Coming To Terms

by Canadianapologies

After moving to America, Arthur Kirkland considers himself to be even more of an outsider than he did back home. Just trying to get by through the rest of high school, he meets Alfred Jones. And so begins the rest of his crazy, unpredictable school year. This is your traditional USUK cringe.

8. Chapter 8

~*\(T^T)/*~

I'm sitting in the passenger side of Alfred's car, keeping my mouth shut by gazing nonchalantly out the window. Besides, it's not like any of these simpletons in here with me could even begin to comprehend 'nonchalantly'. After the game, Alfred grabbed me and a shit ton of other friends and shoved us in his car so we all could go to the party. In the seat directly behind me, there's the French sleezebag, constantly tapping on my shoulder and throwing some perverted slur at me. In the middle, there's a blond German fellow named Ludwig with a ditzy red headed Italian named Feliciano sitting in his lap. Seated by the window next to them is a red eyed albino lad who's the German's brother named Gilbert. On his lap is Alfred's shy and feminine brother, Matthew, whom I've met previously. I'm not really in the mood for their nonsense, so I just rest my chin on my palm and continue to stare out the window. That is, until I'm disturbed,

"'Ey, Arthur. Want to 'ear a joke?", Francis calls for my attention.

"Not particularly, Francis.", I try to push away.

"Okay, 'ere it goes.", he ignores. "What kind of bees produce milk?"

"I dunno if I want to answer-"

"BOOBIES!", the loud albino from the backseat interrupts.

"Correct!", Francis confirms.

"Ha, ya filthy sons of bitches!", Alfred adds, looking back on them in the mirror.

"'Ey, Francis! I got a leetle joke for you, too.", Gilbert exclaims.

"Oh? And what would zat be, mon ami?", Francis responds.

"Vat does a good bar and a good voman have in common?"

"What?"

"Liquor in ze front and poker in ze back!"

Everyone starts rolling and even I chuckle. Then, I hear Gilbert let out a cry of pain.

"W-what the hell was THAT for, eh?" I turn to see it's the quiet one that said that. I see Gilbert rubbing his upper arm.

"Es tut mir leid, Matthew.", Gilbert snarkily apologizes.

"Hey, who wants to hear another one?", the Italian speaks up.

"Vargas, no.", Ludwig warns.

"Nonsense! Let's 'ear your smutty pun, Felciano.", Francis dismisses.

"Okay! What's worse than spiders on your piano?"

A collective sound of muffles comes from the seven of us.

"Vat?", Gilbert asks.

"Crabs on your organ.", Feliciano dragged on the last word. We all sit in silence and nervously chuckle.

"Haha, good one…", Francis shakily replies. "Arthur! Do you know any dirty jokes?"

"Um,", I start. "I suppose."

"I VANT TO HEAR PISS HEAD SAY SOMEZING DIRTY!", Gilbert calls out.

I look to Alfred and he nods his head. "Yeah! I totally wanna hear THAT!"

I sigh and grit my teeth. Thanks for helping me out there, Alfred. Now I need half assedly come up with something. "What's 72?"

Everyone exchanges confused glances at each other and mumbles.

"Vat tis it?", Gilbert asks curiously.

"A 69 with three people watching.", I respond cooly. Everyone looks at each other and starts roaring.

"I didn't know you were that coquin, Arthur.", Francis remarks. "J'aime que."

"Wrong, frogface.", I bark.

"Lol, what does that mean?", Alfred interjects.

"Maybe you'd understand if you were either smarter, or if Francis would speak a lick of Goddamn English."

"Nah, not that. What's a frogface?"

I sneer at him from aside and retort, "You're such a jackass, Alfred."

"Can ya say that in an American accent for everyone else to hear? Like ya did earlier?"

"No, Alfred. I can't-"

"Ooh! Piss head has anozther trick for us? Do it, piss head!", the annoying red eyed bastard in the back seat calls out.

"Fuck off, Gilbert.", I snap back.

"Ooh, is that back talk, Artie?", Alfred butts in.

"No, Alfred. It's me showing my intolerance for ignorant people such as yourself, sir.", I riposte.

"That's borderline abuse, Artie. And 'sir' didn't help your case, either."

"And neither did your stupidity, but there it was."

"Hey, don't call me stupid! I'll have you know that my parents think I'm extremely intelligent."

"Ha! If you consider intelligence possessing the know how of unhinging an uptight bra, then you'd actually be right in this case."

"That's not true! Mattie," Alfred turns almost his entire body around to talk to his brother. "Don't ma and dad say I'm smart?"

Matthew looks nervously down at his folded hands in his lap. He stutters, "I-I dunno, Alfred. I really don't want to get in the middle of a fight between you and your boyfriend, eh?"

I widen my eyes and twist my body to shoot Matthew a dirty look. "His what?!"

"Well. Didn't you say so, Al? T-That he was?" Behind Matthew, the German cackled like a hyena.

"VAT?! Alfred, I vas not aware of your leetle," He pauses and coughs. "Bed buddy."

I look to Alfred, who doesn't even seem fazed by this. I hit him threateningly in the arm and hiss at him, "Alfred?!"

He must've recollected his thoughts, since his eyes shoot open and he straightens his posture. "Uh, don't worry about it, Arthur." Alfred glares into the mirror at his brother and mumbles, "I'll talk to Mattie later."

The blond cringes and puts his head down. "Maple hockey…"

The albino looks over to Matthew and yells at Alfred, "Vat exactly do you plan to do to him, eh?"

Gilbert's eyes, and everyone else's, widen at the mention of this and we burst out laughing.

"And I'M the gay one?! Aww, has my cute widdle brother influenced big tough guy over here?", Alfred mocks. Gilbert's jaw tightens and he raises his fist.

"Vell, you alvays had an attraction to cute, young things, Gilbert.", his brother, Ludwig, adds.

