Alfred and I head for the parking lot and slide into his polished emerald colored car. He starts the ignition and rolls out into the road and onto the highway. I can safely say that I don't trust Alfred driving on a crowded interstate. Sharp turns are taken, abrupt switching of lanes occur, and deafening car horns honk at us. I brace my knees in front of me to protect my face and I cling to the seat belt.
"Alfred, we're going to die in a fiery collision with a truck five times bigger than yours! Slow the fuck down!", I holler, putting my hands over my eyes.
"Ha, dude. We ain't gonna die, so calm your tits would ya?", he fails to reassure. "We're almost there, anyways, so chill!"
I shoot him a dirty look and go back to hiding behind my face when he takes a sharp turn into the parking lot. He zips past other vehicles and slams on the brakes when he jerks into a parking spot. He rolls out of the car door and slams it closed, jolting me upright. I, too, tumble out of the automobile, and fall on my hands and knees on hard and unforgiving asphalt. I moan, grasping my right ribcage and biting my bottom lip. Alfred yanks me up and brushes off my shoulder, laughing like a drunk.
"Haha, that's probably not the last time I'll see ya on all fours!", he exclaims. I throw him off of me and scowl.
"What the bloody hell are you implying?!"
"Nothin', nothin'! Settle down, I don't think they sell your tampons here, darling!" I throw a punch at him, but he dodges it and swings his body back around for another hug.
"Artie, Artie! Not in the parking lot! Just wait until we get home!"
"Alfred, if you don't let me go, so help me God, I will wring your hefty neck and leave your corpse to rot in this very parking lot in the noonday sun! Do you understand me?!"
"Wow, that was graphic, dude." He releases me and raises his hands to plead his innocence. "It's just a bit of fun."
We walk into the store entry and I look around at all of the festivities. Giant chandeliers hang from the ceiling, more fluorescent lights hang in front of largely proportioned mirrors, and racks with clothing as far as the eye can see. I take in a deep breath of cold air and smell the deep chemical scent radiating from the merchandise. I feel Alfred's hand grab a hold of my upper arm and I whip my head to yell at him. Instead, I see a gaze of wonder gleam in his eyes as he drags me towards the opposite direction. I go along with it and I almost fall on my face, again.
"Ya gotta keep up, Artie! Don't want 'cha gettin' lost!", he yells after me.
"Don't yank on me like a ragdoll, then!"
We trudge across the mall's directory and in front of a shop with flashing lights and earsplitting dubstep.
"Yay, VIDEO GAMES!", Alfred shouts, jumping up and down like an elementary child. I sigh and turn to the wall between the window and the glass window.
"I'm not going in there. I'll wait out here.", I urge, crossing my arms and tilting my head down, leg kicked up on the wall.
"Are ya sure? It's a lot of fun.", he promotes.
"I'm quite sure, Alfred. Just try not to take too long."
"Mm, alrighty then." He proceeds into the store and I pull out my cell phone. I pointlessly click through my contacts and see that I haven't received any new messages. What else is new? I look up from my phone screen and see guys my age staring at me. Where have I seen them before? I take notice in their football varsity jackets when the one out of the four turn around and reads, 'Hetalia Academy'. Oh, so they must be on the football team with Alfred, then. I return my attention to my phone, stalking them from the corner of my eye. They eventually turn around and I take a sigh of relief. That is, until Alfred comes back.
"I'M BAAACK!", he wails in an eerie tone, grabbing my shoulders from behind.
I bounce around and see him smiling. I yell, "What the fuck do you want, Alfred?"
"Oops. Did I scare ya? My bad!", he apologizes. Then, I see Alfred pull out his phone and love up against me. He snaps a couple of pictures, one of which included me almost punching him in the face.
"Why the hell would you take my picture?!"
"'Cause you're cute.", he answers jokingly.
"W-whatever. Where are we going next?"
Alfred looks directly behind me and his eyes light up while a mischievous grin scrawls across his face.
"What is it, Alfred?"
"I got an idea…"
"Oh God. Where to?"
"Can I ask ya somethin'?" His attitude changes from to childish to formal. Sort of.
"What?"
"Would ya be willing to wear a thong?"
"What the HELL?! FUCK NO! Where the HELL do you get an idea like THAT?!"
