It took another few minutes for Alfred to cry himself out, and even then he still refused to budge from the floor, whimpering and tightening his grip around Arthur whenever he made so much as a fidget to get more comfortable. The knocking at the door became more and more urgent and Arthur called out that they were fine and would be out in a few moments. It was probably a lie though, if Alfred's possessive hold was anything to go by.

Arthur squirmed and tried to sit Alfred up on the floor next to him instead having him practically in his lap; Alfred's weight had made Arthur's legs go tingly and useless feeling and he needed to shake some life back in to them.

"If you're feeling better now, Alfred, maybe we should get to the party."

Alfred shook his head.

"But think of all the fun you'll miss! There will be food and music and the Joker is here! You don't want to miss the chance to see him, do you?"

"I'd rather stay with you."

"I'm not going anywhere! I'll be right there the whole time."

Alfred's brow furrowed and he played with the buttons on Arthur's jacket. "But it won't be the same. I'll have to share you and I don't like it."

Arthur laughed nervously. "What do you mean by that?"

"There are other people here to see you, and I don't want them to. It should just be you and me and no one else. You're mine."

Mouth going dry, Arthur tried to keep the tone light-hearted. "Well, I don't know how that could be. People aren't things, Alfred. People don't belong to one another. That would be silly. Could you imagine? If people started deciding they owned one another? That would be ridiculous."

The look on Alfred's face very clearly expressed that he did not believe it would be silly in the least, and Arthur began to feel quite uncomfortable.

"Why don't we think of it this way? We both live here, and we're friends and we do all sorts of things together. We have one another. But we don't belong to one another. Do you see the difference?"

"Not really."

There would be no winning this argument, apparently. Arthur felt ill at ease with Alfred's emerging possessiveness, but there was little he could do to curtail it. It would just be an attitude to be mindful of, and addressed again later if it grew into a true problem. For now, Arthur had to focus on getting through the next several hours without embarrassing his family or the House.

"Never mind, then. Do you think you could manage to go to the party though... for me?"

Alfred mulled it over, fingers running over the fabric of Arthur's waistcoat. "I suppose. But only if you promise you aren't going to be mean to me ever again!"

"I promise. Now, let's get you cleaned up."

Arthur sent Alfred to wash his face while he replaced the pillows on the bed and finally let Yao and Sarah in. There was a flurry of activity as Sarah set to smoothing out all the wrinkles on the boys' clothes as best she could and then slicking Alfred's hair down with a wet comb, much to his disdain. Despite her best efforts at plastering his hair into a courtly shape, his odd cowlick remained standing and his fringe refused to stay in place. Arthur noted wryly that Sarah didn't even attempt to do anything with his own choppy locks, not that it would have done much good anyway. There was no point trying to make someone as plain as Arthur look princely; it wasn't in his cards to be dashing and handsome like his older brother, and Arthur could already tell that Alfred would be better looking than himself. Then again, there was no rule stating that the Queen had to be beautiful, so he supposed the Kingdom would just have to make due.

As Yao ushered them down the hallways once more, Arthur began to grow nervous again. All those people knew he would someday be Queen and regardless of the fact that they were here for a celebration, they would be judging Arthur and his family. He didn't think he could stand it if they all took to whispering about him, sure that they would be saying the most awful things: There goes Arthur Kirkland, the little nobody they chose for Queen. What were they thinking choosing such an odd boy? And how queer that he has the Gift. There must be something wrong with him.

Arthur imagined every nasty thing anyone could possibly have to say about him, knowing that they would all be true. He felt inferior for a position he didn't even want, felt he had to prove he was worthy of a fate he had been fighting against only hours before. It was all so confusing and Arthur found himself wishing that Yao hadn't gone to the trouble of throwing him a birthday party at all, even if he was grateful.

