MAY 17, 2012

9:30 AM

Arthur was very anxious to speak with Alfred today. He'd always been an awful liar, and was terrified it would be obvious that he was keeping something from Alfred. But no matter what, he mustn't tell Alfred what he'd done.

Alfred sat across from him, waiting for Arthur to say something. Arthur was trying his absolute hardest to avoid the topic.

"Nice weather we're having today."

"I'm not allowed outside."

"Oh, right! Silly me! Well it is very warm outside... Very warm indeed!"

Alfred was quiet for a moment. "Okay, what are you hiding?"

"What? I'm not hiding anything! That's ridiculous!" Arthur blushed a little.

Alfred raised an eyebrow and said nothing.

Arthur sighed. "I'd tell you but..."

"But...?"

"But you won't like it." Arthur shook his head.

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Because you won't."

Alfred leaned back and crossed his arms. "Uh huh. Dude, you know I won't stop asking about it until you tell me."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Yes, I am aware of that."

"Wow. And you still won't tell me?"

Arthur sucked in his breath and shook his head.

"Damn, man! What did you do?"

Arthur wanted to tell him... but he just couldn't do it. He suddenly had a profound interest in the tiled floor.

Then, "Wait... No," Alfred said. "You wouldn't have..."

Arthur said nothing.

"You... didn't." Alfred growled.

"I..." Arthur squeaked. "I did, I'm afraid."

Arthur still hadn't looked up to meet his eyes. He was too ashamed. He heard a chair squeak as Alfred stood up. He could hear the clicks of his shoes as he paced around the brightly lit room.

"Dude! I told you not to find him!"

"I... I know." Arthur whispered.

"Why did you do it?" Alfred nearly yelled.

Arthur couldn't answer that question. It wasn't that he didn't know the answer... It was just that he refused to acknowledge it.

"Answer. Me." Alfred said through gritted teeth.

"It's because..." Arthur began. He couldn't quite put the words together to finish that sentence.

"Because what?" Alfred hissed.

Arthur felt a tear slip down his cheek. He quickly wiped it away before it could be noticed. To no avail. Alfred was quiet. Arthur almost snuck a peek upward, but then Alfred was knelt before him, squinting to look at his face.

"Dude... are you crying?" Alfred said.

Alfred's face was just a few inches from his. Suddenly, Arthur had an overpowering urge to lean forward and...

"N-no!" Arthur stood up quickly, taking three hurried steps backwards. Alfred raised his eyebrows, clearly confused.

"Artie, what's the matter wit-"

"Stop that!" Arthur yelled. "Stop calling me Artie! I'm Arthur! Or better yet, Mr. Kirkland to you!" Arthur's face turned a little bit red.

Alfred looked hurt. "Art- er... Mr. Kirkland... wh-why..."

"Stop! I can see what you're doing!"

"W-what am I doing?" Alfred's blue eyes widened.

"YOU ARE TRYING TO SEDUCE ME!" Arthur regretted it the moment he said it. Alfred's face darkened and twisted with hurt and anger.

"Trying... to... SEDUCE YOU?!" Alfred stood up.

Arthur put a hand over his own mouth. How could he have said something like that? That didn't sound like him at all.

"DUDE! Don't be so full of yourself! I would never- and I mean NEVER-like someone like YOU like that!" He had tears running down his cheeks. "I thought I finally had a friend who wouldn't look at me like I was a monster! But I guess I was wrong! You're just like everyone else!"

He fell to his knees, tears running down his cheeks. He held his head in his hands, sobs wracking his whole body.

Arthur touched his own face, and felt tears that matched Alfred's. He wanted to go and comfort Alfred, to apologize, but his legs were frozen. All he could do was stand there and wait for the guards to come and retrieve him.

5:32 PM

Arthur sat alone at his desk. He'd gone home right after Alfred had left.

How could he explain the pain in his heart? He'd hurt someone he cared about. He hadn't even meant to hurt him in that way... How could Arthur have been so stupid? Of course Alfred would never feel that way for him. But... why did that make Arthur upset?

Arthur took another swig of ale. This way probably his fifth drink... He couldn't quite remember. Honestly, he felt like he was about to pass out. But he couldn't sleep until he had figured out what to do...

Oh... Oh no...

He ran to the bathroom and vomited.

He decided it seemed like a good idea to rest next to the toilet... He lay on the tile floor, cheek resting against its cool surface.

"Feels good..." He mumbled to nobody. He was alone.

Then, a flying green bunny appeared in front of him.

Hello, Arthur! My, my! You seem to be a drunken mess at the moment! Shall I come back later, perhaps?

Arthur slurred, "No... It's f-fine..." He was seeing double. He tried hard to focus on the creature.

Arthur you should go take a nap... You have to see Alfred tomorrow! It chirped cheerfully.

"I dun wanna, Flying Mint B-Bunny..." He closed his eyes and opened them quickly.

Aw c'mon! Let's go to sleep!

"No..." Arthur choked out. Then, he felt his stomach toss a little and his throat filled with bile. He sat right up and vomited into the toilet again.

Oh dear... Did something happen?

"Y-yes! Alfred... mad... gotta fix..."

That's awful, Arthur! Is there any way I can help? Flying Mint Bunny said.

"No... I'm fine..." Arthur rested his head on the toilet bowl.

Okay. Go to sleep now, okay?

"Okay... Nighty-night..." Arthur mumbled as he dozed off.