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High-functioning Ladykiller
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 Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 2:39 pm
Arthur widened his eyes at the news that Kiku had left. He took a glance outside, green eyes troubled. It was pounding outside. While London definitely got worse than the current storm, he knew that most places would call it severe. "In this weather?" he questioned softly, shaking his head.
Pondering over the monotone reply, he scowled. "Did you not just finish telling the two of us that if we got to this point, we should contact you?" he snapped, the alcohol in him making him more open then he normally was. "Surely, you aren't revoking that because we are unable to ignore our pride."
Another wave of the stabbing pain struck him and he knew this time that it really was guilt. His expression softened and he leaned over Alfred, brushing his lips against the top of his head. "Sorry," he mumbled into the blond hair, before a blush tinged his cheeks. He turned sharply and left the room, walking until he reached a quiet hall.
Pulling out his cellular phone, he was thankful that it still had service. Since his was much older than Kiku's, it meant that the Japanese man would have service, as well. He dialed the number, thankful for his sharp memory, clicking the connect button. 'Answer, Kiku,' he thought, biting his lip as he stared out at the storm.
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 2:42 pm
Shivering, it was getting harder and harder for Kiku to see straight. He was already soaked to the bone and he knew the possiblities of finding a cab in the current weather was slim to none. All the buildings were closed down and Kiku couldn't see an inn or a hotel at all. Finding a bench, the Japanese man sat down and sneezed, shivering once again. He was getting to the point of fainting and, seeing as nothing was open and that he was far enough from the meeting place as it was, Kiku decided to sleep on the bench.
"This probably isn't hygenic," Kiku thought, lying down on the bench, "But I am awfully tired. I suppose that sleeping in the rain wouldn't do much more harm."
Closing his eyes, Kiku fell into a light sleep, the calm rhythmic pattern of the rain lulling him to sleep. Unknown to him, Kiku's body was protesting the cold and began to warm up, giving the sleeping man a dangerously high fever. The vibration of his cell phone woke up Kiku about fifteen minutes later, the Japanese man barely conscious. Rustling through his pockets, Kiku found his cell phone and answered it.
"Moshi moshi," He greeted weakly, barely able to stay conscious, "Who am I speaking to?"
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Quotable Conversationalist
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 2:46 pm
Alfred watched as Arthur left then put Texas back on and stood. 'This is why I hate rain! It makes me weird. Alfred thought as he walked to a coffee room, fully planing to drown in the black substance.
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 2:51 pm
Ivan smiled slightly as the Asian smiled, grateful that his friend was starting to feel better. He wasn't very good at comforting, he knew, and was trying to recall the things Svitlana had done when trying to comfort him when he was still small and they still talked. At the comment on his height, he gave a soft laugh. "Is nice, da. But pain, times, too," he replied, motioning to the door frame that was merely an inch or so higher than his head.
Blinking at the comment of being handsome (in a cute way, no less), Ivan didn't know how to react. Other than his sisters, nobody had ever told him that. "Is not plain appearing. Is pretty," he argued, shaking his head. "And Japan has dead eyes. Always has." He didn't appreciate Yao bringing himself down like that. "Yao is friend of mine," he murmured.
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High-functioning Ladykiller
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High-functioning Ladykiller
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 2:59 pm
Relief flooded Arthur as Kiku answered, but the man's voice worried him. "Kiku? It's Arthur," he replied, his concern stabbing away the pleasant drunk feeling away. "Where are you? It's storming out there and... I can tell you're outside, I can hear the rain and thunder."
Leaning against the wall, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Tell me where you are, Kiku. I'll come over and get you. I know you don't want to come back here. I can take you to my home," he murmured.
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:14 pm
"Arthur-san?" Kiku murmured in question, his mind beginning to slip back unto unconsciousness, "I'm so cold...Is Alfred-san with you? Tell him I'm sorry..."
A crash of thunder made Kiku lose his train of thoughts and completely forget everything Arthur told him. Shivering, Kiku buried deeper into his jacket, which did the nation no good. He could feel the beginnings of a flu start to overwhelm him and, doubled with the entire day so far, Kiku's body had begun to rise with a dangerous fever.
"Arthur-san? I'm so tired..." Kiku said softly, his voice starting to slur words together, "So...very...tired..."
Before he could even hang up the phone, Kiku slipped back into a state of unconsiousness. His body began shutting down then, allowing the nation to fall deeper into the comforting darkness known as sleep, despite where he was at the moment. His phone slipped out of his hand and hit the pavement, forgotten and still on as the rain fell heavily against Kiku's feverous body.
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High-functioning Ladykiller
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:20 pm
"Kiku?" Arthur questioned, voice carrying a tinge of fear. He heard the what sounded like the phone hitting the ground, and his eyes widened. "Kiku?!" No reply. He heard the rain. Flicking his phone shut, he ran down the hall to his office, grabbing his jacket and an umbrella. He hooked the umbrella onto the loop on the side of the jacket that he had sewn on. He slammed his office door shut and ran outside, into the storm.
It was a struggle, trying to find any sign of the Japanese man. Not many were outside, and those who were outside in this God-forsaken weather were trying to find shelter. Knowing that, Arthur went to shops that had large glass windows. It took a around fifteen minutes, only made possible due to his military training, but he finally found Kiku.
Racing over, he dropped to his knees beside the bench and shook the man, green eyes wide with worry and fear. "Kiku! Kiku, wake up!" he called.
