Arthur Kirkland moved away from London in escape to a quiet life. He'd moved to a small town on the coast in order to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Arthur had not only chosen this place because it was quiet, but because it was where his family used to holiday when he was younger. He'd always wanted to live in a place like this and now, when he finally had enough money, he could.

Three years later, Arthur was happy. He had a good job, a nice house and everything he could have asked for.

He also had a boyfriend which came in the form of his own American hero, Alfred Jones.

Like himself, Alfred had moved to England to get away from the loud city. Coming from New York and moving to a small coastal town had been a huge change for him but when the two met a cafe during Alfred's first couple of days (Arthur had already been there a year), the Brit was more than willing to show him around.

And now, the two of them lived and shared a happy life together.

It was a Saturday morning and Alfred had sneakily switched off Arthur's alarm the night before. The British man had a routine of waking up at seven sharp and getting on with housework. Alfred hated that he couldn't spend a morning in bed with the love of his life and for once, he thought Arthur deserved to stay in bed a little longer. At 10am, Arthur finally awakened and as he sat up, he squinted through the sleepy haze that was clogging his vision and he glanced at his clock. Seeing the time, his eyes widened and he roughly shoved Alfred's shoulder, only to receive a groan in response.

"Alfred! Wake up this instant!"

"Wha?" he asked sleepily and rolled on to his back. He slowly raised a hand and sloppily wiped at his eyes and he blinked somewhat in order to become more coherent, "What time is it?"

"Ten in the morning! Do you know what that means?" Arthur seethed.

"Yeah..." Alfred gave him a sleepy grin, "It means you got to sleep in. Doesn't it feel great?"

"No, it bloody doesn't! Now my whole day is ruined!"

"Chill, Artie..." Alfred shrugged and rolled on to his side again. His arm moved around Arthur's waist and pulled him close to his chest. He nudged Arthur's cheek with his nose lovingly and placed a small kiss there seconds later, "Chill..."

"No I will not. You did this!" Arthur tried to wiggle free but Alfred's grip around him was strong as usual. Alfred just smiled that sleepy smile and Arthur finally realised he wasn't getting anywhere by wiggling so he finally lay still. Alfred continued to smile a little and as he released his grip around him slightly he gently traced patterns on Arthur's side. His thumb rubbed small circles and he instantly felt Arthur relax.

"It's not so bad, is it?" Alfred asked and eventually Arthur adjusted his position but allowed Alfred to continue what he was doing.

"I suppose not... but just this once," he insisted, "I mean it. You know how I like to get things done seeing as we both work in the week..."

"Yeah, I know, but you're always up early and you deserve to sleep in now and then," Alfred said and he closed his eyes again. 10am was still too early for him. When he learnt that Arthur woke up at seven sharp every weekend, he almost had heart failure.

"You're not mad at me, right?" Alfred asked after a few moments of silence. He looked at Arthur with those bright blue eyes and that small pout that the Brit still hadn't grown immune to. Arthur glanced over at him with a defeated look. How could he when the American looked so damn adorable?

"No, not this time..." he eventually answered as he sighed. Alfred grinned at him and as he was slightly more awake, he moved a little to press his lips against Arthur's cheek. Arthur could hear Alfred laugh from the back of his throat as his lips remained on his cheek longer and longer. Eventually Arthur had to smile and ask, "Are you stopping?"

After a few more seconds, Alfred moved his lips away from his cheek and directed them to his neck instead. He found Arthur's weak spot immediately and sucked and nipped at it gently. He grip tightened around his waist again and Arthur let out small gasps of approval. Alfred finally moved away when he was happy with the hickey he'd left and he smirked mischievously at Arthur, who just shook his head with a small fond smile of his own.

"Someone's affectionate this morning," he commented softly. He would never admit this out loud but half of him was glad that he could stay in bed late and cuddle with Alfred. He knew the American was very affectionate from the moment he met him. Alfred loved hugs and when the two started dating, he would always shower Arthur with little kisses and cuddles and he would always make him feel special. Arthur hadn't been particularly comfortable with the hugs at first but he knew Alfred wasn't going to give up. Eventually he got used to them and now he thought that they were the nicest hugs in the world. Not that he'd ever tell him that. That would increase his already oversized ego tenfold.

"You know I always am," Alfred replied sweetly. He hid his face in his neck and Arthur could hear him giggle slightly. Arthur knew that Alfred was happy that he'd actually stayed in bed with him. He managed to adjust himself again and move his arm around the American. He gently stroked the sunny blond locks his boyfriend sported and he couldn't ignore the warm feeling he felt in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't help but smile a little.

