"Arthur?" He didn't bother to look up from the ground when he heard his name being called.
"Arthur, what are you doing here? Alfred's been looking all over for," Matthew asked and sat next to Arthur at stayed in a long silence.
"Matthew, I did something stupid, didn't I?" Matthew chuckled and shook his head.
"I think you can answer that on your own," he said and let out a long sigh and then pulled out a small box from his coat pocket. "So, why did you run?" Matthew continued as he put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it.
"I don't know, It was…. I don't know. I- I guess there are just too many reasons why," Arthur struggled to find the answer. Matthew let out a long breath.
"Hmm… how about you explain some of them? I have some time to kill and Alfred won't check here for awhile," He smiled at took another drag from his cigarette and offered Arthur one.
"No thank you, I quit before I moved to America," Matthew nodded and stuck the pack back in his pocket.
"That's good; I'm still trying to kick it. Gil hates them, but they come in handy when I'm stressed," Matthew sat back in the bench. "What made you run, Family, confusion, or maybe both?"
"Both, I've never had these kinds of feelings for another person and to find out that they are for another person of the same sex, it's tad overwhelming. I guess I've always known I preferred men over women, but I pushed that aside, thinking it wasn't right or that I'll grow out of it," Arthur let out a bitter laugh and shook his head, "My father didn't help, he hates nancy boys, calling them diseases or disgusting. That's one of the reasons we moved. I had gone to party with friends, got piss drunk, and passed out. Some of my friends thought it would be funny to undo my trousers and take very gay looking pictures and post them online,"
"So, your dad just moved your family a cross the Atlantic because he thought you were gay?"
"That and he couldn't stand to have my antics ruin his reputation. He decided to look over the American branch of his company. When he saw those pictures he didn't speak to me for a week. Then he just said we were moving to America," Arthur looked over and watched as Matthew took a final drag of his cigarette, then put in out on the ground.
"If it helps you any I'll tell you about how I ended up moving from Canada and living in America. I went through something like you, but it was my step-mother who suspected it. She started dating my dad when I was fifteen; she didn't like me from the get go. So, I started acting out. At first it was small stuff like talking back or not talking at all to my dad. Then I started staying out late and smoking, but it wasn't until I started experimenting that they were sick of it," Matthew gave Arthur a small smile. "They got married and made me live with my mom an Alfred."
"But you have Gilbert, you're comfortable with your sexuality, and you're accepted," Arthur ran a hand through his hair.
"Do you really think it's that easy? Eh? Arthur, Those things only happened after meeting Gil! I was just as confused as you. Sure I experimented but I had never said 'hey, I could be in love with this boy,' before. I never thought I would be happy with another man or even just living in America before meeting Gil, but now I am. And I still am not fully comfortable with it. Heck, my mom just found out yesterday, on accident. She won't even talk to me, and Alfred didn't even like the thought of being gay at first." Arthur stared wide eyed at Matthew after his sudden outburst.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you." Matthew said in his normal whisper, "You really changed him, you know?"
"Do you mean Alfred?"
"Yeah, he's happier on the days he's with you, even if he complains about all of your guy's petty augments. All I'm trying to say is he doesn't hide behind that nice guy smile anymore,"
"How do you feel toward Alfred?" Matthews question startled Arthur causing him to stumble on his wording until he finally took a deep breath.
"That lad drives me mad. He confuses me and intrigues all at once, and as much as he angers me, I never want him to leave my side."
"Hmm… sounds like love to me." Arthur looked down and contemplated the thought of being in love with Alfred for what seemed like forever.
Matthew looked up in front of him and smiled. Arthur, who was blushing like a mad man, frowned and followed the Canadians gaze, only to see Alfred standing on the other side of the fountain in the middle of the square.
"Alfred?"
"I'll leave you two alone," Matt patted Arthur's back and stood up to walk away.
Alfred started to walk over toward Arthur. His cheeks were red from running, his breathing was heavy, and his hair was messy, but Arthur could still make out the cowlick at the part in Alfred's hair.
"Alfred, I…" Alfred put a hand up to stop Arthur from saying any more.
"Look Arthur, what I did was wrong. I just… ugh I should have said something to you,"
"Alfred, let…." Alfred continued not letting the Brit speak.
"I don't know what got into me when I kissed you. I'm sorry, but ever since I met you just looking at you can make me crazy. I can't get though the day without thinking of you and I can barely even stay away from you," Arthur attempted to open his mouth again but Alfred cut in.
