[Fanfic] And All That Jazz 5/?

[hoshiko2]

Title: And All That Jazz
Pairings: Alfred (US)/ Arthur (UK)
Characters: America, England, with  Canada, France, Poland, and Lithuania
Rating: M
Warnings: America has a bit of a sailor's mouth and sex on a piano
Summary: Alfred is approached by the Student Body President, Arthur, for help on his math exam. They hate each other, but maybe opposite can attract with the help of something unexpected.
This chapter: It's Prom and the band's first performance!


A/N: This chapter is rather long. Sorry. IT JUST KEPT GOING AND GOING!

"Stop! Stop!"

For the fifth time that practice, Francis had stopped everyone. My fingers curled inwards as I sucked in my lips. I would not snap, I reminded myself. Only one more day and it would be Prom and this would stop. Yes, it had to. I refused to have the band still be controlled by the two blonde prima donnas.

"What's wrong now?" Alfred asked, lowering his saxophone. "It sounded fine to me."

"Non, my voice is off," Francis said as he moved to drink from his water bottle again.

"Who fucking cares?" I sighed. My eyes kept glancing at the clock. "I don't have bloody time for this!"

Matthew spoke up from behind me, a rare occurrence. "Please Francis. Arthur has to run to help with the Prom. We don't have much time to practice together."

Francis sighed, running a hand through his hair. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at such an exaggerated move. If he was going for pity, he certainly wasn't getting it from me. Once he nodded, I turned back to the piano. We had been allowed to play one set, three songs, and that didn't make Felix very happy. He had already followed me down the hallways between classes begging for at least one more set. Apparently he had invited a friend from a neighboring school and wanted to show off for him. However, all the other bands had been booked and I barely managed to squeeze in our own.

Even Matthew had found some way to complain at some point, saying that he didn't think we were playing a good enough set, wondering if we could play something more original. Sadly, since we were so new and had only brought on two members in the past two weeks, we were only able to do one original song and two covers. While I wasn't happy with the musical selection either, I had far more important matters to deal with than my unhappy crew.

I was very grateful for Alfred who kept his mouth shut and never pushed a single thing on me. Not even himself. Ever since our last intimate moment together, Alfred had distanced himself from me greatly. I tried to remain calm and have normal conversations during lunch and practice sessions, but he only gave me short answers and brief kisses to remind me we were still together. At first I wondered if it was because of finals, but then I overheard Alfred having a conversation with his brother, Francis, and Felix.

When I heard them laughing so casually, how I wished I could be there beside Alfred, maybe have his arm around my shoulder. I had been so over run with school that I hadn't had time to be around my friends in a relaxed manner. But then when I heard the boys meeting up outside of school, I came around the corner asking if I could join. While I normally hate inviting myself, Alfred hadn't offered out a hand to me in days and, I had to admit, I was getting awfully desperate of his attention.

Instead of smiling at me, Alfred looked away. He came up with an excuse, saying that it would be too late in the evening and I would be studying. None of the others could look me in the eye, though. I felt the pit of my stomach tighten. Not even six months and Alfred had lied to me on more than one occasion.

It made me feel like the worst boyfriend ever.

Once practice got out, I stood up with my bag and headed for the door. Suddenly, Alfred rushed after me.

"Hold on a minute," he called. He told the others to wait and followed me out. "Hey, so we're still on for tomorrow of course. Are you excited?"

I sighed. "I guess. I mean… Prom will be exciting to say the least. But I'm terribly frightened about our performance. I'm trying to not think about it."

"Ah, but that's not the only thing going on tomorrow." Alfred smirked as he leaned closer.

I cursed my heart for beating so hard. The blasted idiot hadn't paid me any mind for the past week and now he wants to talk? Somehow I found the decency in me to listen to what he had to say. "I haven't the faintest idea of what you are talking about."

"You know… Tomorrow? It's the sixteenth?"

"Yes, and? All I know is tomorrow is going to be a hectic day filled with a nerve racking performance and then a few moments to dance with a boyfriend that has barely given me the time of day for over a blasted week now! Yes, Alfred. I'm bloody excited!"