Gilbert turns as red as his eye color and calls back, "Yeah?! Vell, look at you! Alvays carrying around zat Italian who, I'm pretty unconvinced, is a dude!"

"Vat?! Um, no. He's just…", Ludwig fails to defend, also turning a shade of pink. Despite the conversation concerning him, Feliciano is just sitting there, humming.

"Hahaha! It's funny when it isn't you!", Alfred chuckles. He slams on the breaks and everyone goes flying. I hear a suggestive chuckle and a yelp following, and I can only guess what Gilbert did to Matthew when he hit Alfred's seat. Feliciano is up by Alfred and me, crying like a four year old.

"Mattie, Feli! I told ya guys to wear your German seatbelts, since I'm not the best of drivers.", Alfred jokes.

Matthew gets up, still sitting partially in Gilbert's lap and protests, "I told you! I'm not letting that old pervert touch me! Especially near there…"

"OLD?! I'll have you know I'm only one year ahead of you, buddy.", Gilbert fails to reason.

Matthew gets closer to Gilbert's face and jabs his finger in his chest. He cuts his eyes and murmurs eerily, "Say that to my fucking face, eh?"

Francis giggles at them, like he's the only innocent one in all of this.

"Okay.", Alfred interposes. "Let's all agree that it's Gilbert and Mattie, Ludwig and Feli, and me and Artie."

"Me and you?! What about him?!" I point to Francis, staying suspiciously quiet during this.

"Ugh, fine. He can be our gay fashion consultant. Okay?" I shoot him a dirty look, Francis twiddling his fingers at me, and Alfred accepts it. "Good. Now, everybody! Get out of my car."

I roll my eyes and exit the vehicle. I make sure to slam the door as hard as I can to piss Alfred off. At the drop of a hat, here he comes. And particularly mean looking, too, if I do say so myself.

"What've I told you about the fucking car door?", he interrogates.

I feign a confused expression by covering my mouth, offended. "What language! And I don't recall anything about your car door."

Alfred advances towards me in the sunlit front yard, the others far gone. "I told ya to treat her with respect. She is one of the few loves of my life."

"Oh really? How many of those do you have there, manwhore?"

He flinches at the mention of this and replies snappily, "I only have two, smart ass."

I start to tiptoe around the matter by circling him. "I remember when a time where a man told his ONE woman he loved her more than anything in the WHOLE world! Not BOTH of them."

"Wow. Well, CLEARLY, no woman would have ya, anyway!"

I continue to drag my feet, but regain my calm atmosphere. "I prefer to be by myself, thanks. That still doesn't solve your whorish antics. Is that why you dragged me here with you? To cover your ass when you fuck up?"

Flabbergasted, Alfred comes at me and grabs both my wrists. "NO! I WANT ya here as my friend. I don't want ya to be all alone on a Friday night. Plus, the house we're about to enter is famous for hosting a shit ton of Hetalia Academy's CRAZIEST parties in the history of EVER!"

"Gee, THAT sounds promising." He lets go of one wrist and guides me to the house with the other like a blind invalid.

"Whatever! It's about 8 o'clock now. And THAT means it's time for Truth or Dare."

We ascend the stoop and I ask, "You're telling me that you people have these events planned out?"

Alfred opens the beaten white storm door and walks into a shit house disaster. I take my hand back from him and gaze in awe at these complete lunatics. Loud music blaring, voices echoing off the walls, and the familiar potent scent of alcohol hang in the air. I whirl around to take in my surroundings and I turn back to find that Alfred's missing.

"That shithead.", I mutter to myself, pushing through people to find my way back to him. Then, I feel a hand snatch mine and I whip head towards the origin.

"Bro! Truth or Dare is over here!", Alfred tells me from the opposite side of the room.

I follow him like a lost puppy and we enter a living room area, littered with more alcohol and party goers. I relinquish a sigh of derision and Alfred yanks me onto the floor with him. I awkwardly sit criss crossed along with the other players: Matthew, Ludwig, Francis, and Feliciano. Alfred turns to me and grabs me into a hug by my shoulders.

"Artie! Can ya believe you're gonna play your first EVER game of Truth or Dare?!", He screeches over the loud volume.

"Sure, why not?", I compromise. Shortly after, the red eyed bastard enters the room and slams the den doors shut. He turns back to us and grins evilly.

"Hey zere, losers! It iz now time to play ze legendary Hetalia Academy party games! Zo if you're a wimp, you can still leave with your dignity, or forever hold your peace.", Gilbert announces, making a seat in the circle next to Matthew.

"'Kay! Let's start with Truth or Dare! Artie over here's NEVER played it.", Alfred suggests.

"Pfft! Loser…", Gilbert laughs.

I grit my teeth and Alfred pats me on the back, hard. "C'mon now! YOU can start, Gil."

"Tch, whatever! Okay," He smiles and exclaims, " I vant to start the game vis a dare for EVERYONE."

Matthew nervously jerks his head down and answers, "Uh, what exactly?"

"Oh." Gilbert ponders deeply and raises his eyebrows. "I vant to…"

"Do a clothing swap! Do it!', Francis recommends.

"Good idea! Alright, losers. Do a clothing swap to ze person to your right, starting with me.", Gilbert dares. "And swap in front of everyone. If you have glasses, just keep zem on your face. You also don't have to act like ze person you swapped vis, knowing zat NOBODY can be as awesome as ME!"

I take a glance around and see our predicament and the outlook is not appreciable. Starting with Gilbert, his clothes are going to Mattew. Matthew's to Francis, Francis' to me, mine to Alfred, Alfred's to Ludwig, Ludwig's to Feliciano, and Feliciano's back to Gilbert.

"Vell, let's get started! Strip, Matthew."

Everyone looks around nervously at their partners and I wince.