He often told himself that moving out here was the best thing he'd ever done. He didn't think anything could go wrong.

Life was perfect.

It was an hour later when Arthur finally decided they'd stayed in bed long enough. Albeit he had to pull the covers off Alfred and half drag him out of bed by his ankles as he refused to get up but they were eventually dressed and ready for the day ahead.

Arthur was still a little sour that in his opinion half the day had been wasted and when he was showered and dressed, he didn't hesitate to gather his cleaning supplies and get ready for scrubbing the kitchen.

It was Alfred that stopped him with that sweet smile and insisted he spend the day with him.

"You never have fun, Artie!" Alfred said, "You work all week then clean all weekend."

"That's because I never have time to do it."

"But please, just for today... spend some time with me. We can act couple-y!"

"That is not a word, Alfred, but very well..." Arthur sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Reluctantly he put his supplies away and looked at Alfred who was nearly bouncing with excitement, "Where are we going?"

"Let's go to the beach!" he said happily, "I know you like to walk there!"

Arthur knew the weather wasn't great but he did like to walk on the beach. It was a nice place to go and think and it was refreshing. Arthur had always loved the sea.

"Oh all right..." Arthur stated and ducking away from Alfred before he could kiss him, he went to get a jacket. Alfred pouted but went to get his own bomber jacket and put his shoes on then he waited for Arthur to finish fussing (and by fussing, he watched him see to their two cats, make sure everything was all right and all the usual things that Arthur fussed about). When he was finally ready to leave, Arthur led him out the house and Alfred immediately held his hand.

Arthur wasn't comfortable with public displays of affection so when the two started dating, he wouldn't hold Alfred's hand in public. The American didn't know why; was he worried about what people will think? Was he shy? He didn't know and when he tried asking, Arthur shrugged him off or changed the subject. However after a few weeks, Arthur finally got used to it and now he let him, but he still wouldn't let him kiss him when there were a fair amount of people around.

Alfred eventually came to the conclusion that he was a little shy but he didn't mind. He respected Arthur's decision.

Arthur blushed slightly but allowed him to hold his hand as they walked down the street to coast. The sea was within walking distance from their house and that was why they decided to locate there. The views were lovely too and that was always an added bonus.

When the two arrived, there were a few people walking their dogs but apart from that the place was deserted. Alfred hummed some American patriotic song under his breath as he walked along the sand with Arthur. The Englishman listened to him and he decided to tease him by humming a patriotic song from his own country, slightly louder than Alfred.

The American realised this and he stopped humming to pout at his boyfriend. Arthur ceased his humming too and smiled at him innocently.

That smile... Alfred was unable to stay angry and he threw his arms around the smaller man beside him and peppered his cheeks with kisses.

"So cute!" he sang happily and moved to kiss his cheeks again. Arthur half-heartedly pushed against him and tried to stop him.

"Stop that!" he protested weakly but they both knew Alfred was stronger than him. He was like a massive child and once he latched on to him it took a while before he would let go. Alfred just laughed that infectious laugh of his and wrapped a possessive arm around Arthur's waist.

"Mine," he said with a smile. Arthur blushed a million shades of red as he was pulled close to Alfred's side. That strong arm remained around his waist for the majority of that walk down the beach.

Alfred spoke of home a few times. They were planning to spend a few weeks in New York with Alfred's family. Arthur had met Alfred's parents a few times and they were smitten with him. When Alfred went to London to meet Arthur's mother (his father left the family when Arthur was thirteen), she was happy that her son had finally found someone to give his love too.

Alfred finally removed his arm around Arthur waist and he captured his hand instead. He swung their hand between them with a beaming smile which made Arthur smile too. He'd been smiling a lot more since he'd gotten together with Alfred- that was another reason why Arthur's mother loved the American so much.

"So I was thinking..." Alfred said, deciding to break the comfortable silence. Arthur looked over at him with a curious expression.

"What is it?" he asked. Alfred looked to the sky as though he were contemplating something. He bit his lip as he remained silent and when Arthur opened his mouth to ask if everything was all right, Alfred spoke again.

"We've been dating for a very long time," he said and glanced at his boyfriend.

"What are you saying?" Arthur asked. Alfred paused and his cheeks turned pink. He opened his mouth to say what he wanted to say but it didn't come out.

"That's a long time, huh?"

