Blue eyes shot open and he sat up, looking at the merman Arthur. "You truly are a silly thing."

Alfred rushed forward in joy, had he been human at the time tears of joy would have run down his face. He held Arthur close as the man-turned-merman chuckled and ran his fingers through Alfred's hair, repeating over and over how silly Alfred was for thinking he was leaving forever and how he could never do that to his most precious treasure. And after hearing that he himself, Alfred the blue-eyed, blue tailed merman was Arthur's most precious treasure he sobbed, feeling so much pain and so much joy.

Arthur ended up dragging him to shore so he wouldn't pass out from the pain in his chest, but he was just so happy. He felt that it was too perfect. Once his legs had formed and the tears began to trail down his cheeks he began to drift off to sleep. His eye lids were so heavy and the past few weeks of Arthur being gone had lifted off his shoulders as he clung to the smaller man. Arthur continued to run his fingers through Alfred's hair as the younger cried, a soft smile on his face. "Shhh love, it's alright. I'm back, I'm staying." Alfred looked up into the green eyes. He prayed to the moon goddess that Arthur would never leave again, never ever never for the rest of time. It hurt too much to be separate. He sniffled.

"Promise?" He asked with watering eyes, the blue so much more vivid and electric in the shield of water. Arthur chuckled and ruffled his hair.

"I promise. I won't leave you again." He paused and Alfred bit his lip. Was Arthur rethinking his promise already? "But," he began slowly, "When I travel back to England, you'll need to come with me." Alfred's eyes widened and he pulled Arthur closer once again burying his face into Arthur's chest.

"Thank you Arthur." He murmured, nuzzling his face into Arthur's stomach. His eye lids were heavy and began to droop. Arthur chuckled.

"You didn't sleep much did you?" He whispered as he ran his fingers through Alfred's soft hair. "Come; let's get you into a bed." Alfred yawned and let himself be pulled up by Arthur, dropping his arms around the smaller man as a means of support. Arthur tugged him along the sand until he felt soft moss beneath his toes. He opened his eyes a bit to look at the moss, having not walked into the jungle of the forest before (he had gotten the fire wood from the edge of the forest and when Arthur was hurt he wasn't that far in).

"Arthur?" He mumbled tiredly. Arthur hummed in return. "What's that stuff on the ground?" Arthur glanced down as they walked.

"That's moss, Alfred." Alfred nodded and continued to loom around the forest until Arthur pulled him to a stop and pushed him down. "Sleep here, okay? I'll sleep right here." He said pointing to the spot next to him, another comfortable looking spot with thick soft moss. Alfred nodded and closed his eyes; enjoy the feeling of sinking into the moss rather than his usual seaweed bed. He was asleep almost instantly.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Arthur had been overjoyed to return to his island home, determined to make it as much like his home in England as possible. So the next morning when he and Alfred woke up they began scouting the island for a good spot for Arthur to build his home.

After several hours of walking through the hot forest Alfred collapsed under a tree and gasped for air dramatically, with a hand thrown across his forehead. "Arthur," he wheezed as Arthur rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, "I need water. Can we please find some water?" Arthur blinked and frowned, looking closely at the taller man with a careful gaze.

"Yes, of course! Are you okay?" He asked when he saw the dark circles below the sky blue eyes. Alfred nodded slowly and stood, giving Arthur a weak smile.

"Of course I am! I'm the hero!" Arthur rolled his eyes with a huff, wishing he had never explained to the silly merman what a hero was.

They began their trek once again, though this time noticeably slower, Arthur keeping a careful eye on Alfred. His mind began to drift as he watched the taller saunter through the trees. His brain wrapped around his soon to be permanent home. He was going to stay, and he was immortal now. He could live through anything and everything. He was going to outlast all of his friends and family. In just a few short years, they would be gone and he would have no reason to return to England ever again. His last visit to England had been exactly that, his last visit to England. He would just stay on this island with Alfred. "Arthur." Forever. "Artie?" Alone. "Arthur?" With Alfred. "Arthur!" Alfred's voice cut though his thoughts and he jumped his green eyes wide.

"W-what?" He shouted. Alfred rolled his eyes and tugged him forward.

