Kathleen's POV

I watched uninterested as the pink liquid in my glass swirled around. People around me spoke loudly over the classical music Roderich must have insisted Alfred. Everyone seemed to be having a grand time. Alfred had insisted on formal attire for this year's Christmas party. I'd opted for a simple strapless, formfitting, black dress. It barely grazed the floor, hiding my silver heels. "Kathleen, you look lovely as usual."

I sighed audibly and turned to face the one person I'd been avoiding all night: Arthur Kirkland. "Arthur. Are you enjoying the party?" I asked only giving him a small portion of my attention as I scanned the room for my brother.

"I am. Collin stepped outside with Ludwig." The brit informed me as if reading my thoughts. I simply nodded before turning back to the room and hoped he would walk away. "Would you care to dance?" Arthur asked.

I took a sip of my drink, trying to think of the best way to say no. My eyes landed on Feliciano and he waved excitedly at me. "Actually, I promised Feliciano that I would dance with him." I lied holding up a finger to the overly bubbly Italian to signal him to wait.

"Oh, well perhaps after?" Arthur persisted.

I cleared my throat and tucked a loose rust colored hair behind my ear, "Perhaps, but I've also promised Alfred and Matthew…" I allowed my voice to trail off. I took a few steps toward Feli, when Arthur caught my arm.

"Right, later then?" His grip was tight on my arm, but it wasn't enough to actually hurt me. I looked from his hand wrapped around my wrist to his eyes. I knew he wouldn't be taking no for an answer.

I forced a smile and nodded, after all he was my brother's best friend. "Of course, Arthur." Seemingly satisfied with my answer, he released me and I maneuvered through the crowd to Feliciano. I took his hand in mine and smiled, "Feli! Dance with me!" Feli happily complied with the request and was soon twirling me this way and that. After almost running into several other couples, we were both in a fit of laughter in the middle of the dancefloor.

"Oh, Bella. That was fun." He said still laughing. He kissed my cheek and went running off to poor Kiku, who I saw jump at his sudden arrival. I giggled and began scanning the room for either Alfred or Matthew. My eyes fell on the latter plastered to the wall awkwardly.

I skipped over to him and clasped his hand in mine, "Dia duit, Mattie!" He flinched slightly and I gave him an apologetic smile. I forget that he's not used to people speaking to him, especially not so loud.

"H-hello, Kathleen," He stuttered softly.

I gave his hand a light squeeze and lowered my voice so I wouldn't startle him again, "Mattie, will you please dance with me?" Matthew nodded hesitantly and allowed me to pull him out onto the edge of the dance floor. One of his hands landed gently on the small of my back while the other one supported mine. I placed my hand on his shoulder and he led me around gracefully.

"A-are you avoiding Arthur again?" He asked as we dance.

I giggled, "Aren't I always?" A small barely audible chuckle escaped his lips and I smiled. I watched as his eyes darted around nervously, looking anywhere but at me. I removed my hand from his shoulder and placed it under his chin, forcing him to look at me. "Mattie, stop being so nervous. Breathe, Love." His violet eyes met my emerald ones and I smiled encouragingly. His shyness melted away ever so slightly as the dance continued. Once the song ended Matthew stepped back and gave my hand a slight squeeze. "Have you seen your brother?" I asked. He didn't say anything, but as I followed his gaze I found the man in question. Alfred F. Jones stood with Francis and Ivan laughing loudly as usual. I could help, but laugh as I noticed his signature bomber jacket over his otherwise formal attire. "I'll see you later, Mattie." I promised and began making my way over to where Alfred was.

I had barely reached the group when Alfred spotted me and his eyes lit up instantly. "Kathy! Dude, you have to dance with me!" I smiled broadly and held my hand out for him to take it. He gripped it tightly and pulled me to the center of the dance floor to dance with him. Alfred wasn't half as graceful as his brother or even Feliciano, but he was trying. I fell into him laughing as he caused me to trip over him. He wrapped his arms around my waist in his attempt to catch me and broke out into a fit of laughter himself.

