Dreaming Wide Awake [ACES]

[Alfred F. Jones]

Alfred hummed at Arthur’s response, pondering that. Surely enough, he was struck with the mental picture of the Englishman sporting a tidy looking suit, rushing down the sidewalk of a busy city street with a briefcase, dodging anyone he’d almost bump into in his haste along with letting out a string of curses every now and again. Obviously, he was too young for any kind of job like that, but it was just so easy for him to imagine. It was also easy for him to imagine Arthur in mentioned attire scowling at one of the very same city’s crosswalks.

Then again, it was fairly easy for Alfred to imagine his boyfriend scowling in any situation or setting. At that, he almost laughed out loud.

“Welp, you’ll love it!” He assured the other excitedly, dismissing his train of thought before he actually ended up teasing him over it. “Once you get the hang of it, y’ know? It’s a bit weird and maybe even kinda’ scary to be so high off the ground at first, but then you feel.. free. Almost like you’re flying. It’s awesome.”

Though he didn't notice it himself, he began swinging his feet back and forth as he turned his gaze to Matt and Sven. He returned his brother’s bright smile, happy to see him as excited as he was. Everyone seemed excited, actually. Usually Alfred was the only one jumping around like a firecracker about to burst while others watched on in confusion, some kind of amusement or annoyance. It was a rare occurrence that anyone joined him.

“Dude, Sven, hide and seek and tag sounds awesome! I’m pretty boss at those games though, so don’t say I didn’t want you.” Alfred instantaneously and likely predictably agreed, and most certainly wasn’t lying. He was indeed ‘boss’ at those kinds of games. He was and had always been quick on his feet, even when he was young. The children he used to play said games with in his neighborhood and at his schools would undoubtedly vouch for him.

While he was taking an extreme liking to Sven’s idea, his eyes lit up upon seeing what was inside his twin’s backpack. He couldn't help but hope that there was a peanut butter and fluff sandwich in there for himself.

“So today, It’s horseback riding-ice cream-picnic-hide and go seek-tag!” The American hollered out, throwing his arms in the air.

Excitement was now an understatement. He didn’t even notice the train approaching.

[Arthur Kirkland]

"We'll see about just how 'awesome' it is," Arthur replied, though if he had to be honest, he was actually looking forward to it. Riding horses most definitely didn't sound like a boring thing to do, after all.

The Englishman could barely hide a look of surprise at Sven's suggestions, though. Those were children's games - definitely not something that anyone would've expected from the Swede. Nevertheless, he made no remark of it, deciding that if they actually really did play, he'd just opt to sit out and watch. He didn't even remember the last time he'd played those games, nor was he in any mood to run around and grow sweaty from chasing after someone.

"There isn't any need to shout, Alfred," Arthur reprimanded, standing when the train came. "We're all right here."

[Berwald "Sven" Oxenstierna]

Oh, that was a challenge if he ever heard one. The Swede grinned somewhat wickedly up at the American; little did Alfred know there had never been a single game of tag Berwald hadn't won, and being a hunter he had an unfair advantage when it came to hide-and-seek as well. The game might be a cakewalk, but gods knew it was going to be a lot of fun.

His grin became something of a smirk as he looked over at Arthur; no doubt he was going to try to get out of it, prim as he was. That was just flat out not going to happen, no sir. Pressing a kiss to his mate's temple as he stood for the approaching train, Berwald quietly made it his mission for the day to get his brother-in-arms as filthy and disheveled as humanly possible, and to Hel with the consequences.

The Brit would never see it coming.

However, now was not the time to strike. For the moment, Berwald went to stand next to Arthur, leaning down a bit to talk more quietly to him, a knowing smile on his face. "It r'lly is that awes'me. B'n doin' it all my life 'n it nev'r gets old. Y're g'nna love it." Maybe not as much as he and Alfred would, but Berwald was certain that the way Arthur loved animals he'd have a better time than he was expecting.