Same Job, Different Time and Place [R-18] - Part 3

Arthur was breathing heavily as Alfred pulled away, still a little out of breath. He just smiled at his boyfriend’s laughter, kissing back when he was kissed. He also enjoyed the moment that he brushed his hair from his face; it was an incredibly sweet, chaste action and it enabled him to see Alfred more clearly, back-lit by the sun and Arthur realised just how lucky he was for about the millionth time.

All thoughts of Alfred’s family seeing them had drifted from his mind as he trailed his hands down across the sides of his ribs (though not any lower).

“I don’t know about you,” he started with a sly smile, “but this isn’t usually what comes to mind when you want me to get sweaty and dirty.”

Alfred just laughed breathlessly, reaching out with one of his hands so he could grab one of Arthur's hands, intertwining their fingers together lovingly. He sighed softly as he looked down at the other, smiling still as he contented himself on top of the other. He really was lucky. He remembered his hesitancy to go in a relationship with his boss, a male nonetheless but it was times like this that he couldn't help but think 'fuck hesitancy and what everyone else thinks'.

Despite the sweet moment though, it seemed as if Arthur had no problem being a bit sly with his words and Alfred smirked back.

"While that sounds tempting, we'll have to wait until later for that," He hummed contently. "But I gotta say, your perverted mind never seems to stop running, huh?"

Arthur happily interlaced his fingers with Alfred, quite comfortable with his weight evenly distributed atop of him. He laughed a little at Alfred’s response.

“I’m kidding, darling.” He raised his other hand to stroke through Alfred’s hair tenderly, brushing it out of his face. “And I’m not perverted. Merely hyper-sexual.” He focused on the pores of Alfred’s skin, on his face; there were light freckles there which Arthur rarely noticed, the glasses usually demanding his attention. He could see moles and small indents and lines on his face from where he’d been smiling and Arthur hoped that he would stay long enough to see those lines turn into wrinkles, to see just how handsome Alfred would be in his forties, his sixties, his eighties.

“I’m so…” he paused, briefly losing the ability to articulate himself upon realising what he was going to say, and it was as though his body didn’t want him to say it. “I’m so… happy, Alfred.” And that was a big deal for him.

Alfred grinned down at the other and he couldn't help but wonder how in the hell he managed to get Arthur. For Arthur to choose him out of everyone...it was something he had never suspected. He was so certain that he wanted someone more sophisticated than himself (at least that was what it appeared like at first) but now, he realised that really didn't seem to be the case in the end. And he was happy that Arthur would settle with someone like him.

He rolled his eyes playfully, scoffing lightly. "Hyper-sexual? Well isn't that the truth," He teased lightly as he admired Arthur's features. It wasn't picture perfect and that's what he loved about it. He didn't need someone with perfect looks because he was a man who adored individuality. He enjoyed seeing the unique features that Arthur had in him and still the most beautiful part was when he smiled and looked up at him with love.

He couldn't help but pause though, his breath catching for a mere half second in his throat before he finally remembered himself and let out a soft yet happy sigh. They were happy...weren't they? And he made Arthur happy.

That was the best thing he had heard right after the words 'I love you'.

"I'm really happy also, Arthur. And...and to know that you're happy...that's all I really want in the end."

Arthur knew he wasn’t all that pretty, which made him even more in awe of the fact that Alfred wanted and loved him. It seemed absurd and if someone had shown Arthur a photograph of Alfred a few years ago and said ‘he’s going to be your boyfriend’, he would have punched them and called them a liar. Because how could it be true that someone like Alfred wanted someone like Arthur?

He gazed at him for a few moments longer before he lifted himself upwards off of the ground to kiss Alfred chastely, lovingly.

“You’re far too good for me, Alfred.” He kissed him again, quickly and leaned back, using an elbow to prop himself upright. “We should probably get back to the others,” he murmured sadly.

Alfred had always thought that Arthur could do so much better than him and he was just glad that he was with him in the end. There really wasn't much more that he could want in a romantic life other than that. He had always thought that he would drive away anyone he was with but he was happy that Arthur was happy with him. That he was the one out of everyone who made Arthur happy.

