After Arthur accidentally destroys his castle, he and Alfred have to move in with Francis and Matthew. What could possibly go wrong?

While FACE, the Bad Touch Trio, Frying Pangle and the former Soviet Union try to sort out their many love triangles, something sinister is brewing, which threatens their very existence. Arthur may be keeping more secrets than he's letting on…

Author's note: In this universe, Canada and America are brothers, but neither of them are related to England or France. America has been England's apprentice, studying black magic, for several years now. Meanwhile, France adopted America's younger brother Canada.

Names: Alfred (America), Matthew (Canada), Arthur (England), Francis (France).

"Alfred, pack all your stuff. We're leaving." Arthur stood in the doorway of his apprentice's room, an anxious expression on his face. The room was a mess, as always. Fast food wrappers and clothes almost completely covered the floor, accompanied by a few video game disks. Sprawled in the middle of it all on a beanbag was Alfred. Arthur tried not to focus on the fact that Alfred was wearing nothing but a faded T-shirt and underpants.

Alfred didn't even look up from his game as he said, "hm? What?" and stuffed another handful of French fries into his face.

"We're leaving," Arthur repeated. "We have to evacuate the castle immediately. Meet me by the car in five minutes." He swept out of the door quickly, his navy cloak billowing behind him as he muttered about dragons and spell books.

Alfred shrugged and reluctantly turned the game off. He rarely did anything that Arthur told him, but the urgency in his mentor's voice made him put down his controller and start packing right away.

"Are you sure we've got everything?" Arthur asked, looking doubtfully at the car, which was filled with all manner of multicoloured potions, spell books, crystal balls, broomsticks, and even a small dragon or two.

"For the last time, yes." Alfred told him from the shotgun seat with his feet on the dashboard. He had thankfully now donned some trousers and was also wearing his favourite brown jacket. "Now are you going to tell me what's going on or not?"

"Are you going to get your feet down from there or not?" Arthur asked, mimicking Alfred's tone as he climbed into the driver's side.

Alfred looked annoyed, but he put his feet on the floor and looked at Arthur expectantly.

"I must've left at least seven important things behind. I hope Wales wasn't one of them. Again," Arthur muttered as he started the car, but he didn't seem too bothered. "So, the reason this is happening. Yes. Well, I was in the hall, developing a new kind of summoning spell, so that I can easily obtain materials from other dimensions. And, well, it worked rather better than I'd expected. I ended up summoning a few rather unpleasant creatures – which I've dealt with now, mind you – and the space-time continuum around the castle was ruptured quite badly, so it's now uninhabitable. Nothing at all can exist there. If we hadn't got out when we did…"

"Wait, wait, wait. Woah. You mean you've been doing spells that could destroy the entire castle while I was in my room playing Final Fantasy? And you didn't tell me anything?" Alfred looked shocked.

"I'm sorry, Alfred." Arthur said, sincerely. "I know I shouldn't have put you in danger without your knowledge-"

"I don't care about that!" Alfred interrupted him. "This is so cool. Why didn't you tell me? I could have fought those monsters you summoned, and saved your pathetic ass. Because, you know, I'm a hero. Wait- you didn't summon… you know," he gulped, "Russia? You didn't, did you?"

Arthur shook his head. "I know what my track record's like, but Ivan had nothing to do with this."

Alfred turned around and took one last look at the castle. They normally had to move every few months because of one or another of Arthur's failed spells, but they'd lived in this castle for longer than any of the others, and it was almost beginning to feel like a home. He still hated the design, though. It was made out of boring, grey brick and the many towers were wonky and dilapidated. The castle looked like it had been on the verge of collapsing for several centuries. Alfred hated old places, especially old buildings, but he couldn't help feeling a little sad as he watched the castle slowly melt against the sky and fade out of existence.

"So, where are we going now?" he asked eagerly.

Arthur paused, looking directly at the road ahead. "Francis." He cleared his throat, as if that could disguise the amount he was blushing. "I spoke to Francis, and he said that we can stay with him for as long as we need to."

Alfred felt a cold sense of dread settle over him. He had nothing against the Frenchman. In fact, Francis was kind to Alfred and had even offered to look after him when he was younger. The problem was that Francis was a Faerie, with a smile just as deadly as any knife. And Arthur always fell for it.

Then Alfred had another thought. "Hang on! Wait, wait, wait! Matthew's been living with Francis. So if we're going to stay with Francis, I'll get to see Matthew! I'll live with my little brother again!" Alfred squealed with delight and reached over to throw his arms around Arthur. "Arthur, you're the best! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Arthur struggled to keep control of the car as he shrugged off the minor chokehold and then took in a relieved breath. "Careful, you could have made me crash," he said, but he didn't sound angry, and allowed a small smile to creep onto his face when Alfred wasn't looking.