"I found somewhere nice for you Arthur!" Arthur glanced from Alfred's exited face to the clearing he had dragged him into. It was a good sized clearing, flat with a thick mossy bottom. The trees towered over head but they were thick and stronger than the trees on the shore, good for protection against the winter storms and the sun's intense rays that burned his pale flesh (how it was still a milky white after all those years was beyond him). Best of all was the waterfall that spilled into a large deep basin. It was big enough to swim and bathe in as well as deep enough too. He walked over and glanced into the basin, the clear blue water making it look almost like the sky as well as giving a clear view of the bottom. He noted the hole in the basin, guessing that it was an underwater cave, and how it was perfect for Alfred and himself. He glanced back to Alfred who was rolling in the moss much like a happy puppy, chanting over and over 'mossy, mossy, moss'. Arthur smiled. What a child.

"It's perfect." He said aloud and Alfred stopped, sitting up with a gleaming grin slapped across his face as well as some of the thick moss clinging to his hair.

"Awesome!" He shouted loudly and he jumped up and ran into the water, throwing off the jacket as he hit the warm water. Arthur laughed as he watched the merman poke the top of his head up, his eyes above the water as well as the tips of his ears but nothing else. Encouraged by Arthur's laughter he swam forward, grabbing Arthur's leg and yanking him in. He let out a howl of "Git!" as he hit the water (partially because his clothes were now soaking).

"Sorry..." Alfred mumbled as Arthur crawled out of the water looking very much like a wet cat. Arthur grumbled some unintelligent remarks as he stripped himself and pulled out a dry pair of trousers from his satchel (he had gotten it in England). Alfred then too crawled out of the water and curled up in the moss next to Arthur, his knees touching his chin and his head tucked under Arthur's arm. He sighed.

"It's okay." He mumbled, not being able to stay angry with someone who could look so pitiful. Alfred glance up, his eyes wide and innocent and Arthur sucked in a gasp. Did he always have to do that with his eyes?

"Really?" He asked voice full of hope. Arthur flinched inwardly. God Alfred was like a child.

"Yes really." He said with a huff, unlacing his arm from around Alfred. He stood up and looked at the sky. The sun light was beginning to disappear. He looked around the forest and walked over to the edge of the clearing. He yanked a few branches down and looked towards Alfred who was watching him with mild interest, having more fun kicking his recently transformed tail in the water.

"Hey Artie?" Arthur paused and frowned at the name but ignored it.

"Yes Alfred?" He answered as he pulled up some moss and began setting up a place for the fire.

"Do you want me to explore this thingy?" He looked up at a splash; Alfred was in the basin again, eager to begin and please.

"Sure, just be sure to return with something for us to eat." Alfred nodded enthusiastically and sunk into the water.

Arthur watched as the bubbles disappeared, then he began collecting larger branches to build a small hut until his 'official' home was completed.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The cave exploration had gone well for Alfred, him finding the underwater cave perfect for his new home and a tunnel leading from the basin to the ocean. He had been able to catch plenty of fish and even make a new net of sea weed to cover the tunnel entrance and trap the fish in the basin. He surfaced several hours later and gazed around the clearing, seeing the sun had set leaving a well-lit fire and a dozing Arthur in the night. Alfred smiled and crawled out of the water, his fin changing into legs quickly now that they were used to the land now. He donned his jacket and took two fish with him to the fire, preparing the meat and cooking it for when he woke Arthur up later.

As the fish cooked on the fire he watched Arthur sleep, his muscles relaxed and a light smile on his lips as if he was having good dreams. Every few minutes his nose would twitch and he would mumble something about a green mint bunny that could fly and then continue on sleeping peacefully. Alfred chuckled and tapped Arthur with his fore finger lightly on the nose. "Arthur," he whispered smiling when two bleary green eyes opened, a scowl donning Arthur's face and taking the spot of his smile.

"What?" He hissed, though it held more sleepiness than venom. Alfred gestured to the fish ad he took them off the fire and he caught the hungry look in Arthur's eyes.

They ate the fish quickly and went to sleep, waiting for the coming day of work.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Building had gone smoothly, Arthur's new cottage settled next to the basin and in the shelter of the trees, which was a lucky thing because winter was approaching, and fast.

Within a week of completion the first storm hit, the wind howling and the rain pounding and Arthur with a raging cold. Alfred sat with the green eyed man as the storm ravaged the island, worried that the storm was just increasing Arthur's sickness as two days after the storm began he vomited up until there was nothing left in him. Alfred had dragged him to bed and felt his forehead (as Arthur had taught him) and bit his lip when it felt unnaturally warm to him.