"Can ya do a strip tease for me, Artie?", Alfred asks annoyingly.

"Fuck off. Take this." I rip my jacket off and throw it at Alfred's face, him barely catching it. I keep my forearms close to my side to be careful not to reveal any of it.

I take off my shoes and angrily throw one at a time, making sure they hit him hard.

"Ow! Why so harsh?", Alfred asks, picking shoes up from off the floor.

"You drug me into this shit- What the FUCK?" I'm pelted by an absurd amount of clothes and I turn to see Francis in nothing but his underwear.

"Francis, you FREAK.", I bash.

He turns to me and whispers, "Zat's what everyone says. Well, you are cute enough, my dear Arthur. So if ze price is right…"

I turn back to Alfred and see him, also, in his pantaloons. "C'mon, bro! Gimme your pants and freaky shirt!"

I avert my eyes and find a couch I can undress behind. I take Francis' clothes and head over there. "I'm getting dressed over here. Look and I gorge your eyeballs out and force feed them to you. Got it, everyone?"

I get a muffled arrangement of mumbles and I proceed to undress. You know they aren't just on your arms, but your back as well. And let's not forget your tattoos, Arthur. Yes, I'm well aware of that, but if I hurry… I strip from my shirt and quickly into Francis' larger one. I button up the white dress shirt and peel my pants off. I slip into his gay boat shoe, looking things and frown. Thank God I at least have a belt from Francis, since these slacks are, like, two sizes too big. I tuck in this shirt and throw my clothes over my shoulder, walking back to the group. I throw my clothes in Alfred's face and see everyone else dressed funny. Feliciano looks like he's drowning, Gilbert appears to busting at the seams, and I turn to Alfred and am in for a surprise.

He presents himself and looks ridiculous. The Marilyn Manson shirt just fits him, the pants are too small, and the jacket doesn't seem to fit him all that well, either. Alfred smiles and asks, "How do I look?"

"Mm, nice.", I answer sarcastically.

"Okay, sit your asses down, guys!", Gilbert commands. We all do so and he continues. "Ve vill only be asking three questions, so ve have time for ozzer games. I START!"

Gilbert turns to Francis and smirks. "Francis. Truth or dare?"

"Dare.", he responds.

"Oh, okay." The albino looks over at Matthew and grins again. "Kiss Mattie for me."

"Excusez moi? Why can't you do zat yourself, lazy ass?"

"Just do it."

Francis leans over to Matthew and pecks him lightly. Matthew turns red and recoils his neck into his shoulders.

"Zat was from Gilbert, ze leetle chicken shit.", he retorts.

"Vatever. Just dare someone, Francis."

He looks around and his eyes land on me. "Arthur. Truth or dare?"

"Ugh. Dare, I suppose.", I request.

"You know, I always see Alfred hugging and loving on you. But I never zee you do ze same back."

"Your point?"

"Hug 'im."

"Oh come on! Zat is so elementary!", Gilbert butts in.

"No, no. I'd rather have that than whatever you have in mind, Gilbert. Come here, Alfred." I open my arms and Alfred immediately fills them with his bone crushing weight. Before I suffocate, I wrap my arms around him and he squeezes even tighter. We sit there for a good thirty seconds until I pat Alfred on the back.

"Um, let go, Alfred.", I ask. He quickly retracts, a blush swept across his face. Everyone refocuses their attention to the center of the circle and Alfred starts sniffing my jacket and smiling. I roll my eyes and Gilbert calls out to me.

"Hey, ask someone else, Arthur."

"Fine. Er, Alfred." I turn to him and ask, "Truth or dare?"

"DARE!", he screams.

"Erm, I dare you to…"

"Arthur. Dare him to strip for ze rest of ze game!", Francis recommends.

"What the hell?! No!", I dismiss. I turn to Alfred to make my case and he's already stripping. "Ugh, fine."

He smiles and takes off the rest of my clothing off his body and throws them back in my face. I unveil the jacket covering my face to see Alfred in stunning form. Despite being on the football team, he doesn't have a sixpack. But he does have quite an even skin tone. My attention is averted when the blond pervert disrupts me.

"Oh, Arthur. Don't you wish zat Alfred would screw you right 'ere, right now?", Francis asks, his head turned to me.

I raise my eyebrows and retort, "In your dreams, frog."

"'Ow do you know it's Alfred I dream fucking wiz you?" He leans in closer to my side and whispers, "It could be just me and you, mon amour."

I shoot a disgruntled expression as I flip the bird at him and he acts a shocked composure. "'Ow rude!"

"'Kay! Now it's my turn!" Alfred looks around the circle and his eyes fall on Matthew. "Mattie!"

"Shit.", Matthew mumbles under his breath.

"Truth or dare?"

"Um, truth."

Francis slaps Alfred's brother on the back and exclaims, "Come on, don't be a chicken shit like Gilbert over zere!"

"Shut ze hell up, gaybo.", The red eye snappily interjects.

"D-Dare.", Matthew finally settles.

"Good! Now this is the last dare, so we gotta come up with somethin' good."

"How about he asks out Gil, ve?", I hear Feliciano pipe up. Everyone turns to him in shock, but he just keeps smiling like he didn't just cross a huge boundary.

"What the hell? But ya gotta ask him, and he hasta say yes. Just go out for the rest of the party, at least.", Alfred bargains, ignoring Matthew's obvious discomfort.

The Canadian turns to Gilbert and starts blushing profusely. "Um, w-will you, Gilbert?"

"Can I say no?", Gilbert asks rhetorically. He blushes and grins for a moment, but stands to his feet. "Okay, losers! Truth or Dare iz over, so, time for the next game!"

"Ooh! Let's play Seven Minutes in Heaven next!", Alfred obnoxiously suggests.

"What the hell is that?", I ask curiously, getting a bunch of suspicious smiles in return.

"You'll find out.", Alfred eventually responds.

