[F] Encounter (Alfred)

[Arthur Kirkland]

Arthur resisted the urge to slam his fist into the wall. He’d had enough of this. He’d been looking for Alfred since the younger man had left, almost a month ago. Admittedly his searching had been somewhat sporadic in the last couple of weeks, but as far as Arthur knew the boy could be dead. He had left with serious injuries in his chest, after all, and heavens knew what he’d got up to. Still… Arthur couldn’t help but be worried, as much as he hated admitting that to himself. He shouldn’t get so worried. Alfred was just some boy – even if that boy had saved his life.

Walking down the street the bright lights of a club drew his attention. For some reason it had seemed like a good idea to come looking for Alfred at night. Well, the last few times he’d found him here it had been night, after all, so perhaps he couldn’t be blamed. But the clubs were distracting. Arthur wasn’t as dressed up as he usually would be, but his trousers were fitted, and under his vest top his shirt was as fitted as it could be on someone who was losing weight.

Outside his favourite club, Arthur came to a halt, eyeing the doorway. It had been a while… and it would be good to relax after the stress of the last month. He pulled on his vest top hesitantly, but as he deliberated, a song that he knew and loved came on. Arthur paused for one moment more, poised, and then gave in, pulling his coat and vest off, shoving his wallet and keys into his trouser pockets. One night wouldn’t do him any harm. Besides, Alfred probably wasn’t around anyway.

About three hours later, Arthur left the club, just a little unsteady on his feet. He’d had less to drink than usual, but on an empty stomach that hadn’t been too much help. Fortunately, he was being supported by a tall blonde, the other man’s arm wrapped comfortably around Arthur’s thin waist, his coat and top held in his free hand. Arthur giggled and nosed into the man’s neck as they walked, before nipping lightly on his earlobe. In return, the man’s hand slid down, squeezing Arthur’s arse, a clear statement of intent, and one that Arthur didn’t mind from the soft moan that he made. Together they walked down the street, exchanging little kisses and nips, until little kisses became rather more heated, less implied and more obvious, until neither could hold back. Pulling Arthur into an alleyway, the man pressed up against him, and they kissed each other, heated and hungry.

[Alfred Jones]

As it had been, Alfred had camped out in the woods for about two weeks. He'd return to get supplies if his chest needed it, but otherwise he just was keeping himself scarce, not really wanting to face Arthurs possible rage. Once he had decided he had had enough of this though, he had packed up, and headed back to the city, ready to keep going again.

His chest had healed quite well, and they were merely scabs now, with scarring. They'd leave marks, of course. It was dark when he finally reached the lowlands, and, with an urge to carry out his heroic duties, he moved towards the seedier parts of town, careful as always. There didn't seem to be much life out at the moment, it was still a time of night when people were confining themselves to the clubs..However, he blinked when he saw a couple moving into an alleyway, just barely seeing two people at the moment. Well this could get ugly...

Silently he moved in, peering in to assess the situation...Looks like it could be a possible mugging or rape, and he shifted, moving to get into position as he had so many times before. The way the shorter man was holding him made it seem like there was a knife to his side. Just before he was about to drop his bag and swing then, as the smaller mans head turned, he saw those eyebrows, and those familiar eyes. Shit.

"A-Arthur..?" The younger man hated how small his voice sounded, and yet how easy it was to hear in the otherwise quiet night. The bag dropped anyway, and suddenly he felt a very sick feeling in his stomache. He should have realized it, Arthur wasn't...Him. He was an...Adult. That was the only feeling he could feel. Adults, adult, the people who take care of you, a person who can have sex anytime anywhere..Quickly he covered his mouth, his eyes wide as he held back the vomit that he could feel starting to rise.

He didn't even say anything then, he just turned and flat out ran, ran as fast as he could. He needed to get away, go back into the woods...His bag? didn't need it. He'd left home with just the clothing on his back and he had no problem with it returning to that way, he could improvise anything he needed. He couldn't stop a choked sob though, from hurt, from his past as well as what he had just seen. Of course he should have realized Arthur had no problem with...that. Fuck, he felt stupid. Why had he thought Arthur might be...He didn't even know what. His legs and chest burned, but he kept running, deep into the night and then quickly out of sight.