He just squeezed Arthur's hand lightly, lovingly, before he returned the chaste kisses quickly.

Before anything though, Alfred simply leaned forward to press their foreheads together, letting out a soft breath. "I could spend the rest of my life with you," He whispered. He really could. And amongst the dirt and the grass, the whole world seemed to just be the two of them. Where they could reveal themselves to each other, love each other for every aspect about themselves and unrestrained smiles.

"Will you..." He paused, swallowing thickly before just leaning forward to kiss him for a long moment, soon pulling away. "Yeah, we should get going," He whispered.

“Hmm,” Arthur agreed with a deep inhale and exhale, smile still plastered on his face. “As could I,” he was too focused on the closeness between them to notice that Alfred was about to ask him something. He just returned the kiss before he flipped them over so he could stand up. He pecked Alfred one last time before climbing off of him, immediately going to pull the grass out of his hair, and to brush off the dirt from his clothes in case it stained.

He could see the family hastily look away as Arthur looked back at them. He held out his hand for Alfred to take, not really wanting to walk ahead and face the Jones family alone.

“Sorry, darling, did I interrupt you just then?” he asked absently, beginning to wonder just how long they were rolling about for.

Alfred just smiled back over at Arthur as he stood up with him. He just reached forward to help Arthur take some of the grass out of his hair before working on his own hair. Bending down, he grabbed his glasses before placing them on again with a content sigh.

He really was happy and that excitement was still welling up within him.

He hesitated when Arthur asked the question and he just laughed a bit, shaking his head as he pecked his cheek. Soon he reached forward to grab Arthur's hand once more, squeezing it lightly.

"No, it's fine! Don't worry about it." He winked at Arthur playfully before beginning to walk towards his family again.

Arthur was grateful for the assistance of priming himself. He raised an eyebrow as Alfred laughed, however. It didn’t quite sound natural, sort of forced sounding but he let it go. Alfred was entitled to his own privacy. Arthur still felt a bit guilty for reading his childhood diary.

He squeezed Alfred’s hand back and nodded.

“Okay, if you say so.” He trotted alongside Alfred, looking down at the ground to avoid catching anyone’s gaze. He almost felt as though he shouldn’t have tempted Alfred at all and made him run about like children (or headless chicken).

“Did you have fun?” Katyusha grinned once they were within earshot.

Alfred couldn't believe that he let nerves get the best of him. It was the perfect moment, wasn't it? To ask? It was just the two of them, after they had all that fun and gazing at each other with love in their eyes. And he wanted to go back in time just...just to redo that.

But he couldn't cry over spilt milk now. So instead he focused on Katyusha, smiling and nodding.

"Yeah, lots of fun!"

Matthew just smiled kindly. "Seems like the most fun you've had in years," He hummed and Mary simply smiled at them though she was quiet. Despite everything, she was happy that at least Alfred looked so alive now.

Arthur was totally oblivious to the internal turmoil that Alfred was facing.

His cheeks darkened a little at the way Matthew responded and just held Alfred’s hand a little bit tighter than before.

The picnic passed a lot faster than Arthur had initially thought that it would. He was starting to enjoy the company of Alfred’s family, surprisingly. Matthew, although very quiet, was incredibly good-natured and liberal; Katyusha was a bit too excitable for Arthur’s tastes but at least she could hold a conversation; Mary, on the other hand, was lovely. Really, she was. Arthur genuinely liked her but he just felt as though he would never be able to befriend her properly, not if she wouldn’t, couldn’t accept him and Alfred as a couple.

But he didn’t dwell on it, didn’t see the point in dwelling on it.

When they had packed up and gone home, there was a warning on the television for Virginia. There was a hurricane on its way and Arthur was terrified. He’d never experienced a brutal storm of any sort. But he didn’t want it to seem that way. He was braver than this and he knew it – there was no way that he was going to let Alfred know that he was scared. Not at all. It just was not going to happen.