"Is it like spin the bottle or something?"

"Hey! That's, actually, when I got my first kiss!", Alfred reminisces.

"Ah, me too.", I blush.

"Woah, seriously?!"

"What? Did you think I was some loser, like red eye over there?"

"Zat vas uncalled for, piss head.", Gilbert argues. "But, ja. Let's play zat! Let me get ze stuff…"

Gilbert looks over his shoulder and examines the littered floor. He picks up an empty, abandoned beer bottle and places it in the middle of the circle. "Okay! Who goes first? Luddy! Be a sweetheart and go prepare zat closet upstairs for our lucky couple."

"Ja, vatever.", Ludwigs agrees.

"Artie, YOU go! Since ya, somehow, have never played this game before.", Alfred persuades.

"Er, alright. Do I just spin this and play with the person it lands on?", I ask.

"Ja! Do it!", Gilbert dares.

I spin the bottle and anxiously watch it rotate in its counter clockwise state. It slows down and eventually comes to a halt. I across and see the neck of the bottle landed on Alfred.

"Well, you're in luck, Artie!", he exclaims. Alfred cuts his eyes and grabs my arm, purring, "I know how to play this game very well."

"Oh, hell.", I mutter to myself.

We charge out of the room and swim through the crowd of intoxicated teens. Alfred drags me upstairs, still in his boxers and socks, and we pass Ludwig on the way.

"Is it clear? And safe?", Alfred asks.

"Ja, it's okay.", Ludwig clarifies, following us.

"Thanks bro!" We continue up the stairwell and into somebody's bedroom. Alfred comes in with Ludwig and he presents a closet to us.

"Just get in.", the blond German states.

"C'mon!", Alfred urges, grabbing on my wrist again. We enter the closet and I can almost barely move. Then, Ludwig closes the door, and I hear a clicking sound follow.

"Alfred, what is this?!", I ask, agitated.

"The couple selected goes into a closet for seven minutes. And after the seven minutes, they come out and another couple goes in.", Alfred clarifies.

"So what's the point?"

"Just for shits and giggles.", he shrugs. "The best part is that you could go to town on your partner and you don't have to tell anyone!"

"Ew, this is disgusting. And it doesn't help that you're still naked."

"Psh. Fine, prissass. And underwear still counts as clothing." Alfred reaches over me and starts rooting through the clothing. "They might have a pair of pants in here, at least."

I feel his bare skin up against my own and I feel myself go hot. Alfred releases a deep breath and retracts. "Found some pants, dude!"

He starts to shimmy them on, occasionally bumping into me. "So do ya get the game rules, bro?"

"Yeah. I got it.", I respond choppily. "But I don't want to."

"C'mon, Artie."

"No. Instead, why don't you tell me what you wanted to ever since Monday, as you so claim.", I dodge.

"Oh, okay! And it is the perfect time, since we're alone.", Alfred's tone deepens.

"About damn time. What is it?" I feel his hands grab my own and his body get closer. Then, I sense his lips upon my own, resting gently. I widen my eyes, but don't part. I wait until he pulls away and kisses my forehead.

"W-WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!", I panic. I hear Alfred chuckle, I, taking my hands back.

"What d'ya think? I love ya, Artie!", he laughs, taking back my hands.

"L-Love?"

"Yes, love!"

"But why do you…?"

"Ever since I saw ya out there Monday, I thought you were pretty cool. But as I hung out with you more, I kinda fell in love with you." I see his head try to hide to the side. "But that's not important."

"No, no. It is. It's just…what?!", I start.

"What I wanted to ask ya was if you'd be…", he trails off.

"Spit it out, Alfred."

"If you'd be mine?"

I widen my eyes and crack my open to speak. "Yours?"

"Yeah, I mean. What d'ya have to lose, amirite?"

"Sure. Because every relationship I've ever been in have started like that."

"Well, ya don't seem convinced! And I do love you-"

Go with it, Arthur. What do you have to lose, anymore? "Do we have a deal, or not?"

Alfred's eyes light up and he startlingly hugs me. "YES!"

I hover my hands over his back, not wanting to touch anymore of his naked self. "Okay, Alfred. Now get off."

"But I'm your boyfriend now. Isn't there anything you've wanted to do to me?"

"Besides striking you, no. And when is the game over?"

"I've played this game a thousand time. We've only been in here about four minutes, maybe."

I roll my eyes and jerk my head away from Alfred. He comes up to me and hold me in his arms.

"C'mon, babe!" Alfred giggles and tilts his head. "You don't how cool it is to say that, considering that you're my boyfriend now."

"Wow, this is going to get old."

"Hey, we're gonna be together forever and ever and ever and-"

"Shut up."

"So I can't expect anything to change between us?", he inquires.

"Probably not.", I snap back.

"Can you kiss me?"

"No."

Alfred moves his face closer to mine and pleads, "Please? If ya do, I'll know you'll love me."

"And if I don't?"

"I'll be sad."

"I mean, if I don't love you."

He pouts his lips and jerks his neck the other way. "Don't worry. I'll make you change your mind about that."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. Now kiss me!"

"No."

"My lips?", he suggests.

"Never on your life.", I reject.

"My hand?"

"Over my dead body."

"Forehead?"

"Never in your dreams."

Alfred cuts his eyes and mutters, "Ya gotta pick one or the other. Those are the rules of the game."

I raise my eyebrow at him and jeer, "Is that so?"

"Mmhm.", he confirms.

"Where?"

He lowers his head and points to his forehead, grinning like a goon. I roll my eyes and sigh, "Why?"

"It could be somewhere 'down south', if you catch my drift.", he jests.

"Ugh, fine." I lift my chin and grab the back of his head to bring him closer. I harshly peck Alfred's forehead and blush as I do. He gets back up and I can only see part of his overly content expression. His eyes halfway closed and his mouth formed into the biggest smile I've ever seen him crack.

