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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 15, 2011 22:49:29 GMT
Unfortunately Arthur didn’t sleep quite as well. As usual when drinking, while he fell to sleep quickly, almost immediately, his sleep was restless and plagued by horrible and bizarre dreams that he’d remember little of in the morning. He did stir a little when Alfred showered, but not properly. Wrapping himself up tightly in his blankets, he tossed and turned, and by the time he woke, relatively late in the morning, he looked almost worse than he had when he went to bed, pale and sickly, and with dark rings around his green eyes.
More immediately than anything else, though, was the churning of his stomach, and Arthur launched himself from his bed and ran into the bathroom, half slamming the door behind him. He made it just in time, leaning over the toilet and throwing up what little there was in his stomach. Slight frame shaking slightly, he continued to retch up bile for a little longer, until his body finally calmed down a little. Arthur rested with his head on the sink, for a long moment, enjoying the cool porcelain, until he forced himself back onto his feet and flushed the toilet and rinsed his mouth out.
Still in his pyjamas, hair even more tousled than usual, and trousers slipping low on his thin hips, Arthur padded out of the bathroom into the kitchen, giving a grunted greeting to Alfred as he grabbed a cup and a box of paracetamol, taking four and following that up with a cup full of water. His head was pounding, but, little as he liked to admit it, it was a little better than normal.
“Morning.” He said, finally, leaning back on the counter and finally taking Alfred in. “How did you sleep? Has the storm passed over yet?”
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Post by Alfred Jones on Jan 16, 2011 5:06:59 GMT
If Alfred had been in any semblence of a content, peaceful sleep, he wasnt as soon as Arthur awoke. Jerking awake at the sound of the slamming, he twitched lightly and looked around, not recalling where he was before he calmed slowly, recalling the night before while listening to the melodious sound of Arthurs retching. Finally, he sat up as Arthur emerged, and he visibly winced at the others state.
The blanket was over his shoulders, tucked in against his front while some remained ontop of his head, like a hood while he watched Arthur head into the kitchen, almost looking afraid the other might turn into some kind of monster. Still, he settled when he spoke, tucking the blankets in a little more with a light noise, not used to the colder temperature of the air. "Morning...Good...And um.." He paused, looking on out the window.
"...Still pouring." He decided as he eyed the windows being pounded on by the rain, slowly poking his legs out from the blankets as he stood, walking over and then eyeing the other. "...Do you think you could manage to eat breakfast?"
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 16, 2011 14:31:57 GMT
Feeling a little guilty as he took Alfred in, Arthur realised he must have wakened him. He followed his gaze to the window and sighed as he took in the rain, shivering a little still. He did manage to smile at Alfred a little as he walked over, pleased to see that he seemed a little more rested, despite the sudden wakening.
"You're welcome to help yourself, you know, you don't have to wait for me to eat." He said with a smile, misunderstanding, perhaps. "I'm going to put the kettle on. Do you want some tea? Or hot chocolate." He moved to fill the kettle, struggling a little with the weight of it, and then flicked it on, and with a tired sigh moved to get their cups from the night before, to wash them up.
As he leant over the sink, he cast his eyes back to Alfred. "Did you read some more last night?" He asked, a little curiously. Now that he was a little closer, he could smell his own soap on Alfred, and he smiled. "I hope you enjoyed your shower."
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Post by Alfred Jones on Jan 16, 2011 17:30:21 GMT
Frowning at Arthur not quite understanding, he thought for a moment. "Tea is ok." Watching the smaller form as he moved around the kitchen, Alfred cocked his head before he perked at being talked to again. "Ah, yeah. I finished the first one!"
And he did, it was on the table where he had put it. Still, he flushed lightly at the statement and nodded. "Yeah, it's been awhile since I got a shower like that." Was mumbled, before he moved to the bar and rest his arms on it, looking up at Arthur. "But what I meant by that was, I'd like to make you breakfast, do you think you could hold it down? I've heard greasy things can kind of help with taking care of the stuff that comes with drinking..."
He didn't mind paying either, he had enough to run to the nearest store and buy some things. Hopefully because it was pouring they wouldnt notice he was a lowlander, but...
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 16, 2011 19:36:11 GMT
Nodding at the request, Arthur threw two teabags into the cups just before the kettle boiled, filling them up. "What did you think? Still the same as last night?" He asked, looking at the book and then at Alfred. He smiled a little to see that Alfred seemed a little pleased, anyway. Hopefully it hadn't been too bad.
