Coition Chapter 5:

In which Arthur is a coward, Hero get's out, and Iggycat get's a break.

Arthur tried to ignore the sunlight creeping up the side of his face, behind his eyelids, as he laid in bed. He squinted to block it out, but that only roused him from sleep. Then he tried rolling over, but rolling over only roused him awake.

Defeated, he sat up in bed, yawning, and glanced around his room. Everything was just the way he'd left it last night. His clothes were laid across a chair in the corner. Despite it's size the rest of the room was neat. He found comfort in organization. It was something he could control, and is gave his life some amount of stability when things had a place and were kept there. And he was even more comforted as he realized from the noise of birds and children playing outside what day it was. It was Saturday, he thought with a grin.

No work!

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, and as he went to the bathroom with a set of clean clothes,glancing down the hall at the sofa to see if Charlie was in.

Ever since the fight his boyfriend had made a point in avoiding him. He would come home to an empty trailer, although there'd would be new dishes in the sink, or a new pile of clothes, or blankets left on the sofa, so he knew the man was around. They just never met face to face.

As he got in the shower, water cascading around him, flowing down his back, and through his hair, he wondered if this was how things would be for the rest of his life.

Being completely ignored may have hurt more than Charlie's infidelity.

After his shower he'd looked forward to a nice breakfast, that he surely wouldn't burn, but as he searched the fridge, he realized they were out of eggs, milk, cheese, even the ham and bacon… anything to make the omelette that'd been in his head. And his frown narrowed as he realized the culprit. Charlie not only had to neglect any care towards him, he also had to eat all his food too?

Damn him. He slammed the fridge door and grabbing his key, burst out his trailer irritably. He would have to eat at a cafe or something on his way to the library.

By the time he arrived in town his mood was beginning to come back.

He smirked at the Hideaway as they drove past; it felt so good to have a day off, then he turned to look at the famous city. It looked quite different in the morning than at night. At night there would be lights everywhere and the streets would be filled with travelers and gamblers and con men, on their ways to the casinos and other attractions.

Then the thought struck him that he'd never actually stepped foot into a casino before. Such a strange thing when you've been living in Vegas for several years, but the more he thought about it, the less attractive it seemed. Sure it would be all lively and decorated and shiny, but the idea of giving away his money with only a small odd of getting a meager amount back was incredibly stupid in his opinion. No. He'd rather he never find the need to go in to one of those places.

It didn't take long after he ceased musing about gambling before his stop had come upon him. He spent some of his morning by the window in a cafe, nibbling on a scone and staring at the people passing by. It wasn't quite like the scones from home, but it was good enough to abate his hunger. There was a girl at the counter who kept smiling at him under her green visor, but he merely nodded and uncomfortably avoided looking at her until he left. He didn't like much attention. He'd always been shy, ever since childhood when kids would pick on him for his eyebrows. Subconsciously he began to rub one as he left and headed down the sidewalk. He actually plucked them every day, and yet even in adulthood they remained big and bushy and ugly. When he was in middle school he'd even shaved them off in desperation, but as one can imagine that'd only made it worse. Eventually he gave up trying to change them and instead spent his effort in maintaining some form of tameness.

He glanced around at the stores he past by, wishing he had more money. Already they were getting ready for the upcoming fall season, and he realized that he still hadn't gotten his coat. The leaves on the trees were already starting to change.

He settled at one of the tables in the center of the library with a pile of books and stayed there for several hours. It was just a bit busier in there than usual. Children could be heard in the corner on the other side of the room, and there were quite a few college students and older adults typing away on their laptops nearby. He paid them little mind, and was just ending the second chapter of his novel when he shuddered at the sensation of being watched. For the hundredth time this week thanks to Alfred. He glanced up at the person, ready to glare them down when for a minute he and the stranger blinked at each other. … he looked somewhat familiar…

He saw the look of surprise on the man's face and quirked up a brow as the man walked over

"Arthur-san? Is that really you?"

Eyebrows skyrocketed as a memory flashed in his mind of the boy who'd been his closest high school friend!

"Kiku? Kiku Honda? Oh my goodness, what a surprise! I hardly recognized you!"

