[Fic] Summer Camp: Holding Out - Day 18
Title: Holding Out - Part 13: Sightseeing
Characters: America, England, Prussia
Rating/Warnings: PG13, Sorta X-men-universe crossoverish kinda sorta except I call 'mutants' 'supers' so maybe The Incredibles crossoverish kinda sorta? Point is, some people have superpowers. And it's a pseudo-police state.
Summary: Arthur takes Alfred on a trip to the city and Alfred gets a message from an old friend.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12
For Alfred’s 15th birthday, Arthur took him for a day out in the city. Outwardly, Alfred complained, he already saw the city every night anyway, what a lame gift Arthur! But inwardly, he was happy the two of them could spend some time together. It seemed like forever since they did something with just the two of the, no nosy Elizaveta or Roderich, none of Alfred’s ‘clients’ in need of help or Arthur’s clients in need of privilege, just Arthur and Alfred spending quality time together. It was the best gift Arthur could give him.
Arthur had insisted, since his ‘heroing’ only showed Alfred the worst of the city, for their day out, he would show him the best. All of the sights it had to offer and only the best that Arthur’s money could buy.
They started in the shopping district, or more specifically, and candy and video game store that caught Alfred’s eye, which turned out to be most of them. Arthur had indulged him at first, consenting to buy everything he picked out, but when Alfred insisted he wanted to buy the third candy store they went to, Arthur put his foot down and only bought Alfred his most reasonable requests.
Next was lunch at a little Italian restaurant run by two brothers who knew Arthur from some previous transaction. All throughout the meal they tried their best to please Arthur’s every whim no matter how ridiculous, resulting in them flailing and tripping over themselves more often than not. They put on a good show, and Alfred managed to become friends with the younger one despite his obvious fear of Arthur.
Arthur insisted on a show to bring more culture into Alfred’s meager world, or so he claimed. When Alfred pointed out that, since he lived in his house, any lack of culture fell on his head, Arthur gave his head a gentle whack and said he had no idea what he was talking about. As for the show itself, Alfred found that, surprisingly, it was quite enjoyable, although he couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling that someone was watching him the whole time.
The last stop on their trip was a tour of the biggest skyscraper in the city, which just so happened to be owned by one Arthur Kirkland.
“Excuse me,” the lady at the door stopped them as they entered, “State law requires that any Super entering a building higher than 10 stories is to be subjected to a background check and need to be accompanied by at least two proper guardians. Failure to comply with these guidelines will result in immediate expulsion from the premises-”
“Darling, I’m Arthur Kirkland. I own the building,” he placed a hand on Alfred’s shoulder, “and he’s my brother. I’m positive no one will care if you bend the rules.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Kirkland, but rules are rules and the law says-”
“Yes, it’s a pointless preemptive law set up by a paranoid system,” he waved her concerns away, “and I’m sure you’re doing an excellent job upholding it, but I would like to remind you that it is me who signs your paycheck, not the government.”
She froze for half a second before replacing the sour look on her face with a fake, sugary smile, “Yes, of course Mr. Kirkland and brother. Have a wonderful day!”
“Wonderful,” they shuffled passed her and onto an elevator. Arthur pressed the button for the roof and the waited in an almost awkward silence as the elevator slowly made its way up the 145 floors.
“I’m sorry about that,” Arthur shuffled his feet and stared at the buttons in front of him, “These new guidelines are completely idiotic, but we really have no choice but to at least attempt to follow them-”
“It’s alright Arthur,” he smiled over at him, “I know you’d ignore them if you could.”
“She was doing far too efficient of a job,” he scowled, “I’ll have to have a supervisor inform her about company policy. How did she even know you were a Super anyway?”
Alfred shrugged, “She probably just knew I was your brother and that your brother was a Super.”
Arthur hummed in agreement as the elevator doors opened to the roof. The two of them quickly stepped outside and watched as the sunset colored the roof in all shades and tints of red and orange. Alfred ran over to the railings over on the edge of the roof and climbed on top of one so he was sitting on it, gazing out at the city. Arthur meandered on over and joined him.
“This view is beautiful,” Alfred laughed as they watched the sunset over the city, “Why haven’t you taken me up here before?”
“It hasn’t crossed my mind, I suppose,” too distract by the view, Alfred almost missed the affectionate smile on Arthur’s face, “You like it right?”
“Yes, I love it,” his smile grew as he turned to face his guardian, caretaker, and above all, friend, “Everything about today was great. Thank you Arthur, for everything.”
Arthur nodded and wrapped an arm around his brother’s shoulder, content in the moment, letting his smile show unashamed.
Suddenly Alfred twitched and shuddered, “Are you alright?”
“Yeah,” he shook his head, “I’m fine, just a headache, I guess.”
“Do you want to go home? I can call for the helicopter if you want.”
“No, it’s fine. I’d rather stay here, at least until the sun’s gone.”
Alfred! It is Alfred right? I finally found you. You’re a hard man to track you know. I thought I had you in that Romanian forest but-
Gilbert?
In the flesh, or well, your mind. Bah, you know what I mean. Long time no see kid.
Well, I still can’t see you, but not important. Where are you?
Yeah, can’t really talk now, in sort of an emergency, but I need to warn you: Matt’s looking for you.
Matt? I’ve been looking for him for ages! Where is he?
You don’t understand kid, this is a warning. You don’t want him to find you.
What’s wrong? Why wouldn’t I want to see Mattie?
I can’t explain right now… damn, I’m losing you. Arthur knows, there’s a file in his desk, bottom drawer on the left, key is in the untranslated version of The Canterbury Tales on the third shelf in the study, in the middle of the Wife of Bath’s Tale.