He points behind me to a stop. I turn around in curiosity and see a Victoria's Secret boutique. I turn back around with evil eyes and a scowl replacing that curiosity. Alfred's eyes widen and he backs off a little.
"Hey, man! I was just shittin' around! No need for violence! I'm sure a gentleman, such as yourself, and I can talk somethin' out!"
"You better pray to God that I don't kill you in your fucking sleep, Alfred."
I turn the opposite way and start walking away from the pervert. I hear him call after me and then feel his hand brush against the top of my head.
"Artie, you're so cute. You'd never do that, cutie pie!"
"Don't count on it, jackass."
"Pssh, prissass."
We walk aimlessly around and talk more. More like, I suck it up and listen to Alfred ramble on about his raunchy shit.
"I've been in that place before, though. My ex-girlfriend wanted to go in there and like hell I wasn't gonna say no. So while she was lookin' around, I got lost in the underwear section. And there were bras and shit fuckin' everywhere. I mean, you could just feel yourself go hard in a matter of seconds-"
"Ew, ew, ew! Shut the HELL up, Alfred!", I interrupt.
"Pfft, whatever, Artie.", he laughs. I crack and join in with him. I see out of the corner of my eye, the guys from earlier. They cut their eyes and pass us and I turn on my heels to articulate what happened. Alfred grabs my shoulder and I jump back around.
"Dude, what's the matter?"
"N-nothing. So where are we heading to now?"
Um, I guess we can go somewhere you wanna go."
"If I remember correctly, it was you who dragged me here and I who wanted nothing to do with this."
"Right, right. Um, you like that British guy in the flying blue box thingy, right?"
I dart my eyes at him and glower, "What did you say?"
"Ya know, the bro that flies the telephone box on this jacket." He gently tugs on the sleeve of my hoodie to show what he's talking about.
I furrow my eyebrows and grumble, "You mean, 'Doctor Who'?"
"Yeah, that's it! There's a Hot Topic 'round here, if ya wanna go there-"
"How in the hell do you not know who the Doctor is?", I interrupt. Alfred worriedly raises his eyebrows and shrugs.
"We goin' or not?", he reiterates.
"I don't care.", I sigh.
"Well, we're here!" Alfred wrenches on my arm again and pulls me into a dark lit shop. I take in my surroundings and see Doctor Who and band t-shirts as far as the eye can see. I gasp and turn around, getting a feel of the entire store. I pace to the Doctor Who merchandise and pick up random shit and ramble on about them.
"Ah! And this is a sonic screwdriver! This one is the tenth Doctor's, you know, the man in the white converse I showed you earlier. And, oh my God, what is that? Holy shit, It's a Tardis fleece. It's just like my old one! I still remember how mine felt. And... What are you staring at?"
I turn to see Alfred staring over my shoulder and at my face. He blushes and looks at his feet. "Nothin', it was just,"
"Just what? Spit it out."
"You don't seem like that stuffy and distant guy I met the other day."
I raise an eyebrow at him and ask, "And why is that?"
"You seem to be opening up to me. And, I like that." I stare at him and crease my eyebrows.
"What?"
"Nothin', nothin! Now what was this 'Allon-sy' thing you were tellin' me about?"
"Right, sure." I watch Alfred's behavior change as we walk around different sections of the store. We stop at the band merchandise and I let it all go.
"Holy shit, they have Marilyn Manson t-shirts. I love Marilyn Manson. And Slipknot over there. And wow, they have Metallica. These are so cool-"
"Dude, I didn't know you liked all this heavy shit! I would say it's kinda hot, but I'm afraid you'd pull some satanic shit on me."
"You're damn right. Wait. Kinda hot?!"
"Aw, Artie! Ya act as if you don't know!"
"Don't bullshit around with me, Alfred."
"But why not, angel?"
"You know perfectly well, sweetie."
He cuts his eyes halfway lovingly and I can't help but to giggle. He cracks a smile and laughs.
"Hey, I need ta go over here for a minute. I'll be right back, 'kay?" He turns the other way and points to the opposite end of the store.
"Yeah, whatever. Just don't leave me here. You're kind of my only ride home."
