Turning Tricks 9

"So how are things going with you and Arthur?" Maddie asked with a knowing grin as she plopped down beside Alfred on the built in bench of the deck. The wheat blonde startled slightly at her sudden appearance and was instantly snapped out of his daydreaming. Dinners with his sister had become a nearly weekly occurrence for he and his 'boyfriend' much to Madeline's joy.

"We're good," he replied absently before his gaze drifted back to the straw blonde. He had found himself watching the green eyed man a lot lately.

Arthur and Gilbert had started up a one-on-one soccer (football the Brit would have corrected) match in the back yard. The teen had been admiring the way the older man's lean muscles had moved as he gracefully maneuvered the ball toward the makeshift goal.

The lemon blonde followed her brother's gaze and her grin widened.

"Oh, I think you two are more than good," she said with a devilish gleam in her violet eyes.

"It's not like that," the blue eyed male flustered as his cheeks took on a rosy hue and he shot a dirty look at his sister. Maddie chuckled at his reaction which only irritated him more. His eyes drifted back to the yard and darkened with contemplative melancholy.

"What's up, Alfie?" the wavy haired girl asked with concern noticing the sudden shift in her sibling's mood.

"How do you know if you're in love, Mads?" Alfred asked a small smile turning up his lips as Arthur managed to score another goal.

Amethyst eyes widened in surprise, but quickly softened affectionately.

"What makes you think you are in love?" she asked before taking a sip of her lemonade.

"I think about him all the time and when I'm not with him I feel kind of empty. I stare at him and get this warm feeling in my chest. When he touches me, especially kisses, make my skin burn in this really pleasant sort of way. If that's how love makes you feel then I want it more than oxygen," the honey blonde said as a warm smile spread across his face.

Arthur noticed the younger man watching him and gave a small wave before having to refocus and block his opponent from scoring. A small, content sigh blew past the tan teen's lips.

"Oh, little brother you have got it bad," Maddie said with a good natured giggle at just how smitten the other blonde was.

A frustrated growl suddenly burst forth from the dark blonde as he slouched forward and tangled his fingers into his hair. The lemon blonde's eyes dilated in shock as she was taken aback by the rather odd actions of the other teen.

"Alfred?" she said hesitantly and placed a hand gently on the hunched boy's shoulder.

"It's not fair, Mads," Alfred muttered.

"What isn't fair?" the smaller girl asked scooting closer and wrapping an arm comfortingly around the larger man.

"He made me fall in love with him knowing that he would never return my feelings," he grumbled and swallowed thickly against the knot in his throat.

"Alfred, that is a horrible thing to say. You make him sound like some conniving predator and what makes you think he wouldn't return your affections?" Madeline said being indignant on the Englishman's behalf.

"Because I'm me Mads. I'm nothing but a pretty face. I'm stupid and useless. He spends all his money on me and I do nothing to contribute. Who in their right mind would want someone like me?" the honey blonde said hands falling from his hair and turning misty azure eyes up to look at the girl.

Anger colored the blonde's cheeks as she glowered at her brother.

"Alfred Franklin Jones, you listen to me," she said crossly and looked her eyes with his. "You are more than a pretty face. I don't know where you ever got this negative self image of yourself, but I'm tired of it. It is obvious to a blind man that Arthur cares dearly for you,"

"Caring isn't the same as love," he interjected and shifted his gaze to the deck floor again.

Taking his face between her slender hands Madeline forced Alfred to look at her again.

"But it's a start. Not everyone falls in love at the same time. Give him time, Al. He wouldn't be with you if he didn't feel something for you," she said firmly, but her features were full of loving concern. Alfred really wanted to believe in what she said, but his doubt was too much to contend with.

"I'm still useless and don't contribute. He gets upset when I use money from my savings," the cerulean eyed male said to change the subject.

"Why are you using your savings? What happened to your job?" the wavy haired blonde asked brows creasing in confusion as she released her sibling's face.

"I kind of quit because Artie didn't like the late hours," the ash blonde responded scratching the back of his neck sheepishly as he straightened in his seat.

"Well then why don't you just get another job?" the purple eyed girl queried.