"O-oh..." Arthur hesitated. It'd been a long time since he'd had anything substantial for breakfast, but that did sound good. "We'd have to go out in the rain, though." He pointed out, glancing over Alfred's shoulder, back out the window. He didn't much feel like a dash through the rain, but if Alfred really wanted to... "If that's what you want, let me find my coat and wallet." He doubted that even alone Alfred would cause much interest. He was clean, and Arthur had seen people in scruffier clothes, and there would be no need for him to be ID'd.
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Post by Alfred Jones on Jan 16, 2011 22:46:23 GMT
"Ah, no need! I'll go by myself, I saw one of those smaller stores on the way here, so I can get there and back in no time! In fact, I'll be back before my tea gets cool." He declared, hurrying over and changing his shirt to keep this one dry and then he trotted over, pulling on his jacket, eyeing the pans that Arthur had.
"Be back soon!" And with that he quickly moved out, getting his shoes on as he did so, and he was too fast for Arthur to get dressed and follow him, though he did stealthily grab an umbrella as he ranon out. He ran quickly, barely out of breath as he reached the small mart and--discovering the bills Arthur had snuck in his pocket, he rolled his eyes and paid for the small amount of items with that.
The jog home was more careful because of the eggs he had, but he did actually make it back in around fifteen minutes, and he stood outside with a shiver, knocking on Arthurs door. The short trip had given him a breather from Arthur, so he was good to go with socializing now that his paranoia had been satiated a bit.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 16, 2011 22:54:33 GMT
Frowning, Arthur reached out to stop Alfred, but there was little he could do with his head still pounding and Alfred running around like that. So instead he sighed, and carried his tea over to the sofa, pushing the bedding that Alfred had used to one side so he could curl up. "Be careful. And take the umbrella!" Arthur called to him as he left.
While Alfred was done, Arthur remained on the sofa, curled up around his tea. He ended up pulling the blanket over too, and was surprised how comfortable he was with Alfred's scent that had filled the soft fabric. Curling himself up, he dozed a little until he heard the knock, when he jumped, before remembering and moving as quickly as he dared to the door, holding it open for Alfred.
"If you're soaking wet now, it's your own fault." He chided him, as he took the shopping bag from him so he could deal with his wet clothes, hand ghosting over Alfred's as he did. Taking it into the kitchen, he put it on the counter and waited for Alfred. "Did you get everything you wanted?"
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Post by Alfred Jones on Jan 16, 2011 23:09:18 GMT
Alfred just grinned in response, letting him take the bag and then shaking the umbrella free of most of the water before he set it aside to finish drying, heading over to his bag and changing quickly in the bathroom. "Mhm!" He called, trotting in and in dryer clothing now.
"I'm a good cook, too, so you better be ready to eat." He teased, gently shooing Arthur back to the couch where he could see the older man had settled earlier. Finding the pans he needed, it wasnt long before both bacon and sausage was being cooked, along with hashbrowns, toast, and when things were mostly finished, he fried up some eggs.
Eventually he finished, and he plated it mostly evenly between him and Arthur (He may or may not have given Arthur more of some things), he then set the plates on the bar. "Ready for breakfast?" He asked, setting the butter out with a knife as well as a small container of jelly.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 16, 2011 23:16:47 GMT
Rolling his eyes a little, Arthur let Alfred push him away. "We'll see about that." He commented, still teasing the younger man. Rather than taking the sofa, he sat on the window seat so he could alternate between watching the rain and Alfred. He seemed to know what he was doing at least, and Arthur relaxed a little.
The smells of breakfast made his stomach curl uneasy, but that didn't stop Arthur from enjoying them. It had been a long time since he'd had a proper cooked breakfast. As Alfred finished, Arthur stood up, making himself another tea and topping up Alfred's with a bit of hot water, bringing them over to the breakfast bar and putting them down.
"I think so." He replied, eyeing the portion that Alfred had given him and wondering whether he really expected him to eat it all. Taking his seat, he waited for Alfred, and graced him with a soft smile. "Thank you."