"What's got you so happy?", I ask sarcastically.

Alfred keeps the same expression and replies, "Don't 'cha know how it feels to be in love, Artie?"

"No.", I oppose.

"Haven't ya had any girlfriends or something in the past?"

"Sure. But they were necessary and mutual, so I didn't feel anything with them."

"Oh. Did your parents try and hook ya up with some bitches, like me?"

"No."

"Then…?"

"It was just stupid shit I did."

"Can I know of this 'stupid shit'?"

"No."

"C'mon. I'm the king of stupid shit. I really wanna know more about you."

"You're digging a deep grave you'll never be able to get out of, Alfred."

"Why?"

I start to yell at him, but there's a knock on the door. Alfred lets me go and knocks back. The door swings open with everyone from the game looking at us.

"Did you hit second base with him, Alfred?", Gilbert annoyingly asks, holding hands with Matthew.

"Nah." He looks over at me and winks. "We'll keep that a secret."

Infuriated, I punch him in the arm and he winces. "No fair!"

"Vell, the good beer is here!", Gilbert exclaims. "So ze game's postponed for a leetle while."

"Whatever.", Alfred affirms. Everyone files out of the bedroom and downstairs to the kitchen. Alfred grabs my hand and leads me to the open bar as I swallow my fear.

Alfred grabs a bottle of Budweiser alcohol and slurps it all down. He grabs another and starts drinking slower and gestures, "Do ya want any?"

This is good beer? I widen my eyes and shake my hands. "No, no. I made a promise not to drink anymore, or like I used to, at least."

Alfred raises his eyebrow over his bottle and exclaims, "Wow, dude! You used to drink?!"

"As it would appear so, Alfred."

Despite what I just said, he grabs another bottle and forces it upon me. Alfred yanks my arm with his other available hand and starts taking me somewhere else.

"Where are you taking me?", I question.

"Let's go outside and talk. There'll be less noise out there.", he dignifies.

We walk to a screen door in the back of the kitchen area and step outside in the cool pre-autumn air. Alfred gets up and parks his dairy air on a picnic table. Alfred motions his hand for me to pop a squat and I do so. He takes a large gulp of his beverage and exhales as I cringe.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?", I bring about.

"I wanted to get to know ya. So, here's your chance." He takes the last swig and I furrow my brows at him.

"It has nothing to do with you, so don't act like I need to present it.", I resent.

Alfred halts mid drink and awkwardly continues to swallow. "Wow. Feisty."

I turn the other way and snarl, still have a hold of my beer by the neck. "Why do you need to know so bad?"

Alfred gives me that 'Where the fuck have you been' look and explains, "I told ya. I love you. Are ya gonna drink that?" He points to my beer.

"Not good enough.", I counter, handing him my bottle. He takes it and chugs the entire thing down in seconds. I try to ignore that by dodging the subject. "And it would help if you had some Goddamn clothes on."

"Well, I had your's on. But then I had to leave them in the den-"

"YOU LEFT THEM THERE?!", I scream, expression widened.

"Yeah. Why?"

I get up and wrap my hands around his neck. "YOU IDIOT! MY JACKET WAS IN THERE AND YOU LEFT IT FOR THE VULTURES!"

Alfred puts his drink down and grabs my wrists off of him. "Dude! I didn't think a jacket like that even mattered! We'll go get it."

"DAMN STRAIGHT!"

I grab his wrist and run back to the house. I throw the back door open and push Alfred inside to lead the rest of the way. He takes my hand and pushes through the sea of people. We drive through the crowds and arrive at the den where we played Truth or Dare earlier. I force the doors open and find a couple going to town on each other on the couch I dressed behind earlier. I feel Alfred's hand cover my eyes and the other guide me around the room by my shoulder.

"Um, okay. H-Here's your clothes, bro.", Alfred nervously hands me. I feel the familiar touch of my jacket and hold it and the rest of my ensamble close to me. I'm pushed out of the room and into some people. My vision returns to me like so many things that aren't and I see Alfred standing before me.

"A-Are you okay?", He asks.

"Don't act like you've never seen that kind of thing before. I know I have when I was younger."

"Did ya walk in on your parents or somethin'?", He laughs.

"I'd rather not discuss that here. Don't you need to get your clothes?"

"Oh yeah! C'mon, let's go find Luddy!" Alfred yanks me the other way and to the kitchen where, undoubtedly, Ludwig stands with his little Italian.

"Bro! I need my clothes!", Alfred requests.

"Ja, vatever." He strips right there and throws Alfred back his clothes. Ludwig is left in his underwear and I stare at him for a split second before Alfred whisks me elsewhere.

"C'mon, let's go get changed.", Alfred sternly offers. He leads me upstairs and and into a large bathroom. I look around for a place of privacy and my eyes fall on the shower. I extend my arm far from my body and poke at the shower curtain, just to make sure there isn't anyone in there.

I turn to Alfred and start, "I'm getting dressed in here, so don't open the curtain."

"Yeah, yeah.", he responds.

I strip out of Francis' gay clothes and stand in my boxers for a minute, glaring at my jeans. I'd much rather paint my skinny jeans on than fight my way into them. I attempt to locate my shirt until I hear the shower curtain move and Alfred almost fall in the bathtub.

"WHAT THE HELL, ALFRED?!", I yell at him. I open the curtain enough to stick my head out to check on him. He's on the floor, pushing himself up, and in his underwear. I look down at him and his eyes seem to be fazed over by a certain look.

"Artie!" Alfred reaches his hands up, asking for help.

I sigh and decide to get out and help him. I look down at my chest and observe my scars and cuts. My fingers rub over the large gash and bruise on my right ribcage. I wince as I do so and I scream as I feel Alfred hurdle himself onto me.

