A/N: So...my teachers thought it would be funny to pile all my final exams in the same week as my presentation to the judges...-_- But then when I'm all ready they decide to cancel the presentation all together and schedule me for another time...I feel stupid trying to study for my tests and practice my speech at the same time. OTL
So yeah, with more time on my hands, here's another chapter. I was working on it for a time but when I heard about what happened to Japan, I really didn't feel like writing...it's like "Why should I have the pleasure of writing (something rather comical too) when others are suffering?" It didn't sit well with me but bah...I'm sorry for being emo T_T
Anyways, just saying right now, the chapter title is the same as the song "A Dangerous Mind" by Within Temptation. The band is awesome and a lot of their songs (including the mentioned one) can relate to this fic in some way (at least in my opinion...then again my opinions are crap XD).
Disclaimer: I do not own Within Temptation nor their song.
"Hey Mattie, yeah I'm fine, I'm hanging out with Kiku right now…Yeah…can you cover for me? What? You're hiding in a closet right now? Ha ha ha! Well, just tell him I was out for a late morning jog or something…I don't have my cell phone with me right now and make sure he doesn't find it in the bedroom. Well then tell him that I have a life and that it doesn't center on him. What do you mean that sounds mean? I'm only telling the truth. Anyways, just do what must be done okay Matt? Yup, bye!" Alfred shut the cell phone closed and handed it back to his friend. "Thanks Kiku, you're really a lifesaver you know that?"
The raven-haired male, Kiku Honda, bowed slightly while taking back his cell phone. "It really is no problem, Alfred," he said humbly. "If only you told me earlier that you came back to visit." The Japanese had no idea that his friend from Harvard had returned to the state of California until he heard a knock on his door and immediately invited the blond to have lunch with him at a sushi bar.
"Eh heh, sorry about that…but let's just say that I had a really big welcome-back surprise." Alfred laughed and scratched the back of his head.
Kiku peered at his friend for a moment, catching the small signs of anxiety and worry, but decided not to question the blond until he was ready to express his concerns himself. "Has your vacation been going well?" he asked casually.
After taking a gulp from his can of soda, Alfred answered "Well, it's been very interesting to say the least. But I sure wish I had a better place to stay at; Mattie's apartment is too small for the both of us!" Hoping that he gave enough hints, the college student almost pleaded "Do you think you can let me stay at your house for the rest of my vacation?"
Brown eyes widened a bit at the request, but suddenly fell as Kiku bowed his head in apology. "I'm so sorry, Alfred. As much as I would like for you to stay at my place, I have a business trip to go to in a couple of days…"
Having attended the same high school as Alfred and sharing the same hobby of playing video games, Kiku became a video game designer and works closely with those who write out the plot for the game. Business trips like these were common yet random.
"Oh…" Alfred tried to remain optimistic and smiled sadly. "That's okay! I'll just have to find someone else to mooch off of!"
Kiku smiled softly and offered "If it is of any help, won't you come over and test our latest game before I have to go on my trip? You can stay at my house until I have to leave-"
"Oh my god Kiku, thanks so much!" Alfred was already on his feet and hugging the life out of his smaller friend. "Two or three days is good enough, you're the best!"
"It's the least I can do, I'm sorry I couldn't offer more on such short notice," the strangled male managed to say, smiling and gently returning the gesture.
X.X.X.X
Exhausted from enjoying himself too much with his friends, Alfred eventually had to return to Matthew's apartment to get more money (he spent all of it on food). When he was on the street leading to the building, his mind started to wander.
It's been a few days since Arthur last saw me. I'm sure he forgot all about me and is going after someone else already…shit…speak of the devil…
Right in front of the building and standing stock still like one of the Queen's Guards back in his homeland, Arthur finally moved when he saw the taller blond approach the building. "Alfred! Where have you been?" The expression on the landlord changed from worry to relieved to anger in a few seconds after asking the question. "Why didn't you call or tell me you were off on a business trip?"
"I was in such a hurry that I forgot to bring my cell phone with me when I left," Alfred answered calmly, trying to conjure up an excuse with the bit of information given to him.
So, was that what Mattie told him? I was on a business trip?
"You see, the meeting was urgent, and I had to make my way there as quickly as possible. I wanted to inform you when I got there, but as soon as I stepped foot into the building, the meeting already started,"
"But…for five days…" Arthur's expression suddenly hardened when it appeared as though he remembered something. "And what kind of bloody meeting has you eating out at restaurants?"
"I-I beg your pardon?"
"Alfred Jones, tell me where you have really been!" Arthur demanded, earning odd glances from passersby on the street.
"Arthur, please calm down…I don't know what you're talking about," Alfred tried to lie. "I'll explain everything if you will just let me,"
His back already facing Alfred, the landlord snatched the taller blond by the wrist and hauled him to his apartment. When they were once again in the air conditioned living room, Arthur sat down on the black couch, pulling Alfred down next to him. "Well, explain why each day you were gone you were spending time with another man,"
"Uh…can you describe to me what they looked like?" Alfred implored. "I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding."
Yeesh, a date, some flirting, a dinner, and this guy thinks we're a couple…
Arthur scoffed. "Honestly, how can you possibly forget, one was a black-haired male while the other was a brunet. I'm sure that after you were physically affectionate towards them and ate with them that you wouldn't forget," The Englishman let his emotion get the better of him, failing to notice that he was playing right into Alfred's hands and giving himself away.
The other blond listened closely to the details, trying to suppress the chill that ran down his spine as he figured out how Arthur knew what he had been doing.
