Okay, now before you read: I PROMISE this is a Asakiku fanfic. So, Engand x Japan. So it's yaoi. It probably won't seem like it at first, but I promise it is! This is kind of an unusual pairing, but I love all kinds of different ships, and I really wanted to try writing about the two.

Not every battle could be won. Kiku understood that better than anyone. In fact, he counted most battles as losses. How could they not be? In order to gain something, something else had to be lost. Every time, something was lost. Every single time, no matter what it was, something was lost. And in the war of love, Kiku was simply hopeless when it came time to do battle. Oh, he could sit patiently and wait longer than anyone, but when it was time for action... well...

The teen set down his mathematics textbook. Even that one quiet sigh sounded harshly loud in the quiet of the library. Not many students were around at this hour, most of them had gone back to their dorms. Kiku Honda had come to the library to study for his mathematics test he had in a few days, but that was nearly impossible. He couldn't focus. But he always knew that things would turn out this way. Well, maybe not in the way that they had, but this still couldn't have been avoided. 'It probably couldn't be helped. Of course he'd choose the one who he was closer to. Are they closer? Yes, now that I think about I think they were. It makes sense because they chey each have what the other doesn't. They compliment each other nicely. I can't say I wouldn't ave done the same thing. Yes, that is what I'll tell myself...'

Kiku glanced at the crumpled form of a boy who was sitting next to him. Kiku had been in the library first when the other had come in and plopped down next to him, not seeming to care about proper personal space. It was his classmate Arthur. Arthur and Kiku had several of the same classes and seemed to be interested in similar subjects. They had talked a few times before, but had never really gotten to know each other. Kiku knew that his friend Alfred was close to Arthur. The two had seemed to know each other for a long time and often hung around each other. The blonde hadn't moved since he had come in, which was a little over twenty minutes ago. He sat there limply, with his head on the table and his arms wrapped tightly around his head.

'My heart hurts badly, but I bet Arthur-san is even more hurt than I am. I couldn't imagine what he must be going through right now.' "Hey, Arthur-san? Are you alright? You seem to be taking this badly." Kiku contemplated patting the boy on the shoulder like he had seen others do, but he never was one for excessive touching.

The blonde didn't respond, instead he seemed to burrow his face farther down into his arms. "Are you thinking about Alfred-kun?" there was no verbal reply, but the other seemed to tense up at Kiku's words, "I know it wasn't what you were expecting. I don't think anyone was expecting it. I wasn't. But we must respect Alfred-kun's decision."

Arthur slowly lifted his head up from the table. Had he been crying? His hair was badly frazzled and his eyes were red rimmed. Kiku quickly looked the other direction, not wanting to stare and be disrespectful. "So you've heard the news, too?" Ah, bloody hell, I bet the whole school will have heard of it by now." Arthur mumbled quietly, but still completely audible in the silence of the library.

"I'm afraid that news like that spreads quickly." Kiku smiled grimly, turning back to face Arthur again.

"Ah, fuck it. I don't care! Let him do whatever the hell he pleases!" Arthur said in a voice that certainly didn't sound of indifference.

Kiku jumped a bit a the other's cursing, but it wasn't unusual for him to hear. Arthur just gave the words a sort of... vindictive feel. "It's okay to care about our friends. I'm sure you must be worried about him. I know I am." the dark haired boy said softly, "Alfred-kun is someone who others always need to watch after."

There was a moment of silence between the two before Arthur said, "I had forgotten that you were Alfred's friend, too. You two play video games together, right? I can always tell whenever there's a new game out because he always says he'll be over at your dorm for the next few days."

Kiku nodded. Alfred would often come over after school, and the two would play video games or watch anime together. Alfred was the first one who helped Kiku get out more. "Then you'll understand what I say when I say that this is wrong!" the other suddenly slammed his clenched fists down on the table. A few others in the library glanced over at the sudden noise. The librarian shot the two a dirty look and Arthur coughed awkwardly.

"What I mean is, they're not good with each other. I mean, who would have ever thought that Ivan Braginski would have freaking stole Alfred from me?! You understand that right Kiku? He stole Alfred- from the both of us!" the blonde looked as if he was on the verge of tears again.

"Uh, I'm not sure..." Kiku paused, he really didn't want to upset the other more. All was fair in love and war, right? He already felt upset enough that his crush, Alfred F. Jones, possibly the coolest boy on Earth, had ended up with the creepiest kid in school. "Maybe, Ivan has a soft side that he only shows to though who he is very close with...?" the words felt wrong even coming out of his mouth.

"It doesn't matter even if... even if..." Arthur swallowed hard before continuing, "Even if I din't have a crush on him. We'll never get to see Alfred again. That dirty bastard's going to take him, and take all of his time. Alfred won't have anytime to spend with me or you- what with his sports, family and that creep!"

