Again, thanks for the comments! This chapter kinda get out of control... .
Chapter 8 – Is this a mistake?
"Can I hang out at your place today? – Alfred Jones."
Oh god, this is not happening! Arthur groaned inwardly as he stared down helplessly at several black, charcoal like lumps. Unidentifiable products.
Arthur was cleaning up the mess he had made in kitchen - mainly streaks of flour, broken eggs on both the counter and the floor, spots of oil on the stovetop. He had completely forgotten about his scones in the oven and burnt them, again. This must have been his third attempt this morning.
The clock stared down mercilessly at him as its hands moved forward. It was already nine, Alfred was supposed to arrive at half past that. There was no more time to bake another batch. He took a piece of the unidentified black lumps and bit into it.
Well, it wasn't too bad. A little on the burnt side. A little... hard to chew. But overall, not too bad, he thought. Nothing that couldn't be covered with the help of some sweet jam and cream. He whipped up some cream and put it in the fridge. And there's the home made strawberry jam made by Mother.
He hastily threw the baked products onto a nice plate and rushed to take a quick shower. He didn't forget to spray a little bit of DSH Dirty Rose on the base of his neck. He rubbed on it with his thumb so the scent would spread and won't be too strong.
Ding dong.
Arthur ran for the door as fast as he could.
"Yo…?" Alfred started to say, and raised an eyebrow when he noticed Arthur's half bare chest. Arthur wondered what he was staring at and gaped in surprise when he realized he had forgotten to button up his own shirt.
"Oh, bugger, sorry! Please come in!" He blushed and hastily buttoned them up. "And stop staring, will you," he frowned, "there's nothing to look at!"
Is this git laughing at me? He thought when he noticed how Alfred was covering his nose and mouth with his hand as he walked into Arthur's house.
"Say, can I use the washroom?" Alfred mumbled.
"You can use the one in my room."
Alfred was filling the sink with cold water.
Arthur's wet hair… Arthur's bare chest…
Why am I feeling like this? This is wrong! He slapped his own cheeks until they were red and dunked his head in the basin filled with cold water, trying to cool down the burning desire that was eating at his body.
Cool down, Alfred Jones! What the hell are you thinking? he thought and splashed more water onto his face. STOP IT! he commanded himself to no avail.
That particular image of Arthur imprinted deep into his mind. He was ashamed to admit that he felt excited from seeing Arthur's bare chest. He had wanted nothing more than to take Arthur in his arms and gave him a long, lingering kiss.
"I am not gay, I am not gay, I am not gay…" he chanted over and over again. Frustrated that the cold water on his face wasn't enough, he jumped into the shower fully clothed and doused himself with cold water. The water was especially icy during this time of the year, and it seemed to work as the burning feeling slowly died down.
Oh crap, now I'm wet. I am such an idiot. I should have taken off my clothes first! Well, I guess I'll have to borrow something of Arthur's until they can dry out. How am I going to explain this? he groaned.
As expected, Arthur was surprised to find him emerge from the washroom, completely drenched.
"What happened in there?" he asked curiously.
"Nothing much, I took a fall," Alfred said coolly. "You have any clothing I can borrow?"
"Oh... yes, of course." Arthur was still looking at him strangely when he passed him a towel, sweatpants and a simple t-shirt.
"Well?" Alfred stared at Arthur in disbelief when he showed no sign of leaving.
"Well what?" Arthur asked, baffled.
"How am I going to change with you here?"
Arthur blushed as the realization slowly dawned on him. "All... all right..!" Then he hurried out of the room and even locked the door behind him. "I… I will go prepare some tea while you change."
Damn it! Why does he feel so irritated! This smelled like Arthur…. He thought as he took a deep breath, taking in the smell of rose. Oh my fucking God, I have got to stop this! This isn't in the plan! he thought helplessly.
Alfred dumped his wet clothes in Arthur's washroom. He unlocked the door and hollered for Arthur that he was done. Arthur opened the door just a little and peeked into his room. He carried with him a tray of dark blocks of food(?) with jam and cream and a pot of hot, steaming tea and two small cups. He set the tray down carefully on the small table in the middle of the room and switched on the heater.
It was only then Alfred took a good look at Arthur's room. It was neat, unlike his messy one. A bookshelf lined with classic novels sat against the wall in one corner. There was also a huge collection of CDs sitting on a small shelf - and no TV. No TV? No games? What does this guy do for fun, anyway? And what's this black stuff?
Alfred picked up a piece of the black block and scrutinized it, wondering whether to eat it or not. The block was emitting a burnt smell.
"Do try it," Arthur pressed eagerly. "I made them myself!" He sounded quite proud of himself.
Alfred found that he couldn't say no, so he quickly threw the lump of charcoal like thing into his mouth, dreading the taste. It tasted bitter and burnt. He resisted the urge to throw up and washed the whole thing down with tea, burning his tongue instead. "Ow!"
"Well? How's the taste?" Arthur was smiling happily.
