Chapter 4

"Hey, Artie, I'm home!" Alfred yelled into the dark apartment. He frowned when he received no reply. After removing his shoes and jacket he padded into the kitchen to find a note on the table.

Francis took me out to dinner. I'll be back later.

Arthur

Alfred scowled. This was the third time in six days Arthur has gone out with, in his words, the frog. The first time Alfred had blamed it on the alcohol. He returned acting all nonchalant, as if it was a business dinner or something. The second time, though, he seemed rather excited to go, really pissing Alfred off. And now.

He crumpled the note and tossed it before moving to pour himself some whisky. As he sipped it he glanced at the calendar, and nearly spat it out. It was the 22nd. Two days before Christmas Eve. Arthur was really coming down to the wire.

Alfred looked into the amber beverage. Did he think the French bastard was his true love?

He snorted. That was the corniest thing he's ever thought, and it didn't sit well with him. So what if Arthur thought the playboy really cared about him? He'll be gone by Christmas anyway.

Alfred sat the glass on the counter and had to lean on it as he caught his breath. By Christmas he'll never see him again. He hardly knew the guy, why did he feel as if something was being wrenched out of him?

Did he…? No, he's always been straight. He's gone out with girls… he's never done anything with them, but he's gone out with them (he would NEVER in a million years tell Gilbert he was still a virgin; he wouldn't hear the end of it).

He groaned. Damn it, now he was starting to question himself! If he had someone to compare himself to he could analyze the….

Quickly he whipped out his cell phone. Granted it wasn't saying much, but Antonio seemed to be the most sensible one of the Trio. And he fell in love with Lovi. Alfred felt like banging his head against the counter top, he was going to ask someone for relationship advice. But leaving it go just wasn't working any more.

"Hola, habla Antonio."

"Hey, uh, Toni, what's up man?"

"Alfred! Nothing, just making some churros," he paused, "Do you need help? You sound nervous or something."

Alfred gave an anxious laugh, "Yeah, um, actually I need to ask you something dude," he thought a moment, "No one's going to hear about this, right?"

"Sure thing, amigo. What do you need?"

He took a deep breath, "How did you know you… had feelings for Lovino?"

There was quiet on the other end of the line but Alfred could have sworn that Antonio was grinning, "Why do you ask this, Alfred?"

"No reason, just answer the question."

The Spaniard chuckled, "Realizing you love someone is individual to each person. As for me, I just really wanted to hug cute little Lovi all the time. It could be something as simple as not wanting to let him go."

"I, uh, who said it was a him?"

Antonio laughed, "Forgive me amigo. Is that it?"

"I, uh, yeah, yeah that's it. See you Toni."

"Adios mi amigo,y buena suerte."

Alfred pressed the red button and downed the rest of the drink, thankful for the burn as it slid down his throat. Then he did press his forehead to the counter top.

Should he be honest with himself? Probably, unless he wanted to go into therapy. Well then, there was no way around it, was there?

Alfred had fallen in love with the angel.

~X~

He must have drifted off to sleep at the table because he found himself being woken by the sound of a door opening and closing. Sitting up straight, he found himself looking at Arthur. The Brit scowled when he noticed the other waiting at the table, "You don't have to wait up for me you know."

Alfred glanced at the clock. It was 11:28. He shrugged, "I wanted to. How was your date?"

All the lights were out so he wasn't sure if Arthur flushed or not. Perhaps it was just the slight glow from the halo. "It… It was really nice."

Alfred was surprised. He had assumed that Arthur would have denied the 'date' and said they just spent some time together, "I thought you hated the guy."

"Why would I hate him? Sure he's obnoxious, but he's pleasant enough company."

"Oh, so he didn't hit on the waitress or anyone else who happened to pass by?" Arthur stuttered indignantly, "You forget, I have known him a little longer than you." Alfred could feel the little green monster in him start turning him into a jerk, but he ignored it.

"No, in fact, he didn't."

Alfred paused, "You're lying."

"I have no reason to lie. And, while you may have known him longer, I do believe I know him better so if you would please," he turned to leave but Alfred jumped from his seat and grabbed Arthur's arm. "Oi! Release me!"

"Francis has always been a playboy. Just because you showed up doesn't mean he's going to change instantaneously."

"Just like you I would assume," Arthur's voice dripped resentment, "And how would you know? I'm getting the feeling you don't like Francis very much. Now let me go!"

"I'm telling you what I know because you seem too lovesick to see it yourself," Arthur's retort was drowned out by Alfred's growing volume, "Francis is just trying to get into your pants, and if you think otherwise you're a damn idiot. I thought you would have had more sense than this, but I guess I was wrong. Perhaps you're just getting desperate because your deadline's coming up. In two days. If you hadn't had focused all your time on this hopeless cause you may have had a chance, but now I think you're screwed."

The two went quiet. The silence was shattered by the sound of Arthur's palm making contact with Alfred's cheek with enough force to cause the taller man to stumble. Arthur stood up straight and balled his fists to try and keep from shaking, "You don't think I know about that? That deadline has been hanging over my head for ten years. And for nearly all of those ten years I have failed and been absolutely miserable." Alfred looked at Arthur through the dark. The angel had stopped trying to hide the halo and wings and was glowing faintly. Making the tears on his cheeks stand out. Alfred jumped when he yelled, "I do NOT need you to come along and tell me my case is hopeless because I fucking know that already! I know Francis wasn't going to love me but give me a fucking break if I just want to have a little fun before I leave!" he stormed to the door, and, before turning the knob, spoke almost in a whisper, "And if you thought I had a chance, why the hell didn't you help me." He left with the slam of the door.

So close to being done! Only one more chapter...
Fail jealously/love is fail.