"Mom, I'm home!"Alfred called as he and Arthur made their way through the Americans front door and in to the kitchen.
"Hello dear, you're late today and your brother isn't back yet, did something happen?" Alfred's mother asked as she was putting something in the stove.
"Not really, I stopped to get lunch and help Arthur unpack some of his stuff. By the way this is Arthur," Alfred said and walked over to the refrigerator.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. I'm Emily Jones, Alfred's mom," Arthur smiled noticing Emily had the same honey blond hair as Alfred.
"It's quite alright. I'm Arthur Kirkland, its pleasure to meet you Mrs. Jones," Arthur said, but she only giggled.
"Please, Mrs. Jones makes me feel old. I hear enough of that talk at my law firm. Just call me Emily, heck, call me mom if you want. As long, as your mother's okay with it,"
"I'll remember that next time," Arthur scratched his cheek.
"Hey, Arthur do you want any pop?"Arthur looked at the American slightly confused.
"Do I want what?" He asked then realized Alfred was holding up a coca-cola can.
"Oh, you mean a fizzy drink. I wouldn't mind having one," Alfred tossed the can catching the Brit off guard causing Arthur to scramble to catch it.
"Okay mom, we're going down to the den to watch a movie," Emily smiled and shook her head.
"Okay, have fun,"
Once in the den, Alfred insisted the two watch a scary movie while Arthur refused, telling the American that if they were to watch any movie it should be a romance. After arguing for about ten minutes Arthur finally gave in and let Alfred put on a horror movie.
Soon after the movie started Arthur started to get bored with the horrible plot and lacking theme. And so decided he would play small prank on the unsuspecting American, who was curled up, scared, in the corner of a large couch placed near the entrance of the den facing away from the door.
"Alfred, where is the loo?" Alfred looked up with wide eyes and swallowed loudly.
"Do you really have to leave me?" Arthur rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Yes, I'll only be gone for a moment."
"Okay, it's down the hall to the right. And Arthur, don't take too long," Alfred hugged one of the pillows next to him.
"Fine," Arthur got up, made his way around the couch and stood behind it until the Brit knew Alfred wasn't paying attention. Then he struck.
"BOO!" Alfred jumped almost two feet in the air and let out a loud screech, which made Arthur fall to the floor laughing.
"Dude! That wasn't funny!" Alfred complained in embarrassment, only causing Arthur to laugh harder making tears form in his eyes.
"I said it wasn't funny!" Alfred paused the movie and got up, walking over to the Brit lying on the floor, lifting him up and slinging Arthur over his shoulder.
"Put me down, you git," Arthur said between giggles and pounded his fists on Alfred's back and started kicking his legs.
"Nope, not until after you say you're sorry." Alfred started to climb the steps to the main floor.
"You bloody wanker, you'll regret doing this to me!" Arthur had stopped fighting Alfred and crossed his arms trying not to laugh as they entered the kitchen.
"Alfred, what are you doing to poor Arthur? And quit fooling around in my kitchen, you're going to get yourselves hurt," Alfred's mother lectured them as she walked back in to the kitchen giving them a stern look.
"Aww… Mom, Arthur started it." Alfred pouted
"Honestly, Alfie you act like a toddler sometimes. Now, out of my kitchen," she said waving the teens out of the room.
"Fine," Alfred put Arthur down and started to walk up another two flights of stairs.
"Where are we going?" Arthur asked looking around the short hall way leading to two doors. Both doors had signs on them, one saying "AREA 51 KEEP OUT" with some sort of alien symbol and the other said "welcome to Canada" with a red maple leaf.
"My room," Alfred said as he opened the door saying area 51.
I should have guessed.
"Welcome to my hero's layer."Alfred shouted as they entered a room with blue walls and white shelves full of action figures, comic books and sports trophies.
"How many years of sports have you played?" Arthur asked walking to Alfred's trophy shelf and read the engravings.
Football, soccer, baseball, basketball, wrestling, even golf.
"I don't know maybe about 7 years."Alfred said as Arthur reached up to touch the newest of the many trophies and knocking over a picture in the process.
"Watch out!" Alfred reached out catching the framed picture of his team before it could shatter on the ground.
Arthur turned around to apologize. However, he froze and his words caught in his throat, realizing his face was only inches from Alfred's. They stood like that for only seconds, green eyes meet blue eye until they heard the sound of footsteps in front of the door. Matthew swung the door open, causing Alfred to jump and almost drop the photo in his hand.
"Uh, hey you guys." Matthew said quietly and raised his hand to give a small wave. Alfred and Arthur could only mirror Matthew's greeting.
"I was wondering if you had the new paranormal movie up here."
"It's in the den on pause. Why?" Matthews face went red.
"I want to watch it with Gilbert,"
"You mean you want to make out with him with the lights off," Matthew ran to Alfred and put a hand over his mouth.
"Shhh… are you stupid? What if mom hears you? Eh?" Matthew was about to say more, but then shrieked, pulling his hand away. "Did you just lick my hand?"
"Yeah, I did. And don't worry mom is down stairs making dinner. She's not going to hear me." Alfred turned Matthew around and started to push his brother out of the room.
"Tell your boyfriend I said hi." Alfred added before he closed the door in a very flustered Matthew's face. Then the Arthur and Alfred listened in silence as Matthew stomped down the stairs.