By the time they could hear gentle music wafting towards them from the main ballroom, Arthur's heart was pounding. Maybe it would have been better to indulge Alfred and skip the party all together. Arthur balled his shaking fists at his sides, curling his fingers up to fidget with the cuff of his coat sleeves. He was nearly to the point of biting his nails- a bad habit his mother had tried all sorts of awful methods to break him off- when he was taken by surprise by the feeling of Alfred's hand in his own. Arthur was too dumbfounded to try to pull his hand away, but he looked down at Alfred as he walked beside him, taking quicker steps to keep up with Arthur's slightly longer stride.

"It's so they know," Alfred said matter-of-factly, still looking straight ahead.

Arthur didn't get a chance to ask what he meant before the doors to the ballroom were opened by two servants and the noise inside died down to barely a whisper.

Yao stepped into the room confidently, the earlier stresses of the evening not even registering in his voice and posture as he welcomed the guests.

"Dearest ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured to see you in the Palace this evening as we formally announce and welcome to the House of Spades a most promising and cherished young charge. It is my pleasure to introduce to you his Highness, Alfred, future King of Spades, and his companion, Arthur Kirkland, in whose honour we have gathered and whose thirteenth birthday we are celebrating tonight."

There was polite applause as Yao moved aside and turned to gesture to Arthur, who was still frozen in the doorway. If it hadn't been for Alfred's gentle tug forward, he might have never entered the room at all, completely intimidated by the swell in the number of guests in the last few hours. Mortified, Arthur realized that over the applause he could hear the cooing and tittering of nearly half the women in the room; he hoped it was merely because of Alfred's presence, but even some of the men were whispering and pointing, the volume of chuckles and giggles increasing as more and more of the guests registered the fact that Alfred and Arthur were holding hands.

Either unaware of or not bothered by the guests' reaction, Alfred continued to all but drag Arthur behind him until they had made it to the centre of the floor. Silence took the room again as all present bowed their heads respectfully toward the future King, and, though Alfred didn't know it, the future Queen. Arthur felt his face grow hot, wishing they would stop bowing, only to have his wish granted moments later as Yao invited all of the guests to help themselves to the bountiful food and drink and the musicians began to play once again.

A few families approached the boys, bowing again and introducing themselves, but most seemed content to stay a mindful distance away, stealing glances at the pair as Yao led them to the area of the ballroom where the rest of the Kirkland family was stationed. Arthur's entire family was present, even his younger brothers Andrew and Oliver, though they were barely more than toddlers. They stood with hands gripping their maid's skirt, too shy to do anything other than smile briefly before hiding their faces when the Jack greeted them. Alfred was not remotely shy, however, very seriously shaking both Arthur's father, and his older brother, William's, hands and kissing his mother's, much to the amusement of the adults. Still Alfred did not let go of Arthur's hand through all of this, and Arthur's palm was beginning to get itchy and sweaty from the constant contact and nerves. Luckily, Arthur's hand was freed when the group was seated at one of the tables and served an elaborate meal, though Alfred did insist on sitting pressed up against him and, of course, stealing his tomatoes.

As the guests began to finish their meals, a few couples took to the dance floor, swaying gracefully in time to the music. Much to his horror, Arthur was made to dance with his mother, tripping over himself numerous times as he neither knew the steps nor had the coordination to perform them even if he had. He was grateful when William tapped him on the shoulder and cut in, but that left him vulnerable to Alfred's possessive grip and in the end he was forced to endure dancing with him instead. Well, it wasn't so much dancing as Arthur holding onto Alfred's hand as the latter made a fool of himself twirling in circles, but at least the few other children in attendance were doing the same and they didn't look out of place.

It seemed that either the other children were reluctant to approach Arthur or they had been told by their parents to stay away, knowing full well that Arthur was more than spoken for and therefore, should be treated with respect and not friendliness. However, one of the bolder girls, who looked to be just a little younger than Arthur, came up to them and curtsied prettily, holding out the skirts of her blue dress with practised grace.

"Good evening, your Highness, and happy birthday, Arthur. My name is Angelique."

Angelique tossed her head and adjusted the two bright red ribbons holding her curled pigtails in place. She was an extremely pretty girl, and Arthur couldn't help but notice how regally she carried herself. He found it fascinating and irritating that she was so confident and was about to nod dismissively and drag Alfred elsewhere when he found a small present shoved under his nose.

