Re: Halcyon [Mister + Assi] - R-18

[Mr. Kirkland]

Brutus grunted, scowling at Alfred. He must have looked pretty intimidating, considering his large eyebrows, his flared nostrils, his snarl; totally beast-like.

“I don’t trust you,” he said lowly, using the tip of the blade to lift Alfred’s head upwards to look at him. He applied a small amount of pressure for it to be uncomfortable, not enough to pierce the skin. He watched Alfred silently for a few minutes, testing him for his reactions. Should the boy hold his gaze and not try to run, then he would return the dagger.

“Do you understand the consequences if you don’t do as I say, boy…?”

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred was honestly frightened. He really didn't know what to do. But despite his fear, he held Brutus's gaze, determined to stand strong against him.

He held himself up straight, fists clenched a bit.

"I understand the consequences," He replied back steadily.

He just wanted the dagger off of his neck.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Brutus slowly released the pressure on Alfred’s neck and handed over the blade.

He took a step back, ready to reach for his own weapon should the child turn on him.

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred knew that this was the stupidest thing that he could do but he had to do it. Even if it meant his own life.

But he felt as if he owed Arthur this much.

Owed this after being such a terrible friend. After being the worst friend in the world.

He approached Arthur, dagger in his hand and trying not to seem scared. He was though. Extremely scared.

Yet soon he brought the dagger up and stabbed it deep into the bedsheets, immediately yelling in his loudest voice.

"GUARDS! GUARDS!"

Alfred soon grabbed the vase on the night stand before quickly swivelling around to throw it as hard as he could at Brutus. Without hesitation, he threw himself over the bed on top of Arthur.

Brutus would have to kill him before he got to Arthur and by then, the guards would have come.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Brutus was pleased, for a few moments, at least. Everything in the next few moments happened incredibly quickly, and he had not expected it, at all.

“You little-!” he was hit with the vase, unable to dodge it and stumbled backwards, groaning in pain. “You traitor! I thought that we had an agreement!” he yelled.

This was when Arthur began to stir. The shouting alone had drawn him from deep sleep, but the sudden weight on his body jolted him back to life. He gasped and tried to sit up, although when he found that there was something on top of him, he panicked and wriggled as much as he could to free himself but when he saw it was Alfred, he froze. Then he saw Brutus reaching for his sword, and the dagger next to him in the mattress.

What the hell was going on?!

“You betrayed me!” Brutus continued to bellow as the doors swung open and the guards came in. “You’re a monster, Alfred Jones! A monster!”

[Assistant Jones]

When the guards finally came in, Alfred pushed himself off of Arthur, barely realising that he was awake due to the adrenaline pumping through his body and Brutus's yelling. He turned around, fists clenched as his body shook.

"I hope you rot in prison!" He yelled.

It was only after Brutus was forced out of the room that he finally crumpled onto the ground, leaning back on the bed as sobs wracked his whole body.

He couldn't help himself. All he could do was cry and cry. He was frightened. He was a terrible friend. He was a terrible person and he deserved to be locked up just as much as Brutus.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur felt numb as realisation slowly began to set in. He watched as his uncle was wrestled out of the room, disturbing the party downstairs which was not yet over. Arthur then forced himself to look down at Alfred, who was openly weeping. It was upsetting to see the younger boy in such a state but Arthur wasn’t sure how he should feel.

The dagger was beside his bed, and somehow he hadn’t been disturbed throughout most of his attempted assassination. The last thing he’d drunk was the ‘ale’ that Alfred had handed him. He began to quiver as cold reality set in.

“You tried to kill me,” Arthur said slowly, as though he was confirming his own thoughts. He couldn’t believe it.

He pulled the dagger from the mattress and watched as feathers floated through the air as a result of his actions. He shook, looking blankly at the dagger for a few moments before he threw it across the room so that it clattered on the floor.

“You tried to kill me!” he raised his voice, sounding somewhere between heartbroken and terrified.

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred kept on crying, covering his face and refusing to look at Arthur. He knew that Arthur would have figured out and despite what he wanted to say, nothing would come out of his mouth.

He couldn't say a single thing.

He didn't deserve to say a single thing.

