UsUk Oneshot~ You Are My Hero

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Arthur sat on his couch with a bottle of beer, staring blankly at the television screen in front of him. He was thinking about what had happened many nights before. The Allies were having a meeting at France’s house and he and Alfred had gotten into a serious argument about each other’s flaws. Alfred would insult Arthur’s cooking, then Arthur would counter with a comment about Alfred’s bad eating habits and his stupid ‘I'm the hero’ speeches. The debate soon turned to shouting, followed by some vulgar outbursts and a glass vase being flung across the room, shattering and cutting Alfred’s cheek.

“Why…. Why won’t you just leave me alone?! I hate you!!”

Arthur could not get those words out of his mind. “Damn it… why do I always screw everything up?” he muttered, taking a large gulp of the beer. Usually, it was easy for him to get over the quarrels he had with Alfred, but this one was different. This one made him feel like someone was stabbing him in the heart, twisting the knife to be sure to make him feel the worst possible pain without killing him. Why was the pain so extreme?

You see, Arthur liked Alfred. A lot actually. He had only recently figured it out though. He always felt so nervous when he saw Alfred walk into the room. He believed it was only because they grew up together and it was awkward seeing each other in such a ‘professional’ environment. But the more he thought about it, the more he began to fall for the ditzy American.

He took a deep breath and sighed. “I haven’t seen him since that night… I wonder how he’s doing…” he set the beer down and looked at the clock hanging up on the wall. “…it’s only 3 o’clock…. Time sure does drag on when you’re alone…”   he closed his eyes, only for them to snap back open at the sound of the phone ringing. “Oh, bloody hell… who is it now...?” he forced himself to stand and go to the phone, using the wall as support every once in a while. He reached for the phone and answered drearily. “Hello..?”

“Hey, Arthur, it’s Alfred…” He perked up at the sound of his voice. Alfred NEVER called him for no reason, so why was he calling him now? “Uh… oh, hey Alfred… what’s up?” Arthur could feel his face getting warmer as he spoke.

“Uh, I was wondering if you could help me with something…” Alfred said unusually timidly. ‘Why does he sound so quiet..?’ Arthur wondered. “Oh, uh... What is it? Is something wrong?” Arthur felt a knot in his stomach as he thought about what he was going to say.

The other line was silent for a moment. “Alfred..?” “Oh! S-sorry, it’s just… I… lost my Gameboy, and I can’t find it anywhere….” Arthur sighed. He should’ve known it would be something stupid like that. “..Well, why are you telling me this..?” he responded bitterly.

“Uh, well… can you come over to help me look for it?” Arthur felt his heart skip a beat and his face began to burn. He was wondering if this was real, or if the beer had gotten to him. Lost in his own thoughts he heard Alfred on the other line. “Hello?” Arthur snapped out of it and swallowed, trying to act normal. “Uh, yeah sure… I can come over… when should I get there?” he felt like his heart would burst if it beat any faster.

“Um... 3:30 or 4 works for me….” Arthur looked at the clock. That was in about 30 minutes! Arthur collected his thoughts and responded. “Uh yeah that’s fine… I’ll see you then.” “Alright…. Thanks…” Blushing, Arthur hung up and leaned against the wall. “I… I don’t get it…. Why would he ask ME to come over...? I thought he hated me……”  Suddenly he jumped up “oh shit, I’m a mess and I smell like beer!” He ran to the bathroom and cleaned himself up, panicking about his visit to the blue-eyed American’s house.

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Arthur climbed out of his car and walked up to the front door of Alfred’s house. He raised his hand to knock on the door but stopped. His hands were trembling madly and his stomach was in knots. He inhaled and exhaled deeply. “…C-Calm down, Arthur… it won’t be that long… get a hold of yourself…” he extended his hand to knock on the red wooden door. Soon after, the door flew open, Alfred standing in the doorway. It seemed like he had just woken up. His hair was messy and he was wearing a baggy ‘Ravens’ football t-shirt along with a pair of sweatpants. He had a little bandage over his cheek where the glass had cut him. He sure didn’t dress to impress. But neither did Arthur, who had a simple UK t-shirt and jeans.

“Oh, hi Arthur!” Alfred smiled as he spoke, still with a timid tone. “I’m glad you showed up, heh…”  Arthur walked into the house, trying his best to stay calm. ”Sure, no problem, Alfred.” He hoped he wasn’t coming off too harsh. He cleared his throat. “Uh, so where’s your room?”

“Oh! It’s this way, follow me...” Alfred led him to his room. It was a very small space with posters plastered up on the walls and ceiling. There was garbage and clothes all over the ground, and many other things that he described as ‘collectibles’ when they were actually just junk. “Wow, no wonder you lost it. This place is a mess!”

Alfred shrugged. “Yeah I know... I just hate cleaning so I don’t bother to do it.” Arthur knew he hated cleaning. He knew that since he had met him! Arthur sighed and started picking up garbage off the floor. “Well, as long as I'm here I can help clean up a little bit... Is that okay?”  Alfred perked up slightly. “R-Really? Thanks, Arthur, you’re awesome!” Arthur blushed. He loved hearing Alfred say his name. He didn’t know why, but there was something special about how he said it.

As he was picking up around Alfred’s room, something caught Arthur’s eye. He picked up the case to a Muse CD and examined it. “Hey, Alfred. Is this yours?” he held it up to show him. “Oh! Uh, yeah, it’s mine...I actually love Muse, heheh...” he scratched the back of his neck and shrugged. Arthur looked at him in shock. “R-Really? I love them, too…” “Oh, haha, cool...”