[Arthur Kirkland]

The kiss broke naturally, and Arthur moved to kiss his partner’s neck, momentarily arching as fingers slipped down his trousers. But the streetlights caught on a figure watching them, and Arthur recognised him just as he heard his name. “Alfred?” Arthur heard a thud as Alfred dropped his bag, and he quickly pulled himself free from the other man’s hands. For some reason being caught like this made him feel… guilty. He had no ties to Alfred, there was no reason why he shouldn’t be with someone else, and yet he still felt as though he was cheating on him.

“Alfred!” Arthur started as the boy started to run. “You forgot your bag… fuck!” The man was pawing at Arthur’s shoulder, saying something, but Arthur swatted his hand away, ignoring him as he grabbed his coat and top and Alfred’s bag and took off after the boy. It wasn’t much of a competition, though. Alfred had had a head start, he was fitter and taller than Arthur, and he wasn’t drunk. Almost before Arthur reached the street Alfred was out of site, and even though Arthur called after him one more time he didn’t stop.

This time Arthur did punch a wall, and then had to hold onto it to stop himself from swaying and falling. His partner – or at least the man that might have been his partner - came up to help him, but Arthur swore at him until he went away, and then for a moment he was alone. Typically, the heavens took that moment to open, and as rain started to soak through his thin shirt Arthur swore to himself. Part of him just wanted to head back into the club and get utterly wasted, but the other half… Arthur gave in, and started to head home.

The next couple of months were punctuated by week-long benders, interspaced with a couple of weeks of detox and catching up with work. Arthur’s writing more or less fell to the wayside, though he did (mostly) always get his article in for the newspaper. After a few months of that, though, Arthur’s thin body couldn’t take any more, and he ended up in hospital. He came out with strict orders to eat properly and not drink, and while Arthur’s idea of eating properly might not have matched what the doctors expected, he did at least stick to not drinking for now.

That, however, left him stuck at home, bored. He finished his book, and sent that off to the publishers, and was then left to kick his feet. When temptation to head back down to the Lowlands became too great again, he asked his boss at the newspaper for something else to write for them, and was assigned a piece for their magazine on missing people. Arthur hadn’t expected to, but as he researched he started to feel more and more for these people, starting to understand why they had run away in the first place.

One day while he was in the library, Arthur was looking down a list to try and pick someone else to write on, someone else to try and find. One name suddenly stood out, one that he’d failed to notice before. ‘Alfred Jones’. It couldn’t be… could it? Arthur started up, and quickly gathered what he could find from the case. A few hours later, the young man was buried deep in old newspapers, a few magazine articles, and even some television footage. It had been a big story when it broke, and Arthur looked on in horror as he pieced the story together from what he already knew from Alfred. A quick search on the internet brought up a more recent picture of his brother, and if Arthur had any doubts left, that clinched it. They were practically identical, Arthur wasn’t sure that he’d be able to tell them apart side by side.

It was a little harder after that to finish the article. Arthur had sworn to himself to put Alfred out of his mind, but… he still found himself getting the train down to the lowlands one Friday morning. After a quick visit to Joel’s café, Arthur ended up with a list of construction sites, and he methodically searched each one. Typically, it was at the last one where he saw Alfred’s familiar form, and Arthur was surprised to find that he smiled when he saw him. He’d thought after Alfred had abandoned him not once but twice he wouldn’t still be so interested in the boy, but… it was quite nice to lean on the fence, hidden in the shadow of the building next door and watch him as he worked. Arthur waited patiently until the workers had a break, and then slipped inside to grab Alfred before he could escape. Reaching out he caught his shoulder. “Alfred.” Arthur paused then, not sure exactly what to say. “Come and talk with me for a minute?” In the light, Arthur was thinner than ever and still pale, still recovering. But there was still the traces of a smile lingering on his lips, and a bit of worry in his eyes.

[Alfred Jones]

Arthur had retreated to the mountains once more after seeing Arthur in that situation, and this time it had taken him much longer to return. He was unaware of the start of searching for missing people, but he had finally had the urge to go see some people that he knew. The desire had led him to a construction site that was a bit a ways from the normal areas of the lowlands, an old man who ran the projects had been happy to see him and give him a job. He needed some cash to buy a new bag, some clothing...Well the basics really.

