After few moments of flurried disorder, Arthur managed to pack his book and blush away before following Alfred out of the coffee shop. Quite a few minutes and several turns later and Alfred was steadily charging through the throng that filled the New York streets with Arthur struggling to keep up with the broad steps that his companion, no, he was a date now, Arthur reminded himself. At least he had could stay in the clearing left in the wake of the massive American and not have to push his way through the crowd. He had no idea that a date could require that much exertion without it properly even starting.

That reminded him, where exactly, was Alfred leading him? Arthur craned his head upward, looking for a recognizable landmark or just a sign that might give him some sense of orientation.

To his disappointment he was still as lost as he was a few moments ago, but honestly he was not surprised. "Alfred?"

"Yeah?" Alfred replied, not even turning around but continuing his charge.

"Where, exactly, are you taking me?" Arthur asked as he skirted a small piece of rubbish on the sidewalk.

Alfred sent Arthur an overly enthusiastic smile over his shoulder. "I dunno," he said as cheerfully as ever.

The Englishman gaped for a second before trying another question. "But you do know where we are, right?"

"Nope," The American said, laughing childishly.

Now Arthur was certain his date was a madman. He jogged forward a few steps, trying to catch up with the man and try to talk some sense into him. He managed a full half meter before tripping over someone's feet and flying into Alfred's back, landing with a quiet grunt.

"You're really clingy for a first date." Alfred teased as he attempted to unwrap Arthur's arms from around his waist.

"Sorry about that," Arthur mumbled as he straightened and brushed himself off.

"I don't mind," Throwing a long arm over the Brit's shoulders, Alfred started walking again. Arthur let out a surprised squeak and halfheartedly struggled for a moment before resigning himself to the fact that he was going to be dragged through the streets of New York by a friendly giant who was, all things considered, more than likely a bit touched in the head. It was hardly the most ideal of situations, but then again it was better than spending another day alone in a place that didn't feel like home and, even if he didn't fully admit it to himself, he was becoming rather fond of his friendly giant. New York was a less daunting place when viewed from under a friend's-no, his date's arm, he rather cheerfully thought to himself. If you kept your eyes away from the skyscrapers and the glaringly yellow cabs you could just pretend it was just some strange new development in Dublin or elsewhere. Arthur was shaken out of his musings when Alfred suddenly turned a corner, forcing the Englishman to jump aside to avoid being concussed by a street sign. He didn't manage to completely avoid the signpost and was clipped on the shoulder. Grimacing, he used his other hand to rub his shoulder, inadvertently pushing Alfred's hand off.

Alfred looked toward the smaller man, his smile faltering for a moment before noticing the cause and gaining a slightly worried expression.

"You o.k.?" he asked.

Arthur nodded in affirmation, "I am perfectly fine."

"Are you sure?" he queried again, this time pulling his date close and giving the afflicted a once over and a few light pats.

"Absolutely." Arthur said, his close proximity to Alfred making his cheeks turn red for the upteenth time that day. "Now give me some breathing room you great oversized git."

"This is the thanks I get for heroically guiding you through the city." Alfred teased.

"If by heroically guiding you mean wandered off aimlessly with me in tow, then yes," Arthur bit back. "Admit it, you're lost."

"A New Yorker is never lost. I know exactly where we are." he replied.

The Englishman looked at him doubtfully. "And where are we then, O magnificent hero?"

Alfred stopped, turned and looked toward the sign. "On fifty-first street, near where it crosses with third avenue."

"Thank you, I could never have know that." Arthur answered dryly.

"See? True heroics." Alfred grinned. "And heroes such as myself deserve some thanks from our damsels in distress."

"I am neither a damsel nor in distress." The Brit huffed, but allowed himself to be drawn into a tight hug. After a few moments, he started squirming. "Come on, let me go. This is a public place, we'll draw undue attention."

Alfred laughed but let Arthur out of his embrace. "This is New York! You could run around dressed like a hamburger chasing a man dressed as waffle and not 'draw undue attention'. Hell, you could be painted pink and not attract any stares."

Arthur looked up at him and squinted his eyes suspiciously. "You seem to know a lot about that."

The other man laughed again and grinned mischievously. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't."

"I am dating an absolute lunatic and oddball," Arthur mumbled under his breath.

"Says the man with a hole in his shoulder and E.L. James in his briefcase." Alfred replied, never loosing his smirk. Arthur gaped at him for a moment before looking down. "New Yorkers see everything."

"And they notice nothing?" Arthur asked, one bushy eyebrow raised.

"Exactly!" The American exclaimed with more enthusiasm than necessary.

"But how can you see something and not notice it?" he protested. "That makes no sense."

"It will soon enough." Alfred slung his arm around Arthur's shoulder again and affectionately ruffed the smaller man's hair with the other hand. "I'll make a true New Yorker out of you."

Arthur chuckled, "I doubt that."

Alfred had gone on to lead Arthur through the streets of New York for what felt like another hour before his date cried uncle and declared that while their conversation was pleasant and that wandering around an unfamiliar city was surprisingly pleasant, he was most definitely feeling a twinge of hunger and would Alfred please do something to make it disappear. Alfred had laughed and promptly charged off into the opposite direction, feeling rather pleased with himself for his ingenuity in finding a way to waste time until dinner and get close to the smaller man, even if it did make him blush that adorable shade of pink.

