【Mi Ying】that side

Chapter 15 15.

There is a sense of intimacy in a space with many items but not messy.

This was Arthur's evaluation after simply tidying up Alfred's room, and it was also the reason he used to explain his frequent visits to his lover's apartment when faced with inquiries from enthusiastic female colleagues.

Unlike the roundabout explanations of the British, Americans do not hide this semi-cohabitation state.He is very active and continues to add more items to the apartment: tea cups, smaller slippers, spare toothbrushes... the accumulation of scattered conveniences has almost turned his apartment into another home for the British.

Arthur vaguely remembered that in the past, the drop in temperature that accompanied the onset of autumn had often brought him sadness and depression—but this year, he had no time to immerse himself in his solitude.

During the holidays, the Americans would drive him to an Italian restaurant in the suburbs for dinner, and then Lovino would serve them delicious pizza with extra ingredients, and Feliciano would bring him new snacks, occasionally Tell him some secrets about Ludwig.They often dated in French coffee houses, watching Francis, Antonio and Gilbert, a small group known as "bad friends", bickering and bickering, and they also became the object of their teasing from time to time.

Arthur would still take care of the small garden on the roof. He opened up a small space next to the temporarily vacant rose garden and planned to plant some cold-resistant succulents.Occasionally I ran into Ivan Braginsky, and they chatted amicably about the weather and gardening—as long as the Americans and the coffee house fight were not mentioned, the Russians were mostly friendly.

About half of his personal time every week stays in Alfred's apartment, and this habit also allows him to see more aspects of his lover's life.Americans are really energetic. He will stay up late to read books for exams, and still get up early the next day to run and exercise muscles.In comparison, Arthur, who is a policeman, is more slack in his exercise. At these times, he prefers to lie on the bed, squinting his eyes and looking at his beloved American youth.

He loves this breath of life.

Watching Alfred bite his pencil and polish small parts, occasionally turning his head and grinning at him, the smile in those eyes still makes his heart beat.

Arthur also cooks when the whim arises.

Americans are used to his culinary skills, which are in stark contrast to the level of handicraft skills. He would joke "Wow, this appearance is too exaggerated", while pretending to eat a few scones helplessly .Then Arthur would pinch the American's hands and face to express his dissatisfaction, muttering "don't eat if you complain", but couldn't help but smile when he turned his head away.

"Why don't you just live together?" Francis finally couldn't help asking, facing the American and British people who were filled with the atmosphere of a passionate couple, "Even if the rent of the apartment in Honda is not expensive, wouldn't it be more enjoyable for you to move together? 'Life'?" The owner of the coffee shop winked on purpose.

"Put away your obscene thoughts." The British police officer poked his fork at the hand offering the meal to the other party with no expression on his face—the Frenchman dodged it tactfully.

"Well—give each other some space to be alone." The American's answer was frank and satisfied the British, which was also his idea.Even if he is a lover, he doesn't need to be accompanied all the time, they already occupy most of each other's life and emotions.

"Love, that's great. I'm so envious, brother." The Frenchman couldn't help but sigh.

This time Arthur didn't answer.

Yes, love.

As Alfred said, the person he loves can respond to his love--this kind of love, he is already very satisfied.

After getting used to frequently going in and out of Alfred's apartment, Arthur's not-so-busy daily life also added items that he didn't usually have: when the food in the American refrigerator was almost used up, he was pulled by the other party to make regular purchases—truly meaningful purchases.

The shopping cart in front of the American was already piled up like a mountain. He pushed the magnificent cart with one hand, hooked Arthur’s fingers with the other hand, and told him intermittently about the school: the amount of supplementary tuition has increased by 10% Well, the college brought in decommissioned aircraft cabins as teaching aids, and also delegated him the task of renovating the cabins—speaking of which, the excited faces of college students seemed to be coated with light.

Arthur likes to hear Alfred talk about his studies, which are completely different from his pace as a small town policeman—the kind of vigor unique to college students can always give him the illusion of growing up with him.

Alfred stopped suddenly, reached out and took a thin piece of paper from the stationery shelf on the side, and handed it to Arthur.

It was an animal sticker with a strong fairy tale style, and Arthur felt inexplicable: "Do you want to buy this?"

"This is a gift for full consumption."

Arthur took a closer look, and found that the sign of "Christmas promotion, free gift" was indeed pasted on the plastic package of the paper.There is still more than a month left until Christmas.

"We don't need this, do we? You have enough decorations in your room."

"Can be attached to our motorcycle helmets."

"Isn't the motorcycle helmet Gilbert's?"