Arthur hadn't been so out of it since he had hurt his back all those years before and Alfred had helped him. He had never been sick on the island before either, so as he lay in his moss bed and Alfred cared for him, he worried about when Alfred would catch it. His body wasn't made to inhabit human sickness; Arthur would make it out fine. Alfred on the other hand...

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Was he in the ocean? Or was he on land? Alfred wondered as his brain muddled around in fading thoughts. He was in a daze, his stomach was painfully empty and his throat burned as well as his mouth. His muscles ached and he felt so cold. He was shivering constantly, even when a strange voice told him to relax. The muscles in his stomach clenched and he heaved again, feeling cool sweat drip down his hot brow. He whimpered as nothing but bile came up. He felt cold hands rubbing his back and even though they were a comfort that someone was there with him, it was not the comfort of the pain going away.

As he finished heaving once more the hands pushed him back into a soft bed and his eyes opened. He wondered when they had closed. He listened as the voice spoke, telling a story of a hero who saved the life of a young man who had but hurt and how they became best friends. Alfred liked that story. He liked it a lot. And as he sunk into darkness the thought of how the story was like of him and Arthur.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Arthur felt bad. No, Arthur felt horrible. He had given Alfred his virus and now the poor man was lying in bed, hallucinating of god knows what (he was speaking his native tongue) and he was so sick. Alfred hadn't eaten in several days, everything Arthur being able to shove down his throat vomited up again. His fever had grown and he was now begging for help.

Arthur watched silently as the merman twisted and turned on the bed, trying to escape the deamons that haunted his dreams. He cried out silently and Arthur sighed, his eye lids heavy with the nights he had stayed up caring for Alfred. He crawled onto the moss be and lifted Alfred up into his lap and he leaned back against the tree that walled one side of his house. His eye lids drooped and Alfred's movements calmed until he had stopped moving all together. Bleary blue eyes opened and stared at Arthur as he slowly drifted off. For the first time in days he heard Alfred speak though it was in his native tongue. The words were a whine but came out like a song and Arthur was asleep, Alfred drifting off as well and leaving a silent world outside as the rain dripped down and the wind's howls calm to a soft breeze.

And everything was at peace.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Weeks passed before Alfred was well enough to leave the warm cottage, leaving everything up to Arthur to do. Arthur caught the fish and clams, corralling more fish into the basin when he was returning from the ocean. He cut fire wood and found kindle to help it burn. He boiled the water he collected and placed it in bowls he carved and old bottles he still had left over. By the time the sun set each day he fell into bed and was asleep instantly. Alfred's blue eyes watched him every day as he did his chores. They were cold and calculating, but warm and worried at the same time.

One evening when Arthur tumbled into the cottage, and collapsed into bed Alfred spoke. "You shoodn' be doin' so much." He said his voice hoarse as he spoke. It sounded as if he swallowed nails. "You're gonna get sick 'gain if you do tha'." Arthur turned his head so that instead of lying face first into a pile of moss his face was looking in Alfred's direction. Alfred frowned at the look Arthur had on his face. He had changed so much over the past few weeks. He wasn't the happy man he used to be. He was so much more careful and serious.

"Someone needs to watch after you." He whispered, eye lids feeling heavy and his words partially slurred. Alfred sighed and coughed, wheezing when he was done. "Do you want some water?" Arthur asked, his brows furrowing as he began to get up. Alfred stayed silent as the man walked on slow limbs to get a hollowed out gourd he had filled with water. Arthur placed the bottle in Alfred's hands and he felt Alfred yank him down in a quick movement, adjusting him so he lay between Alfred's legs, his head resting on Alfred's chest. His green eyes were wide but he didn't move, just listened to the heart beat pounding in his ears. Alfred smiled softly, the pressure of Arthur laying on his chest feeling good and watched as Arthur fell right to sleep, his head going limp and pressing on his ribs (it didn't hurt, it actually added the right amount of pressure to help him clear his lungs and breath). One of Arthur's arms rested on his belly and the other sprawled out next to him, his legs curling up slightly. Alfred closed his eyes and listening to the puffs of air leaving Arthur's mouth, drifted to sleep.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Alfred was feeling better by the end of winter, his chest having cleared up and his muscles no longer sore nor his stomach clenching until he vomited. Arthur was doing well too, having built up some muscle of his own from the manual labor he had to do while Alfred was sick.