It had all come out like word vomit. Now I knew I had reached my limit. I could probably have made it all through the stress if only Alfred had looked more my way. He had promised me his time and affection, but was he taking it all back? Suddenly I felt very scared of him abandoning me. What an absurd feeling. I had always been so in control of myself, but then this big loud boy entered my life and took my breath away. How had he done it so quickly?

Perhaps I really wasn't as mature as I acted. And for that, I only became angrier with myself. Especially once I saw Alfred's eyes widen and he took a step back.

"Whoa. Are you okay?" he asked. "I mean…where the hell did that come from?"

"Nowhere!" I snapped. I turned to walk away, but Alfred grabbed my arm.

"Hang on, you are so not leaving me this upset." He forced me to turn around and look at him, even if I was glaring. "Now talk to me. I'm sorry we haven't been as close, but my finals have been brutal. Plus, I thought you wanted some space what with all you've been doing. I'm sure you've been wanting sleep and private time more than time with me, right?"

I blushed, muttering, "Don't assume what I want."

"Why don't you tell me what's really going on then?" Alfred asked as he crossed his arms. "I'm not some mind reader you know."

My eyes glanced at the bruise on his neck. He had hidden it under that gaudy colored scarf, but removed it a few days ago. Some of his friends joked that it was from football practice while girls rumored it was a hickey. Only Matthew and I knew it was from his father. He had been out for two days from that injury and when I pressed about it, Alfred waved it off as nothing major.

If anyone should be telling someone about anything, it's Alfred. Still, this was not the time nor the place for such a topic. This was about me.

I sighed, "Alfred, I apologize. Perhaps I'm more tired than I thought I was. Forgive me. I think it's just nervousness of tomorrow."

Alfred smiled and then hugged me. Had it been that long since he had embraced me? I felt my entire body seep into his chest and large biceps.

"Hey now, grammar boy, why don't you rest up then? I'm going to be sweeping you off of your feet tomorrow night. I don't want you to be tired. Well, I don't want you tired any time, really, but tomorrow especially." He kissed the top of my head. "And I'm really sorry we haven't been together more. First thing after finals are over I'm taking you out on a date, I promise."

I laughed, feeling all of my previous anger ebb away. I really was hopeless, wasn't I? First Alfred could make me so angry I exploded on him, the next he had me blushing like a school girl at the prospect of going out on a real date with him. We hadn't been on one in over a month. I shouldn't let him have such a way with me, but what could I do? I could put up a fight, say no, and stomp off, but I'd be no better than the Polack back in the music room.

And yet, my pride won out in the end. There was no way I'd let Alfred know just how much of a control he had over me. I punched Alfred on the shoulder and backed away. "I'm holding you to that promise."

He laughed, not even rubbing his shoulder. "Of course you would. I'll pick you up tomorrow at six."

"Six?" I repeated.

"Uh huh," he nodded. "Why? Is there a problem with that?"

"I have to be here at six and help with any final preparations. I have to make sure everything is right on schedule such as the catering, the decorations, the sound, the lights, and all of the volunteers." My head whirled just thinking about it.

Alfred's shoulders sagged. "Aw…I wish I had known. I made dinner reservations."

"Yo-you w-what?" I sputtered. My face blossomed into a red tomato again.

Alfred's face was quickly becoming red as well. He looked away while rubbing the back of his head. That was always the first sign he was nervous. "Well, the Prom has food and what not, but the buffet isn't romantic."

"How do you know if I want romantic?" I asked slowly.

"I could tell by the books you read," he replied. My eyes widened in surprise. "I mean, when I came over and you showed me your room that first time, I looked in case I was going to get you something for your birthday."

"You did, though." I recalled the loving gift of a watch that I always wore now.

"Yeah, but, you know… I just…" He sighed again. "Look if you have too much to do then I can cancel them."

A romantic night out with Alfred on Prom night gone in a second. All because of my position as head of the Student Body. I recalled last year how my senior had dumped all of the responsibilities on me and left to be with his girlfriend. I hadn't thought it was particularly nice of the boy, but he had worked so hard and deserved the time off. At the time, I vowed I wouldn't do the same to whomever would become my Vice President, but after being in my senior's shoes, I thought I damn well deserved a night with Alfred.

