Arthur is gay. Alfred thinks he might be, but he's unsure and scared. Arthur and Alfred and best friends, and Alfred figures out that he fancies Arthur as quite a bit more than a friend. Naturally, he starts acting strangely around the other boy. Human au, please, as it works better.
Bonus: Arthur has been in love with Alfred for quite some time and the two of them end up in a relationship.
Bonus: Alfred seeks help from Francis while trying to figure out what is going on with himself.
"Sometimes intimate relationships are complicated."
All the signs were there—the tender smiles, the yearning looks, the pet names, the small presents—in hindsight, Alfred probably should have seen it coming. Granted, Arthur wasn't necessarily the first face that came to mind when he thought of the word 'gay'. So sure, there was the knitting and the baking and the fairies—and let's not forget those ugly sweater vests which he really should get rid of if he wanted anyone to take him seriously—but that was a different matter altogether. Point was, Arthur's profile didn't fit into what Alfred would normally consider gay. He played the electric guitar, enjoyed watching football, ate like a horse, got into fights, was utterly fascinated with pirates and heck, even cursed like one sometimes. Not to mention, the guy could throw a hell of a mean punch if provoked thoroughly (Oh yeah, Alfred should know. He’d been on the receiving end of quite a few of those in the past). So even though Alfred's had minor suspicions regarding Arthur's sexuality before, that didn't stop him from being totally caught off-guard by the revelation that he really was—gay he meant—because Arthur just didn't seem the type. And that wasn't even the most shocking part.
Arthur fidgeted with his hands, eyes downcast.
"Alfred, I—Ireallylikeyou!" He blurted, red-face with embarrassment.
A beat passed and Alfred swallowed thickly. Oh, damn. He was afraid Arthur would say that. Even as Arthur started to fill this raw, awkward silence between them with his insensible rambling, Alfred hardly took notice, too busy trying to get the gears in his own brain to start working again so it could hurry up and steer his next move.
Of course, Arthur had come out to him first. Alfred had always assumed it was because of their close (but definitely not intimate!) friendship that forced them to be honest with each other about stuff like this. Bromanctic, as Gilbert had once called it. Now though, he was beginning to have serious doubts about whether their friendship's future could survive this new development. He watched Arthur shift his weight from one foot to the other, looking highly nervous and anxious all at once.
“…don’t have to answer me now. I can wait…if you need to sleep on it. I'd totally understand. I—“
As Arthur fumbled with his words, he came to the realization that Arthur's feelings didn't seem to have come out from nowhere. In fact, it looked as if he's been harboring them for quite some time now.
Alfred thought back to all those times they’d comforted each other, snuck out in the dead of the night for a smoke and drink, went to the movies just the two of them or waited after school for the other's classes to end so they could go home together. And somewhere along that, Alfred realized, Arthur misunderstood something, mistaken their closeness for something else when it wasn't. And Alfred's stomach sunk deep as he wondered whether he had done something to contribute to that misunderstanding.
Maybe there's too much touching. Maybe it's the dragging around everywhere, or the hugs or—or possibly...my big mouth. Maybe I shouldn't spent too much time alone with him. Maybe I should stop spending time with him. Maybe...maybe it's time for new friends.
Alfred shook those thoughts away. No that wouldn't do. It must have taken Arthur a lot of courage, a lot of thinking to go through with this. Rigid as he was, a little insignificant crush wouldn’t have been enough for him to toss aside his pride and confess. Arthur was too precocious like that. And what a waste it would be! Alfred thought glumly. But he owed Arthur his honestly. He could accept Arthur’s sexuality fine, no problem! But this he had not expected, hadn’t prepared for it! He couldn’t, wouldn’t ever…he wasn’t—
“I—“Alfred started then clammed up. Crap! How do you DO this?!
“Alfred?” Even the concern couldn’t mask the slight tremble in the Brit’s voice. Alfred blinked. Oh no, oh no! Please don’t cry! Don’t.This was hard enough dealing with without Arthur’s tears added in to boot!
Thankfully, Arthur didn’t cry, merely took a shuddering breath and sniffled. Alfred groaned. Why did have everything have to be so darn complicated? He couldn’t lie, couldn’t pretend because that would be much too cruel and Arthur was his childhood friend, his best friend. It was risky but he knew what he had to do.
