Admin: W-well this chapter is more based on Arthur and Alfred getting 'closer' together. Also it shows the person leaking all the information to the media, and finally a surprise guest at the end!

-evily laughs-

Oh Alfie you're life just got harder than it had to be already.

POV: Alfred

"Mr Jones, let me in," Arthur yelled, trying to beat down the door. I stayed glued to the door, holding my towel up. I made sure the door was locked properly before rushing to my room.

I quickly put my clothes on as my door continued to be assaulted. When that was finished, my pets trailed after me as I moved back to the front door. I took a deep breath before opening it again.

"Mr Kirkland, if this is another embarrassing or girly thing then can it wait until tomorrow? I've had enough of your surprises," I said in an exhausted tone, glancing at Arthur's blushing face.

"I-I'm sorry, also for what I am going to have to ask you. I hate using the same excuse over and over again, but it's what's best for our 'relationship'. I hope you understand."

"Okay, shoot before I call the cops and report a peeping Tom. …Y-you didn't see anything, right?"

"No, I-I didn't see anything."

"Okay, that's it, I'm 1,000% done with this. You're lying. You smirked when I answered the door, and you were probably thinking really pervy thoughts!" I was ready to close the door, but Arthur jammed his foot in the way.

"Look, just please let me explain."

"…Ugh, fine. But come in, I don't want you to make a scene and annoy the neighbors."

"Thank you," Arthur mumbled. He stepped inside and took a seat on my couch. I sat on the recliner opposite him, James on my shoulder and Abraham on my lap.

"So, um, do you want anything to drink? I have soda, water, milkshakes…There's also tea if you want to be fancy or something."

"Tea is fine, thank you."

"Alright. Watch James and Abraham for me, okay?"

"Sure." Before leaving the room, I placed my kitty on the floor and put James on Arthur's shoulder. The bunny sniffed his ear, tickling him a little, and I left to make the British man's precious tea.

The tea pot began whistling after a few minutes, releasing puffs of steam out of its spout. I hurried over with an oven mitt and poured the hot water into a tea cup. There was already a teabag inside, and after stirring the liquid a little I carefully grabbed the handle and walked back to the living room.

I set the tea down in front of Arthur and went back to the recliner, both of my animals returning to their original spots on my body. I covered my mouth slightly as I yawned.

"So? Explain," I demanded, stroking my cat in an attempt to feel more superior.

"Just so you know, what happened earlier was your own fault for opening the door half naked in the first place."

"Yeah, but I thought you were Matthew."

"Oh, so it's okay for you to be half naked in front of your friend, but not your fake lover?" Arthur said, a sort of hungry glare in his eyes as he stared at my body.

"Um, my eyes are up here," I said, pointing towards my face. "And anyway, that's fine because we're friends five ever. Wait, you know what? Six ever! So I have nothing to hide from him."

"Oh, really? Tsk, didn't I tell you to keep out of contact with him? Are you disobeying me?" A devilish smirk formed on Arthur's lips. I eyed the Brit with caution as he began prowling closer. Arthur was now blocking the light, casting a shadow over me.

He grabbed my shirt, pulling me up to meet his gaze.

"Now, you don't want me to have to do bad things to you, do you?"

"N-no. But I know that you probably don't want to be beaten and left out on the street, right?"

"We'll see about that." Arthur suddenly pushed me back down onto the recliner. He sat on my lap.

"W-wait! S-stop it!"

"No," he said, bringing his face closer to mine. Trapped in my vulnerable position, I shut my eyes, expecting the worst.

But then Arthur started laughing.

I opened my eyes. "Y-You honestly thought I would do that, didn't you? O-Oh my goodness, you should have seen your face. Priceless," he managed to gasp in-between giggles. Deciding to use this to my advantage, I kicked him off my legs, making him fall to the floor.

I watched him as he winced and began rubbing parts of his body that had painfully connected with the ground. "If you ever pull something like that again, I'll give you the beating of a lifetime," I told Arthur as he sat down on the couch again, his expression now sour.

"Honestly, I was only trying to have a bit of fun."

"'Fun'? That was practically rape!"

"You shouldn't joke about such a sensitive matter!"

"Alright, alright! Gosh…If that's all you came here for then you can leave."

"Actually, no. I came here to discuss a more serious matter."

"What? Are you taking me out again? Are you giving me something else? I already told you, I'm done with that stuff."