"Alright. Bye!", he exclaims, blowing kisses. In the middle of the goddamn store, too. I turn back to t-shirts and continue to silently fanboy. I feel that familiar sharp pain pierce through my ribcage again and I quickly try to ease the pain. I slap my hand onto my side and my teeth almost break through my lip, attempting to null the pain. After a little while, I feel a pair of hands grab my shoulders from behind and I whirl around, only to see Alfred smiling like a buffoon.
"Miss me?"
"Don't hold your breath." I turn to look at the bag behind Alfred and asked, "What's in the bag you've got there?"
He sways it further behind his back and purses his lips. "Nothin'."
"Nothing, indeed. Guess that's where you've been, huh?"
"Maybe.", he hints. I roll my eyes and avert my attention elsewhere. We start walking out of the store and into the unruly crowds.
"So, what time is it? When are you planning on leaving?", I ask curiously.
"Why do ya wanna leave so bad? And It's 5:49.", he tells me.
"Dammit, how much longer?"
"I don't wanna go home to an empty house! Mattie doesn't get back until 9-"
"Woah, woah, woah. There is no way in hell that I'm going to stay with you all night. Dammit, I need to sleep, in case you've forgotten."
"But, bro. You GOTTA! I don't want to stay all by myself!"
"Alfred, no."
"Can ya stay over? Like a sleepover?! How's that sound?"
"I'm not staying at a strange house. And no, you cannot tell me it isn't strange just because I've been there at least one time.", I defend.
"Well, fuck you, too…", he mumbles. We continue walking aimlessly in silence until that silence is broken by you know who.
"I can make a bed for ya, you know. That is, unless you don't want to sleep with me." He glances at me from the side and moves his eyebrows suggestively.
"I'll pass. And I'd rather sleep in my own bed, if you don't-"
"Oh! So we're goin' to your place! Sounds good to me!"
It's only Tuesday. It's too early in the week for this shit. I sigh and shrug, but that must've been a notion for Alfred to love up against me.
"Oh, Artie! Can I, can I, can I?!", he pesters, nuzzling his head in between my shoulder and neck.
"Oh, piss off, Alfred!", I raged.
Alfred startlingly grabs my wrist and off we go to another department store. He leads the way, leaving me behind him and stumbling over my own two feet. I stare at how his broad hand overtakes my own. Why am I? My train of thought is disrupted by Alfred and his annoying voice.
"Hey dude! Lets go in here and fuck. Shit. Up."
"W-what?! I can't get in any trouble with the law, especially since I'm not a legal citizen yet, Alfred."
"Ah, calm yo tits! We ain't gonna get in any trouble!" We stumble into a display rack with women's sweaters and Alfred almost knocks it over. He shoots up awkwardly and rearranges the rack, turning and smiling at me. I cross my arms and ignore him, rolling my eyes for what feels like the millionth time today.
"Aw, don't be like that, Artie!", he exclaims, slapping a brawny hand on my back. I, too, almost land smack down on the tile floor, but regain balance before hand.
"Son of a bitch.", I curse under my breath, biting my lip.
"Pssh, someone's got their panties in a wad…", I hear Alfred mutter.
"Say that to my face, big boy."
"Ugh, if you're referring to my weight, my mom says I'm perfectly healthy. So you can shut up, scrawny ass."
Alfred and I hike through mobs of angry shoppers. We're momentarily separated and I'm considering about turning around and leaving his ass here. Alfred comes out of the crowd and jokingly pants, "Ho-holy shit!"
"No shit.", I confirm. We continue but not long before I sense Alfred's large, muscular, hand intertwine with my own. I widen my eyes and jerk my head to see what he's doing. He's smiling at me and gripping my hand tighter. He darts his eyes away for a second and returns to my still widened eyes.
He raises a finger to my lips and hints, "Shh. Just go with it."
"What the bloody hell do you mean by 'go with it'?", I hiss, furrowing my brows.
"Just say yes." He looks ahead and gasps, "Okay, here we go."
A group of teenage girls come from around the bend and almost knock into us and I grasp Alfred's hand tighter. He starts swaying it gently as we pace past the group of girls. One girl in particular, with long white blonde hair sticking behind a blue bow headband, looks at us, but the rest basically just blow us off. After they pass, I yank my hand back from Alfred and begin to snarl at him.