"Art—Artie…Arthur.” Alfred steadied his voice. “I—I’m sorry but I can’t you know? I’m not… Jesus, why is this so hard,” he muttered. “Um… do I have to say it? You understand right? That I’m not. I just…I'm not.” He finished weakly.
Alfred stared at Arthur, gauging for his reaction. The Brit averted his gaze, shoulders slumped, jaws squared and lips shut tight. He was still red in the face but, Alfred realized, it was from shame now rather than embarrassment. He opened his mouth to speak then shut it, swallowing whatever it was he was about to say. Another beat passed. Arthur exhaled a shuddering breath and smiled lopsidedly.
“Alright,” he said. “I understand. Please,” He shook off Alfred’s hand from his shoulders. “Oh c’mon, don’t give me that look.” He chuckled lightly though the effect was lost when he looked so utterly dejected and small in his crisp uniform. “It’s not your fault. I, er, wasn’t expecting much from you to begin with anyway to be quite frank but, ah, no harm in trying right? Though I suppose that was rather ill-timing of me I have to admit—“He chuckled again.
“Arthur…”
“—and with the playoffs coming soon and exams, I—well, screwed up basically didn’t I? I’m really sorry for troubling you with all this...nonsense. If you could maybe—“
“Arthur, you’re rambling.” Alfred stated. He ignored the urge to grab the Brit’s hand and squeeze tight.
“Oh,” Arthur said. Then he laughed again and it sounded so distant and bitter that Alfred had to cringe. “I tend to do that. Sorry.”
They fell silent again. Alfred didn’t know what to say or what to do to make the situation better. If only Arthur wasn’t gay, he found himself thinking. Then felt really bad for it. So what if he was? His mind chided. And what if he likes you? Are you disgusted with him now? Gonna end your friendship because of this? Hell no! Alfred countered, then sighed because he was arguing with himself. He didn’t know what to do to make this situation better, so he apologized again.
“I’m really sorry.”
Arthur snapped out from his daze. "Don't be," he answered automatically, his eyes momentarily wide before they shrunk back to normal and his expression neutralized. Though Alfred was more or less used to seeing this guarded side of Arthur, right now, he found that it mostly made him uncomfortable. “I said it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Alfred could do nothing more than nod his head and mutter "Okay".
Arthur sighed, running a hand through his messy blond hair. He wasn't smiling but he didn't look angry either. Just a little lost and a lot sad. But no matter how much Alfred wanted to, more than anything at that moment, to circle an arm around Arthur's stiff shoulders and tell him that everything was going to be fine, he couldn't. At least, not without causing Arthur to misinterpret again. God knew they didn't need the mixed signals between them right now. "So I guess...see you Monday?" he asked tentatively.
"Yeah. Alright.” Arthur smiled to Alfred.
That afternoon, Alfred went home from school alone. He slept fitfully that night and spent the rest of the weekend cooped up inside his own room, playing video games and trying his best not to get worked up over Arthur's confession. Sunday night and he was in the final stage of Dynasty Warriors 5, finished all his physics and calculus homework and ordered in pizza for dinner. By Monday morning, he had a plan. He would carry on with Arthur as normally as possible, pretend that this whole thing never happened so they could forget about it and move on.
But first period came and went with no Arthur. And the next period. And the one after that.
Thank you for commenting and lol for the twin reference! :D I will be updating this weekend, mark my words. Saturday night most likely. So please wait for it.
oh dear, YES. I love these kinds of prompts. Gosh, well that was heartbreaking. ;__; hm, but then cue when Alfred starts questioning his sexuality. Either that, or he basically falls for his best friend BECAUSE he's Arthur. I root for the latter, yep. Hurrah! I love how you didn't make Arthur into the typical super blushing UKe and showed a lot of his boyish charm. (lol, love the pirate reference) because the strict seme/uke relations irk me to no end. But of course, it's natural he'd act like this since he's confessing. Oh please, please continue; my curiosity has been heightened. I just hope Arthur is absent due to coping, not from super sulking or worse, rebound. o___o haha, that wouldn't help Alfred's confused mind now would it..
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usuk/struggling with sexuality
(Anonymous) 2012-01-09 01:33 pm (UTC)(link)Human au, please, as it works better.
Bonus: Arthur has been in love with Alfred for quite some time and the two of them end up in a relationship.
Bonus: Alfred seeks help from Francis while trying to figure out what is going on with himself.