"No. It's something that I am giving you 48 hours to think over. That should be enough time to let you decide properly."

"Okay, what is it?"

"I would like you to come live at the mansion with me. Now, I know that this is a lot to take in, but that is why I am giving you 48 hours to decide. You will have your own room, and you will eat with my father and I. You are allowed to bring anything you wish to make yourself feel more at home. All we ask is that you stay there until the year is up."

"M-move in with you Kirklands?! I-In a mansion?! I-I don't know…What would happen to this place and anything I left behind?"

"You would still be allowed to keep this apartment. We would pay the rent here for as long as our 'relationship' lasts. All we need is your okay. We want your things to be at the house by Monday afternoon, right after work finishes."

"Hmm…Yeah, I need to think about it. I don't think I'd be able to stomach living under the same roof as you."

"Again, I hate using this excuse, but it is what's best for our 'relationship'. If we live together, then the press are more likely to think that we love each other."

"I know I've heard that a lot. But yeah, I'll think it over and see if I'm ready to live with all of…that." I gestured to Arthur as I said this. He stood, beginning to fix his tie.

"Well then, Mr Jones, I expect your answer by Sunday. Until then, goodbye."

"And good riddance," I mumbled.

"What did you say?"

"Oh, nothing. Go and do something British, or just go home or whatever. Either one of those is better than you staying here."

"Okay?" Arthur said awkwardly, finally leaving the apartment. I quickly closed the door behind him the moment he was gone, escaping to my comic book invested room. I had to think.

I lay down, curling up into a tight ball and hugging my legs. "Live in a mansion and have everything taken care of for you, or stay in the apartment you worked so hard to earn and keep. Well, Arthur's choice seems easier... But then again, what would happen? It's like a maze there. What if I need to pee and I get lost?" I asked no one, resting my head on my knees.

"I'll sleep on it. After all, 48 hours is two whole days. I'll make my decision by Saturday," I said, turning to my side and hugging my pillow as I slowly fell asleep.

The next day, my eyes opened to James and Abraham trying to wake me up in their own special ways. Abraham was on my back, loudly purring in pleasure, and James and I were nose to nose, breathing in unison. I smiled at them, carefully climbing out of bed to get ready for the day. Luckily for me, it was Friday, meaning that there was no work tomorrow or the day after.

I was dressed and ready for work as I headed for the door. I scooped James up into my arms and began petting his little head. Abraham meowed and pawed at my leg, wanting me to take him too. I felt a small pang of guilt, so I kneeled down and stroked him one last time.

"Abraham, you know I can't take you with me. Last time I did that, you got into a fight with a really big dog- and won. I don't want you hurting dogs like that, understand? I'll bring you a hamburger on the way home, okay?" My feline friend jumped up and purred with excitement.

Laughing at little, I gave him a finale pat on the head before I left for work. When I got to my floor, I kept James close to me as co-workers came forward in groups of threes, either asking about the rings or James.

I simply told them that Arthur had given me James, and that I had been touched when Arthur had given me such an amazing symbol of his 'love for me'. Once the crowds had died down, I stole a glance at Matthew's desk. I stared at it for a little while until I realized he had noticed me. He waved, but I looked away, pretending I hadn't seen anything.

This is going to be harder than I thought. He's my best friend, I can't just avoid him. What if he thinks I'm angry with him? I thought, taking James to my seat and starting my paperwork.

POV: Arthur

I was pacing inside my private office, wondering what Alfred's answer would be. One part of me said that he would decline, but there was another side that told me otherwise. There was so many things that could go either right or wrong… Why had I made such a decision in the first place? I should never have requested that he stayed at my house.

I-... Before I could finish my train of thought, there was a hesitant knocking at my door. "Who is it?" I tried to sound as if I hadn't just been in deep thought.

"Sir, your father wishes to speak with you. S-should I let him in? Or are you busy?" a light, timid voice informed me from the other side of the door.

"Ah, yes, of course. Let him in," I replied. I turned around, finding my father was already only around three feet away from me. I jumped in my shoes, sure that my heart had just skipped a beat.

"F-Father! Must you frighten me like that?" I asked, my heart slowing back to its normal speed.

"I wanted to speak to you about what you are doing." George told his son as he sat down on the couch in front of his desk.

"Ah yes, and what would you like to discuss?"

"The matter of Alfred living in our mansion. Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"Of course. The more the press believes, the less we have to worry about people seeing our company in a poor light."

