It was safe to say that Alfred was a very messy eater.

Whenever Arthur went hunting, the process was usually quick, easy and clean. When Alfred joined him... well, said process was turned on its head because the younger vampire was completely useless. He took forever and a day to decide what he wanted to eat; he would watch his prey silently for a moment then decide he didn't want it anymore and look for something else. He made life difficult for himself as he often tripped and scared said prey away. And the clean part... well, Alfred was never clean to begin with. When he was finished feeding there would be blood everywhere. Arthur facepalmed at the state of his companion and sighed, "You really have to learn to feed properly."

Alfred pouted, "I feed just fine," he stated and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. He was very much like a child... Arthur had decided that a long time ago. He felt as though he had to babysit the boy and the next time he brought him hunting with him, things would be very different. Just this time, he didn't think that such actions would happen. In other words... he didn't think Alfred would be as messy as he was tonight.

The two vampires arrived back at the house before sunrise and Arthur immediately went to his study. Alfred watched him go and sighed; he hated how Arthur would just lock himself away and come out when it suited him. Peter was never around so Alfred was left alone. Ever since the incident in the library, Arthur hadn't been the same with him. He didn't understand what he had done wrong; he was the hero, right? He had done his job right and he had saved Arthur... but if he had saved Arthur then why did he reject it? He should be happy; he should be smiling at him and thanking him and being grateful that he was saved, but no... Mr. Grumpy-pants stayed in his study and didn't say much to the younger vampire for most of the day. Alfred huffed; just where did he go wrong?

He watched Arthur closed the door to his study and he stomped past the room as loud as he could. He sighed loudly and stated, "Oh, I'm so bored! I wonder if anyone will come and talk to me!"

He waited by the door and listened for any movement from behind it. He pouted when he heard none. He started stomping again and declaring, "I am so bored! I wonder if there is anyone around!"

He stopped and waited again, and the pout soon returned when he didn't hear anything from Arthur's study. Fine, if he wanted to play like that then so be it. Alfred scowled at the door and blew a raspberry in its direction before stomping down the hall as loud as he could towards the library. Seriously, what was Arthur's problem? He wanted to start fresh, right? He said so himself. Then why did he just push him away. Alfred didn't know what he had done that was so wrong.

Was it because he kissed him? The vampire tilted his head; that wasn't wrong... at least he didn't think so. The book said that the hero kissed the princess because he had saved her. Alfred had saved Arthur; therefore he should kiss him, right?

...Or maybe it was because he called Arthur the princess. He nodded as it dawned upon him. That must be it. Arthur was angry because Alfred had deemed him the girl without realizing it. Well, he would just apologise. That was the nice thing to do, right? If he apologised, Arthur would stop being grumpy and talk to him again.

It was perfect. It was so simple.

Alfred left the library and approached Arthur's study again. He knocked on the door, remembering that Arthur didn't like it when he walked straight in before, and waited. A few moments passed and he decided to knock again. He didn't know what was taking Arthur so long to answer the door; what could he be doing in there? Unless he was asleep. Hm...

Alfred tilted his head as he began to think and he barely realised that the door opened and Arthur watched him with a raised eyebrow. When he realised the older vampire was standing there, Alfred grinned brightly and stated loudly, "Hey Arthur!"

"What do you want?" he asked, curious as to why Alfred would bother him.

"Listen! I know why you're mad."

"Oh," Arthur looked pleasantly surprised. Alfred nodded happily and moved closer to the older vampire and continued to speak, "Yeah. It was about what happened in the library, right?"

"Um—"

"So I'm sorry."

Arthur blinked; he was really confused, though Alfred couldn't really see it. He just thought that he had apologised for the right reasons and now everything would be okay.

"Um, Alfred..."

"Yeah?"

"Um... what exactly are you sorry for?" Arthur asked and Alfred's eyes widened. He didn't know. He really didn't know.

"Uh... sorry for calling you a princess!" he stated, wondering how Arthur could forget about that. Understanding reached Arthur's emerald eyes and he nodded slowly. If he could blush, he would be glowing like a beacon right about now.

"Ah yes, I remember now. Well... what's said has been said and there is nothing I can do..."

"So we're cool?" Alfred asked hopefully and Arthur studied him for a moment before replying, "Yes, I suppose we are."

"Great! Wanna come to the library with me?" Alfred asked happily, "I wanna find another hero book and since you know the library better than I do, I wondered if you wanna come along?"

Arthur paused for a moment then looked over his shoulder at the work on his desk. He hesitated then looked back at Alfred and sighed, "Okay fine, I'll come to the library with you. But only for a little bit. I have work to do."