Arthur's POV

I watched annoyed as Kathleen fell unceremoniously into Alfred's arms. Her musical laughter greeted my ears and I gripped my cup a little tighter. I felt a firm had grip my shoulder and I jumped in surprise. I looked up quickly. I was greeted by a playful, mischievous smile that could only belong to my best friend, Collin O'Brien. "You're not going to accomplish anything was staring at my sister like a stalker. Go talk to her." He urged, his deep green eyes watching as his sister danced clumsily with the American. Her red curls flew about, whipping her in the face as she laughed excitedly, her emerald eyes gleaming.

I frowned and looked to Collin, meeting his eyes-her eyes- and sighed, "Your sister has made it quite clear that she wants nothing to do with me." I turned away from the shaggy haired ginger and back to the scene of Kathleen being swung around by Alfred like a ragdoll. As the song finally came to an end her eyes fell on the place where I stood with her brother. Her eyes seemed to meet his and I saw the ever so slight motion of his head, calling her over. She almost danced over to where I stood with Collin. As soon as she reached us, she placed a kiss on her brother's cheek and he lazily threw his arm around her shoulders.

He shot me a look before smiling down at his sister. "Love, so me a favor and dance with Arthur. You're driving the poor bloke mad." His thick northern accent making the words louder than he intended. I felt my face begin to heat up. I watched the Irish twins having a silent conversations that only siblings seemed to be capable of having. Finally, she turned to me and offered me her hand. I took it carefully and looked to Collin, silently asking for permission. He didn't rely, but simply raised his glass to me with a very slight nod and wink. I put down my own drink and led Kathleen to the dancefloor.

My hand fell to her waist and hers on my shoulder. I took her free hand in mine and began leading her in a graceful dance while I racked my brain trying to think of things to say to her. "You really do look beautiful, Kathleen." I finally commented, breaking the silence between us as I spun her delicately. I pulled her into me carefully and held her slightly closer.

One look told me that she wanted nothing to do with my compliment. Nevertheless, she offered me a breathtaking smile, "Thank you, Arthur. That's very sweet of you." Her soft Dublin accent giving her words a sweet lilt.

An uncomfortable silence filled the space between us. "Are you having a good time so far?" I asked clearing my throat.

"I was." Her tone was blunt, but soon a genuine smile crossed her face. The smile, however, was not for me. "Have you ever noticed how different Matthew and Alfred are?" She asked suddenly. I sighed internally. She must have been watching the brothers.

"It's hard not to notice." I muttered uncomfortably. I was not too keen on having the conversation drifting anywhere near the odd pair. I was all too aware of how much time she spent with them.

"It's strange isn't it? How different siblings can be? I could never imagine being that way with Collin." Her eyes met mine and darkened as if she only just remembered who she was speaking with. The music regretfully drifted off and I took a step back from Kathleen. I brought her hand to my lips, keeping my eyes locked with hers. When I did release her hand, she quickly mumbled an 'excuse me' and was off to Kiku's side chatting animatedly with the soft spoken Japanese man.

I sighed and returned to her brother's side. His red hair looked more unkempt than usual and he now smelled lightly of liquor and cigarette smoke. He must have stepped out when I was dancing with his sister. "How'd it go?" He asked taking a large gulp of whatever was in his glass.

"I'm not sure," I answered honestly, thinking about how her eyes had lit up when talking about the brothers, "I suppose it wasn't horrid, but I still think she hates me."

My best friend slapped me on the back, a little harder than intended. He almost knocked the air out of me. "Don't worry, Mate. She'll come around. My sister's just a tad stubborn." He was slurring his words a bit as we watched Kathleen laughing with Alfred and Feliciano. Alfred had an arm thrown protectively around her. Apparently feeling my gaze on her she looked over to me. The second our eyes met, she turned away and leaned into Alfred before motioning for Matthew over to the growing group.

I marveled at how she seemed to be friends with everyone except for me. I shook my head and sighed to myself, "Stubborn. Indeed."