"This is me we're talking about. Not good with people and doesn't like being touched. Where the Hell am I supposed to work?" Alfred retorted a bit bitterly.

Maddie opened her mouth to protest, but snapped it shut when she realized he had a point. She sat in contemplative silence for a moment before a thought struck her. She instantly hopped to her feet and walked over to the deck railing.

"Gillie," the pale blonde called sweetly drawing the albino's attention and momentarily pausing the game. Arthur also paused and looked up curiously at Madeline.

"Ja, liebling?" Gilbert answered with a grin.

"Does Toni still need a busboy at the restaurant?" the petite girl asked turning slightly to shoot her brother an encouraging smile.

"Ja. Why?" the vermilion eyed man questioned while quirking a silver eyebrow.

"Could you call him and see about setting up an interview for Alfie?"

"Maddie, no…" Alfred started as he rose to stand next to his sister, but was cut off when she whirled around to face him with a victorious grin.

"It will be perfect for you. You'll have little to no interaction with customers. You know everyone who works there so no worries about touching. Arthur can't fuss about the hours and the work will be easy. So the problem is solved," Maddie beamed up at her sibling with so much pride and joy all protests died on the wheat blonde's tongue.

"All right, Mads. I guess we could give it a try," the tan teen said and gave the shorter girl a small hug.

Upon being released the little blonde spun back around and gestured wildly at her boyfriend.

"What are you waiting for, Gil? Call him,"

"Ja, Birdie," Gilbert said with an amused smirk as he pulled his mobile from his pocket and walked toward the deck. Arthur picked up the soccer ball and followed close behind.

The slim device, with it's custom Prussian flag skin, came up to his ear as he waited for an answer. He had just mounted the deck steps when a familiar Spanish accent chirped in his ear.

"Toni, man! How's it going? She's good. Listen I've got a favor to ask. You know Maddie's brother, Alfred?" A small pause as he stepped up next to his girlfriend.

"Ja, that's him. Look he needs a job," the pale man paused for several moments before an extremely wide grin crossed his face.

"Just like that? Man Toni you are the man. All right I'll let him know. Thanks again mein freund. Later,"

The call ended and all eyes focused on the albino expectantly.

"Well, what did he say?" Arthur asked as he moved to stand next to Alfred.

"He said that Alfred is hired. Toni wants him to meet him at the restaurant tomorrow at ten to do the paperwork and show him around," Gilbert said and an excited cheer rang out from all gathered.

Maddie instantly shot forward and embraced her brother.

"This is wonderful, Alfie. I'm so happy for you," she exclaimed before bounding back to her boyfriend's side and planting an appreciative kiss on his cheek.

Arthur discreetly slipped his hand into Alfred's and gave it an affectionate squeeze.

"I'm so proud of you," the older man said turning a dazzling little smile on the younger man.

"Th-thanks, Artie," the blue eyed boy stammered as his cheeks flushed slightly and the skin of his hand felt as if it were on fire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Thanks for coming with me, Artie," Alfred said timidly as the blonde duo pulled into the parking lot of the shopping center where Antonio's restaurant, The Red Carnation, was located.

"Of course, lad. Think nothing of it," Arthur said shooting his companion a friendly grin as he maneuvered the Mini-Cooper into a parking space at the front of the restaurant.

Once the car was settled the two men climbed out and slowly approached the front doors.

"Doesn't look like anyone is here yet," the teen said as he tried to not toy with his borrowed tie. Arthur had helped to dress him that morning so that he would look professional for his new boss. He wore a white button up, black slacks, black shoes, and a sky blue tie the older man had in his closet.

Sensing the other's nervousness the Brit reached out and took hold of the younger man's hand.

"Relax, poppet. You've already got the job. You just need to make the right first impression," the straw blonde said gently as he softly caressed the back of the other's hand with his thumb.

"What if I screw it up? I'm not the best with people," the wheat blonde said anxiously, but managed to relax a little by concentrating on the older male's touch.

"You'll be fine and I'll be here the whole time," Arthur reassured as they waited.

