Morning came quicker than Alfred had hoped. The sky was clear with very little clouds and the sun shone brightly. Alfred cursed when he realised that it would be a nice day. He would have to be extra careful.

Alfred had left his room to find Arthur. He wanted to thank him for taking him in for the night, and he wanted to tell him how awesome he was for doing so. He was very grateful, and he would never forget it. Arthur didn't have to allow him to stay in his house, but he did. Alfred didn't know if it was out of kindness or pity, but the point was, was that he did and that was the end of it.

Now he faced the problem of actually finding the older vampire. He puffed his cheeks in a pout as he left Arthur's study. He was there an hour ago, so where the hell was he now? He looked down the hall both ways and he saw a tuft of blond hair pass a corner on the right side of the corridor. Alfred hurried towards the hair and turned the corner then smiled, "Hey Peter!"

He smaller boy turned around and crossed his arms, "Hi. What do you want?"

"Have you seen Arthur?"

"Yeah, the jerk went to his room. Aren't you supposed to be leaving?" Peter inquired. Alfred nodded and smiled, "Yeah, I just wanna say thanks before I go."

"Right," Peter nodded, "Well don't bother because jerk-Arthur won't care."

Alfred frowned. Surely he would appreciate thanks? He didn't know anyone who wouldn't! "I'm sure he will. Where's his room?"

"Down the hall and take a left," Peter said and continued on his way, "But like I said, don't bother. He won't care!"

Alfred didn't believe him. He thought Peter was just painting Arthur to look like bad guy when the American knew that he really wasn't. He'd figured Arthur out; he was just lonely and in need of a friend. That's right! Alfred was sure it was. And he would be that friend he so desperately desired. But he needed to know.

"Why do you call Arthur a jerk? I don't think he is."

Peter looked over his shoulder before he turned another corner, "Because he is. You don't know him. You've been here one night."

Alfred shrugged. He still thought Arthur was a nice guy. Alfred wasn't the best person when it came to reading the atmosphere and whatnot. If someone was upset he wouldn't even know unless they started to cry or they told him. But he knew if someone was a good person... or in Arthur's case, vampire. He just knew. He could feel it in his gut. His gut instincts were never wrong.

Alfred followed Peter's directions and looked at the doors down that hall. One door looked more lavish than the others so he presumed that was Arthur's room. He knocked on the door and waited for a response. He smiled when he heard footsteps and he smiled wider when the older vampire opened the door and cast him an irritated look.

"Can I help you?"

"Actually I was just leaving," Alfred smiled, "And I just wanted to say thanks for taking me in."

Arthur blinked and when he realised what Alfred was staying, he cleared his throat and replied in a gruff tone, "Well... I was only doing the right thing. It wouldn't be gentlemanly to not help you..."

Alfred smiled brightly and moved forward. He engulfed the older man into a large bear hug and exclaimed, "Right! And you are totally awesome for that! Thanks so much!"

Despite Arthur's struggles, Alfred held on until he felt he was finished. When that time finally arrived, he released the disgruntled Brit and cast another bright smile in his direction, "Well, I guess I'll go now. Thanks again, dude."

As Alfred turned away, Arthur caught hold of his wrist. He looked down as he started to speak, "Actually... I was rather hoping you would..."

"Would what?" Alfred asked and blinked owlishly at the other man. Arthur shifted and released Alfred's wrist and continued, "I was rather hoping you would... um... like to stay here..."

Alfred blinked once again then smiled. His smile was the biggest that Arthur had seen so far and before he could do anything about it, he was pulled into yet another hug. Crushed against Alfred's firm chest, all he could do was flail around hopelessly as Alfred spouted all sorts of excitable, incoherent nonsense. When he was released, Alfred bounced happily and stated, "You're so awesome Arthur! Thanks a lot! Y'know, I was only gunna wander around and hope I find someone as awesome as you but I didn't think I would 'cause you're, like, the awesomest and—"

"Yes, yes, that's quite enough of that," Arthur said and held up a hand to silence the younger male. Alfred stared at him as he left the room and closed the door behind him. The American followed him around like a lost puppy as he continued where he left off.

"—and no one can, like, beat your awesomeness and stuff but now I don't have to find anyone else because I'm staying here with you, which is super cool and I'm really happy you asked me and stuff, 'cause..."

Arthur blocked him out. Was he starting to regret his decision? He looked over at Alfred who was still talking and he shook his head.

No... he didn't regret it for one moment.

A week had passed and Alfred initial excitement had finally worn off. The man had been so hyperactive that Arthur had considered knocking him out for a few hours just so he could get a moment's peace. When Peter was informed of the decision, he had laughed and told Arthur he would want to kill Alfred by the end of the week and it was safe to say that the boy wasn't wrong.

Alfred hadn't left him alone. He had followed the British man everywhere he went and insisted on spending time together.

"Because that's what friends do!" Alfred had stated as he walked along side Arthur. There was a spring in his step that Arthur's hadn't noticed before. Alfred must be truly happy here.

But no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't get away from him. Alfred was there no matter where he went. He was like an itch he couldn't scratch or that annoying buzzing sound that one couldn't get rid of. And Arthur knew he shouldn't complain; he had brought it upon himself after all.

Peter loved it, however. He could see that Arthur was suffering and Alfred couldn't see it, so he decided not to say anything about it. Seeing his brother suffer was brilliant. Peter enjoyed every moment of it and because of this he liked Alfred a lot more than he did a week ago. He tolerated him, just for Arthur's discomfort.