"So, uh, how are thigs between you and Francis?" Alfred asked.

"I honestly have no clue." Arthur sighed. "It's difficult to tell with him. We're not in a relationship at the moment, but I think maybe soon… but I'm still not completely sure how he feels about me."

Alfred rolled his eyes. Any fool could tell that Francis had wanted Arthur for years, but Arthur was completely blind to it.

Arthur's tone turned serious for a second. "Alfred. You are ok with this aren't you? Francis and I living together and, well… possibly being a thing. I wouldn't want to make things awkward since, you know-"

"Dude, don't worry about it. That was ages ago, the past is in the past," Alfred interrupted, not sounding bothered at all.

A beautiful beige building loomed in front of them. Alfred had never thought that beige could be beautiful, but this building reflected the sunlight with a warm glow that would have seemed welcoming if Alfred hadn't known who it belonged to. There were so many windows, Alfred couldn't count them all if he had all the time in the world. It wasn't anything like the swish modern penthouse suite he dreamed of living in, but it was damn sure a step up from England's old grimy castle.

Alfred had only been here once before, three years ago.

"Hey, Francis," Alfred called from the open doors of the large conservatory.

Francis was wearing nothing but a blue dressing gown as he read a romance novel with a very graphic picture on the front. He turned and smiled when he saw Alfred, setting the book down on a glass table. "Oh, Alfred. What a nice surprise. Although, people generally enter through the front when visiting a friend."

Alfred shrugged. "It was locked. Anyway, I'm here for something important."

Francis looked confused for a second, then realisation crossed his face. "Oh, of course. Your eighteenth birthday was last week, no? So I assume you are here for…" Francis began to unfasten the belt of his dressing gown.

"NO! Francis, no! Keep your robe on, please." Alfred begged, startled. "I'm not here for anything that involves removing clothing."

Francis looked disappointed. "Oh? Then what could it be?"

Alfred sighed, reluctantly. "Well… it's just that, Arthur said that as soon as I'm eighteen, he'll let me be his apprentice. I've always wanted to study magic and Arthur's my friend. I really want to do it, but…" He fiddled with the zip of his jacket, and then looked seriously at Francis. "I'd have to live with him, in his magical tower or whatever. And Matthew can't go with me, it would be much too dangerous for him with all the spells flying around and volatile potions, no to mention whatever crazy creatures Arthur's keeping. That means there'd be no-one to look after my little brother. He's only thirteen – he can't live by himself."

"So you are asking me to take care of him." Francis put in.

Alfred nodded. "Only if you can manage it, and only until I find somewhere else for him. Please, Francis, you're the only person who can do it right now. You offered to take us both in a few years ago, and you've babysat for him before, you know he's no trouble. Please at least consider it."

Francis had never heard Alfred use manners before, but now he'd used the word 'please' twice in one minute. He must be really desperate. "Hmm… I have lived by myself for many years. It gets quite lonely at times, if I'm honest. I suppose it is not too early for me to adopt a child."

Alfred caught his breath. "Adopt? You're serious?"

"Why wouldn't I be? Matthew is an adorable child, and if he is in need, I can't just turn him down."

Alfred stared at Francis in disbelief. "Francis, I can't thank you enough. I'm so happy he'll be alright!"

As Alfred turned to leave, he heard Francis call to him.

"Oh, and Alfred? Just remember, Arthur's mine."

Alfred smirked and looked over his shoulder at Francis. "We'll see about that."

Standing in the driveway ready to greet them was Francis, his wavy blond hair shining in the sunlight. He was wearing a sleek blue suit that was obviously one of the best he had, but he didn't look overdressed. Francis was an expert at trying to impress people while pretending he couldn't care less what they thought.

As soon as they stepped out of the car, Francis made his way over to Arthur.

"Arthur!" He exclaimed, and kissed Arthur on both cheeks. "I am so pleased to see you!"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Don't lie to me Francis, we've known each other long enough for you to at least owe me that."

Alfred ignored the resentment that grew in the pit of his stomach, and turned away from them. He looked around for the almost invisible shadow that he knew would be waiting for him, and spotted a small figure standing shyly in the shadow of the huge building. He ran across the driveway at full pelt and threw his arms around Matthew. "Mattie! Mattie! Matthew! Oh, my baby brother! I missed you!"

Matthew tentatively hugged his brother back. He'd forgotten how overwhelming Alfred's personality could be. "I missed you too, Alfie," he whispered.