|
|
Post by Arthur Kirkland on May 15, 2011 21:28:23 GMT
Arthur wrapped his thin fingers around his mug of tea and pulled it closer to himself. His eyes slid to the parcel on the table beside him and he let out a soft sigh. He hoped Alfred actually turned up this time. He’d only seen him a couple of times since he’d finally found him again, but he was worried he’d ruined things last time by trying to insist that Alfred came home to get some proper sleep. But the boy had looked exhausted, and Arthur knew that his contract had ended, so he’d pushed just a little further than normal. He knew that one of the times he’d come down to try and meet up with him since Joel hadn’t seen Alfred to pass the message on, but the time after that Joel had said that he had, so Arthur wasn’t sure what had happened. He hoped Alfred was all right.
He had something else to tell Alfred as well, and Arthur’s mind drifted onto it as he fingered a loose flap of paper on the parcel. He didn’t know how Alfred would take it, but he was hopeful. Arthur was still looking thin and pale, but he had at least stayed away from the clubs this month. He hadn’t even fallen back on his toys as a replacement, or at least not as much as he’d thought he would. And he was cutting down on the alcohol that he drank at home too, though he was admittedly replacing it with cigarettes and tea. Alfred’s pleas to eat more had fallen on deaf ears, as every time he looked in the mirror he saw a thousand reasons not to.
Glancing down at his watch, Arthur chewed on his lip. He’d been here for a while, but he’d gotten here early as usual. Alfred was only ten minutes late so far. And Joel had said that he’d managed to give him the message again, so he was hopeful. Maybe Alfred had found another job? Arthur hoped so. Arthur worried about him having the money to look after himself. Finally sipping from his tea, Arthur eyed the parcel again, then slipped it into his bag. He always had to second guess everything with Alfred, and he was worried about this.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alfred Jones on May 16, 2011 10:06:35 GMT
Alfred hummed to himself as he walked down the street. He was late than the time that had been decided on, but he had had to help this kid catch his dog when it got away from his collar. Glancing up at the sign to the restaurant, Alfred softly rubbed his eyes with a sigh and then opened the door. A quick glance around found Arthur, and then he headed on over, taking a seat across from Arthur at the two person booth and giving him a small smile.
Arthur looked horrible. He was thin and pale and his eyes looked tired--nevermind those dark circles under his eyes. Really, Alfred was half contemplating calling on friend-privelages and forcing him into eating healthy and a lot. Just so he stopped looking so much like a walking breathing skeleton with a skin suit. "Hey Arthur, sorry I'm late. A kid needed help catching his dog." Nodding, he tugged the glass of water there for him over and took a sip, giving Joel a glance and small wave.
Still, it was kind of odd that Arthur called him for something, calling it 'important'. Maybe something good happened, like he got another book published. That'd make him happy, Alfred did after all enjoy reading Arthurs work.
"So, what's the news? You pregnant?" He couldn't help but joke, leaning back in the seat. He at least looked a bit less thin than when Arthur saw him when he came back from the mountains, his muscles easily filling back in and the more healthy glow back on his cheeks. If anything he could eat semi-regularily now, so that of course was doing wonders for his body, which of course was probably thanking it's host for feeding it on a regular basis now instead of starving it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Kirkland on May 16, 2011 10:39:54 GMT
Looking up as the door opened again, Arthur smiled to see Alfred. He was a little relieved to see him, actually, and even more relieved to see him looking well. He waved to him, but Alfred had already spotted him and was coming over, so Arthur scooted over to make space for him, pulling his bag and tea with him. The excuse for his lateness made Arthur chuckle. "Did you catch him?" He asked, pushing the menu over to Alfred, indicating he should get something to eat. Alfred looked like he had been eating properly at least, and that made Arthur feel a lot better.
"Hardly." He snorted. He almost made a comment pointing out that he wasn't allowed to have sex, but swallowed it, finding it easier not to refer to their agreement. "And I haven't got anyone pregnant either. "How've you been? Did you manage to find a new job?" He asked, offering Alfred a slightly concerned smile.
Under the table, Arthur fiddled with the parcel, before finally bringing it out and offering to Alfred. "Here. This is for you." Inside were the two children's books that Arthur had shown Alfred, along with a third one. The dedication inside the first one read, 'to a Hero. For the encouragement.'
|
|
|
|
Post by Alfred Jones on May 16, 2011 10:50:03 GMT
Blinking at the menu, Alfred eyed Arthur in a way that clearly said 'only if you order something as well'."Yeah, we did, poor kid. He looked like he was about to wet his pants because he thought he wasn't gonna get the dog back." However, he did at least tug the menu over to see if anything looked good...The roast beef sandwich was actually looking pretty good, though, and his eyes lingered on it before he turned his attention on Arthur once more.
