The Way Things Are (UKUS)

Disappointment

Arthur slowly exhaled against my neck, sitting up slightly with a post-orgasm, goofy smile. I'm sure I had a similar expression too as I leant up to press a soft kiss against his lips. His hazed eyes fluttered closed and his lips moved carefully against mine, gently....as if I was the most precious thing in the world to him. My body didn't want him to leave, I groaned as he edged his now flaccid member out of me and rolled over at my side. It had felt so nice to be filled again.

The evening before, we had waited until midnight to ring in the New Year together with a kiss and a couple glasses of champagne. A couple glasses led to a few....which led to several...which led to the bedroom. Although it had been a passionate night, I couldn't remember most of it....so now that we both were sober, it had been more enjoyable.

"Fuck....I can't bear this light," Arthur muttered, holding his head and shutting his eyes. He turned on his side towards me and ran his fingers over my stomach, through the sticky coating of spunk left over from my release. His voice was still groggy when he said, "We should wash up, you're a mess~"

A few moments later we were stumbling into the bathroom, Arthur still cursing the sun as I tried keep my eyes open. Alcohol doesn't affect me as drastically as it does for Arthur, but even I was feeling some small sense of hangover from last night.

I started to head for the shower but Arthur placed a hand on my shoulder to stop me, "Not that one, love. Let's bathe together this time."

"Wouldn't the shower be quicker?" I asked, tilting my head to the side. He glanced away and my heart sank a bit, "Don't tell me you're...."

"Leaving in a couple hours, yes. I have a flight to catch, Alfred," He at least had the decency to sound disheartened about it. Every time he suggested the bath over the shower it meant he wouldn't be staying long. He thought taking a bath was more intimate and we could savour it more.....but I'd rather take a ten minute shower and have him stay at least a week than this.

"So that's it? You only just flew in yesterday! Now you're leaving?!" Frustration swelled in my chest as I pulled away from my so-called lover, "You were gone for almost a year before! Am I just your play thing now, Arthur? You come and make love to me and then just leave like I don't exist!"

"Alfred, darling, you know how much I love you. I've always loved you....I just have obligations that are completely unavoidable back home." He truly looked sorry...turning my chin towards him as he spoke.

"....Why can't I go with you then?" My voice almost sounded like when I was a child. Confused, hurt.....he was always leaving me.

"Not this time, you're needed here...perhaps the next." He replied, reaching behind me to turn on the tap. My anger was more subdued now, I'd learned over the centuries to live with disappointment.

"I...I just don't know when I'll get to see you again," I said quietly, looking down in silent resignation.

"Shh....I'm with you now, aren't I? No more of that....come on. Let's not waste our precious moments together." I felt him gently prodding me to step into the tub and then a slight pressure on my shoulders from his hands as he made me sit.

As the warm water flooded around me, my lover pulled me close. His hands and very presence were soothing, though I'll never understand why. What am I really to Arthur Kirkland? Merely his colony. Over two hundred years as his colony.... but does he really love me? .....And do I really love him?