The bright morning sun filtered into the small kitchen. It danced off the walls and made the glasses on the drying rack sparkle. It was a pleasant sight, one that Alfred enjoyed seeing when he didn't have to go to the office. Still, he would have enjoyed not having to do any work at all, but sitting in the sun was much nicer than sitting in the dusty old office.
He sat at the kitchen table working on the case. While he didn't really care what happened to the kid, he still had to at least try or he wouldn't be paid well, and he needed all the money he could get. He wrote down notes in his messy scrawl about how and why the kid shouldn't go to jail, but his mind was wandering.
It was eleven in the morning and neither of the kids had woken up yet. Arthur told him it might be a while before Lily woke up, but he felt that Peter should have been awake by then. Then again, he had spent the last year or so on the streets. Surely he was wicked tired.
Arthur had left for classes two hours before. He told Alfred that if Lily woke up to give her some medicine that he set out on the kitchen counter. He also told him to call if her fever was worse or something even so much as seemed wrong. Alfred smiled inwardly to himself remembering how worried Arthur looked. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to convince him to keep the children. He seemed very worried about Lily's health although he promised she would get better soon. Alfred never doubted his medical expertice, so he knew the Brit was saying it truthfully and not just with hope.
Alfred and Arthur had both checked on the children before Arthur had to leave and Alfred was checking every fifteen minutes. Lily showed no signs of waking up as did Peter. Arthur told him to let them sleep as long as they needed. If he got home and they were still asleep, he would play it by year as to wake them up or not.
The click of a lock and the opening of a door made Alfred jump and accidently draw a line on his paper. He looked back at it, having felt his hand move, and erased the line. He then glanced back at the old front door as Arthur came in. He placed his old Union Jack backpack on the ground by the coat rack and hung up his trench coat. Picking up his backpack, he placed it on the living room chair and went into the kitchen.
"Hey, Artie. How was class?" Alfred asked with a small smile to his husband. Arthur sighed like he did after every class before returning the soft smile.
"Oh, it was alright. Mighty boring, but alright," he said. Arthur said that all the time and it made Alfred wonder if the classes ever were fun or interesting or if Arthur simply hated what he was doing with his life. Deep down, Alfred knew it was the later, but refused to bring it up. Still, he hated seeing Arthur doing something he wasn't going to be happy with.
"How are the children?" Arthur took a seat across from Alfred looking at him intently. It was obvious they weren't up yet, so Arthur wanted to know their condition.
"Haven't woken up yet," Alfred reported, beginning with the obvious. "But Lily doesn't seem any worse and Peter is just tired, I think" Arthur nodded.
"I'm going to go tend to Lily. How about you go try and get Peter up?" Arthur suggested. "They must be starving, the poor things, having been out on the streets for so long. Surely at least Peter is hungry." Alfred smiled at the softness in Arthur's voice. He felt that he was winning the battle and maybe, just maybe, Arthur would let them keep the kids. He just had to keep Arthur around them and caring for them.
Alfred stuffed the papers into his briefcase. He had a little while before he actually had to appear in court and no one was asking him to meet with the kid or his family. All he had to do was make a case and he would get paid. He was rather pleased about that especially with the kids. Now, he could focus on getting them better because, honestly, anybody with a brain could make a defense for this particular case.
Alfred tapped on the door frame lightly and paused there. "Hey, Peter? You awake?" he asked softly. He got a small groan as a response and the shifting of blankets as the boy in the bed turned over. He pressed the covers over his head and curled into a ball.
"It's time to get up, dude," Alfred chuckled softly, venturing a little further into the room. "It's past breakfast now, but want something for lunch? We've got some sandwiches and mac n' cheese and some chicken nuggets and stuff."
Peter opened his blue eyes and sat up, rubbing them. He looked dazed and slightly confused. Alfred figured that he had woken up not knowing where he was which probably startled him. He crawled out of the bed and looked at Alfred.
"Yeah, I'm hungry, Mister." Alfred couldn't help but chuckle. He couldn't tell if Peter was trying to be polite or if he just didn't know what to call Alfred. Alfred figured it was the later. Peter seemed a little more energized now that he had actually gotten some rest. It was probably exhaustion that caused him to be a little snappy last night.
