Arthur P.O.V.
"Alfred what is it?" I asked, I was nervous, what was he going to say? My heart-beat was increasing and my stomach was filled with butterflies.
"Arthur, I... I love you!"
...
Alfred... Loved me? My heart thumped heavily in my chest, and my whole body felt hot. Sure, I believed it wasn't a joke... But, do I love Alfred?
...
I heard the door open, yet I didn't stop running my hand across the book, I wasn't finished with the page yet. I wouldn't let myself be interrupted!
"Hello, I'm the nurse assigned to you today." An American-voice breached the silence.
I ignored him, let me just finish this page, will you? Finally coming to a close on the page, I sighed and shut the book. Glaring into the darkness, I replied:
"It's rude to interrupt someone reading, stupid American."
"It's rude to ignore someone, especially when they are here to help you." I've got to have this guy for the rest of the day? I clicked my tongue and my eyebrows furrowed deeper.
"So before we get off to a bad start, Mr. Grumpy, I would like to know your name." Mr. Grumpy? I admit, I do believe that the nickname is rather fitting.
"A gentleman should offer his name, before asking the other theirs... But you're American so, I shall begin." He scoffed, how dare he! "I'm Arthur Kirkland, it's nice to meet you..." I paused to let him fill in the gap.
"Alfred F. Jones." Alfred? Alfred... That's strange, I like the sound of that name...
...
The last thing I registered to mind, was Alfred shouting my name.
...
I got on my tip-toes slightly, to run a hand through his hair, noticing the shiver he made when I felt a certain sticking up piece of hair. I grinned. "Short hair, I'm going to go with perhaps blonde... You have a sticky up part..." I paused, desperately trying to mask the smile that was forcing itself upon my lips. "Which-" chuckle, "seems to be your erogenous spot... Is it not?" I could hear the embarrassment in the boy's voice when he stuttered out:
"I-it might be..."
I burst out laughing, I couldn't hold it any longer.
"Don't- Don't laugh, it's not funny, man!"
"I'm sorry Alfred," I wiped a tear from my eye. "That is just too funny."
I heard him huff out in annoyance, before saying.
"You look good when you smile."
...
I felt a soft touch on my shoulder, and all my anguish... Just disappeared. Looking blindly up, a soothing voice hushed me from saying anything more.
"Calm down Artie, be good for Dr. Laurinaitis."
My eyes widened, and the tears now slowed and my heart-beat relaxed.
"A-Alfred?" I asked, reaching out into the darkness, and flinched when I felt the familiar large hand take mine gently.
"Dr. Laurinaitis, will help you Artie. Trust him."
...
I was screaming so loud, I hadn't heard the door slam open, or notice Alfred walking over to me. He crouched down and put an arm around me, and into my ear, he whispered to me in a silky tone:
"Sorry Artie, I will be making the decision for you... It's nothing personal."
I felt his lips peck my cheek quickly, and from there I was shocked about a completely different thing, and ever so slowly I calmed down.
He angrily shouted at my past-love, before the frog ran out the door. I couldn't believe it, Francis was... Gone?
"And the hero saves the day!" I heard his energetic voice say, boastfully of-course. I looked over to his direction, and there was silence. I bit my lip, Francis was gone... Francis was gone! My lips stretched into a big smile, and I tried to hold it in but it was no use. I burst into laughter, happy tears flowed freely from my un-seeing eyes. I got up slowly, and taking cautious steps towards him, I made my way over to him.
"Alfred..." I gasped, through giggles. I nervously wrapped my arms around the taller man's neck, and held tight. "Thank- you, thank-you so much!" And I was genuine.
...
My heart-beat quickened, and my life seemed a whole lot happier with him. I wondered if he would think about me whilst he was away...
"A-ah, what am I thinking?" I mumbled, my cheeks heating up. I touched them with my cold fingers, hoping to extinguish the burning sensation.
...
This man, who was declaring his love for me right now... Had done so much for me in such a short amount of time. He slowly repaired the wounds that had been open for such a very long time. This man, who I owe everything to, is telling me he loves me. But do I love him back? Do I? I searched deep in my mind for the answer, but despite the venture I could not come to an answer. That's when I was interrupted.
"Don't worry Arthur, I don't need to know whether you do or do not love me back, at this very moment." I glanced over to his direction, and I gave him a sad frown. I wanted to tell him now, Alfred has told me something incredibly important and I would be letting him down not to tell him now.
"I know how you feel, how you're thinking right now... I need to tell Alfred my answer now, but I don't know what that is... Right?" I nodded shamefully, this man knew me so well. "But I don't want you to rush your answer Artie, or else you may regret it. So I'm asking you now," he grabbed both of my hands, and stroked the palms with his thumbs. "That you take your time to think over this, and tell me your true answer when you're ready."
He was right, he was completely right. How could I ever have thought that thinking about it now would do any good?
"Okay..." I agreed, angry at myself. I heard the other man lift himself from the bench, and let go of one of my hands, still with a gentle hold on the other.
"So shall we get some food now?" Alfred said excitedly, you could hear the smile on his face, and it made me mirror the action.
"Yes."
Alfred P.O.V.
Sure, I was disappointed. Despite what I said about waiting, I'm not totally sure my heart can take it. I was seriously disappointed; because although I was (really) expecting a lot worse, I realise that it can still go downhill from here. I was depressed, because I have no idea if the person I love, returns those feelings. I'm angry with myself, for feeling this way. Heck, I should just be happy with what I've got! But, I know that I am a selfish bastard. I want Arthur, hell, do I want him! But I have to wait... I need to be patient for that answer which I both dread and kind-of look forward to.