"Arthur, my boy, I think we both know it's not the press you are concerned about. It might be best if you sit down for this."

"I'm perfectly fine standing."

"Suit yourself. Son, I think you are becoming a little obsessive over... Ah, h-how do I put this?"

"Carry on."

"…Do you see Mr Jones as more than just an employee?"

"And by this you mean...?"

"Have you fallen for him?"

"W-what?!"

"Have you fallen in love with Mr Jones? This is the only conclusion I can think of. You bought the lad a rabbit, and you are even offering him a room in our home. I don't know what else I am supposed to think."

"N-No! Absolutely not! There is no way that I would ever fall for a lazy idiot like him! Mr Jones is just a thorn in my side; that is all. He's merely a part of our lie."

"W-well, then I'm sorry for asking. I only wanted to know why you are inviting him into our home."

"I've already told you; it is so the public knows that we are in a healthy relationship."

"That is all I needed to know. Now, I shall leave you so that you can return to your work."

"Good day, father."

"Good day to you too, Arthur."

POV: Kiku

"I should get this articre done before I forget. Better to do it sooner rather than rater." I stretched before tapping the smooth surface of my keyboard to write the next article of my famous blog.

Spy on the Inside.

The blog started out as a way to tell everyone news on friends. But then I actually hired by people to spy on companies and get the latest scoop. I then made my blog public so that if any news networks needed the new scoop then they could get it from me. First to read it would be the first to publish it. Those were the simple rules.

Punching in each letter as quickly as I could, I made sure to proofread my work once I was done. After catching every single mistake, I then applied all the pictures needed to make the article even more believable.

With that, I leaned back to admire my work. I may have been betraying my friends, Matthew and Alfred, but it was what I had to do for a living. As long as I wasn't caught, everything would be fine.

Using my right hand, I grabbed the mouse and left clicked to post my new story. My new story for everyone to read was titled:

Love Triangle: Matthew May Have Won The Battle; But Has He Won The War?

POV: Third Person

Sunday came by quickly. Both Arthur and the media were both ready for the next article. Checking the blog Spy on the Inside, neither Alfred nor Arthur could believe what was happening.

After reading the whole article, Alfred didn't know what to think of it. He didn't know his feelings for the other two. It wasn't like he had any ideas of hooking up with them. Arthur, on the other hand, boiled with anger, and began swearing like a sailor.

Alfred instantly dialled Arthur's number. This article was going to make their lives even harder.

Hearing his phone ring, Arthur calmed down so that he could answer it. "Arthur Kirkland speaking. How may I help you?"

"President Kirkland! I'll do it! I'll move in with you! I want to move in now! Please send people over to come and get my stuff," Alfred requested determinedly.

"You read the article, didn't you?" Arthur asked.

"No duh, I saw it! I said yes, so are you gonna get people to help me or not?"

"Y-yes, right away. They'll be there in about twenty minutes."

"Okay, I'll start packing."

"Alright then." The call ended, and both Alfred and Arthur got to work. Arthur began preparing Alfred's room so that it'd be more comfortable for him to live in. Meanwhile, Alfred was grabbing every and any bag in sight to stuff his things in. Packing only what he needed, Alfred had a total of around ten bags.

Half of the contents being video games and game systems. Now in his living room with James and Abraham, Alfred waited for the help to come. It had been such a long time since Alfred had been Arthur's secretary, so it was hard to remember the address. If he had known it, he wouldn't have asked for help.

Hearing footsteps, Alfred saw two figures moving towards his door. Opening it before they had time to ring or knock, Alfred saw a maid and a butler.

They gave Alfred an awkwardly respectful bow as they walked in to collect his things and put them into the car. Watching them as they carried on with their job, Alfred realized what he had just done.

In the heat of the moment, he had just said 'yes' to living with the Spawn of Satan.

"Well, no backing out now. But I'll have to talk to the Jerky Limey when I get to his house," Alfred murmured, going after the maid and butler. Stopping in the frame of the door, Alfred glanced back at his apartment to see what he was leaving behind.

As Alfred stepped out of the limo, his mouth making a little 'o' as he stared at his surroundings. He had forgotten how beautiful Arthur's house was.

"I swear, this place is as big as a mountain. Well, let's go find President Kirkland," Alfred told himself, James and Abraham both following him closely as he walked inside.

