Chapter two~ Finally! I'm reaally realllly sorry this took so long guys! We're finally getting things back on track, so horray for that!

Disclaimer: Sh00t man w3 a!nt 0wn!n nuttin k g3dd!t thru dat th!ck $kull 0 ur$ f00 cuz w3 0wn nutt!nz! y3ah!... What? Who types like that? Hmm? Retards. Retards who aren't us, the people who don't own shit.

ChickenHax: Ho, quit mkin fUn 0f deh way I typ3 b!tch... G3ttin all 0n mai Bk cuz I Blck... Fuck!n w!th3 gurl...(Totally dont mean to offend anyone, lol... x3)

PrussiasIndia: I a!nt listenin 2 no b!tch lik u i can du wut i wunt! XDD I really don't like when people type like that, though. But yeah, hope no one's offended!. Review if you're with me!

Arthur stepped forward, hood drawn over his eyes, and held his right hand out in front of him, palm up. Closing his eyes, he began chanting loudly, and in the fire in the middle of their circle, a blue light began to shine. Blue water began dancing around the fire, but did not put it out, flying in a round whirlwind, a drop every now and then flying out to hit one of the many cloaked figures. A cold chill filled the night air, and to one who bore the magical abilities like those in the circle could recognize it as the physical feel of magic in the air.

The water before them began to change shape, shrinking and forming the figure of a small blue creature entirely made of water. The water imp was about three feet tall with large floppy ears, wide, cat-like eyes, a mischievous grin, and a tail much like that of the mermaids in fairy tales. Arthur's companions stared in awe at the creature. It began speaking in a strange tongue that none could identify. That is, except for Arthur, who responded back in the same foreign language. The two conversed for a moment before the imp suddenly grinned a large, toothy smile, and with a flick of its tail, water began dancing around in a beautiful array of lines and colors. It was a strange and breath taking sight, and one too wonderful to properly describe. When the show ended, the water surrounded the imp in a small ball and vanished with a pop. The only sound was the fire crackling for a moment.

Then, a sense of calmness fell over the circle, and everyone relaxed their tense bodies and began talking excitedly to one another about what they'd seen. Arthur sighed and lowered his hood, head throbbing slightly. He'd managed to rid the alcohol in his system, but it only increased his early hang over. It had made the summoning more difficult, but he'd still managed fairly well.

"Arthur, that was phenomenal. Where did you learn to summon a water imp?" Tino asked him excitedly. Arthur forced a smile.

"Well, to be honest, I've summoned much worse," he answered. "It's amazing, the things you can do in times of desperation." Tino stared in awe.

"What was it, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Well, I didn't really know at the time. I was just trying to summon something, no matter what it was, to help me. And then a strange man had appeared. I'd demanded for his help, but he said his kind weren't bound to those laws, and he would only do something in exchange for something he wanted."

"And what did he want?" Blush filled Arthur's cheeks.

"Well, that wasn't important. I'd asked him what he was, and he told me he was a Boo Hag."

"You mean those creepy dudes that steal energy from people in their sleep?" Mathias, who had decided to join the conversation, asked. Arthur nodded.

"And then he just left. It was quite random, but he was honestly one of the scariest things I'd ever seen. He was always smiling and... Had a very strange aura. It was probably best I didn't give what he'd wanted because he most likely would have tricked me in some way. And I don't think I'd have liked working with him at all."

"What did you want?" Tino asked. Arthur looked down.

"N-nothing important. I was actually just a child at the time."

"Oh..." A silence fell over the three that was broken by Arthur's phone beeping. Heaving a sigh, he reached into his cloak and pulled out his cell.

1 new message

Opening the message, he wasn't at all surprised to find it was from Alfred.

'I'm bored. Whatcha doin?'

Biting back a smile, he replied:

'I've just finished a meeting. I'm about to head home.'

"Who are ya texting?" Mathias asked curiously. Arthur blushed, putting his phone away.

"M-Matthew. He wanted to know if he could... Borrow some maple syrup."

Mathias laughed. "Wow. I never thought I'd see the day where him and Gil weren't completely stocked on that shit. They must've used it all on something special, recently." Glaring, Arthur flicked Mathias on the forehead.

