Chapter 4... sorry, busy simming again. I have a problem. Anyway, we're getting close to the end this time. BRACE YOURSELVES FOR THE AWESOME THAT IS TO COME!
Or not, I'm not particular.
I OWN NOTHING!
By the way, the name of the chapter is based off of the musical.

Back in town, Francis, Ivan, and Antonio were sitting at the bar with Eduard, the owner of the orphanage in the next town.

"I don't like being out this late, but Ivan said it would be worth it." Eduard said, taking the gold Francis sat out on the table.

"You see, I have me heart set on marrying Arthur, but he needs to be persuaded." Francis said.

"Turned him down thirty three times." Ivan added. Francis cleared his throat.

"We all know Peter should have been taken to the orphanage after his parents died. Arthur couldn't afford the responsibility."

"Arthur has been doing a good job." Eduard said.

"The point is Arthur would do anything to keep him." Francis said.

"Even marry Francis." Antonio chirped happily.

"So, you want me to take Peter away from him unless he agrees to marry you?" Eduard asked. Francis smiled and nodded slowly. "That is despicable. I like it."

The four set off to the Kirkland residence, where Ludwig had just left. Peter was put to bed, with Ludwig under the impression Arthur had to travel to the next town for medicine and wouldn't be back until tomorrow evening. After Ludwig had left, Peter began gathering supplies before going to the edge of the woods.

"I'm coming for you Arthur. Just hang on." He said before walking into them.

Just as he left, the four men pulled up to the house. Francis opened the door.

"Arthur? Peter?" Francis called. Nothing.

"No one's home…" Antonio said.

"To bad…" Ivan agreed.

"Ivan, you wait here and tell me when they get back." Francis said. I van frowned.

"But-" Before he could finish, the other three were down the trail.

Back at the castle the next morning, Arthur went walking through the gardens. They were very nice, full of beautiful flowers and trees. He explored and stopped when he saw a white puff ball. He picked it up. Like everything else in the castle, it had a face.

"Hello there little one." He said to it. It smiled.

"Hello. I American!" It said happily. Arthur laughed.

"Well, aren't you a cute little…thing."

"I American!"

From his balcony, Alfred watched Arthur. He smiled at his curiosity at the puff ball that Kiku called a mochi. Next to him was Kiku and Toris.

"I've…" Alfred began, causing the two to look at him. "I've never felt this way about anyone before…I wanna do something nice for him!" Alfred declared. "But…what should I do?"

"Well, normally men offer flowers, chocolates, promises they do not intend to keep," Kiku began.

"No, it has to be special!" Alfred said. "Something that will wow him!"

"He likes books…" Toris said. Alfred snapped his fingers.

"I got it!"

When Arthur came in, Alfred drug him up the stairs to a pair of green doors.

"I have a surprise for you!" Alfred said, smiling. "But you have to close your eyes." Arthur raised his eyebrow.

"You're not leading me into some sort of torture chamber are you?" He asked. Alfred laughed.

"No way Artie…unless you're into that sort of thing you kinky old man." Alfred teased, causing Arthur to get fluster.

"I am not kinky or an old man! I'll have you know I'm twenty two!"

"Really? That's only a year older then me!" Alfred smiled. "Now close your eyes or no surprise." Arthur rolled his eyes but closed them. Alfred opened the door and lead Arthur to the middle of the room.

"Can I open my eyes now?"

"Nope!" Alfred said, opening up his wings and flying to each curtain, drawing it open until the room was full of light. "Alright, open 'em!"

Arthur opened his eyes and gasped. He was inside a huge library. He looked around, excitement rising.

"Wow…" He awed. "I've never seen so many books in my life…"

"It's all yours too!" Alfred said. "All of it." Arthur turned to Alfred, who landed on the ground gracefully.

"…Thank you…" He said. "It's wonderful."

Over the next few days, Arthur and Alfred learned quite a few things about each other. Alfred had inhuman strength, but was at the same reading level as Peter, if not lower. Arthur, though he admired that fact that Alfred could fly, was terrified of heights and would rather stay on the ground. They would take walks together in the garden, or sit in the library, Alfred stretching out with his head in Arthur's lap, listening to him read.

One day, Arthur was walking around looking for Alfred when he walked passed the orchestra room.

"Hello everyone!" He said. They all smiled and waved the best they could.

"Hello Arthur, would you like to listen to the newest song we're working on?" Feliciano asked.

"I would love to. What is it?"

