Why the hell did I get called to the office? Counseling appointment or something? Alfred strode casually down the empty halls, whistling quietly as he went. I mean, I haven't done anything lately, right? I don't know what they could possibly- "Well, well, well... look who's here." Alfred immediately tensed up and turned to face the two guys he had not initially seen standing in the alcove outside of the mens bathroom. He felt on edge and agitation sank deep into his nerves. Well this might just get nasty...He grit his teeth together. "Hello Allen. Matt."
The long haired blonde grunted and nodded slightly. He pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket (along with a lighter) and went into the guy's bathroom without so much as a word. Allen smiled, ignoring his now absent brother, and took a step forward. "We need to talk." Alfred nodded, "Let's. But not here." Allen's eyes glanced up at a camera conveniently situated across the hallway. "Sure. I know a place, follow me." He turned and made his way down the hall and out the exit doors with Alfred trailing behind him. They had walked a good distance out from behind the school before Allen finally stopped at a small clump of trees. Alfred squared off and let his weight shift onto the balls of his feet, just in case this was some kind of stunt Allen was trying to pull. If this led to a fight, then he wasn't going to come out the loser.
But Allen didn't try anything. He just stood there with his arms across his chest looking at Allen. Just watching. It was extremely unnerving. "Allen, what game are you playing at with (Y/n)?" If they were going to do this, they might as well get to the point. Allen chuckled humorlessly. "You would think that wouldn't you, pretty boy?" Alfred scowled. "Well allow me to let you in on a little secret," Allen stepped forward until he and Alfred were only inches apart, "Not everyone in this world gets kicks out of screwing around with other people's emotions." Alfred laughed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Oh really? You don't really seem like you've got her best interests in mind Allen." Allen flashed his missing canine. "What the hell would you know about anyone's best interests Al. From what I've heard you don't exactly have a great relationship record-" "SHUT UP." Alfred felt like someone had slammed a nail into his chest and was proceeding to twist it sharply, around and around. "Just. Shut. Up."
"Now, now," Allen grinned darkly, "let's not get to touchy. ...Isn't that why Arthur-" "I SAID SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Alfred nearly screamed. Nobody talked about Arthur. Nobody. Allen sighed exasperatingly. "I don't know why you still protect him, Alfred. Don't normal human beings generally feel mad when people cheat and then dump them the next day?" Alfred's fists clenched tightly and he felt his nails draw blood from his palms. His frame was shaking angrily. Allen grinned, flashing Alfred his missing tooth again. "Oh poor baby...what are you gonna do?" His bloody, rust red eyes flashed. "Hit me?" Alfred closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened them again after he stopped shaking. For the most part, that is. "No. And anyway, you seemed fine and dandy to me when Oliver left you." Allen stiffened visibly. "Oliver's different." Alfred bared his teeth in a sort of twisted, taunting smile. "Sure he is. Aren't they all?"
Allen frowned for a moment and then snorted, "Fine, whatever... So... about (Y/n)-" Alfred interrupted him. "Are you two really dating?" Allen shrugged. "You gotta ask her." Alfred grunted in disgust. "What? You don't know?" Allen laughed. "Well I know what I want, but I'm not sure if she knows what she wants yet." Alfred pondered this momentarily before responding, curiosity tinging his voice. "I didn't peg you as such a considerate person, Allen." He shrugged again. "Yeah, well she's not exactly the kind of girl you can force into something, ya know?" Alfred nodded, letting a small smile slide across his face. "I noticed." They remained silent for several minutes, trying to get the exact feel of what it was the other man wanted. Even though they both already knew.
"Don't you think it'd be better to let her go with the guy who won't get her into trouble? The guy that will keep her out of harms way? Keep her safe?" Alfred asked, slightly hesitant now. Allen smiled sadly. "Safe? You can't guard her from something she's already surrounded with." He laughed, but it came out in a fashion that bordered on being broken and unstable. Alfred couldn't look away from Allen's dark eyes. "You want to know the truth Alfred? I'm too selfish. Too selfish to let her go. I need her. I need to know that I can be beside her, protecting her whenever she cries out." He turned his head toward the clouds rolling swiftly across the sky and murmured, almost to himself, "She's so quiet when she cries..."
Alfred watched the man in front of him in almost stunned shock. Allen was a delinquent. A hoodlum. There's not way he could ever be this serious about someone... Allen returned his gaze to Alfred's face. "I'm not going to let her go without a fight, Alfred." For once in his life Allen was completely somber in attitude and appearance. Alfred felt a twinge in his chest before his expression hardened. He knew with no uncertain doubt that he could keep (Y/n) safe. He wasn't going to give up now, not when he'd come so far from the time when he had asked himself why he was lifting a bleeding, unconscious girl off the hospital floor. He would never be able to forget the expression of peace on her face before he woke her up or the looks of irritation she gave him after he did. Or the feeling that, for the first time since Arthur Kirkland had ripped his heart out his chest and crushed it to pieces, he found another person to be so absolutely enchanting.
This was going to be difficult. "Neither am I." Their eyes locked and held, maroon red on cerulean blue. Allen smiled. "The best of luck to you then." Alfred held his hand forward and Allen slide his own smoothly against his palm in a firm handshake. Allen nodded and grinned confidently as he pulled away, "May the best man win." Alfred laughed comfortably and turned on his heel to head back towards the school at a brisk walk. "Trust me, I will."
*Writer's note- Ha Ha, fight on boys! In case anyone is wondering, this is my celebratory chapter! I am officially DONE with both my ACTs and my exams! I'm baaacckkk ;) Hope you liked the story, stay tuned as more's coming your way soon! Peace-Berries and Beans