He had fared fine in the wilderness without his things, and luckily the manager had given him at least a uniform he could wear, which he appreciated because his clothing was in such bad shape. Bathing had been a bit more annoying without shampoo or soap, but he had gotten by, accepting the offer from the manager to use the mens shower room when he arrived. He had been working there for around five days now, and despite knowing the old man for a long while, he still seemed worried about him. He had noticed that he was quieter and less well..Bouncy than he had been.

Of course every time he would assure the other that nothing happened, just that he was a bit tired from the camping he had done...Actually he had found a cave as shelter, had done well with fires to stay warm, but food had been a bit scarce, so he was a bit thinner than before. The man kept inviting him home for dinner, which he accepted twice so far. It made him happy to give the old couple company, he rather liked them.

However, as he took his break, which really was just going to get a drink and sit until it was time to work again as usual, he hadn't been expecting someone to catch his shoulder, and he tensed a bit before he turned around, blinking a bit in surprise. "A-Arthur...What are you..?"Pausing, he took a moment to get a better look at the older man...Well, he couldn't see why he had caused that, but a small voice told him he had.

"I....I guess..." Alfred responded softly, looking down. While he had been in the woods he had sorted himself out, and realized that he was just stupid. He and Arthur had no connection, it wasn't his business who he did...Things with, and he should have just said nothing and left. He'd apologize for that. However, he still didn't want to be near Arthur now. Despite accepting that, he still felt sick when he thought of what Arthur probably had done with the man when he had left.

Glancing around, he led Arthur off the construction grounds, to a small park nearby with a bench. He could still hear the alert for people to get back to work this way, but it was secluded so he could deal with..Well, whatever happened. "What's up..?" Of course, he forced a smile, moreso than he had with most people.

[Arthur Kirkland]

Arthur frowned a little. Now he was closer to Alfred he could see that the younger man had lost weight, and he gently tugged on his shirt. “Have you lost weight?” He asked, frowning a little. Still, he let Alfred guide him away from the construction site, taking the time to get a better look at him. What he saw worried him a bit, and Arthur realised that he’d left Alfred’s bag at home. He should have brought that for him, but he’d shoved it in a cupboard one time when the sight of it was making him feel sick, and forgotten about it since. He hadn’t touched it, had still respected Alfred enough not to go through it, but that was little help when he hadn’t brought it to give back to him.

As they sat down, Arthur changed his attention back to the park around them. It was quite nice. Not as nice as the park that Arthur lived by, but it wasn’t bad. Turning his attention back to Alfred, Arthur frowned as the boy forced a smile, and fiddled with his hands, a little hesitant. He wasn’t sure of the best way to bring this up. Reaching back for his own bag, he drew out some of the papers that he’d gathered copies off, but after a moment’s thought didn’t offer them to Alfred, not sure how he’d react to them.

“Alfred… this is going to sound strange, but do you have a brother?” Arthur asked, quietly and hesitantly. There really wasn’t a good way to bring this up, but… oh well. Arthur didn’t understand why Alfred hadn’t gone back to live with him. Perhaps he didn’t know that the man had been caught? Either way… Arthur had to know for certain that it was him. He wasn’t intending on bringing up Alfred’s running away, not unless Alfred did. That was something Arthur wasn’t quite up for dealing with yet unless he had to.

[Alfred Jones]

"Huh..? Oh...Yeah, a little. I thought I was getting a bit too chubby's all." Alfred lied, giving another somewhat forced smile before he looked on up at the sky. The sound of papers made his attention return to what Arthur was doing though, and he blinked as he looked at the man. How did he...?

"Mm....Yeah. A twin, actually." He said softly, sitting back against the bench and then staring down at his hands. There was silence for another moment, and Alfred glanced at the papers once again before breathing out. He hated reliving this. "So...need some more material for that story?" The younger man asked softly, brushing a piece of lint off of his uniform. He had seen a glimpse of what looked like a print out of a newspaper, so he figured that's where Arthur had gotten the question from. He probably knew all that he needed about what had happened.

Arthur was a writer anyway, so he wasn't surprised that he had thought to look at that stuff. It wasn't like it was some huge secret, anyway. "So...What'd you think then?" he asked, as if it was something he had written himself. It was his past though, and he was a bit curious about what questions Arthur most likely had. It hurt, but he figured if he answered them that might be a good reason to cut ties with him...