My eyes flickered to Alfred's neck again. He deserved some happiness too.

"Six o'clock sounds lovely," I said, looking him in the eyes.

I never knew I had the ability to make someone that happy. It was rather uplifting to see his smile erupt and then have him pick me up like some child. Despite my pathetic protests, we ended up kissing and holding one another longer than we had in some time. It was the best reward for all of my hard work. For both of us.

Prom usually made girls giddy in a fevered frenzy and the boys nervous, but excited to see their beautiful dates so dolled up. While I would not be seeing a glamorous model in a stunning dress, I would've gladly traded her when I saw Alfred on my doorstep in a tuxedo. Put a top hat on him and give him a cane and I might have broken my resolve and just jumped him right there in from of my parents.

But as it was, I just merely grinned, invited him in, and finished getting ready. He had arrived early, a rare feat. Color me impressed. I half-expected him to also come bearing a corsage, but luckily he didn't. When he started to follow me to my room, I reminded him that my parents were home and walked away. Somehow seeing that puppy dog pout made me feel strong. I was enjoying teasing the lad. It was pay back now.

After I had finished, I rejoined my parents and Alfred. I could tell from Alfred's beet red face and intense gaze upon me that I was to his liking. I had to avert my eyes as his eyes looked as if they were undressing me.

My mother gushed over how grown-up I was looking; fixing every crease I had in my tie and undershirt. My father just looked on with an approving smile, but said nothing. He was still trying to fully understand American culture, especially high school matters. I wager this would be why they instantly took a shine to Alfred as he provided them with more than enough information about his home country.

So when we left together, they were none the wiser. We had lied, saying we were meeting up with a few friends from school to eat at a diner. But really, Alfred had taken to me to an authentic Italian restaurant. He claimed it was all on him since he had some money left over from his weekend job he had gained over the winter break. While he wasn't on the best of terms with his father, the man had thrown a small job his way to help him save up for college. I felt touched that Alfred had pulled that saving money out to spare some of it on me.

Most of the time it was the both of us venting about the end of the semester and how unfair it's been we haven't had as much time as we'd like. I could feel my shoulders losing the tension that had been on them for months and relief fill me. It was the least stressed I had been and I was glad it was all because of Alfred's doing. I'd hate it if were for some other reason.

Time passed and we found ourselves arriving at the school shortly before the dance started. I had left Kiku in charge of preparing everything and, judging from the fact that the building hadn't burned down and there weren't any crying teenagers, it seemed he had done a fine job. Sure enough, when I got inside, I was amazed at how perfect the entire set-up had turned out. The colored lights were swinging haphazardly around the ceiling and along the walls, the glittering stars that hung from the ceiling were sparkling, and the first band was playing right on time. I smiled; proud that Kiku had proved he was a capable Vice President, possibly the next President.

"Wow! This place is hoppin'!" Alfred exclaimed. He put his arm around my shoulder, but I brushed it off. "Sorry, I forgot."

"It's ok. Would you excuse me? I should relieve Kiku from his post. I gather he must want a moment." I looked around the crowd to see if I could spot the Asian, but he didn't seem to be around our general vicinity. I feared getting closer to the stage as it looked like a mosh pit was bound to happen.

"Sure. We'll meet up shortly before our set, okay?" Swiftly, he gave me a kiss on the cheek. I moved to punch him in the face, but he had slipped away into the crowd. All I heard was his laugh.

Damn him.

It had been an hour into the Prom and the dance had only managed to fill up even more. The last of the students had arrived by now or were in line for their pictures. Kiku was grateful for the break I gave him, especially since I was in charge of telling couples that they could not grind and that this was a respectable school. Bloody wankers.