A few minutes later a red Fiat pulled into the space next to the Mini-Cooper. A man with chocolate brown and sun-kissed tan skin climbed out of the driver's side with a sheepish smile.

"Lo siento, amigos, for running late. You haven't been waiting long have you?" the man asked as he closed the car door and approached the pair.

"Not too long, Antonio. It's been a while," the sandy blonde responded as the sound of a slamming door drew all eyes to the Fiat. An olive skinned man with auburn hair stood next to the car glaring at Antonio.

"Thanks for waiting for me, tomato bastard," the angry man said sarcastically as he stomped up to stand next to the Spanish man.

"Lo siento, Lovi," Toni said and placed a kiss on the smaller man's cheek making him flush.

"Stop that, idiota," Lovi groused pushing the tan man away from him before striding toward the restaurant doors. "Are we going to go in and do this or hold social hour out here on the sidewalk,"

The chocolate haired male shot an apologetic look at the two blondes before following the other man. A set of keys were fished from his pocket and after finding the right key the door was opened.

The restaurant was not overly large, but the space was well organized. Booths lined both walls as well as along the front window. Six smaller tables were arranged in two evenly spaced rows filling the central space. Murals of Italian and Spanish landscapes were painted on the two side walls. On the back wall hanging between the two kitchen doors were the Spanish and Italian flags. To the left of the kitchen doors was a hall that was labeled for the restrooms.

"Take a seat anywhere and I'll be right back," the Spaniard said cheerily as he and Lovi disappeared into the kitchen.

Alfred and Arthur took seats at the table nearest the kitchen door labeled out and sat quietly. The teen's leg bounced nervously for a few minutes before the Brit had had enough and placed a hand on his knee.

"Alfred please try and relax," the straw blonde said with a hint of irritation in his voice.

"Sorry, Artie. I just don't want to screw this up and disappoint you," the American said before taking a deep breath to try and ease his nerves.

"As long as you try your best you won't disappoint me," the green eyed male reassured just as Antonio appeared from the back with a folder in his hand.

The next half hour was spent going over job expectations, uniform requirements, and lots of paperwork. Alfred was so grateful that Arthur was there to help because he had no idea how to fill out paperwork for a job and he never would have remembered all the little things he was told.

"All right, so that's all the paperwork and bureaucratic nonsense. Alfred, why don't you go into the kitchen and have Lovino go over your job description. It's a simple job and he can show you around back there," the dark brown haired man said with a grin and friendly shine in his green eyes.

"Sure thing and thanks again for this opportunity. I promise to work real hard," the blue eyed male said as he rose to his feet and after pushing in his chair made his way into the kitchen.

The Spanish man shuffled his paperwork together and placed it into the folder. As he made to rise he was stopped by Arthur placing a hand on his arm.

"May I have a word?" the peridot eyed blonde more stated more than asked.

"Si, amigo," Antonio responded as he resettled into his seat.

"I am sorry to ask this of you, but I would really like for you to watch out for Alfred. This is his first job. His first real time being on his own and I don't want this to become a bad experience for him," the Englishman said with concern lacing his every word.

"Is there something I need to know about, Arthur?" the Spaniard asked.

"Alfred has...Well he has been through a lot of suffering in his life. I'm sure Gilbert has told you about his aversion to being touched," Arthur said struggling to find the right words to convey himself without outright telling the other man about Alfred's past.

"Si," the tan man answered simply.

"It's not my place to tell the lad's business, but I can say that he has recently escaped an abusive situation. I'm doing my best to help him have a normal life and this job is going to be really important in doing so," pleading viridian eyes turned up to lock with sympathetic peridot. "Please just look after him and let me know if anything happens,"

Silence fell between the two men as Antonio mulled over the Englishman's words.

"You care very deeply about him, don't you?" the chocolate haired man asked after a while.

"More than I really should," the sandy blonde responded with a rosy blush on his cheeks. The tan male gave an understanding hum.

"I can't watch him every moment, but I will talk to my staff. We'll do our best to look out for him. That much I can promise you," Antonio said with a friendly grin.

"Thank you," Arthur said appreciatively and returned the other's smile.