"Even from afar, you can tell when someone is special."

Arthur stood near the window of his school. Staring through the glass, his eyes rested on Alfred, who was chatting with other boys from their class. Arthur cringed. "Alfred," he thought, "knows everything! It would not surprise me if he's figured out that who he saw yesterday was the real me! That the 'me' he normally saw was a fake! A disguise! A mask!" Arthur continued to watch Alfred before sighing. "What will you do know Alfred? Will you tell everyone? Or will you be forgiving and give this lowlife a chance?" Arthur sighed again and walked away from the window.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alfred laughed at a joke one of the boys told, before he turned to see that Arthur was gone. He had been watching Arthur out the corner of his eye the whole time. "Hey," one the boys started to say, causing Alfred to turn around, "I think Arthur was just looking over here."

The others nodded. "I wonder what he wanted," another boy claimed "Probably thinking about something…what if he was judging us or something?"

"Relax Toris; I'm sure he wasn't thinking anything like that."

"Yeah, that would be, like, very rude!"

"Hey guys," Alfred said, quieting the group, "What do you know about Arthur?"

The boys looked at each other with puzzling looks. "Um," the one, Toris, spoke up, "None of us really know anything about him. I've asked him for directions one time, but other than that, I know that he's a very nice person…"

"I've heard," another man said coming to them, "that he turns down every person who asks him out on a date, whether they be male or female, but that's all I know."

"Eh, really Kiku? I've heard that, but didn't think it was true! " Toris claimed.

Kiku nodded. "Aw," a blonde haired boy spoke, "And I was, like, gonna confess…"

"No point now Feliks; you'll only get hurt…"

"I believe," Kiku continued, looking at Alfred, "that it is time to go in. Do you agree, Alfred-san?"

Alfred smiled big. "Kiku's right, guys, we should head in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arthur walked down the hallway still deep in thought. "This is it for me. My days here are numbered. Everyone who looked at me with respect will only look at me with disgust tomorrow. I guess not even the greatest of kings could avoid things like this." That was when Arthur heard chatter ahead of him. Snapping out of thought, his eyes widen as he saw Alfred coming towards him, followed by Kiku and Toris. Arthur stood there, head down as they passed.

And nothing happened.

Alfred continued walking by, still laughing. Arthur stared into space, shock and relief passing through him. He just stood there, again deep in thought, missing the small glare Kiku sent his way.

A week had passed, and Alfred never said anything. Every time Arthur saw him, Alfred would avoid him. Arthur started to believe that this was weird, but paid no other mind to it. When it had reach late Friday afternoon, Arthur realized that Alfred may have let him go. "That's weird," Arthur thought, "he just let me go. Well then," he mentally cheered, "Turns out he's nicer than I thought. I mean, he is very nice and kind to everyone, and I'm no exception!" Arthur smirked to himself and went to check in with his teacher.

Arthur quietly put his books inside his bag. The day had ended and the sun was beginning to set. Everyone else in the school had gone home and he had to stay behind to finish some things. Still in his good mood from his earlier revelation, he suddenly said to himself, "Oh, I have to get something from the library." Grabbing his bag, he left the classroom, almost skipping to the library (though he would deny it) humming "Rule Britannia." Arthur hummed the tune and turned the corner where the library was placed.

"Well, you're in a good mood."

Arthur nearly screamed and backed into the wall closest to him. Alfred was standing in front of him smiling…no, smirking. "Did I scare you," he continued walking closer to Arthur. Arthur tried to back up, but the wall was in the way. "What a surprise," Alfred said, still smirking, "I remembered something today. I had seen something a week ago that was really amazing! A side to the great Arthur Kirkland no one had ever seen before. Who would have thought? I wonder what everyone's reactions would be if they found out. Disgust, shame…" Arthur held his hand up to Alfred's face. "Hmm, what is it Arthur?"

"…don't," Arthur muttered, "don't tell everyone."

Alfred continued smirking, making Arthur want to punch it off his face. "Come on, say the magic word!"

Clenching his fists and teeth, Arthur grumbled, "PLEASE…don't tell anyone."