Re: usuk/struggling with sexuality
(Anonymous) 2012-01-19 02:41 pm (UTC)(link)Like A Boomerang [1a/?]
(Anonymous) 2012-01-21 08:06 am (UTC)(link)All the signs were there—the tender smiles, the yearning looks, the pet names, the small presents—in hindsight, Alfred probably should have seen it coming. Granted, Arthur wasn't necessarily the first face that came to mind when he thought of the word 'gay'. So sure, there was the knitting and the baking and the fairies—and let's not forget those ugly sweater vests which he really should get rid of if he wanted anyone to take him seriously—but that was a different matter altogether. Point was, Arthur's profile didn't fit into what Alfred would normally consider gay. He played the electric guitar, enjoyed watching football, ate like a horse, got into fights, was utterly fascinated with pirates and heck, even cursed like one sometimes. Not to mention, the guy could throw a hell of a mean punch if provoked thoroughly (Oh yeah, Alfred should know. He’d been on the receiving end of quite a few of those in the past). So even though Alfred's had minor suspicions regarding Arthur's sexuality before, that didn't stop him from being totally caught off-guard by the revelation that he really was—gay he meant—because Arthur just didn't seem the type. And that wasn't even the most shocking part.
Arthur fidgeted with his hands, eyes downcast.
"Alfred, I—Ireallylikeyou!" He blurted, red-face with embarrassment.
A beat passed and Alfred swallowed thickly. Oh, damn. He was afraid Arthur would say that. Even as Arthur started to fill this raw, awkward silence between them with his insensible rambling, Alfred hardly took notice, too busy trying to get the gears in his own brain to start working again so it could hurry up and steer his next move.
Of course, Arthur had come out to him first. Alfred had always assumed it was because of their close (but definitely not intimate!) friendship that forced them to be honest with each other about stuff like this. Bromanctic, as Gilbert had once called it. Now though, he was beginning to have serious doubts about whether their friendship's future could survive this new development. He watched Arthur shift his weight from one foot to the other, looking highly nervous and anxious all at once.
“…don’t have to answer me now. I can wait…if you need to sleep on it. I'd totally understand. I—“
As Arthur fumbled with his words, he came to the realization that Arthur's feelings didn't seem to have come out from nowhere. In fact, it looked as if he's been harboring them for quite some time now.
Alfred thought back to all those times they’d comforted each other, snuck out in the dead of the night for a smoke and drink, went to the movies just the two of them or waited after school for the other's classes to end so they could go home together. And somewhere along that, Alfred realized, Arthur misunderstood something, mistaken their closeness for something else when it wasn't. And Alfred's stomach sunk deep as he wondered whether he had done something to contribute to that misunderstanding.
Maybe there's too much touching. Maybe it's the dragging around everywhere, or the hugs or—or possibly...my big mouth. Maybe I shouldn't spent too much time alone with him. Maybe I should stop spending time with him. Maybe...maybe it's time for new friends.
Alfred shook those thoughts away. No that wouldn't do. It must have taken Arthur a lot of courage, a lot of thinking to go through with this. Rigid as he was, a little insignificant crush wouldn’t have been enough for him to toss aside his pride and confess. Arthur was too precocious like that. And what a waste it would be! Alfred thought glumly. But he owed Arthur his honestly. He could accept Arthur’s sexuality fine, no problem! But this he had not expected, hadn’t prepared for it! He couldn’t, wouldn’t ever…he wasn’t—
“I—“Alfred started then clammed up. Crap! How do you DO this?!
“Alfred?” Even the concern couldn’t mask the slight tremble in the Brit’s voice. Alfred blinked. Oh no, oh no! Please don’t cry! Don’t.This was hard enough dealing with without Arthur’s tears added in to boot!
Like A Boomerang [1b/?]
(Anonymous) 2012-01-21 08:33 am (UTC)(link)"Art—Artie…Arthur.” Alfred steadied his voice. “I—I’m sorry but I can’t you know? I’m not… Jesus, why is this so hard,” he muttered. “Um… do I have to say it? You understand right? That I’m not. I just…I'm not.” He finished weakly.
Alfred stared at Arthur, gauging for his reaction. The Brit averted his gaze, shoulders slumped, jaws squared and lips shut tight. He was still red in the face but, Alfred realized, it was from shame now rather than embarrassment. He opened his mouth to speak then shut it, swallowing whatever it was he was about to say. Another beat passed. Arthur exhaled a shuddering breath and smiled lopsidedly.