"Then, c'mon!" Alfred started for the door. "And I'm just Alfred. Don't bother calling me Mister, kay? And Artie's just Arthur." Alfred shot him a smile before heading down the hall and into the kitchen. Peter blinked and paused, but then rushed after him.
Arthur opened the door to the master bedroom quietly and slipped inside. His bright green eyes instantly drifted to the bed where Lily was still asleep. He sighed softly and came over, placing a hand on her head. It was warm, but starting to go down. Heading into the bathroom, he got a damp cloth and laid it across her forehead.
He looked down at the small girl and brushed through her hair gently. Her blue-violet ribbon was on Alfred's night table next to his discarded American flag tie and hamburger shaped alarm clock. How he wished he really could take them in. Alfred was right, he did love children, but they had no money.
He shook his head to shoo the thoughts away. It didn't matter now. All that mattered was getting these kids better and finding them a home. He pat her shoulder lightly and stood up to leave when he heard a chocked gasp and what sounded like crying. He turned around and saw the girl staring up at him with wide and fearful eyes. Immediately, he sat back down and touched her gently.
"Hello, love," he said softly. "Now, don't you cry. Everything is alright. You have quite the fever, but we're getting that down quickly, okay?" She continued to simply stare at him, a tear slipping down her cheek. He brushed it away and smiled. "You're safe here, alright? Stiff upper lip, okay? Now, let me go grab some medicine and I'll be right back."
He stood up again and hurried out. Alfred was digging around in the fridge and Peter was seated at the kitchen table. Alfred looked up when he heard the footsteps. "Hey, Artie, do you know where the chicken nuggets are?"
Arthur didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed the medicine, two spoons, and Alfred's jar of sugar he used for coffee before running back to the room where Lily lay. Peter watched him go and turned to Alfred. "Is Lily alright?" he asked with a hint of suspicion. He slid off the chair and leaned in the direction of the bedroom.
"She's fine," Alfred assured, "Now sit back down and I'll find us something good to eat. Artie will tell you when you can go see her. I'm sure that'll be soon." Peter hesitated, but sat back down and waited for Alfred to find something.
Back in the bedroom, Arthur poured the red looking liquid onto the small silver spoon. Lily watched him with wide green eyes. She wasn't sure what he was going to do and was still scared. Arthur suddenly groaned and set the spoon down on the table being sure not the spill any of the medicine. He went into the bathroom and came back out with a glass of water.
"There we go. I just forgot the water." He smiled at her and gently helped her sit up. She didn't struggle against his hold and allowed herself to be propped up against the fluffy pillows. Arthur then picked up the spoon with medicine on it. "Now, this is going to taste very yucky, but I have a few things to get rid of the taste. And it will make you better, alright?" He held out the spoon, but wasn't going to just shove it in her mouth. He knew that might scare her.
When she nodded and opened her mouth for him, he placed the spoon inside and slipped it out. Her face twisted up and she struggled to swallow the fowl tasting medicine. He quickly dipped the other spoon into the sugar jar and popped that in her mouth. She blinked and looked up at him before she tasted the sweet sugar. After swallowing, she smiled and giggled softly. This nearly made Arthur's heart melt. He handed her the glass of water which she drank gratefully.
"There you go. Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?"
"No," she said quietly. Her voice was soft and barely audible. She blushed slightly and looked down. "Thank you." Then, her eyes widened and her head shot up. "Where's Peter?"
Arthur chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "He's in the kitchen with Alfred getting something to eat. But he's safe. You're both safe now." Lily nodded. "Are you hungry?"
"No, I'm tired," she responded honestly, looking up at him with tired green eyes. He nodded in understanding. She reached up to brush a strand of hair back when her eyes widened again. Frantically, Lily grabbed at the side of her hair. "Where's my ribbon?"
"Right here, love, relax." Arthur smiled and handed it to her. She sighed with relief and took it, attempting to place it in her hair. Every time she would let go, it would flop out of her hair or hang on by just a strand.
"Can you put it back in?" she asked softly, holding it out to Arthur as if it was the most precious thing in the world. To her, it was. Arthur nodded as took it, wrapping it back in her hair.
"Will you be comfortable sleeping in this?" he asked as he tightened the bow and straightened it out. She nodded.
"I always have. I can't let it out of my hair or I'll lose it. When it falls out, Peter puts it back in. I can't do it myself." She looked at Arthur sadly. Arthur smiled and squeezed her shoulder.
