MAY 22, 2012

9:30 AM

Arthur shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Alfred was staring at him expectantly, as if he was about to say something significant. The truth was, Arthur was unsure of what to say to him. Arthur had two choices: He could ignore the tension, or acknowledge it.

He chose to ignore it, obviously

"So, it would seem that the trial is two days away…" He said.

Alfred sighed. "Stop tryin' to make small talk, dude."

"I am doing no such thing!" He blushed a little bit.

"Yeah, you are. Could we get it out of the way and talk about yesterday?" When Arthur gave no response, Alfred looked at him with pleading eyes. "Please… you're my friend, and I don't want something like this hanging in the air…"

Arthur let out some air gruffly. "What is there to talk about, Alfred?"

"Well, you almost kissed a gay guy…" Alfred raised an eyebrow at Arthur.

Arthur wasn't sure how to react. He couldn't just flat out say that he himself was a "gay guy". He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ah, yes, um… That."

"Yeah, that." Alfred said.

"Do you want me to explain myself or some rubbish?" Arthur said grudgingly. Alfred nodded. Arthur groaned. "I can't really explain myself… I'm sorry; I must have been ill or something."

"You sure, dude?" Alfred looked suspicious.

Why couldn't Arthur bring himself to say it? Why couldn't he just TELL Alfred that he… Ugh, he couldn't even THINK it without stopping himself! This would take a lot of getting used to…

"Yes, I'm quite sure…" He mumbled.

"Okay, man." Alfred let out a long breath, then smiled at him. "So… how long 'till we're in court? It's hard to keep track of what day it is in here…"

Arthur thought for a moment, then his eyes widened. "It's… tomorrow. At 10 o'clock sharp."

Alfred laughed and winked at Arthur. "I'll be there."

Arthur's heart fluttered and he looked down at his watch. Only it was only 9:57… How could he possibly manage to be in this room alone with him for another thirty-three minutes? He cleared his throat.

"Yes, well… So you know basically what will be happening tomorrow, correct?"

He nodded eagerly. "Yeah! It'll be like on Judge Judy, right?"

Arthur slammed his forehead into the palm of his hand and groaned. Stupid American… "Not exactly, Alfred… It won't be broadcast on the telly… and your fate will be decided based on what the jury thinks, not the opinion of the judge."

"Seriously? WOAH!" Alfred exclaimed.

Was he seriously a college student? What on EARTH was he studying? Arthur sighed and said, "Alfred, what exactly is it you've been studying in school?"

"Oh!" Alfred said, smiling his adorable, goofy smile. "I'm studying biology! I wanna, like, do research on different types of organisms and stuff!"

"Oh…" Somehow, Arthur found it hard to believe that someone could manage to claim that they want to do research for a living and word it in such an informal manor… He looked at Alfred and smiled. "That's good. I'm glad you've found something you like."

Alfred smiled again. "Thanks, man! It's pretty cool stuff!" He looked at Arthur with kind eyes. "What made you wanna study law?"

Arthur leaned back in his chair, surprised by the question. "Where did that come from?"

"I dunno... I'm just curious." Alfred shrugged.

"Well..." Arthur thought for a moment. "I suppose I wanted to be able to defend people when... when they are innocent." He mumbled the last part, for he'd almost let the truth slip out. What he'd wanted to say was that he wanted to defend people when the rest of the world was picking on them, so maybe they could feel like someone was on their side. Kind of like... he'd wished someone had been on his side when he was younger.

"Dude, that's pretty noble." Alfred crossed his arms and smiled.

"I guess so..." Arthur let out a weak smile.

There was a moment of complete silence, and then Alfred blurted out, "Arthur, what are you most afraid of?"

"What is it with you and obscure questions?" Arthur rolled his eyes.

He sighed. "If you must know... I'm afraid of loss."

"Loss?" Alfred said.

"Yes... I don't really have very many friends for example. I am afraid of losing what few I do have. I don't want to be alone..."

"I can totally understand that, man." Alfred smiled sweetly, causing Arthur to have to look down to keep himself from blushing. This must be strictly professional.

