A/N: Thanks everyone so far. –gives love-

Oh boy, this is gonna be a struggle. I tend to digress and waffle on a bit, plus I love writing with bigger words and more...structure, I suppose. More prose, more detail. Writing Alfred is gonna be so difficult for someone like me! Alas, I'll give it my best shot, but I can't guarantee it'll work.

The Only Hero is You
Chapter Two: Falling

Alfred

Sigh...it's so damn freezing today.

Waking up today was, oh God, I can't even begin to describe it. Awful? A misery? Extremely difficult? Yeah, those all seem pretty accurate. My bed was just so warm and cosy and then I had to get up and leave it! In the early hours of the morning on top of that!

Ugh. Life is so hard.

My alarm didn't even go off at the right damn time either, so I was totally late. The boss gave me this boring lecture but in all honesty I didn't listen. I just kinda rolled my eyes, ignored his words and just did my job like I'm supposed to. You know, because I'm at work.

It's a slow day today.

Must be because of the snow.

I think some roads have been closed. It's pretty stupid if you ask me. The snow isn't even that thick. It's barely four inches! Back in the best country ever (America obviously, where my heart will forever lie) the snow could reach incredible limits like, I don't know, five hundred thousand inches.

Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, but winter in London just isn't as great as winter as in, say, New York. Now that's a real winter!

Although, it's pretty darn cold when it wants to be. So I prefer Florida, because it's hot and super awesome there.

But...I'm losing focus here. I need to get back on topic.

Anyway, around noon this guy walks in and I watch him pretty closely as he makes his way to a table.

He looks really sad, but I'm not allowed to get too close with customers.

Haha, that sounds like I'm about to hook up with him or something weird like that. Besides, I've got a girlfriend and I love her!

...That statement is debatable, by the way.

Oh God, I hope she never hears that. It'd be the death of me and I quite like living.

Behind the counter, I watch with my hand resting on my face as he appears to be lost in his own little world. I think he could possibly be a bit delusional. A bit ... not right in the head.

Wait, I don't even know this guy. So why am I so interested in him?

He just looks really lonely and down. Maybe he's just super depressed, or maybe it's me going crazy? Maybe he's alright, just neutral.

Maybe he's cold.

All the possibilities begin to float around my head. They're making me feel kinda dizzy but, for some reason, I can't seem to take my eyes off of him.

Without thinking, I lose control of my limbs and begin walking over to him. What am I doing?

Alfred, stop now.

Stop.

Alfred, don't get your nose in other people's business...this is why people hate you...

No, people don't hate me. Unless...they do.

I shake my head slightly and I still haven't stopped walking. Suddenly, I stop, since there's a large obstacle in my way. Oh wait, that's the table.

I let out a sigh and take a deep breath before tapping this guy on the shoulder. That snaps him out of his crazy little world and I laugh internally as his whole body jolts.

Aww...I must have scared him.

Wait, that's not cute. What if he had a heart attack and, like, died or something?

Ahem.

"Hey...dude, are you okay?" I ask meekly. I think. My voice is quieter than usual, anyway. Which, according to most people, is still pretty loud. Well then. "You look kinda lonely and down."

He looks up at me for a few moments and in those moments I feel pretty stupid. Is he going to reply? Maybe he's so lost in his own world that...

"It is nice of you to be concerned," he replies with a polite smile. It looks fake and forced. "But I assure you that I am fine. I am...tired, that is all. Thank you, anyway."

Oh, tired. Right.

That explains things, I guess. Or maybe he's playing me for a fool and making up an excuse? He sounded pretty reluctant about it.

Meh, I don't know. I raise an eyebrow, not sure if I believe him. I probably don't but hey, I'm not too in touch with my feelings. I think. What does that even mean?

Someone told me, then I kinda forgot. Kinda.

"Um...alright," I forgot to reply, whoops. So we were kinda there looking at each other silently. I don't know why but I was inspecting him pretty closely. For a guy, he's pretty handsome. Okay, now I'm just sounding weird.

Shut up, Alfred, while you still can.

I zip my lips shut and hesitantly turn away. I give him one last look to check if he was still alright before blocking him entirely.

I've got work to carry on with, anyway. Even if today has been extremely slow and boring. Ugh...so bored. That may become the highlight of my day, sadly enough.