Going behind pillars and walls, Alfred searched for his boss. Or would he now be his mansion mate? Within ten minutes, Alfred was lost. Stopping in the middle of a hall that lead in four different directions, Alfred had to decide which way he should go. But then James started hopping down one of the halls before Alfred could figure it out.

Shrugging, Alfred followed his furry friend down the hall. James would stop occasionally so that Alfred and Abraham could catch-up, and would then continue hopping forward, sniffing the air for Arthur's scent.

Finally tracking it, James lead Alfred and Abraham to a door with a golden handle. From behind it there was the faint sound of a violin. Wondering who it could be, Alfred slowly turned the door handle.

He quietly crept inside, and found Arthur playing the violin beautifully. Although Alfred's presence was obvious, Arthur didn't notice seem to notice him. Alfred sat on the Victorian couch, letting the notes fill his mind.

After about a minute, Arthur stopped playing and turned to Alfred, eyebrow raised. "So you've arrived. How did you find me?" Arthur questioned, setting down his violin.

"I wanted to talk to you about a few things. Oh, and James lead me here. I think he has some kind of Brit-tracker or something," was Alfred's instant reply, petting his fluffy cat.

"I see," Arthur said. "So, what is it?"

"I'm only staying here so that Matthew doesn't have to get any further in this mess. I'm not letting him go through what we are. It's a living hell. Also, I want to know what the rules of the house are. Knowing you, you'd yell at me if I broke them."

"Well, they're simple, really. No yelling, no running, no shouting, or any horseplay in the house in the evenings. Don't go into my room, and don't break anything."

"Easy. Hey, do you think I could have a personal servant person for a while? Not to enslave them or anything, but just so someone can tell me where things are in this house."

"I suppose that can be arranged. Is there anything else?"

"Nope, I like my time away from you. So, Imma leave now. You go back to your music, okay? Peace out yo! See you around!" Alfred was out the door in an instant, leaving Arthur to wonder what the hell had just happened.

POV: Alfred

"WOW, THIS PLACE IS SO BIG! James, Abraham, let's check out our room before we start our usual activities." We searched the large house until we were in front of a door labelled 'Mr Jones.'

Twisting the doorknob, I entered my new room with an open mind. Whatever it was, I would be glad to at least have a room. But I quickly found that my own imagination could not have pictures such a room. Staring at the new scenery, I walked in as slowly as humanly possible.

The room was almost as big as my apartment. Everything was neatly placed on shelves and the bed was made without a single crease showing in the sheets. Gawking, I set my suitcase down. I decided it was time to break in my new bed.

I jumped on without removing my shoes. Bouncing on the bed like Tigger would on his tail, I cheered to let everyone know how much fun I was having.

"THIS BED IS SO FLIPPIN' FLUFFY, DUDE! Come on, what are you waiting for, you guys? Jump on. Live a little, don't be such party poopers!" I yelled at my pets, and they climbed on the bed and started jumping with me. We continued this for about ten minutes until there was a knock on the door.

I hopped off the bed and practically skipped towards the door, opening it happily.

"Will you stop being so childish and stop jumping and yelling like a complete imbecile? I can hear you from my room." Arthur furiously pointed at his own room, which seemed to only be next-door.

"Whoa, whoa, our rooms are next to each other's? Um, dude what the heck?! Why would you do that?"

"So that I can keep an eye on you."

"Why would you need to do that, dude? It's not like I'm going to do weird stuff with other people in my room."

"Even so, I need to make sure that you don't break anything."

"Dude, I'm not a little kid! I can take care of myself, so leave me alone will ya?!" I slammed the door in his face. Returning to my pets, I placed my hands on my hips and looked at them with a bright smile.

"Okay, guys, it's time to play…Man Hunt! You know the rules, assassinate each other!" Making my I grabbed two small paintball guns from my luggage. They both had special triggers that meant you didn't need fingers to fire them. I strapped their guns to their heads and grabbed my own. I was ready for battle.

"Okay! Ready…Set…Go!" I yelled, running out the door and quickly glancing behind me to see that my pets were chasing me determinedly. I dashed past Arthur, who had still been standing outside of the door and seemed to have been talking to himself. I ignored him and continued forward.

Panting heavily with each step, I scanned the area carefully. They might have been animals, but I had trained them well. If I let my guard down for even one second, I would be finished.

Back against the wall, I peeked over my right shoulder, trying to see if they were there. My breathing would have been clearly audible to anyone nearby.

And then I saw it. It was coming towards me, and it was angry.

