Ballet Shoes Don't Pinch - 2

Arthur pulled himself out of his slumber as a ringing started to pound in his ears. He slowly opened his eyes but quickly squeezed them shut as the dim light seeping into the window penetrated his pupils. He tried to sit up, but was locked in an exceedingly tight bear-hug. He opened one of his eyes, glancing up to see Alfred, still in his deep sleep, unconsciously hugging him to his chest. Arthur smiled softly and pressed his cheek into Alfred's breast bone as memories from the night before flooded his mind.

Yeah, so they had somewhat done… it. No, Alfred didn't pound Arthur into the sheets. They weren't ready for that. They were together for only one day, after all. They pleasured each other in a way they felt comfortable with.

They loved each other and it was honest, sincere love. They would be do anything for each other. Hell, they would die for each other! And Arthur accepted that. He loved Alfred with all his heart, and that's how it would stay.

What the hell was that noise? It had been ringing and ringing ever since Arthur first opened his eyes. He tried to sit up to investigate whatever the hell kept beeping and buzzing, but Alfred's incredibly strong grip on Arthur's body wouldn't let up anytime soon. Arthur exhaled wearily and wondered how he'd be able to get out of the situation. He had to get out of Alfred's arms somehow… He wriggled one of his arms free and reached up to poke Alfred's cheek repeatedly.

"Alfred…" he hissed. "Alfreeeddd…" Arthur growled and mercilessly poked Alfred's closed eye, making him twitch and slap a hand over his eye.

Alfred groaned and slowly opened his eyes to look at Arthur who was grinning at him in a silly way. Alfred stared for a moment before smiling back and moving his hand from his eye, pulling Arthur into the tightest hug he could muster.

"Good morning, my love…" he grinned happily. He nuzzled his nose into Arthur's wild hair. "How did you sleep, Arty?"

Alfred waited a moment for his reply before leaning back to look at him with confused eyes. A dampened gurgle left Arthur's throat as he gasped for breath. Alfred's eyes widened and he quickly released Arthur from his clutches, gasps and coughs cascading through Arthur's lips as he was able to breathe again.

"S-sorry, Arthur!" Alfred gasped, his cheeks shading pink in embarrassment. Arthur coughed and waved his hands.

"N-no… I'm okay." He coughed a couple more times, slowly catching his breath. "You are very strong, Alfred. Please don't hug me as tight as you can… And quit that damned ringing!!"

Alfred blinked a couple of times, wondering if Arthur was hearing some of his imaginary friends again. He couldn't hear any "damned ringing"… Alfred stared at the angrily breathing Arthur for another moment before something clicked in his mind. He smiled and leaned over on the bed, scooping up his iPod from the bedside table and unlocking it. "Sorry," he laughed. He clicked the Snooze button. "I set an alarm so I could get you home by eight like we planned. I've listened to that thing every morning for like, ever, so I kinda am immune to it. Sorry… But I'm awake!"

Arthur stared at him for a moment before feeling a smile crawl across his lips. He grinned brightly and slung his arms around Alfred's neck, who looked at the bed behind them, a bit confused.

"That was sweet of you, Alfred…" Arthur laughed softly. Alfred grinned after a moment, leaning back from the hug to smile childishly at Arthur. He lay one of his hands on Alfred's bare chest, running it down his toned and muscled body to the blankets piled up at his hips. "Do you ever think less of me, because I'm not as muscle-y as you? Or as tall?"

Alfred laughed a bit and gently lay his hands on both his cheeks, gently cradling Arthur's face. Arthur lifted his curious, meek eyes to look up into Alfred's face.

"Of course not, Arthur…" he purred quietly. Arthur felt his heart jump at the mention of his name. "I love everything about you…" He's so romantic! "I love how weak your wimpy little stick-arms are and how short you are. It makes me feel big and strong!"

…

Well… He tried.

"That's very nice of you, Alfred," Arthur snickered. Alfred could be so thick sometimes… "We better get up and dress so you can drive me home and we can go to the wonderful play!" Arthur swooned and held his heart as he thought about it. "This is such a beautiful play, too… I've seen it twice. I've always wanted to write a play - did I tell you that?" he asked, tilting his head to look at Alfred quizzically. Alfred smiled and shook his head.

"Nope. I had no idea. Now, let's get you dressed and back home."

--

Alfred slowly loosened his fingers around Arthur's hand as he gently pulled up to Arthur's big house. Before Arthur could unlock his seatbelt, Alfred was out of his seat and around the other side of the car, opening the door for Arthur. Arthur blinked a couple of times and craned his neck down to look up at Alfred, who just grinned at him and extended a hand. "Here you go babe."

Arthur smiled and lay his hand in Alfred's, pulling himself from the car. "Babe? Interesting." He grabbed his things from the car and set them on the sidewalk before reaching up and holding Alfred's face, pulling him into a quick kiss. Alfred smiled a little against his lips and snaked his arms around his waist, kissing him back until Arthur leaned back to look up into his eyes. "Thanks you so much, Alfred. I'll see you at ten o'clock at the Bart station!"

Arthur gathered his things and pecked Alfred lips one more time, scurrying up his driveway to the front door. He waved at Alfred and flashed a sweet smile before opening up the door and disappearing into the house.

Arthur gently closed the door shut and slipped off his sandals, laying them on the floor next to the door. "Is that the town faggot, I hear?" Arthur's eyes widened and he let out a shaky sigh.