Now they were in the Chinatown district, outside a pale bricked building, over whose entrance was a white banner with red letters declaring the establishment "The Little Panda" under hanzi characters and beside a graphic of a rice-eating panda. Alfred held the door open and then ducked inside.

The business' proprietor, a lithe and cheerful man by the name of Yao, was casually leaning against front desk. When he saw Alfred come in, he turned toward the kitchen and shouted some rapid chinese into the kitchen.

Arthur blinked once then looked up toward Alfred with a slightly concerned expression, "'Large beef with broccoli and dump the soy sauce on it'? That does not sound healthy."

Alfred guiltily smiled, "It tastes good!" he protested, before the realization hit him. "Wait, you speak Chinese?"

The Englishman waved off the question and turned to Yao. " Spring rolls please."

"Sure!" Yao smiled, leaned over and conspiratorially whispered into Arthur's ear loud enough for Alfred to hear. "Big guy comes here every week, eats like elephant, same thing every week, blood like the ocean, too salty. You better watch him like two hawks. Going to have heart attack at this rate." Then he all but bounced away from the wall, gave them two cups for the fountain, and led them over to a booth by the window before heading back to heading into the the kitchen.

The two men stood awkwardly at the table for moment before they both sat down. Alfred stretched himself out on his side of the booth while Arthur sat stiffly and looked around, seemingly at a loss at what to do next. His eyes fell on the two empty cups.

"I'll go get the drinks." Arthur started to stand up and reached for the glasses but Alfred gently pushed his hand away.

"Don't worry, I've got this." He smiled in what he thought was a reassuring manner before getting up, turning his head and asking "Wait, what do you want?"

"Just water, thank you." The smaller man sat down again and turned to the window..

"All right." Alfred strode over to the drinks fountain and filled his cup with his usual mixture of cola, orange and lemon soda, then decided to add a spritz of root beer for the heck of it. Then he spent two minutes wondering if the machine even had a water tap or if he would have to get the ice to melt before he spotted the modestly labelled tap and filled up his date's glass. Alfred returned to table with the drinks and the two men made small talk while waiting for their food to arrive.

Yao came to the table a few minutes later with two plates and silverware. Alfred eagerly tucked into the plate of beef and broccoli while Arthur looked on with mild disdain at the larger man's eating habits before beginning on his rolls. The American thought his date looked rather dainty and feline, with his fork in his right hand and his left one holding the knife that cut small pieces, which he ate in a reserved fashion.

"Is it good?" Alfred asked after watching for a few minute.

"Hm? Oh, the spring rolls. They are quite good." Arthur replied.

"Can I try?" His date asked as he scraped up the last few morsels on his plate.

Arthur seemed to be contemplating the question before cutting off a piece and offering it to Alfred, who gulped it down and declared it good.

"So, how long are you planning to live in New York?" Alfred asked, fishing around for a topic.

Arthur didn't look up from his plate. "Until I have no more reasons to stay."

"I hope you never run out of reasons to stay." Alfred declared, then felt his cheeks turn red. It did sound like a silly, romantic comedy sort of thing to say and he regretted it almost immediately.

Arthur looked up, also blushing, and let his eyes wander around Alfred's face, before smiling and putting his small hand on Alfred's large one. "I hope I don't either."

An hour later Alfred was walking Arthur home. In spite of the storm that had been a light drizzle that had begun a ten minutes after they had left the restaurant and their tiredness neither had wanted to take the subway and enter the noise and bustle of the underground, true, the street was not entirely quiet either but there was an ethereal calm under the dark clouds. They had walked in silence and were both thoroughly drenched by the time they reached Arthur's apartment building. Alfred had hesitated over whether to go with Arthur to the latter's apartment, but had followed him in. Now Alfred were standing at the window with a warm cup of coffee while the other man was in the kitchen fussing over a tea kettle.

"It's horrid weather outside," Arthur remarked as he joined Alfred at the window. "I thought I'd leave it behind when I left England."

"Apparently it followed you home." Alfred said as he smiled into his coffee. He glanced at the wall clock. "I need to call Mattie and tell him I'm coming home a bit late."

Arthur raised a bushy eyebrow. "Surely you don't plan on walking home in this weather?"

"At least to the station." He shrugged.

"No, that won't do." Arthur decided. "Call your brother and tell him you're staying for the night."

"But, but what will he think? That we're shagging like rabbits after one date?" Alfred asked.

"Let him think what he wants. You are not going outside and catching a cold. Stay here." The Englishman ordered.

"O.k." Alfred chuckled and reached for the phone.

"Oh, Alfred?"

"What?"

"Kiss me."

Author's Note: Like a phoenix I have risen from the ashes! All right, I'm more like a drowned rat struggling to shore but, behold! A new chapter has appeared from the depths of an impromptu hiatus. My sincerest apologies for leaving you all dangling for months (and the pathetic attempt at Chinglish) and thank you for dangling.

P.S. If any of you have any tricks for avoiding clunky timeskips (e.g. and three months later), keeping minor characters relevant (or if they even should be) and romantic relationships, please tell me. I'm absolutely dying to learn them (at least my writing quality is).