Alfred was the girly one that got scared during horror films and when there was a sound in the middle of the night. Not Arthur. Arthur was, for lack of a better way to describe it, the man. Arthur would hold Alfred when he was snivelling about ghosts and demons and Alfred would squeal and pretend that he actually owned a pair of balls. Whilst it was endearing on Alfred, Arthur certainly was not going to indulge in the same behaviour.

So, when the time came to act and cover from the storm, Arthur was extremely irritable and rigid.

And Alfred wasn’t with him. Which made Arthur somewhat frantic as he searched the upstairs floor for him.

“Alfred? Alfred, where are you? Alfred?”

The picnic actually was a lot of fun for Alfred and while he couldn't help but mourn a bit over his lost opportunity, he didn't really think much else on it. He would have another opportunity for it. He was certain about that at the very least. It also seemed as if Arthur was beginning to warm up to his family and likewise. Though he couldn't help but wonder if his mother would ever accept his relationship, despite her kindness towards Arthur as an individual. Yet whenever they did something maybe a bit too affectionate, Mary would simply become a bit too quiet for his own liking. But Matthew was always there to fill in the silence, which he was grateful for.

When Alfred had saw the warning on the television and unlike Arthur, he wasn't nearly as nervous. He had seen a few hurricanes and to admit, it wasn't as big as some of the other ones that he had been in. As long as they stayed away from the windows and the upper level, then they would be fine.

Certainly he had always been someone that was somewhat scared of horror films such as ghosts and the like but this was a completely different case. He knew that they wouldn't die here. Especially since there was no evacuation, so as long as they didn't go outside until they got the order to, they would be alright.

The family had gathered their supplies and were already down in the basement but when Alfred saw that Arthur wasn't there, he couldn't help but wonder just where he went. It wasn't possible that he had never been in a storm before...was it? There must have at least been at least one brutal storm he had been in! Soon enough Alfred stepped out of the basement, glancing around for Arthur before trying to head upstairs. Soon he heard his lover call for him and he hurried up the stairs, seeing Arthur.

"Hey, I'm right here," He assured as he reached forward to lightly grab Arthur's hand, starting to tug him lightly down the stairs but not without pecking his cheek. "We're down in the basement. Gotta stay away from the top floor and windows so the basement is the best place. I already grabbed all of our stuff and brought it down there so we don't risk losing anything."

Arthur couldn’t describe the relief he felt as he saw Alfred and that… well, that nothing ghastly had happened. Yet.

He swallowed thickly and let him lead him down to the basement.

“Right. Yes, of course. That makes sense.” He tried not to sound tense and fell silent, just nodding to the remainder of what Alfred had to say. He felt a little stupid for wandering around willy-nilly in a dangerous situation. But at least Alfred wasn’t angry or anything like that, he’d just got on with it. Perhaps that just showed the extremity of the situation? Maybe his calmness meant that this was a big storm? Arthur had no idea of how to judge the difference between a ‘big one’ and a ‘little one’.

He wasn’t going to admit that he’d actually been concerned for Alfred, not for their belongings, just because he felt as though it should be obvious.

He couldn’t help but hold Alfred’s hand tighter than necessary, though.

Alfred knew that the storm wouldn't be all that bad and already he could see some of the winds picking up outside of the house as well as the darkened skies and he knew that now would be a time to head downstairs. He really wasn't all that worried about it though and he just glanced over at Arthur as he felt him grip his hand maybe a bit too tightly.

"Are you alright, Arthur? You seem a bit nervous?" He asked, quirking an eyebrow at the other with a small hum. Soon he pulled Arthur downstairs and went to sit on a couch that Matthew and himself brought down. They were both rather strong men now so it wasn't really any chore to make their stay in the basement just a bit more comfortable.

Soon he sat on the couch, patting the spot next to him.

Matthew was just sitting with Katyusha at another part of the basement and Mary seemed to be minding her own business, fretting about organising the basement more while she was down here. Alfred just sighed softly, leaning back against it as he rubbed Arthur's shoulder reassuringly.

“Poppycock,” was Arthur’s immediate and firm response. “Don’t be ludicrous, stupid git.” He hoped it was a good ‘I’m pissy so don’t fuck with me’ tone. Alfred wasn’t always that great on picking up on those sorts of subtleties, however.