"What the bloody hell are you doing with a gun in my house?!" Arthur yelled as I lowered the gun.

"Chill. This is just a game I like to play with my pets. It's not going to hurt anyone," I replied, rolling my eyes with obvious exaggeration.

"Well, I demand that you stop it at once. And animals can't play with guns, are you insane?"

"No, I-... Shh, I think I hear something."

"Dear Lord, take me now so I don't have to deal with this idiot-," As Arthur said this, a paintball was fired and barely missed him. His eyes widened in shock and he began panicking.

"He knows where we are! DUCK!" I pushed Arthur's head down along with my own, helping us avoid the three shots that were fired as our hunter revealed himself.

"IT'S JAMES! RUN!" Grabbing Arthur's hand, I forced him to run with me in the opposite direction.

"How on Earth did you teach a rabbit to use a gun?!"

"I have a lot of free time, okay?"

"Well, that has to change."

"Yeah, yeah, but not now! Oh, right, and Abraham will probably find us too."

"Your cat?"

"Yup."

"Oh, joy…"

"Oh, quit it, dude. This is a hero's game!" Positioning my gun, I began shooting at my rabbit. But he easily dodged it with grace and flair, and I watched in amazement, wondering where he could have learnt to do that. Looking forward again, I turned a corner and saw Abraham waiting for me like the sly fox he was.

I was trapped. Arthur and I had no idea what to do. "No fair! You guys formed an alliance! I've got no one! Oh, well…Heroes don't need backup! Don't make any sudden movements." I looked to my sides, making sure they weren't communicating through eye contact or something.

"Now!" Shooting to both sides, I flipped and avoided the return shots. Arthur, unlucky as he was, was hit by the return fire. Finally landing behind Abraham, I shot him easily and began giggling at Arthur.

"Dude, you were murdered! Out!"

"I was never even in this game!"

"Well, that's life. It's unexpected and it can be a pain."

"Just like you."

"Nah, I wouldn't say that. I'm awesome hero that's gonna save everyone!"

"You're so full of it!" Arthur pounced on me in an angry rage. Caught off guard, I fell to the ground, only to have his fingers wrap around my throat as he gripped it tightly.

"I-I can't b-bre-..." I tried to choke, but I stopped and decided to focus more on actually breathing.

"Then stop being such an ignorant buffoon and grow up!" Arthur said, beginning to lightly hit my head against the floor.

"Ahem." A red-faced maid cleared her throat awkwardly. We paused for a moment, staring at her with wide eyes.

Arthur quickly released me and we scrambled away from each other, blushing furiously.

"Young masters, u-um, lunch is ready. I-If you would please follow me." The blushing maid turned around and led the way, trying to forget what she had just seen.

"This is all your fault, you know. Now she thinks you were trying to do me on the floor," I whispered loudly.

"If you hadn't been playing that stupid game I wouldn't have had to do that," Arthur said and punched my shoulder.

"Ow, that's not nice." I gave him a return punch. Arthur looked angry beyond comprehension, and he got closer and pushed me forward with his shoulder. We were frustrated and angry so we continued our little fight until we entered the dining room, where his father was waiting for us.

Arthur's face quickly grew emotionless as he sat opposite his father. I followed and sat next to Arthur. I noticed that there was a sort of tension between the two Brits.

"How was your day so far, you two? I assume that it is going well," Arthur's dad asked before chewing on a piece of fish.

No one answered.

"Alfred, welcome to the Kirkland mansion. I do hope you enjoy your stay, and that you like your new room," George said, trying to spark a conversation.

"Oh, y-yes, sir. I love my new room. B-But does it have to be next to Arthur's? It makes me feel uncomfortable, and you know our situation."

"Yes, I am aware, but the maids and butlers are not, and we cannot let them know either. We have to keep our guard up."

"I understand..." I said sadly, glancing down at my food. Who would have guessed it; we were having fish and chips. I looked up at the two Kirklands, wondering if I should really eat it.

They stared at me with arched eyebrows as I shoved a fry into my mouth. Or, as they would have called it, a chip. Why would they call them chips, anyway? Chips were those potato things that had those wonderful flavors, but hey, who was I to deny their culture? I just had to make sure that I used British terms around them or else they'd probably get the wrong idea.

I stayed silent as I finished my lunch, and quickly excused myself from the table when my plate was empty. I retreated to my room closed the door behind me. I then jumped on my bed, face first into the pillows. Moaning into them, I let out what I had wanted to scream all throughout lunch.