"It's a compass. Boring, I know, but Papa owns the docks, so he thinks such things are useful." Angelique shrugged but flashed a pearly smile at Arthur, then placed the gift on the nearest table.

"Oh, I don't think it's boring. Thank you, Miss Angelique, and thank your family for me, as well." Arthur found something about her grin calculating and it made him uncomfortable. She was sizing him up, he could feel it, but he had no idea why.

"Uh-huh. Anyway, it's a nice party. It must be fun living here."

Alfred piped up. "It's loads of fun! We have servants and horses and all kinds of stuff!"

"Oh, do you really?" Angelique arched an eyebrow dramatically, focus entirely on Alfred, now. Arthur got the feeling that the future King had been her aim all along, and he was just dead-weight to her.

"Yeah! And the garden is nice and there's a a huge library upstairs and I have a ton of toys in my room! It's pretty great!"

Angelique extended her hand daintily. "Well, maybe you could show me the garden, your Highness?" She nodded her head towards the open doorway leading out into the gardens. Quite a few couples were strolling through, lit by the colourful paper lanterns strung in the trees for the occasion.

Alfred looked enraptured, and nodded his head, neglecting Arthur's hand for Angelique's. She led him away, sparing Arthur a smug look over her shoulder as she did so.

"They start early, don't they?" A large hand clapped Arthur on the shoulder and he looked up to see a man he'd never met watching as Alfred and Angelique disappeared into the garden.

"I'm sorry?"

"Women. They start early with all their little games, huh?" The man grinned toothily down at Arthur, and he felt his stomach do an odd flip under the gaze of the man's strange red eyes.

"I don't think I know what you mean. Excuse me, sir, but who are you?"

The man's smile grew cocky and he gave a shrill little laugh. "Oh boy, I sure can tell you were raised in the country if you don't know who I am. I'm Gilbert. You can call me Gil. Or the Joker. Other people like to call me that, not that I mind."

Arthur's eyes widened and his jaw dropped a little. This was the infamous Joker, subject of so many rumours and nearly legendary for both his ruthless military prowess and his strange habits and love of odd pranks. People whispered that he was completely insane while others insisted that he was nothing less than a complete genius. Arthur couldn't help but feel that it was mostly likely the former, if looks were anything to go by. Dressed completely in black, the Joker cut an ominous figure with his strangely pale skin. It was impossible to tell how old he was, his face smooth and youthful looking, but his eyes had a hardened look about them and his hair was a silvery white that Arthur had only ever seen on the elderly. With a start, Arthur realized that he had been staring quite unabashedly, and he bowed in a panic.

"I'm sorry, Joker, please forgive me! I did not mean to seem rude!" Flustered, Arthur's voice broke.

Again, the Joker let loose his distinctive, piercing laugh, and clapped Arthur on the shoulder heartily. "Save it, kid, I hate formality. That's why I could never be King. You've got your work cut out for you as royalty, lemme tell ya."

"You were going to be a King?"

The Joker sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, yeah, once upon a time. Let's go for a walk, huh?" Herding Arthur out into the garden, the Joker looked around and started them off in the direction with the least amount of people.

"I was just like you at your age. I'd been chosen to be the next King of Hearts, like I was some big deal or something. I hated it. Every minute. I hated living in the palace and having to study all this useless garbage when I would much rather be out running and hunting and being an actual human being instead of some royal automaton. But my brother, man, he totally got off on all that kingdom stuff."

"Your brother?"

"Ludwig, yeah, my baby brother. They were letting him live in the palace, thinking they could train him up to be my personal attendant or something. Anyway, he loved living there. He loved all that chivalry and duty junk. He was a lot smarter than me, too, so I was always sneaking him history and science books." The Joker stopped walking for a moment and smiled to himself. "Yeah, Ludwig's always been pretty awesome. And I knew he would be a better King than I ever could be, so I came up with this plan. You know how the King and Queen are supposed to choose successors when they decide to step down from the throne? Well, my sixteenth birthday rolls around and they shove that crown on my head. I'm King for not even fifteen minutes before I'm standing up in front of this giant crowd, all these people who have come to see me, and I get up and say "As nice as this has been, I'm tired of being King, and I'm done. I'm officially resigning and I name my brother as heir" and that was that. I walked away."