"What work?" Alfred asked with narrowed eyes. What was more important than spending time with him? Nothing! That's what. Absolutely nothing was more important than spending time with the hero. Nothing at all.

"Nothing," Arthur said and closed the door to his study. He locked it behind him and when Alfred gave him a questioning look, he shrugged and said, "I don't trust Peter."

"Peter isn't here."

"Yes he is. He just doesn't want to be found," Arthur said and walked in the direction of the library. Alfred paused for a moment then shrugged, following Arthur like a lost puppy. He stayed close to him and started to talk about everything and anything. He hated the awkward silences that were created between them whenever Arthur didn't feel like talking, so Alfred felt as though he had to talk about anything, just so it didn't seem uncomfortable. He didn't want Arthur leaving because of it.

They reached the library and Alfred hurried to a bookshelf. He looked at the collections and wrinkled his nose at the titles, "They don't look very heroic."

"That's because you're in the wrong section," Arthur sighed and walked down an isle. Alfred blinked then followed him, wandering what he was going to read this time. Arthur continued to walk down the seemingly endless isle of literature until he found what he was looking for. Alfred stood beside him and watched what he was doing. Arthur paused for a moment then reached onto the shelf and retrieved a book. He passed it to Alfred, who looked down at the title and back at Arthur, "Beowulf?"

"Yes, it's a poem-" Alfred scrunched up his nose in distaste, "-but it's about a hero. You may like it."

"Huh," Alfred looked at it with a sigh and turned the book over to inspect it. He didn't seem as interested as he was before but Arthur didn't really care. As long as he shut up for a while then he wasn't bothered if he liked it or not. He watched Alfred take the book to one of the plush couches and open it to the first page. He sat in silence for a while and when Arthur was convinced he wasn't going to speak, he found a book of his own to read and sat opposite him. Every now and then he would glance up to look at the other vampire and he would be entertained by the frown he had adopted. He looked as though he were having a hard time reading the poem but if it made him concentrate then Arthur didn't care.

As if on cue, Arthur looked down as Alfred looked up. The vampire whined lightly and stated, "I don't like it, Arthur."

"And why is that?" he asked in reply, not sparing him a glance.

"It's too hard to understand," Alfred whined again and set the book aside. He moved to sit next to Arthur and continued, "I'd rather spend time with you."

"You are," the older replied lightly, still not looking up at the younger vampire next to him. He felt Alfred shift closer until he was right up beside him, "Arthur! Stop being boring and spend some time with me!"

"I am, you attention-seeking moron!" Arthur snapped, finally looking at him, "I'm here aren't I?"

"Yeah, but—"

"No buts! You admitted it so just leave it at that," Arthur said with finality in his voice. He sighed gently and looked away once more. What would it take with this guy?

"Arthur..."

"What now?"

Alfred shifted closer again, moving his arm around the older vampire. He plucked the book from his hands with his own free one and while the Brit looked enraged, Alfred just continued to smile. He arm remained around him, as though he didn't know it was there. Arthur opened his mouth to protest, but Alfred laid a finger to his lips, causing the other to close his mouth in surprise and curiosity.

Alfred started to think and Arthur continued to watch him. He watched him for any kind of indication to what he was going to do, though in his mind, Arthur already knew. He watched as Alfred looked towards him again and he tightened his grip around his shoulders firmly. He looked over at him and gently Alfred pressed their lips together.

While reading, Alfred had come to the conclusion that perhaps that the kiss he gave Arthur before wasn't good enough and that was why he was mad. So, to make it better, he kissed him again. But something changed the second time round. Arthur kissed back this time, whereas last time, he didn't. Alfred felt elated; this meant that this kiss was better than the first and this time he did it right. He pulled away after a few moments and smiled at Arthur, "Did I do it right this time?"

"...Wait, what?" Arthur asked quietly, bewildered once again. Now he was just plain confused.

"Did I make this kiss better?" he asked with a big grin. Arthur blinked and he realised what was happening. Alfred just thought he was being the hero. He obviously hadn't realised that Arthur had fallen for him. That was twice he kissed him and that was twice he had fucked with his feelings. Arthur wouldn't take it anymore.

He stood up out of Alfred's grip and glared wearily, "Yes Alfred, whatever you want to believe," he replied and walked out of the library. Alfred watched the older vampire leave and he started to frown.

What had he done wrong now? Well whatever it was, he decided he was going to fix it, no matter what.

A/N: Lol look at Alfie's obliviousness~

Wow, I feel as though I haven't written USUK in, like, forever. I seriously feel as though Spamano is becoming my new OTP -hearts-

Anyway, this update was long over-due so here's the next chapter. I should think that this will be coming to an end some time soon. Maybe four more chapters... we'll have to see how I feel. :)

So for now, enjoy~