Gilbert how - why - what -
I have to go now. Just, be careful kid.
Part 14
Characters: America, England, Prussia
Rating/Warnings: PG13, Sorta X-men-universe crossoverish kinda sorta except I call 'mutants' 'supers' so maybe The Incredibles crossoverish kinda sorta? Point is, some people have superpowers. And it's a pseudo-police state.
Summary: Arthur takes Alfred on a trip to the city and Alfred gets a message from an old friend.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12
For Alfred’s 15th birthday, Arthur took him for a day out in the city. Outwardly, Alfred complained, he already saw the city every night anyway, what a lame gift Arthur! But inwardly, he was happy the two of them could spend some time together. It seemed like forever since they did something with just the two of the, no nosy Elizaveta or Roderich, none of Alfred’s ‘clients’ in need of help or Arthur’s clients in need of privilege, just Arthur and Alfred spending quality time together. It was the best gift Arthur could give him.
Arthur had insisted, since his ‘heroing’ only showed Alfred the worst of the city, for their day out, he would show him the best. All of the sights it had to offer and only the best that Arthur’s money could buy.
They started in the shopping district, or more specifically, and candy and video game store that caught Alfred’s eye, which turned out to be most of them. Arthur had indulged him at first, consenting to buy everything he picked out, but when Alfred insisted he wanted to buy the third candy store they went to, Arthur put his foot down and only bought Alfred his most reasonable requests.
Next was lunch at a little Italian restaurant run by two brothers who knew Arthur from some previous transaction. All throughout the meal they tried their best to please Arthur’s every whim no matter how ridiculous, resulting in them flailing and tripping over themselves more often than not. They put on a good show, and Alfred managed to become friends with the younger one despite his obvious fear of Arthur.
Arthur insisted on a show to bring more culture into Alfred’s meager world, or so he claimed. When Alfred pointed out that, since he lived in his house, any lack of culture fell on his head, Arthur gave his head a gentle whack and said he had no idea what he was talking about. As for the show itself, Alfred found that, surprisingly, it was quite enjoyable, although he couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling that someone was watching him the whole time.
The last stop on their trip was a tour of the biggest skyscraper in the city, which just so happened to be owned by one Arthur Kirkland.
“Excuse me,” the lady at the door stopped them as they entered, “State law requires that any Super entering a building higher than 10 stories is to be subjected to a background check and need to be accompanied by at least two proper guardians. Failure to comply with these guidelines will result in immediate expulsion from the premises-”
“Darling, I’m Arthur Kirkland. I own the building,” he placed a hand on Alfred’s shoulder, “and he’s my brother. I’m positive no one will care if you bend the rules.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Kirkland, but rules are rules and the law says-”
“Yes, it’s a pointless preemptive law set up by a paranoid system,” he waved her concerns away, “and I’m sure you’re doing an excellent job upholding it, but I would like to remind you that it is me who signs your paycheck, not the government.”
She froze for half a second before replacing the sour look on her face with a fake, sugary smile, “Yes, of course Mr. Kirkland and brother. Have a wonderful day!”
“Wonderful,” they shuffled passed her and onto an elevator. Arthur pressed the button for the roof and the waited in an almost awkward silence as the elevator slowly made its way up the 145 floors.
“I’m sorry about that,” Arthur shuffled his feet and stared at the buttons in front of him, “These new guidelines are completely idiotic, but we really have no choice but to at least attempt to follow them-”
“It’s alright Arthur,” he smiled over at him, “I know you’d ignore them if you could.”
“She was doing far too efficient of a job,” he scowled, “I’ll have to have a supervisor inform her about company policy. How did she even know you were a Super anyway?”
Alfred shrugged, “She probably just knew I was your brother and that your brother was a Super.”
Arthur hummed in agreement as the elevator doors opened to the roof. The two of them quickly stepped outside and watched as the sunset colored the roof in all shades and tints of red and orange. Alfred ran over to the railings over on the edge of the roof and climbed on top of one so he was sitting on it, gazing out at the city. Arthur meandered on over and joined him.
“This view is beautiful,” Alfred laughed as they watched the sunset over the city, “Why haven’t you taken me up here before?”
“It hasn’t crossed my mind, I suppose,” too distract by the view, Alfred almost missed the affectionate smile on Arthur’s face, “You like it right?”
“Yes, I love it,” his smile grew as he turned to face his guardian, caretaker, and above all, friend, “Everything about today was great. Thank you Arthur, for everything.”
Arthur nodded and wrapped an arm around his brother’s shoulder, content in the moment, letting his smile show unashamed.
Suddenly Alfred twitched and shuddered, “Are you alright?”
“Yeah,” he shook his head, “I’m fine, just a headache, I guess.”
“Do you want to go home? I can call for the helicopter if you want.”
“No, it’s fine. I’d rather stay here, at least until the sun’s gone.”
Alfred! It is Alfred right? I finally found you. You’re a hard man to track you know. I thought I had you in that Romanian forest but-
Gilbert?
In the flesh, or well, your mind. Bah, you know what I mean. Long time no see kid.
Well, I still can’t see you, but not important. Where are you?
Yeah, can’t really talk now, in sort of an emergency, but I need to warn you: Matt’s looking for you.
Matt? I’ve been looking for him for ages! Where is he?
You don’t understand kid, this is a warning. You don’t want him to find you.
What’s wrong? Why wouldn’t I want to see Mattie?
I can’t explain right now… damn, I’m losing you. Arthur knows, there’s a file in his desk, bottom drawer on the left, key is in the untranslated version of The Canterbury Tales on the third shelf in the study, in the middle of the Wife of Bath’s Tale.
Gilbert how - why - what -
I have to go now. Just, be careful kid.
Part 14