But as time wore on, it began to dawn on me that all of these people were soon going to be listening to me and my band play jazz up on stage. I had better get on their good side or else they might boo me off the stage. No one minded that I backed off. To pass the time, I searched for my boyfriend through the throng of people. It wasn't hard as he was laughing it up with some of his football friends. While all the men had their tuxedo jackets already off and around their shoulders, Alfred was still in his. The majority of the junior class had gathered around him to offer him compliments on how dashing he looked.

Although I knew I was the only one who could say he looked more than dashing. He looked good enough to eat.

With a light tap, I reminded Alfred that we had to prepare to go on. He bid farewell to his friends and followed me to the music room to gather our instruments. We were surprised to find Francis and Felix there before us. Matthew had already taken his instrument. Accompanying Felix was a long-haired brunette named Toris.

"Toris!" Alfred exclaimed. He rushed forward and gave the younger boy a bear hug. "It's been ages, dude! How've you been?"

"I'm fine," Toris laughed. "I see you haven't changed one bit."

"Naw. When do I ever? Still growing your hair out?"

"Of course."

Felix and I were both watching with jealousy in our eyes. Alfred, finally remembering I was there, explained that Toris was a neighborhood friend of his that moved away during middle school. They hadn't seen each other since because Toris had changed schools.

"But I've known him longer!" Felix proclaimed, putting an arm around Toris'. They gave each other a smile much like the ones Alfred and I exchange.

I held out my hand. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Arthur Kirkland."

"Alfred's boyfriend," Francis quickly said after I finished my introduction.

Before I could spin around, Toris shook my hand with a nervous laugh. "It's ok. Felix already told me."

"What? Th-that's not! How did?" I turned to Alfred with accusing eyes, but he held up his hands.

"Don't look at me," he said with wide eyes. "They just figured it out on their own."

"Yes, well, it wasn't that hard," Francis sighed. "Now let's get going."

In a flash, I was wheeling the grand piano to the stage with the rest of the members lugging theirs with them. I heard our name being announced to the crowd and, before I knew it, the entire student body was ready and waiting for me to play. I felt their eyes on me. Most of these people didn't like me because I had all the power of the school and used it quite viciously from time to time. Others didn't know or care who I was.

But all of that didn't matter. The minute Alfred stepped onto the stage, the crowd burst into applause. He and Francis took front stage while Matthew and I remained in the back. Felix took up the side as his drum kit was meant to compliment my piano in size.

The band turned to me, ready to see if I was ready. I could feel my fingers shaking and all of the blood rush out of my body. What in God's name was I thinking? I couldn't do this. I wasn't good at entertaining people, just scolding them. Even if the crowd was partially there to cheer on Alfred, most were looking for any chance to put me down. Slowly, the feeling of flight crept up my spine.

"Arthur," I heard Alfred whisper. Felix and Matthew began their opening notes. My head twitched like a robot on stiff hinges to look at Alfred. "Just look at me, okay? Don't even look at the crowd. You'll be fine."

He winked at me and put the mouthpiece to his lips. Automatically, my fingers fell upon the piano's keys. All around me I heard a beautiful harmony of jazz fill the auditorium accompanied by Francis' bass voice. Alfred swayed his hips from side to side, closing his eyes, and just falling into the music. I followed his lead, just remembering what it was like to play; do something that made me happy.

The first song ended, then the second, and then the third was over. We had two dancing songs in the beat of New Orleans jazz and then slowed it down to smooth jazz for a nice slow dance. When we finished, the crowd cheered loudly for us. I could see Francis blowing kisses to the girls and Felix waving to Toris in the crowd. Matthew and I were smiling sheepishly from the back. But Alfred had slipped up to the microphone.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" he shouted, causing the students to erupt in cheers. The football players even chanted his name. "Thank you for listening to the first performance of And All That Jazz! But we're not done yet!"

I snapped my head over to Alfred. No. I told my body that we would only do three songs. Three songs was the limit my nerves could take. It was a miracle I made it through the first song, let alone three. Besides, I only knew three. We had never practiced for a fourth.

"This is a special song that me and the band wrote to our leader, Arthur," Alfred continued. He turned to smile at me. "Well, actually, I wrote it for him. Because you see today is Arthur's and my fifth month of dating and I wanted it to be extra special for him!"