Kiku paused for a moment. He knew that Alfred wouldn't have anymore time to spend with him. That was to be expected, as they were not as close. But surely Alfred would take time out of his day to spend with Arthur? Everyone knew the two were close. Could they really be split apart so easily? Could Alfred really let such a long term relationship like that go?

"Arthur-san, if you don't mind me saying so, I do not believe that Alfred would abandon you so easily. You two seem to be closer than that." Kiku said, looking at the other, who didn't seem to be pacified.

"I already have been abandoned." Arthur said grimly, "Do you know how long the two have been dating?"

"No, I just heard about it this morning. I haven't seen Alfred in a few weeks. I've been kind of busy."

"Well, I'll tell you. They've been dating for two weeks and four days. I haven't been able to see Alfred in two weeks and four days. I would always ask him if he wanted to hang out or do something, and he would always give some bullshit excuse as to why he couldn't go. I asked him if he wanted to go and see a movie last Friday. He said he had 'other plans'. I bet he was with Ivan. Worst of all, I had to find out through Francis Bonnefoy. He said 'I see Alfred's finally becoming independent from you. It's about time he got some taste.' Bloody fucking frog! Why did I have to find out like that? Why couldn't Alfred have just told be face-to-face?"

Arthur's face was completely red. His chest heaved with each breath. 'He must have been holding that in for a while... He just lost it all at once.'

"Arthur-san! Please calm down. There is not need to let the words of others get to you! Have you talked to Alfred since you found out? Maybe there's a reasonable explanation for this? You were starting to look psychotic for a moment. Seriously..."

Kiku disliked the amount of attention Arthur was drawing. Kiku hated drama and attention. He avoided it at all costs. Arthur took a deep breath, "You're right... I'm sorry. I shouldn't just all my life's problems into yours, should I? I take it I interrupted your studying? Sorry... I should leave"

Kiku shook his head slowly, "No it's alright. I wouldn't have been able to study anyways. As I said, I am also worried about Alfred." Kiku tried to tell himself that Alfred would be fine. He was strong enough to look after himself. It wasn't like he was completely helpless...

No. Strength wasn't the issue. It was Alfred's poor decision making that Kiku was worried about. There had been more than a few stories about Ivan that had floated around the school. If the rumors were true... then Braginski would be responsible for more than a few felonies. It was even said that Ivan was a master in drug trafficking. He had anything to quench an addicts fix. 'And Alfred's such an innocent kid. Sure he jokes around a lot but... What if he got hooked on drugs? What would his life become? I would like to believe that Alfred's stronger than that, but I just don't know... How did he ever end up with a guy like that anyway? Why didn't he end up with me? Or at least Arthur? No, he should have gone with Arthur- why didn't he? Why does this always happen? Why is it that the one's I love end up getting taken away from me? This always happens. It's because I'm not strong enough. But I can't just give up. There must be something I can do!'

"We can't let them be together!" Kiku suddenly blurted.

Arthur looked at the other in mild shock. "Huh? How's that going to work? I mean, I don't like it either, but you were the one who said that we needed to respect Alfred's decision. Wait- don't tell me," Arthur paused, drawing away from the other, "you have a crush on Alfred too!"

Kiku didn't say anything, and instead settled for blushing hard and looking away. "You do! I'm almost jealous but it's too late now. We've both lost him." Arthur didn't sound mad; just resigned.

"I don't think we love him the same. You must care about him a lot, like family. I think my crush was... just a phase," or that's what he would have to tell himself, "Either way, we cannot allow this to continue. It will be what's best for everyone. Think about Alfred's brother! Do you think that Matthew needs his brother dating a creep?"

"Why do you suddenly car so much?" Arthur asked, voice laced with skepticism.

Could he say what he really thought? 'I just don't want to lose again. I always lose the war of love. I always lose affection I want to be stronger.' No, he couldn't' say that. "I simply do not wish that kind of life for a friend." Kiku tried to sound honest. Well, it was the truth; just not the whole truth.

"Well I'm all for breaking them up." Arthur suddenly stood up and walked too the other side of the table. "You have something in mind?"

"Actually, I have something that might just work." Kiku said, after a moment.

"Well I'd love to hear it, but I don't believe the library's the right place for this. Tell you what- do you have a cell phone?" Arthur asked, suddenly pulling out his phone.

Kiku hesitated for a moment. He did have a phone, but he didn't like others to see it so much. He never knew what to do in these kinds of situations. "Uh- yes..."

"Get it out. Let's trade numbers." Arthur said.

Kiku slowly pulled out his phone. It was a blue flip-phone with an adorable cat attached to it. He like it, but Alfred and some others had said he shouldn't show 'something like that' off so much. Arthur stared for a moment at the cat that was almost as big as the phone itself, but then shook his head. The two exchanged numbers, and Kiku started to gather his things to leave. "Are you leaving? Hey, I might text you to meet somewhere tomorrow? Are you busy?" Kiku shook his head 'no'.

"Good I'll see you later then?"

"Yes." Kiku smiled awkwardly and waved. What had he gotten himself into?