"Okay, so what was that for?"
"Well, there was this chick walkin' with 'em and I kinda don't like her. But she's mad in love with me, dude. So I thought, maybe if she saw me with you, she'd back off a little. Seem legit?"
"Whatever, Alfred."
He pats his stomach and throws his head back, "Dammit, I'm STARVING. Wanna get dinner?"
"Yeah, I don't give a shit."
"Well, come on!" He leads the way to the food court and we push our way past these rowdy people.
Alfred takes me in front of a hot dog joint and he asks, "So what d'ya want?"
"Um, not sure. Just pick whatever. But make sure it's reasonable. I'll just go find us seats."
"I'm cool with that, bro!"
I turn and lazily scan my eyes across the cafeteria. I find an empty four person table and sigh as I seat myself. I lay my back up against the chair and kick my feet onto the table leg. I pull out my phone and plug in earbuds, and listen to my music loudly as I wait for Alfred. Then, my earphones are ripped violently out of my ears and I start to yell.
"Alfred, you're not being cute-" I stop in my tracks when I see that it isn't Alfred in front of me, but rather a group of teenage boys. The guys from earlier. Two are sitting in front of me and I take notice of another one seated in the chair to my right. I turn to my left to see the last one with his foot propped up against my chair and my earbuds in hand. They all have stern looks on their faces and I immediately know I'm in deep shit.
"Um, sorry about that. Who are you guys?", I ask.
The one by my left answers, "Relax, we go to the same school. We're on the football team, not that you would know. We came to talk to you 'bout somethin'."
"Uh, okay."
"So, uh. Who you hangin' with here?", the one on my right asks.
"Er, Alfred. Why?"
"Well, THAT'S fine and dandy! But do ya wanna know what Alfred said he'd do after practice earlier?"
"Sure."
"'Sure I'd go to the mall with the team! But I promised Artie that I'd do something with him later, so maybe next time!'"
"And that's my fault, how? I don't want to be here as much as you think, but it was-", I start.
"What's the deal with you and our quarterback, huh?", one in front of me interrupts.
"Um,"
"I hope you're not plannin' on goin' to the party Friday, or we're gonna have issues. Got that?"
"Er, yeah! I don't really 'do' parties, so count me out!", I hurriedly rush.
"Good." The fellow who took my headphones throws them back at my head and stalks off. The others silently follow after him, each of them glaring at me. The last one to leave even smacks me up against my head. Well, aren't they nice. Shortly after, Alfred comes back with a tray, smiling and plopping in front of me.
"'Ey, Artie! I'm back! Hey, what's wrong with ya?" He cocks his head like a confused puppy and looks me in the eye.
"Nothing.", I answer.
"Um, okay. Well, here's your order-"
"And I'm not all that hungry, either."
"Uh, okay. What the hell happened while I was gone?"
"Nothing."
"I'm startin' to think that 'nothing' isn't the case here." He moves and sits in the chair next to mine. "What's wrong, Artie?"
"I told you. Nothing's wrong, I'm just tired, is all." Alfred looks at me from the corner of his eye and proceeds to eat. I continue to listen to music as I did earlier before I was disrupted. After a while of this, I actually start to feel tired and my eyes slowly droop. I rest my chin in my left hand and turn my head the opposite way. Then, I feel Alfred grab a hold onto my hand, that's resting freely on my upper thigh. He begins to swing his arm back and forth, with my arm still suspended. I try to let go, but he just keeps squeezing tighter every time I try.
"Alfred, you idiot. Let me go right now."
"No, there's somethin' wrong with ya and I don't wanna."
I notice the football team out of the corner of my eye and start struggling from Alfred's grasp. "Gah, Alfred! Let go, let go, let go!"
"What's buggin' you, Artie?", he innocently asks.
"Just p-put your tray up or something! Please?!", I plead for an excuse.
"Mm, alright. But I'm comin' back, so don't think you're off the hook!" He gets up and heads for the garbage can. I quickly wrap my headphones around my cell and frantically stuff it in the pocket of my hoodie. Just as I remove my hand from my pocket, it's occupied in the much larger American's grasp. I try to snatch it back, but he's not going to budge.