"Artie! What are you doing, what are you doing?!"

"GORDON BENNETT, ALFRED! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!"

He pulls me out of the bathtub and onto the tile floor. My lungs fill with air as I gasp at Alfred's position on top of me. He lowers his eyes and lets his head dangle.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!", I ask rhetorically. Alfred lifts his head up and slowly blinks his eyes, a smile across his face.

"I love you, Artie.", he croaks.

"That doesn't answer my question, Alfred.", I answer.

He blinks and looks around the bathroom as he asks, "Where's your jacket?"

"In the shower."

Alfred dangles his head again and exclaims, "Heh, that's silly. What's it doing in the shower?"

"You forced yourself in there at me, so I couldn't put it on in enough time.", I explain.

"No I didn't. You're just bein' silly.", he brushes off.

"Don't you remember that?", I try to make eye contact with him.

"Nope."

"Really? How is it you're wasted only after three drinks?", I ask sarcastically.

"I'm FINE!", He yells. "I don't need you tellin' me I'm DRUNK." He lowers his face until he reaches eye contact with me, which seems to be a struggle for him.

I grab his arms and force him off of me by flipping him over. "Think, Alfred. Do you even know where you are?"

He blinks a few times and opens his mouth to speak. "Uh, your house?"

I roll my eyes and retort, "Dipshit. How do you suppose we get home, huh?"

"Um. Do you drive?"

"Not really. You do."

"Nah, I don't."

"You have a green sports car. Remember?"

"Hey, I'm pretty badass! I got a foreign boyfriend, a cool car…"

"The car, Alfred. How are you going to drive it?"

"I dunno how to drive. You're gonna haff to." Alfred flutters his eyes and widens them. "Are we goin' to your place?!"

"Ugh. Fine. At least get dressed and cooperate.", I plead.

"Hmm…", he thinks.

"What?"

"I will. If you kiss me.", Alfred bargains.

"You will because I told you to. Now don't make me ask again.", I threaten.

He shoots up and sits on the toilet seat. Alfred struggles to stay still and tries to grab the wall around him for stability. I look around for his clothes and Alfred passively pipes up.

"Wow, you have SO many tattoos, Artie." Shit.

"What on Earth are you talking about, Alfred?", I try to shy away.

He points out my giant piece that covers halfway up my neck and past my shoulders, almost to my forearms. "That. And those on your wrist, too."

I look at my wrists and stare at my green spiked wristband tattoos. Then, I hear him speak up again.

"What's wrong with you?", he asks.

I raise my eyebrow and lip back, "Excuse me?"

"Your stomach. And your back. And everywhere else." To my surprise, Alfred starts crying and sniffling. "Why are you hurt?"

"Oh, I've only been half naked for the past couple of minutes. No need for concern.", I snap back at him.

"AND WHAT'S WITH THE MARKS ON YOUR ARM?", he ignores.

I look back down at myself and stretch my eyelids open. "Um, it's nothing. Just an accident."

"No, no, no. It's not. Please let me help you-" He reaches out to me, but I grab his wrists forcibly and hold them over my head.

"Cooperate.", I demand.

"But I wanna kiss you. Maybe you'll feel better.", Alfred whines.

"But I want to go home. Work with me, here."

Alfred starts with the puppy eyes and I soften my expression a bit. I turn to the shower and grab my shirt and begin to put it on, my back facing Alfred. I pull it over my head and drape it on myself, as I feel a pair of arms enclose me into himself.

"Let go, Alfred.", I hiss.

"I don't wanna.", He refuses. I grab his arm from behind and dig my nails into him. He winces and releases me.

I blanket my jacket over me and turn around. "Get dressed."

"I'm too tired."

"Your clothes are right there." I point to his pile of clothes, slipping into my shoes.

"I don't know what they look like."

I turn around and snatch his pants off the ground. "For God's sake, Alfred."

"Don't talk like that. You're scaring me."

I hold out his pants, my arms stretched out as far as they can go and my head turned the other way, and invite, "Get in."

"Oh, okay." Alfred puts his legs in and pulls his pants on himself. Then, I grab his shirt and he lifts his arms up, indicating that it's my job to put his clothes on for him.

"Can't you put it on yourself?", I ask.

Alfred drunkenly flutters his eyes and responds, "No, no. I'll drown…"

"Ugh, fine." I crank my head all the way back and see his fingertips almost touching the ceiling. "I can't reach that. Bend over or something."

Alfred quietly obeys and I force the t-shirt on him. He adjusts it and I guide his jacket onto him. I shove Alfred's shoes on him like he's a helpless kindergartener and scowl. Then, Alfred flops down onto me and plants his arms around my neck and his head on my shoulder.

"What are you doing?", I demand. He just looks up at me and giggles.

"Ha, you have a funny voice…"

"Ha ha, hilarious. Can't you walk?"

"Yeah, I just need to, hang on to somethin'." He starts tripping over his own two feet and I grab onto him.

"We're leaving and I can't hold onto you like this forever. I don't want anymore people staring at me. Can you just-"

Alfred stands straight up and grabs my hand. I look at him, but he just keeps looking ahead. He throws open the door and starts dragging me out, appearing a little less disorientated. As we walk, Alfred has more and more trouble walking. So he links arms with me, as I lead him out the front door. We walk sluggishly to his car in the parking lot. Or the grass, in this case. I let go of Alfred and he slides off his car to the grass, struggling to keep his eyes open.

I bend down to him, hand outstretched, and command, "Keys."

He looks at me with confusion and I roll my eyes. "You're making everything harder."

I pat him down by his front pockets and Alfred giggles. "Heh, that tickles."

I find his keys and retrieve them from his pocket. He laughs some more and I leave him there to start the car. I prod the key into the ignition and feel the car start. Walking back to the other side, I go to get Alfred.