"Beauty and the Beast. It's very lovely." Arthur blinked.

"I remember my mother singing it to me and Peter when we were younger…" Arthur said.

"Do you think you could sing it while we play?" Meimei asked.

"Oh, I couldn't-"

"Please?" Feliciano said. "I bet you have a wonderful voice!"

"Well…"

"Pretty please?" Arthur chuckled.

"Alright, alright."

Alfred, on the other hand, was looking for Arthur. He had found a book for him to read. He walked passed the orchestra room when they started up, and he stopped in his tracks.

"Tale as old as time. True as it can be." Came an angelic voice, Alfred slowly opened the door and saw Arthur standing with the orchestra, singing. "Barely even friends then somebody bends unexpectedly." Alfred smiled. His mother used to sing that song to him when he was little. Back when he still had parents.

"Just a little change. Small to say the least." Alfred sang, causing Arthur to look at him, confused. "Both a little scared. Neither one prepared." Arthur smiled.

"Beauty and the beast." They sang together. "Ever just the same. Ever a surprise. Ever as before and ever just as sure as the sun will rise."

"Tale as old as time. Tune as old as song." Arthur sang.

"Bittersweet and strange, finding you can change. Learning you were wrong." Alfred joined in.

"Certain as the sun rising in the east." Alfred sang alone

"Tale as old as time."

"Song as old as rhyme. Beauty and the beast. Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, Beauty and the beast." They finished together, earning cheers from everyone.

"That was awesome Artie! I didn't know you had such a pretty voice!" Alfred grinned, causing Arthur to blush.

"It's…it's not that great." Arthur stuttered. "Anyway, don't we have to get ready for dinner tonight?" Alfred blinked before nodding.

"Yeah. I'll see you in a bit!"

A few moments later, Alfred was sitting in front of a mirror as his servants went to work fixing him up.

"Tonight's the big night!" Feliks sang.

"I…I don't know if I can do this…" Alfred said, quietly. Feliks frowned.

"Do you SEE the rose? You do NOT have time to be timid!" Feliks snapped. "You gotta be bold and daring!" Alfred blew a piece of hair out of his face. "We're gonna have music and candlelight! And when the time is right you confess your love."

"I…I…no, I can't." Alfred said.

"Why not? You, like, care for him right?"

"More then anything." Alfred sighed.

"Then just tell him." Feliks said as Toris came in.

"Your date awaits." He said, smiling.

Alfred met Arthur on the stairs. He escorted him to the dining hall, where they ate delicious food created by Yao. Feliciano started up the orchestra, playing a waltz. Arthur took Alfred's hand and lead him to the dance hall.

"Waltz with me!" He said.

"I…um…I'm not that good." Alfred confessed.

"I'll help you. Just follow me."

The two danced for hours, twirling around. When they were finally tired, they walked out onto the terrace. They sat down and gazed up at the stars in silence until Alfred spoke.

"Arthur?" He asked, getting his attention. "Are you… happy here…with me?" He asked. Arthur blinked and smiled.

"Of course I am." He said, causing Alfred to smile, but the smile soon faded as Arthur looked away sadly.

"What's wrong?"

"I just miss Peter. I know Ludwig is taking good care of him but…I just want to see him again." Alfred rubbed the back of his neck, before giving a small smile.

"Come with me. I want to show you something."

Alfred lead Arthur to his room and showed him the mirror.

"It will show you whatever you desire. Go on." He urged. Arthur looked down at it.

"I…I want to see Peter please." The mirror whirled, and showed Peter out in the forest, cold, wet, and alone. "Peter…he's…he's in the forest…he could be dying…" Arthur started to cry. Alfred turned away to stare at the rose, which was wilting even more and had lost more petals.

"Then…go to him. He needs you." Alfred said, not facing Arthur.

"What…?" Arthur said.

"I release you. You're no longer my prisoner." Arthur hugged him.

"Thank you. Hold on Peter, I'm coming." Arthur turned to set the mirror on the table, but Alfred stopped him.

"Keep it. So you can look back and remember me…" Alfred said sadly. "Now go." Arthur bowed and walked out of the door as Toris came in.

"I knew you could it master." He said proudly.

"…I let him go…" He whispered.

"That's wonder- wait…you did what? How could you do that?" Toris asked. Alfred looked out of the window.

"I had to Toris. I love him."

Chapter 5 will be here as soon as I can gain control over my will to play the sims...
so sometime this week... maybe...