I swear I died right then. This recollection I'm giving right now is from the grave.

Alfred took his saxophone as Francis returned to the microphone. I remained seat as the band started to play a slow and soft piece. I don't remember most of the words, save for the chorus.

Emerald Paradise.
I sink into your bliss.
Spring breeze all around me.
Only in your Emerald Paradise.

That. Bloody. Wanker. He wrote a song about my eyes?

Well, it could be worse, I thought. He could be singing about my eyebrows. And yet the effect remained the same when the song was over. While some people cheered and called out compliments of how cute we were, I was still a dead man. All of my power was gone and come Monday morning I'd be the laughing stock among the boys. Now I had no authority to tell them to pull their pants up. Oh God, they'd probably pull them down thinking I'd like to see their ugly asses.

Alfred had just ruined my life in one swift (yet touching) moment.

We returned the instruments to the music room after the fourth song was done. I hadn't said a word the entire way. No one else did. Even Alfred, surprisingly enough. I figured he'd boast about how wonderful he was or something along the lines to show off to the others. Everyone else but me. I was far from impressed right now.

The others escaped quickly, leaving Alfred and me alone in a very awkward situation. I took a deep breath, turned, and walked right past Alfred to the door.

"You're not even going to thank me?" Alfred asked.

"Thank you?" I turned on my heel. "You just ruined my life!"

"What? Arthur, will you get over that? I told you, none of this matters in the long run!" He waved his arms out towards me. "You will graduate in two weeks and never see these guys again! So if someone picks on you, fuck them!"

I grit my teeth. "It isn't that easy, Alfred. A lot of people from this school have been accepted into the same college as I have."

Alfred shrugged. "So? There will be hundreds of people at that school. I highly doubt a few assholes from this tiny academy will be that much of a bother to you. And if they are, then they need to grow up because they're in college now."

I looked down, trying to come up with something to say, but I couldn't stay mad at Alfred for too long. I could see that his adrenaline was coming down with my reaction. It wasn't the one he wanted, that was for sure. But he had to understand that I was not about to run into his arms and kiss him like this were all some Hollywood movie. I had just had my relationship revealed before everyone and he hadn't asked for my permission.

"Wow, well, anyways…," Alfred grumbled. He was in an ugly mood now. "Happy five months or whatever. I thought you'd like it if I wrote a song about you, for you, and had it played for you."

"Yes, that is quite romantic and lovely… BUT DID IT HAVE TO BE IN FRONT OF EVERYONE?" I snapped.

Alfred sighed. "Yes, Arthur. Because I can't take this anymore! You're my boyfriend and I don't care who knows. Why is it such a big deal, other than your image?"

"Because!" I bit my tongue as I blushed. Alfred looked at me expectantly. "Because… it was ours and only ours… I didn't…want anyone else to know."

Warm arms embraced me and he pulled me close. In moments, his lips were on my face and he whispered something that sounded an awful lot like "cute" in my ear. I sure hope for his sake he did not just call me cute.

"You know," Alfred whispered. "I should be the one mad at you. You didn't even remember what today was and I even hinted at it yesterday."

I sighed, guilt threatening to steal away this moment. "I know. I was just...so busy. I'm sorry."

But again, Alfred laughed it off. He laughed everything off. Nothing could bring him down. It felt like his arms had wrapped themselves fully around me while mine could barely go around his large build. He kept kissing by my ear, neck, chin, cheek, lips.

But I couldn’t fight back even if I wanted to. It was catching up to me. My boyfriend had just taken me out on a very romantic date, played beautiful music with me, had written a song for me and then proceeded to perform it, and was now kissing me. Not to mention, he was still in that tuxedo that made him far too good for my heart to take. It needed to come off now.

My brain interjected that our first sexual moment would not take place in the music room. Well, I thought. There are other ways we can make love without us penetrating the other.

Love.

I stopped Alfred. "I want to know…," I whispered feeling his lips on my neck. "What do you…think of me…?"

"What do you mean?" he said into my neck. I could feel his fingers begin to undo my tie.