"Pervert. Well, I'd best get home." He turned, but then remembered something. "Oh, Tino, I won't be home tomorrow night, so do you think it would be alright if you picked Peter up today from the airport?"

"No problem." With a thanks, Arthur gathered his things and left. He was driving when his phone beeped again.

Knowing better than to text while driving, he ignored it. But then beeped again five minutes later. Then again in two. Then three times in one minute. Deciding that it must be important, whoever it was, he pulled off to the side of the road, not too far from his house. Sighing, he pulled out his phone.

6 new messages

'Sounds fun wat kinda meetin?'

'Yo? Artie?'

'Hellooooo?'

'r u mad?'

'Sry if its 2 personal. You dont hafta tell me'

'r u busy then?'

'I bet ur mad i just sent all those msgs. ill stop now'

Heaving a sigh, though unable to hold back a small smile, he responded.

'Sorry, I was driving. No, I'm not mad. But I don't think I should tell you what kind of meeting it is. Most people are rather bothered by it.'

Putting his phone away, he moved back into the road and pulled into his neighborhood. His phone beeped again just as he pulled into his driveway. While climbing out, he flipped it open and really had to smile, blushing as well.

'Duz it help if i tell u i think ur hot either way?' Locking his car and making his way to his door, be typed a response.

'Fine. But you can't laugh.' Walking in, he turned the lights on and tossed his keys onto the kitchen counter. His phone signaled another response as he was starting a cup of tea.

'i promise i wont.'

Biting his lip, worried about his reaction, Arthur slowly replied.

'I... I'm part of a cult.'

Five seconds later, Alfred replied.

'Sry, I laffed. not at the cult part tho. who stutters in a text? XD'

Arthur scowled, blushing more.

'Belt up. I do, clearly. Is there supposed to be a point to this conversation?' He didn't really want it to end, but it would be uncharacteristic of him to not ask.

'lol im just bord... whatcha doin now'

'I'm making tea,' he said, just as the kettle let out a scream. Setting his phone down on the counter, he picked up the kettle and poured the hot water into the cup. The small tea bag floated to the surface, the color turning a light brown. His phone beeped again, and so he picked it back up, surprised by the message he received. It wasn't from Alfred, but from Nuna. After Alfred had disappeared, they'd remained decent friends, and she really was quite nice to him. She was even apart of the occult.

'Hey, Arthur,' the message read. 'Do you think we could hang out tomorrow night?' Biting his lip, Arthur typed a reply, but half-way through, he received a message from Alfred.

'Tea? U liek tea? wat kind?' Quickly forgetting Nuna's message, Arthur spent the rest of the night texting Alfred. That night he sent more messages than he'd ever done before in his life.

As they said good night, the clock beside his bed reading 3:30, Arthur finally allowed himself to believe that this was his Alfred, just with his farewell, which hadn't changed in the nine years they'd been apart. The tears of joy and sorrow together poured down his face as he clutched the phone close to his chest. He was back. He couldn't remember anything, but he was back, and he'd never felt happier.

'Nite Artie, sweet dreams and no more nightmares or I'll kik their ass'

He was running, running, trying to escape. She was after him. She was coming! Sweat poured from his body, down his face. Or were those tears? Moving his legs as fast as they could go (though it was hard after He came back last night), he tried to find someone that could help him. Then, he saw him. Walking down the street with that... That BITCH! He tried to scream to him, tried to reach him, but they couldn't hear. Yet, just as they prepared to turn the corner and out of sight, she turned to him and gave a smirk and flirtatious wave. Startled, he tripped and fell to the ground flat on his face and-

The sound of his alarm woke Alfred up, and she shot up right, covered in sweat, mind stuck on the dream he could not remember. With a sigh, he shut off his alarm and pulled himself out of bed. After a quick shower he dressed and walked over to his kitchen table where he'd set his mail, too busy texting Arthur to care to check. Now, though, he had the time. The first two letters were bills, the third an offer to 'help him regain his memories' or some shit like that from an obviously bogus doctor. The fourth caught his eye. From the Winston Police Academy. It was his test results. Tearing the envelope open excitedly, he pulled out the paper. His face fell.