Some more moments pass and my boredom hasn't faded. I've tried to think of something and I tried to suggest my ideas to my boss but he said they were illegal and would most likely get me killed. Or even fired.

Dammit.

All of a sudden, I feel someone shyly tap on my shoulder. Well, it's more like fingertips softly brushing against the fabric of my clothes.

I turn around out of shock and when I realise who touched me is, I loosen up and smile.

It's that guy again. The guy with blonde spiky hair and green eyes that are actually kinda mesmerising. No, shut up, Alfred, shut up, shut up, shut up!

"Oh...you again," I tell him. Shit, that sounded really rude. I didn't mean for it to be, honestly. I'm just so bored and irritated. But, that's not an excuse...is it?

It should be.

"Hello," he greets me, so much politer than me. "Are you a member of staff?"

I drop the rudeness and grin. "I sure do! You need any help?"

"No, thank you," he laughs awkwardly. "I am just here to inform you that I have finished my tea and I shall be leaving. It was lovely, by the way."

As he speaks, I nod, because my boss told me that's how I be polite to people. Eh, seems to be working, I guess. It makes me look like I'm listening and I care.

"Alright, dude! I'll clear it up. And thanks! You alright?"

"Better," he shrugs. His tone of voice sounds incredibly disappointed, but I'm going to take his word for it. The customer is always right. "It'll be a while before I can truly classify myself as 'alright'."

I drop my smile. That's...that's so sad. I actually kinda feel sorry for the poor guy. I want to know what's happened to him, but that'd be rude. I don't want to be nosy.

Although, sometimes, I just...I just can't control it. It's a reflex. Yeah, a reflex.

"That sucks. Want me to cheer you up?" I try to be sympathetic, but it's probably an epic fail. Cheering people up; it's never been my forte.

Suddenly, he places one hand on my shoulder, and I flush at the contact. I'm not blushing; it just felt like all the blood kinda rushed through my body all at once. It was a weird and strange feeling to be honest.

"Mate, that may prove to be quite a difficulty," he tells me, his British accent (which is kinda cu- I mean, awesome) really shining through. I tilt my head in confusion.

"Why?" I ask. I'm probably being a pest. It'd be best to stop right now, but I'm not gonna. It'd take a lot to shut me up.

"It is a very complicated story," he tells me.

I want him to go into detail.

I want him to tell me every aspect of this 'very complicated story'.

I want to find out how to comfort him.

Of course, I'd never admit that.

I sigh.

"Alright. The name's Alfred, in case you were wondering," I tell him. It's pretty pointless, I know. He wasn't wondering, I bet.

"Hello, Alfred," he greets me. That uncomfortable smile he's wearing is still there. God, I wish he'd save himself the pain and stress and just drop it already. "I suppose I should tell you my name. I am Arthur, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"You too," I smile at him. "Hi, Arthur."

Silence.

It's incredibly awkward.

I decide to break it, since I'm assuming he has absolutely no idea about how to continue the conversation.

"So, you gonna be back here tomorrow? Since you love the tea you had and all."

"I hope so," he answers.

I can't tell if he sounds happy or sad. He's a good actor, I'll give him that.

"See ya then."

I turn my back to him, wanting him to leave already.

He just...he just looks so sad. Misery really does love company.

I'm starting to feel the sadness. He's rubbing off on me.

Uh, not literally, though.

He's gone in a matter of seconds.

A young man from London has been found this morning in his home after reportedly attempting to kill himself.

The man is believed to be Mr. Arthur Kirkland, 23, who had been allegedly been suffering from a strong case of depression.

Police has confirmed that the young man was found still breathing, but he is currently in hospital. It has not been confirmed if he will survive or not.

More on this story inside.

Oh...oh my God...

Arthur...

Is that the Arthur I met only a few days ago?

No, it can't be.

Can it?

A/N: Dun dun dun!

This actually took longer to write than it did for Arthur's chapter. Writing in this style is incredibly painful, especially when I want it to be serious, not humorous.

Please leave feedback! I spent a lot of time and effort on this, it'd be lovely to know what you think.

Feel free to correct me on any mistakes. I have been deprived of sleep lately (that's what having a boyfriend five hours behind you does to you, I've discovered) and I just ... suck. Bleh.

Forgive me.

Love you 3

Iggymonster/Tiaah out! Hasta la Pasta~!