Re: Same Job, Different Time and Place [R-18] - Part 2

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur sat in the front with Jack, not really talking. Jack seemed to be listening to Alfred and Will, anyway.

“Will’s good at surfin’, aren’t ya’, Will?” Jack smiled proudly at the road. “He’s a natural. Takes after his dad, of course.”

“Of course,” Arthur smirked a little and the tenseness between them seemed to lift somewhat as Jack laughed.

“Tell Al about the jellyfish you found, I’m sure he’ll be interested,” Jack grinned at his son via the rear view mirror before returning his concentration to the road. They were driving a little further out of Sydney than Arthur had been before.

[Assistant Jones]

Will nodded proudly, baring his white teeth in pride as he looked up at Alfred. "Yeah! I'm really good at it!" He said, pointing to himself. The American couldn't help but gaze down at the young boy in surprise, especially with his enthusiasm before ruffling his hair.

"That's great. Can't wait to see you on the board then, dude." He encouraged, which incited another laugh from the young boy.

The young boy soon glanced over at his father for a moment before nodding. "I saw a small jellyfish on the beach and I put it in my pail and put it back into the ocean so it could swim back to its family!" He grinned even wider and Alfred couldn't help but laugh at that.

"That sounds great, sport. You're a true hero, y'anno!"

[Mr. Kirkland]

It pained Arthur a little to hear Alfred talking so easily to the child. It was a reminder of what Arthur was taking away from Alfred by being with him. Alfred could have a family and a dog and a big house in the suburbs – but he wouldn’t get those things from Arthur. They could get a cat and they could move to the suburban area of New York but it still wouldn’t make up for the fact that Arthur couldn’t carry Alfred’s children. He couldn’t give him that, despite how much he wished the he could.

It didn’t take them much longer until they reached the beach. The car park was relatively empty and there were few people crowding the beach itself. The seemed to be plenty of waves.

“Leave your valuables in the car, boys. You won’t need anythin’ other than your boards whilst we’re out there.” Jack climbed out of the car and opened the door for Will to get out before beginning to untie the boards strapped to the roof of the car. “Will’s board is in the boot if one of you would like to get it out for him.”

Arthur hastily busied himself by trying to help untie the surf boards from the roof.

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred had always enjoyed the presence of children but they weren't always a necessity in his life. He was happy to have any family that he could get and while he could have imagined himself in the past with a nice wife and a few kids with even a dog, the moment that he met Arthur and got into a relationship with him, he had fallen in love. His previous dream had changed and in the end, he would be happy with anything that could be given to him. As long as Arthur was there in it. Even if it mean that they couldn't have children of their own.

Both Will and Alfred talked with each other excitedly throughout the trip to the beach and soon enough, the car parked. He was relieved to see that there weren't a lot of cars around, meaning more waves for themselves of course.

He was actually a bit excited to see Arthur surfboarding...if he even tried.

Alfred just nodded in understanding before going to the boot of the car, opening it and getting Will's board out, holding it easily. "Need help with the boards, Arthur?"

[Mr. Kirkland]

What was he insinuating? Arthur furrowed his brow.

“I can manage, thank you,” he replied, trying not to sound too haughty about it. He and Jack managed to lift the boards off of the car roof one by one.

“Al, you better have the blue one. It’s Steve’s and he’s taller than John so… yeah, you have the blue one and Kirkland, you can have the purple one. Green’s mine, I’m afraid.” Jack stripped off his t-shirt and his ‘thongs’ and shoved them in the car. Arthur pointedly tried not to look and just wiggled his way out of his own shirt, hesitantly putting it on the passenger seat along with his sandals.

“Get a move on! You’ll miss the waves!” Jack grinned as he raced on ahead down to the beach with his surf board.

Arthur muttered something to himself about ‘insufferable Australians’ and picked up the board he’d been assigned before following Jack to the water. He was much more reluctant to get in. He hadn’t ever surfed before and he didn’t want to make a fool of himself.

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred wasn't really insinuating anything. He was just trying to lend an helpful hand just in case.

He blinked a bit in surprise at the reply before just smiling. "Alright then!" He said as he soon gave Will his surfboard before grabbing the blue one. "No problem. Blue's one of my favourite colours." He admitted as he soon took off his own shirt, throwing it into the car before also tossing his sandals along with his shirt.

Looking over at Arthur, he winked at him before soon running towards the waves. Will was quick to follow behind Alfred, smiling just as much. He really did love days out in the beach!

Soon enough the American went into the water, easily steadying himself on the board before swimming towards a wave. It had been a while since he went surfing but oh he loved it.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur flushed a little as Alfred winked and heaved a sigh, extremely tentative about getting in the water. He didn’t want to go too deep but Jack was already pretty far out and Alfred would catch up with him soon.