"I bought it with my own money. Anyway, the sticker of the big bad wolf is mine, and the sticker of the lop-eared rabbit. Just stick it on your exclusive helmet."

The word "exclusive" sounds very sweet, but the American's arbitrary decision still makes the British people feel unwilling: "Why are you a wolf and I am a rabbit? Why should they be more brave animals?"

"Don't you like it?" Alfred quickly kissed Arthur on the cheek, stepped back half a step, stared at him seriously with blue eyes, and smiled at the corner of his mouth, "I think it's very suitable."

Arthur looked around in a little panic, and finally blushed, he curled his lips: "It's not that I don't... like it."

The Americans smiled triumphantly.

The escalator slowly moved the crowd towards the exit of the mall, and they stood one after the other on the rubber track.The purchased goods were divided into several large shopping bags and temporarily put aside at the feet of the two.

Arthur looked up.Because of the deposition brought by the cold air, the fog has dissipated much more than when we first went out, covering the surrounding buildings like a translucent tulle.

Alfred suddenly hugged him from behind.The difference in height of the first elevator step put his cheek right on the Englishman's neck.

"...What's the matter?" The embrace was undoubtedly warm.

"I found that looking at you from behind...you look even smaller."

"Idiot, I'm not thin." The Englishman said angrily.He is indeed slender, but he is within the normal height range, not short - as long as he doesn't deliberately compare himself with the group of strong young and middle-aged people around him.

"That's not what I meant." The cold air penetrated from the entrance of the mall, and the American's arms were warmer in comparison. "I just feel that standing at this angle makes me want to hug you." His arms moved harder Around the waist of the British.

Arthur's heart softened for a while, he didn't say a word, he half-closed his eyes and leaned back, and the American took advantage of the situation and dropped a kiss on the back of his neck.

Alfred carried most of the loot, leaving only one lighter shopping bag for Arthur.On the way back to the apartment they met Ludwig and Feliciano.

The Italians waved enthusiastically at them from a distance, and when they approached, they gave Arthur a hug directly, and were soon forcibly distanced by the Germans.

They stood on the sidewalk talking.Hearing that the mall has started Christmas sales, the Italians immediately lit up: "Great, this is the season I look forward to the most every year! Everyone can hold another big party together."

"again?"

"Well, we hold a party at Francis's every year. Everyone brings some food and drinks to celebrate Christmas together." The German's answer was methodical.

Arthur looked up at Alfred, the American smiled and nodded, "It's your first Christmas party here."

"Really." Arthur smiled.It will also be my first Christmas with Alfred.

They said goodbye to the Germans and the Italians. Arthur turned his head after walking half a way away, and the two people in the distance naturally held hands, fingers intertwined.

It turned out to be the case.Seeing the happiness of others can double your own happiness.Arthur thought so.

Alfred put all the shopping bags into his left hand, and his amazing arm strength attracted the attention of some passers-by.He held Arthur's cold fingertips in his right hand and watched with a smile.

With Alfred, Arthur was unquestionably happy.

—if it wasn't for those confusions that surfaced from time to time to plague him.

He also thought about talking to the young American in front of him, but he didn't know where to start.Volunteering to describe those strange dreams?Tell him what Braginsky once said to himself?Or to analyze the strange reactions of Honda and Gilbert before?

"Alfred."

"Um?"

"Have you ever been confused about your life or your memory?" The cold wind made Arthur's cheeks sting, and even the words trembled, "Ah... this question is a bit silly, you don't have to answer it."

"Isn't this a common thing?" The American squeezed his hand, "We are still so young, if we see life thoroughly now, it will be more scary." The tone is bold and straightforward.

"You're right..." the Englishman bit his lip, "So... have you ever had the thought of 'I wish time could stop at this moment'?" As soon as he said the words, he fell into regret. Childish, now even if he is teased by his young lover, he has given up arguing.

Alfred restrained his smile: "I like the present very much, but I look forward to continuing to go to the future with you." He turned his head and stared at Arthur.

The British can understand the meaning of that sight, which is "I hope that is the future with you."

Arthur felt that his tears were coming again, so he quickly wiped the corners of his eyes with the palm of his hand.

"You're such a crybaby, Arthur."

"……Humph."

"Well, if you'd make me fruit muffins today instead of those nasty scones, I'd eat them all!"

"...Don't say it's unpalatable, idiot!"

Fallen leaves swirl in the cold wind, winter will come soon.The time of falling in love passed by side by side, slowly and tenderly.

"It's getting cold, let's go back quickly."