Arthur narrowed his eyes, "That wasn't what you were going to say, was it?"

"Yeah it was!" Alfred insisted, his cheeks burning a deeper shade of pink, "And I was wondering if we should... uh, celebrate?"

"Alfred, our anniversary was a month ago. We celebrated then," Arthur stated with raised eyebrows, "Now will you stop spouting nonsense and tell me what you really wanted to say."

"No, that was what I wanted to say!" Alfred said quickly. He was afraid he'd ruined their day so he squeezed Arthur's hand comfortingly and smiled, "I just want to take you out some place nice."

"You always do that," Arthur sighed, "We went out just last week. We should really start saving our money if you want to go back to New York."

"I guess. It was just a suggestion," the American sighed, disheartened. Arthur's eyes softened.

"I know, love. And it was nice of you to do so. But, you want to see your parents, correct?"

"Yeah..."

"Then we should be wise, because if you keep splashing out you're never going to afford those flights."

"You're right," Alfred smiled and raised their hands so he could kiss the back of Arthur's, "As usual."

"I know love."

The couple had spent their day at the beach and in the town, Alfred not really getting what Arthur meant by being wise with his money. They went to an arcade after the beach and Alfred had spent most of his change on the claw machine, determined to win Arthur a plush toy. Arthur had blushed and insisted he didn't need one. Alfred, as usual, refused.

Alfred had his sights set on that blue unicorn and by God was he going to win it!

When he finally won it, Arthur blushed and thanked him anyway. Arthur's unicorn obsession was not one he brought out in public but Alfred had looked so determined that he couldn't do anything else but blush like a school girl. He held Alfred's hand on one of his and the unicorn in the other as the American led him around the arcade. When it started to get dark, they headed home.

When they arrived back, Arthur fed the cats and before he had chance to cook, Alfred kicked him out the kitchen and told him to relax.

"You deserve it, after all," he said, "I'll make us something awesome then we can watch a movie or something."

"You've not let me do a thing all day," he said but Alfred shook his head quickly.

"No! Go relax, I'll handle this!" he stated. When Arthur finally turned away to sit on the couch, the American sighed in relief and went to see what they had. There was no way he was going to suffer food poisoning like he did when they first started dating.

Worst week ever!

When they finished dinner and watched a movie, Arthur was exhausted from the day's events and went to bed. Alfred, not wanting to be lonely, followed him and they both got comfortable.

As soon as Alfred got the chance, he leaned in and captured Arthur's lips in a sweet kiss and moved a hand to the back of his head to keep him there. Surprised, Arthur froze for a moment but he soon responded and he moved his head slightly for better access. Alfred smiled into the kiss and when he was convinced Arthur wasn't going to pull away, he released his grip slightly from Arthur's head and stroked his hair instead. He then moved his other arm around Arthur's waist as Arthur moved himself a little closer. The sweet kiss soon turned passionate as Arthur managed to slip his tongue into Alfred's mouth when he least expected it. He smirked a little when he saw sapphire blue eyes widen at the action but nothing was done to stop it. Alfred rubbed his tongue against Arthur's and the gesture earned him a small little moan from Arthur. Upon hearing that little moan, Alfred was loosing more and more of his self control. He just wanted to take Arthur here and now. When they two needed air, Arthur moved his head when Alfred started to kiss his neck again like he did that morning. He decided to suck and nip at his skin once more and Arthur sported yet another hickey.

"My boss won't be impressed," he commented and Alfred merely shrugged as he started to undress him.

"Screw your boss," he stated simply and as soon as their clothes were strewn around the room, he leaned in for another kiss.

Arthur woke up Sunday morning at 7am sharp aching and sore from events of the previous night. He smiled a little and without disturbing Alfred, he climbed out of bed and quickly took a shower. When he was dressed, he quickly tidied up downstairs before leaving for get some groceries. He left a note for Alfred to read when he woke up.

As he pushed the cart down the isle, he couldn't help but think about how perfect his life was with Alfred. He'd often wonder what his life would be like if he'd have stayed in London. Miserable, no doubt, he'd decided as he walked to the check out. As he packed away the groceries and walked to the car, the thought of Alfred and everything about him made that warm feeling return. He drove to continue his errands with the thought that he knew he was in love and he knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with the American. With Alfred at his side, he knew he could take on anything. With his hero at his side, he knew he could overcome everything.

If life was so perfect, why was it, when he arrived home a few hours later, that he felt his heart shatter when he saw his hero kissing someone else?