Arthur was stunned. "But what happened next?"

The Joker grimaced. "War. A bad one. The King of Clubs saw the change in power as an opportunity to strike and expand his territory. This was before all of the Kingdoms were united, mind you, so it was pretty much a free for all. I went rogue and tried to lead this counter-strike. I may have hated royal life, but I was good at military strategy, and in the end, everyone agreed to sign a peace treaty, the same one that's holding everything together today."

"Wow. I didn't know any of that."

"Really? You mean your father never told you?"

"Told me what?"

"Well, I guess this was all a while before you were born, but still, no one ever told you? Kid, there's a reason you're here; you're not the future Queen on accident. There's a great nationalistic pride associated with the Kirkland name."

"Why?"

"Your father was the one who wrote up that peace treaty. He fought in the war, of course, but with a wife and kid at home, I guess he had more to lose than most and he wanted it over with. He proposed the whole thing to King and Queen, and it all went from there. And now you're here. I think Yao wants to remind the people how far they've come in the last fifteen years, and what better way than to make the son of the man who made peace possible the Queen? Like I said, it wasn't an accident."

Arthur tripped over himself, dumbfounded and disoriented by the Joker's tale. He'd grown up thinking his family was merely blessed in their wealth and good standing in the Kingdom; he'd never heard so much as whisper that it was all because of a war that happened only a few years before his birth. And while he had known his father's profession was in preparing legal documents for the House of Spades, he'd had no idea it all stemmed from a famous peace treaty, the very treaty that made Arthur's betrothal to Alfred possible.

"Whoa, kid, are you alright? Maybe I shouldn't have told you all that; you look pretty pale." The Joker put his hands on Arthur's shoulders to steady him, and examined his face critically.

It took several deep breaths and a few thick swallows for Arthur to feel like he could speak again. "No, I'm fine. It was just a shock, that's all. I had no idea... finish the story."

"There's not much more to it, but let's sit down. I don't want you passing out on me." Arthur was led over to a bench in the garden.

"Did your brother like being King?"

"At first, no, because of the war. He was young, barely older than you are, so even if he couldn't technically be on the throne, he still felt a great responsibility to his Kingdom. Now, though, now that everything is right and he's done a lot of growing up, he loves it. You'll meet him someday and you'll see. He's very serious about his position and he loves serving his people. And then, of course, there's Feli."

Looking up in surprise at the name, Arthur asked, "Feli? You mean the Jack of Hearts?"

"Uh-huh. They're... how should I say this?... they're involved. Thick as thieves from day one, and boy did that used to drive me crazy, but now it's much more than that. Fate is a tricky thing. Some people find a reason to fight it, like I did, and others find a reason to surrender. Feli was Ludwig's reason to surrender. I don't think he would leave even if he did hate being King. He loves him too much."

"But... but he's married! To the Que-"

"To the Queen, yeah, so what? That doesn't mean anything. It's a legal agreement and that's it. They make a great team, Ludwig and the Queen, but at the end of the day it's where his heart is that matters." The Joker patted his chest to emphasize his point. "You'll find out soon enough that pairs like you and Alfred are rare. The Queen of Clubs, for example? She's involved with her Jack and the King couldn't care less. And the King of Diamonds? His future Queen is so young that he wouldn't even bother with her even if her brother didn't have her under constant surveillance. Politics is nothing but sex and intrigue, Arthur, and the sooner you figure that out, the more likely you'll be to survive."

Arthur's face heated up. This was certainly not the kind of cavalier conversation he'd imagined having this evening, and especially not with someone like the Joker. No one had ever spoken so candidly to him about the realities of his position, nor about such taboo subject matter. He didn't know much about sex, but he knew enough to know that it was something intensely private and he found thinking of himself being involved in such things both thrilling and terrifying.