"N-Nigel…" he called into the house, his voice faltering in nervousness. "Don't do this… I just got home, and you already want to interrogate me?"

Nigel ran out from the back room and slapped Arthur's things out of his hands, making him gasp and groan. Nigel gripped Arthur's wrists and slammed him against the door. Arthur gritted his teeth and stared at Nigel with angry, half-lidded eyes. "So who was that fag in the car?" Nigel asked, making Arthur growl. "Your new gaylord-boyfriend? You should know that no one will love you."

Arthur's eyes deflated slightly and he stared at his brother, half skeptical, half shocked. "Wh-what…?"

"You're a fag! A queer!" Nigel shouted. Arthur winced and stared in shock, tears slowly welling in his eyes. "No one loves you! Not even that guy in the car! You're life is worth nothing, you stupid boy… You should just end your life now! No one loves you!"

Nigel let a sick snarl leave his throat before releasing Arthur's wrists and walking away carelessly, making him slide down the door into a heap on the floor. Arthur hugged his legs and sobbed into his knees, his body trembling as he cried.

--

Arthur looked down at his bare feet, trying to conceal his soft sobs. He slowly stepped onto the yellow, bumpy bricks near the ledge of the boarding station, his toes curling slightly as the cold of the blocks ran through his body. He pulled his hood over his brow - he didn't want anyone to see his face. He waited. Then the loud rush of the Bart train rang through the station. It was coming. Arthur took a small step and leveled his feet, his toes freely hanging over the ledge now.

He got ready to jump.

Alfred looked at his watch. "I'm early." He sighed and reached up to loosen his tie slightly. "I'll head over to the platform, then. He'll be happy to know that I'm already here when he comes." Alfred smiled a little at the thought, making his way toward the boarding station.

As he turned the corner and walked onto the big platform, he could hear the train coming. He could even see the faint lights of the Bart coming down the alley. But he didn't see Arthur… Alfred hoped he had gotten him home so he had enough time to get ready. What if they were late? Arthur would be horribly mad…

Arthur sobbed shakily and wiped his eyes. "Fine… You get you wish, Nigel…" he murmured quietly to himself, his voice still trembling. He glanced down at the tracks and then at the Bart train coming in the distance.

He jumped.

Alfred couldn't believe his eyes. He knew what he saw. Someone had jumped onto the tracks! Was he crazy? Was he suicidal? It didn't matter. Alfred had to get him out. He'd never forgive himself if he watched someone jump onto a Bart track and died, and he hadn't done anything about it. He ran at full speed toward the edge of the platform, extending his hand over the ledge. His hair fluttered as the gush of wind from the Bart train rushed past him.

"Hey! Sir! Give me your hand! I'm gunna get you out of there - the train is coming, hurry up!" he shouted down at the hooded man.

Arthur couldn't hear the voices of the other people and the man trying to help him. He couldn't hear the screams of the children and the wives. All he could hear was the Bart train, coming straight for him… For his life. All he wanted was to die. All he wanted was to be loved…

"Hey!" Alfred only had a few moments, so he did something any hero would do. He jumped down onto the tracks, forcefully grabbing the man by the shoulders and shaking him vigorously, yelling into his face. Arthur's hood fell to his shoulders. Alfred's heart fell to his stomach. "A-Arthur… Arthur! Why are you doing this?!" He had no time for this. The train was but yards away. There was no time left.

Arthur finally realized what was happening. A bit too late.

"Alfred!!" he screamed, trying to get his voice to carry over the loud screams of the people and the roar of the Bart train. "We have to go!!"

Alfred fell to the space next to him. He wrapped his arms around Arthur and pulled him onto his chest, locking him into one of his famous bear-hugs. Arthur looked down at Alfred with big, shocked eyes.

"I love you, Arthur!" he shouted over the roar of the train. The vibrations of the trembling tracks shuttered through their bodies. "And I always will!" Alfred searched for Arthur's hand and took it tightly, lacing their fingers. Alfred raised a shaky hand to cradle the side of Arthur's face. Tears fell from Arthur's face and plopped onto Alfred's cheeks. They looked into each other's eyes for a moment before Alfred gently lowered Arthur's face down to pull him into a kiss.

The last kiss they would ever share.

"That was the end of the two lovers," Alfred's voice spoke over the huge speakers as the lights of the stage went dark and the dancers exited. "This ballet was written by Arthur Kirkland, and based off events that Arthur and I went through. We clearly didn't die, but that could have been the outcome had the engineer of the Bart not seen us laying on the tracks that day." Alfred walked out onto the stage with Arthur, holding his hand tightly. "We have been together ever since. We want to tell our story for the world to hear."

Arthur smiled meekly and waved at the crowd, squeezing Alfred's hand, a little nervous.

"This story is a tale of what can happen when one is abused in a home," Alfred continued. "They can feel unloved and think that death is the only way out. Just because someone is different doesn't mean they're not human. We are gay… and proud of it!"

The crowd erupted in a standing ovation, some people crying, and some people's hearts enlightened. Arthur's cheeks flushed slightly and he nodded meekly, waving one of his hands again. He was too nervous and afraid to let go of Alfred's hand. Alfred snickered slightly and removed the microphone from his lips, leaning down to peck Arthur's cheek, as if to tell him he was still there with him. Arthur could have sworn the cheers got slightly louder.

"I love you, Alfred…" he breathed softly, glancing up at Alfred. Alfred smiled and leaned down, whispering quietly into his ear,

"I love you, too, Arthur… And I always will."



The end.