[Arthur Kirkland]

Frowning at that, Arthur eyed Alfred. There was no way that he had needed to lose weight. He didn’t believe that. And now he was worried that Alfred hadn’t been looking after himself. Maybe he could convince him to come for a meal? But it had been hard enough to feed him before… everything had happened. Arthur sighed and tucked his legs up, something he’d been doing more and more lately, finding it easier to curl up smaller.

“Matthew.” Arthur said. He put the papers down so Alfred could see and blinked at the question, before shaking his head. “I did a piece on missing people last week but… I didn’t put you in it.” It was a bit too close to home for Arthur to put him in, and besides, Alfred wasn’t really a missing person any more. Arthur knew where he was. And anyway, Arthur was pretty sure that Alfred wouldn’t have wanted to have been included either. “Did you know that they caught the guy that… the guy that did that to you?” He said, resting his cheek on his knee so he could look at Alfred. “If you wanted to it would be safe for you to go home.” For some reason Arthur had a feeling that Alfred wouldn’t want to go home anyway, as much as Arthur would like to know that Alfred was safe and with a roof over his head. Alfred was probably rich, too. Richer than Arthur. He could finally look after himself properly, and then, maybe, Arthur would be able to stop worrying about him and he would stop doing this kind of thing. Stop chasing Alfred down when the younger man obviously didn’t want him around.

[Alfred Jones]

Alfred just hummed at him with a smile, but cocked his head at the way Arthur curled up like that. Looking at him better in the sunlight, he frowned. "Looks like you've had it way rougher than me though, Arthur...Are you sure you should be out here?" Well he did sound worried about him at least. The thinness, the dark circles under his eyes...He looked terrible.

Alfred paused at the name, but nodded after a moment, eyes closing. They opened once the papers were set down though, taking them and looking them over. "I appreciate that." Was murmured as he looked through the things Arhtur had gathered. Mn, just as he had remembered it. Looking at Arthur once again as he rest the papers in his lap, he hummed out, but nodded slowly.

"Yeah, I did...But..." His head leaned on the back of the bench, before returning his gaze to Arthur. "I dunno. It's not a home to me anymore...I like this better." Shifting, as if he was getting a bit nervous, Alfred ran his fingers on the paper over the photos of his parents. "My...My mom, she saved me. She was dying, but she fought against him to keep him away...And I just ran." His voice got a bit quieter, more emotional as he went on.

"...Plus, I left Matt, and he went through the same thing...And I didn't find him. I don't know if he's glad he thinks I'm dead or something anyway." A leg was brought up, copying Arthurs way of sitting as he hugged it in. "So, it's fine. I get to help people this way, which is what I feel like I need to do anyway..." Another pause, and he turned away quickly to rub his eyes free of the wetness he felt tearing up.

"I...I'm sorry Arthur, I didn't mean to...To cause you any trouble. That night. I just...I can't look at it. It hurts, everywhere. Even that night we first met, when I ran off, I had to go into the woods again for three days to calm down. It scares me so much, and I don't know what to do, so I do what I wasn't able to when I was younger and that...That freak would rape me every night. Run away and hide until I know it's gone for good."

Swallowing, he once again rubbed his eyes before looking at Arthur. "I caused you a lot of trouble, so it's cool if you don't wanna bother knowing me anymore. I'll still consider you a...a friend." Of course he liked Arthur, he just...Couldn't stand the thought of him having sex. At all. "It's just...You'd probably have to change a lot of what you do every day if I was around a lot, or..Well, I know I'd flee. And I know I'm not worth that, so.."

Returning the papers to the bench, he stood sticking his hands in his pants pockets. "I'll see you around. I really appreciate what you did." A small smile was given to Arthur, but then he turned, slowly heading back towards the construction site. Well...At least Arthur maybe wouldn't worry. Or have to change himself.

[Arthur Kirkland]

Shrugging a little at Alfred’s worry, Arthur glanced at him. “The doctor said I’ll be okay if I don’t drink as much.” He said, not really sure why he was admitting that to Alfred. He’d done… okay so far. There had been some days when he’d had a drink or two at home, but at least he hadn’t gone out and got trashed yet. It was a pity he wasn’t putting quite so much effort into eating more, but Arthur still honestly thought that he ate enough.