“Alright,” he said. “I understand. Please,” He shook off Alfred’s hand from his shoulders. “Oh c’mon, don’t give me that look.” He chuckled lightly though the effect was lost when he looked so utterly dejected and small in his crisp uniform. “It’s not your fault. I, er, wasn’t expecting much from you to begin with anyway to be quite frank but, ah, no harm in trying right? Though I suppose that was rather ill-timing of me I have to admit—“He chuckled again.
“Arthur…”
“—and with the playoffs coming soon and exams, I—well, screwed up basically didn’t I? I’m really sorry for troubling you with all this...nonsense. If you could maybe—“
“Arthur, you’re rambling.” Alfred stated. He ignored the urge to grab the Brit’s hand and squeeze tight.
“Oh,” Arthur said. Then he laughed again and it sounded so distant and bitter that Alfred had to cringe. “I tend to do that. Sorry.”
They fell silent again. Alfred didn’t know what to say or what to do to make the situation better. If only Arthur wasn’t gay, he found himself thinking. Then felt really bad for it. So what if he was? His mind chided. And what if he likes you? Are you disgusted with him now? Gonna end your friendship because of this? Hell no! Alfred countered, then sighed because he was arguing with himself. He didn’t know what to do to make this situation better, so he apologized again.
“I’m really sorry.”
Arthur snapped out from his daze. "Don't be," he answered automatically, his eyes momentarily wide before they shrunk back to normal and his expression neutralized. Though Alfred was more or less used to seeing this guarded side of Arthur, right now, he found that it mostly made him uncomfortable. “I said it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Alfred could do nothing more than nod his head and mutter "Okay".
Arthur sighed, running a hand through his messy blond hair. He wasn't smiling but he didn't look angry either. Just a little lost and a lot sad. But no matter how much Alfred wanted to, more than anything at that moment, to circle an arm around Arthur's stiff shoulders and tell him that everything was going to be fine, he couldn't. At least, not without causing Arthur to misinterpret again. God knew they didn't need the mixed signals between them right now. "So I guess...see you Monday?" he asked tentatively.
"Yeah. Alright.” Arthur smiled to Alfred.
That afternoon, Alfred went home from school alone. He slept fitfully that night and spent the rest of the weekend cooped up inside his own room, playing video games and trying his best not to get worked up over Arthur's confession. Sunday night and he was in the final stage of Dynasty Warriors 5, finished all his physics and calculus homework and ordered in pizza for dinner. By Monday morning, he had a plan. He would carry on with Arthur as normally as possible, pretend that this whole thing never happened so they could forget about it and move on.
But first period came and went with no Arthur. And the next period. And the one after that.
Re: Like A Boomerang [1b/?]
(Anonymous) 2012-01-21 11:30 am (UTC)(link)Accidental post twice, maybe contact the MODS to delete it...?
Re: Like A Boomerang [1b/?]
(Anonymous) 2012-01-21 02:08 pm (UTC)(link)Tastes, sometimes many authors tend to miss. i can´t wait for more!
Re: Like A Boomerang [1b/?]
(Anonymous) 2012-01-21 02:11 pm (UTC)(link)Re: Like A Boomerang [1b/?]
(Anonymous) 2012-01-22 07:54 am (UTC)(link)Re: Like A Boomerang [1b/?]
(Anonymous) 2012-01-22 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)Author!anon here.
(Anonymous) 2012-01-25 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)Re: Author!anon here.
(Anonymous) 2012-03-04 09:18 am (UTC)(link)Re: Like A Boomerang [1b/?]
(Anonymous) 2012-08-10 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)I love these kinds of prompts. Gosh, well that was heartbreaking. ;__; hm, but then cue when Alfred starts questioning his sexuality. Either that, or he basically falls for his best friend BECAUSE he's Arthur. I root for the latter, yep. Hurrah! I love how you didn't make Arthur into the typical super blushing UKe and showed a lot of his boyish charm. (lol, love the pirate reference) because the strict seme/uke relations irk me to no end. But of course, it's natural he'd act like this since he's confessing. Oh please, please continue; my curiosity has been heightened. I just hope Arthur is absent due to coping, not from super sulking or worse, rebound. o___o haha, that wouldn't help Alfred's confused mind now would it..