WARNINGS: Long rambling(?) ahead. Skip/read on your own interest.
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A/N: Okay, it's been awhile since my last update, I deeply apologize. After rereading some of my earlier fics, I realized that writing sure is hard. You can read whatever books you like on the market and most of them are wonderfully written. I mean, I just want to say that, writing is much harder than how I think it is. It takes time. A LOT of time, in fact, to perfectly capture the right words and right atmosphere for that certain scene/part...
Anyway, thank you so much for tagging along so far. I would like to thank my lovely, helpful beta Kuroix-senpai for being there checking through my errors and whatnot beforehand. And to you, my dear precious readers, for letting me know that this story isn't dead in the fandom. Your views encourage me, honestly :') I'll be very grateful though if you could point out my mistakes too. Seriously, that's the point for reviews, right?
Btw, here's a few important(?) things I think you need to know. THIS IS A MULTI-AU FIC. I didn't say it in the beginning of the story because I planned this as a surprise. I'm still wondering if I should tell you but to avoid confusion and misunderstandings in the future, I think it's safer to warn you in advance. I will explain in detail when the part comes. And since my beta-senpai had advised me so, I will change the rating to T (for now). There will be mature contents coming soon, don't worry, so for now, they're mostly SFW. (Lol frankly I don't think my "mature contents" can actually be on par to the lemons found in this website either. Perhaps permanently T?) X'D
Okay okay. And now on towards the story :)
P.s. A small warning for OOC-ness, wonky character developments, and VERY SLOW updates.
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Disclaimer: All Hetalia characters and rights belongs to Himaruya. This story is purely a work of fiction (obviously...)
Chapter 3:
Arthur
I don't know what occurred to me just now. I mean, it felt as if I just realized my heart was definitely beating inside me after all these years. Like, you've been breathing air and you got used to it, but one day you just suddenly noticed that you had been breathing in air all this time.
"Are you done monologing? Is this some sort of editors' side effect?" I look up to see Jones stuffing himself silly as he speaks. His ravenous attack on his food attracts and annoys other customers, which as well, including me.
I lean forward.
"Your table manners can be more atrocious," I say.
Jones wrinkles his nose and displays a smile with a mouthful of bread, patty, lettuce and cheese. And sauce. Around his mouth.
I grimace. "Didn't your parents teach you proper manners?"
Jones glances sideways thoughtfully. The he returns to gobbling down food.
"Nope."
I sigh, pinching my nose bridge.
How could anyone expect a man whose gorgeousness can be on par with Hercules could end up being so…obnoxious. I feel so betrayed.
I sigh, again. "Jones, you seemed to be quite the young one with potentially a bright future ahead of you. Why did you choose to work in such a secluded and hectic place as a publishing company anyway?"
Jones looks up. I see a flicker of fear speeds across his eyes before I could capture and comprehend it. His face smoothens into a pondering expression.
"I wouldn't say I have a 'bright' future ahead of me. Anyhow, I can choose whatever occupation I want, right?" He blinks meaningfully at me.
Well, according to Adam Smith, humans do have the liberty to choose or do whatever they want.
"But as a fellow experienced employee in the working industry, I couldn't bear to see such talented potentials buried within here. You have good looks, and you're loaded with literary intelligence. You could do better than this," I wonder aloud. Honestly, I don't know why I have an oddly high expectation of him.
As expected, however, Jones lifts an eyebrow at me. I suppose it is not my place to presume a person's upcoming according to my first impression of them.
…Yet his charisma compels me to…
"Arthur," his calling pulls me back to attention, "you know you shouldn't have blind hopes for me," he says it like it is a matter of fact. I feel there is more into the surface than he is showing.
"…Why do you think that?" What does he mean?
"Well, I think it's impolite to assume when you don't have a clue to anything."
…That, is said matter-of-factly too.
I reach out to the unwrap burger in front of me while muttering, "Says the one who is apparently so." Apparently, my good impression of him has instantly deteriorated.
We eat our meal in silence. The Big Mac in my mouth tastes bland.
Out of the blue, Jones chuckles. I look up in annoyance.
"I think since it's you we were talking about, it must be a bad habit of yours. You can't help it after all,' he laughs light-heartedly as if he just told a casual joke.
I frown, "You speak as if you've known me for a while…though I don't recon I've met you before."
I wreck my brain, trying to search for any traces of Jones in my memories. Though, currently, there is zero conclusion.
"Jones," I am still trying to remember as I ask, "have we met before?" With how he stated it, he must have known something that I don't.
Subsequently, the formerly-thought imaginary fear resurfaces to his impaling blue eyes and lingers much longer this time. Jones looks as if he is at a loss for words.
"Jones, are you – "
"No I'm fine! It's just – It's –" Jones is clearly trying to come up with something in the midst of his disorientation.