Pleased that he’d read Alfred right, Arthur nodded. At least he hadn’t managed to make things worse between them. As Alfred started to spoke, Arthur watched him, resisting the urge to reach out as Alfred curled up a bit. He noticed the way that Alfred was looking at the papers, and sighed out. He felt bad for Alfred, bad that he’d had to live through all of that, but there was little that Arthur could do now but help him get over it.

As Alfred continued and apologised, Arthur frowned, and this time did reach out for him, lightly resting his hand on Alfred’s arm, squeezing softly. He could understand that. It still hurt that Alfred hadn’t explained at the time, but, well, perhaps Arthur could forgive him. “Friends don’t mind… changing.” Arthur said, standing up too. Gently, he caught Alfred’s arm, just to stop him from running off. “I still have your bag, you know.” He said, as he took the papers. Folding around the picture of Alfred’s parents, he tore it out for him, doing the same with the picture of Matthew, and then held them out. “If it makes you uncomfortable seeing me with other people then… I guess I can stop.” He still had his toys at home, well hidden from Alfred anyway. And some of the guys at the clubs had been being dicks to him recently. Word had gone round that he was easy, and it meant that people were a little bit more insistent, even when Arthur wasn’t comfortable. Besides, cutting ties wouldn’t stop Arthur from worrying about him. “Can I see you again?”

[Alfred Jones]

Being caught did make Alfred stop, but when Arthur said that Alfred blinked a bit in surprise...Well..Arthur could be just saying that, but he did appreciate that Arthur had considered it, even though he felt worse that Arthur would be changing for a failure like him. A brow arched at hearing his bags whereabouts though.

"Ah..Really?..I didn't think you'd take that with you, I'm sorry. It must have been heavy." Well it did carry everything he owned...Brows arched at the other tearing the pictures out, but he did accept them, looking at them for a moment before he faintly pressed them in against his heart. It was a stupid gesture, but that really was the closest he could get to them nowadays. Sticking them carefully in his breast pocket of the outfit, he made a noise.

The question made him cock his head, but softly he rubbed his forearm, and then nodded. "Um...If you don't mind, maybe tonight, so I can come pick up my bag...? ...You really look like you need a proper meal too, no offense." He'd still be a little jumpy around Arthur, but, well, that'd fade a bit. It couldn't be helped, it was similar to the first time he'd been to Arthurs apartment, nervous and a bit scared.

"If you grab some stuff from the store we can have dinner at your place later, and I'll grab my bag and go. How's that?" He offered, giving Arthur a small smile once more. He'd feel a bit better with his old bag back, it was familiar. "I um. Get off around six." He had some cash from the job as well, he could use that for the ride to and from, since he didnt need to save for a new bag.

[Arthur Kirkland]

“It wasn’t that heavy.” Arthur reassured him, giving a light shrug. To be honest, he couldn’t remember if it had been heavy or not, but it wasn’t like he’d had to carry it that far. Arthur thought it was strangely sweet the way Alfred tucked the pictures up against his heart. Frowning a little when Alfred suggested a meal, Arthur blinked at him. He wasn’t sure why people kept telling him that he needed to eat. Still… he wouldn’t mind eating with Alfred. Maybe he’d lost some weight, but it wasn’t like he hadn’t had weight to lose in the first place, and still had plenty to lose. As far as he could see, anyway. He could tell that Alfred was nervous about saying anything that could be seen as an insult, though, and resisted from saying anything.

Arthur still wasn’t sure if he could trust Alfred to come if he said he would, even if it was to collect his bag, so he glanced at his watch. That gave them five hours. “That sounds all right.” He agreed with a nod. “I might as well stick around here until you finish work, though.” There was a bar a little way – Arthur caught himself. Going to the bar was just a bad idea. “I’ve got some writing to do anyway, so I’ll probably go to Joel’s café and wait there.” Luckily he always kept paper and pens in his bag. He didn’t actually have anything in particular to do, but he could start working on this week’s column or maybe start thinking of ideas for a new book. “I’ll pick up what we need and then meet you here at six? Or do you need time to clean up?” Arthur guessed there was somewhere to clean up, because Alfred didn’t look too mucky, even though it seemed like he’d been working here for a couple of days. “If it’s easier you’re welcome to use the shower at my flat.” He offered, even though he was fairly sure Alfred would be more comfortable showering elsewhere.

