Alfred P.O.V.
"Alfred, calm down." the older man smiled, gently. "I- I know how I feel for you now."
My eyes widened, and my heart skipped a beat. It was like the whole world had stopped, and it was just me and Arthur who were alive. I blinked, clearing the mist from my cerulean-eyes, and watched the Englishman as he looked at me, blush gently dusting his usually pale cheeks. He smiled, and licked his lips, before replying:
"I love you."
6 months later:
"Morning, Artie!" I greeted the man, who was grinning from ear-to-ear, a sight not so rare to see recently.
"Good morning, Alfie!" He rushed up to me and wrapped his arms around my neck, pulling me into a short, enthusiastic kiss.
"Someone's happy!" I smiled, running my fingers through his golden-hair.
I knew full well why he was happy, and I was trying not to burst out in joy as-well. It was a big day for the both of us.
"C'mon, we need to get you goin'! Don't wanna miss this opportunity now, do you?" And I smacked him playfully on the bottom, earning an adorable shriek from the shorter male.
"Of-course I don't, git! Let's go."
I took his hand in mine placing my lips to it, before pulling him along. Yes, today was the day where it was decided. The decision that me and Arthur have been waiting for...
...
"Alfred, Alfred!" The British man came rushing out from Toris's office, and I glanced at him curiously before asking what it was he was so excited about.
"He- Toris told me that... That he's organising a court-case to decide if I can leave!"
I breathed out, and a smile spread upon my lips. I laughed in happiness, scooping him up and spinning him around.
"I'm so happy for you! When is it going to be?" I was genuinely glad for him, he would finally get out of this prison.
"20th of November!" He grinned. I whistled, that was close. It was the 28th of October now! "It's not decided yet if I'll get out, so let's not get too ha-"
"Arthur," I interrupted, before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'm sure you'll get out."
...
Today was the 20th of November. During days leading up to this day, me and Arthur- Whoops, Arthur and I (as Artie tells me to say), were discussing what would happen when he left. We came to the decision that Artie would live with me... He tried to decline, saying he didn't want to, you know, intrude on my life, but I told him that he was part of my life. The decision was final.
So now, as I walked him towards the courtroom, my heart fluttered proudly in my chest and I felt pretty darn emotional. Arthur and I would finally get to be together, we would get to sleep together, wake-up together, do all these things together that I have wanted for... Such a long time.
"Arthur Kirkland, come with me." A intimidating voice spoke, and I squeezed the other man's hand, before letting go and sitting down on one of the wooden seats. I would wait for him to come out, I didn't care how long it would take, I would not move from this spot.
...
"Alfred? Alfred!" I was shook awake, and I blinked letting my eyes adjust. Huh, I fell asleep? When did that happen... Oh wait, Arthur!
Grasping his shoulders, I jumped up from my chair.
"How did it go?" I asked excitedly, he had to have gotten out, he just had to!
My grin fell, when I saw the British man's expression. He gave me a sad smile.
"No, they-"
"Alfred I..." He paused before grinning widely, and wrapping his arms around me. "I'm allowed out, I'm no longer a patient here!"
Tears flooded from my eyes, sure it wasn't manly... But hell, the person I loved was finally going to be with me, in the outside world. I think Arthur was happy about the same thing, as he was crying too.
I placed desperate chaste kisses upon his lips, and wrapped my arms around him. I will never let go of this person I love.
Arthur P.O.V.
"Have you got everything packed?" Alfred asked, worriedly.
"Yes." I responded.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Alfred, I'm completely sure!" I laughed, who'd have thought that Alfred was such a mother hen. He took my hand, and pulled me outside of the room.
"Say goodbye to Old Johnny here."
"Old Johnny?" I snorted, him and his imagination.
"Yeah, I made the name up now... You won't be seeing Old Johnny here again, say bye to him Artie!"
Chuckling, I walked over to the outside wall of the room, and pressed a hand against it.
"Goodbye Old Johnny, thank-you for having me!"
"Ā sè!" I turned to the direction of the voice, and smiled gently.
"Hello Yao, how is Ivan today?"
"He's good, he told me he'd drive us to the nearest bar, you need a good drink after-all." A drink? Hell, I'd almost forgotten the sweet taste of alcohol... I licked my lips in anticipation.
"I guess it's fine if we go with the commie-bastard... Just this once." Alfred grumbled from behind me, snaking his arms around my waist.
"I would prefer that you didn't call my boyfriend that, Alfred." The Chinese-man replied, there was innocence in that voice but I could almost feel Yao's glare towards Alfred.
"Hey now guys, I would be glad if you didn't fight on today of all days." I smiled sweetly. Yes, please don't give me a headache...
"Fine, just because you asked Ā sè." Yao responded.
"Whatever." The American agreed, placing a kiss upon my head.
We walked together, down the long hallways of the hospital. I had mixed feelings, I hadn't been at this place for too long... Barely a year. Those twenty-one years of suffering, extinguished by an obnoxious nurse... An obnoxious nurse who I loved dearly.
We must have been at the front entrance, because Alfred stopped me in my tracks and whispered in my ear.
"You're about to step outside of this cage, the next step you take will be outside the facility. Are you ready?"