“Don’t go out too far, okay William? Stay where you can touch the ground,” Arthur looked down at the small child as he passed him, deciding to face up to his fears. “Your dad will worry.” It was said tensely, but he did care if the boy went out beyond his depth.

Arthur took his time to make his way into the water, experiencing the cold more purely because of how much skinnier he was than the other two men (who both looked like children with huge grins on their faces). He clung to the board once he reached deeper water.

Jack was sat atop of his board, straddling it with ease. He looked amused as Arthur approached them.

“Strugglin’?”

“I haven’t ever been surfing before, no.”

[Assistant Jones]

William couldn't help but pout slightly though he nodded. Alfred seemed to like the man so he ought to listen to him and also he didn't want his dad to worry. So instead he settled for just swimming around on his surfboard near the coast, not wanting to get carried away. There were way too many times that he was warned by his father not to go too far without his consent.

Alfred just laughed a bit as he also sat atop of his board, looking at Arthur with some amusement.

"Mm, I can teach you if you want, Arthur!" He encouraged. He really wasn't all that bad himself. In fact, he was rather good at it but he just had a natural inclination to most athletics.

The waves were of good size and Alfred was spending most of his time looking for a good wave to catch.

[Mr. Kirkland]

“Sod off,” Arthur frowned. He felt as though he was being patronised and laughed at. He was the polar opposite of the stereotype of a typical surfer, unlike both Alfred and Jack. What Alfred was currently lacking in muscles, he made up for with his lucks whereas Jack was more muscle than looks.

“Right, well, just try and get up on the board, Kirkland. Climb on – that’ll be a good start.”

“Hmph…”

Arthur began to wriggle, trying to lift himself up on to the board but it wasn’t as easy as it sounded. The board kept bobbing about on the water’s surface. He eventually managed to drape himself over the board, but he still wasn’t sitting on it. He didn’t really want to try any other techniques in case the board bounced up and hit him in the crown jewels.

“Just swing your leg up,” Jack instructed, clearly trying not to laugh before he glanced back over at his son closer to the beach.

“I might be flexible but I’m not a bloody contortionist,” Arthur growled but he tried nonetheless. He managed to get his leg up so that he was clinging with both hands to the opposite side of the board, leg also hooked around the wood. Unfortunately, the imbalance of his weight just turned both him and the board over, sending Arthur backwards into the water with a yelp. Arthur quickly resurfaced, spluttering

Jack just laughed at him. “Like a fish outta’ water.”

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred really wasn't trying to patronise the other but rather actually help him out. He wasn't always that bad intentioned! Though he definitely liked his pranks and laughs here and there. Okay...he liked them a whole lot. He was still admittedly a bit self conscious of his own form since he wasn't as muscular as he used to. He hadn't eaten at all today and he really wasn't planning on eating that much afterwards. He needed to build up that muscle again.

He had to hold back a laugh when Arthur fell over off the surfboard and into the ocean, instead covering his mouth so he wouldn't embarrass the other.

He didn't really comment on it, instead thinking back on the 'contortionist' comment.

He didn't know about Arthur but he certainly thought that the other was very flexible. He knew that from first hand experience...and he was actually a bit curious to put the other's flexibility more into use. Admittedly, Alfred was far from flexible so it was something he was a bit envious about.

[Mr. Kirkland]

“Fuck you!” Arthur barked at Jack, who only laughed louder until he seemed to spot something on the horizon.

“Here comes a big one. Kirkland, I’d get out of the way if you can’t get on the board.” Jack paddled a little further out, preparing himself for the wave.

Arthur huffed but began to make his way back towards the shore, at least so that he’d be out of the way of the boards so that he wouldn’t get hit. He made that his priority, really. Being out of harm’s way was more important than being closer to the shore. He’d just have to hope that he didn’t get swept across into the rocks.

The wave came up pretty quickly and Jack was able to hop up on to his feet effortlessly and ride the wave, cheering.

Arthur just tried to stay afloat.

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred just grinned at that and he soon glanced overat the wave that was coming by. He could already feel his heart thrumming a bit against his chest at the thought of riding the wave. Soon enough he began to paddle towards the wave as well and he soon hopped onto the surfboard as well before also riding the wave. It was thrilling, exciting and it brought back good memories as well.

The wave lasted surprisingly longer than he thought it would and he effortlessly surfed off the wave, grinning as he manoeuvred closer to Arthur, still laughing a bit.

