Chapter 7

Al's parents had already left and had said their goodbyes to the teens. Arthur had looked around and then back at Al who was picking a movie because they had nothing else to do. When he saw the tanned America had stood up he had walked to his television when he had put the disk inside the DVD player and went to Arthur who had the popcorn on his lap. Al walked to the bed and climbed on it and sat next to Arthur, Arthur then put the bowl of popcorn between the two.

"What did you pick?" Arthur asked curiously.

Al was too busy to pay attention only looking at the screen, and then he shook his head and looked at Arthur, "huh?" he questioned.

Arthur frowned, "what did you pick?" Arthur tried again.

"Oh," Al started off, "a type of horror movie," he stated, then he saw Arthur pale a bit, "anything the matter?" he asked curiously.

Arthur shook his head and looked down on his lap, "no… nothing at all," Arthur assured the other teen.

Al only nodded and looked back at the screen.

Al loved horror movies they don't scare him that much just depends on how the movie is well made and such or if he had watched them before. Plus he loves to watch them with people and waits for the next jump scare to see if it'll get him, but sometimes it doesn't.

Arthur purely hated horror movies, after that one he watched when he was younger and still had his father. He had watched with his parents because they told him he need much more sense into picking a better genre in case of sleepover, but sadly he didn't like the movie and was kept up all night fearing that the serial killer will come into his room and cut him to pieces and the movie wasn't all that scary, but Arthur can't handle the gore and so much swearing in just one scene.

As the movie continued Arthur had unconsciously grabbed a pillow and stuffed it between his chest and legs and having his arms wrapped arms around his legs. As a jump scare was about to come out Arthur quickly ducked his head into the pillow and covering his ears hoping he won't hear the screams.

Al looked over and saw Arthur cowering like some kind of dog that had been told off for doing something wrong, Al sighed and poked Arthur head hoping the younger boy will give Al attention. Arthur looked up with tears starting to form; unfortunately he looked up at the wrong time as there was bloody murder scream coming from the television, Arthur's eyes widened and he tackled Al as he wrapped his pale arms around Al's torso and buried his head into Al's chest. Al face had gone to a brown tan to a bright red. He finally realized what got Arthur so worked up for. Al had turned to the television, he sighed.

'It was getting to the good part too,' Al had thought, but he grabbed the remote and tuned of the television.

Arthur looked up into Al's deep red eyes, Arthur blushed and quickly moved off of Al, "sorry," he mumbled out of embarrassment.

"Um no it's fine, you were scared and it was sort of understandable," Al had mumbled.

Arthur looked at Al, "you know…" Arthur started off, "you used to be a tougher when we were younger, but now you're just a big softy," Arthur giggled a little.

Al looked at Arthur, "nah, you just get see the soft side because I know you can't handle my tough side," Al chuckled.

Arthur rolled his eyes, "yeah sure okay,"

"Yep you're too innocent for my tough side,"

"Prove it," Arthur smiled and looked at Al's red eyes.

Al blush, "no,"

"How come…?" Arthur asked.

"Just cause," Al had crossed his arms.

Arthur laughed, "alright, guess the big bad boy isn't as tough as I used to think,"

Al had his cheeks blazing red from embarrassment, and then smirked, 'at least Arthur is opening up a bit more…' Al had thought. Al looked at Arthur and saw Arthur yawn quietly.

"Tired?" Al asked, and looked at Arthur who had half-lidded eyes.

"No," Arthur said quietly. "I'm not tired," he stated.

Al rolled his eyes and chuckled as he had force the Brit on his back and pulled the covers over Arthur, Arthur had groaned.

"I'm not sleepy," Arthur said sleepily.

Al shrugged and got into the covers with Arthur. "How are you feeling?" Al asked.

"Heavy…" Arthur stated.

Al nodded, "sounds legit seemingly you probably worked yourself to your limit, maybe over," Al mumbled.

Arthur laughed quietly, Al looked at Arthur confusingly.

"What are you laughing about?" Al had asked.

Arthur's laughter had calmed down and then he looked at Al lazily, "I do, don't I? heck I got a job under the original age limit, but have to do it, I have to support my mum, you know she been through so much and I fell like half the time I'm bringing her down, because of my needs and the child care and such," Arthur sighed, "I just want to help her,"

Al nodded understanding and sighed, "jeez you're making me too soft," Al moaned in annoyance.

Arthur laughed, but it quickly died off, "thank you, though… for being there for me even though I tied to pushed you away,"

"No problem, Arthur," Al sighed, "now how about we get some shut eye, and don't worry about your job I got you a sick day, and your boss understood that you were over working yourself to the wall,"

Arthur sighed, "I guess there is no way for me to complain," he said quietly.

Then Arthur moved slowly towards Al and placed his head on his shoulder, Al had blushed and sighed, "night Art,"

"Good night Alfred," Arthur said saying Al's real name.

Al looked at Arthur with amazement; no one had ever called him by his real name ever since he had started elementary. Al sighed and felt the Brit grow heavier until his was fully relaxed and in a deep sleep.

Al sighed and smiled as he got comfortable and went to sleep as well.

Arthur had woken up to a smell he looked up and notice Al was nowhere to be seen.

"Al?" Arthur called out.

"Yeah I'm here," Al said and causing Arthur to look up.

Arthur's eyes landed on Al, and he had two bowls of cereal in his hands. Arthur sat up.

"You didn't need to get me breakfast," Arthur mumbled.

