Alfred took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He stood in front of Arthur's Apartment door, wearing a black t-shirt, some jeans, and a purple hoodie. He bit his lip nervously, holding his hand up to knock on the door. " Ahhh, I can't do this." He mumbled, pulling his hand back and pacing down the hallway a bit.

As far as he knew, Arthur had been single for two weeks now, which meant he should be over Kiku by now... And Alfred, being the awesome hero he was, was planning to take said Brit out on a date. But... "Goddamnit why can't I just knock on the stupid door, and ask that stupid british dude out.?" He cursed himself, slowly making his way back towards Arthur's door.

" Ok... I got this..." He raised his hand, and knocked on the wooden door to Arthur's apartment.

...

Then knocked again.

...

" What? Is he not even home? How am I supposed to ask him on a date if he's not even here?! Why don't I think these things out oh God I'm such a failure." Alfred turned, feeling rejected and ready to give up and go home.

"... Alfred? What are you doing here?" Arthur stood in the hallway, a plastic grocery bag hanging in hid hand.

" Oh... hey... Arthur... I didn't see ya there..." The American laughed nervously, slowly side stepping away. " I was just... ummm... gonna come... ask you something..."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, steeping towards his door and putting the key in the lock. He looked up. " Well? What is it you wanted to ask?

"shit."

"Excuse me?"

Alfred mentally kicked himself. " Sorry.. I just... wanted to know If you uhh..."

Arthur looked at Alfred in annoyance. " Go on... "

"Do you... Have any books you think I'll like?" Alfred blurted it out, then mentally procceded to murder himself.

Arthur's eyes lit up slightly, and he opened the door. " Yeah, of course! Come on in. I'll show you a few." He smiled, waiting for Alfred to go inside before closing the door... and locking it.

Alfred looked around the Brit's spacious apartment with slightly wide eyes. "Woah Iggs... You got It made..."

Arthur shrugged, walking in and dissapearing into another room. Alfred could hear the bag being set down. "I guess..." He mumbled, coming back out into the main room and lifting a hand in the general direction of a rather large bookshelf. " Go ahead and take a look around..."

Alfred nodded, making his way over to the bookshelf. "So.. ummm... Are you.. busy this weekend?" He didn't dare look at Arthur now, his face burning slightly.

"... I'm sorry... Alfred no. It's only been two weeks... and... I just... no... maybe some other time.." Alfred could hear slight sniffling behind him, and bit his lip. 'Shit... I didn't mean to make him cry...' He grabbed a book off the shelf at random. " Hey... this one looks pretty interesting... mind if I borrow it?"

Arthur just nodded, hiding his face. "Yeah... go ahead, Alfred..." Alfred nodded, going over to Arthur and pulling him into a hug. " Look.. it'll be ok dude... you're stronger than this..."

Arthur looked up, smiling slightly. "Yeah... thanks.. Your a really... good friend, Alfred.."

...ouch.

Alfred nodded, and quickly left, before Arthur could see how much the word 'Friend' had bothered him.

"Ah, the friend zone... what a lovely place to be..." Alfred mumbled grouchily as he closed the apartment door behind him.