Arthur spent most of the next three weeks lying in bed, simply laying there and thinking. He barely moved, giving his injuries time to heal. Alfred left him alone for the most part, but occasionally he came into the small room to check on the Brit, and sometimes they would just sit and talk for an hour or two.
Arthur would tell the teen about the travels he's been on, and Alfred seemed to take that as payment for the treatment of the bandit's wounds.
The Briton sighed, thinking back to the attack that had led to him being stuck here. Was it Alfred that had shot the wolves? Was the lad tougher than he had first believed?
The door opened, and Alfred looked in. He held a bucket of water and fresh bandages in his hands. "Hey." He stepped inside, making sure to close the door after him. Arthur smiled slightly, turning his head to the side. " Am I finally able to at least sit up?" Alfred nodded, setting the items down and helped the older blonde sit up.
Arthur swung his legs to rest his feet on the ground, but made no move to stand up, not wanting to push his luck. Alfred's face was slightly red, Arthur noted, as the younger picked up the bandages and set them next to Arthur on the bed. "I need to... bandage your torso... To help the ribs heal." Alfred mumbled, kneeling down in front of the bandit.
Arthur blinked. " So you need to take your shirt off..." "Oh yeah." The Brit pulled his shirt over his head, wincing slightly at the pain from his protesting ribs. Alfred bit his lower lip slightly, and started to wrap the bandages around Arthur's middle.
Arthur watched the boy as he worked. "Why... did you help me?" He questioned, his eyebrows knit together in confusion. Alfred didn't look up, his hands freezing on the bandit's lean stomach for a moment, before continuing. "Because I wasn't plannin' on turnin' ya in dead."
Arthur bit the inside of his cheek, his mind mulling over the boy's answer. "Then... Why are you chasing me? You could'a gone after any old thief to become a hero..." Arthur thought he could see Alfred's face get redder. Was he... Blushing?
"Well that's... I mean..." Alfred tried explaining, his voice and hands shaking slightly. Arthur raised an eyebrow. "I was right from the start, wasn't I? Ya do like me..." Alfred suddenly stood up, his face bright red. "It's not that! It's just that I... I..." He mumbled something else, that the Briton couldn't quite hear. " What was that?"
"I said I've always admired you..." The American spoke louder, just within Arthur's hearing range. Arthur raised an eyebrow. " Really?" Alfred nodded slightly, moving towards the door in small, minute movements.
"Don't run off... I just want to talk..." Arthur got up, ignoring the wave of pain that washed over him. With that movement Alfred bolted, running out and slamming the door behind him.
"...Ya know... He really is cute when he blushes like that..." Arthur mumbled a moment after the door shut behind the other blonde. "Wait... What am I saying? He's just some brat. One that admires me... One with the most beautiful blue eyes and brightest smile I have ever seen..."
Arthur sighed, pulling the thin white cotton shirt back over his head and stumbled to the door. He opened the dark wooden door, just to have an unexpected body fall back, knocking him to the floor with somebody on top of him.
The Brit looked up to see blue, and the bright red of Alfred. Arthur simply smirked, looking up at the boy. "You didn't go far." He teased, making the blonde blush a bit darker. "Shut up... s'not like I like you or anythinnmmph!" The last word ended with a muffled yelp.
Arthur had leaned up slightly, and pressed his lips against Alfred's to shut him up. Although... He would admit the sensation of the slightly younger man's lips against his felt rather good, even if the other wasn't responding.
After a moment Alfred seemed to come to his senses and pushed against Arthur's chest, pulling away and getting up quickly. He avoided Arthur's emerald gaze, but held a hand out to help the Briton up. Arthur took the hand and was surprised by the lad's strength as he was practically lifted to his feet.
Alfred left not a moment after the Brit was back on his feet, leaving the Bandit to wonder to himself Just Why he had kissed the other male.