"Mm? Well that's good, I don't think you'd make a very good dad." He chuckled, before he shook his head at the next question. "I haven't really been lookin' too hard though. Been more focused on my heroing duties." Well obviously his day was going rather well if he was being joking like this, so perhaps this was a good time for what Arthur had planned.
Blinking at the package as it was brought out, Alfreds brows rose before he curiously tugged it over. "What is it?" He asked, looking slightly suspicious. However, he did carefully open the paper, and then when he saw what they were he paused for a moment then smiled. "..They got published?" The younger man guessed, smiling brightly for Arthur and looking a bit...Proud for him.
The first two were looked through carefully, admiring how nice the final pictures looked of course, but the third one he hadn't read yet. The dedication made him pause though, and he faintly flushed in embarrassment, but a genuinely happy smile was on his lips at it, not for the appreciation, or the somewhat secretive shout out, but...Because someone actually cared enough to consider him a reason for it being made.
For now though, he tugged the third unread one over, curiously looking at it. "What's this one about, hmn?" He asked, looking at the cover first.
|
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Kirkland on May 16, 2011 18:35:43 GMT
Arthur very carefully ignored Alfred's gaze. He'd eaten... well, recently, anyway. And he had tea. "How young was he?" He asked, surprised that the boy was so distressed. He was at least pleased to hear that they'd found the dog, though. Hopefully the boy would be careful not to lose the dog again. After all, Alfred couldn't always be there for everyone. "How do you know what kind of father I'd be?" He huffed. Alfred was probably right, but maybe he'd be surprised! "I take pretty good care of you. Better care than you take of yourself half the time." He frowned to hear that Alfred hadn't found a new job yet, but Arthur had an idea about that.
Sitting back, Arthur watched Alfred play with the package, chewing on his lip. He relaxed when Alfred opened it and smiled, pleased that Alfred was pleased. "Mmm." He agreed with a nod. He blushed as well a little as Alfred read the dedication, hoping that the subtle message would be appreciated. Arthur hadn't wanted to name Alfred in case it made him uncomfortable, but had still wanted to thank him. "Why don't you read it and see?" Arthur said, with a smile and a small shrug. The story inside was about one of the misfits being bullied, and an outcast coming to save him, a message against bullying and also against judging people by what other people said.
"Do you know what you want to eat?" Arthur said, after giving Alfred a chance to flick through. He'd finished his tea, and he wanted another, so he fiddled with his cup. He still had something else to tell Alfred too, but he was intending on waiting a little bit for that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alfred Jones on May 16, 2011 20:25:38 GMT
Pouting to see that Arthur was doing that, eyes narrowed for a moment at him, obviously not letting him get away with it. The question made him him as he thought about it for a moment. "Mm..I'd say around ten?..Maybe a bit younger.He was trying to be responsible." Nodding, he smiled as he took a sip from his water again.
The dedication was quite obviously appreciated, though Alfred was sure other people probably could have easily been worthy of it. Making a noise, Alfred of course read started reading, and by the end of the story was smiling again. "It's really nice Arthur...It's good for someone to put this kind of thing out for children." Nodding, he slowly closed the book and then, stacking the three up, set it down as Arthur asked that.
"Mm? Yeah, I think I want the roast beef sandwich with au juice...You're going to eat something too though." And he wasn't asking Arthur about it, he was stating it. "What would you like, Mr Skin and bones? It's on me, in celebration." Smiling, he settled on back in his seat, not quite noticing the faint nervousness that Arthur was displaying.
|
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Kirkland on May 17, 2011 5:35:33 GMT
"Oh, well, I guess that makes sense, then." Arthur thought that he wouldn't let a child that young out by himself, but never mind. He'd been imagining someone more around 13, or perhaps even a young teenager.
Seeing Alfred stack the books up, Arthur realised the flaw in the plan of giving them to Alfred. They'd fit in his bag, but would they survive there? In any case, they'd be taking up space that Alfred could use for clothes or something else that he needed. "Thanks. Um... I can keep them at my place, if you want, or I'll sign them and you can sell them on." He offered. "If you don't want to keep them in your bag."
Arthur huffed lightly at being told to eat, and briefly glanced over the menu before shaking his head. "I ate earlier. I'll just have another tea. And I'll pay." He didn't like Alfred paying for things, especially knowing that he was living off the money from his last job. Arthur had just got two advances from the children's books and his latest novel, and although he'd also just made a big payment he was still considerably better off than Alfred. Standing up he moved towards the desk to order for Alfred, leaving him with his bag.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alfred Jones on May 17, 2011 6:00:02 GMT
"Mm..Don't worry, it was around his neighborhood at least." He smiled, faintly guessing what Arthur might be thinking. He was a bit surprised about it too until he found that it was in the neighborhood that he lived, so he did know people around there.