Arthur knew he couldn't ask Alfred to leave; the boy would be heartbroken. He had earlier stated that this was the nicest that anyone had ever been to him now that he was different. He felt like someone had truly understood him and he was very thankful for that. Arthur could see it in his eyes. The Englishman had brought this friendship upon himself; he could have said no when Alfred suggested a fresh start, he could have let Alfred go when he was ready to leave... but he didn't.

Despite all of this, after another few weeks of Alfred living with them, Arthur found he was starting to like the boy. Yes, he was irritating, greedy and he talked way too much but he found he was breath of fresh air. Arthur had been alone for years. He knew Peter disliked him and he returned the feelings. Alfred brought life to the old house and Arthur found himself smiling a little more than he had been before the boy had entered his life. The place seemed a whole lot brighter now that Alfred was around.

His laughter bounced off the walls and his smile was bright. After a bad day (usually caused by Alfred), all the younger vampire had to do was smile and all would be forgiven. Arthur often wondered if he was going soft but he refused to accept it as a reason.

Alfred was just an irritatingly likeable person.

Arthur and Alfred would often have the house to themselves. Peter had a friend that he liked to spend his time with so he was rarely around and even though Arthur preferred to be alone, as the time went by he found himself wanting to spend time with Alfred too. He would find himself looking for him when he wasn't around and when he found him, the two of them would talk for a while or just sit in what Arthur thought was a comfortable silence- after he had told Alfred to shut up and stop rambling about nothing.

They currently sat in the library- Arthur reading and Alfred looking around on the bookshelves for something that didn't look like it was written by someone who sounded 'a million years old!'

The older vampire turned the page of the novel he currently had. He ignored Alfred moans and complains about the library being boring and he focused on reading. He heard Alfred stomp around and huff and he was probably pouting but the Brit didn't look at him.

"Hey Arthur, can you help me look?" Alfred called after a few minutes of rummaging around. Arthur sighed heavily and carefully placed the book down on the chair. He stood up and walked to the boy; if he didn't help him he would complain for another few hours.

"What kind of book do you want?" he asked as he approached the slightly taller blond. Alfred shrugged, "I'unno, something cool!"

"Can you elaborate?"

"...I would if knew what that meant."

Arthur facepalmed then shook his head, "Never mind. I will find you something and you are going to shut up and read it!" he stated and started to walk down the isle, looking at the bookshelf as he did so. Alfred followed him, also looking but not paying attention to what the titles said. He just wanted Arthur to think he was interested.

They both stopped and looked at a section of books. Alfred finally paid attention to the book names and when he reached for one he thought looked interesting, so did Arthur. Neither of them were quick enough to realise and when they both moved to pick up the book, their hands touched slightly. Alfred glanced at Arthur and Arthur glanced back then looked away almost shyly. He moved his hand away quickly to allow Alfred to pick up the book and he said, "I thought you'd be interested in that one..."

"What's it about?"

"Heroes," Arthur said and he could see Alfred's eyes light up at the word. The other blond opened the book at the first page and read a few lines. Then a few more, and a few more and eventually he sat down on the floor, fully engrossed in the book. Arthur let a light chuckle escape and he decided that Alfred would be quiet for a while so he decided to leave him to it. He went back to his own book and continued reading.

The day turned into night and Arthur finally set his book down. He looked ahead and saw Alfred still sitting on the floor by the bookshelf and he was still reading. He stood up and walked to the younger vampire and said, "You can finish that tomorrow."

"I don't wanna!" Alfred protested and he whined when Arthur took the book from him. Arthur marked the page and set it back in its place.

"If you continue reading, you'll have nothing to do tomorrow. And besides, we need to go hunting."

"Right... but Arthur..." Alfred said and stood up, "the book said that heroes save people, right?"

"I suppose so, yes. What's this about?" Arthur asked. Alfred shifted on his feet.

"I'm a hero too, y'know. And you smile more when you're with me... does that mean I've saved you too?"

Arthur blinked in confusion, "...Saved me from what?"

"Not being happy," Alfred said simply, "You were always on your own and now you're not and you're not lonely anymore, right?"

"I...I suppose so..." Arthur was utterly confused to where Alfred was going with this but if it made him smile then he would go along with it.

"Then I've saved you too. It's like the story... kinda!" Alfred exclaimed, "In the story, the hero rescues the princess from the evil wizard and she's happy. I'm the hero, you're the princess—"

"I most certainly am not!" Arthur raged, "How dare you even—"

"I only said it was kinda like the story!" Alfred said as though it were obvious. Arthur huffed and the younger continued, "And the loneliness is evil, right? And now it's gone you're saved!" the American beamed and was very proud of his comparison... even if it didn't make much sense to Arthur.

"That's very nice Alfred, I congratulate you..."

"But!" Alfred flailed a little, having not finished, "The hero kissed the princess at the end. Does that mean I get to kiss you too?"

"Alfred, I don't think that—" Arthur began but Alfred didn't wait for an answer. He interrupted Arthur by connecting their lips in a sweet and innocent kiss. Alfred closed his eyes however Arthur kept his wide open. His brain could not comprehend the situation. He remained motionless and his body froze in a state of shock.

Alfred pulled away as quickly as the kiss had started and he looked at the bewildered vampire before him and smiled, "See ya later, Arthur!" he stated and hurried out of the library. Arthur stood rooted to the spot and a moment later he brought a hand up to his lips lightly. He looked over his shoulder at the door where Alfred left from and realised that he had a lot to think about.

Arthur realised that he was a little flirtatious that one time and he couldn't deny the attraction he felt towards the boy.

Did this mean that Alfred felt the same way?

A/N: Just a quick note, if anyone found Alfred's comparison confusing... don't worry because it was supposed to be. Alfie is trying to be smart xD If you understood it then well done ^^ Have a Prussia!