He wanted to apologise but he was certain that wasn't what Arthur wanted to hear it. He just completely ruined the kingdoms' alliance. Didn't he?

Of course he did. God he was stupid. He was terrible.

He hated hearing such a heartbroken, terrified tone in Arthur's voice.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur continued to tremble, even as he began to feel angry. Mostly because Alfred was refusing to say anything and admit to it. Arthur got off of the bed and knelt in front of Alfred, staring at him for a few seconds as he sobbed.

He then smacked him across the face.

“You bastard. I trusted you,” his voice sounded a little broken. “I thought you were my friend.” He felt as though he could cry as well but he resisted. He was still alive. He’d survived. And even if Alfred hadn’t gone through with it, he’d still contemplated it. The past few weeks of friendship was all a lie.

He stood up and backed away from Alfred, worried that he would try and strike.

“Get out.”

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred wasn't even all that stunned with the slap across the face and he didn't react to it but despite everything, it still stung.

Terribly.

He stopped crying by then and he sniffed. He didn't say anything though but he soon stood up, glancing up at Arthur once.

"I..." He started but soon he slumped down again, turning away and quickly hurrying out of the room. He hurried over to his bedroom, locking the door behind him and crawling into the bed. He felt tired.

Arthur had every reason to hate him.

Maybe he could just fall asleep and never wake up. Looking at the bottle with the sleeping liquid, which was still half full, he soon reached out and grabbed. Maybe if he drank enough, he would never have to wake up again? He didn't want to face Arthur ever again. He knew it was cowardly and that it was inevitable to see Arthur.

Soon enough he drank the rest of the bottle before putting it in the drawer, laying back down on his bed and closing his eyes. He wished in a way that he was actually stabbed by Brutus.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur was quick to lock the door after Alfred left. He definitely didn’t want to be dealing with him any time soon. He couldn’t believe that he’d foolishly let someone like that so close to him. All of his life, he had been warned not to let people in and to keep them at a distance, purely for the sake that his life would be in danger. He had always thought that it was nonsense, and yet he proceeded to follow his parents advice.

Until Alfred.

He had felt so awful for accusing him that he might try and kill him. But he had been right to suspect as much. And it felt as though he really had been stabbed; a cold knife sinking into his chest as he realised that he would never be able to have friends, for this exact reason. That hurt.

He had watched other children play and enjoy each other’s company, watched teenagers. And all he had to keep him company were occasional bed partners. He had felt so, so lonely and then there was Alfred, trying to be his friend after they had fought. His first real friend (aside from his fiancée, although he didn’t feel as though she counted).

Arthur wondered if Alfred really would have tried to kill him in the forest.

He was somewhat of a state until some God forsaken hour in the morning that he managed to fall asleep.

When he awoke the next day, he refused breakfast and refused to see anyone. It was his father that told him Alfred wasn’t waking up and that Brutus was in a cell. At first, Arthur had said that he didn’t want to see Alfred but as the day wore on and he still hadn’t woken up, Arthur decided that he probably should visit, for the sake of their (now non-existent) friendship.

He went in after Madeline, who looked quite upset. He didn’t try to console her, unable to be of any comfort to her.

It was un-nerving being in the same room as Alfred, who looked like he hadn’t moved since he went to sleep the previous night. The doctor was downstairs, trying to work out the best thing to do. It seemed that Alfred had drunk most of the sleeping potion, which he had also used on Arthur. If Alfred had poured all of that into the drink he’d given Arthur, it was scary to think that he would probably be dead.

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred's whole entire family was worried about both Prince Arthur and their only son of course. Both his mother and father visited earlier before as they tried to figure out what happened, which they could only assume from the potion that was now emptied. They had both apologised to Arthur severely when they had passed him by in the hallway but otherwise, they had other business to attend to.

Madeline was quick to run into her brother's room, tears in her eyes and everything as she held her brother's hand.

"Al? Why did you drink that potion!?" She sobbed, holding more onto her older brother's arm as she cried into his sleeve.

She soon rubbed her eyes, still clutching on and looking visibly upset as she pulled away enough to comfortably sit on her chair. As she looked at Alfred, she knew that despite how calm his body was, that he was unhappy. Madeline soon pulled away fully after a few long minutes, giving her fiancé a slight, hesitant smile.