After a quick embrace they smiled and Arthur held him an arm's length away as he studied the man with a grin. He'd grown quite a lot, he noted as he realized the asian man was nearly as tall as he was. Of course Arthur had grown a lot too, but it was much less noticeable in comparison. Kiku used to be tiny, although he still retained his baby face.

"How is life treating you Arthur-san? I was unsure if I would ever see you again. We were so worried when you disappeared."

Arthur's gaze flickered to the ground, guiltily as he realized that, yes, he never did talk to Kiku, talk to anybody, when he and Charlie left. The two had decided they would run away on a whim when Arthur's family became more unbearable. And the fact that he not only never said goodbye, but never even thought about it added weight to the burden on his chest.

"I'm sorry old chap. I… I never did say goodbye properly… I-"

But Kiku was already waving off his apology with a cheerful grin on his face. He was more happy just to be seeing Arthur after so long and without any news.

"No, no. Do not worry. You had your reasons for leaving, I understand. However," looking thoughtful,"I do not know if I could have ever done something like that."

They laughed. No, Arthur supposed he couldn't.

For the rest of the evening the two talked. They'd walked to the nearby park together as they chatted. They caught up about the last year Kiku had spent in high school; how everyone had noticed Arthur was gone even if they didn't know him very well. How that night the Kirklands found Arthur was missing, he was the first person they asked.

"They really were worried Arthur-san. Nobody knew what had happened to you."

Arthur nodded. What parent wouldn't have been worried? But that didn't change the fact that they were the reason that he ran away. They never truly accepted him, and that along with the other ways they broke his trust built up a wall that he was unwilling to get around. And while a part of him did miss his family, he was still not ready to face them even after all these years.

And he was surprised to learn as they talked about life after high school how much Kiku had changed.

Kiku Honda had been one of the top students in their year; he could have gone to any University in the country and yet he'd gone on to study marketing, and now worked for a firm in the city, instead of becoming a doctor as his parents expected of him. When they last saw each other Kiku had been so determined to make his parents proud and become a doctor.

"But I never liked medicine," he shrugged "and after you left I realized there was a bit more to life than doing what my parents wanted." He was surprisingly stubborn when he wanted to be. "In the end they gave up on trying to force me into it."

Thankfully, the topic of Arthur's profession after school was covered. Kiku certainly tried to ask him, but Arthur would avoid the issue as much as possible.

It wasn't until late evening when the sky above had turned a dark yellow color, flecked with purples and blues and oranged, that the two said goodbye.

"I'm happy that I got to see you again, Arthur-san."

"Yeah, so am I." he hadn't realized how much he missed his friend until now. "I hopefully see you around, Mr. Lead Marketer of Tony Enterprises."

With a laugh Kiku dug into his bag, and to Arthur's surprise and dismay he brought out a cell phone.

"I hope to see you as well, Arthur-san. What is your phone number? We may be able to meet up."

With a sinking feeling Arthur found out that he didn't quite know how to explain this situation.

He didn't have a cell phone. Of course Kiku couldn't have known that; Arthur had avoided talking about his circumstances, and now he felt a wave of shame at where his life had brought him. Five years ago he'd been a classmate, a man who he was once an equal to, and now here he was standing in front of a man who'd become successful in those same five years. Apparently Kiku caught on to the change in mood, as he tilted his head in confusion.

"Arthur-san...?"

But Arthur was quick to cover himself.

"Oh, my apologies! Um, I actually don't have a phone at the moment, but don't worry I'll find another way to keep in touch." He scratched at his hair and made a show of looking towards the darkening sky. "Wow, look at the time! I really should get going. It was great seeing you again, old chap."

And with that and a final handshake Arthur hurried along his way, leaving behind a very confused Kiku. It was only after he deemed himself far away to not be seen and thus offend an old good friend, Arthur burst into a run and did not stop until he got to the nearest bus stop.

And it wasn't until he'd stopped his running and was now panting heavily at the stop, standing a group of pedestrians, too busy with their own lives and errands to pay him any mind that the full force of his shame came forward.

He was a coward. A bloody coward.

After a few minutes of deciding where he wanted to go, Arthur finally concluded that since he still needed to get groceries, he would stop at the grocery store along the way home.

