred and Arthur froze. They weren't expecting this response.
"Then where is your guardian?" Arthur inquired, his voice losing that harsh edge. He knew what it was like to lose parents. It must be hard for the young boy. "And why were you on the street?"
"I don't have a guardian," Peter said. "And we got away from the orphanage."
Alfred nodded. "Which one?" He hadn't heard of an orphanage in the area.
Peter's glare intensified. "It's gone, so you can't just send us back. We ran away because they were closing and they were going to ship us away from each other! So, we ran and hid."
Arthur thought for a moment. "Yes, I think I heard something about a home for orphaned children closing a little while ago. Maybe a year or so?" Peter nodded.
"You mean you guys have been on the street for a year?" Alfred asked, his eyes widening. "Dude, that's totally dangerous for kids your age!"
"So?" Peter said dangerously. "It was the only way to stay together." Alfred and Arthur just nodded. What was done was done. It wasn't worth going on and on about how wrong and potentially dangerous the decision to run away had been. They were safe now. That's what mattered.
"How old are you two?" Alfred asked.
"I'm twelve and Lily is ten."
"Are you and Lily siblings?" Arthur questioned, asking the same thing Alfred had previously. Peter shrugged.
"...Yes and no."
Arthur glared a tad. "Lad, we're trying to help you. Now is not the time to give us vague answers. Are you siblings or aren't you?"
Peter glared right back. "We're not related by blood, but she's my best friend and like a sister to me," he said rudely. "I'm the only family she's got and she's the only family I got. So, we're siblings."
"Ah! I get it," Alfred smiled. "Well, you're safe here, okay? There's no need to worry." He showed off his best smile, but Peter remained expressionless.
Arthur sighed. "Now, off to bed with you," he said as kindly as he could. Peter was starting to get on his nerves, but he was trying to show a little bit of kindness towards the boy. Peter looked like he was about to refuse, but decided against it when he yawned.
Alfred took the liberty of showing him to the guest room. There was only a small twin bed in the center of the room. It was all Alfred and Arthur could afford. Matthew, Alfred's brother, sometimes visited and needed a place to sleep. So, they went out and got the cheapest bed they could find that was still somewhat comfortable. They needed to be frugal, but didn't want to kill poor Matthew's back.
Alfred pulled back the covers and Peter climbed in. Alfred tucked him in with a smile. "Night, buddy. We'll get everything straightened out for you guys."
Peter settled in and looked up at the American. "Are we going to stay with you?"
"Well, yeah! You guys need to get better!"
"I mean forever..."
Alfred stopped short. He looked at Peter who now had a pleading expression on his face. Instead of the snarky boy who was trying to be brave, he saw a frightened child who just wanted a place to call home. Alfred could imagine that the boy had never really had a stable home. The orphanage didn't count. They never do. Lily was all he had. No parents, no aunts or uncles. Just Lily and himself.
"Do you want to?"
Peter didn't answer. Probably his pride, Alfred figured. But he could see it in his eyes. The answer was 'yes.' Peter just wanted a place to call home. He wanted Lily to be safe as well and living on the streets would not be an option for that to happen. Going to a home or an orphanage also wasn't an option in his mind. He and Lily weren't related by blood, so it would be close to impossible to stay together. This was the best shot they had.
Alfred smiled and ruffled Peter's hair. "We'll see. Now, go to sleep. Night, kiddo!" He then turned and walked out, shutting off the light, but leaving the door opened a crack. The sound of Alfred's fading footsteps lulled Peter into the most comfortable sleep he had ever had.
Alfred wandered back to the living room where he found Arthur by the door, checking the damage of the soaked towels and bomber jacket. Alfred smiled.
"I think just a run through the dryer will save 'em," he smiled. "I mean, they're just towels. And my jacket can withstand anything!" He chuckled as Arthur turned around to face him.
"I guess. Now, explain." Arthur crossed his arms and stared down his husband. Alfred gulped. He had seen that glare before and barely lived.
"Arthur, don't get all mad," he whined. "I was just doing what was right! I couldn't just leave them there! Lily was obviously sick and Peter looked so tired! I had to help them! I'm a hero!"
"Alfred, I know you're the hero. And you'll always be my hero." Arthur's voice was surprisingly kind. "But you can't just go around picking up random kids. We have to get them well and send them on their way."
"What?" Alfred yelled. "Arthur, we can't let them go on the streets again!" Arthur glared.
"No, you idiot. I mean send them to a home or an orphanage. I'm sure there's a foster service somewhere around here." Alfred made an 'o' shape with his mouth, but quickly looked away. He realized that wasn't what he wanted to do.
Arthur noticed the change in Alfred's demeanor. "Alfred... You don't... You don't honestly want to keep them, do you?" Arthur asked in disbelief. "Alfred, look at us! We're just barely getting by! We hardly have enough for food and we can't afford a car. It's only a matter of time before we get a bill we can't pay! How are supposed to take in not one, but two children and effectively care for them?"
"You always said you wanted kids..." Alfred tried. It was true, Arthur was usually great with children. He loved them and had said a few times before that he would love to adopt a few. Then again, he also wanted to get out of debt and move into a nice home.
"Alfred, that's before we ended up like this," Arthur sighed. "We don't have the money. I... Well, I would love to keep them, but we can't. It's not feasible right now."
"... Peter wants to stay..."
"Alfred..."
"They deserve a stable home..."
"Al..."
"And I love you..." Alfred looked up at Arthur with huge puppy eyes. Damn those eyes. Dammit all! That was certainly Arthur's weakness. Alfred could get anything with those eyes. Except sex... Usually.
"I'll... I'll think about it," Arthur finally sighed. Alfred smiled and jumped up, wrapping Arthur in a hug. The Brit struggled for only a moment before sighed and relaxing into the embrace. He hugged Alfred back and laid his head on Alfred's shoulder.
"You're a giant kid." Arthur rolled his eyes. Alfred only hugged him tighter.
"But I'm your giant kid!" Alfred said with a huge smile.
"Git," Arthur mumbled. He then smiled and kissed Alfred's cheek. "Now go pull out the couch, 'hero.' I'm tired." Alfred laughed and pulled away from the hug to pull out the couch.
"Am I really your hero?" Alfred asked as he brought over some blankets. Arthur looked away, his arms crossed and a dark blush on his cheeks.
"You're... Well, you're a lot of people's hero."
*It's a little early for this and I hope I don't scare anyone off by doing this, but... Could you vote in a poll for me? I just want to know who, if anyone, you want Peter to be paired with. It's either going to be Ravis, Lily, or no one. I'm fine with any of them, but I want to know what you guys want. If Peter isn't with Lily, she won't be paired with anyone, no OCs or anything. So, please vote on my profile or in reviews. Thank you~
*I guess Peter's a little bratty right now, huh? He's just tired and scared.
Please review (and vote) if you have the chance. It helps me improve my writing. I never will say *blank* reviews or I won't update, but it's nice when you do drop me a few lines~ Just press the little button right there. I promise it doesn't bite :3