The Joker seemed comfortable in the following silence, crossing his legs and lacing his fingers behind his head. He took a deep breath and let it out, neck craning upward as he gazed at the stars overhead, lost momentarily in thought. Pulling out a pocket watch, he puffed his cheeks out as he checked the time, clicking the watch shut and then nudging Arthur.

"We better head back. I have to start the entertainment soon so that we get to the fireworks on time."

Arthur nodded and fell in step. "How did you come to do this sort of thing? I mean, you were such a fierce fighter, I've heard, so how is it that now you're just... "

"A clown? No, don't make that face, I know it's true. I found myself with quite a bit of money and free time after the war, but no one really remembered me. I was just the idiot that abandoned the throne. So I figured I would try to make people happy. I threw a few parties, pulled a few crazy stunts, and then I'm back in the limelight again. I'm this mysterious figure, unattached to a Kingdom, have a totally independent and highly trained army of disenchanted citizens at my disposal, and here I am blowing things up for fun. People talk. And then they start calling me the Joker and it all just stuck and I love it. Don't get me wrong. War is fun; war is beauty. But it's also horror and loss and I've had enough of it for now. Someday I might give all this up and start some trouble, but for now, I'm just happy to see people smiling again."

They saw more and more people in the gardens as they approached the ballroom once more, and Arthur noticed how friendly the Joker was to each person they passed. They might look at him with fear or mistrust, but he smiled at them genuinely, so willing to be open and light-hearted. Arthur stopped when he saw Angelique and Alfred approaching from the opposite direction and he tugged on the Joker's sleeve to get his attention.

"What did you mean earlier about Alfred and I being "rare"? And about Angelique?"

The Joker followed his gaze to where Angelique was very obviously preening for Alfred's attention. It seemed she had it as well, since he was looking at her as if she were the most wonderful person he'd ever met. Arthur felt a strange sensation well up inside him as he watched Alfred fawn all over her, and he clenched his jaw.

"Oh, right... women. Arthur, girls like Angelique... girls in general, even, who are pretty and smart and know it... they're trouble. She knew exactly what she wanted the moment she laid eyes on you and now she's working to get it."

"What do you mean?"

"It's obvious she likes you."

Arthur spluttered in disbelief. "No way! She nearly ignored me! How could you say she likes me if she's spent all her time with Alfred?"

"It's all a game, Arthur. She likes you, but she couldn't just come out and say it, so now she's using Alfred to try to make you jealous. She wants you to wish that you were in Alfred's place so that you'll try hard to please her. Girls think a little competition make them irresistible. It's totally not true!" The Joker clucked his tongue bitterly and crossed his arms. "Real men don't get jealous, they just take what they want. Stupid games don't work. She can have all the attractive, educated, wealthy losers she wants, but it isn't going to make me jealous. I mean... it isn't going to make anyone jealous."

There was an awkward silence that ensued as Arthur tried not to ask who had been making the Joker so miserable, and the Joker tried to pretend he hadn't slipped up.

"Anyway, she totally succeeded in making you jealous, but not the way she wanted."

"What? I'm not jealous! I don't think she's all that good-looking anyway!"

The Joker laughed and leaned down to whisper in Arthur's ear. "You may not wish you were in Alfred's place, but you sure wish you were in hers right now, don't you?"

It took Arthur a moment to understand his meaning, but when it finally dawned on him, he made an indignant noise, face turning bright red.

"I do not! What do I care if Alfred's gone daft over some stupid girl?"

"You know why you care, don't even try to deny it. I saw your face when she was talking to him in the ballroom. That's what I mean by rare. You may not think you do, but you like him. Maybe not a lot, and probably not enough, but in a few years... well, you're going to be a lot more than just jealous if he's still talking to pretty girls."

Arthur clapped his hands over his ears and all but shrieked in embarrassment.

"You're crazy!"

The Joker slung his arm around Arthur's shoulder and started walking him to the ballroom once more.

"So I've been told."