It was like spring had come and healed their bodies, giving them a new strength to work and live, though Alfred watched Arthur much more closely now. His fear of disease had surfaced finally when he had gotten sick. For a while, he had thought he was going to die and leave Arthur all alone. He never missed a chance any more to give the smaller man a hug (no matter how much the Arthur disliked being touched).

Alfred watched as Arthur carved one rock with another, chipping away at it until sharp and deadly. "Arthur," he began, pulling Arthur from his concentrated trance. Arthur hummed in response, glancing up from the sharpened rock and them back. "What's that thing for?"

"Hunting." He responded simply. Alfred frowned.

"What's hunting?" Arthur stopped and paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face.

"It's like fishing," he said carefully, "Except with land and air animals." Alfred's eyes widened.

"You don't mean those small soft ones with the big ears*?" He asked recounting the small fuzzy rabbit he had seen the day before. Arthur nodded.

"Yes. Those and other animals." He touched his stomach gently, "I can't keep eating so much fish. Now that I know there are creatures on this island other than the fish I want to have a better meal." Alfred looked like he was going to cry. Arthur frowned. "What's wrong?" Alfred sniffled.

"Please don't hurt the small furry thing!" Arthur's face scrunched up.

"You mean rabbits?" Alfred nodded and Arthur sighed. He scratched the back of his neck and nodded. "Okay. No rabbits."

That evening they had some bird for dinner. Alfred ate it quickly, enjoying its foreign (and much burned) taste.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

They had moved all of Alfred's things he had collected into the underwater cave and cottage, Alfred finally having real clothes other than the ragged coat Arthur had given him when they first met. Arthur watched him as he ran around the clearing, the clothing freeing him more than the long coat did, but still a 'restriction' to Alfred. Arthur couldn't help his smile as Alfred jumped and rolled in the moss, shouts of joy leaving his mouth as he spread his arms and legs out in different directions like he was beginning a snow angel. "Arthur!" Alfred shouted as he continued to roll around, his grin ever present on his face. Arthur glanced up from mending the jacket he had given Alfred and then back to his work.

"Yes Alfred?" He hummed, noting when Alfred stopped rolling and looked up without taking his focus from his needle work. A small smile fell across his face as he saw Alfred was watching him, lying on his back in the soft moss with his head tilted back into the ground so he could watch Arthur with his big blue eyes.

"I like these clothes." Alfred stated simply, his child-like actions disappearing for just a moment. Arthur blinked. "Thank you."

"...You're welcome."

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Summer came and left with little problem. The days were hot and long and they both took to relaxing by the basin, Alfred, missing his shirt with complaints of the growing heat and the feel of sweaty cotton on his chest. Arthur had to agree.

By this time in the summer Alfred had given up completely on wearing clothes and had gotten use to Arthur throwing things at him from across the clearing when he went without(to Arthur's disappointment, Alfred still didn't understand that wearing clothing was a social standard and a necessity). And then he had to deal with loneliness when Arthur refused to exit the cottage because Alfred refused to put on clothes. So he wore clothes again (even though it was just the trousers).

One thing Alfred noticed during the summer (besides the fact that Arthur did not like it when Alfred went without clothes) was that Arthur was very grumpy. Very, very grumpy. He would get up early and not come back until the sun had set. Yes it was a good thing he was going out because he was hunting an fetching them food, but it left Alfred all alone in their camp an when he did return he went straight to bed, only waking up for food and going back to sleep after he had finished. If Alfred happened to be awake at the same times he was he wouldn't speak to Alfred unless it was to snap at him (though he had a good reason too. Alfred ate all the food in the camp while he was gone most days). It put Alfred on edge. Was Arthur mad at him? Was he planning on leaving again? Did Arthur hate him now? Was he not sleeping well? Where was he going during the day? And what was a git?

With all the questions he had swarming around in his brain he went to the smartest person he knew, Gilbert (he wasn't home) Matthew!

His brother stared at him calmly as he finished his rant, blue tail flicking back and forth in the water like a stalking cat. "Alfred," Matthew began quietly, "Maybe Arthur is feeling a little trapped. You need to remember that Arthur is used to being surrounded by people, and right now, he's just surrounded by you." Alfred pouted and settled in the sand.

"But what do I do? I want to make him happy, but I don't want him to leave…" Matthew shrugged.

"Why not you ask Gilbert?" Alfred's eyes lit up and his grin widened.

