"New...brother?" It just didn't seem to make any sense and Arthur could easily see Alfred's confusion.
"Yes," he nodded. "You see, I had planned on adopting a child like you. However, this month has been particularly...busy for me. The only time I had to adopt was late last night."
"Oh." Alfred scanned the room again. Arthur noticed and a faint blush grew on his pale cheeks. "Haven't cooked in awhile, huh?" The man's thick eyebrows furrowed and the child immediately shut his mouth. But instead of being angry, Arthur actually chuckled. Alfred was always used to being yelled at for things he hadn't done, and now that he had mocked the owner of his new home, nothing happened? So...he doesn't hate me? I'm not really sure how I feel about that...I think...happy...
"Are you listening?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry."
"I asked if you wanted something to eat." Before Alfred could answer, his stomach did for him. He clutched it and laughed. Arthur smiled again-which soon faded as he looked back to his wrecked kitchen and remembered he sill didn't know how to cook anything. Alfred ended up eating burnt toast with too much butter and jam until his belly began to protest.
"So Al," The boy looked up and his brother wiped the jam from his cheeks with a napkin. "Do you like your new home? It's a bit filthy at the moment, but other than that, are you enjoying yourself?"
"Yeah! I mean..." he looked down. "I was a little scared at first because I didn't know where I was or anything," he beamed once more, looking up at Arthur. "You suck at cooking, but you're still really fun and cool!" Arthur's brow furrowed again. He wasn't sure to count that as a compliment or an insult. So he treated like the ladder.
"I don't suck at cooking! You're still just a child, you don't have any taste, you git!" Alfred giggled at Arthur's failed attempt at an argument and, despite how much he didn't want to, the Brit began chuckling along.
"Oh wait, why didn't you eat any breakfast?" the younger asked a couple minutes after the laughter had settled down. Arthur only shook his head with a "maybe later".
The day progressed quickly, Alfred telling Arthur about the orphanage and such.
"I'm glad nothing really serious happened. Once, I had a roommate that shot fireworks, much like the one you had. Except mine didn't do it on purpose and blame me for it." Alfred nodded.
"I mean, I don't think he meant to, either, but Wang Guo still blamed me," he said in frustration. "That has to count for something, right?" Arthur didn't answer. His bright green eyes were staring above Alfred's head at an old vintage clock. 7:52. It was already getting dark out as the sun fell behind the trees. The deep crimson of it seemed quite fitting for the setting. "Arthur?" the older man stood up and brought his attention back to the younger male. "Is something wrong? You look a little funny..." Arthur only grinned, but even Alfred could see how strained is was.
"It's just getting late, how about we eat some dinner then get to bed?"
"But I'm not tired and it's only eight!" Despite his arguing, Alfred followed his brother into the kitchen once more.
"Why do I have to go to bed so early? Are you?" Arthur tucked the thick blanket around Alfred, kissing his forehead sweetly before flipping off the lights.
"It's been a long day and you start school on Monday. I need you to be prepared." Alfred realized he'd never really gone to an actual school before; he'd only learned few facts from the lengthy lessons at the orphanage.
"Aren't you going to bed?"
"Ah, no. I have some important work to do." Alfred figured that was the end of the conversation because he could hear Arthur's light steps as he padded out of the bedroom. Work? Who works at this time of night? His curiosity would get the better of him, he knew, but he desperately wanted to trust his new found brother. Suddenly, he heard the front door slam shut. At that point Alfred decided he couldn't take it anymore. He kicked the blankets off and leapt from the bed to look out the window. Arthur was walking down the moonlit trail in a long trench coat, hands shoved in the deep pockets. Alfred watched his figure until he disappeared behind the thick row or trees.
Maybe I'll just ask him about it tomorrow, he thought. He yawned and burrowed under the sheets, drifting off into a deep sleep.