He followed him down, nodding at Matthew and Katyusha in greeting, he simply smiled fleetingly at Mary before he joined Alfred on the sofa. He was pulling at and fidgeting with the fabric of his trousers, a sign that he was nervous really. He couldn’t keep his hands still.

But who could blame him, really? His first storm. It was certainly the first time he’d been confined to a basement. It wasn’t the blitz, after all.

He continued to shift about, quite obviously tense and on edge, no matter how relaxed everyone else appeared to be.

Katyusha let out a loud sigh and rested her head on her husband’s shoulder. She’d experienced the storms a few times before. They were more of an inconvenience than a problem to her.

“H-how long will it last?” Arthur asked the ground.

Alfred just looked over at Arthur for a long moment, quirking an eyebrow before sighing a bit. "Well, alright then. Was just wondering," He murmured before closing his eyes, simply relaxing since he knew that they would be there for a while. He really wasn't aware that this was Arthur's first time and even Katyusha seemed to be fine with it. He was hoping that with how calm his family was, Arthur would calm as well.

They didn't have a lot of hurricanes in Britain though, didn't they? But Arthur was a traveller, there must have been one time.

He decided not to really think about it though.

Yet as he gazed over at Arthur, he could obviously tell that his lover was rather nervous and soon he pulled him close to his body, holding him.

"I don't know. Maybe a while. Shouldn't be way too long though."

Arthur was stiff in Alfred’s hold for a few moments, trying to put up resistance to being coddled but he soon gave up and tried to not be as rigid.

“How long is a while?” he wasn’t sure how long he could keep his nerve. He could hear the wind picking up and he felt like he was in some sort of re-enactment of The Wizard of Oz or something. He was looking up at the ceiling, concern written across his face. What if it felt through and crushed them? It would be such a waste of life. Alfred, Katyusha, her baby, Matthew, Mary… What a morbid thought.

It wasn’t going to happen, he just told himself again and again. They’d be okay.

They’d be fine. They were fine. Everything was fine.

Suddenly there was a loud bang which startled Arthur. He managed to convince himself that something bad was going to happen and that his main priority was to ensure Alfred didn’t get hurt. He was too caught up in the moment to realise both that he had whimpered and that no one else was really reacting.

He swung his arms around Alfred in somewhat of a protective manner.

“W-what was that?”

Alfred just looked over at Arthur with a soft sigh before shrugging. "I don't know. Maybe a few hours? I don't really know just how big the hurricane is, truthfully. It shouldn't be all that bad though. I mean, if it was bad, we would have been evacuated by now."

He simply reached up to stroke Arthur's hair with a casual hum, smiling to himself before kissing te top of the other's head.

Yet soon there was a loud bang and Alfred nearly flinched at the sudden loud sound but after that, he relaxed again. Though soon he came to notice that Arthur seemed very far from fine and he looked down at Arthur in surprise before smiling. It was...endearing...that with how Arthur reacted, he was automatically protective of him.

"It was probably just the debris hitting the house or something," He assured softly before holding Arthur even closer to his body. "There's nothing to worry about. I'm here."

“A few hours?” Arthur groaned. This was going to be hell. He was going to spend the entire time worried about their safety and he was pretty certain that Alfred would probably use this as blackmail material at some point, or at least tease him for it. “What if it’s worse than they predicted?” Arthur was thinking Katrina-scale.

“I’m not scared,” he denied. “I don’t need you to – ” there was another loud bang and Arthur clung to Alfred as though he might never let go. He just tried to ignore it and brace himself for all of the trauma to come. He… as much as he hated to admit it, he was scared. Really scared. And although Alfred holding him felt like he was being patronising, it was quite reassuring, too.

“I’m not worried. I’m not. What a load of bollocks,” he muttered the last bit, lest Mary heard.

Alfred rolled his eyes a bit playfully, still stroking Arthur's hair quietly as he hummed to himself. "It usually isn't. Hurricane instruments are very sensitive and they're very cautious about this." He was starting to get the feeling that Arthur had never really been in a hurricane before. Fortunately enough he had been or else he might have been just as scared as Arthur.