"Come on, Alfred. Grow up! Let off!", I assert, still attempting to wrench my hand from Alfred's hold as we go down the corridor.
"But ya won't tell me what's bothering you. And I know you're lying, Artie."
"Why the bloody hell would you care?!"
"Because that's what people do when they care about you. Duh."
"Please, Alfred. It's making me uncomfortable."
He ignores me and strains his neck to see around the corner of the shop window just in front of us. Alfred grins evilly and glances back at me.
"Hey, whatever happens, just go with it.", he requests.
"Alfred, I'm sick of your games."
"Just please?"
"Pssh, yeah. What the fuck ever-" I'm interrupted by Alfred snuggling his head on my neck again and raising my hand to his lips.
"Aw, Artie! Why you so adorable?!", he sweet talks as he starts kissing my neck, bringing me closer by pulling my arm towards him. I stretch my neck farther from Alfred and he laughs. He pulls my hand back up to his lips and starts kissing my forehand instead. He eyes the same group of girls from the department store from earlier.
"Wow, I've haven't been kissed this much by a stranger since my prostitution days when I lived back in England.", I comment loud enough for those girls that are passing us to hear. Alfred glares back up at me and snorts in derision while I smirk in achievement.
"What is it? Were you unaware that I, too, can play your little game?", I huff.
He sighs, still holding my hand and pursing his lips. "Fine, meanie pants…"
"Where are we going and how long are we going to have to hold hands?", I burst out bluntly.
"Well," He peers at his watch and checks the time. "It's 6:56. Wanna go home now?"
"Please. I've had enough socializing for one day."
"'Kay! I wanna stop by my place and pick up a few things before we head for your crib.", he adds.
"What do you mean by, 'a few things'?", I inquire, eyebrows raised.
"Pj's and shit! What d'ya think?"
"So when did you decide you were going to crash at my place when you have a perfectly good home yourself?"
"Since I found out my dad's gonna stay until Friday."
"And what's wrong with your father?"
"Nothin', it's just. He kinda knows about my 'visitors' and all, and I really don't need him askin' about it."
"And what will sleeping at my house solve?"
"Nothing, but it buys me time to come up with somethin' convincing."
I roll my eyes and sigh. We continue walking and I think Alfred is saying something, but I tune out everything and space out. Before I know it, we're already in the parking lot and by Alfred's car.
"Aw, do ya not wanna let go, Artie?", he mentions, swaying my hand and closing in on my face.
"No, I was just drifting off into space.", I snatch my hand back and rub it off, offending Alfred.
"Uh! Did you not like my kisses?!"
"You've got that damn right."
We race out of the parking lot and onto the roadway. I almost fall asleep in Alfred's car, until he pulls into his driveway.
"I'll be right back, 'kay?", he tells me.
"Yeah, yeah. Just don't forget anything, because I'm not sharing my shit with you.", I shoo.
He rolls out of the car and shuts the door closed, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I cross my arms and kick my leg up on the glove box, letting my eyes droop. Then, I jolt upright when I hear voices coming from Alfred's house.
"OH, SO YOU'RE GOIN' TO HER PLACE THIS TIME? HAHA, GO GET 'ER!", an older voice rings out.
"DAD!" Yeah, that's Alfred. "I TOLD YOU! I'M GOIN' TO A GUY'S HOUSE FOR A SLEEPOVER! KNOCK IT THE HELL OFF!"
"A GUY'S HOUSE?! YOU GOT SOMETHIN' YOU WANNA TELL ME, ALFRED?!"
"DAD, DROP IT!"
"WELL, NO SON OF MINE'S GONNA BE NO HOMO!"
"GAH, I'M LEAVING!" I hear a door slam and Alfred's footsteps echo until he swings the car door open.
"I told you going to my house isn't going to help you, Alfred.", I say sarcastically. Alfred pouts and starts the ignition.
"Yeah, well. You don't know my dad, then."
"And you don't know my dad, but you don't see me running my mouth off about him." We speed out of the driveway and onto the street. I gaze out of the window, trying not to get carsick and Alfred speaks up.
"My dad kinda interferes with my personal life a lot, since I don't tell him everything. But it's perfectly normal a teenage boy to hide things from his parents, right?"