"Hey I have an idea! Why not I ask Gilbert!" Matthew sighed and shook his head as his brother shot out from his cave.

"Well at least he remembered who I was this time…" His little seal looked up at him with its big black eyes.

"Blub blub blub?" He thumped his head on the wall of his cave.

"I'm Mathew!"

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

He had been waiting for hours now. They had said they would bring Arthur back by sunset, but by the moon, sunrise was soon. Alfred sat anxiously on the shore, his teeth gnawing through the inside of his cheek. He heard several out of place splashes and his head whipped around to see Arthur crawling out of the ocean, his head hung low as his arms gave out and he crashed down into the sand. Alfred jumped up and ran over to his fallen friend, sand flying out behind him with every step. "Athur? Arthur! Arthur are you okay?" He flipped the man over and his nose wrinkled up. "Arthur you smell bad." Arthur giggled and patted Alfred's cheek, muttering something about a green flying rabbit. Alfred frown and tears welted up in his eyes. "Arthur?" The man mumbled something else before he curled up against Alfred's chest and fell asleep.

"Relax man," Gilbert sad from the water. Alfred looked up curiously. "He's just drunk. Just give him lots of water tomorrow and don't yell. He'll be fine." Alfred nodded though the instructions were strange and lifted the unconscious man into his arms ad carried him back to their camp.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Alfred frowned as he watched Arthur huddle under his thin blankets, muttering "I want to die" over and over again. He looked at the small hollowed out melon full of water and decided that was not enough for Arthur. Instead he walked over and picked up the smaller man, who squawked and shrieked, cussing at Alfred and the sun for existing as he carried him over to the basin and dropped the flailing man in. He jumped in as soon as Arthur had hit the water, sheading his clothes in the cooling liquid. He smiled as Arthur scowled at him, cheeks puffed out and eyes narrowed.

"Let's play hide and go peek!" Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Seek. It's hide and go seek, Alfred." He nodded.

"Yea whatever, let's go play!"

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Arthur sighed as he looked around the flat expanse of sand that surrounded him. He didn't know how far he was away from the island, or how far away he was from Alfred, but he could relax now. He laid down in the sand and closed his eyes, stretching his arms and fin out as far as they could reach. It was so quiet, so peaceful…

He hadn't even realized he had dozed off until a fish came barreling by. Scratch that, hundreds of fish came barreling by. He sat up bleary eyed, confused and disorientated until he saw a large net sucking in fish after fish. His eyes widened and he started up, swimming after the fish that had passed, but it was about as useful as a match underwater and the net was upon him in seconds, swallowing him into it's depths.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Alfred frowned as he checked behind another rock. No Arthur. He growled. He had been at it for seven hours now (extreme hide and go seek) and he still hadn't found Arthur. He pouted and bit his lip in thought, feeling a little surprised when a small fish swam into him and tucked tail and ran, muttering about a net and a stupid man. His brows furrowed as he watched the fish go. A net? A stupid man? Then it dawned on him as he watched a large shadow from a boat pass over. It was a fishing boat. Fishing boat meant net, net meant catching fish. But stupid man? He looked down to the net and his heart stopped as he heard the screams of Arthur. Stupid man meant Arthur.

He swam from his rock down to the net, grabbing ahold of Arthur's hand and wincing at the scrape marks marring his pale flesh. Sobs of fear and pain let Arthur's mouth as he pulled on the net with his free hand, babbling about everything and nothing. "Alfred, Alfred, Alfred." The green eyed merman repeated over and over, clutching his hand tight as another larger fish bumbled into him. Another bump, another bruise. "Please Alfred, I'm scared." Alfred's throat closed up. Arthur? Scared? Those two words did not go together. Not now, not ever. But looking into his large green eyes Alfred knew it wasn't just fear, it was terror. If he was caught, he would be put on display. Alfred didn't know what that meant, but when Arthur had told him it would happen if they were ever caught, and it sounded bad. Very bad. And because he hadn't been home in so long he probably didn't know what else they would do to him. So terror was right in the description on how he felt. It was very right. Alfred squeezed him hand and pulled him close through the net.