The books taking up space in his bag didnt even occur to him, but he then frowned at the mention of selling them, hugging them in without warning, looking at him with a frown. "No!" Lightly he huffed, but then again, he didnt want anything to happen to the books..."..They can stay at your place." he decided eventually, eyeing the books.
Setting them down next to himself though, Alfred then frowned when Arthur said that before he narrowed his eyes a little. The other refusing to take his advice when it was so obvious that it was something he needed to do. "Arthur, if you don't eat something, I'll leave, right now." he said then, crossing his arms and sitting back. It made him look a bit like a sulky child, but he didn't really care, he was making it into a more serious pose.
|
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Kirkland on May 17, 2011 8:11:00 GMT
Flinching as Alfred started at the suggestion, for a moment Arthur couldn't work out what he'd said. He relaxed when Alfred said he should look after the books though, and nodded. "Do you want to keep them this time so you can read them?" He offered, a little more cautiously this time. He was a little honoured that Alfred would be so attached to the gifts, and it made him happier than it should. That feeling didn't last long though, when Alfred tried to blackmail him into eating.
"What? You little brat!" Arthur paused, not caring that he was standing between their booth and a table, and kind of in the way. Huffing, he threw his arms down, annoyed that Alfred's threat was working. "Git." He muttered, before storming off to the counter. Joel took a step back under Arthur's glare, and Arthur forced himself to soften it a little. "More tea, and the roast beef sandwich for Alfred, please. And I'll have..." He eyed the menu for a moment, before sighing out. He really didn't want to eat. "What soup do you have on today?"
"Um... There's vegetable or ham and pea." Joel replied, after glancing at the board.
"Ham and pea, then, please. Don't bother bringing bread out with it." Arthur paid, and then waited for his tea, carrying that back to the table and then sitting back down beside Alfred. "I got soup. Happy?" He said, obviously not happy about it himself. Maybe he should have told Joel not to bother filling the bowl either.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alfred Jones on May 17, 2011 9:06:43 GMT
Alfred just remained in the pose, staring at him stubbornly. However, it relaxed when he got what he wanted, and he watched as Arthur ordered...Poor Joel. Wincing at the poor dude looking like he was mugged or something, he smiled brightly when Arthur sat down, nodding happily.
"Yes, very, very happy. I just hope you at least eat most of whats in the bowl though..." Was the response, and it did look like it had made Alfred very happy. He was worried for Arthur too after all. Leaning back in the seat then, he smiled at him brightly before he hummed. Finally though he tugged on his sleeve, the action itself more familiar than he'd been with Arthur previously.
"Hey Arthur, you keep looking like you're nervous about something...Is something up?" Alfred asked then, concerned. Maybe someone was harrassing him or something and he wanted him to stick around to scare em off...It HAD happened before, with another person Alfred knew.
|
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Kirkland on May 17, 2011 12:57:43 GMT
Huffing, Arthur didn't understand why Alfred was so happy. "Do you want to make me fat?" He muttered, still having no intention of eating any more than he had to. He'd never been able to manage the serving sizes here anyway, so he figured if he could play with it a bit Alfred would think that he'd eaten and be happy.
Arthur was surprised when Alfred tugged on his sleeve, and he looked at him, frowning at the question. "Ah, not nervous as such. There is something else I need to say though. Um. At the end of the month the contract on my flat ends and I'm going to move." Arthur rummaged in his bag again, and pulled out a little booklet, printed with pictures of the new house. It was just a simple two up and two down, in need of some renovation, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, with a reasonably big garden for a house it's size. Of course, the booklet also had the price printed on it, but Alfred didn't need to know that Arthur had paid in cash up front.
"I was kind of hoping you'd help me move everything." He said, glancing at him as he passed the booklet over. "And maybe help me sort out the kitchen and bathroom? I want to redo the bedrooms and sitting room too, but they can wait. I can pay you for your time, especially if you want to help me do the renovations." Actually, Arthur had no intention of letting Alfred do the work without being paid, but he'd cross that bridge when he came to it. "And since I'll have a second bedroom, you can come and stay whenever you want. Well, you can come and stay whenever you want anyway, but you can use it as... a bolt hole, I guess. If you're ever scared, or if you're tired and just need to sleep, it'll be there for you. We can put a lock on the door and you can keep the key." He offered, scratching his cheek. He wasn't daft enough to ask Alfred to move in full stop, he just couldn't see Alfred accepting it, but perhaps this way Alfred would be more comfortable in coming to him when he needed a rest.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alfred Jones on May 17, 2011 22:10:51 GMT
"Not fat, just not like a walking skeleton." He pointed out, giving Arthur a smile that was...Worried. The statement alone kind of had him wondering if Arthur was...Hmn.