It seemed that the Joker was right. When the guests gathered inside again, Angelique tried to win Arthur's attention, but found herself on the receiving end of a very cold shoulder. Her face soured and she stomped her foot petulantly. "You have funny eyebrows, anyway!" she sneered as she flounced away, and Arthur, thankfully, didn't see her for the rest of the night. He tried not to take too much satisfaction in the feeling of Alfred's hand in his own once more, the Joker's absurd accusations still fresh in his mind. Still, he felt that this was much better than the alternative of being alone.

The Joker's entertainment was unlike anything Arthur had ever seen. There were acrobats and contortionists performing daring stunts to lively music, jugglers and the Joker himself took focus as he performed an incredible fire-breathing act. It made Arthur thirsty just imagining it, but the Joker seemed fine, relishing in the wild applause as he took his bow. Then everyone was ushered outside to see the fireworks display. Blue and gold exploded in the air with dramatic crashes, and even Peter was in awe, eyes widening impossibly large before he squealed in delight.

As the evening began to draw to a close, more and more guests trickled out of the palace. Arthur was sitting with his family, who was shocked if not flattered to find the Joker in complete adoration of Peter. He had him sitting up on the table in front of him, talking to him and making faces until the baby was exhausted with laughing. Even as Peter began to drift off in his arms, the Joker was absurdly content to rock him back and forth, humming something lightly.

"Lady Kirkland, if you aren't careful, I'm going to steal this baby."

Arthur's mother laughed good-naturedly. "Well, you're more than welcome to him. He can be quite the terror, though it seems he's on his best behaviour for you, Joker."

"Please, call me Gilbert. And truly, Lady Kirkland, he's sweetest thing I've ever seen. He's going to grow up into something awesome, I can tell." The Joker handed the sleeping child off to the family maid, the hour now so late that despite his infatuation, he couldn't bear to keep Peter out of bed.

Arthur's father shook his hand jovially. "Well, you're welcome in our home any time at all. We'd be honoured to have you visit Peter whenever you like."

"Don't think I won't take you up on that offer, sir!"

The family said their goodbyes to the Joker, and he even gave Arthur a hug, handing him a bundle of books wrapped in ribbon. Whispering in his ear, the Joker said, "Keep these away from that worrywart Jack of yours. These books are a bit more tawdry than he'd probably like you to read, but I figure a boy your age needs a little sin, eh?"

Arthur thanked him profusely, hoping that he knew he meant it for more than just the books.

The rest of the Kirklands would be staying the night in several of the guest suites on the third floor, and Arthur's mother kissed him goodnight with the promise to see him in the morning. Everyone laughed again when Alfred asked her for his own kiss goodnight, and she obliged merrily.

A happy tiredness washed over Arthur as he walked with Yao and Alfred back to his rooms. The evening had not been as disastrous as it had first seemed it might be. Arthur had learned valuable new information and all was right with his relationship with both the Jack and future King, if only for the moment.

"Yao?" Alfred asked sleepily.

"Yes, your Highness?"

"Can I stay in Arthur's room tonight?"

Arthur flushed and looked at the floor, certain Yao would be angry at the request, but he merely received a pat on the head.

"Yes, you did get in the habit of doing that while I was away, didn't you? I don't have a problem with it if Arthur does not."

Alfred rubbed his eyes. "Is is okay, Arthur?"

"It's fine with me," Arthur mumbled.

Alfred made a detour to get ready for bed in his own room, leaving Yao and Arthur alone on the walk to their rooms.

"Thank you, Yao, for everything you did tonight. It was the most amazing birthday I've ever had, and I hardly think I deserve it with the way I've treated you lately."

Yao smiled and shook his head. "I've already told you, Arthur: all is forgiven, I only want you to be happy here. This party was just my way of showing you how much I wish that for you."

Arthur nodded gratefully. "I am happy, Yao."

"Then my work here is done."

Arthur was in his pyjamas and telling Anne all about the wonderful party when Alfred knocked on the door.

"Oh, I think your little guest is here, birthday boy!" Anne teased slyly, and Arthur stuck his tongue out at her. She did the same before letting Alfred in and excusing herself.