"They have to be the most boring people in the world! Well, time to forget them and play video games! COD, HERE I COME!" I yelled, running to my bags to find my game systems.

POV: Third Person

*~Monday morning~*

Alfred and Arthur had woken around the same time, and readied themselves for the day. Matthew woke his boss with ease as he waited outside. Glancing at the next-door room, he wondered why a butler had walked inside. But he shrugged and decided he would find out later.
"Young Master Jones, it's time for work," a scrawny Lithuanian butler told Alfred. Shaking his new, sprawled out master, Toris tried everything he could think of to wake him. Even slapping him.

"Mister Jones, you're going to be late for work." Alfred's eyes instantly shot open and he rushed to the bathroom. He still felt a bit sluggish when he re-emerged, but Alfred walked passed Toris and opened his door.

Glancing right and left, he tried to see if Arthur had left without him. But in that split second, Alfred and Matthew's eyes met. The two North Americans stared at each other in shock.

"What the devil is wrong, Mar-... O-oh. Alfred, we should be getting to work," Arthur told Alfred before dragging him away by his head. Alfred had forgotten that Matthew woke Arthur up in the morning.

Great. Something that's going to make my life even more complicated, Alfred thought. Getting into the large limo before Arthur, Alfred sat down on the leather seat and stared straight ahead. He almost felt like a zombie. Knowing it would take around thirty minutes to get to the firm, Alfred shut his eyes and took a short nap.

But his head ended up on his 'partner's' shoulder. Arthur felt uncomfortable at first and was tempted to move him. However, there was actually a part of him that was beginning to like the feeling of Alfred being so close to him. With a smug, Arthur allowed Alfred to continue sleeping peacefully. Every now and then, he would, of course, check to make sure the American was comfortable.

The car came to a stop and Arthur decided that the moment was over. He shook Alfred awake, making sure he sounded irritated and disgusted by the fact that he had been used as a pillow.

"Get up, you idiot. We have work to do. Also, you drooled on my suit! Wanker."

"Ah, gee, sorry dude. I was tired, okay? Chillax, man."

"I…What?"

"It's called slang, dude. YOLO!"

"…What's a YOLO?"

"Look it up, old man!"

"Why you...!" When Alfred turned away, Arthur made chocking gestures with the hope that it would replace the real thing. Once he had got that out of his system, Arthur walked to the building at Alfred's side.

Matthew followed them closely, feeling concerned. Is that the reason why he wouldn't talk to me, and that he's avoiding me? Because he moved in with Mr Kirkland? Matthew thought, going to his desk.

Parting ways Arthur and Alfred quickly moved to their own desks. Alfred, as usual, began going through endless piles of paperwork and cases, and Arthur was in his office, typing reports on his computer.

He stopped in the middle of his work, sitting back and wondering about the same question from earlier.

"What does YOLO mean?" Arthur asked no one, eventually deciding to search for the meaning on the internet.

'YOLO. Abbreviation for: you only live once'

"…Did I really just waste ten precious seconds of my life on this rubbish? Whoever created this stupidity should be shunned from society. Honestly, Americans and their slang."

*~break time~*

All three sighed in relief, stretching and ready to hunt for a certain person. Arthur and Matthew were obviously searching for Alfred, but Alfred was looking for Kiku. Alfred had to try his best to avoid his best friend and his boss, and eventually decided on what seemed like the best tactic at hand. Camouflage.

Alfred put a pot on his head and hid behind a small tree. He looked both ways, as if he had been crossing the street, and moved forward with small tippy toes. He brought the tree with him, and would stop when it seemed like someone was suspecting him.

Now with only a few feet left, Alfred placed the plant in a corner and removed his 'hat'. He then strutted to Kiku's desk with pride… Until Matthew grabbed Alfred's shoulder and turned him around.

"I-I've been looking for you for ages. W-why have you been avoiding me? W-why h-have you stopped calling me and talking to me? I-Is it because you're living with Mr Kirkland?"

"I-I, um..."

Before Alfred could mutter any form of a reply, Arthur spotted him and moved towards the American. "Ah, I need to discuss something with you."

Arthur then noticed Matthew was there, trying to have a conversation with Alfred. He also saw that Matthew's hand was on the other's shoulder. Jealousy boiled inside, and Arthur grabbed Alfred's arm and spun him so that he was facing his general direction.

