Of Kings and Queens

The Lovesick Fool

Chapter 12, The Lovesick Fool

"And scene!" Elizabeta called out, gesturing to Alfred and Arthur as they embraced on the stage.

Alfred laughed and patted Arthur on the back. "That delivery was perfect bro!"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "I suppose I was fantastic, yes."

Elizabeta clapped her hands together. "Yes, yes you're both pretty. Now, what happened between you two? You seem like completely different people today!"

Arthur blushed as Alfred dabbed behind him. "Well we sorta--"

"Became like friends and shit!" Alfred hollered and bowed.

When Alfred had stayed at Arthur's house for dinner, the two had gotten a bottle of wine from the cabinet and drank the awkwardness away. Neither of them drank too much, both were completely sober when they talked things over. Alfred had smoothed a lot of problems with Arthur to the point that they no longer had this curled up tension every time they saw each other.

Well that wasn't true. Both men still held somewhat of a grudge, but they came to the conclusion that the past was the past and that they could move on and become friends again. Alfred wouldn't necessarily call them best friends, but they were at least on the terms for playful banter. For Alfred, that was the closest thing he had to a best friend in years.

Alfred watched as his friend, Arthur of course, walked across the stage to grab a drink of water. The dark blue cape that hung around him made his hair glow around his head and his pale skin stand out in a flattering matter. The costume designers sure as hell knew what they were doing. Alfred decided that his friend looked hot, in a totally friendly and not-gay kinda way. He was just nice to look at.

As Alfred continued to admire Arthur's...pants, Elizabeta walked up behind him.

"So are you coming to the kickoff party this tonight?" She asked and looked at Arthur.

"Ya, I'll go. So is it like formal or casual?"

"Well the pilot party will be formal, but the one tonight will be here at the set and it'll be casual party clothes. We plan to bring in a DJ and party lights. It'll be like a middle school dance, but with alcohol, and music that isn't from Frozen."

Alfred laughed and closed his eyes, imagining a sea of drunk actors acting like toddlers dancing to Disney music.

"It sounds like it's going to be lit. Do I have to bring a date?"

Elizabeta smirked and glanced back to Arthur. "Well it's not prom, but we are adults Alfred."

"Ya, ya I know I just don't want to show up with a friend and be shamed." Alfred smiled and looked back to Arthur who was now walking towards them.

"Speaking of friends." Elizabeta coughed slyly and looked at Arthur, her hands clapped together and a smile now present on her face.

Arthur brushed his bangs out of his eyes and smiled up at the two. "Did you hear that the chef Feli has a thing for Ludwig? They just got caught in the break room cuddling." He snickered. "Amateurs."

Elizabeta's eyes sparkled. "Oh, and you're an expert now, huh Arthur?"

Alfred froze, not liking the look in Elizabeth's eyes. She looked like a lioness, ready to pounce, a hungry look on her face. Alfred knew where this was heading and hoped to God Elizabeta hadn't read the newspaper this week.

Arthur, oblivious and cocky as usual stood up straight. "As a matter of fact, I am miss. You see I've had practice with the art of sneaking around since I was a mere boy. Especially with secret lovers. Everyone knows to look in the break room or closets. You have to be smarter than that, and lock the damn doors."