Alfred laughs. The sound drowns out Matthew’s swearing and the sluggish, harmless punches that he’s throwing bounce harmlessly off Alfred’s shoulder. It only serves to piss Matthew off further and it does not help when Alfred ducks under one and, cheerfully, says, “Hey, you remember that time you threw me through a burning wall?”

Matthew’s face is red and he’s panting a little bit. “Bet I still could.”

Alfred’s smile turns downright patronizing and he grabs Matthew’s fist, blocking his next punch. “Even if you could lift me, you wouldn’t be able to hit the broadside of a barn. Baseball is my sport, bro.”

“Yeah I know. You watch it everyday from your couch.” Matthew sneers, blowing strands of hair out of his face. 

Alfred pouts at that because, really, he is so busy these days he has to watch baseball on the couch. Today was the first time in a long while he and Matthew could hang out.

And Matthew is not really angry so he apologizes when Alfred stays quiet a moment longer and the setting sun plays off his lashes and he’s sweaty and Alfred feels a little wistful.

“Don’t think too hard.” Matthew tries to punch him again, this time tone teasing. 

Alfred does not think at all. He just catches his fist and kisses Matthew right on his smirk.

You will get my paper the evening of June 4th, sir. Not a day later.

Oh and you guys will get a second part to that angstlet (angst drabblet—see I can make up words on the fly) at some point when this paper is done and I stop feeling like poop and get this oral exam over with. 

“You were awfully rough tonight.” Matthew prods the bite marks at the base of his neck, voice mild. His hair is a mess, tangled from where Alfred had knotted his fingers. “You had a bad day.”

“You weren’t so gentle, yourself.” Alfred retorts, rolling out of bed and picking up his jeans in one fluid motion. His lower back twinges as he shimmies into the jeans, letting them hang on the cut of his hips. “And don’t talk like that. You sound like Arthur.”

Matthew’s voice betrays his amusement. “That bother you, love?”

Alfred sneers. “It should bother you. You think he doesn’t know?”

“He knows.”

Going home? 

Writing UKCan?

Knowing what favorite writers are doing for UKCan?

Leaving the dorm?