Alfred's smirked transformed into a big smile. "Okie Dokie." However, before Arthur could sigh with relief, a pile a papers was thrust into his hands. "Take this, I need you to finish these before tomorrow. I have a meeting." He started to run off, yelling behind him, "See ya later Artie!"

Arthur just stood there staring at Alfred's running back. "Artie," he muttered confused, before his rage picked up. "What…WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT! Why do I have to do this? That git!" Arthur clenched the papers to his chest. "That attitude….that smirk…who was that? What the hell happened to Alfred?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arthur sighed as he placed his pencil down. It was already dark outside and almost everyone had left the school already. "This is ridiculous," he said to himself, "today was like any other day…except…I now spend each as STUPID ALFRED'S SLAVE! It's been four days since then! I can't tell anyone here and my family won't understand or listen! What did I do to deserve this!"

"Maybe talking to yourself for starters," Alfred countered, walking in the room. Arthur froze and glared at the man. Alfred only smiled and came to Arthur's desk. "Wow, you're done already? Amazing as always Artie!"

Arthur jumped up. "First off, do not call me Artie," he said, "and secondly, what is it that you want? Why do I have to do this?"

Alfred looked at him with a blank look, and then said, "Because I know your darkest secret and I'm using it to my advantage," as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Trying to prevent himself from banging his head into the wall, Arthur yelled, "I KNEW THAT! I'm going to be blunt with you, this is blackmail! Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"

Alfred looked hurt for a second, but then smiled and said, "Well of course I am." Arthur started to talk but Alfred went on, "But I have a lot of work to do, and sometimes heroes must result to drastic measures." Alfred stood and did a Super Man pose, "Thus I asked your assistance!"

Arthur simply gaped at him "What is he, a child?" "Well…heroes don't make innocent people do their work for them. They force the villain and sometimes…the sidekick," Arthur said quickly, for his knowledge on these things were limited.

Unsurprisingly, Alfred simply smiled again. "Well, you know in most American movies the sidekick or villain is usually British."

"Fuck you!"

"Ooh, bad language. Of course, you could always stop," Alfred said, his smile melting into a smirk, "You can just walk away…that is, if you're brave enough."

"You bastard." Alfred laughed and grabbed his papers. Arthur groaned. "Someone must have cursed my life."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From that point on, Arthur found himself with Alfred's work every day. Day after day, Alfred would pile work on top of Arthur, which led to him coming home late more often. Despite being annoyed at this, Arthur enjoyed himself a bit. He didn't mind the work after a while, and he found that he was getting to know Alfred more the before. One thing he learned was that along with being class rep and on the football team, Alfred was on the social planning committee, the graduation travels representative, and a lot of other things.

"Wow," Arthur said the beginning the next week during lunch, "with all this work, I'm surprised you are not dead!"

Alfred laughed at that. "I can't help it," he said, "People always come to me! It must be because I'm so awesome."

"I'm sure," Arthur said rolling his eyes, trying to kick out the thought in his head that Alfred was right, "But still Alfred, this is too much for one person. I don't even have to this much."

"Well then," Alfred said, rubbing Arthur's head, "that's why it's good thing I have you!"

Arthur blushed and swatted his hand away, his heart beating harder in his chest. "Don't…don't do that! What am I, your dog?"

Alfred chuckled and started to walk away. "Naw, you're more like a cat!"*

Arthur fumed, following him. "A cat!"!

Later that night, Alfred finished his activities early, so he helped Arthur finish "his" work. "That reminds me," Arthur said suddenly, "Alfred, were you on the student council at your junior high?"

Alfred grinned. "Yep, the president! You too?"

Arthur let a small smile cross his face. "Yes, I was the president at my school as well. It was hard work."

"Maybe for you, but not for me," Alfred said laughing. Arthur looked at him confused, when Alfred made his eyes water and wide. "Oh no," Alfred spoke, "I can't finish all of these. Will…will you help me with these." Alfred proceeded to start laughing at Arthur's horrified look. "The puppy eyes always work Artie! They always work!"

"That's…wow! Hmph, I thought heroes didn't do things like that," Arthur said, half smugly and half horrified.