Alfred was carrying a heavy looking box wrapped in silvery paper. He set it on the bed before climbing up and motioning for Arthur to do the same. "I brought your present! I picked it out myself!"

Arthur got into bed and pulled the box towards him. "You didn't have to get me a present, Alfred."

"Yes I did! Now open it!"

Tearing through paper to reveal the lid of wooden box, Arthur opened it gingerly and moved the cotton fluff inside away. Inside was porcelain music box, painted in luxurious pastel colours, depicting pastoral scenes with shepherds and their flocks and wood nymphs in trees and playing in streams. Atop the music box was a small, similarly painted sculpture of a faerie dressed in a skirt made of a bluebell. Arthur's mouth hung open as he lifted it gently from the box and placed it on his bedside table, unable to do anything more than stare at it.

"I know how much you like faeries and stuff like that, and you're really good at music, so I thought maybe you would like this."

Arthur found his voice again and smiled. "Alfred, it's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me! I love it!"

Alfred beamed and snuggled down into the blankets. "Play it!"

After extinguishing all the lamps, Arthur got into bed and reached over to turn the key to the music box. In the moonlight filtering in from the window, he could see the faerie on top begin to rotate as a sweet, intricate tune filled the air. The music box had a delicate, soothing tone and Arthur found himself relaxing into the mattress with each ringing note. When it finished, both boys were quiet for a moment before Arthur let out a soft "wow".

"I have something else for you, too."

"Alfred, I can't possibly accept anything else. This is already too much!"

"No, it didn't cost anything. Close your eyes."

Arthur did as he was told, and laid back against his pillows. He felt Alfred shift, and then he was frozen in confusion as he felt warm breath on his face. Opening his eyes, Arthur felt his stomach do somersaults as he saw Alfred's face hovering inches about his own. He knew what was going to happen, but he couldn't do anything to stop it, and then soft, foreign lips were on his own, if only for the tiniest fraction of a second. Arthur felt like his brain was going to melt from the way his entire body was overheating.

"You were supposed to keep your eyes closed!" Alfred whispered, still much too close to Arthur's face for his liking.

"Why did you do that?" Arthur voice sounded high and strange to his own ears.

"Angelique said you're supposed to do that with someone you really like and it would feel good. Didn't it feel good?"

Arthur didn't even want to know how kissing had come up in the time Alfred had been following Angelique around the garden like a puppy; he had a feeling that this was probably not the first kiss on the lips Alfred had had that day, and that made the weird feeling from before come back with a vengeance.

"Alfred, we can't do that anymore!" Arthur said sternly, and shoved Alfred back to his own side of the bed with half a mind to kick him out all together.

"But why not?" Alfred whined, whacking Arthur half-heartedly with his pillow.

Shoving the pillow back, Arthur sat up and glared down at him. "Because. We're not old enough. We can't do that until we're older."

Alfred withered slightly, but seemed to understand that he had crossed some previously unheard of boundary. "Okay. But when we're older, we can do it a lot, right?"

If Arthur had thought his brain would melt before, it was now ready to flat out explode. He had made a mistake in telling Alfred they were too young; he should have just told them they could never do it again at all, but now Alfred was thinking of a future filled with nothing but kissing and Arthur wished he could just die right then and there.

"We can, right?"

"It's... complicated, Alfred. You'll understand when you're older."

Alfred huffed and rolled his eyes. "Older. Nothing fun happens until you're older."

"Just trust me. And go to sleep." Arthur tried to set a good example by lying back down and pulling the blankets up to his chin. Alfred was quiet and it seemed he had done as he was told, but then he was wiggling his way over and pecked another small kiss onto Arthur's cheek.

"Goodnight, Arthur. And happy birthday."

Unable to find the strength to chastise Alfred again, Arthur rolled over onto his stomach and buried his head beneath his pillow.

He had been a teenager for less than five hours and already Arthur's life had become one thousand times more complicated.

A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing. Updates will be coming much more quickly now as I work to finish this story before my new semester starts.