"Alright, Alfred. Time to-" Where the fuck is he? I look around the car, but he isn't there. I glance about the property and something catches my eye. Alfred, walking like a perfectly sober man. I throw my head back and pace my way over there.

"Alfred, what the fuck is your problem?", I ask rudely.

"Hey, Artie! Where've ya been?" Yeah, he doesn't appear so sober anymore.

"Waiting for your drunk ass.", I mouth off. Alfred snatches my hand and sways it rapidly.

"You so cute!", he exclaims as he falls onto the grass, taking me with him. We plummet and I see Alfred's head bounce back.

"Holy shit! Are you alright?!", I ask out of concern. Alfred wraps his hands around my waist to secure me onto his chest.

"Much better now that you're here." He closes his eyes and locks his lips on mine. I shoot my eyes wide open and push myself up to end it.

"DON'T FUCKING DO THAT! You reek of alcohol.", I yell. Alfred giggles and rises uncoordinatedly to his feet.

"Sorry, sorry." He goes cross eye for a second and falls onto me. I push and manage to keep him upright and he pats my back repeatedly. "'Kay, I got it. L-Let's go out to the car, right?"

I sigh and carry him with his arm over my shoulder. "Yeah."

I mean, I can't bring him home. His parents will kill him. But what about his retainer and such? I sigh again and face the fact that I'll have to stop by his place to pick his shit up. We reach the car again and I place in the passenger seat. I climb into the driver's seat and look confusedly at the controls. I look to Alfred who's already kicked his feet up on the dashboard and pouting.

"Alfred, I'm going to drive to your house first and-", I'm interrupted.

"NO, NO! MY DAD'LL FUCK ME UP! PLEASE DON'T!", Alfred pleads.

"Calm down. I'm only going to grab your things and we'll go back to my house. Okay?", I reassure.

Alfred looks at me with his puppy dog eyes and agrees, "Alright."

I put the car into drive and slowly make my way off the property. I cautiously make my way onto the vacant street. I look at the clock on the dashboard and see it's 2:48 in the morning. Great. I hear a moaning and jerk my head to find Alfred as the source.

"What's wrong?", I ask.

He glances at me like I'm covered in hickies or something. "What?"

I try to refocus my attention on the road, remembering how to get back home. "What the hell was that moaning for, Alfred?"

"Oh, my stomach hurts."

"It would seem so, judging on how you chug your alcohol instead of drinking it."

"Whatever. I feel car sick, though."

"Psh, lightweight."

We sit in silence for a bit until Alfred speaks again. "Can I hold your hand?"

"I'm driving, Alfred.", I dismiss.

"But I wanna hold your hand."

"Your safety is a little more important than me holding your hand."

"Aw, do ya care about me?"

"Well, I wouldn't want you to die."

"You're so caring…"

I pull into Alfred's driveway and turn to him, "Alright, I'll go get your things. Where's your house key?"

He opens his eyes and gives a haughty aspect. Alfred pulls out another keyring and hands it over. "Yeah, yeah."

I take it and quickly run up to the front door, prying it in the keyhole. I take notice of the keychain it and see that it's the Union Jack.

"Lovesick idiot…", I mumble, walking into the living room. I quietly pace up the staircase and into Alfred's room. I open the door and step to his dresser to grab clothing. I pull out some underwear as well, because like hell I'm going to share mine. I collect his things and prepare to head for the bathroom, until I hear footsteps. If Alfred's car is in the driveway, there's no way I'll get away with hiding under the bed. Quickly, I devise a plan to hide for cover. I stash Alfred's clothes on the floor and I crawl into his bed, blankets covering my head. I hear the door creak open and more footsteps follow. I feel the other edge of the bed sink as well my stomach. I bite my lip as I feel a hand grab me by my shoulder, motioning me to wake.

"Alfred, honey.", a woman's, presumably his mother's, voice rings out. I stay silent, hoping she'll figure I'm still sleeping.

"Honey, when did you get back? And do you have your retainer in?", she asks.

"Uh, just now. And yeah.", I imitate the best I can in Alfred's voice.

"Okay, then. Is Mattie back?"

"Uh, no. He's still there."

"Alright. I'll call him." I sense the bed spring back to level and the door squeak open. "Good night, Alfie."

"Good night, mom." The door closed shut and I shoot upright, releasing a sigh of relief. "Shit."

I unsheath the blankets and sit on Alfred's bed for a moment. That was fucking close. I plop back down and stare at the ceiling until I smell something recognizable. Flipping back over, I bury my face into Alfred's pillow and take in a big whiff.

"For an idiot, he smells nice.", I mutter before I slap myself back into reality. "What the hell am I saying?!"

I jolt straight up and stumble to assemble Alfred's belongings. I peer out of the door and check to see of the coast is clear. His dad, of all people, is who I plan to avoid an encounter with. I look around and see a bathroom, different from the one I was in the last time I was here. I creep in there to take a look around and I recognize Alfred's toothbrush and retainer case from when he spent the night the last few times. I nab them off the counter and conceal them in his clothes. I go back to his room and look around one more time to see if there might be anything he'll need tomorrow. Another creak rings out and bolt right out of there. I quickly make my departure and run out of the front door, making sure to lock it. I reenter the car and put the house keys on top of Alfred's lap, laying on the clothes I just threw at him.

"Cool, bro. Where we goin'?", Alfred asks, his head exaggeratedly tilted to me.

I drive out of the driveway, being extremely cautious of oncoming cars, and respond, "We're going to my house. Remember?"

He stares into space for a little bit and checks back in. "Totally."

I glance at the clock and check the time. 3:35 am. I sigh and pull into a parking space, turning the automobile off.

I retrieve Alfred's things and motion to him, "Come now."

He does as such and flops onto me for support as I approach him. I throw his arm over my shoulder to prop him up and start for home. I enter the building and it's deserted.