In any case, when Arthur finally revealed what was up, Alfred was surprised. Nodding slowly, he accepted the booklet, opening it to look inside at the photos and the layout. It also listed what issues were up with it. It was definitely a fixer upper, most people didn't like getting a house like this.
"Uh..Yeah, definitely. I'll help with whatever needs done, no problem." Smiling at Arthur, he read through the booklet a bit. "I won't accept being paid though, helping out is what friends do." The younger blonde pointed out, turning the page. He'd seen the price, but...Well, he figured Arthur was probably well off enough for the price it was at.
The offer made him pause though, and softly he stroked on the page. Oddly, he felt a small fuzzy feeling in his stomache, but for now of course he ignored it. "Um...I'll...Hmnn, how about I give you an answer about it when we get you moved in and the place fixed up, alright..?" He suggested, smiling.
He didn't want to give an exact answer quite yet. If he did though, he was going to definitely take the smaller room...He'd really like if it had a tree near the window so he could just climb in and out that way.Yeah he felt like a cat a bit, but it'd make him feel better, and that way he could push his matress--because he knew he didn't deserve an actual bed--against the door and it'd make it even harder to get in.
|
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Kirkland on May 17, 2011 22:33:03 GMT
While Alfred read over the booklet, Joel came over with their food, and Arthur thanked him, ignoring his for now but pushing Alfred's closer over to him. "I think remodelling a kitchen is a bit above and beyond friendship." Arthur pointed out with a smile, but didn't push it any more than that. He'd find a way of making sure Alfred accepted the payment at the time. Alfred's hesitant reply to his other made him chuckle, and reaching over he gently petted Alfred's hand. "You don't have to give me an answer at all. Just know that it'll be there for you if you want it." He said. After all, he wasn't offering Alfred a permanent place to live, although of course if Alfred wanted that Arthur would be happy to give it to him. More like somewhere to shelter for a night or two if things got rough.
Leaning over, Arthur pulled the booklet back over a little and pointed out the front of the house. "I'm thinking I might grow roses or honeysuckle up the front of the house." He said, indicating from the doorway up to the second bedroom's window. "And there's enough space in the garden for a decent vegetable patch as well as some lawn and some flower beds. I might even have it all in decent shape for next summer." He said, sounding more interested and involved in this project than he had done in anything else aside from books.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alfred Jones on May 17, 2011 22:45:57 GMT
For now the food was ignored as well, and Alfred hummed in response before he watched what Arthur was pointing out. Smiling, he nodded, shifting in to get a bit closer to point at an area of the garden. "That corner over there looks like it'd be a good size for a strawberry patch too...You like those, right?"
It seemed to be one of the few things he could tempt Arthur into eating almost 80% of the time. "What sort of vegetables are you planning though?" His eyes followed the spot, and he smiled faintly to see the area around the line of the fence loked like a good spot to plant a few pumpkin plants as well.
"I know a good recipe for a chilled soup for summer..It can only be made with fresh veggies too, otherwise it tastes off." Oddly enough, Alfred looked rather interested in helping Arthur with his garden too at least. Maybe because it was a project they could both do together. "You could plant herbs too, so you can have tea with homegrown leaves."
|
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Kirkland on May 17, 2011 23:02:35 GMT
Nodding at that suggestion, Arthur was pleased that Alfred seemed to enjoy the ideas too. "I thought that too. I was thinking I could put some raspberry canes in too. Do you like blackberries? Or we could try blueberries." He suggested, wanting to plant things that Alfred would like too. With his job it wasn't as though he didn't have time to look after anything he decided to plant.
"Well, I haven't decided if there's enough room for a greenhouse or not yet." Arthur admitted. "I suppose I should have one really. But just the usual. I can put some beans up against the wall on the south side and then carrots, potatoes, maybe some sweetcorn? I like lettuce, but I don't know if I'll be able to keep it from getting eaten." He smiled at Alfred. "What'd you like? I was planning to plant a herb garden too. Someone told me once that my mother used to line hers with lavender, and I think I want to try that."