"Arthur I'm going to get you out." He said surly. He looked back into Arthur's green eyes and nodded. "Stay on this side of the net, don't let go for anything." Arthur nodded, but was silent except for the odd hiccup and sob. Then Alfred let go of Arthur, and then he let go of Arthur's hand. Then he left.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Arthur watched as Alfred swam off, a sinking feeling settled deep down in his stomach that this was the end of him. He was to die as he was, but be left in a hollow shell to be poked and prodded at, called a freak and hung up as a prize. Alfred would never make it back in time. He would never be saved. He closed his eyes as he received another painful bump, this time against a passing rock. It scrapped the flesh of his hand and he watched as blood dissolved into the water. It was only a matter of time before some shark showed up and took a bite out of him. It was only a matter of time before the fishermen reeled their net back up and he was put in a tank for people to look at him in. It was only a matter of time.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

It was only a matter of time. Alfred told himself as he raced through the jungle of their home to reach their cottage. Only a matter of time. He burst into the clearing, not caring at the moment about the strange winged creatures that flew up into the ever blue once he came through the vines. He could care later. Later when Arthur was safe and cooking that strange food by the fire place and calling him strange things and showing him how to put on those strange things he called underwear. Later when Arthur was safe. His eyes were wild as he ransacked the cottage, only stopping when he cut his hand on the sharp thingy Arthur told him never to run with. He was going to disregard that rule (not like he didn't usually) and run with the sharp thingy right then and there. And he did. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, thinking to himself how Arthur would chase him with a large rock if he saw Alfred running through the jungle with no clothes on.

He reached the water's edge and jumped in, legs changing faster than normal, but still too slow for Alfred's liking. He was swimming as fast as he could, hand clenched around the sharp thingy as he did so. He broke through the inhabited area to where the net was and he paled. It was being reeled in. "No!" He shouted as he shot forward, the word repeating and thumping around in his skull as he hit the net. All he could see of Arthur now was a bloody hand, clamped around the net like all life depended on it. And it probably did. He started clipping away at the net, his hand clamped around Arthur's as the rope twirled away. As soon as there was enough space for Arthur to fit through, Alfred pulled him out, yanking him close and breathing in. "Arthur, Arthur, Arthur." He mumbled into the shaggy blonde hair as he swam them away from the net. He could feel Arthur's fingernails digging into his back, but he didn't care. He felt Arthur suck in a deep breath and then sob into his chest, Alfred squeezed his eyes shut knowing how painful this must be. Even though he wanted to stay there and rest, his adrenalin disappearing from his veins, he knew Arthur could not stay. So he swam them home.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Arthur was quiet. He was quiet a lot now a days. But he had adoring eyes, only for Alfred. They followed him around the camp as he sat snuggled up in his blanket beside the fire. Alfred guessed he was still stressed from the fear of his near-death. He knew Arthur had nightmares about it. Hell, he had nightmares about it. But he couldn't leave Arthur alone until he was over his fear. He would cry when ever Alfred left, like it was a flashback to when he was stuck all that time alone in the net. So Alfred had Matthew go find them food, which his brother did without a single complaint (which Alfred was so grateful for). Sometimes Matthew would sit with Arthur and speak with him, and Arthur would speak back, but Arthur would never speak to him until late one night, long after the sun had set. It had been two moons since the incident and Arthur's voce was scratching. "Alfred." He whispered and Alfred blinked the sleep from his eyes, rolling over to come face to face with Arthur. He sat up, worry worming its way into his brain.

"Arthur? What is it? What's wrong?" Arthur shook his head and looked towards the ground.

"Thank you Alfred." Alfred blinked and was silent. "Thank you so much." A few tears ran down Arthur's cheeks. "I…you…" And then he fell apart, pulling Alfred into a hug and closing his eyes as Alfred returned it. Alfred closed his bright blue eyes as well, holding the smaller man and feeling relief. Finally, after so long he was letting it out. He was letting himself heal. And as they both fell asleep, Alfred knew it was going to be okay.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Eventually Arthur got back into his old routine, with some added quips and snaps as if he wanted to show Alfred that he was strong again, and that he didn't need help. Alfred thought he was funny in that way, but he was glad to have Arthur back, even if he did his Alfred more often and call him strange names.

