Arthur may have slightly rushed off the stage as soon as the studio crews stopped filming, briskly walking past the cameras whilst ignoring the crew's knowing smiles, but he slowed down, caught his breath, and straightened his clothes as he approached the green room. Somehow, he wasn't surprised to find the room empty except for Alfred.

The first-place winner was undoubtedly celebrating with her friends and family at the nearest restaurant, the third-place winner was most likely consoling herself at the nearest pub, and that left Alfred to snack on the wide assortment of chocolates and sweets in the green room. It was the perfect opportunity to have a little heart-to-heart, Arthur told himself, as he closed the door and cleared his throat.

"Ah-hem."

The American whirled around and dropped a handful of Belgian chocolates on the ground. He fumbled to pick them up and gave Arthur an apologetic grin. "Hey," he said, fiddling with the chocolates as he set them back on the table.

"'Allo," Arthur replied, unsure what to say next and wondering what had happened to his usual facility with words. He could deliver an insult with cutting wit, but compliments were more difficult.

Alfred shifted. "So, did you, um..."

"I liked your song," Arthur blurted out.

"Really?" The American grinned, his smile showing genuine happiness instead of his usual cockiness. Arthur was surprised at how well he had learned to read the other man's smiles. This one softened and curled inward as Alfred added, "I mean, I thought you would."

"Yes, well, most love songs are too direct, but this one hinted at the yearning instead of being blunt. I liked the subtlety."

"Me too! It reminded me of you."

Arthur blinked. "...excuse me?"

"You know, saying one thing, meaning another. Acting like a hissing cat when you're purring on the inside." Just in case his meaning wasn't clear, the American began to sing from the chorus, "You swoon, you sigh, why deny it, uh-oh..."

Arthur's face dropped. Before Alfred could insult him any further, he turned on his heels and strode toward the door. No matter how attractive the other man was (so very, very attractive... no, focus Arthur!), he refused to be compared to a hissing cat or a swooning maiden. How foolish to think that Alfred actually liked him! The younger man was just looking for a chance to have a joke at his expense. But Arthur found his way blocked at the last moment as the American singer raced forward and jumped between Arthur and the door.

"No wait!" Alfred cried as he plastered his back against the door. "I'm bad at this," he admitted, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "I joke when I get jittery and it makes it seem like I'm not serious."

"I find it hard to believe that you suffer from stage fright." Arthur crossed his arms, trying his damnedest to maintain his irritation when confronted with earnest eyes begging him for a second chance. The two were standing far too close for the Englishman's comfort. He could see how soft Alfred's hair looked up close, and only a thin bit of cloth separated him from those rippling muscles that had filled his dreams for weeks.

"I've had a crush on you since the show started," Alfred confessed, and that certainly tore Arthur's attention away from the taut pectorals. "Hell, the whole reason I wanted to try out in the first place was to get your attention."

"You have an odd way of showing it," Arthur complained, although in hindsight the choice of love songs wasn't that strange. It was actually a direct approach. He kicked himself for not noticing it sooner.

"Well your way is even stranger," Alfred said with a laugh, undoubtedly referring to Arthur's biting insults and constant scowls. "It's kind of cute though. Did you know that your eyebrows shift inward just a bit when you mean an insult in a teasing manner?"

Arthur blushed and hastily pushed his fringe down so that it covered his thick eyebrows. While he had been busy examining Alfred's smiles, it seemed the other man had been studying his 'cute' eyebrows. Judging by Alfred's current grin, the other man liked what he saw.

"So, what's the verdict? Do I get to go on to the next round?" Alfred asked.

"This isn't a game," Arthur warned, remembering his past flings with men who were just using him for their own purposes. He didn't want to believe that Alfred was like that, but the problem with performers was that they were too good at acting. Arthur didn't intend to be so prickly, he just didn't want to get hurt again. Still, Alfred had waited until the end of the talent show to make his feelings known and that was an encouraging sign.

"It's never been a game to me," Alfred said, completely serious for once. He gently cupped Arthur's jaw and leaned closer. "May I?" he breathed.

Pleasantly shocked by the tingle in his stomach and the use of proper grammar, Arthur murmured his assent. Between one breath and another, their lips met, softly first and growing more passionate as Arthur pushed his body against Alfred's. Arthur had never actually expected to kiss the American singer, but he had still built up in his mind a fully-fleshed idea of what the kiss would taste like. Too much tongue, too little technique, he thought. A hint of bubblegum and coca-cola. The rim of Alfred's glasses pressing into his cheek. For once, reality was far better than his imagination. Although there was too much tongue (soft and warm and gently massaging his), suddenly it didn't matter because Alfred was really kissing him in the flesh. The young man kissed the way he sang, completely sweet and earnest. And what he lacked in technique, he made up for with sheer enthusiasm.

When Arthur finally pulled back for breath, he searched Alfred's eyes for a hint of deception and finally nodded, satisfied by what he saw. "A date sounds lovely," he purred.

Alfred grinned. "Great! Coffee, tea, or me?"

"Mmm, two out of three."

"Well, we've got tea bags and hot water over on the table. So... do you want to make out on that couch like bunny rabbits?" he asked, jerking his thumb in the direction of the comfortable beige sofa in the corner. It was a bit quick, but Arthur couldn't say no after ten weeks of longing.

With a slight smirk, the Brit arched an eyebrow, realizing that it did shift inward slightly when he was teasing instead of genuinely annoyed. "Do you know how many celebrities have copped off on that couch over the years?" he asked.

"Nope, but I'm guessing it's about to go up by two!"

"Don't be presumptuous," Arthur chided him teasingly. "You aren't a celebrity... yet." Licking his lips, he reached his arm around Alfred's backside and casually slipped his hand lower and lower until he found what he was looking for.

With a quick flick, Arthur locked the door. Alfred loved the crowds and the crowds love him, but for the next hour, he was going to be Arthur's alone.

Author's Notes

Yes, I know I marked this complete. But I give in easily to compliments :)

No smut though. This is Xtreme Talent, not XXXtreme Talent!