Arthur felt a tug in his gut. At first it was simply that—a tug-but then it got worse. It turned painful—excruciatingly so. His vision was knocked out, he couldn't breath anymore. Right when he thought he was going to die, everything became clear and still. He heard pacing. A quiet worried voice. An anxious, loud voice. He looked around. The room was small and bland. It was cluttered with random items. There were two beds, a small writing desk, a three-legged stool, and a shelf. Besides that, the room was bare of furniture. But it made up for that with other items. Books and armor were lying on every available surface. Weapons, aprons, dirty clothes, small paintings, a map or two (or seven), letters, anything you could imagine was thrown about the room as if a hurricane had gone by.

Slowly, the two boys came into view. Matthew, ever calm and quiet, was sitting cross-legged on his bed, watching his brother pace back and forth. Alfred was tearing at his hair as he walked, occasionally punching the wall of bed (and causing quite the bit of damage.)

"I don't even know what to do anymore! I don't even know what I'm supposed to feel! None of this makes any sense!"

Matthew opened his mouth to say something, but that was the time Gilbert and Arthur made their appearance. Instead, Matthew's mouth hung open and he stared at the pair.

"Yo there, Blondies!" Gilbert announced with a laugh, causing Alfred to whip around. "You!" He yelled, pointing a finger at Gil (to specify.)

The Joker laughed again. "The awesome me! Yeah! But sorry, kid. I'm here for your brother. Eyebrows over here is for you!" With that, Gilbert pushed forth a now terrified Royal. Then he waltzed over to Matthew, grabbed his arm, and disappeared in smoke.

Alfred tripped over himself. "Where's he taking Mattie?" He yelled.

"I...I'm sure he's fine. I really should remember to make him an archer already..."

Suddenly, Alfred backed up. "And you! Go away!"

Arthur tried not to feel hurt by that. "No! Alfred, I'm sorry. Please! I just want to talk!"

"No no no! I don't want to talk to you!" Alfred put his hands over his ears. Even when he was completely out of his element, terrified, and angry, he still somehow managed to act like a child. Arthur sighed. That's his Alfred. Somewhere, hidden beneath whatever emotions the two were feeling, he knew there was the Alfred that was still his best friend.

Arthur walked forward and grasped Alfred's arms, pulling them away from his ears and entertwining their fingers. "Alfred," he whispered.

Alfred looked up. His eyes looked like those of a caged animal's. They had bags under them, and were red-rimmed, as if he had been crying.

"Artie, I'm sorry. I just...it's too much. It's like...the world caught up to me all at once and...this wasn't supposed to happen! You were supposed to get crowned in a year and fall in love with the King and grow old and forget about me. And I was gonna be an Ace and protect the Kingdom."

"But Alfred, most of those things will happen. You're going to protect the Kingdom. You'll do it better than anyone, I know. And in a year I will be crowned. As for falling in love with the King, well...I've already done that."

Alfred's eyes widened. "You're just saying that."

"I'm not! I love you, you idiot. I don't know why, I just do. Your corny jokes, your smile, how you care about everyone..." Arthur squeezed Alfred's hands. He was blushing up to his ears, looking at the floor.

"But! You're the Queen! You're smart and funny and lovely and just so damn perfect."

Alfred rubbed his thumb across Arthur's hand.

"You fool..." Arthur said. Then he picked up his head and stood on his tip-toes (when did Alfred get so tall?) He leaned forward and kissed him.

For a moment, Alfred didn't respond. It was like the world just stopped and Arthur was the only thing still going. Then it all came rushing back in and motion nearly knocked Arthur over. Alfred arms wrapped around him, his mouth started moving (very enthusiastically) and it was just Alfred.

Just when Arthur collected his bearings enough to start pressing back, a laugh erupted behind them.

"Kesese~!"

Alfred and Arthur flew apart, both pinned to opposite walls, breathing hard, eyes wide.

Gilbert stood in the middle of the room with a blushing Matthew behind him.

"Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt! Kesesese~!"

Alfred was the first to reply. "Yes you did!" He cried angrily.

Arthur smoothed down his coat. "You know 'everything', remember? Bastard..."

"Kesesese~!"

Hey guys! Sorry for the late update. But my birthday was on the 3rd, so I didn't write. Then it was Alfred's birthday and I was out celebrating. Then my wifi went out. Downside of living in the middle of the wood, I suppose. Thanks everyone for being patient!

Sorry for any mistakes, I'm American!

-Mallory