"I like you Arthur, and I think letting that baseball slip past me was one of the best things I've ever done. Well letting you get hit wasn't, but I did get to meet you. And you became someone I could tell things to and hang out with," Alfred only stopped talking when he was knocked back by a sharp bony hand colliding with his face.
"Alfred! Shut up and let me talk, for God's sake you git!" Arthur finally interjected. He stood shaking his hand, hoping he didn't break it. Alfred stared at Arthur as the American held his jaw.
"Alfred, do you understand that you drive me mad? With your obnoxious attitude, you're eating habits, the fact that you almost kill me on weekly basis," Arthur poked the larger blonde's chest, making Alfred step back closer to the fountain with every jab, until his heel hit the edge.
"I get it Arthur, god you don't have to point out every one of my flaws. If you didn't like them then you could have told me to buzz off, instead of stringing me along," Arthur glared at Alfred.
"I said let me talk. As I was saying, all of those things drive me mad, but then there are little things like when you smile so innocently, when you look in my eyes and all I can do is get lost on your eyes, or the worst part, you have a grasp on my heart, my emotions, and my sanity, but you don't even know it!" Arthur hadn't realized it but he had let Alfred cup his cheek. The American wiped away a few tears that had escaped Arthur's eyes.
"Arthur, can I kiss you?" Alfred whispered.
"May, and yes you may." Arthur giggled and got on his tip toes letting his lips meet Alfred's for the second time that day.
Alfred wrapped his arms around Arthur's waist and lightly nipped his lower lip, causing Arthur to smile and snake his arms around Alfred's neck. The two had almost forgotten they were even out in public until they heard a girlish shriek.
"Look Roddy! Al and Arthur finally got together!" Elizabeta screeched like the fan girl she was.
Alfred pulled away and blushed at the sight of the couple. Unfortunately he also made the mistake of stepping back and tripping over the side of the fountain, pulling Arthur along with himself in the cold shallow water.
The two sat in shock for a moment and then Alfred started laughing as he saw Arthur with a small lily pad on his head.
"You bloody wanker! Look at what you've done!" Arthur shouted as he stood up, only making Alfred laugh more.
"Are you two alright?" Roderick asked offering a hand to help Arthur out of the fountain. Arthur put his hand up in protest and gave Alfred a devious.
"You may want to step back."
Suddenly Arthur splashed the unsuspecting American.
"Oh, you want to start a war?" Alfred joked splashing the shorter blond back. The two splashed each other a few more times until the cold air started to get to Arthur.
"I give up! I give up!" Arthur shouted stepping out of the water shivering.
Alfred slung his arm over Arthur's shoulders in order to keep him warm and said good night to Elizabeta and Roderick before making their way to Alfred's house.
"What happened to you two?" Alfred's mom asked as she rushed very cold and drenched teens in the house.
"We were playin' in the fountain." Alfred said which got him a sigh from his mother.
"Just go get dried off," she said and shook her head as the boys ran up stairs.
Alfred picked out some old night-clothes for Arthur to barrow and let him use his bathroom to take a shower while Alfred went down stairs for his. As he came back in to the room, Arthur was already sitting on the floor against the bed reading.
"So, mom said you can stay here since it's the weekend, she went over to your house to tell your parents." Arthur nodded and continued to read one of the many comic books Alfred had placed in his room. Alfred frowned and fell on to his bed then rolled on his side to look over Arthur's shoulder grabbing the book from Arthur's hands.
"Do you mind?" Arthur asked
"Come up here with me Artie," Alfred whined and gave Arthur the puppy dog face.
Arthur sighed getting in bed as Alfred snaked one of his arms around Arthur's waist. Arthur leaned over and turned out the lights. As he settled back in to Alfred's arms he could hear the fast pace of the Americans heart.
"Good night, Arthur," Alfred pecked Arthur on the lips. Arthur let a slight chuckle escape his lips.
"Good night, love," Arthur rested his head against Alfred's chest and let his breathing rock himself to sleep.
Hey guy's,
I loved writing this chapter and I love making Matt kind of a bad ass. i really hope you guy's enjoyed this chapter. :) other news I put up my PruCan story. It's called " A rainy Day in Spring" I really love writing that story too. even if its not as up beat as "Safe!" but still check it out if you like PruCan.