He cleared his throat and shrugged. "I suppose. If you're speaking of everyday phobias, then I can honestly say that I am germaphobic..."

"Germs? You're, like, a neat-freak?!" Alfred laughed. "Dude! I can SO picture that!"

"I am not a neat-freak! I just... don't like germs... or untidiness..." He trailed off, knowing damn well that he was indeed a neat-freak. But he didn't exactly want Alfred to know that, now did he?

"Ha! Dude, you should SEE my apartment... I guess I could do research on the organisms growing in my living room instead of in the lab!" He laughed giddily. Arthur winced, picturing mold and all sort of fungus growing on the walls... an old pizza left out... a pile of dirty laundry... He shuddered.

He swallowed hard. "So... what are YOU afraid of, Alfred?" He said, now completely embarrassed.

Alfred thought for a moment before saying quietly, "Change... it's scary, man... I feel like I can't control it, you know?"

Arthur was silent.

"And... I just get so afraid sometimes that everything in my life is gonna be different all at once... Because I know my Mom's gonna die, and I don't even KNOW what I'll do once that happens... I'm just so afraid, Arthur." He sighed heavily, then looked him straight in the eye. "I'm glad I have a friend to talk to though."

Arthur never thought the word "friend" would hit him so hard. But, despite what he felt inside, he forced a smile and said, "Anytime, Alfred."

Alfred smirked. "Oh, and common phobias... I'm afraid of spiders. Like, SERIOUSLY afraid of 'em."

Arthur couldn't help but giggle a bit, picturing Alfred squealing at the sight of a tiny little spider. Alfred made a face.

"I'm not kidding, dude! Those things scare the LIVING SHIT out of me! Do you have any idea how many spiders are in this fucking place?" He started laughing, and Arthur smiled.

"Oh, you big baby." Arthur shoved him playfully.

"Ah, shuddup!" Alfred laughed. "I swear, the guys in here are about ready to beat me senseless AGAIN because of it. I sometimes wake up and there's a spider on the wall and I scream or something and wake everybody up..."

"Oh, goodness... That's quiet a bit worse than mine , if I do say so..."

"No it isn't! At least I'm not scrubbing public toilet bowls and stuff!" Alfred smirked at him.

"I don't do THAT!" Arthur blushed, trying not to let it show on his face that he, in fact, did do that...

They both laughed, maybe at how stupid this conversation was, maybe at how ridiculous they both were, Arthur wasn't sure. It just felt so good to laugh with someone so absolutely... pure. And that was exactly what Alfred was. Pure and good and kind and sweet... Arthur smiled at him.

After they both stopped laughing, Alfred sighed a bit, earning Arthur's attention.

"In all seriousness, dude... Thank you so much. Whatever happens tomorrow... I'm just glad that I got the chance to get to know you."

Arthur blushed and looked away. He cleared his throat and swallowed, then blurted out a small, "Yeah."

"I... I guess what I wanna say is... I'm gonna miss you. Lots." Alfred smiled at him kindly.

A sudden burst of panic came over Arthur. He wouldn't see Alfred anymore after tomorrow... this was their final meeting. The last time he'd get to be alone with Alfred. His eyes widened and he quickly looked over at Alfred, who was smiling at him.

"I-I... I will miss you too." Arthur said, then quickly added after a moment, "That is, I'll miss this part of my schedule! It will be odd not doing this every morning." He was blushing like mad, he knew it.

Alfred laughed. "Sure, sure." When Arthur snapped his head at him with glaring eyes, Alfred laughed again. "Sorry, I mean... Can you tell me if I'm one of the people you're afraid of losing?"

Arthur's cheeks were absolutely on FIRE. At that moment, as Arthur's heart was beating about a hundred kilometers per hour, the officers came in to take Alfred away one final time. Arthur was quiet as they handcuffed Alfred, and led him to the door.

Finally, Arthur spoke up with a quiet voice.

"Alfred?"

Alfred looked at him, as they were closing the door.

"Yes, you are."

The door closed one final time.