~A week and a half ago...

"God! You can't just up and do that!" Arthur snapped, slamming his mug on the counter as the taller fixed up his suit for work.

"Yes I can! Boss won't move Ivan like I've been requesting for the past month, so I'm gonna quit!" The sandy blonde furiously grumbled as he bit into a bagel.

Arthur stomped his foot, glaring. "You can't quit just because you don't like someone! Besides, you like the job in itself! Why quit just because of one person you don't like? We need this job, especially since no one will bloody hire me!"

Groaning, the stronger man shrugged on his coat. "Geez, calm down. You'll f-"

"I AM CALM, YOU TWAT!"

"Doesn't seem like it."

"Why are you so bloody stubborn!?"

The younger finally had enough and stomped over to the front door. "Whatever, Arthur." Then he slammed the door shit behind himself.

The Brit was suddenly guilty. He shouldn't have started that fight. They almost never fought, but when they did, the taller would hug him until their anger was sated.

Arthur practically watched the clock until the working man's time off for lunch break. When the clock finally struck twelve thirty five, Arthur speed-dialed his finacé.

"Arthur?"

Said man nearly collapsed in relief. "Hey. I'm so sorry about this morning. I could have reacted better than that."

The other male chuckled. "It's alright, Arthur. I actually almost forgot about it." Arthur sighed happily and slid down into the couch. "Hey, boss said I could get off early. So I'll be home around five instead of seven. That sound good?"

Arthur smiled. "Of course. It just means I have to spend more time with you."

Laughing, the other man nearly dropped his phone. "I hope that's not bad. Anyway, I need to go. Love you."

"I love you, too." Then he hung up with joy fluttering in his chest.

~One month ago...

Arthur grunted as the larger man collapsed on him. "Get off, you dolt!" He yelped, panting heavily.

The other male laughed, only embracing the smaller beneath him. "Don't wanna! My Iggy is so comfy!" He laughed again as his arm was swatted at. "I love my little Iggy too much to let go!"

The Brit rolled his eyes, but smiled, feeling his heartbeat calm. Their bare skin against the other's was no new feeling, but it was still the best feeling to Arthur and his lover. "You're bloody stupid." The other man only chuckled, burying his nose in the crook of Arthur's neck.

After a short, comfortable silence, the larger male spoke up. "We should adopt. After we're married and everything. I always wanted kids." Arthur smiled, running his fingers through the sandy blonde hair.

"Sounds good, love. I wouldn't mind a child or two. Maybe even a couple pets."

"You're the best, Artie."

~One year ago...

"Are you sure we had to bring the Frog?"

Both of the taller males laughed at Arthur as they walked along the bustling streets of London. "Of course! Francis is one of the best picture takers in the world!"

Arthur grumbled under his breath, "yeah, that you know of." Arthur crankily stuffed his hands in his coat pockets. "I just don't think he should be here with us on our anniversary. We should be spending it alone, not paying for the Frenchie."

Again, the two laughed. "Come on, babe." The sandy blonde wrapped his arm around Arthur's shoulders as he grinned. "I have something extra special for you. Francis helped me with it, too."

"Oh, joy." Arthur muttered, glaring at the street. "I can't wait."

The taller two lead Arthur to the outskirts of London, getting a perfect view of the setting sun. Arthur smiled, loosening up.

"Arthur?"

"Hm?" Arthur looked over to his lover than gasped with wide eyes as he got down on one knee. "Oh my gosh! What are you doing! You're getting your pants bloody dirty! I just washed those!"

He only laughed, gently taking both of Arthur's hand. "These past couple of years, although hard, were some of the best years I could have ever had." Arthur gulped, tears already in his eyes. "I'd like for the rest of my life to be like that, but it only can if you're by my side."

Arthur wept as the man on his knee pulled out a simple ring. There was no box, just the ring. "Arthur Kirkland... Will you marry me?" Arthur sobbed loudly, unable to answer. The taller male stood back up, a small frown on his lips. "Arthur? What's wrong?"

The Brit shook his head as he grasped the other's jacket. "I don't... I just... I... I..." Arthur started to furiously nod. "Yes! Yes, of course I'll marry you!"

The stronger male laughed, grabbing Arthur's waist and raising him up as he laughed. Arthur shouted then laughed along, grasping the other's shoulders as Francis snapped a picture.

~Seven years earlier...

Arthur tensed his jaw as he dusted off nonexistent dirt off the other male's new suit. He fought back tears and didn't speak.

"Come on, Artie. I'll be okay. Remember, I promised you I'd only serve six years so we weren't separated for so long." The taller male tried to comfort Arthur, reaching out and pulling him into an embrace. "I'm the Hero, Arthur. I'll always come back."

Arthur chuckled, nodding. "I know, you bloody git. Just don't get hurt, okay?" The other blonde laughed, kissing Arthur's head. "A-and don't g-go flirting w-with anyone!"

The younger man grinned, squeezing Arthur. "You know you're my number one. You're the only one."

Arthur wept. The younger male could be so sweet at times.

Sighing, the taller male pulled back, gently caressing Arthur's cheek. "I need to go. But I'll be home soon, mkay?"

The Brit nodded, leaning into the other's hand.

Without saying a 'goodbye', he turned and left out the door.

~Eight years earlier...