I raise an eyebrow at Alfred and bark, "Does it look like I know the first thing about anything 'normal'?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right.", he agrees, focusing on the road.
"Pfft. Jackass."
"Prissass."
I see the familiar shrubbery guarding the rustic metal picket fence of my apartment complex. Alfred stops in front of the building and glances over at me.
"Get out here, I'll find a parking space and meet up with ya, 'kay? Just don't lock me out!"
"Mhm, maybe." I grab my bookbag and check for my cell in my pocket. I then stumble to my feet out of the low level sports cars and watch it speed away. I open the front door and see Mrs. Lizzy at the front desk as usual. She takes notice in my presence and greets me.
"Hey, Arthur! So, were you on a date with handsome I met this morning?"
"Ha, no."
"Oh c'mon, Arthur! You gotta take chances with love! You know, the first thing I said to my husband was a compliment on his piano playing. Ten years later, I find myself getting serenaded by my Roddy!"
"Well the first thing I said to Alfred was, 'Bloody hell. Who are you?'"
Mrs. Lizzy scowls and lowers her head. "Well, I guess you could make it up somehow. There's always a chance for you, Arthur. I have a really good feeling about Alfred."
"Well, of course you do. Aren't you the queen of yaoi?"
She squirms in her seat and covers her blush. "OHMYGOSH YES!"
"ARTIE! Ya WAITED for me!", I hear a different voice come into play. I don't even want to turn around, since I'm already in his hold. Alfred wraps his arms around my ribcage and rests his head on my shoulder.
"EEEEEEEE!", Mrs. Lizzy squeals, still patting her cheeks repeatedly. "CUUUUTE!"
Alfred looks at her and his eyes light up. He gets in front of me and grabs both my hands, interlocking them and pushes them against our chests.
He purrs, "Let's go up to bed, Arthur."
"Uh, like that's going to-", I start.
"Ugh, ARTHUR! DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!", Mrs. Lizzy fangirls, fanning herself with her flailing hands.
I look back at Alfred and see that spark in his eyes that says: Go with it. I agree, "Why not?"
Now it looks like Mrs. Lizzy's having a fucking meltdown in the middle of the lobby. I would ask is she's okay, but she seems calmer today than she usually is. Besides, Alfred's completely facing me now, groping my upper and lower back, pulling me further into his chest. His eyes lower and I can actually see the lust in them. I cut my eyes and bite my lip and Alfred chuckles as our foreheads touch. I look out the corner of my eye and see Mrs. Lizzy's completely losing it. I refocus on Alfred's lips and I grab on the outside flaps of his jacket, lifting my head to reach his face. He chuckles and nuzzles my nose with his own, letting his warm breath hang on my skin. I laugh softly, letting the top of my head rest on Alfred's chest and I feel his mild lips play with the longer pieces of my hair on my head.
"OHMYGOD SO FRICKIN' ADORABLE! JUST, GO UPSTAIRS! I WON'T BOTHER YOU TWO, PROMISE! Just, tell me about it in the morning, 'kay?!", she requests.
"We could do that. How 'bout it, angel?" Alfred looks back at me and I agree. He then proceeds to carry me bridal style and glances at me for a second. My eyes dart around the room and back at Alfred. What the fuck is he doing? He boops my nose with his and starts up the stairwell.
"Wait, Alfred. What are you doing?", I ask. He then purses his lips and hushes me.
"Gimme your key."
I angrily snatch my house key from my jean pocket and he retrieves it with his mouth.
"Ew, wretched arse.", I call. Alfred struggles to get the key with the hand supporting my back. He unlocks the door and turns into the living room, slamming the door with his heel. He throws me on the couch and I clench my eyes closed and grab the back of my head. I open my eyes and he lands on top of me. He's on top of me.
"WHAT THE HELL, ALFRED?!", I yell, arms spread grabbing the couch cushions. "You DO know I was JOKING, RIGHT?!"
He turns his head and snorts, knitting his eyebrows.
"YOU WERE SERIOUS?!", I scream, backing up further up the arm of the sofa.
"NO!", he responds.
"THEN WHAT THE HELL, ALFRED?!"
"I DON'T KNOW!" His face gets hot and he comes closer to mine. "DID YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU WERE DOING?!"