"I see. Are you and Peter are close?"
"Very. He's like a brother to me."
As Arthur opened his mouth, Alfred came dashing into the room. "Hey, Artie! I can't find anything! Where are the chicken nuggets?" He didn't look over at the bed, but instead stared intently at Arthur. The Brit sighed.
"For God's sake, Alfred, they're right on the second shelf behind the milk. Did you move anything?" Alfred shook his head. "Well, that's why you couldn't find it."
Alfred pouted, then looked over at Lily who was staring wide eyed at him. "Oh, you're awake! Hey, how are you feeling? I'm Alfred and that's Arthur." He flashed her a winning smile and Arthur smacked him on the arm. "Oww!" He whined. This made Lily giggle softly as she covered her mouth with her thin and pale hand. The giggling died quickly and morphed into a yawn. Arthur smiled at her and then turned to glare at his husband.
"Out with you. And go start lunch. The poor lad's probably dying of hunger." Alfred rolled his eyes and smiled, mumbling a light "Yeah, Yeah." As he left, Arthur then turned back to Lily and held up the duvet for her to climb under once again. She did so and turned to her side, looking up at him.
"I'm going to go eat, alright, love?" he asked kindly, stroking her hair a bit before standing up. "When you wake up, I'll bring you something to nibble on. Sound good?" Lily nodded, but reached up and tugged on Arthur's shirt sleeve. He looked down at her and smiled when she yawned.
"C-Can you stay?" Her voice was even quieter and Arthur wouldn't have caught it had he not had an idea of what she was going to say. "J-Just until I fall asleep?"
"Of course, dear," Arthur smiled and sat back down on the edge of the bed. Leaning over, he dimmed the shades so the sun wouldn't bother her. He then started to hum, sweetly and softly. Her eyes closed, but her grip on his sleeve didn't loosen.
Alfred always told Arthur he had a beautiful voice. Arthur always told Alfred to shut the bloody hell up and that he wouldn't know talent if it hit him upside the head. Still, whether Arthur wanted to believe it or not, Alfred was right. Arthur did have a nice voice. Maybe it wouldn't land him any record deals, but it was perfect for a soft lullaby.
When Lily's breathing evened out, he was able to release his sleeve from her grasp and stand up. He smiled down at her sweet face, fast asleep in the bed before leaving the room and heading into the kitchen.
Alfred had managed to find the chicken and was just taking it out of the oven. He took a plate and popped the nuggets down on it. "Ow." "Ow." "Ow." He said the word with no pain in his voice as he picked up the hot food. It was a habit that irked Arthur to no end.
"Git, those don't hurt," Arthur glared as he walked in and sat down across from Peter. "You just say that to annoy the living hell out of me!"
Alfred smirked and brought the food over along with a bottle of water, a cup of tea, and a bottle of coke. "Watch your language, babe. We have children in the house." Arthur glared at him dangerously as he sat down. He hated when Alfred was right. Arthur swore like a sailor sometimes and he knew he would have to give that up while the kids were here. Because they would only be here for a little bit. Right. They could stay no longer than absolutely necessary.
Alfred frowned at the thought, but put on a smile as he sat down. He put some ketchup on the side of his plate for the chicken and started eating like he usually did. Usual for him was eating as fast as possible without bothering to take a bite. If he needed to speak, he would just talk with his mouth full of food. Arthur always got very angry when Alfred would do this especially when they were in public.
Peter looked at the food and then up at Arthur. "Is this for me?" Arthur looked down at him in surprise. Surely, he knew that the food set in front of him was meant to be eaten. Arthur almost thought he was kidding, but the boy's bright blue eyes told him that he was honestly confused.
"Of course it's for you, lad. Why wouldn't it be?" Peter looked back down at the food. His stomach growled loudly, but he still didn't move to eat.
"Because I didn't have to punch anyone in the face for it," the boy said as though it was strange he hadn't had to fight for his food. "Usually, I have to shove someone or hit them or kick them so I can get food for me and Lily."
"Lily and I," Arthur corrected with a small smile. He loved correcting people's grammar and usually did so with a rude comment following the correction. Because, honestly, if you've grown up speaking English your whole life, shouldn't you be able to speak properly? Now, though, it was almost cute coming from the mouth of a young and confused boy. "You don't have to fight anyone for food. If you get hungry, just ask either Alfred or myself for food and we'll be happy to give it to you."