Absently, he rolled his way along several isles, thinking about his friend and realizing how foolish his decision had been all those years ago. He and Charlie could have waited.

They never needed to run away. Yes, their family situations were messy; what with Charlie's family divorced, and his own a group of bigots. But he regretted it. They could have held on a bit longer, then everything wouldn't have gone to hell.

He pulled up the cheapest brand of milk, still lost in thought.

He wondered how the rest of his classmates would react to seeing him like this?

Now he needed to get cheese, it should have been a bit ahead.

Would they have laughed for how low he'd stooped?

There were also eggs to get.

Or even worse; would they pity him for his desolate life?

"Hero! Stop that!"

He was roused out of his thoughts at the familiar voice just on the other aisle as it raised, reprimanding but also amused. Whose voice was that again? He couldn't put his finger on it. He'd turned the corner only to glance curiously and then keep moving, but as soon as he turned the corner he stopped dead in his tracks as he realized what a mistake he'd been about to make.

For the person standing in the middle of the aisle in front of the large bags pet food, was none other than Alfred. And tucked under his arm protectively was the thing he'd been reprimanding: a large beige cat with brown fur around it's neck and a bushy tail. It was squiggling in Alfred's grasp, excitedly trying to reach for the cat food in front of him.

Arthur ducked, pulling his cart back to get out of view.

That was not a person he wanted to see right about now. He was not in the mood nor did he have the patience to deal with the loud rambunctious man.

'Calm down, what are you getting excited for?' he told himself sternly. 'You still have shopping to finish and so what if the git is there. Just go down, grab what you need, and go. Easy as that.'

So, he took a breath and slowly he turned, rolling his way down.

So far Alfred was too busy squinting at the label of some big bag of feed and holding on to his cat.

Seriously, why did he have his pet in the grocery store? Why had anyone allowed him to bring it in?.

Arthur was now just a few feet away behind Alfred's back. As the taller man didn't notice his presence, Arthur let out a slow breath, and reached out to pick up the oh-so-important box of tea he'd been aiming for. Not getting the tea was not an option. He was British, after all. Why they had the teabags in the aisle across from pet food was anybody;s guess. Maybe since cat people were supposed to have that tea-drinking stereotype?

Arthur had just put the box of tea in his cart, and was taking a step to get away when a noise behind him took him by surprise, and he started just as Alfred looked behind him to see what his cat was mewing and reaching for so much.

"What is it Hero-?"

Arthur froze as he felt the blue gaze on his back, his heart rate quickened in anxiety as well and a knot curled around in his stomach, and he tried not to make any sudden movements; maybe Alfred hadn't even noticed him. Maybe he would simply go back to shopping for himself…

"Oh my gosh! Artie! What a surprise to see you here!"

Apparently not. Arthur groaned, wincing at that accursed nickname, and he turned to look at that grinning face. His eyes were as blue and wide with excitement as ever. The plaid shirt rolled up to the elbows over beige pants also didn't help to mask the muscles and the many shades of bronze and gold that colored the American male either.

"Hello… Alfred,"

The cat in his arms was squirming and trying to roll out of Alfred's grasp, and Arthur glared at the little traitor who'd given away his presence. "How are you doing?"

Alfred's grin widened, and he maneuvered his cat into a easier to hold position while he talked.

"I'm good! Just came in to get stuff for Hero and Iggy!"

Even at the excitement in Alfred's voice, Arthur's brows sunk and he felt a wave of pity for the poor things.

"Hero, and Iggy?" The names were said with distaste

"Heh! Well, I named this little guy myself. I had help from a coworker in naming the other."

There was another one? Where was it? Hidden in that bomber jacket Alfred had on?

He opened his mouth to ask the question, but he was cut off as Hero gave a whiny type of 'Mew' at the sound of Iggy's name.

"Aww, you miss your friend, doncha lil fella? Yeah, I had to get this little guy out of the other's hair for a bit. Hero's a younger cat so he tends to get on Iggy's nerves sometimes. But usually they get along great. It's probably why Hero's so clingy." He held the cat up against his face, earning a paw to the mouth. "Arent' yuh, little man."

The scene would have been sickeningly sweet if Arthur didn't already feel sick from seeing the other man. But he had no way of escape now that would not be overtly rude. He was a gentleman after all.