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Post by Alfred Jones on Jan 16, 2011 23:22:53 GMT
Taking his own seat with a nod, Alfred faintly stretched out his feet then took his fork, glad he had thought ahead and just put silverware down. Eyeing his tea, he let that soak so it wouldnt be weak on the top before he smiled at him brightly. "You let me crash at your place and I'm a stranger, this is the least I could do."
And with that he took a nibble of his bacon, blue eyes on Arthur to see if he liked it or it was acceptable to him. It was a little worrying how thin Arthur was, but it wasnt his place to tell the other to eat more really. Now, when the other was boozed up and stumbling around, THEN he could tell him what to do. "Not feeling too queasy are you?" He asked then, worried his breakfast might make him throw up...Even though when he worked at the diner whenever guys with hangovers came in in the morning they usually ordered stuff like this.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 16, 2011 23:38:34 GMT
Arthur smiled at Alfred. "You saved my life, and helped me home last night, I think I should be the one thanking you. Besides, I couldn't let you go back in this weather." Looking away Arthur took a breath before continuing. "And I don't think you count as a stranger any more, Alfred." He told him, gently.
Picking up his knife and fork, Arthur considered the plate, before prodding the egg so that the yolk spilt over his hashbrown. Then he cut a piece off and nibbled on it a little cautiously, before making a pleased noise and taking a proper bite. His stomach was still complaining, but between the paractamol and the grease it slid down easily, and Arthur thought that he'd be all right. "A bit, but this is really good. Where did you learn to cook like this?" He asked, looking up at him. There was still too much on the plate for him, but Arthur was looking forward to eating what he could for the first time in a while.
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Post by Alfred Jones on Jan 16, 2011 23:45:43 GMT
Nibbling his bacon still, Alfred hummed but then smiled. "Acquaintance then..?" He asked, not sure how the other defined him now obviously, judging by his tone. The pleased noise made him smile though, and he seemed pleased himself now as he dug into the breakfast with a bit more vigor, happy that Arthur liked it.
"I had a job at a diner for awhile, and the cook showed me how to cook sometimes so I could help out back there when it got really busy." Alfred replied after swallowing, but the look Arthur had seemed enough to please him, as long as he tried to eat as much as he could. "I can make tons of stuff now, even though I was kinda bad in the begining. I never cooked until I was...Ah...16 I think." Pausing there, he sipped on his tea a bit, enjoying that and smiling at at Arthur.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 16, 2011 23:53:18 GMT
Falling quiet, Arthur considered that. He was tempted to say friends, but didn't know if Alfred would appreciate it. Besides, they hadn't known each other for that long, and it had been a long time since Arthur had considered anyone a friend. Slowly he nodded, but he gave Alfred a smile at the same time, letting him know that he wasn't being given less than his worth.
For some reason, seeing Alfred drink the tea was pleasing to Arthur. He didn't seem like the type to enjoy it, and Arthur thought that more people should appreciate his favourite drink (well, after alcohol). "What kind of things?" Arthur asked. If it was all diner food, he wasn't sure if he'd like it all, but... "You should come and cook for me more often." He said, playfully as he started on the bacon, leaving the hashbrown half eaten.
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Post by Alfred Jones on Jan 16, 2011 23:57:33 GMT
Alfred was oblivious to Arthurs enjoyment at seeing him drink tea, but he hummed as he thought. "Tons of things. And when I quit there, awhile later I worked at this um...It was kind of like a cake shop basically, and I learned how to do a lot of desserts." He thought more. "And I had a couple more jobs that dealt with different kinds of foods, but if there's a recipe now I can cook it."
The bacon was gone now and he buttered his toast before breaking the yolk of the egg, using the toast to dip in it and eat the egg on it at the same time. "What kind of things do you like cooking?" He asked then, giving him a curious little smile.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 17, 2011 0:16:47 GMT
Making a pleased noise at that, Arthur looked at Alfred. "You'll have to make me some, then, one day." Arthur would buy the ingredients, of course, but he did have a fond spot for dessert, and cakes especially. He liked to think he could turn out a good victoria sponge, but for some reason shop brought ones always tasted different. "You've had a lot of jobs, haven't you?" Arthur asked, curiously.
Still nibbling on his bacon, Arthur considered the question. "Um, well, I wouldn't say that I enjoy cooking." He explained. "I can cook scones, and stew, and roast dinner, but..." He didn't really want to explain the problem he had with fire alarms and 'nauseous gasses'. "I don't enjoy it that much." Of course, that was part of the problem with his weight, not that he considered there to be a problem with it. "I guess I normally just eat take aways, or ready meals sometimes."