Did I? I get even closer and accuse him.
"Get the FUCK out of my face, manwhore!"
He bites his lip and returns the favor. "Excuse me? I'm not the one who was all like, "Oh, Alfred. Right there. I never want this to end. Never let me go.'"
"I was NOT! YOU were the one acting like a FUCKING PERV!"
"Oh, of course YOU'D know!"
"Hell, YEAH! Because I have a friend like YOU!" I ram my knee into his stomach and I wince on impact. Football players have rock hard abs, I suppose.
"Are ya tryin' to pick a fight with me?", he asks.
"No, I'm just expressing myself in a violent manner!" I push him over onto the floor and he jumps back to his feet in the blink of an eye.
"Arthur, I DON'T wanna fight ya."
I throw a fist towards his face, but he catches it mid air. He throws my arm out and down to the floor, dragging me with it. I wince when I hit the floor and I see Alfred on top of me. He pins me to the floor and lays his legs on mine.
"Alfred, you FAT ARSE! GET THE HELL OFF ME!", I scream.
"I AIN'T gonna fight ya, Artie! Now can ya STOP IT?!"
I soften my expression and look the other way. He loosens his grip on me and moves his legs off me. Works every time. I seize the opportunity and punch Alfred in his nose. He backs up and falls to the floor. I quickly get to my feet and raise my fists. He gets back up, nose slightly bleeding and wearing an agitated frown.
"Arthur."
"Alfred."
"What the HELL do ya think you're DOIN'?!"
"Oh, did I upset pretty boy?"
We start holding fighting stances and staggering in a circle. We get closer and I take the opportunity to strike Alfred in his shoulder. He sways back, but returns and I punch him in the mouth. Ah, I still got it. He holds his jaw for a moment, my fists still by my face. He comes towards me and takes a jab at me, but I dodge it. I come back around and roundhouse kick him in the neck, taking him to the floor. He grunts and I stamp my foot on his chin and upper chest. Alfred grabs my leg and twists it, making me wince and fall onto the floor. I land on my stomach and I feel him begin to bend my leg to my head. I pull my hands up to my chest and push myself off the floor, kicking Alfred in the neck again. I'm back on my feet with clenched fists raised and a deeper scowl planted on my face. Alfred pushes himself up and comes at me with full force. I return the favor and advance, but pull out and watch him ram into the kitchen island, shattering some teacups. I slump my shoulders when I see him pulling glass out of his arm and blood pouring from his arms.
"Oh God.", I mutter, fists remaining raised.
Alfred looks at me and grumbles, "What? So you care now? Is it 'cause I smashed your dinky little cups?"
"Oh shut the hell UP! You're BLEEDING, JACKASS!"
"And how is it YOU'RE suddenly giving a shit, PRISSASS?!"
I briskly pace over to him and grab his majorly injured arm. He snarls and tries to yank it back, but I scowl right back, glaring at him and taking control. He loosens his frown to a resting face as I run my fingers over his cut on his brawny forearm. I snatch his wrist and drag him to the bathroom and throw him on the toilet seat.
"Sit your arse down. Hold on." I reach into the medication cabinet above the sink and pull out Neosporin. I turn back around and see Alfred with fear struck in his eyes.
"What is it NOW, Alfred?", I ask. Instead of answering, he takes off, almost slipping in the hallway and actually falling in the kitchen. I run and corner him by the sink.
"Alfred, what the HELL?"
"I don't want that SHIT! That stuff burns like HELL!"
"Well, you're GOING to TAKE IT and you're GOING to LIKE IT!" He shakes his head and keeps a hold of his arm. Alfred tries to take off again, but I catch him on his side and sit on him. I straddle him in between my legs and yank his arm from him.
"NO, NO, NO!", he pleads.
"YES, YES, YES, ALFRED!" I apply the medication on him and he cringes and whines like the crybaby he is. He tries to take his arm back, but I shoot him a stern look and he lets up. I reapply the medicine to his cut and he only winces this time. Awkward moment of silence, I think an apology is in order.
"Um, Alfred. Look, I'm sorry I fought you. It was childish and immature."
Alfred lays on his lower back and apologizes. "Yeah, I'm sorry, too. That was WAY outta line."