They continued cleaning for about 5 minutes. Every once in a while there were times when they would reach for the same item and brush hands, usually causing Arthur to pull his hand away and blush. Arthur noticed that they had been quiet for a while, and it was extremely awkward. He cleared his throat and broke the silence.

“h-hey, Alfred..? Alfred looked up at him with a curious expression. God was it adorable. “Yeah. What is it?” the butterflies in Arthur’s stomach fluttered rapidly as he began to speak. “I... I’m sorry I hurt you the other night… I really am…” he lowered his head to avoid the American’s turquoise eyes. “.. Oh…. It’s no big deal, don’t worry about it...” Arthur looked up at Alfred, locking his Emerald eyes with Alfred’s sapphire ones.  “No, Alfred, it is a big deal… I let my emotions get the best of me and I hurt you…. That’s NOT okay…  I feel awful for it too…”tears were threatening to form in Arthurs eyes as he spoke. “Oh… well, thanks…. Thanks for caring about me...”  Alfred flashed him a smile that made Arthur’s heart flutter.

“Uh, no problem…” Arthur was racking his brain for something to break the silence that soon set in. He kept expecting Alfred to say something to him, but he never did. ‘Damn it was it something I said? Why won’t he talk to me?’ he thought, his stomach turning from the nerves. Just as he was thinking, Alfred spoke up.

“Hey, uh, I need your advice…” “Huh? What is it? Is everything okay?” Arthur asked wondering what was wrong. They both sat on the bed and Alfred took a deep breath. “I….. Like this person… and I don’t know how to tell them how I feel…”

Arthur’s heart sank. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He felt like he was going to burst into tears at any moment, but he swallowed hard. “Well, why don’t you just be direct with it? You know… wait until the time is right and then go for it!” He said with a fake smile on his face. Alfred looked up at him. “You really think that will work?” Arthur sighed. “Of course it will, don’t worry.”

Arthur shifted on the bed and felt something underneath one of the pillows. He reached his hand under it and pulled out the item. It was Alfred’s Gameboy.

“Oh awesome, you found it!” Alfred jumped up and snatched the Gameboy out of Arthur’s hands. “Thanks man, I owe you one!” he sat down on his bed and turned it on to play. Arthur watched him for a moment wondering if he would say anything else. “Ah, it was nothing…”

Arthur sat there on the bed next to Alfred for 5 more minutes before exhaling. “Well, I guess I should go now…” he stood off the bed and headed for the door of the room. Alfred looked up from the tiny screen and smiled. “Oh, thanks again, Arthur. See you around.” Arthur blushed and turned, heart still broken. ‘Could this day get any worse..?’ he thought as he reached for the doorknob.

Arthur’s heart stopped when he felt two arms slink around his waist and something pressing against his back. “Wh-What?!” he turned his head and saw Alfred with his arms around him and his head buried against his back. Arthur blushed madly as he tried to form words to come out of his mouth. “A-Alfred?? What are you-!”

“Please… don’t leave me, Arthur…” Alfred looked up, tears streaming down his face. Arthur stared back at the American clinging on him. He felt his face burning and his heart pounding rapidly. “Alfred..?” it broke his heart to see him this way. He looked so alone and helpless.

“Arthur, I hate being alone… and I hate not being... Around you…” Arthur felt his heart skip a beat at that last comment. Was this really happening? “R-Really.?” Arthur asked with a nervous smile, which Alfred didn’t notice. “Yes, really… the truth is… Arthur… I -!” Before he could finish, Arthur spun around and pulled him up, planting a kiss on his lips. Arthur’s face burned bright red as he waited, hoping the American wouldn’t pull away. He didn’t. It was just the way Arthur had imagined it would be; Sweet and passionate. Neither of them could believe what was happening. They were so lost in their own thoughts and in the moment that they nearly forgot to breath. Reluctantly, Arthur pulled away and stared deep into Alfred’s eyes.

“I love you, Alfred…” Arthur said sweetly, wiping the tears from Alfred’s rosy cheeks. At first, Alfred didn’t know how to respond, but then he pulled Arthur into a tight, warm hug, burying his face in the crook of the Brit’s neck.

“I love you too…” Alfred whispered. “Hey, Arthur?” he looked up at Arthur with a charming look on his face. “What is it?” “You… don’t have to leave right now, do you?”

Arthur smiled. “Of course I don’t. I guess I can stay a while longer.” He walked over to the bed and sat down and patted the spaced next to him. “Come here...” Alfred grinned and plopped down next to him. Arthur wrapped his arms around the adorable American. They leaned against the pillows, Arthur combing his fingers through Alfred’s sandy blond hair. They laid there together as the minutes passed by, both of them beginning to doze off, when Arthur heard the meek voice of the American in his arms.

“Arthur..?” he said softly, eyes at half-mast. “Yes, Alfred?” “Thank you…. Today, you were… my hero...” Alfred muttered, closing his eyes. Arthur blushed and lightly kissed him on the forehead. “Don’t worry, Alfred…. I will always be here for you… I will always be your hero…” he closed his eyes and fell asleep, still cradling the young boy closely in his arms.

‘Could this day get any better..?’ Arthur thought. And with that, he drifted asleep, dreaming about the American he had fallen so deeply in love with.

~End~