Alfred calmed down to look at him. "I only did when I was desperate…"

"You're worse than I am," Arthur yelled.

"Well not quite, but almost," Alfred said back. Arthur look hurt and Alfred quickly added, "I mean I don't normally act like this. I guess…I have a double identity too…that only you can see."

Arthur's eyes widened, his heart going faster than before. "What…what's going on," he thought. He softly muttered, "Oh," instead, before saying, "It's getting late, maybe they'll let you finish this tomorrow?"

Alfred looked at his watch and jumped up. "Crap, it is late! My brother will wonder where I am! You're right, I'm sure they can wait!" Before Arthur could ask about this brother of his, Alfred leapt to the door. Arthur sighed, following him. "Oh wait," Alfred said suddenly, stopping at the closed door, "Artie, you hungry?"

Arthur thought for a moment. "Well," he said, "I haven't eaten yet, so I am a bit famished."

"Well then," Alfred said a warm smile on his face, "I'll take you to dinner."

Arthur's eyes widen again, this time even bigger, as his chest started to feel heavy. "What is going on," he thought as he walked out the door, "This feeling…this cannot be normal. Am I sick? " "Okay," Arthur replied, walking next to Alfred, "But we can go anywhere except McDonalds."

Alfred pouted. "But why not?

The sun set and the school was quiet the following night. The sky was clear, as a full moon shown in the sky. After wearing himself out from working and studying, Arthur had fallen asleep on Alfred's work. The window was open, the light wind from outside blowing strands of his hair. Softly, Arthur started to stir. He felt someone gently nudging him. Arthur slowly opened his eyes and looked up to see Alfred. "Hey," Alfred said softly. Arthur froze, wide awake, staring up at the man. Alfred smiled. "I finished practice and came to see if you were still here. I figured I would wake you up."

Arthur stared at Alfred for a minute. The moonlight surrounded the darkened room, enveloping the pair. Instead of thinking of why the room was darkened, Arthur simply continued to gaze at Alfred. His face was framed by the moonlight, his blue eyes sparkling from the light along with youth, freedom and…a little loneliness. "There's no way," Arthur thought, "I suppose…I have been denying myself too long now to deny this. I wonder when it started…I've never had feelings for someone before…feelings like this. But now…I look at him with different eyes. Did it start after he knew my secret…or was it when I learned the real him? Just a crush huh? Damn, I've dug myself into a early grave now, haven't I?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Kirkland family sat around the dinner table talking about their day. "Arthur," Patricia turned to Arthur, "You have been coming home late a lot recently."

Arthur looked up from his food. "I have a lot of school work and activities, so I have to stay late."

"Oh really? Only that," Scott asked smirking.

Arthur glared. "Yes, really."

Scott sighed. "Okay Peter, I was right, so pay up."

Peter pouted. "But that doesn't make sense!"

Arthur looked back a forth between the two of them. "What are you two talking about? And Scott, why would you bet with a kid…actually, never mind I asked."

"I'm not a kid! I'll be fourteen soon! And well," Peter went on, Arthur rolling his eyes, "it's really weird! You're always coming home late, and you never tell us about school anymore when you used to. Not to mention," Peter yelled pointing at Arthur, "You don't wear your jumpsuit and glasses anymore! Which why I think that you. Have. a. Girlfriend!"

Arthur nearly choked on his food. "A…a girlfriend? You're both crazy!"

Scott simply nodded. "The kids got a point there you know."

"Oh Sod off! Like I said, it's just schoolwork!"

"Maybe not a girlfriend," Wendy quickly said, ignoring Arthur like everyone else, "Arthur, you swing both ways right?'

Arthur blushed, and muttered, "Yes, I opened up about this a while ago didn't I?"

"Then," Wendy interrupted, "I'm correct. One of my friends at your school said they see you always in the presence of another guy."

Arthur gulped. "Oh no…"

Wendy smirked. "A handsome young man, glasses, blue eyes, blonde hair with a hair sticking up. A man who goes by the name of Alfred F. Jones!"