"I know," Al started off, "but I wanted to, plus you're my guest, might as well show some hospitality."

Arthur nodded as he grabbed the bowl from Al and Al sat next to Arthur and began to eat, and with Arthur following the same lead. After they were done Arthur and all had went downstairs and went to the kitchen to clean their dishes from this morning and last night. Al sighed and put the last dish into the drying rack. He turned to Arthur, and smirked.

"Want to get changed?" Al had asked.

Arthur nodded, "yeah..."

They both went to Al's room and Arthur grabbed his clothes and went to the bathroom while Al had got dressed in his own room. When they both are done they had heard the doorbell had gone off, they both had walked towards the front door, having Al open the door. They both were faced by 3 familiar faces, Yao, Ivan, and Francis. Al looked at the 3 and smirked.

"Hey guys," Al greeted.

"Hi," Ivan said the other two just grunted thinking it was too early in the morning to be up.

Arthur was hanging behind Al then Yao looked and saw Arthur, his face immediately lit up because he hasn't saw the Brit forever.

"Arthur it's been a long time!" Yao exclaimed.

Arthur looked at the three with a surprised look; he felt his cheek raising in heat from all the attention he was getting.

"Oh yeah… I forgot to tell you we're going to hang with the old group… just minus Matt," Al said nervously.

Arthur only nodded, 'this was my second chance, to make everything right, I can't mess this up!' Arthur thought determine to get his friends back for sure this time. Arthur smiled a little.

"That's alright, I think it's nice that we catch up after… 3 years," Arthur trailed off feeling guilty already.

Al looked at Arthur, and then smirked, "its okay Arthur," Al said. Arthur only nodded.

The group had gone to a familiar ice cream parlor that they use to go to when they were younger, they took their order.

Yao having a dark chocolate, Ivan getting cookies n' cream, Francis getting lemon ice cream, Alfred getting plain vanilla, and Arthur getting cookie dough. Arthur looked at the 4 teenagers, and smiled a little.

"How's your mother?" Yao asked taking a lick into his ice cream. Arthur froze a bit and took a deep breath.

"She's… doing fine," Arthur lied, his mother was doing horribly, drunk, abusive, making himself feel worse about how much of it was his fault, the worst part he didn't do anything about it, mainly because he loved his mother, he just hope he'll get here back some day.

"Managed to keep the accent all this time?" Francis asked.

Arthur nodded, "it was easy, in a way…"

Francis nodded happy that his old friend was talking to them again.

Ivan smiled and stayed quiet, he can tell that his English friend was feeling uncomfortable, "So comrade, why was Arthur at your house?" Ivan asked.

Alfred looked away and took a lick out of his vanilla ice cream, "he was over for a sleep over," Alfred said.

The three nodded, then Yao slammed his covered hands on the table, "OH~ all of us should have a sleep over!" he stated.

"But it's a school night," Arthur squeaked.

Francis rolled his eyes, "Mère doesn't care that I have one on a school night, we just have to sleep,"

"Mine either," Ivan budded in.

"My mom doesn't care," Yao added.

"Psshh my mom is gone on a business trip with my dad," Al stated, "and I guess that I could host another one, I just got to tell my folks," he added.

The three nodded, and then looked at Arthur, Arthur had his face flushed red as he had all eyes on him, "I suppose one more night wouldn't hurt," he mumble, but he was grateful that he was going to be out his own house, but he needed his uniform and such.

"Alight its settle, we'll get ready for it when we're done with the ice cream," Ivan said.

As the ice cream had been eaten by the teenagers, the five had parted and left to pack up there item and leaving Arthur and Al to walk towards Arthur's house. As soon as they had gotten closer Arthur's house, Arthur started to shake a little, Al noticed.

"You want me to go in with you?" he asked, Arthur quickly shook his head.

"She hates unexpected guests, and she won't take it too kindly," Arthur stated. Al slowly nodded and now had a bad feeling on what would happen to his friend.

"But if anything happens don't hesitate to call, okay?" Al said sternly, Arthur nodded.

As the made it to the small house Alfred stopped at the walkway to the door and waited by the fence for Arthur, Arthur slowly walked to the door; his heartbeat quickens every step he takes. Arthur went slowly for the knob and had gave the door knob a turn so he can open it, when he opened it he went inside leaving the door slightly cracked open just in case Al needed a quick entrance, besides his mother was stronger than she looks, all she needs is alcohol in her system. Arthur had looked inside, and noticed bottles open and empty and stained floor and a figure sleeping in the couch. Arthur gave a sigh of relief and quietly moved upstairs and quickly grabbed his clothes, backpack, homework, and his old fashion cell phone. He went down stairs and looked at his mom, who who was still sleeping soundly on the couch, he moved and grab one of the house keys and closed the front door gently and locked it. He gave a sigh of relief and saw Al jogged up to him with smirk.

"You okay?" he asked he picked up most of the items; Arthur nodded as he put his homework in his bag and slung it on his shoulders. Arthur had smiled at Al.

Al noticed the smile and blushed, then he coughed, "well, let's go," he looked at Arthur's house, "I don't really like staying here for too long," Al stated.

Arthur nodded, and they both walked away from the house. Then Al had walked with Arthur to his house.

Unbeknownst to the two teenagers, there was a set of dark purple eyes watching them and glaring daggers at them.

Hey! :D

Okay so I had made this a little longer~

Hope this is good, if anyone has a idea on how for the two main characters (Arthur and Al) to get to together OwO just want some opinions :D

Love ya poppets~