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Post by Alfred Jones on Jan 17, 2011 3:37:43 GMT
"Mm? I'd be happy to. I bet you'd like a chocolate rum cake wouldn't you." he teased, but smiled and finished up all that was on his plate contently, sipping the rest of the tea afterwards. "Mmm...Yes. I can't remember the number actually, I havent bothered keeping count." Alfred sat the mug down when he finished, settling back contentedly.
The others list of cooking was...Rather small, he noted, but he nodded slowly anyways. "Mmnn....Well....Is that why you dont look very up....Healthy in the weight department..?" He asked, obviously trying to be extremely careful with his words and not upset the older man, and he actually kind of looked like he was ready to run should he need to.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 17, 2011 3:48:48 GMT
Alfred might have been teasing, but Arthur thought that sounded delicious, and he nodded his head before deciding that that hurt too much. "I'd like that." He said, smiling at him. "You'd have to help me eat it, though." He was still working his way through the food on his plate, obviously starting to slow as his appetite was sated, but since it had been so long since he'd had such a nice meal, and because Alfred had cooked it for him, Arthur continued, doing his best to clean the plate.
Blinking, Arthur was more concerned about Alfred than what he'd actually said. He hesitated, and then reached out, gently taking Alfred's arm and squeezing. "Don't look so scared, Alfred, I'm not going to hurt you." He reassured him, before finally taking what he said in, and looking down at himself. "I wouldn't call myself fat..." He said, frowning a little more, as he shifted his hand to his own flat stomach. He knew that he didn't eat the healthiest of things, but he wasn't that over weight, was he? "Besides, I can cook perfectly well when I want to, I just don't want to most of the time!" He quickly said.
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Post by Alfred Jones on Jan 17, 2011 3:56:24 GMT
"With a nice glaze and some chocolate strawberries on top I think I could deal with that." Was said lightly, and he chuckled, but looked happy that Arthur was trying so hard to finish his food, because that meant that the older man liked it. Well if it helped him out Alfred was happy to cook for him when he needed it...
The hand reaching for him did make him flinch fiantly, but he relaxed lightly at the words...Then again he'd heard them before, so he just stayed slightly taut. "Ah, not fat, not fat at all....You're more....Skeletal, really." He said softly, pulling Arthurs hand up and then tracing down the others bonier than normal hands to show him. "And um. If you eat mostly take out, and you're still this thin, that's when it's worrying Arthur..." He said, mumbling softly before he let him go, worried he might not like the contact.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jan 17, 2011 4:09:57 GMT
Arthur couldn't help but lick his lips when he heard 'strawberries'. They'd always been a weakness for the young man, he couldn't help it. "Alfred, if you're not careful I'm going to make you make me one before you have to go." He said, smiling at him. "It sounds delicious. Really. If you could make me something like that I'd be honoured, and more than pleased to eat it." He was truthful, but he also finally gave up with the food in front of him, too full to eat another bite.
Frowning a little at feeling Alfred flinch, Arthur couldn't help but wonder just what had caused Alfred to be this flighty. It worried him. He made a mental note not to reach out for Alfred again until he was sure he was all right with it, although he did like the attention from him, relaxing his hand into his touch to show that it was all right. He followed Alfred's fingers, but frowned a little, before sighing. "It's not that bad." He ran the fingers of his other hand through his hair, closing his eyes briefly. Skeletal really wasn't the word that he would have used. "I mean... I appreciate your concern, but I'm not that thin." He said, smiling at him a little.
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Post by Alfred Jones on Jan 17, 2011 5:26:45 GMT
Laughing softly, Alfred smiled as he settled back. "I could if you really wanted to, they store pretty decently if you have a container to seal it in." The praise was making him lightly flush though, and in the end the amount Arthur ate seemed good enough for him. It was...WEll mostly gone, anyway.
The relaxing he felt at his touch was slightly promising, but he still let him have his hand back, resting his own on the counter top for now and just lightly tapping his fingers to keep them busy, kind of like playing a piano. "It just...Well you look underweight, that's all. And with the way you party, that's even unhealthier." Faintly he looked down at his own hands, stilling them, and then smiled at him. "How're you feeling?"
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