What is Jones hiding?
Abruptly, Jones turns to his watch, "Oh hey! Look at the time! I can't believe we're actually eating over our given break time! I think we should head back!" And he hastily stands up while cleaning up the mess of wrapping paper and sauce on the table.
I never thought someone would actually pull that kind of excuse in real life. I am stunned to speechless.
As Jones hurries up and down – and seems to have really decided to go, I quickly stand up.
"Wait! Jones –"
He stops to look at me. His eyes are filled with fear an anxiety, his whole composure screams uncomfortable.
I look down to the small table between us. My hand, if I wanted so, can easily reach him and grab him, allowing him no choice but to stay.
Yet I choose not to.
I put down the half-eaten burger. "Wait for me, Jones. I'm going to wash my hand at the restroom," I jerk my thumb at its general direction before turning around to walk off. I think Jones sighed in relief as I stalked away.
"What were you thinking?" I ask half-mindedly as we walk back to the company. The whole journey, as expected, ends up in awkward silence. Well, until my straightforward mouth decided to break the uncomfortable silence between us.
Again, Jones tenses up next to me. He stays silent otherwise.
I let out a heavy sigh, and turn my head to him.
He's seriously tall.
"Look, Mr Jones, if there's something you are uncomfortable in telling, you can just say so directly. I'm not into that kind of fetish, okay?" Then I frown, "I'm just," – I have to look away – "curious."
That would be an understatement, if I have to say so frankly. But of course, that is not his concern.
We remain to walk in silence. Honestly, if Jones turns out to be the kind who's awfully shy to speak out their thoughts, I would consider discussing this with Mr Williams. Though I wish it would not come to that.
"Arthur."
Finally, the crab has come out of its shell.
I turn to him, all ears.
Jones shivers briefly in the mid-autumn wind.
"Arthur, I don't know what you're expecting from me, but there is something that is certain that you can't change. No matter how hard you wished it different."
His eyes are the colour of murky water. Not to mention there is a hint of sadness behind the beautiful gleam of blue.
What is he hiding? I'm so intrigued!
"…For the record," I willed myself to push back the urge of prying deeper, "I think you're more than meets the eye, Jones." I force a smile at him, "And that sort of increased your charming points."
"I think," I add.
Jones laughs back. The awkward between us seems to evaporate right at the moment. But deep down, I guess we both know each of us have something in mind, and we're not going to open up unless the other takes the first step.
When we reached my office, Mr Williams came looking for Jones and brought him away for most of the afternoon. I was alone, focusing on accomplishing my day's workload. To be honest, I'm still curious, especially on how young Jones seems. He was allowed to work here, a serious and famous publishing company. Even if he is an intern, judging with how Mr Williams acts around him, I believe there is more into it than what they've told us.
But why am I delving into Jones personal affair? Is that my superior complex acting up? Or I'm merely thinking too much…I pinch my the bridge of my nose.
I get a feeling that this is going to form into a habit.
…I need a coffee.
Wait.
Tea is better.
"Is he troubling you?"
Kiku sits opposite me in the kitchen, both of us are having a short break with our own favourite tea.
She stares into her mug of Oolong tea, the spiraling wisp of heat wafting to the air. I detect an indistinct smile hiding beneath her skin.
I pick up my cup and sip the delicious Earl Grey. "What does he has anything to do with me?"
"You care about him." She is literally smiling – smirking – behind that elaborately-printed DIY mug. I am sure of it.
"As if." I put the cup down, my fingers delicately wounding and touching its finely carved ear.
In this somehow carefree company, the employees can take whatever amounts of time break they desire, as long as they complete their job in each appointed deadline. I, on the other hand, always take my work home with me. I enjoy reading, and I like it when the surrounding is more familiar and much comfortable. I believe most of us here do that, but that is what I personally opted to. After all, everyone has their preferences in finding their own ways of handling things.
I wonder how Jones is going to deal with his given workload today, what with his disappearance with Mr Williams for the entirety of the afternoon.
"Tell me," I look up from my train of thoughts to Kiku, "who is this 'he' are we talking about?"
Kiku's smirk widens. "We aren't talking about anyone."
I frown.
And then slowly grin.
She really is weird.
"Kiku – "
"You know, I was an intern too." Kiku says absentmindedly while staring into her tea. I wonder what makes her bring this up all of a sudden.
"I used to mess up a lot of things while on the job, and there were so many things I have to learn at such a short time span."
Her sight is lost in the depths of her memory. I listen without giving any comments while drinking my tea. It's turning cold soon.
"And, well, as an extreme introvert back then, socializing is really hard for me," she smiles at it like it was a distant joke. I wouldn't say she isn't an introvert now, because she still is. It's just that, over time, she has slightly open up and become warmer to nearly everyone in the company.