"Er… what exactly are they?"
"Why, scones, of course, and you actually need to pair it with this jam here. My mother made it herself. Or you can try this whipped cream here…"
Alfred almost fainted. That was a scone? That was the most disgusting scone I ever taste! He stuck out his tongue. "Uhm, that was quite... okay," Alfred lied.
Arthur's smile was killing him, and Alfred suddenly felt guilty for the deception and the possibility of hurting him. There was an awkward silence for a while as they both tried to find something to say. Arthur broke the ice first. "Let me go put on some music," he offered and stood up quickly. In his haste, he tripped over the carpet and fell over.
"Whoa!" Alfred cried out as he reached over to hold Arthur steady. But he lost his balance instead and they both fell onto the floor heavily.
"Oh bugger!"
Alfred found that they were both tangled in an intimate position, with himself on top of Arthur. His heart was beating very fast and he feared that Arthur might even hear it. His body was burning with a desire so strong that he felt that he was on the brink of losing control of himself.
Arthur was struggling to get up and failing miserably, the lower half of his body innocently brushing against Alfred's. The intimacy was more than Alfred could bear.
"Do you mind getting up?" he asked, blushing and not looking into Alfred's eyes.
"What if I said no?" Alfred murmured, brushing a few strands of hair away from Arthur's eyes. Oh fuck! What am I doing? Alfred's mind practically screamed at him. I should be hating this but… Why am I enjoying this so much? He felt confused. He stared at Arthur's lips. He had been longing to kiss him for a long time now. Something which he had not dared to admit.
"Wha… what do you mean?" Arthur whispered, his eyes opening wide.
Alfred trailed a finger along Arthur's cheek, pausing to rest on his lips, his thumb slowly massaging the pair of quivering lips. So soft… His finger moved from his lips and down the column of his throat, then his collarbone, which was bared because Arthur had not buttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. So thin… His hand trailed back upward, reaching his jaw line and rested there. He was mesmerized once again at how beautiful he looked.
Beautiful? Alfred thought suddenly. Yeah, he is one gorgeous guy!
He wanted to know how Arthur's lips would taste under his own. He caressed Arthur's face, leaned down and brushed his lips gently against Arthur's. Arthur gasped at the sudden touch.
Alfred then tasted Arthur's lips with his tongue, nudging gently at the softness and sweetness. He felt a little hot… and giddy, just like the time when he stole some of his dad's whiskey. He leaned his body downward, pressing it against Arthur's, his fingers entwined with Arthur's. He planted a kiss on Arthur's soft throat and bit on it playfully.
"Al…Alfred..?" Arthur muttered uncertainly.
Alfred only answered him by pressing his lips against his again. Arthur's lips were pressed tightly against each other and refused to let his tongue in. Alfred was not pleased.
"Open for me, Arthur," Alfred murmured as he placed a finger on his own lips.
Arthur only shook his head in dismay.
"Don't be afraid, open for me, ok?" Alfred coaxed, nibbling playfully on Arthur's lips. He slowly slid one hand downward, around his waist and tickling him a bit in the process. Arthur gave a little gasp and without waiting for a second, his tongue found his parting lips and went in. Alfred took his time exploring every inch of Arthur's mouth, tasting them. His hand tangled in Arthur's hair, cupping the back of his head with one hand. After a while, Arthur started to return his kiss, with as much passion as Alfred.
Alfred's fingers undid the buttons on Arthur's shirt skillfully, his fingers lightly brushing against Arthur's nipples. Alfred could feel Arthur arched his back slightly as he did so. He played around with one before taking it into his mouth, licking and sucking on it tenderly until it grew hard in his mouth. He took the other one and did the same. Arthur moaned in pure pleasure as Alfred strategically moved his downwards while caressing him gently, working his fingers slowly and deliberately. He felt it harden after his massage. He got excited and took Arthur's lips again, kissing him long and deep, as if wanting to devour Arthur.
He continued to rain more kisses on Arthur's neck, shoulders and down on his navel, leaving his marks wherever he went. His eyes were glazed and logic was probably the last thing in Alfred's mind right now.
"Al… Alfred...!" Arthur whimpered softly.
Then, Alfred broke apart from Arthur, flushing and panting, heart racing.
Alfred looked down at Arthur's flushed cheeks, disheveled appearance and finally registered what he had done. He was horrified. He shook with realization and was ashamed of himself. He didn't intend for any of this to happen. He had no idea what came over him but he wanted to devour Arthur, wholly. He actually came close to… taking him! He actually wanted to. He had let his desires took control of him.
After all, he was a healthy guy, interested in girls only. He wanted a healthy relationship. Not this! Not being gay-ish! Shit, how did it end like this?
"He… hey, I am sorry. Are you ok?"
Arthur pulled his clothing together and said, "Give me a moment, please!" Then he finally turned to look at Alfred. "Does… does this mean… Do you… do you like me?" Arthur was having troubled speaking as he gulped nervously.
Alfred did not know how to answer.