Arthur really choked this time. Scott's jaw dropped. Peter went hysterical with laughter. Patricia started laughing as well. "Well," she giggled, "that's surprising. I thought you hated him, and now you're dating him?"

"I didn't hate him…AND I'M NOT DATING HIM! I told you, it's school work," Arthur screamed, but he was ignored by his family chatting about their parents finding out, along with something about Scotts affair with a French girl. He put his head on the table and groaned. "Damn it, they're horrible. They're making this even more confusing. I don't even know what Alfred really thinks of me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, during chemistry, Arthur watch as the water boiled over the alcohol lamp. He slowly added chemicals to the beaker so it wouldn't spill or explode. Once it was deemed safe, Arthur put the other beaker back in the holder, when someone grabbed his shirt sleeve. "Excuse me, Arthur, can I talk to you?"

Arthur turned to see a young woman with long brown hair and green eyes like his own. Arthur smiled. "Yes, how may I help you Elizaveta?"

Elizaveta smiled and said, "Well…this isn't about the class work…it's….well, I was wondering what your relationship with Alfred is?" Arthur nearly tripped over himself when she said this, swearing he could see stars. "You two have been very close lately, this we have seen. I was wondering what was happening. It's great if you two are friends, just from what I can see, you two see more than just friends. That would be amazing for my footage, I mean, for you too, if it was like that?"

"More…than…"Arthur mumbled to himself while swaying.

"Actually," the girl went on, "there's this rumor going around about this." Arthur stopped swaying, his head quickly going back to her. "I asked my friend Sofie* actually to asked Alfred about it. She said that he just laughed."

Arthur expression dropped a bit. Then he smiled and said, "Don't worry, it's nothing." He then turned back to what he was doing. "Of course," he thought bitterly, "Who am I kidding? Alfred doesn't feel that way. He's probably only attracted to girls! He would be disgusted with me. But…maybe he doesn't mind. Even if he doesn't mind…he doesn't show that he has any feelings for me at all. He was nice to me before he found out my secret, then all he did was tease me and be mean and…use me. I…I didn't fall for him until after I found out his other side. He liked the other me better…I don't stand a chance. The tragic end to a forbidden fairy tale."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alfred opened the door to a classroom to find Arthur still at his desk that evening. Alfred walked over to him. "Oh, so I see you're still here."

Arthur didn't look up. "I finished it."

Alfred smiled big. "That's great Artie, now…"

Arthur stood up and threw the papers at Alfred, cutting him off. "I've had enough!"

"What do you mean," Alfred asked confused.

Arthur glared at him. "I've had enough of this. I won't help you anymore!"

Alfred looked at him confused and then said, "But, if you don't, you'll have lots of problems later," in a sing song like voice.

Arthur walked passed him. "I don't care anymore. I don't care even if you told the whole world." He proceeded to leave, when Alfred grabbed his arm. "Let me go."

"No," Alfred said, "You're angry. Why are you angry?"

"Shit, why does he have to read the atmosphere now?" "I'm not angry," Arthur said calmly, "but if you don't let go, I will be. So let go!"

Alfred only held tighter. "You are angry! I'm not letting you go until I know why!"

Arthur struggled. "Alfred, let me go!"
"No!"

"I said let go!"

SLAP

The sound resonated throughout the classroom. Alfred held his hand to his cheek, staring at Arthur from where he was pushed. Arthur stared back, surprised he had actually done it. "I…I," Arthur muttered and then he yelled, "I hate this! Damn it, Alfred, I hate being used by you!" He then ran out the room and down the hallway, ignoring Alfred's calls. Arthur kept running, his heart beating faster every moment, and at the same time, shattering. "I should have known," he thought, "I almost lost myself. For a while, it was like we were friends, but he's been using me this whole time. Arthur Kirkland does not get used! This is too much! I can't continue like this!" Suddenly, Arthur heard footsteps behind him. He turned his head to see Alfred on his tail! "Bloody hell," he yelled, "why are you following me?"

"Because you're running away from me," Alfred yelled back.

Arthur ran faster. "Go away, stop chasing me you idiot!"