"We'll have to take the stairs, since Mrs. Lizzy isn't here to monitor the elevator. So, work with me here, Alfred.", I direct.

"Alfred. Alfred.", He oddly states.

"What?"

We climb the first flight of stairs before he answers, "Alfred's such a stupid name."

"What exactly is wrong with it?", I humor him.

"It sounds like a nerd name. Alfred. And it sounds too much like yours."

We rise to the second level and I unlock my apartment door and enter. "So my name is nerdy?"

"Yeah. But the real problem is that my name sounds like yours. Arthur and Alfred. It's kinda weird that you have a name that sounds like your husband's."

I lead Alfred to the couch and turn to put his things on the coffee table. "Your husband?"

"Yeah. Didn't we get hitched?"

I look around back at him and sarcastically reply, "No, I don't believe so."

Alfred blinks his eyes a few times for clarity. "Are you sure?"

I approach him and show him my left hand, "No ring."

He hazily looks at his fore stretched fingers and mutters, "Could've sworn."

"Alright, Alfred. I've brought your retainer and shit. So why don't you go brush your teeth?"

Alfred opens his eyes and opens his mouth with his tongue sliding across his upper teeth. "Holy SHIT. I have TEETH?"

"What did you think, Alfred?", I sigh.

"We were old for a sec.", he responds.

"And married, too.", I add.

"Yeah! How d'ya know?"

I walk over to him and guide him by his arm. "Let's go brush our teeth, okay?"

He acts accordingly and yawns, "Yeah. Before I lose them."

I wait for Alfred to disorientedly brush his teeth, so all that's left is to send him to bed. "Alright, Alfred. Time for bed. You can sleep on the couch-"

"But I don't WANNA!", Alfred wails like a twelve year old One Direction fangirl. "I'm scared of the dark!"

"Alfred, you're seventeen years old. I think a big boy like you can handle sleeping by yourself.", I come back.

"But don't married people sleep next together?"

I laugh, covering my mouth, and gloat, "I can't wait until morning. I hope your stupid ass forgets all of this."

He tilts his head and comes closer to me. "What?"

I giggle again and Alfred envelopes me in his arms. "Nothing." I stiffen up and dictate, "Now go to bed."

"No.", he denies.

"Why the hell not?"

"I didn't get a goodnight kiss. On my lips." He points to mouth and purses his lips.

"Well, you'll be waiting a long time, Alfred."

I can't kiss you. You won't kiss me back."

"If I kiss you, will you sleep on the couch?"

Alfred excitedly bobs his head and releases his hold on me. I come closer, but wait for him to close his eyes and pucker his lips. I push myself off his chest and jump over onto the couch. Snatching the remote, I turn on the telly and call for Alfred.

"I'll wait for you to pass out. In the meantime, let's see if Star Trek is on the telly."

He doesn't make a noise, but I still flip through the channels. Then, I feel his hands on my shoulders, turning my around and his lips on my own. The kiss lasts but seconds until he parts, stumbling to my bedroom.

"I'm goin' to bed, Artie. You should really come.", He calls.

I furrow my eyebrows as I flip the telly off and storm into my bedroom where Alfred's made himself especially comfortable in my bed.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?", I bark.

Alfred curls up on his side and buries my blankets in his face. "Sleepin'. And so should you."

"I can't if you're in my bed."

He gets up and yanks me in bed with him, chuckling like a moron. I try to resist, but Alfred wraps his limbs around me, ceasing any movements.

"Alfred.", I call.

"Arthur.", he imitates.

"What the fuck?"

"I'm sleepy.", he yawns. Alfred kisses my forehead and encloses my head back into his chest. "Goodnight, Artie. I love you."

I let this ring in my head as I come up with an excuse for relinquishment. "Alfred, why are you sleeping in your jacket and glasses?"

"'Cause I wanna."

I've got a way to change your mind, Alfred. "What if I found that unattractive?"

He sits up, eyes still closed, and throws his jacket at the wall. His glasses are slammed on the nightstand next to him. "Happy?"

"No.", I retort. "I don't want to sleep in my jacket because that's called 'getting your clothing dirty faster'."

Alfred opens his eyes and smiles at me. Seeing him without his glasses somehow is making my heart beat faster. "But you're so squishy with it on. And I'll wash it in the morning. Okay?"

I release a small yawn and Alfred giggles, "Goodnight, love."

I'm literally too tired to deal with him, and I suddenly fall into a deep sleep. I dream of nothing and stare at a black space, but feel comforted and warm. Which is unusual for me.

AN: ASSHAT HAS RETURNED WITH ANOTHER CHAPTER OF 'Coming To Terms'! So what's up guys? I said last chapter that I wouldn't take long with this one, since I had written a million and five pages and decided to cut them into their own chapters. I just hope I'm doing this right *twiddles thumbs as American Idiot plays in the background*. So this week, I apparently made a Maroon 5 station on Pandora that I honestly don't remember making, but I'm pulling a McDonald's on this one. I'M LOVING IT! I also made a Hannah Montanna station and if you ever wanted to hear old Miley, The Jonas Brothers, and High School Musical songs back to back, I suggest making one, as well. But seriously, I've been listening to Maroon 5, Taylor Swift (JUST 'BLANK SPACE', BUT PLEASE HELP), Buckcherry, Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Nirvana, Queen, AC/DC, and Marilyn Manson. OOHH AND GUESS WHAT?! MARILYN MANSON CAME OUT WITH HIS NEW ALBUM *fangirls as 'Diary Of Jane' plays in the distance*. It's called 'Pale Emperor' and I want it so FRICK-FUCKIN' BAD. I already started on Chapter 9, so don't worry. Maybe I'll get into the habit of updating every week or so. But I'm a lazy ass bitch, so we'll see how things go. Enjoy the update and thank you SO much for the reviews and follows! =(^._.^)=