[Alfred Jones]

Nodding slowly, Alfred lightly rubbed his knuckle, he had bruised it yesterday to stop something from falling. Lightly he smiled again at Arthur accepting though, and he nodded a bit, before he hummed in response to what Arthur said. "Yeah, that's fine. Um...To be honest I'd prefer your house. We'll have to wait awhile if I don't because the other guys shower too."

It terrified him. Especially because they were all older men, about the same age as his uncle had been. That's why he usually ran before the manager could announce that it was time. "Anyway, what do you want to eat for dinner then? I'm cookin'." He'd be tired, but he figured that way Arthur would have left overs that taste good heated up, and that he might try to eat more...He'd noticed the older would do that sometimes.

[Arthur Kirkland]

Surprised that Alfred would prefer his shower, Arthur nodded anyway. He didn’t mind that at all. Besides, now he thought about it Alfred was somewhat trapped between using Arthur’s shower, where he could at least lock the door, and sharing with how ever many of his work mates wanted to shower too. “I’ll be here to meet you about six then.” Arthur said, smiling. “I guess I’ll come and wait by the gate, or I can wait here?” He offered, wondering what Alfred’s work mates would think of him waiting for him.

“Are you sure you want to cook?” Arthur wouldn’t want to after a long day of work. But then again, Arthur didn’t want to cook most of the time. “I don’t mind getting a take away if that’s easier. Otherwise…” Arthur frowned, trying to think of something simple and easy to make. “Spaghetti and bolognaise?” He suggested, looking at Alfred. That wouldn’t be too bad, would it? He’d have to get almost everything that they’d need for it – he didn’t even have spaghetti or mincemeat at home, but he’d just get them on the way to meet Alfred. That or he’d leave Alfred to shower and nip down to the shops when they got home. Maybe that would give Alfred a change to get more comfortable at home again.

[Alfred Jones]

"Mmn, the gates fine." It'd be closer to people who could see if anything happened to Arthur that way. "That sounds fine, I know a great recipe for it. Get the usual stuff, and get an apple and curry powder too please? Unless ya have it."

Shrugging a shoulder, he then rolled his neck. "You sure you don't mind waiting though? I can get over fine, I remember where your place was." He wanted his bag too, it'd save him money. "I can grab the groceries before I get there if that's easier for you too." Plus his money'd get put to a better use...And just as he said that, the alert went off, and he looked up before smiling at Arthur. "See you later anyway!" And with that he jogged off back to work.

[Arthur Kirkland]

Nodding at that, Arthur had to try and think where he’d find that, but he decided he’d just ask when he got into the supermarket. “All right. I’ll get that.” Arthur did like curry, but usually the take away kind. He wasn’t that good at making it himself – like most things.

As the bell went off, Arthur jumped. He looked at Alfred, suddenly realising that he’d stolen his lunch break so he hadn’t been able to eat. “Be careful.” He called after him. “I’ll be waiting by the gate.” Arthur watched Alfred as he retreated back to work, and then stretched with a sigh.

True to his word, he retreated back to Joel’s café, where he curled up in a corner with his notepad. Joel knew to keep up a steady flow of tea until around five, when Arthur finally packed up, paid his tab with a good tip, and then headed off to find somewhere to get their shopping. It took a little bit of searching, but he eventually found a good one, and found everything that they needed, before returning to Alfred’s work with about five minutes to spare. He leant against the fence while he waited, looking for Alfred amongst the workers again for something to distract him while he waited.

[Alfred Jones]

Nodding Alfred waved over his shoulder as he jogged back. He didn't have anything to eat anyways, he could go for days without anything to eat if need be. Still, he did get some questions about who the person he left with was, which he brushed off easily. At least he seemed a bit happier...To get his bag back. That was it.

Once the day was over, he wasn't anywhere to be seen, mostly because he was inside doing something with the manager. However, he did get off at the right time, when normally he'd stay late after to help finish up things. Heading out, he rubbed his forehead, ignoring the dirt that smeared across it , and just headed towards the gate, amused that Arthur was there.