"I'm sorry, Mario, but I need my 'lover' immediately," Arthur told Matthew, narrowing his eyes.

"E-excuse me, Mr Kirkland, but I need to talk to him about something. D-do you think it can wait?" Matthew asked, pulling Alfred back. This started a sort of tug-o-war with Alfred, of course, as the rope.

"I'm afraid it can't," Arthur said, yanking Alfred back.

"Yes, I-I understand, but he is my friend. I-I need to ask him a few things. So, p-please..." Matthew brought Alfred towards him again.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"Stop it! You're hurting my arms!" Alfred yelled, causing both co-workers to let go of him. "Why can't I choose who I want to talk to first?"

"Well, go on then. Choose. Will it be me, or Mauricio?" Arthur asked, crossing his arms. Matthew was staring at Alfred with hopeful eyes. Looking away, Alfred thought about the different consequences that could come from his decision.

If he chose Arthur, he'd probably be dragged into another fake date or lectured or something. But choosing Matthew meant that he'd have to come up with even more lies. It was a tough decision. Moving his gaze between Matthew and Arthur, Alfred tried to think of the best way to respond.

Both choices were risky, but knowing that they wouldn't leave him alone if he didn't make a decision, Alfred realized he had to do the impossible. Run away and tell them later. It wasn't what a hero would usually do, but he needed time to think.

"Um, yeah…I'll tell you at lunch. Yeah, okay, see ya!" Alfred said in a hurried casual tone before fleeing. He rushed to Kiku's desk, regarding it as a sort of refuge.

"Man, Kiku, do you know how hard it is to get away from those two lately? Gosh, what's a hero supposed to do in a situation like this? I just want some space, but I have the feeling that this is only going to get worse. …And you're not even here. Who the hell am I talking to?" Alfred released a melancholy sigh. "Well, I could always take a walk."

Leaving his friend's empty desk, Alfred moved towards the elevator and headed outside the building. The weather had turned chilly as it neared winter, so Alfred breathed hot air into his hands. Rubbing his hands together for warmth, he accidentally walked straight into a man on the side walk.

"O-oh, dude, I'm so sorry," Alfred apologized, glancing up to see the man's face.

"Oh, don't worry. All is well," the man said, thankfully for Alfred.

Traveling further into the city, Alfred made an effort not to get caught by anyone from the media. He didn't want to feel claustrophobic again, and he might start freaking out if they started hitting him with endless questions.

Breathing in deeply, Alfred smiled, remembering days with his parents and the smiles and laughs they had all shared. Alfred made a mental note to drive to the cemetery later.

He checked his watch by pulling up his sleeve, and Alfred found that it was time for him to head back. He kicked a solitary pebble and sighed. Alfred didn't want to face those two again.

Though he couldn't tell how they felt about him, he did know something was up. Returning to his desk, Alfred noticed that Matthew and Arthur were both staring at him, almost as if he was a piece of meat.

Alfred shivered but tried to ignore their stares and continue with his work. But he was convinced that time was running faster than usual just to spite him, and the clock showed 12:30 all too soon. Arthur and Matthew were immediately at his desk.

He glanced up with a small eyes roll, seeing that they were both on the verge of blurting out 'pick me!' Alfred stood and walked away, trying to pretend that he simply hadn't noticed them. But they followed him, staying nothing until they were near the elevator.

"S-so, w-who do you want to talk to, Al?" Matthew asked with a nervous smile.

"You've kept us waiting this long. We expect an answer." Arthur was beginning to sound annoyed.

"I-I..." Alfred was cut off by a sudden ding behind him. The noise from the elevator caught their attentions, and they stared at it curiously. Like a curtain, the metal doors parted to reveal a blue-eyed man with long, flowing hair and a slightly stubbly chin.

He winked seductively at Arthur as he walked in and Arthur shivered in disgust. "My, my, what have I just walked in on? Are you two fighting over this poor boy?"

Arthur and Matthew were frozen in shock, neither of them not showing any signs of moving. The silence was only interrupted when Arthur managed to find his voice.

"Francis!"

"B-brother?!" Matthew seemed stunned. Alfred stared at the three of them, surprised that they all somehow knew each other.

"Did you miss me?"

Admin: Dun dun dun! Now that Francis is here what should we do!?OOOOOHHHH!

P-Please review, I-I love hearing all of your reactions to how the story is g-going so far. I-It makes me feel important.