"Alfred… I…I love you." I had said it. Did I mean it? I'd be crazy not to.

He stopped to lift his head and look at me. His eyes were warm and unafraid, his smile inviting me into him. I thought for a moment he'd start kissing me again, but instead he just brushed my hair back. His hands caressed my face for a time.

Then, he whispered, "I love you too."

I fell into his arms, kissing and gripping him. He loved me back. I couldn't be contained now. He lifted my feet up off the ground and pushed me against the grand piano. A few keys tinkled in the air, but this time they didn't awaken me and stop me from going further. Instead, I pushed Alfred's jacket off, letting my hands run down his broad shoulders and along his biceps. A rush of cold air hit my chest as he undid my shirt, but then his warm tongue was on my skin.

I shuddered a sigh, falling back onto the piano. More keys sounded out into the empty room as Alfred pushed down my pants. His hands moved over my hardening penis and I gasped in pleasure. I wanted him to just grab me right there. But instead he busied himself with my abdomen. I found that it was becoming increasingly difficult to focus on removing Alfred's pants while my head swirled at the motions of that wet tongue on my hot skin.

But then he was naked before me. I gasped as my eyes settled on a long thin scar across his midriff, shortly above his belly button. My fingers reached for it, but he pulled them away with whispers of another lie. It was not okay. But, given the moment, I'd rather focus on his hands pulling me into a sitting position on the piano's keys as he moved closer to my hard self.

Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I was amazed that Alfred didn't press to go all the way. However, given that neither of us came prepared, I think he took that into account. On the other hand, I was just old fashioned and preferred a couple's first time to be in bed, along with proper protection and lubrication.

In a moment, Alfred's large hands were around my hard length. He pressed his own throbbing self against mine. My head rolled forward, I gasped for air, and he called my name. Our breathes mingled, unable to kiss for lack of air. He rubbed us together, a steady rhythm like that of the lovely song from earlier. What was it about? Something with my eyes?

I searched for his and found them half-lidded with lust. He was watching me. Always watching me. Why was that? He cupped the back of my neck in his free hand to make sure I didn't move away from his gaze. A small smile wormed its way onto his face. I followed his lead, wrapping both of my arms around his neck. He came forward with a sloppy kiss, but a kiss nonetheless.

My fingers scratched down his rough back, amazed that a person's body could feel so smooth and hard. Alfred's free hand caressed my face and down my sides, coming to a rest on my hip. I could feel his fingernails pressed into my skin, probably leaving a mark. That caused me to buck up into his hand. A light smile was on his lips as he continued to kiss and rub us together. My God, I was going insane.

The rhythm sped up and I moaned into his mouth. He pulled away, gasping my name. My toes curled. The piano played a lovely tune to the sound of our sex. It was so short, but I chalked that up to being our first time. When I came in his hands he gave a rather unattractive grimace to the sticky cum between his fingers. I, however, had laid down spread eagle on the piano.

"Happy 5 month…," I whispered to the beautiful boy above me. He looked at me and smiled.

"I love you," he said. He lay atop me gently, cradling my head in his clean hand, and kissed me with more feeling than I've ever felt.

We were in love. Nothing, not even the guilt that I had just desecrated Roderich's piano, could take that away from us. And, as much as I hated to admit Alfred was right about anything, he was. If anyone joked about my relationship with Alfred, I'd flip them the bird and walk away knowing that I still had power. Maybe not over them, but I at least with someone that mattered most.

Hoshiko2's cents: LONG CHAPTER IS LONG! I apologize for the length if it bothered anyone, but it happened. :\

In any case, I have now given Kanta all of the requests of her prompt. Now I'm just going to ask her for random things to throw in along with the set storyline I have already mapped out.

Props to samishii_kami  for her song title. Originally she sent me the name as a possible name for the band, but the minute I saw it I got the idea for this chapter. Well, aside from the smut. The smut was decided on long long ago. But the content for this chapter comes from "Emerald Paradise".

Man, I wish my Prom was this good. The only good thing about it was the damn dress. Mine was pretty bitchin', I have to say.

Anyways, much love for the reviews as always. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!