USUK/UKUS One Shots

Keeping Me Alive (Magic AU, Angst, Sad, Song Fic)

Based on the song Keeping Me Alive by The Afters

Magic AU

Trigger Warnings: Self-harm, suicidal thoughts, depression

Summary: Alfred discovers that Arthur has issues with self-harm and comes up with a way to save him.

Word count: 3,320

Estimated read time: 13 minutes

When Arthur woke up, Alfred was no longer sleeping beside him. Instead, he was pulling on regular clothes for the day. 

Noticing that Arthur was awake, he grinned. "Good morning!" 

"Good morning." 

It's like I've never lived
Before my life with you
So much was missing here
I never even knew

Alfred jogged over and kissed Arthur. "Come on, we've got to get to the meeting. Kiku is hellbent on setting down more laws about the uses of magic." 

Arthur nodded, getting out of bed and going into the bathroom. He opened up the cabinet behind the mirror and removed his toothbrush and toothpaste. He wet the brush and squeezed the paste on before beginning to scrub his teeth to rid himself of morning breath. 

He rinsed off the brush and swished some mouthwash around before putting them away and trying to straighten out his hair. 

Alfred came in, smiling, and Arthur turned to face him. "You're in a good mood." 

"Well, yeah. I woke up next to my awesome boyfriend, we're going to go see all our friends, and if we hurry, we can get some McDonald's on the way!" 

Arthur chuckled. "You're ridiculous." 

I still picture
The place we were
When I fell into
Your world

"You know you love me." Alfred picked Arthur up and set him on the counter, kissing him with high spirits. 

Arthur returned the kiss, pressing close. 

I don't know why I feel this way
But something's right
You're like the morning air
Before the light arrives

Alfred's hands trailed to Arthur's waist and drifted toward his nether regions, but Arthur caught his wrist to stop him. "We'll run out of time for McDonald's." 

Alfred shrugged. His fingers undid the button and zipper while he pressed kisses to Arthur's neck, but Arthur shook his head, pushing him off without much force. "Not this morning." 

Alfred sighed, hands falling to the counter on either side of Arthur. "Is something wrong?" 

"What do you mean?" Arthur asked, starting to feel nervous. 

"I mean that we haven't been intimate in... gee, months. You always say you're tired or there isn't enough time or you don't feel like it." 

"I didn't know I had to have sex to be in a relationship with you," Arthur replied, knowing that he needed to put Alfred on the defense to get out of this conversation. 

Alfred's eyes widened. "No, no, that's not what I meant. I love you and if you don't want to, that's okay. I'm just worried about you. Did I do something? Is this about when I accidentally broke that teapot?" 

"What? No, no, you're fine," Arthur assured him, giving him a cheek kiss in reassurance. 

"Then what is it?"