I scoffed bitterly, and here I sit, next to this guy who is causing me this pain, eating a crappy meal from the cafeteria. I held my head in my hands, I want to go home and crawl into bed, and never emerge again. What a fucking day!
"Red... Fred? Alfred!"
"Huh, what?" I exclaimed loudly. Looking around frantically, my eyes settled on the Englishman next to me, glaring.
"I've been talking to you! You had better not have been day-dreaming through all of it." He scolded.
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Well..." I chuckled nervously.
He huffed, and turned away from me. "I cannot believe you."
I placed a hand on his shoulder and grinned.
"Aw c'mon Artie, I'm sorry!" I turned the grin into a pout, he couldn't see it but I knew he would know that it was there. "Tell me again... Pretty please."
The other man scowled and sighed before turning around to look in my direction.
"Well, I haven't played the violin in a while... And I know you like it, so..."
"You want to play it?" Filling in the gap. When the man nodded slowly, I smiled and finished up the food on my plate. "When you're done, we can head to one of the solitary rooms."
The man pushed his plate away, before extending a hand.
"I'm done." He said simply. I raised an eyebrow, looking over at the plate. He hadn't eaten all that much.
"You haven't eaten much-"
"I'm not that hungry." He interrupted, frowning slightly.
I stared at him in concern, before doing a slight shrug at the the shoulders and taking his hand in mine.
"Let's go then!" I responded, and pulled him up gently.
Arthur P.O.V.
"So, what are you going to play?" Alfred asked excitedly. Good question. I rubbed my chin in contemplation, my brain flicked through the book of possibilities. I hummed, before snapping my fingers.
"I think I will play..." I smiled softly, that one. I tuned the violin, before slowly bringing the violin the violin up. Outstretching my arm, I held the bow delicately and sighed gently. My body began to move by itself, and I was playing. I was getting hot fast, and sweat ran down my forehead. But I couldn't care less, it was a fast-paced song after-all. I went on for as long as I could, but eventually stopped as the fatigue would probably make me pass-out. I lowered the bow and violin, and leant against the wall. Before I heard frantic clapping coming from in-front of me.
"That was really good, Artie!" The American enthused. "What was it called?"
I huffed tiredly before replying:
"Bach's Partita, number three." I wiped the back of my hand against my forehead and was disgusted that it was wet and sticky, I cringed and wiped my hand on my sweatshirt.
"Hey can I have a go?" I glanced up, and gave him a funny look.
"Have a go at what?" I asked, confused.
"The violin, duh!" He laughed obnoxiously. I smirked before responding:
"Okay, but don't whine at me when you find it's not working the way you want it to!"
I knew he was pouting right now, I so knew it. Too bad I'm blind, or else he would probably use puppy-eyes on me. Not that it would work in his favour, Yao used to use puppy-eyes whenever he wanted to sleep in my bed whenever he got a nightmare. Sometimes, it was hard to tell who was the older one out of the two of us.
"Can't you help me get into the right position?" The other man whined.
"Shouldn't you offer me a drink first?" I joked, winking in the man's direction.
"Hey Artie, I'm supposed to be the funny-one in this relationship!" He groaned, and I smiled and got up.
"I'm only joking, look I'll help you." I walked up to him and gently moved his arms into position, giving the occasional instruction on how to hold it. Eventually after lots of teaching, I let him try playing the violin. I stood there smugly, and waited.
"So you just-" a loud screeching noise came from the violin, and I couldn't contain my laughter.
"Oh my Alfred, are you sure you haven't played the violin before? That sounded superb!" I mocked surprise, tears ran down my face from how much I was laughing which resulted in my stomach hurting.
"Arthur..."
Still chucking I replied: "Yes Alf-Mmph!" And I was cut off by lips pressing against mine. I flushed deep-red, I'm sure. Alfred was kissing me, and I liked it. Quickly, his muscular arm snaked around my waist, and a hand tangled it's way in my hair. My heart was beating fast and the only place my senses had focused on, were my lips. Nervously, I wrapped my arms around his neck, and pulled him down further. A tongue licked at my bottom-lip, and I allowed entrance. Our tongues tangled and our kissing became more and more desperate and longing, I had always hated French-kissing with the Frog, but with Alfred... It felt so good. Finally- after what had felt like ten minutes- he slowed down, placing a few chaste kisses on my lips. Before releasing me from his hold, my mind was hazy and my lips were wet.
"Oh my- Arthur, I'm so sorry!" He sputtered worriedly. "I didn't mean to, I-"
"Alfred, calm down." I smiled gently. "I- I know how I feel for you now."
"You do?" He barked, with a mixture between surprise and excitement.
"Yes, I think- no... I love you Alfred F. Jones."
And in a couple of hours, Arthur went from "I'm not sure..." to "I love you." I am such a bad writer, someone should ban me from this website. Yeah, but... They kissed, and it was embarrassing for me to write. I've never 'made-out' with anyone, only chaste kisses, so I had no idea how to write it. Other writers make it look so easy. *sigh* My mum wants to know where to read this story, I'm not letting her know, that would be seriously embarrassing. Anyway, sorry for my poor writing... I have no idea where to go with the next update, so if you have anything you want to happen, let me know... I may put it in the story. Oh and, this chapter has been made from my lovely editor Melissa's ideas. "Thank-you Melissa!" I'm really un-kind to her, I have no idea how she puts up with me. Is there any characters you want to see again? Feli, Lovi... What about Gil and Toni? We haven't seen Roddy and Eliza for a while either.