I clean up the rest of his cuts and mumble, "And I'm also sorry about your cuts."
He smiles and I know he goes back to his old self when he jokes, "Heh, before ya know it, you'll be apologizing for bitemarks!"
"And what's that supposed mean?" He gets up and sits properly.
"Aw, Artie. Like you don't know!" I smile and continue tending to his marks.
"So, we cool, dude?", he asks. I shake my head and he begins to hug me, but I point out the medicine.
"Dammit.", he whispers, turning his head the other way. I look at my predicament and see I'm sitting in Alfred's lap, legs around his waist and bum seated in his crossed legs.
I begin to get up, but Alfred denies, "Hey, don't leave me!"
"Alfred, I don't want to sit like this."
"Do I at least get somethin' for gettin' cut?"
"Ugh, I don't care. But anything besides this."
He forms a devilish smile and replies, "Alrighty, then."
"I don't even want to know, Alfred.", I retort, getting up and heading for the bathroom.
Later that evening, after showers and explaining Doctor Who to Alfred in the middle of the show, I start to feel tired and head for bed. Alfred's brushing his teeth and shoving his retainer in his mouth.
"Oh, you think I'm the nerdy one, but you're the one with that dorky retainer.", I retort.
"Ah, shut up, limey!"
We laugh and I begin to yawn, "I'm tired, Alfred. I'm going to bed. You can sleep on the couch. Goodnight."
I enter my bedroom and wince. I grasp my ribcage and rub my fingers over the long lasting cut. It's been hurting me a lot lately. I suck it up, but continue to hold my side. I turn off the lights and crawl into bed, wrapping the blanket around my neck and head. I turn away from the doorway and close my eyes, almost drifting off to sleep. Spontaneously, I hear loud footsteps and I roll over to check what it is. I feel the bed sink and arms wrap around me, a warm sense tingling my skin. I widen my eyes at Alfred, whose eyes are closed and without glasses.
"Alfred, I told you to sleep in the living room. What the hell are you doing here?!", I hush.
"Ya told me that I'd get somethin' as an apology for hurtin' me. And I'd like to redeem that now." He buries his face in my chest and I go batshit crazy.
"Alfred, do use your common sense! You cannot sleep in the same bed with me!"
He moves his face up my body and pulls me into his pex. His chin rests on the top of my head and his hands grasp my back and head. His legs intertwine with mine and he sighs, as I can feel it travel through my hair. I loosen up and just accept it. My arms find themselves around his neck and I readjust my head further into his chest. I feel his heartbeat race and I release a sigh of exhaustion. I feel Alfred softly kiss the top of my head and pull me in even tighter. He smiles, as I sense the metal bar of his retainer against my scalp, and my eyes grow droopy.
AN: Hory sheet, I'm finished. So that was that, and here's sixth chapter of 'Coming To Terms'! I'm having a shit ton of fun writing this and it's coming easier with every chapter I write. I actually put some of my own attributes in Arthur, since I feel I connect with England more than most of the other characters in the show. For example, his taste in music, his excessive bitchiness, his Tardis jacket *darts eyes nervously around the room*. I'm thinking about writing a chapter in Alfred's point of view, but I'm not sure if and when. So this week I watched a lot of yaoi and Doctor Who. I also saw that Free! abridged thing, '50% Off', and the AOT abridged version. Also, I listened to a lot of Eminem, Korn, Green Day, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Metallica, Five Finger Death Punch, and so on. And for Christmas, I totally got the lanyard and buttons, so FUCK YEAH! And I also got a FUCKING HOMESTUCK SHIRT HOLY SHIT. I'd also confide in you guys that I've been shitting regularly, since coffee makes me poop and I've been drinking enough to save the Africans from dehydration, but I'm not sure if we're that close yet. So ANYWAYS, I also want to tell you that I got an AMAZING dream last week. So it started off with THIS fanfic, but then It changed completely to PruCan and I woke up like, 'JESUS HAS BLESSED THEE WITH INSPIRATION. THIS SHALL NOT BE OVERLOOKED.' So I'm working on drafts with that and coming up with a half decent story line. I also got another idea for another UsUk fanfic, but I haven't really been working on it. So all in all, I hope you enjoy the chapter and I'll update as soon as possible \(T^T)/