"I need some time alone." That was all she said before going past Arthur and leaving him in the room alone with the unconscious Alfred.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur didn’t respond to Madeline and just watched her leave. With a sigh, Arthur approached Alfred’s bedside and perched on the edge of it. He reached up and tentatively wiped away some of the drool coming from Alfred’s mouth. It was rather disgusting but he wouldn’t have been able to sit there and take this seriously if he had to sit and look at the trickle of saliva shimmering in the light.

It was a shame that Arthur felt as though he may never be able to trust the boy again. He was easy on the eyes, had a lovely smile and could be quite fun when he felt like it. But now Arthur knew that he would never be able to see that side to him and would have to return to Madeline for her company and hers alone. He couldn’t risk getting killed by Alfred. No matter how much the Columbian king and queen apologised, it was very unlikely that Arthur would forgive Alfred for what he did.

“You’re an imbecile,” he muttered to Alfred’s sleeping form, allowing himself the pleasure of trailing his thumb over Alfred’s lips, feeling the shape of them before he pulled away. “An utter imbecile…”

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred was rather still even as Arthur touched his face, breathing slow and body completely relaxed. If he had been aware of his surroundings, he would have never, ever suspected that Arthur would actually come to his room. Especially after everything that he had done.

He really wouldn't be surprised if Arthur never forgave him and in fact, it seemed like the only logical thing to do.

A few minutes later though, Alfred seemed to stir a bit, a soft groan escaping his lips but he was still so very tired. He still didn't want to wake up and soon after his small stir, his whole body relaxed again. Alfred was completely unaware of everything around him and the doctor still seemed to be having a hard time trying to figure out what to do about this.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur felt Alfred moving, heard the groan (which seemed to send electricity through him for some reason) and let out a soft gasp. Was he waking up? What a complete bloody unfortunate coincidence that was. But he wasn’t going to tell anyone just yet. He’d have a talk with Alfred and try to find out why he effectively tried to kill himself and why he’d tried to kill Arthur.

The Albion prince was patient and capable of waiting for the boy to wake up. He had nothing else to do, after all. Playing chess against oneself was only so much fun.

Maybe touching him would help?

No. No, he couldn’t do that.

[Assistant Jones]

It was around ten minutes later that Alfred finally opened his eyes. His whole body felt weak and the first thing he actually felt when he woke up was sheer disappointment.

Sheer disappointment that he could see the light and that he was conscious of half of what was around him.

"Ah..." He gasped out, feeling much too weak to even move. He was thirsty. Extremely thirsty and his head throbbed lightly in pain.

Alfred barely even noticed Arthur, only recognising that someone was there with him.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur was daydreaming by the point that Alfred awoke, wondering if how long he could put off having to impregnate Madeline. Hopefully a few years. He wasn’t ready to be a husband, let alone a father.

His eyes widened as he saw Alfred’s open. Such beautiful blue. How on earth could he have ever even been tempted into killing another person?

“Alfred,” he said softly, hoping not to scare him into talking. They would have to be civil. Arthur was in no mood for aggression.

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred soon shifted his attention to Arthur as he heard his name called out and all he could do was feel even weaker.

Maybe he was actually in hell.

It was the only logical explanation. Arthur wouldn't actually ever be in front of him like this and it was torture just seeing him like this. He tried to clear his head a bit before he finally spoke up, almost a bit fearful.

"Arthur," He whispered. His voice was hoarse and he soon ended up having a small coughing fit.

Despite everything, Alfred knew that he was very well alive. Not only that, but that Arthur was right there and he would probably demand to know...well...

Why?

[Mr. Kirkland]

“Your sister is crying over you, you selfish twat,” Arthur ground out, frowning at him. “Why on earth did you think that any good would come from putting yourself into a coma?” he rolled his eyes.

He sighed heavily, looking away as he folded his arms around himself uncomfortably. He felt as though he shouldn’t be there. In fact, he knew that he should have been there but he couldn’t help himself. He needed to know why.

“Alfred…” he started again, gulping. “Why did you… I thought that… I thought you were my friend.”

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred looked away. He knew that those questions were supposed to come but it didn't make him feel any less bad about it. He was too weak at the moment to really protest or even be terribly sad about it. Of course he felt sad and confused and everything more but still...