"Are you listening?" Her sudden question alarms me, and I quickly look up to meet her.
"...Well, I don't think I have any place to interrupt in that." Since we only know each other last year when she was first employed here.
She laughs, her voice resounding like gentle breeze.
"Anyway, seeing Jones turning up here is like seeing my old self. He has a lot to learn while being here." She lifts her mug to her lips, "And I trust you will guide him like a proper, experienced superior you believed you are."
There is that smug face again!
"What do you mean by that? I am experienced, okay?" I have been here longer than most of the staffs. At least.
"Ha, at least he's better than me! I don't have anyone to turn to when I was an intern. All the workers who was friendly to me was busy most of the time and I have to observe closely to understand stuff. I'm glad I was quite the bright one, at least. And it must be my luck at work." She smiles at me, but I can see that she is really glad and proud of her achievements back then. I feel sort of proud for her too.
Then she downs all her tea in one go.
I do the same. And both of us stand up to move over to the sink.
I was rinsing my cup when she said, "I'd love to help Jones if he needs something. Anything is fine."
I turn to her, slightly shock at her abrupt initiative.
"Why so?" He has me, doesn't he? Not that he can't turn to people other than me...
Kiku places her mug at the drier, "I just think that we might be good colleagues. After all..." Her eyes stare into the distant as her words trails into nothing. Her face is awash with a soft glow.
I place my cup in the drier, too.
"He's all yours. You can come visit any time you want."
I walk away.
"By the way, Arthur," Kiku grabs the sleeve of my shirt, holding me in my track.
"Please be kind to Jones, he really admires you."
...
...What is she sprouting all of a sudden?! This is so corny it isn't funny!
"Wh- What are you - " I couldn't do anything but stammer. Heat is rising up to my cheeks, and I can't hear anything but the drumming of my heart.
"Call me when anything happens, okay?" Kiku winks and lets go of my sleeve. She walks out of the kitchen, humming happily to a tune I don't recognize.
I remain in the kitchen, trying very hard to calm myself. I mean, it must be due to Kiku's sappy words that I was shaken from my usual composure.
Furthermore, this sort of precipitation isn't good for my health. I'm starting to feel the fast food from lunch is coming back to my mouth. Before things can get any worse, I swallow back the nausea and have a quick rinse of my inner mouth with water.
For now, the crisis is avoided, I sigh.
After straightening myself once more, I head back to my office and pick up from where I left. Jones has never return once as the rest of the day quickly fades into dusk. When it is time to call it a day, I clear my side of the table and pack up the drafts that I'm bringing home. I glance to Jones' side of the table. It is piled with drafts and papers.
Where has he gone to? Is he really here to work?
I find that the more I delve into it, the more frustrated I become. Yet it's not that I have any say to it; Mr Williams was the one who called him away.
I frown. Should I be worry instead?
Deciding that this is going to end up in circles, I give up and prepare to leave. Leastwise, he should show up tomorrow, sprightly and awkward as he is.
A buzz in the pant pocket signifies an incoming call. I dig out my phone and realize it's Lyanna.
"Yes, love?" I ask while commencing down the grand staircase. There are a few staffs leaving as well.
"You do remember the grocery I requested this noon, right?" As usual, Lyanna is straightforward in demanding and ordering people around. But I guess the reason I stick up with it is due to the unexpectedly thoughtful and caring side that she seldom show in front of others. Her insistence in taking care of me surprised me as well after the accident happened, especially when I could hardly remember her with my amnesia. Thankfully though, she stayed...
"Yeah. I'll be back soon." I bid her goodbye before hanging up. The streets are already filled with busy pedestrians coming and going, the roads rushed with cabs and cars from either side. I wrap myself tight in the beige overcoat, huffing out a puff of misty mid-autumn air.
Even though the night is still young, the moon hanging far in the distant navy blue sky alights its surrounding. The moon, this hour, this atmosphere...Was that a struck of deja vu?
I shiver.
Let's just go to the supermarket and get this over with, I tell myself as the noises of the background blend into nothingness. I let my thoughts wander, swimming in the sea of subconscious yet unrecognizable reveries.
EDITED(12/9/2017)
A/N: Hey there! So this is the edited chapter 3 :) A lot has changed, and I feel that along with my growing in age, I can finally, truly understand some feelings that are indescribable. I feel that Arthur has finally become a character I originally wanted him to be, with my now improved mental development.
I meant the characters to be deep, especially for Arthur and Alfred. But I couldn't get them right no matter how hard I try back then. Still, there's a lot to learn, and I'm not as good as these popular fanfiction authors out there *coughbutterfishcoughrobinrockscough*
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy what I could offer for now x) Please excuse my grammars and probably awkward sentences.
To be continue...