More than Brothers
Chapter 2 – An Empty Promise
Lukas sighed. "So then what happened?"
"I attempted to get over my revelation and Lily and Alfred and I became friends. Pretty much my only friends I might add; I wasn't terribly sociable."
"This isn't another time skip is it? They're really getting annoying."
Arthur smacked him across the head.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"For being an idiot. Now for the last time shut up and pay attention; This will be the last time jump for a while." Arthur sipped his tea. "It was several years until my first misfortune, but they soon began to spiral out of control."
...000...0000...000...
Tears were shed. Hands were grasped. Explanations were asked for.
None were received.
The house where Arthur had spent most of his life was quickly transformed from a home to a hell. The Kirkland Mansion appeared lovely from the outside: the flowers blooming, the birds singing, the trees gently swaying in the wind. But on the inside there were no smiles, no laughter, no happiness. Sickness clung to the walls and an emptiness showed itself in every room. No matter what the occupants of the house did, they couldn't forget the silent suffering of the one they loved. On the top floor of the house an older gentleman in a white coat exited and slowly shut the door from whence he came, only to be cornered by a young boy.
"Is she alright? Let me in to see her! Move!"
The doctor looked frazzled. "Now I can't let you do that lad, the disease is quite contagious, you know."
"But it's my fault! She only got sick because she was looking after me! I'm fourteen, not a child anymore. You have to-"
"Alfred. That's enough." A voice came from behind Alfred and he felt arms envelope him from above. "I'll handle him, Doctor. How is she doing?"
The man's eyes flashed to Alfred and then back up. "Not much longer I'm afraid, Mr. Kirkland. The sickness came at a terrible time, when she was still weak after giving birth to the baby. Peter, was it? I'm off to your father now, she's been asking for him. Both of you as well, but I would advise you against going in at risk of catching the disease."
"Nonsense." Arthur said softly. "If she wants us, we'll come." Arthur pushed his way past the doctor, and into the room, Alfred following close behind. As the two moved toward the bed in the center of the room, a weak head lifted and smiled.
"Boys." said the voice lovingly. Alfred broke down into tears and rushed to her side.
"Your going to be okay aren't you mom? That man's was wrong wasn't he?"
"Oh Alfred. Every thing's going to be just fine, you'll see." She looked over Alfred's shoulder. "Arthur dear, come closer would you?"
Arthur slowly stepped forward. "...Mum."
Mrs. Kirkland took hold of his right hand and Alfred's' left. "Now I don't want you two to worry about me. You're both so young and full of life, you could do so many good things." She lowered her gaze for a moment, but just as quickly looked back up, and joining the two's hands together, said, "I have no doubt of your happiness as long as you're together."
Arthur didn't know what to say, and for once in his life, Alfred didn't either. Just then the door shot open and Mr. Kirkland ran to his wife. The brothers stood back and, hands still joined, watched their mother for the last time.
...000...0000...000...
Only a week later Arthur was strapping his suitcase shut and emptying his room. He hauled it down the winding staircase that he had run down so often in his past. Memories flashed by of the day that he first met Alfred. How he was waiting just at the end of the stair case by the door. He could almost see it now. No. Wait. He could see him now. An older Alfred (but not much matured) greeted him in the same spot as always. Arthur sighed and put down his bags.
"What is it Alfred? It's late, you should get to bed."
"English universities are well reviewed, you know. I've been reading up on them."
"You? Reading? My god there's still hope!"
Alfred frowned. "I'm serious. Even the one a few hours from here is among the best in Europe. I could come visit you."
Arthur sat down on his suitcase. "Is that what this is about? I thought we went over this: I'm going to France tomorrow and that's final."
"But why?"
"Again, we've been over this. Father thinks that I need international experience. A new culture. Someday you'll go to University as well."
"But -"
"Alfred! Arthur! What are you boys doing." Mr. Kirkland descended the steps, he turned to Arthur. "Finish up packing. And Alfred, get to bed. You'll have to get up early to see your brother off tomorrow."
Alfred looked for a minuet like he would protest, but then a gleam came into his eyes and he ran up the stairs.
Oh dear. He was afraid this wasn't the last he would see of Alfred tonight.
"Arthur," Mr. Kirkland held up a dark book. "What is this?"
"Father I-"
"I told you to stop reading this garbage. I specifically told you to stop. So why did I find this in your bags?"
"It's not -"
"Dear lord, Arthur! Fairies are one thing but now this? You'll be the laughing stock of England if anyone finds out. Not to mention the things this book describes... Even if it's not real... it's not healthy for someone to be reading such things. I forbid you from taking it, or any of your other silly magic books. Understood?"
Arthur's eyes steeled in determination. "Yes, sir."
"Very good. Now get to your room and get a good night's rest. You'll need it."
Arthur walked up the stair case and into his room for the last time in what would be a very long time. But just as he was removing his jacket, there was a tapping noise on his window. Opening the window to look out, he was met with a large rock to the face, and Alfred grinning up at him.
"How did you get down there? Get back up here this instant! Father will be furious!"
Alfred just smiled wider. "Nuh uh. You know once he goes to bed he sleeps like a rock until morning. Not even Peter's crying wakes him up! This is your last night here so shimmy down and lets go to town!"