"So, where was I? Oh, yeah, this is my room." Alfred said placing the photo back on the shelf then sitting on his bed and gestured for Arthur to sit in his desk chair.
"Well I guess we can't finish that movie. Unless you want to set next to Matt and Gil all over each other." Alfred said leaning against the backboard of his bed. Arthur scrunched his nose and shook his head.
"I could do without."
"How do you feel about gay people?" Arthur's eyes went wide at Alfred's sudden question.
"I don't have anything against them. Why do you ask?"Alfred started to fidget.
"Well I don't know, I was just thinking because Matt and Gil are a thing. To be honest it freaked me out for a while, until I could accept it." The American smiled, rubbing his hands together. Arthur couldn't keep eye contact with Alfred. To embarrassed to share his feelings on the subject.
Same here, however, I am the person, I'm trying to accept.
"How did you do it, accept their relationship?" Arthur could feel his palms start to sweat as Alfred thought over the question.
"You could say that, I saw how happy Matt is when he's with Gil. I don't think he was ever that happy since he was forced to move down here from our dads place in Canada," Alfred stopped to think again then nodded to himself "It's also because I understood how they feel" Alfred smiled differently from what Arthur had ever seen of the American. This smile seemed warm and strangely handsome on the young American.
"Is that so?" Arthur almost whispered.
Alfred's door opened again, only this time to revile his mother.
"Dinners ready, Alfred. Arthur, I noticed your parents aren't home yet. Do you want to eat here? I'd feel bad if you had to eat alone." Arthur smiled.
"That would be nice."
"Alfred, let others, finish before you get thirds." Emily complained as everyone laughed.
"Seriously Alfred, where does all that food go?" Gilbert asked.
Alfred just shrugged, "I'll work it off in the gym tomorrow, okay?" then switched his attention to Arthur
"Arthur, when are you starting school?" Alfred asked shoveling another mouth full of food.
"Unfortunately, tomorrow,"
"What grade are you in, Eh?" Matthew's question caused Arthur to stare in confusion. Then he remembered his mother explaining American high schools.
"I believe my mother said I'll be in the twelfth grade" Gilbert laughed.
"Kesesese…That means you have the pleasure of being with the amazing me and my awesome friends. Isn't that great?" Arthur slightly glared at the conceded albino.
"Quite," Arthur said sarcastically and rolled his eyes.
The rest of dinner was pleasant. The boys chatted about sports and school. Emily asked Arthur things about England and then told Arthur about the law firm she works for. Soon after dinner Gilbert had to leave, but not before he pulled Matthew out of the house for a few minutes "to talk." Around nine o'clock Arthur noticed his parents car enter his drive way, deciding not to worry them, Arthur said his good byes to Alfred and the rest of his family and headed across the street.
"Arthur, wait up!" the Brit turned to see Alfred running up the path through Arthur's front lawn waving something.
"You should text me some time… or call," Alfred said handing the paper to Arthur, who just stared at Alfred, blushing when he noticed the phone number on it.
"Well, g'night," Alfred waved and turned to jog back home.
"Same to you," Arthur called to Alfred as he neared his door.
Arthur was smiling as he entered the kitchen where both his parents were. His father was leaning against the island in the middle of the room and his mother was sitting at a small table placed in the breakfast nook.
"Hello mum, dad, how was work today?"Arthur watched them closely as his father rubbed his temples and groaned. His mother, however, covered up her stress well and if it weren't for the dark circles underneath her eyes, Arthur would have never guessed she had a bad day.
"Oh, Arthur dear, it wasn't too bad. We just had a small crisis to handle, but now it's all fine," she smiled sweetly and stood up motioning for Arthur to walk to her. Arthur wasn't fond of being hugged or having anyone infringe on his personal space but having his mother kiss his forehead caused his heart to feel warm and he couldn't help but smile.
"Scarlett, you're spoiling the boy," Arthur's father said in a hard tone.
"Pish posh, why can't I show love to my son? So, just go to bed Elliot. You've been up since four." Arthur's mother replied and hugged Arthur. Arthur's fathers shook his head and mumbled a "whatever" as he headed down the hall.
"So, did you eat dear?"
"Yes, I ate dinner at Alfred's house across the street," she just nodded.
"That's good, it seems like you and Alfred are becoming good friends. And I really like him." She said smiling.
"I wouldn't exactly say good friends, but I do enjoy his company. Why is dad in such bad mood?" Arthur asked changing the subject.
"During our lunch break he saw two boys holding hands you know how he is about 'Nancy boys,'" Arthur felt his stomach drop. He would have almost preferred to go back to talking about Alfred.
"Oh… I think I'm going to go to bed. Good night mum." She smiled sadly at Arthur then nodded.
"Sweet dreams,"
That night Arthur had a hard time going to sleep. He kept tossing and turning. His body felt too hot for covers but it was too cold without the covers. The thoughts of Alfred fresh in his mind, but as he started to drift off to sleep with the thought of the young American, his father would ruin it and wake Arthur up with his strict and narrow-minded ideals.
"Arthur you are not a poofter!" Arthur said to himself sitting up in his bed and ruffled his hair.
I don't like Alfred, I can't like him. Sure he is good-looking and… NO Arthur! No. You like girls. You have to listen to dad "find a good girl to marry,"
"Oh, who am I fooling? Obviously, not myself." Arthur punched his bed in frustration. Then put his head in his hands.
"what am I going to do?" Arthur sighed and fell back in to his bed.