"I..." He sighed and shuddered. "You knew I didn't like you," He whispered. "It was at the rose garden...I was angry at the time. Really angry. Maddie didn't want to be around me anymore but I knew the marriage was inevitable."

He felt uncomfortable but he continued on speaking, no matter how much he struggled.

"Brutus came to me when I was there and he told me about all the women that you slept with. That after you married my sister, you would simply impregnate her and throw her to the side. He told me that you probably gave her a potion also to seduce her and...I was so angry." He hated admitting to all of this but it needed to be said. Arthur needed to know. "He brought up the idea of killing you. I didn't want to at first but I kept on getting angrier and angrier. I felt alienated and I thought he had good reason to hate you also."

He tried to keep his breaths calm and he just wanted to go back to sleep.

"So I got closer to you...I wanted to pretend to be your friend. But as I got closer to you, I actually started liking you. You...you were so much kinder than I thought you were. You ended up being the only friend I had in the court. As the party came though, I tried to convince myself that you were doing the same thing as I did. Just...pretending to be my friend but to gain Madeline's favour."

He finally turned his gaze towards Arthur, shaking a bit.

"I couldn't kill you in the end. When you were asleep, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I wanted you alive, more than myself. You had been nothing but amazing to me. Yet Brutus soon came in and forced me to try stabbing you. So I stabbed the bed next to you, called the guards and threw the vase at him and then I threw myself over you. I didn't want to lose the only friend I ever had."

Alfred soon redirected his gaze to the bed once more, not feeling all that much better despite saying everything. In fact, he was scared of Arthur's reaction.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur listened, but he was frowning the entire time. He honestly didn’t really know what to say. He felt like Alfred had betrayed him and that was the end of it, regardless of what he had to say about it now.

“Firstly, I have only ever slept with four people,” three women and one stable boy. “Secondly, I would never hurt your sister like that. I really… like her.” Not like, like but he liked her. If that made sense. “And thirdly, I can’t believe that you listened to him. When…” he sighed shakily and looked down at his hands, fidgeting. “When I was six years old, Brutus tried to drown me but I was saved by a villager. He’s always wanted me dead because he’s the oldest and should be on the throne instead of my father, technically.”

He looked at the other sternly, not quite ready to trust him.

“What made you change your mind?”

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred just stared at Arthur, a bit surprised. When Brutus said it, it all seemed so very true. Though soon he slumped down again and he simply shook his head.

"I...didn't know. I didn't know anything about him. Back then, I wanted any reason to just hate you," He mumbled, running a hand through his blonde hair. He was starting to get a bit less sleepy even though his head was still throbbing a bit.

"Just watching you sleep. You looked so peaceful and ha--" He stopped there, not wanting to say the word handsome of all things. He swallowed thickly. "Then I remembered everything that we had done together and...I couldn't do it. I just couldn't."

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur assumed Alfred had been going to say ‘happy’. He frowned and looked away.

“I’m not sure that I can forgive you,” he admitted, sounding saddened by that fact, but it was true. He didn’t feel ready to trust Alfred, and didn’t feel as though he would be able to for quite some time. He stood and dusted off his clothes (which were considerably darker colours than he had been wearing recently). He watched Alfred from the corner of his eyes for a few moments before he found himself unable to.

“You betrayed my trust, Alfred. That’s not something that I will easily forgive or forget.”

[Assistant Jones]

Alfred just looked back down at the bed again and he nodded.

"I didn't expect you to ever forgive me for it," He admitted. "I wouldn't forgive me if I was you."

Yet to say that simply hurt. He knew that he lost an important friendship and that well, nothing would really be the same. Definitely not. Maybe once Arthur left back to his kingdom with Madeline but until then, it would be a terrible two months.

That he was certain of. There didn't seem like any other way.

[Mr. Kirkland]

Arthur was still at first, thinking as he stared at the wall in front of him.

“Time will tell,” he decided, voicing his thoughts softly. “I will go and tell your family that you’re awake.” With that, he turned on his heel and left the room. He couldn’t bear to listen to anything else that he had to say. It would only hurt him, he was sure. This was painful enough.

His one friend was his friend no longer.

[Sponsored content]