Above The Line

Chapter Twenty-Two

That was the key question, wasn't it? He had given Arthur no reason at all in this past week not to trust him. Alfred had even gone out of his way to get the artist painkillers just now, for God's sake. Arthur had to see the lengths to which Alfred was going just to gain his favor. This was hard work (but fun work), in Alfred's opinion. Still, he'd never had to think this much on any weekend before in his life. Arthur had to appreciate that, even if, you know, he didn't quite know about it, and he ought not to. But still.

Arthur blinked at Alfred. Did Arthur trust him? Maybe not completely just yet, considering the prejudices with which he had entered into their relationship, but there was definitely something there, something growing and developing, ever so slowly. Alfred could see it in the artist's eyes day to day that Arthur's opinion of him was slowly changing. The artist just had to see the answer for himself first before he could confirm it to anyone else.

Alfred held out the bundle of clothes questioningly one last time, a soft encouraging smile upon his lips and gentle pleading in his eyes. Arthur felt something swell inside his heart, though he couldn't readily identify the emotion. Nevertheless, it felt warm, and it becalmed his headache, so that was enough for him.

With an exaggerated sigh to prove just how much he was beleaguered by this onerous burden of one last go at the clothing, Arthur accepted the bundle and moved off to the changing rooms. Alfred would have feared that he had angered the artist with his stubborn insistence had he not seen at the last minute the small smile upon Arthur's lips right before the door closed behind him. Alfred resisted the urge to air guitar as he had won yet another small battle.

Inside the changing room, Arthur eyed the bundle with skepticism. There was a burgundy, almost wine-colored button-down shirt, made of pure soft cotton. It was paired with some tight black slacks and a gray jacket, the perfect combination of stylish and sexy and the best balance between casual and well dressed-that is, for any man who wasn't Arthur.

Under certain lights, the artist knew that this dark purplish red could go very well with the green of his eyes, and the gray had little flecks of black that would complement the trousers wonderfully. But color wasn't the issue. Did the cut of the jacket really suit his bony shoulders? Would the weight of the slacks actually hang well on his thin hips? These were the true questions that determined the merit of each of Arthur's outfits.

Arthur pursed his lips and breathed. His headache was already feeling a little better, and the water had helped immensely. This last little thing couldn't hurt, no matter how much he doubted it. Because oddly enough, he didn't doubt Alfred this time, and that made the decision for him.

With the image of Alfred's sweet smile at the forefront of his mind, Arthur proceeded to change into the outfit, not looking up even once at the mirror. He didn't want to see, just in case Alfred was wrong and it really did look terrible. Arthur's unique physique wasn't exactly easy to shop for, which was why the artist was so particular about going through this experience only at a few very select shops, and more importantly, about going through this experience by himself. Alfred was the first person he had ever shopped with. Not even Francis had ever done this with him before.

Arthur unlocked the door to the changing room and stepped out once he was done. With a small déjà vu memory back to Alfred's change in the car, Arthur lifted his arms and spun around in a small circle.

"How do I look?" There was a small hint of "Are you satisfied now?" laced into his question as well.

Alfred blinked several times, absentmindedly placing down the magazine he had been mildly perusing as he waited. The actor stood up slowly and muttered "Wow" in a very sharp exhale of breath, reinforcing Arthur's feeling of déjà vu. Next thing they knew, Alfred would start to laugh, and then Arthur would sadly learn that he looked just as odd in this outfit as Alfred did in his current one, and all these pains would have been for naught.