Alfred (surprisingly) swallowed and nodded. "Yeah, dude. The fridge is always open! And if you're still hungry, we've got plenty of stuff to eat!" That was partially true, Arthur noted, having half a mind to correct the American but feeling it would be best not to. They had plenty of food now because Arthur had gone shopping the day before. The children were probably extremely hungry and he was sure the fridge would be cleaned out before the week was over. It was just another reason why they couldn't keep the children. With Alfred's eating habits plus two more mouths to feed, there simply wouldn't be enough money. The thought pained him more than he thought it would.
Peter looked once more between Alfred and Arthur before timidly picking up a chicken nugget. He glanced up once more before placing the food in his mouth and taking a bite. Chewing it quickly, he dropped the nugget back onto the plate, afraid someone was going to hurt him for eating. Alfred and Arthur looked at him sadly, disturbed that the boy felt he didn't have the right to eat. They didn't say anything else, probably because they didn't know what would be appropriate to say and they weren't sure if they would just make it worse.
It took a few minutes, but soon Peter was eating at a normal pace. He seemed to lose all fear of having the food taken from him. Alfred finished around the same time Peter started eating and stood to wash off the plates and clean up. Arthur could have been done as well, but he ate slowly so Peter wouldn't feel rushed. When the young boy was done, Arthur gladly took his plate along with his own and and brought it up to be washed. Peter sat there uncomfortably as he watched the two adults do the dishes. He felt he should help, but didn't ask if they needed him to. He didn't know, but the two wouldn't have let him. It just didn't seem appropriate to have a scared young boy do the dishes.
"How is Lily?" Peter asked when Alfred turned around. Alfred looked to Arthur who was drying the final dish.
"She's alright. Her fever's gone down and she's sleeping right now. She should be up in a few hours." Arthur set the dish down and turned to smile at Peter. The boy looked as though he didn't believe him, but nodded.
"Are you going to put me and Lily—Uh... Lily and I in school?" Peter asked as Alfred and Arthur sat down again.
The two didn't respond for a while, but it seemed the question was directed more-so at Arthur. He looked down and away, not meeting the gaze of the boy in front of him. "Well, lad. That's up to whoever takes you two in. But I would assume so unless they home school you." Alfred looked over at his husband sadly, but both looked away. The two adults refused to look anyone in the eyes, but Peter looked frantic as he glanced between the two.
"What do you mean? Aren't we staying here?" He was half shouting, but was able to keep his voice down in consideration of Lily.
"We would love for you two to stay with us." Arthur finally looked up at the boy with a sad expression. "But right now we simply don't have the money to take care of two children. There are other people out there, though, that would love to adopt you."
"But what if we don't stay together? What if they're mean? What if they hurt us; hurt Lily? You can't throw us out! We need a home! A-And Mr. Alfred said we can stay!"
Arthur turned to glare dangerously at Alfred who looked up when he heard his name. Alfred shook his head and turned to Peter. "Dude, I said we'd have to see. I didn't say yes."
"But that's like a 'yes!'"
"Peter, no it's not. Artie and I want you two to stay, but we don't have the money." Alfred looked at Arthur helplessly, but he had the same expression on his face. Peter jumped up, the wooden chair crashing to the wood floor behind him.
"Jerks! I hate you! You're just gonna throw us out again like we're trash! Oh, no one cares about orphans. Just let them die. That's what we've been told our whole lives and we made it this far! And now that we're safe, you're gonna throw us out! T-This is the closest thing to a family we've ever had!" Peter's voice started to break, but he turned around before the adults could see him cry. He ran to the guestroom and slammed the door, managing to find the lock and lock himself in while Arthur and Alfred looked on, their hearts breaking.
Poor... Poor everyone ;3; Especially Peter. He thought he had found a home.
* Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down, the medicine go down, the medicine go doooown~~~
* The ribbon is important. Take a wild guess.
* To the reviewer that asked, I love you, but I'm not going to say whether or not Peter and Arthur are brothers. Like I said, you just gotta trust me and keep reading :3
*Please keep reviewing ;3; Please? It makes my day. I love getting reviews, so please review? *begging* x3