He knew that he had a weird mixture of excitement and fright when he went through his first hurricane. He honestly wasn't going to go blackmailing Arthur about this. Especially when Arthur had been there countless of times with him after they watched a horror film.

Mary was just watching them quietly, watching as Alfred tried to reassure his lover and Arthur clinging onto her son as he was his last lifeline.

"There's nothing wrong with being worried. I mean, you see me all the time after a scary movie or somethin'," He joked lightly though it was true. He wanted to lighten up Arthur's fear though by reminding him of his own silly fear of silly films.

“I’m not. I’m not scared,” Arthur continued to insist as he clung to his boyfriend. He just didn’t want Alfred to get hurt. No. Not his Alfred. He shook his head, holding on tightly. The wind was roaring outside and Arthur felt as though it was one of the worst things he’d ever heard.

“Yes but… that’s different. You’re Alfred. You get scared of stupid, meaningless things. I just… I don’t… Bloody hell, I’m not scared, alright? I’m not. I’m not.” He pursed his lips and nuzzled closer, or as close as he could without actually getting into his lap. “Only kids get afraid of things like this,” he mumbled.

Alfred had always believed that Arthur was a man who didn't get scared of a lot but it seemed as if storms were the exception to that general rule. And with how tightly Arthur clung onto him, he knew that he was definitely scared. Even if the other didn't want to necessarily admit it. He couldn't help but gape a bit though when he heard Arthur's comment but he just pulled him closer, soon laying down on the couch and pulling the other down with him.

"They are not stupid and meaningless!" He retorted back quickly before he looked up at Arthur quietly, brushing the hair out of his face.

"Nothing wrong with getting scared of something new, right?" He paused for a moment before deciding to relent a bit. "Even if you're not scared...I still wouldn't mind holding you. It's reassuring to have you in my arms. Nothing will happen as long as I have you, yeah?"

Arthur felt as though he might pout at such a comment but resisted. That was just a little bit too childish. He wasn’t really even sure that he wanted to lie down and cuddle whilst Alfred’s family were around but Arthur let him do it anyway. Just so long as Alfred was close and he knew that he was okay and safe.

“Fiction is exactly that: fiction.”

He sighed softly as his hair was brushed out of his face and felt like then and there that he could cry or shiver or do something as equally idiotic. But he resisted.

He allowed himself to lie alongside Alfred and wrapped his arms around his middle to keep him near.

“I’m not… but okay. I have no qualms with that.” He swallowed thickly and nuzzled against Alfred’s chest, trying to block out the noise from outside.

Katyusha almost felt as though she should get them all to play a game to see if it’d help Arthur’s nerves but she just kept to herself, close to her partner.

Alfred soon looked over at Arthur, smiling a bit to himself. He didn't care if his mother was there to see it and he knew that Matthew and Katyusha didn't really seem to mind. Mary just quietly continued on watching them before glancing away, cleaning up a bit more of the basement.

He knew that the other was having a hard time with all of this and he was simply too stubborn to actually admit it. He wished he wasn't but he decided that it was best not to question it anymore.

Instead he hummed a song before beginning to softly sing it. His voice wasn't nearly as good as Arthur's when it came to singing but he still tried to sing any song that came up into his mind if only to comfort the other. He still remembered how scared he was and he remembered everything that Arthur did for him when he was scared. ...There was nothing wrong with being scared.

In the brief silence, Arthur could hear the winds and ‘debris’ being thrown about outside. It made his heart rate accelerate, as though he was some sort of rabbit. He just held on tightly to Alfred, as though he was the only thing between him and the storm.

When Alfred started to sing, he was a little amused at first, just because Alfred’s voice could be somewhat out of tune when he tried to sing. The situation seemed a bit ridiculous to him. But the amusement quickly passed to be replaced by gratitude, for lack of a better way to describe it, even if he did feel like a small child (not that his parents or his brothers ever did this for him when he was small).

He sighed shakily and gradually began to feel more comfortable.