Chapter five
~one month later~
Alfred stretched and rubbed his eyes. His sloppy blond hair was unkempt and fairly dirty, and his glasses only stuck to his face by sweat alone. Needless to say, Alfred F. Jones didn't care much for appearances. Still, he rubbed his eyes and checked the time.
"12:30, August 15, 20XX," he read aloud. He let out a sigh. "Arthur's gonna kill me if I show up to the park late. Guess it's a thirty second shower for me again today," not that he was too disappointed about the short shower in the first place.
Alfred got up, showered, brushed his still messy hair, adjusted his thin-brimmed glasses, and put on jeans, and t-shirt, and, his favorite, the worn, brown, leather bomber jacket he loved so dearly. Even though it irritated Arthur exceedingly, it was Alfred's favorite thing he owned, and he wore it practically every day. He grabbed a doughnut, shoved it in his mouth, and ran out the door towards the small park next to his hotel and Arthur's home. Being late for the umpteenth time in a row wasn't a very good idea, and he wanted to make the best impression he could, even though he felt like he wasn't doing a very good job.
Much unlike Alfred, Arthur was very punctual and cared quite a bit for appearances, and had taken to often critiquing Alfred on his, which always made Alfred laugh. Only fancy slacks, vests, and proper hygiene for Arthur, unless he was in a busy painting session. Still, no matter how hard he tried, his blond hair was still quite unkempt, which irritated him to no end. While they had their differences, there was no one that Arthur loved more. Arthur sighed, adjusting his bag, and looking around anxiously for Alfred.
Not long after Arthur began to do so, Alfred came rushing towards him, out of breath, with a mouth full of sprinkles and a hint of orange juice. He stopped, waved, smiling faintly, and sat on the grass in an attempt to catch his breath.
"You're late Alfred," Arthur retorted, somewhat irritatedly. Not that he was surprised. In all the times they had met at this park since their meeting, Alfred had never been on time.
"Ya think?" Alfred forced out, still breathing heavily. He regained his breath, stood up, and laughed. "Hey, just like last week, huh?"
"Yes, just like last week, and the week before that, and the week prior to that as well. Honestly, can't you get up before twelve?" Arthur scoffed. Still, seeing Alfred's face week after week made Arthur beam.
"Nah, too much work. Unless it's a holiday or there's free food, then count me in!" Alfred grinned, making Arthur role his eyes. How childish, Arthur thought. Yet all of Alfred's antics never failed to make Arthur smile, though he hated to admit it.
"Whatever, Alfred. Can we go do something? I'm bored of standing and looking at you catch your breath."
Alfred laughed some more. He did a lot, and it was never a quiet laugh either, no matter the place or occasion, if Alfred was laughing, it was loud and boisterous, but it had something sweet about it.
"Bloody? That's a new one," he mused, smirking at Arthur, who was now a very flattering beet red.
"You're just mad I have a better vocabulary then you, Mr. "I call everyone dude because it's the only word I know". I really wonder if you've ever picked up a book Alfred," remarked Arthur somewhat haughtily, though he was a bit embarrassed by Alfred's comment.
"Hey, I know other words besides dude! And just last week I was reading the comics in that paper you gave me!"
Arthur laughed sarcastically. "Well, I can see you have great rhetoric, don't you? Let's get going, shall me?"
"Sure dude," Alfred responded, covering his mouth after realizing what he had said. This time, Arthur's laugh was genuine, and Alfred soon joined him in his laughter as they walked hand in hand.
Ever since that day in Arthur's house, the two had become best friends. It was a little awkward at first, when they both didn't know how to respond to their strong feelings, but now they trusted each other completely. Almost a month had passed, and it had been the best time of Arthur's life. Everything Alfred said, everything he did, made Arthur fall deeper and deeper in love with him.
"Look, there's the place," Alfred smiled, pointing towards a tree in front of them. He let go of Arthur's hand and rushed towards it.
Arthur stood there for a minute, holding the hand that had been grasping Alfred's. He had done it so subconsciously that he had barely realized he had done it in the first place. The memory of the warmth of Alfred's hand in his made him smile as he continued towards the spot where Alfred was excitedly jumping in anticipation.
"Look, this is it, the place where we first met!" Alfred exclaimed happily. Arthur smiled. He had never failed to notice how adorable and childish Alfred looked whenever he got excited.
"It feels like forever ago," Arthur admitted. He had become so dependent on Alfred's constant presence and touch that he could barely comprehend his life without it.
"Doesn't it?" Alfred smiled. He grabbed Arthur's hand again and the two sat down on the grass in front of the towering tree. Arthur watched Alfred close his eyes and smile. Arthur had noticed that every time Alfred wanted to remember something, he always closed his eyes and and took a deep breath. The small gesture never failed to make Arthur fall even deeper in love with him.
Soon, Arthur closed his eyes as well, and the two sat hand in hand in perfect silence. The smell of the August air and warm breeze put a small smile on his face as he began to rest his head on Alfred's shoulder. Arthur could feel that Alfred has taken notice, but Alfred's only response was a small squeeze of his hand.
Suddenly, Arthur felt a warmth on his forehead that made him open his eyes, and was surprised to see Alfred's lips kissing his forehead gently.
"W-what are you doing?" Arthur stammered. It had come so suddenly that he wasn't sure how to react, and he still wasn't completely familiar with his feelings.
Alfred leaned back and smiled. "Sorry, did I scare you? You just looked so cute sitting there that I had to kiss you."
"You could have at least asked," Arthur said blushing, touching the spot where Alfred had kissed on his forehead and trying not to grin.
"Alright," Alfred said grinning. He grabbed Arthur's hand and looked firmly into his eyes, making Arthur blush harder. "Arthur, may I kiss you?"
"Yes," Arthur whispered. He closed his eyes as he felt Alfred's lips interlock with his, and sighed. Everything about this kiss, everything about Alfred, was more beautiful than he could ever imagine.
Soon, their lips parted as they stared once again into each other's eyes. Alfred rest his head on Arthur's shoulder and whispered into his ear. "I love you, Arthur Kirkland."
Arthur smiled softly and laid his head on Alfred's shoulder, taking a deep breath to capture the smell of Alfred in his mind for all eternity. "Alfred F. Jones, I'm in love with you."
Author's Note: Well, that's the end for now! It was great writing this story, and I absolutely love everyone who supported me while writing it! Writing has always been a wonderful way for me to get my mind off of my anxiety, and I'm so glad that I could share this short story with everyone!