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:28 pm
'Pretty?' Yao blinked, watching his own face redden in the mirror. It was... Quite humorous, in some ways, to see his own expression change so smoothly due to one word. 'I've not ever been called pretty before...' He mused quietly, allowing his arm to fall back to his side as he glanced up at Ivan. 'You think... I'm pretty, aru?' It was a hard concept to grasp. However, in his heightened spirits, he felt like teasing the Russian a little.
'What about me is pretty?' He challenged playfully, eyes bright as he looked imploringly up at his friend. He decided to gloss over the comment about Japan's eyes... And in a strange way, he admired Ivan's honesty in how he thought. It was better for his friend to be honest than for him to lie, after all.
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High-functioning Ladykiller
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:33 pm
Ivan smiled, amused as the Asian's face turned red. It clashed with his shirt, he noted. "Da. Is pretty," he repeated. That the man was never told that before... It was quite surprising. Ivan had been struck with how pretty the man had been when they first met, a long time ago when he was still a small, insignificant nation and Yao had been a great Empire.
When he was called on it, his cheeks flushed very, very mildly. "Um. Is not good with the words," he murmured, not sure how to reply. He rarely gave out compliments, so he wasn't sure how to do so. He ducked his head slightly, trying to hide the faint dusting of pink on his pale cheeks.
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:41 pm
Kiku was too far unconsious to feel, or even react to Arthur shaking him. He began shivering, his teeth chattering as he violently shook. Kiku had been prone to shivers and getting sick since his war with Alfred so long ago. Ever since then, Kiku just...was prone to every illness. His fever began increasing once again, his shivering turning more and more violent.
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High-functioning Ladykiller
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:51 pm
Waiting for a response, he grabbed Kiku's phone from the ground and put it into his own pocket for safe keeping, glancing back at the Asian in worry. Not getting a reaction, Arthur scooped Kiku up carefully into his arms, grateful that the man was light. Sitting down, he moved the man onto his lap so his head was against Arthur's shoulder, one arm wrapping around him to keep him upright. He fumbled with the umbrella, pulling it out to protect the Asian from whatever rain he could. He somehow managed to hold the handle with the arm he had around Kiku, using his now free hand to dig out his cell phone.
Dialing the number for a taxi, he quickly requested one, glancing at the nearest sign for an indication as to where they were. He put his phone back into his pocket, holding Kiku as he waited for the taxi to arrive.
He blinked passed the murk of falling rain, spotting the car and carefully scooping the Asian up again. Regrettably, he had to leave the umbrella behind. He wouldn't be able to carry it and the Asian, and he had more at home.
Settling the unconscious man into the seat, he murmured the address to his house to the driver. He pulled off his jacket, moving Kiku onto his lap again. Thankful for remembering his rain coat so that he was dry enough to carry warmth, he cradled the feverish Asian close and willed time to speed up so they would arrive at his home faster.
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:16 pm
Kiku, in a feverous fit, awoke slightly and noticed Arthur holding him gently. He felt cold, wet and extremely uncomfortable with his body.
"Arthur-san?" Kiku murmured softly, almost so soft that the wind could be louder, "Where's Alfred-san? Did you tell him I was sorry?"
Before Kiku could hear Arthur's response, he sunk back into a feverous sleep. He was utterly worn out and didn't know exactly how to stay awake at all. All he knew was that Arthur was taking him some place warm, and that alone made him feel a little comfort.
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High-functioning Ladykiller
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:29 pm
As if realizing the worry Arthur was in, the taxi driver went as fast as he could safely drive in the storm, making it to his house much earlier than he had expected. Paying twice as much as what was asked, he put his wallet back into his pocket and put his jacket over his shoulder.
"Thank you," he murmured to the driver, looking worried at Kiku. He wasn't able to keep conscious, judging by his previous question.
Cradling the man close to his chest, Arthur quickly walked up the front walk of his house, cursing that it was as long as it was.
He ducked under the front, grateful that there was shelter so he could unlock his door and keep Kiku as protected from the rain as possible. He opened the door with some difficulty, not having a free hand to aid him.
Entering his house, he kicked his door shut with his booted foot and carried the Asian upstairs. He quickly removed the man's boots, socks and jacket, placing him on the bed in the spare room. The bed only had sheets, so he quickly grabbed a quilt and placed it over Kiku, fretting.
"Oh, bugger all to Hell," he cursed, moving to the bathroom to dampen a cloth with cold water. He noted, bitterly, that he was tracking water and mud through the house because he didn't have time to take off his boots, but he pushed that thought aside as he returned to Kiku's side and gently placed the cool cloth on the Asian's forehead.
Once that was done, he took his boots off and took them to the entrance hall. He changed into dry clothes before grabbing a mop and cleaning up the mess. He should probably phone Alfred, he realized.
Pulling out his cell phone, he dialed the American's number.
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 5:17 pm
Alfred took another swig of coffee and looked at his phone before answering. "Is everything okay?" He blurted out into the phone. He silently wondered if one of them were dead and it was a doctor calling. "A-Are you dead...?"Alfred asked in a quiet voice.
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Quotable Conversationalist
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High-functioning Ladykiller
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 5:24 pm
Arthur sighed wearily, leaning against the wall and sliding to the floor. He rested his head on the wall, closing his eyes for a moment. "No, I am not dead, git," he muttered into the phone. He sighed again, suddenly feeling exhausted. "The storm was too much for Kiku. I found him and took him to my home. We'll be fine, but I'm skipping the meeting," he murmured, voice soft. He still felt the tinge of guilt stabbing at him, especially for giving Alfred reason to worry.
"Kiku apologizes. I'm not positive for what, but I believe it was our comments earlier." He didn't repeat his apology, feeling too drained to even contemplate whether he should or not.
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