"Did you have fun waiting?" He asked, arching a brow with a small smile as stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Anywhere you wanna stop..?" Well he at least seemed like nothing had happened, or was pretending this. He looked a bit tired though, he had needed to take a five minute break earlier. It'd been a couple days since he last ate a full meal, to be honest.

[Arthur Kirkland]

“I was only here for five minutes.” Arthur said, straightening up and hefting up the bag of shopping again. “I think I’ve got everything.” He said, holding up the bag to show Alfred. “Are you ready to go?” He noticed that Alfred looked tired and frowned. Maybe he should cook after all. Alfred had had a hard day at work, after all, whereas Arthur had spent half of it sitting around writing as usual.

Arthur started to lead Alfred back towards the train station so they could head back to his house. “How was work?” He asked, trying to keep up the conversation between them. “Have you been working there for a long time?” Arthur wondered how long Alfred had been back in town without him knowing. Maybe he should have come looking for him sooner. He’d been without his bag so long, and Alfred didn’t seem to have replaced it either. Maybe that was why he was looking so thin? It must have been hard for Alfred to look after himself. Arthur would have to make sure that he ate plenty tonight. Fortunately he’d thought ahead and brought enough food that there’d be plenty for them, as well as some snacks to give Alfred for the week ahead.

[Alfred Jones]

"Ah that's good. I'd feel bad if you were waiting for long." Alfred replied, giving a small smile before he snagged the bag and peeked inside. "Yep, looks like it." And of course he kept ahold of the bag, carrying it for Arthur. He might be hungry, but Arthur looked like the walking dead.

Following the older man, he just made a noise at the questions, shrugging. "Work. I've been there for just about...Five days now I think?" Frowning, he thought, then nodded. That sounded about right. "I rolled into town around then too. I've only been working there to buy a new bag and stuff anyway, so that you saved it is good for me." Chuckling, he got his cash out, and before Arthur could stop him, he paid for their tickets for the train.

"What about you? Other than the missing persons stuff." He asked as he gave Arthur his ticket, heading ahead of him to the semi-empty train. Well at least he didnt smell too bad since the boss had made him work inside. He was probably afraid he'd keel over and die from the work load...

[Arthur Kirkland]

Arthur let Alfred take the bag, watching him as he looked inside. He was pleased to hear that he'd got everything. He wasn't much of a cook but that did't mean he didn't know what was needed. Or at least could make a good guess at it. He was a bit annoyed when Alfred kept the bag, though. He'd been intending to carry it for him.

"It's a good job I caught you before you brought a new one, then." Arthur said, smiling a little. Maybe Alfred would use the money that he'd saved up to treat himself for once. If not, Arthur would have to find a way to treat him instead. At least he could make sure that Alfred ate. He frowned a little when Alfred brought the tickets, but didn't comment. Maybe he'd sneak the money into his bag or something.

Following Alfred onto the train, Arthur let Alfred pick a seat, and then sat down beside him, stretching out a little. "Oh, I finished my book." He said, with a little shrug. "Not much else though." There was no need to tell Alfred about his stint in the hospital. It wasn't that exciting anyway. "Did you... enjoy being out in the wilds?" Arthur couldn't think of a better way to phrase it. He just hoped that Alfred felt better for it. "Oh, and how's your chest?" He asked, looking at him, suddenly worried again.

[Alfred Jones]

"Yeah, otherwise I'd have to carry twice the amount of stuff." Alfred joked with him, giving Arthur a gentle nudge. Once they settled on the train, Alfred made a small noise as he nodded, just letting Arthur know he was listening. "Ah, that's good. Is it out yet?"

The question did make him blink, but he smiled a bit anyway. "Yeah, it was pretty nice out there. The weather was pretty nice most of the time, and I caught a bunch of fish." It even sounded like it was just a normal vacation camping trip. Nevermind that people didnt seem to think much of such a thing anymore. "My..? Oh, yeah, it's fine. When I had my bag I'd go into town to get bandages and antiseptic and stuff, so it's healed up pretty much all the way now. You can have a look when we get to your place."

Leaning back, his thumbs rubbed against eachother, and he rolled his shoulders. "I'm thankful for the old man though, he lets me do something else because sometimes lifting stuff makes the wounds twinge. I'm hopeing that'll go away soon though." Well at least he was a bit talkative, moreso than he was before.