"That was pretty awesome, right, Arthur?" He called out before looking over to William. "Right Will?" William just nodded and cheered for both his father and Alfred and their surfing.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Jack yelled triumphantly as he came off of the wave and dove off of his board into the water, soon resurfacing a few feet away with yet another jeer.

“Did you catch it, Will?” Jack called over to him, grinning as his son applauded them. He clambered back on top of his board and flipped his hair out of his face. Again, Arthur deliberately didn’t watch. He looked up at Alfred as he approached and smiled a little, amused by his excitement.

“Very impressive,” he agreed.

“I should have worn my wetsuit,” Jack could be heard whining. “These’ll fall off because they’re too heavy.”

Arthur sniggered and returned his attention to Alfred with a more affectionate smile (although he was still pissed off that he couldn’t get on the board). He felt more relaxed now that he could touch the ground where he was standing.

“Any advice on how I can get up without falling off again?”

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred laughed a bit and Will nodded his head. The wave was much smaller than Jack's and Alfred's but it was still something and at least he could stand on the board for a longer time than Arthur.

Which actually wasn't saying all that much.

The American just laughed a bit, finally decided to straddle the board instead as he balanced himself before finally relaxing. He snickered a bit at Jack's comment before focusing back on the other, noticing that affectionate smile.

Oh how much he loved that smile.

"Well, let's get you seated on it before we start talking about standing up." He murmured. Soon he got off the board himself and lied on the surfboard in paddle position. "Alright so pretty much start off like this. As if you were paddling the surfboard." He instructed before grabbing hold of both of the rails on the board with his hand. "Now pretend you're going to do a push up...or press up...I suppose...that's how you position yourself and then you simply bring the board underneath you and pull it forward through your legs."

Pulling the board forward through his legs, he soon brought his knees up and arched his back into a sitting position. "And like that, you're sitted on the surfboard!"

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur watched carefully, clearly concentrating on everything that Alfred was saying. He hummed, signalling that he’d heard everything and then began to carry out Alfred’s instructions (which were much more helpful than what Jack had said).

There was a lot of wriggling about and failed attempts but eventually Arthur was able to seat himself on the board and gave a shout of victory. He was dripping with water and there were goosebumps covering his skin from the chill of the water and then fresh air – but he’d done it!

Arthur couldn’t conceal his grin.

“Oi, lovebirds, there’s another one comin’!” Jack warned, moving deeper into the water again so that he could catch the wave. Arthur’s grin faded as he looked a little worried.

“What do I do?” he looked at Alfred for guidance.

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred couldn't help but smile a bit to himself as he saw Arthur finally make his successful attempt on sitting on the surfboard and in a way, he felt rather accomplished. He felt successful as a teacher! Laughing a bit, he smiled just a bit more when he saw just how excited Arthur was to finally get on the board.

He was about to retort to the term lovebirds but soon he noticed the next wave coming and Alfred looked more than excited.

"Alright, so you'll be paddling towards the wave while laying down." He started though he didn't paddle towards the wave just yet. He needed to tell Arthur what to do after all.

"Next you put your hands on the board beside your shoulders and push your upper body up. While you're doing this, bring your feet under you and lay them on the stringer." He motions to the line down the middle of the board. "When you come up, keep low so don't stand up straight and grip the board in your feet, shoulder width apart."

With that, he started to quickly paddle towards the wave so he could demonstrate, soon paddling in the wave and quickly standing up as he easily rode the wave, laughing a bit.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur looked nervous but he nodded, trying to follow Alfred’s instructions. He didn’t manage to stand on the board, however. He just slipped off of it, again.

Jack whistled and shouted as he rode the wave, being overly enthusiastic about it. He smoothly managed to come off of it and settle back on his board, bobbing as a second, smaller wave followed. This second wave left Arthur startled and coughing as he resurfaced.

“You alright, Kirkland?” Jack called back.

Arthur didn’t answer and just swam towards his board, which he clung to as he wiped water from his eyes (which were stinging). He looked a little glum that he couldn’t do it and began to head back to shore again, taking the board with him. A bloody child could do it but he couldn’t.

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred kept a close eye on Arthur, hardly paying attention to the wave itself. He just wanted to make sure that his boyfriend was alright. So it was hardly any surprise that he accidentally slipped off of the board and delved right into the water, not surfacing for a good while.

After a good ten seconds, Alfred finally came back up to the surface, gasping and panting and coughing. Damn, he messed up that good wave but he was more concerned about his boyfriend than himself.

He couldn't help but frown though when he saw that Arthur was heading back to the shore.