I thought a while, it's strange... I came to this place scared and hostile, I didn't want to place my trust in anyone. However, this place has turned into the start-point of the beginning of my new life... I'm coming out of this place, happy and excited, with my beloved. I breathed in deeply, and exhaled through my nose. Glancing upwards, I nodded and took a step forward. I was outside. I was free.
"What are you doin' here?" Alfred growled, and his hands protectively clutched my shoulders. Who was here?
"Mon cher, you're out!" I heard the familiar voice shout.
Yao edged closer touching my arm, and whispered in my ear.
"Is this the dick you told me about?"
I nodded, and sucked a breath in... I would stay calm. Breathe in, breathe out... Breathe in, breathe- a harsh smacking sound resounded from in front of me. My unseeing eyes blinked, what had happened?
"He- he- he just..." Alfred stuttered behind me. I was worried, what had shocked Alfred so much?
"Stay the fuck away from my brother Ā sè, you piece of shit." Yao?
Alfred pushed me along hurriedly, I scrunched up my face in confusion, what was going on?
We got into a car and sat down. Okay, what the fuck is going on?
"Hello Yiwan, we can go now."
"Da, Yao-Yao! Can I go finish him off?" I heard the Russian's silky-voice reply.
"No, let's just go. I don't think Ā sè wants to stay here any longer."
"Da... Let's go!"
Turning to Alfred, I muttered to him:
"What happened?"
Alfred snorted, and I could feel him shake his head unbelievingly.
"He totally just punched the Frenchy and knocked him out."
My eyes widened and I laughed loudly, Alfred joined me and intertwined our fingers together. I guess that's when it sunk in, I wasn't in the hospital anymore... This would be the first time I would go out into the real-world, and have a place where I truly belonged. With the person I loved, and my many new friends. I nodded happily, today my life would begin again.
A life with friends.
A life with Alfred.
A life without the bullies.
A life without beatings.
A life without the orphanage.
A life without Francis.
A life without pain.
And I will be forever more, truly...
Painless.
Arthur- Became a best-selling author with his story, his story was most well-known in America, however it was very famous globally. France was where the book was least popular, they weren't happy that the 'bad guy' was French, but some French people read it nevertheless. He still lives happily with Alfred, in their own house. They bought a cat called Crumpets, Arthur calls Crumpets their baby.
Alfred- Left the hospital, as he felt like the place was wrong without Arthur... And he took the blame off of Yao about the unconscious body out on the front path. He went back to school, and studied to become a psychologist. He still lives with Arthur, and they are still very much together. Alfred is planning on asking Arthur to marry him soon, he just needs to find the right time.
Yao (and Ivan)- Remained working at the hospital, until he got bored of the job and left. Him and Ivan now run their own orphanage. Ivan and Yao are now engaged, after Ivan's million refusals.
Lovino- stayed at the hospital, but left shortly after Arthur. He became less violent after reconciling with his brother. Lovino stayed in-touch with Antonio despite saying he didn't care about him, and finally when Antonio left the hospital, Lovino (when drunk) admitted his feelings for Antonio. They got together and have a strange relationship on the outside, but they both truly love each-other.
Roderich- stayed the longest at the hospital out of Arthur's friends, but left with Elizabeta. They maintained a secret relationship at the hospital, and Elizabeta actually proposed to Roderich on his last-day at the hospital. He said yes, but told her that when he got out, he would be buying her the engagement ring. He was still a bit shy, but was now able to be more social with others.
Gilbert- quit his job when Antonio left, said "it wasn't as awesome without Toni". He met up with Alfred one-time when Alfred was with his brother. Gilbert ended up hooking up with Matthew, and Alfred wasn't that happy at first. But when Gilbert asked Arthur to sweet-talk Alfred, Alfred accepted it. Gilbert feels like he owes Arthur his life, and takes him out for a beer often in payment (that or Gilbert just thinks drunk-Arthur is funny).
Feliciano- eventually got hearing aids, despite his fears and now doesn't regret the decision. When he could first hear, he was so happy to hear Ludwig's voice. Ludwig chose that point to admit his feelings for Feliciano, and shortly after they got engaged and married. It was quick, but they decided that they didn't mind how quick it went, they just wanted to be with each other as fast as possible.
Francis- gave up on Arthur shortly after he got knocked unconscious by a little Chinese-man. He thought if this went on, his pretty-face would be ruined and decided it wasn't worth it. He became a famous model, that was loved and criticised... People began to say he was the man from Arthur's story. That was when he moved back to France, where the book wasn't so popular. He kept sleeping around with various people, until he got sick of it. Occasionally he thought of Arthur, he did regret some-what that he didn't only sleep with him, he did truly love the man. But it just wasn't meant to be.
And that is the end of Painless, there is most likely to be a special Epilogue just to end it off with, but if I decide against it... Then this is the true ending. Time to move on to the next story! I'm back at school now, which is why I'm finishing Painless here. Plus, despite loving writing this story, it has started to bore me... So I hope you enjoyed this story, and hopefully you will read the Epilogue if it comes around! Thank-you for reading, and the continued support I received from reviews. You guys are the best... Bye-bye for now, poppets!