Arthur had barely mentioned his mother before, and he fell silent after that, pulling his soup forward finally paying attention to it. He stirred it, eyeing it suspiciously. It didn't look very appetising, and Arthur could swear that he could see spots of fat rising to the surface with each movement. Still, he made a show of lifting the spoon to his lips, tasting a little, then setting it back down for now. "I think I'm going to try and get a van for the move, but if not I know where I can hire a cart for the day." He said, eyeing the booklet again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alfred Jones on May 18, 2011 5:28:41 GMT
Smiling, Alfred hummed. "I like basically anything, Arthur." He pointed out, resting his head to the side before he smiled at Arthur. "Maybe a small green house..?" He suggested. When he saw it himself he'd be able to figure it out himself.
"Mm...For lettuce I'd only plant a few so we can see if they'll survive it." Humming in thought at that, Alfred paused when Arthur mentioned his mother.Glancing at him, Alfred hummed but pulled his own food over, biting into the sandwich before he dunked it in his juice, taking a bite. When Arthur only took one bite though, Alfred frowned.
"Do whatever is cheaper. But Arthur, if you don't eat, I'm going to spoon feed you." He said then, smiling brightly...In a threatening way. It was almost scarier than a glare would be.
"It'll be a fun project..Oh, and since you'll have a house, you can get a pet now." He pointed out, smiling at that. It'd be good for Arthur to have constant company.
|
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Kirkland on May 18, 2011 11:54:45 GMT
Nodding, Arthur hummed. "I suppose I'll have to sort out the interior before I do the garden anyway." He said, with a sigh. "I'll plant some things so they have a chance to get settled before next year, but aside from that leave it until next spring."
Arthur blinked at the way that Alfred looked at him. Uneasily, he looked down at his food again. A few bites couldn't hurt, right? And if it was, Alfred wouldn't be there when he got back home. He picked up the spoon again, and sipped from it. "I was just waiting for it to cool down." He complained, huffing lightly. "I don't see why you're so obsessed with making me eat anyway." He did at least take a few more bites, before slowing down, playing with it a little more in between each bite.
"I was thinking about getting a cat." He admitted. "There's a rescue centre out here somewhere, isn't there?" He asked, glancing up at the window. "I don't think I want a kitten either." He couldn't be bothered to deal with litter training. "Anyway, I'll have to wait until we finish fixing the place up. It wouldn't be fair to have a cat while all that work's happening.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alfred Jones on May 18, 2011 21:54:20 GMT
"Yeah, that would proably be best for the plants.." He nodded, smiling. He liked potatoes, maybe they could plant those! In any case, he looked much happier when Arthur started eating again, smiling pleasantly. The complaint was just responded by a small hum of disbelief, but he did seem happy that he was eating.
"Mm? Yeah there is, I work there on occasion with helping take care of the animals....I think a cat would suit you though." He said amusedly. In a way, a cat kind of reminded him of Arthur! It wasn't much longer before he finished his meal though, sighing happily at how it tasted. "That's true though, but they also do reservations. If you go and find a cat you like before you're ready to take him in, they'll hold it for you because they're glad enough to just get one sent out."
|
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Kirkland on May 18, 2011 22:18:41 GMT
Somehow it didn't surprise Arthur that Alfred had worked there. He seemed to have worked most places in the city at some point or another. Still... The idea of him working with animals was cute, and Arthur smiled to himself. Noting that Alfred had finished eating, Arthur took a last sip of his soup before setting his spoon down. "Hmm... I think if I found a cat I'd want to take them home, though." He said, with a little nod. "And I don't even more house until the end of the month, so there's certainly no point in looking now." As tempting as it was. He just didn't want to fall in love with one and just have to bring it home when that was not the best thing for it.
"What were you up to the last couple of weeks?" Arthur asked, to move the subject on. Pushing his bowl away, he drew his tea in instead, wrapping his hands around it like he had his last and then sipping from it. "I came down a couple of times hoping to see you, but Joel said you didn't get my message...?" He said. Once, at least. He knew that Alfred had gotten one of them, but he was always cautious about pushing Alfred too far. He didn't want him to disappear on him again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alfred Jones on May 18, 2011 22:34:10 GMT
Laughing at that, Alfred took a sip of his water as he relaxed after his meal. "Yeah, that happens a lot. But they seem to do fine, because they let you visit em anyway." He nodded, smiling at the other amusedly. The thought of Arthur falling in love at sight with a cat was kind of amusing, but at the same time, rather adorable.
"Mmm...Well, I've mostly been just doing my nightly wanderings. I helped out this old couple with taking care of yard work the past week or so...Not really anything interesting." He shrugged, not finding any reason to expand on that. "What about you? Other than becoming a childrens author and getting your books published." He smiled, resting his elbow on the table while he watched Arthur.
|
|