Arthur was about to respond that he wouldn't be shimmying anywhere when a gentler voice rose up to meet him.
"Come on Arthur. It'll be fun!"
Arthur cringed. Somehow Alfred had managed to swindle Lily Zwingli into being a part of his plan. He glared at Alfred. The git knew she was impossible to say no to. He sighed.
"Fine, I'm coming, but I'll be taking the stairs, thank you."
...000...0000...000...
"This is stupid."
"No. It's awesome."
"No. This is stupid."
"Come now Arthur. Lighten up a bit. I've always wanted to go out for a night on the town. Breaking the rules is quite invigorating."
"Yeah Artie, lighten up. It's invigorating."
Arthur sighed and looked at his two companions warily. Alfred always five steps ahead of him and bursting with energy, and Lily walking calmly beside him, braids flapping gently in the cool night breeze. They had just completed their trek to town, and Alfred was hell bent on getting into a pub. Never mind that Arthur was the only one of age. Arthur sighed again. "So what exactly is the plan?"
Alfred turned his bright blue eyes toward him and smiled. "We're going to have a party."
"A party."
"Yes! With drinking and dancing and everything. It'll be great!"
He had a feeling this was going to be a very short party.
"And here we are!" Arthur looked at the building to which Alfred was pointing, and a rock dropped in his stomach. The pub was old and wooden, loud music was coming from it, and a few of the windows were broken. The doors opened and and a large man stumbled out and puked into the bushes.
Alfred started forward. "Alright lets go!"
Arthur tried grabbing at him but he was too fast. "Alfred wait get back here!"
Of all things Lily started walking in as well. "Live a little Arthur." And he begrudgingly followed her in.
...000...0000...000...
Arthur's head was resting on the bar, aching, though he hadn't had any drinks, much to Alfred's disappointment. He had expected them to be kicked out straight away, but Lily somehow knew the bartender. For hours Alfred had been dancing around with almost every woman in the pub non stop, they thought he was adorable. Lily was his latest victim, and they were dancing to some horrible noise that barely had a beat.
Arthur sighed and looked over to the bartender, Elizabeta, a sweet girl in her early 20s, who had apparently been Lily's friend for a number of years. Not that she let anyone know, Vash would never allow his sister in this part of town. "So how long does this place stay open again?"
The bartender giggled and pushed her brown locks behind her shoulders. "Til every one's gone. I'm afraid you aren't getting away that easily Mr. Kirkland."
"I figured that."
Elizabeta looked him over. "I'll tell you a secret if it'll cheer you up Mr. Grouchy."
"A secret." Arthur said with a dry air.
"Yes! See Alfred?"
Arthur looked over as the boy was darting every which way in some semblance of dance, wounding many a foot. "What about him?"
"He told me that he really wanted to dance with you. He's just too shy to ask."
Arthur scoffed. "Alfred. Shy. You obviously don't know him well. If he wants something the whole bloody world knows about it."
"No," Elizabeta said softly. "I don't think your paying attention. He doesn't show it but he's really upset."
"Why should he be upset, I'm the one who's leaving."
Elizabeta slammed a glass down. "But he's the one being left behind! You can't just ignore other people Arthur, no matter how convenient it may be. If you do, you'll lose sight of what's really important!"
Arthur stared in shock and the young bartender blushed. "Sorry Mr. Kirkland, but you really should think about what I said."
Alfred came bounding up to the bar laughing. "Lily is such a good dancer... 'Course not as good as me, but then again, who is?"
Lily smiled. "We should get ready to go now, the pub seems to be clearing out." And it was. There were still a few people dancing, but the loud music had died down and a slower song began to play.
"Not just yet," said Arthur quietly. He held out his hand to Alfred. "May I have this dance?"
Alfred's face turned so red it seemed like he would tip over. Arthur smiled. Elizabeta was right, but why hadn't he seen it? He grabbed Alfred's hand and took off in a stride towards the middle of the floor. "Bu - Wai- I-"
"Calm down. This is what you wanted, isn't it?"
Alfred's face shaped into an adorable confusion, and then cleared with understanding. "Eliza betrayed me!"
"Whatever. Well this is the only dance you're getting so make it good." The joined hands and began sort of an awkward sway back and forth. Alfred looked down in frustration. Arthur sighed.
"What is it?"
"Just... I was going to tell you something, but I can't."
"You can't?"
"Yes! Not now at least... but I'll tell you when you get back. I'll be taller then."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "How does your height at all correlate with your ability to talk to me? I won't see you for a while so -"
"But you'll visit won't you?" Alfred stopped dancing. "You'll write letters every day and I'll write back. You have to! Don't forget about us. Promise me."
Arthur smiled. "I promise."
The promise echoed in Arthur's mind as they finished the dance. It resounded through him as they thanked Elizabeta and snuck back into the the Kirkland Mansion. It lingered as he slipped his magic book past his father and said his goodbyes to his family the next morning. Along the way to France it flickered, and upon his arrival it faded away.
A/N: Dun dun dun! Next chapter we'll meet the monster... I wonder who it will be... :P jk It's kind of obvious isn't it? Or maybe it's just obvious to me. Reviewing would make my day! Seeya.