Soon enough the American reached for the board, finally managing to grab it before weakly pulling himself back on. With that, he began to paddle back to Arthur.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur could hear someone approaching him but continued to make his way back to shore. He held the board securely under his arm, carrying it up the beach. He was careful as he put it down and sat, ignoring how the sand was clinging to him. Then he noticed that Alfred had been the one that followed him. His expression softened considerably. Alfred, too, looked as though he’d fallen in.

Jack moved into shallower waters to keep Will company so that he wouldn’t go and disturb Alfred and Arthur. He started to talk with him about what he wanted to do for dinner that evening.

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred just smiled kindly over to Arthur, still coughing a bit. It was never fun getting caught in the middle of a wave but that was the last thing he was concerned about. He soon carried his board up along with him also, sitting next to the other. The sand was clinging uncomfortably on him but he paid no mind to it for now.

"You know, I did really badly when I first started." He murmured. "I was so impatient all the time that I couldn't even sit on the board the first day!" He laughed a bit, brushing the sand off of his legs.

His face looked a bit flushed, maybe a bit from the sun and also from him trying to catch his breath.

Instead he reached out to lightly hold Arthur's hand in his, gently rubbing it with his thumb. "Are you alright? You're not hurt, right?"

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur didn’t tense up as Alfred sat beside him, not at all. If anything, he visibly relaxed. He listened to Alfred, a fond expression upon his face. He smiled warmly at the encouraging words and observed him carefully, seeing the red tint to his face and how his hair was clinging to his face. They both seemed to be equally out of breath.

He squeezed Alfred’s hand gently as he held it.

“Yes, I’m alright… it was a bit of a shock, but I’m alright. Are you?” he asked softly.

He was so grateful for Alfred’s company, having initially expected to have to sit and watch him enjoy himself. Although he wouldn’t have minded, it meant a lot to him that Alfred was willing to get out of the water to sit with him.

He leaned across to Alfred and pecked his cheek quickly.

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred was glad that Arthur didn't tense up when he sat beside him and instead, he couldn't help but relaxed the same time that the other did. He was glad that the other wasn't angry enough to actually ignore him or anything silly like that. After all, it was just surfboarding and surfboarding was really hard to get the grasp for anyone who was just trying.

"Yeah, I'm perfectly alright." He murmured, voice soft enough just for the both of them to hear. "Wave took me by surprise is all. Had to make sure you were alright."

Feeling Arthur peck his cheek quickly, he reddened slightly at that.

It wasn't often that Arthur even dared to show any kind of public affection. So it made him feel really, really giddy inside. He instead brought the other's hand up to his lips, pressing a kiss to the top of Arthur's hand, letting it linger there for a moment. A smile curved on his lips against the skin before he finally pulled away.

He really didn't mind sitting here with Arthur. He was happy either way.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur hummed quietly and felt himself blushing as Alfred kissed his hand, as well. He cleared his throat and looked back out at Jack and Will. Jack had put his surf board down on the beach and was chasing Will around, growling and grinning. It was quite sweet, really.

Arthur settled his head upon Alfred’s shoulder, enjoying the closeness between them. He couldn’t help but watch Will though, and wonder if that was what Alfred wanted. There was only one way to find out.

“Alfred… what do you think of William?”

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred continued on holding Arthur's hand lightly in his own, just enjoying their time together. It really was some kind of bliss for him...to be able to be out there in public and still get the same affection as if they were in private. It was...he never thought that it would happen between them. Yet here they were.

He couldn't help but smile at the sight of Jack chasing William around, who was only giggling and screaming as he ran away from his father.

Alfred leant his head back against Arthur's own head, just relaxing.

"What I think of him?" He repeated before smiling. "He's a sweet kid. He's going to turn out to be a great person when he grows up." He hummed a bit. I really like kids, you know?"

[Mr. Kirkland]

“That’s what I thought,” Arthur murmured. He watched the child running around for a while longer, falling silent. How could he ever give Alfred something like that? He couldn’t think of a way which he could give a child to Alfred, with which he would feel comfortable. There was adoption but it wouldn’t be Alfred’s baby. They could always try to find an egg donor and a surrogate mother but he wasn’t sure if that was strictly legal. He sighed, closing his eyes for a few moments.

“I can’t… I can’t give you a child, Alfred. I hope that you realise that,” he swallowed thickly. “If you choose to stay with me, it’s very unlikely that you’ll have kids… unless we, um, go through other methods but… there’s never going to be a baby that you and I have made.” He cringed at how it sounded. “Never,” he repeated, tensing up. “I’m not even sure that I’d ever want to be a parent.”

Arthur thought that he would make an awful father – and he didn’t want to run the risk of fucking them up like his parents had done with him.

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