"Like hell I'm gonna do that!" Arthur halted, only to jump out the open window to his left. Alfred stopped, shock running through him like a virus as he watched Arthur jump…and then land safely on the ground. Alfred groaned. "You're lucky we're on the first floor," he screamed. Alfred sighed, jumped out the window, and started to chase Arthur again. "Will you stop running you fucking Brit! "

"No, you stupid Yank!"

Alfred reached his hand to Arthur. "You're acting like you're life's in danger. Will you listen?" He grabbed Arthur by his shirt.

CRASH

The grab caused Arthur to stumble, leading to the two falling and crashing into the sports equipment. Panting, both of them stayed still for a moment, before Alfred got up. "Ow, that will leave a mark," he claimed, rubbing his arm. He then saw Arthur crawling away out the corner of his eye. "Oh come on, you're still running away," he groaned, grabbing Arthur, "Aren't you hurt? Let me see your…face."

Arthur's face was covered in smudges, along with a stream of tears. "So what if I'm running away for once? Why do you care if I'm hurt? After all, I'm just a vain, spoiled brat who likes to tell lies, right? Okay, I admit to that. I'm not a complete gentleman. I'm conniving, controlling, and selfish! I'm deceptive! You know all this, have I disappointed you? Huh? Am I not worthy now? Is that why you tease me now? Because I'm not perfect anymore, no longer having the dignity of a human being? Damn it, I hate you….I hate…" Alfred reached out the touch Arthur's shoulders, but Arthur flinched away. "Don't touch me, you bastard!"

Alfred looked at him hurt, but backed off a bit. "I'm sorry," he muttered. Arthur's eyes softened at this. Alfred continued, "I didn't mean for it to be like this. I…was never planning on telling anyone in the first place. You've never disappointed me Arthur. Being with you…makes me really happy. Honestly…I did all of this just because I wanted to hang out with you." Arthur's eyes widened, as Alfred blushed, "before I found out your secret, I wanted to know more about you. You seemed so perfect. After I found out…I wanted to find out even more about you. You seemed like a fun person, and I've never acted like this with anyone other than you…and…this is embarrassing," Alfred said, blushing more while scratching his head, "I thought this would work. I thought you liked to work, so I wasn't trying to use you. I thought you would have fun, and it seemed like you were. I'm sorry, let's just forget all this, okay?

Arthur gazed at Alfred for second. Alfred looked back, with a look on his face that told Arthur that he was being sincere. Chuckling, Arthur smiled. "You could of just asked, you git," he said smiling.

Alfred's face lit up. "Yeah, but asking for friends is kind of lame Artie."

Arthur rolled his eyes as Alfred helped him up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After that incident, Arthur and Alfred became good friends who shared a secret. They would hang out during school and they starting eating lunches together. "In the end, "Arthur thought during one lunch, "Alfred thought the real reason I was angry was because he gave me too much work. That's fine, at least for now I know I have a little part in Alfred's life…even if it's not romantic, I can live with this." "Hey Alfred," Arthur asked, "I remember you saying you had a brother?"

"Oh yeah," Alfred said between bites of a hamburger, "I live with my older brother Matthew. It's just the two of us, without parents, so Matt has to work a lot to take care of both of us."

"Oh," Arthur replied, "What does he do?"

"He works as an assistant to a doctor at the famous hospital down the street."

Arthur nearly dropped his food. "That…THAT hospital! You must be rich!"

Alfred laughed. "Not really," he said, "what about you?"

"Well," Arthur said after thinking, "I have four siblings; an older brother, and younger brother and two older sisters. My parents' jobs require that they live in England for now, so my brother Scott looks after us."

"Wow," Alfred said amazed," That sounds like fun!"

Arthur did a half smile. "Yeah…fun…Anyways," he said, changing the subject, "I can't believe no one's seen this side of you! Though you're not that much different.

Alfred chuckled. "I guess so." "I'm surprised too," Alfred thought, "I never knew I could be like this. I'm usually fine with people but not as comfortable as I am with you Arthur. I wonder…what attracts me to you? I'm falling deeper into you Arthur and I don't know whether this is good…or bad."

*Sophie is my name for Belgium