The tall blonde breathed in deeply as his family sat expectantly on the couch in front of him. "I'm not... Completely straight."

His mom'a brows furrowed but his dad's and brother's eyes widened. "What does that mean, sweetie? Yes you are. You just graduated high school and you're applying for colleges."

He shook his head and looked down. "No, mom. Not in that way. I'm not completely straight as in... I not only like girls, but... I also like guys. I like men."

Now all of his family was shocked. His brother then pipped up. "Well, you still like girls, so you can look over there and look for that special girl-"

Again, the older brother shook his head. "No, Mattie. I've already found that one special person. And they're not a girl. I fell in love with Arthur."

"What!?" His dad stood angrily, glaring at his eldest son. "There is no way you're gay! All you've had are girlfriends!"

Shaking his head once again, the graduated male looked into his fathers eyes. "I've also date guys without telling you. I knew what'd you say. But I feel strongly enough about Arthur to tell you. I know nothing you can say or do will make me love him any less."

Furiously, the elder stomped his foot. "How about this; if you don't find a girl, I won't give you any money for college and I'll disown you as my son! As a family member!"

The sandy blonde wavered, but kept his gaze locked with his fathers. "That's fine by me."

"You're no longer my son! You never were if you truly are a queer!"

Gulping, the teen turned. "Alright. I'll just pack my things and go. Bye." He waved his hand over his shoulder and headed to his previous room to pack his things. "I can earn my own money for college."

~Ten years earlier...

"I'm so sorry! I totally did not mean to run into you!" The sandy blonde teen sputtered as he helped up the man he knocked right over in his hurry. "I'm just going to be super late!"

The slightly shorter male puffed his cheeks in annoyance. "Well you could at least watch where you're bloody going, you bloke."

Laughing, the High school Sophomore sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "True. Hey, I don't recognize your accent. You're not from the states, are you?"

The other male shook his head. "No. I was born and raised in England. I only just moved here a year ago."

Humming, the obviously American boy started walking alongside the Brit. "My name's Alfred! Alfred F. Jones! I'm a Sophomore at World high!"

"Arthur Kirkland. I actually jut graduated last year."

Alfred snickered, his bright blue eyes shimmering behind his glasses. "Man. You're old and short."

Arthur sputtered over his words before smacking Alfred over the back of his head. "I may be short, but I bloody am not old," he snapped as the taller, younger male laughed heartily. "Stop bloody laughing!"

Alfred, however, couldn't stop himself. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I can't stop!" Arthur started chasing him around the small park until they both stumbled and tangled together in he green grass, panting heavily and heart pounding. Alfred then cursed as he looked down at his watch. "Sorry, Arthur. I gotta go. My girl's waiting for me. See ya around!" Alfred grinned, ruffling Arthur's hair before jogging off, leaving the Brit flustered and pouting.

"Such idiots these bloody Americans are."

~Back to present...

Arthur stood in the kitchen. He grabbed the cup of tea Francis had made for him before he left for work. He couldn't believe Alfred had been gone for an entire week and a half. The pain was more unbearable than when the American was gone with the military.

The Brit yelped and jumped when he heard something shatter. His wide eyes searched the small area around him, but he hadn't dropped his tea cup or knocked anything over.

"Francis? Did you forget something?"

No reply.

Curious, yet scared, Arthur shuffled into the living area. A vase was shattered on the hardwood floor, the water and wilting tulips all over the floor. No Francis.

"He-hello?" Arthur looked around for whoever was in his house from his spot five feet from the broken vase. "Who's here? Francis? Big brother Ali?"

Again, Arthur didn't receive a response. Arthur began to panic, thanking someone broke into his house. He dropped his tea cup and dashed through his house. Nothing was missing. Nothing was broken into. Nothing else was different. No one was hiding anywhere.

Cautiously, Arthur crept into his living area where the shattered vase and cup were. It was just how he left it. Arthur fell to his knees, sobbing as he stared at the broken glass.

~

Arthur curled around a pillow, breathing in the faint scent of his deceased fiancé. The familiar warmth and comfort surrounded him again, and he sighed contentedly. The previous night as well as this night, he didn't feel as lonely. Arthur began to hum a soft tune as he closed his eyes and thought about everything Alfred had done for him.

Alfred had left his family for him. He worked for him, supported him and stayed with him. Alfred would always smile for Arthur, which the Brit had fell in love with almost instantly. Alfred would always find ways to spend more time with him in a sweet way, and would always treat him.

The American was always there for him, no matter what. Arthur remembered that when he attempted suicide, Alfred was there. Alfred didn't scream. He didn't run over and tear the knife from Arthur's hand. He simply walked over. He didn't look disappointed in Arthur. He only smiled. He reached over, and grabbed Arthur's hands, careful of the fresh wounds.

"I'm going to give you a choice," Arthur remembered him saying, "either you're going to keep cutting, or you're going to hand the knife over to me so we can toss it away together." For what seemed like hours, Arthur stared into those brilliant blue eyes before handing the knife over. Arthur knew that that was how he had fallen in love with the American. He gave him a choice instead of forcing him.

"Arthur..."

Gasping, the Brit sat up with wide eyes. He searched the room, but no one was in there and Francis slept on the couch rather than the guest room. He caught his breath, tears in his eyes.

"A-Alfred?"