He failed. Not only were his test scores too low, but they'd come to the conclusion that because of his 'situation', they felt he was not ready, nor suitable to be on the force, let alone trained for it. Cursing, he tossed the paper into the trashcan, which he kicked off to the side and pulled on his jacked and walked out his door. It's not like he enjoyed not remembering shit. When he'd woken up in the hospital three years ago, all he knew was his name. And there were of course too many 'Alfred Jones' all over the country (because he had pretty strong a feeling he wasn't from Albuquerque, where he was found) and he just didn't want to deal with it. And he had a feeling lying low would be the best idea.

So he moved to Denver, finished high school online, and applied for the local police academy. And failed.

Since he woke up, it seems the only seriously good thing that had happened to him recently was graduating high school and meeting Arthur. Yeah, he definitely liked this guy. He could tell he'd been drunk when they'd bumped into each other, but it was clear he'd been more sober when they'd been texting. And the guy was just adorable! Especially when he blushed. And his accent was heavenly. He just had an instant attraction to the blond-haired Brit.

As if on cue, as Alfred made his way down the street, his eyes landed on a certain bushy-browed man across the street. Without thinking, he grinned and crossed quickly, calling the Brit's name, not noticing the other short blond beside him.

Arthur had been walking home from the store, minding his own business, and completely unsuspecting when he saw Matthew walking in the opposite direction from him, head hung low. Smiling, he stopped and waved.

"Matthew," he greeted politely. Suddenly, he thought of Alfred. Perhaps he should tell him. His smile turned into an excited grin, quite uncharacteristic of him.

"Arthur?" Matthew was clearly surprised to see him, but smile none the less.

"How perfect that I've run into you. I have something important to say." Matthew frowned.

"Alright. What is it? But we'll have to make it quick. I have to pick up Gilbert."

"I found him."

"... Found who?"

"Alfred. I found him." And the words came pouring out of his mouth like water. "I was walking to my car last niht while leaving the bar and I'd bumped into him. He doesn't remember anything, but I got his number, and Matthew it's just so amazing because it's him!" As he spoke, the Canadian's face turned slowly from curiosity to confusion to slight horror.

"A-Arthur, I don't- I don't like this joke. Please be joking." But of course he wasn't. Arthur had been hurt just as much as he, if not more, by Alfred's disappearance. He would never joke about this. But... There was no way he was still alive! They'd already had a memorial service for him, they'd declared him dead, and he'd moved on! How could he-

"ARTHUR!" They both turned and watched as a tall, grinning dark blond haired man ran towards them, arm waving wildly, excitement etched across his face. Matthew paled considerably.

No. No. No. It couldn't be...

"Alfred," Arthur said, with a surprised, polite smile. The American stopped in front of them, his grin broadening into his sky blue eyes. Matthew felt all air leave his lungs, and his heart stopped.

No...

"Hey, what a coincidence to see ya here!" the man, who couldn't possibly be his brother, said excitedly.

"Yes, well, it does appear that we live quite close. Oh, Alfred, this is Matthew," Arthur said, gesturing to the dumbstruck Canadian. Just noticing him for the first time, Alfred laughed at himself and stuck out a hand.

"Hiya, I'm Alfred! Nice to meet ya!" Matthew couldn't respond. Alfred frowned, worried he'd said something offensive, drawing his hand back slightly. Arthur frowned.

"Matthew's just a bit startled. You look a tad bit like an old friend of ours. Um... I'll, see you later, Matthew. I'm sure Gilbert isn't too happy having to wait." Unable to speak, Matthew just nodded and scurried away, convinced he was dreaming.

Alfred just shrugged and grinned at Arthur.

"So where are ya headed?" he asked him. Arthur blushed a tad bit (definitely not because of the accent, mind you. Arthur didn't find it attractive at all).

"Just brunch. You?" Alfred laughed.

"Brunch? You eat brunch?" Arthur's face heated up as he glared.

"Yes, I do," he huffed. "Do you have a problem with that?" Alfred just laughed some more, shaking his head, grasping Arthur's hand, drawing more color from the Brit.

"Nah, it's just a funny name for it. Mind if I join you?" Arthur shook his head quickly, and gave a small smile.

"Where did you have in mind?" he asked.

"McDonalds!" Alfred declared with a finger pointed to the sky, a broad grin stretching his cheeks.

Arthur could keep his own smile grown growing just a bit. He hadn't changed a bit.

Ha, finally an update. Sorry we took so long guys!