Chapter 4

"Are you absolutely sure that you will be fine being alone?"

Feliciano swished a hand at me. "Si! Si! No problem! I am used to it!" His voice cracked. "A-and there is a new recipe I found in a magazine I wanted to try out and it will take a long time, so go and have fun! Or at least try to, because the town is kind of boring," he mumbled cheekily before closing the door.

I stared at the front door for a moment before reaching down and pulling up my sock that was slipping off my foot inside my boot. He seemed to be less energized ever since Ludwig had come home grumpily a few days ago. I waddled down the drive way, feeling bulky with my winter coats, but Feliciano insisted that as someone with only thin garments, can borrow some of his whenever I needed. He really needed to get out more.

I hesitated at the end of the driveway, glancing in both directions at the winding street that disappeared in both directions. To the right was a state park, Elizaveta's house, and the gas station. If I remembered correctly, Arthur lived a few minutes down the street to the left. There were other houses, a church and even a small corner market, as if to shove all kinds of buildings in a limited space. Not that it made the town more pleasant...

I turned left. I have not seen Arthur in at least a few months, and he was the reason I was there now in the first place. He often spends his time with younger people, as if to recapture his youth, so it would be good for the both of us to reminisce. Not that it is my business what he does away from me. After a few moments of walking, I saw the store. I considered picking up something to eat first. I did not want to give him a reason to burn down his kitchen again trying to cook me something.

I crossed the empty street and cut across the parking lot, trying to map out the small town. There were not many cars in front of the store, not that it would fit a lot in the first place. A couple sounding like they were fighting, but they were behind a car facing me. The trunk was propped open, so their faces were hidden. I kept my eyes on the market's front doors.

"So you can flip me off of a dining chair, but you cannot lift a case of water bottles?"

"It is not a ladies place to lift heavy objects!"

"Lady, she calls herself! Do you believe this?"

I almost glanced at them as I passed by.

"Kiku!" A hand seized my shoulder.

I yelped and spun around. "Oh, sorry, Gilbert-kun. I did not know you were here."

"Long time no see!" Elizaveta tittered, and tossed me a wink.

I bowed. Apparently a time period less than a week counted as a long time. "Are you all right?" I peered into their cart, which was empty besides a case of water bottles waiting to be packed into their vehicle. "I overheard you arguing..."

Gilbert jerked a thumb at Elizaveta. "She is being a sissy! She won't help me load up the car!"

Elizaveta whirled on him. "You did not help at all with the actual shopping! All you done was ride around on the cart and knock over a shelf of slutty magazines!"

I took a step back. "Speaking of shopping, I was going to do some of my own before heading to Arthur-san's house."

"That old bat?" Gilbert held a hand up to Elizaveta. "All he does is sit on his ass, and sip tea."

She scoffed, snatching the water case and plopped it in the trunk before slamming it close and marched to the driver's side.

"Then all the more reason I should stop by. He must not lock himself inside for long periods of time."

"Are you speaking from experience?" Gilbert lifted his sunglasses so I could see him wink.

"Goodbye, sweetie. Come home when you learn how to clean up after yourself," Elizaveta called out from inside the car and revved the engine.

Gilbert spun around. "Hey, wait!"

"Come hang out with me again sometime!" She waved at me and sped off.

Gilbert jogged after the car, but stopped before he went into the main road. He held his arms out, stomped on the gravel, and cussed. He shuffled back to me and huffed, "I guess it is just you and me. You wanna grab a bite to eat? I don't really want to go to Arthur's pad. I might get dust in my nose."

I could see him afterwards. "Are there any places that are within walking distance?"

"Walking distance? Shit, there's nothing to do in this hellhole. You would have to drive to the next town over for all the fun stuff."

"Then let's take a walk," I suggested. "I have not seen you in a while."

He let out peels of laughter. "Yeah, catch up on old times! There are woods right there we could go through. For starters, I saw this stand of lollipops at this store. There were big, swirly kinds, you know the ones little kids suck on while riding tricycles? It gave me idea, but of course Liz, erm...the tomboy told me to be useful and fetch milk or else she'd put the ones with smiles on them on my pillow. Those things are terrible! They are candy, but they have little eyes staring back at you asking you not to eat them, and it is just sad! Besides, there was no way I was fetching milk. What am I? A little dog?" He made hooting noises, the sounds resonating off the trees as we trudged through the forest.

I shook my head. "Of course not, Gilbert-kun." He easily led the conversation, only needing confirmation on how 'awesome' he was. We wound up lost, and it was dark by the time we made our way back to Elizaveta's place. He turned to me in front of the door and scrubbed the back of his neck.

"Thanks, man. For listening today. Not everyone does that. Just because I'm getting old doesn't mean I should be forgotten! If you need anything, I'll help you out!"

I bowed, reaching behind myself to nonchalantly rub my back. "I will stop by again soon."

Gilbert smirked. "Awesome. Now I got to get back to...the crazies I live with," he turned the door knob, light from the front room spilling outside. "Tell my little bruder to visit me sometime!"

Once the door shut and I step off the porch, I pulled out my cell phone and dialed. The other line rung a few times before a chipper voice picked up.

"Yo! Who's this?"

My eyebrows rose. "It's Honda Kiku. Is Arthur-san around?"

"Keeks! How ya been, old pal? It's me, Alfred, remember? Shucks, I haven't seen ya since that Christmas party last year! Arthur's...uh...he's right here, actually! Hey, Artie! Someone's on the phone looking for you!"

"Stop dwaddling then and hand me it! Hello, who is this?"

"Hello, Arthur-san. I apologize for calling so late."

"Kiku! How are you? Oh, do not fret over the time," Arthur's voice dropped to a growl. "I will not be going to bed anytime soon. It appears I will be babysitting tonight."

"I had intentions of phoning you earlier, but I bumped into a friend. Is it all right if I stop by for a little while? I still have some time left before I go to bed."

Arthur hesitated, so Alfred taken this time to shout out, "Yes! Please stop by! And pick me up some chicken or something! And soda!"

"Step off, git! I am on the phone! Sorry, Kiku, but you should get back to Ludwig's house. Is Feliciano there, or is he with you?"

I grimaced. "He is back at the house. He wanted to be left behind so he could try new recipes."

More silence. "You need to get back to Feliciano."

"Arthur-san?"

"It is getting late," Arthur insisted. The dial tone suddenly dragged out, and I took the cellular device from my ear to stare at it in wonder.

A.N. Silly Arthur, do you NOT know what happens to Italians if they are left home for long periods of time?