But he showed Alfred so much. He even took him to land, showing him their strange above ground caves that were not cottages and reached so high up, he showed him the magical shield that protected the holes in the strange caves and he even gave him some regular human food (though it tasted a bit strange what with it not being burned and all). It was the best gift Arthur could have ever given him, besides the jacket (which they had mended) and the clothes (which were torn beyond repair thanks to Alfred's insane stunts). This land, though dark and kind of scary was so beautiful and full of amazing things, and when they returned back to their little island and Arthur promised that they would return to land again, brining Alfred to jump and shout with joy.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The world had changed much since his last venture onto land. Had it really been a century? It must have at least been two. He glanced around and had a hint of a smile on his face as he saw Alfred, his face plastered to the glass of a store window, his eyes wide in amazement. Arthur chuckled, only the boy's second journey upon civilized land yet he was still as he was the first time. Eyes wide and mouth agape as he ran wild, point at this and that and asking what this did and what that did, never ending with his questions. Arthur rolled his eyes as Alfred let out a whine when he dragged him away. "Come, come now Alfred, we have some things we need to do before you go wild and spend all the money Gilbert gave to us." Alfred pouted, but moved on quickly as Arthur dragged him through the city. Arthur couldn't help but feel proud of Alfred as he pulled him around. He was behaving like a person and even conversing with the normal humans, not asking too strange a question and staying with Arthur the whole time. He took his time to take everything in, from the smell of the city's exhaust to the refreshing scents of it after the rains. Alfred tugged on his sleeve as they made their way back to their hotel (which Alfred was extremely impressed by) and Arthur turned his attention to Alfred.

"Arthur, what is that place?" He asked pointing to a country on a large map hanging on the wall of some sort of travel thing.

"That is America, Alfred." Alfred's bright blue eyes widened and he mouthed the word in awe. Arthur smiled. "Next time we can go there if you want." Alfred nodded quickly.

"Yes, yes! I want to go to America!" Arthur's smile widened.

"Then we will go to America."

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As more and more time passed, the merfolk Arthur had come to know as family and friend had moved ashore, claiming that the sea was no longer theirs, but there was no resentment in their claims, no hatred. Just a sense that it was time to move on. And time to move on it was. Arthur got another cottage by the sea in his home of England, glad to be back ashore, and happy with his new set up. As the last merfolk around, each one had gone to a different country, trusting in the governments there and revealing themselves as immortals (though it was an accident at first). Because of this each government had awarded them a special position, as permanent representative of the nation (in secret of course). The only down side was that Arthur couldn't see Alfred as much as he had before and it grew quiet lonely in his cottage by the sea. Alfred had gone to America, the country he had fallen in love with so many years ago on their first trip there, a whole ocean away from where he was. So many miles for one to travel alone, even if there were magical flying machines (that Alfred loved so much) and boats that could travel faster than they had before. It was still a lonely and long trip.

One day as Arthur worked on his garden (shut up it was a manly garden and you know it!) he heard some splashes from the ocean behind him and he turned, face becoming a bright red. "God damn it you git put some clothes on! You would think after so many centuries you would know by now!" Alfred laughed and patted Arthur on the back as he walked into the cottage and into the spare room where Arthur kept extra clothes for Alfred.

"You know old man, (old man indeed! I should slice you to ribbons you!) I have learned that by now," Alfred said walking out in clothes with a cocky grin playing across his face. Arthur's face lit up red and he just sputtered, avoiding Alfred' gaze and instead looking at his flowers. Alfred chuckled. "Hey Artie!"

"Arthur…" He hissed and Alfred chuckled, sneaking up on him and clapping him on the shoulder.

"Wanna go see a movie or somethin'? There is that new movie out that one of my guys just made that I wanted to take ya too!" Arthur rolled his eyes and turned to face him, nose to nose with the taller man.

"A-and what movie would that be?" Alfred's grin brightened.

"The Little Mermaid!"

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Life was the same as it always had been, granted it had moved from land to sea and back to land, but it was good, and Arthur didn't regret his choice to swim all those years ago, and Alfred didn't regret giving him the ability to swim, because he had a friend he had gone through so much with, and they still had forever to go through more with.

fin

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AN:

Translations:

Blub blub blub: Who are you?

*I know it's like a tropical island, but come on! The number of times we see Arthur and Alfred with bunnies is unreal (at least to me) so these are tropical bunnies.

Wow that was a fluffy ending. I never thought I'd actually write something so fluffy. Bleh. ^^ I hope you enjoyed this little two shot here.

So I'm not sure how far apart the time jumps are in that chapter, but I do believe it jumps from early 1900's to late 1900's (hint, hint Little Mermaid~) and I do not know when the fishing boat is supposed to take place.

There may be more to add to this, in little extra chapters, I'm not sure yet, but I like how this turned out and I hope you guys did too ^^