"What are you here for?" The American was already asking.

Arthur contemplated a sarcastic reply, but knowing Alfred, the sarcasm would go over his head.

"I'm just doing some breakfast shopping."

That was a harmless statement, nothing that the other man could turn into anything else.

"Oh cool! Do you need any help? Hero and I can come along with you if you want!"

Honestly, Arthur did not want. He was rather hoping to spend the rest of his afternoon peacefully, something that could never happen if he was spending it with the loud and obnoxious man. He would be too busy focusing on Alfred's lack of respect for the atmosphere, correcting his speech, trying to get him to stop using pet names on himself, and his inability to shut up, to relax.

But the man was eyeing him hopefully, and there was something in his blue eyes that reminded Arthur so much of a child that he gave in wearily.

"Hooray!"

As soon as Arthur started walking and Alfred kept step with him, the usual flood of Alfred's speech swept over him. As they walked down to the meat he was jabbering about how interesting it was how Shoppers and other places researched the ways to organize food to get people to buy more, and yet it was still hard finding exactly what you need.

He was just finishing that little nugget of conversation, when Arthur glanced up at the cat in Alfred's arms as he inspected a pear in his hand.

"I have a question, Alfred."

The American perked up in a way that reminded him of babysitting and how those children would cling to everything he said.

"Why did you bring Hero into the store? Isn't it better to leave him in the car?"

For a moment Alfred frowned, contemplating and shifting to the other foot as he thought.

"Well, I used to think it was a good idea, but then Hero doesn't really like closed spaces, or being left alone. He'll sit there and howl like a banshee; he's so clingy." He then smiled happily, stroking Hero's ear subconsciously. "Plus, I take him out so he can get some fresh air. It'd be terrible to torture him when it's supposed to be fun, you know?"

"So basically, you spoil him." Arthur said, holding out a hand in front of Hero's face, who patted it with a little paw. His face began to feel hot. The cat was a cutie. He had to admit.

Alfred beamed as Arthur turned to walk to the cash register, following him behind.

As he stood on line, Arthur felt his face heat up at the stares they were starting to incur.

Darn Alfred's softness towards his feline. People obviously thought the two men were there together, which technically wasn't true, and now people were looking at him distastefully. Jealously he glanced at Alfred, who looked very comfortable despite the glares in their direction. He was stroking Hero's fur as they waited with a small smile playing on his lips. Arthur idly wished he could seem more confident in situations like this. Hmm.

When they finally got up to the register, the lady there giggled as she saw the cat and chatted with Alfred happily about what a cutie the feline was.

By the time the girl finally got back to finishing Arthur's bags, his eyebrows had sunken into the slight frown he was most known for, and she hurried him along to help the next person.

"How rude." He muttered to himself as they walked out the exit.

"What was that?" Alfred asked curiously, holding his bag of cat food in one hand, Hero in the other.

"Nothing." There was an awkward silence as Arthur waited for the other man to get going. He didn't have all night to stand here. "Well, Goodnight Alfred. It was nice meeting your cat." He said, and Alfred tilted his head in a way that mimicked how Kiku had done earlier that day.

"I'll walk you to your car."

Oh. That's what he'd been waiting for. Arthur shifted from one foot to the other, but rolled his eyes to wave it off.

"I don't have a car."

"What? How did you get here then?"

"The bus of course. Have you never hear of public transportation?"

"Oh… well, sorry... But isn't the fare a little expensive after awhile? I could drive you home if you want."

No.

Under no circumstances should Alfred ever learn about where he lived.

How he lived…

"No. That is a kind offer, but rest assured I shall be fine."

Alfred continued to look concerned. He shuffled feet and glanced toward the dark bus stop on the corner here. Could Arthur really be safe at all, waiting at night at a bus stop by himself? They were in Vegas of all places! But try as he might he couldn't convince Arthur to let him give the man a ride home.

Smoothly Arthur said his goodbyes; to Alfred's relief he past the nefarious stop near the store and walked towards a more populated area to wait, and as he walked quickly away he realized that this was the second time in a day he'd ran away.

And even when the bus had come and he was on his way home, before he made it to the trailer park, he could not shake the feeling that he was a coward.

Such a bloody coward.