…Stalker much?
Alfred had no idea that Arthur was able to find him at that sushi bar with Kiku and actually trailed him to where his other friend was. He had spent the last five days (two at Kiku's, the other three at Toris Lorinaitis') unaware that his brother's landlord was following him around.
"So then, Alfred, how is this all a misunderstanding?" the question snapped Alfred out of his small shock-induced trance.
This isn't good, I'm losing his trust…I have to think fast! Although, it's kinda cute that he's this jealous
Knowing that it was best not to question Arthur on how he knew all these little details, Alfred cleared his throat and started out slowly but sternly "Arthur, are you implying that I'm not allowed to see other people?"
"What? D-don't twist the words…You can but…you know what I mean don't you…?" the landlord was taken aback by how the normally bright blue eyes were now glaring at him.
"No, I'm afraid I don't. To me, it sounds like you're not permitting me to meet up with anyone…not even my friends,"
"Friends?" Arthur dared to look up at Alfred at the same time cover his cheeks puffed up from frustration with one hand.
His guard's down, now's my chance!
"Ah, so this is where the misunderstanding lies," Alfred's expression softened, his grim features replaced with a broad smile. "Arthur, is it unusual to hug a friend you haven't seen for almost four years?"
Anger left Arthur's facial expression, but he still regarded Alfred skeptically. "Then how does that tie up with your business trip?"
Now that he doesn't believe that I'm going out with Kiku and Toris, everything should fall into place…it's simply catching him off guard and derailing him from his train of thoughts
"Well, after the little trip, I bumped into my former colleagues and we went out for dinner. Please remember that I used to live here with my brother until I had to move," Alfred scratched the back of his head to show humility. "It appears as though you only caught me when I was not doing my job…but please understand how happy I was to see my friends again," he chuckled softly.
"I…suppose…" Arthur replied cynically, crossing his arms over his chest.
Damn…he's still not buying it! Time for more drastic measures…
Not giving the other time to elaborate on his excuse, Alfred gingerly lifted Arthur's chin with his fingers in one swift motion so that blue eyes met green in a steady gaze. "Arthur," he cooed, rubbing his thumb along the other man's bottom lip. "Did you miss me that much?"
"W-what?" the landlord's cheeks immediately began to burn from the contact. "I…"
Alfred held back a smirk.
Heh heh, change the topic of discussion by focusing on the person himself; if this doesn't work then I don't know what will!
"I'm so sorry, will you ever forgive me?" he whispered into the other's ear, feeling the smaller male tremble slightly. Alfred pulled back teasingly and smiled innocently while waiting for an answer. But he had no idea that his method would backfire on him. Apparently, his acting was a bit too convincing…and the Englishman got the right/wrong message.
Arthur still had a hold of him, gripping the hand that once held his chin and pulling him closer so that their noses were barely touching. When Alfred peered into his eyes, he noticed that they were half-lidded.
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit! He's gonna kiss me! What do I do now?
Cheeks still flushed, Arthur finally replied gently "You git…of course I'll forgive you…I lo-wah!"
Alfred's body suddenly toppled over him, squishing the sandy blond underneath.
"Alfred, get off!" When the other blond remained unresponsive, worry wormed its way into Arthur. "Alfred…what's wrong?"
X.X.X.X
Alfred felt something weighted on his chest. Reaching up to feel what it was, he still couldn't quite get an idea.
Uh...carpet? Really soft carpet?
When he cracked an eye open, his breath caught in his throat when he saw a pair of emerald eyes looking intently at him. The landlord's head was resting on top of his chest and it was only then that Alfred realize his hand was carding through sandy blond hair. He quickly retracted his hand.
"Alfred, are you awake? Should I call an ambulance?" he heard an accented voice ask him from above. The weight on his chest was lifted as a bashful Arthur got up from his crouching position to dust himself off.
"No, it's alright," the American opened his other eye to find that he was lain out on the couch while Arthur was hovering over him, watching his every movement. "It's nothing really…I just never expected it to happen at such a time,"
"Never expected what to happen?"
The blond on the couch looked away bashfully before answering. "I have narcolepsy."
"Oh…"
When it appeared as though Arthur had nothing more to say, Alfred continued "Normally I have it under control, but I guess my business trip and excitement over seeing friends again got the better of me." Sitting up from the couch to gaze into wary green eyes, he asked "Now what was it that you were telling me before I fell asleep?"
The question caught the landlord by surprise and he had to compose himself again before replying "N-nothing…just that I'll let your absence slide."
Alfred smiled brightly at the words and slyly offered "I'm forever indebt to you, Arthur. How about I take you out for dinner…say, tomorrow night?"
"S-so sudden?" Was all he could stutter out.
"Is that an inconvenience?" Disappointment clung to the words.
"No…that sounds like a grand idea," Arthur gave the taller blond a small smile before sitting awfully close to the American.
"It's the least I can do to thank you for taking such great care of me while I was knocked out," Alfred returned the coy smile fondly.
Endnotes: Narcolepsy - a sleeping disorder characterized by sudden sleep attacks. The sleep attacks normally strike at the most inopportune times (i.e. driving, in the middle of an argument, and even during sex!) and can be triggered by intense emotions. The person normally falls fast asleep for less than 5 minutes. Convenient for Alfred eh?
Alright, as much as I love to add humor and crack to this fic, I must warn that because of its nature, there will always be a more serious and if not angsty undertone to it. So if something turns from humor to drama in a flash, don't be too surprised; it's just me failing as a writer.