Title: On London's Stage

Author: Faeriesnook
Rating: PG

Summary: AU: Getting lost while on a tour of London was not something that Alfred had planned. Neither was stumbling into a theatre and coming across a paint-splattered Brit reciting Hamlet.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia in anyway shape or form. I also do not own Hamlet.

-

It had become a routine now. Alfred would sneak away from the group, after pleading with his brother to cover for him. Matthew agreed, albeit reluctantly. After ducking out of the group, he would double back, retracing his steps from that rainy day to the theatre that he'd become quite accustomed too. And like always, Arthur would be on the stage, sewing bits of costume, working on a prop, or a set piece.

Sometimes, if he was quiet enough, he could sneak in without Arthur noticing. And it was on these occasions he would be able to sit in the theatre, watching the always paint-splattered Brit recite lines from Hamlet.

He had also learnt to keep his cell on silent until he opted to let the Brit know he was there.

Arthur was an incredibly good actor, Alfred had decided after listening to him talk about some guy named Yorick on his third day of visiting. The American couldn't understand just why his new friend would get so bashful when Alfred would praise him. It was really adorable sometimes. At least until Arthur would hit him, and yell at him to get back to whatever task he had given the blue-eyed blond to do. To which Alfred would reply with a snicker, but he would always get back to work.

Today was just like any one of those other days. With the exception that Alfred didn't need to sneak out of his group, due to the fact that for some unknown reason, they actually were free to wander the city as long as they stayed in pairs. Gilbert and Francis had tried to convince him to accompany him, but he had turned them down. There response was to maturely tease him about his 'hot date' and inform him that he better 'wear protection', to which he replied with equal maturity. By flipping them off.

However, when he reached the theatre, things were incredibly different.

"Who are you?" It was a young girl, a year or so younger than him at least, standing in the center of the stage. She continued to stare at him, her blue ribbon bouncing in her short blonde hair as she tilted it to one side. "I'm sorry… But the theatre's closed today for rehearsals…"

"Oh, yeah, you guys are puttin' on your show at the end of the month, right?" She nodded, and the American rubbed the back of his neck. "I've um, been comin' in the passed few days and giving Arthur a hand…"

The girl blinked, before her eyes seemed to light up. "Oh! You're Alfred!"

"Uh… Yeah." Had Arthur mentioned him? That would've seemed out of character for the ever grumpy Brit…

"I'm Lily; I'm one of the actors." She smiled, beckoning him to come closer. And Alfred couldn't help but return her tiny smile with a grin. "My big brother is in charge of lighting, so I came in early with him."

Alfred nodded, walking up the steps at the side of the stage. The younger girl continued smiling. "Arthur said you helped paint some of the set?"

"Ah, yeah… But then he yelled at me and said it looked horrible…" He pouted at the memory, and Lily giggled behind her hand.

"Oh that sounds just like him." She twirled slightly, her pink dress flaring out around her. "That's Arthur's way of saying good job!"

"Really?" To this she nodded. And Alfred felt his grin grow wider and wider. His need to find the Brit, and shove that in his face growing. Though, that also brought about the curiosity of where he was…

As if reading his mind, Lily spoke up, bending down to scoop up a script. "Feliciano was having some problems sewing a piece onto one of the costumes."

She gave a soft sigh, paging through the script as she sat down. "Poor Arthur… He does everything…"

"Well… He's one of the stage managers isn't he?"

"He's really the only stage manager…" Lily shifted, looking up from her script. She was shifting uneasily, looking at him. And Alfred could tell immediately that she wasn't sure she should say anymore.

So instead Alfred opted to sit beside her. "What part do you play?"

"Huh? Oh! Um, Ophelia…" She blushed slightly, idly tucking hair behind her ear. "I-I'm not very good though… I don't know why Mr. Vargas casted me…"

"Mr. Vargas?"

"He's the manager of our acting troop."

"Grandpa casted you because you're really good!" An energetic voice echoed throughout the theatre, Alfred turned his head as a bouncing brunet exited from one of the sides. He was smiling at them, one strange curl bobbing as he walked. Lily shifted shyly at his compliment, fingering the pages of her script.

"Feliciano… I-I'm really not…"

"Ve~ You are you are!" The brunet stopped in front of them, planting one hand on his hip, while bending over to poke Lily's forehead. "You just get too nervous! Didn't Grandpa say you were one of the best actresses we have?"

Lily didn't answer, dropping her gaze to her lap. Alfred felt as though he were intruding, scooting away slightly. Neither seemed to notice.

"Bu-But I always fumble with my lines! And ope-" Feliciano, an Italian Alfred gathered from his accent, just placed a finger to her lips smiling an almost dopey smile.

"Worrying won't get you anywhere. Grandpa only casts the best performers for the leads in our troop. And you are one of the best!"

"For once I agree with the idiot." Ah, there was that familiar British voice. Arthur was exiting from the same wing Feliciano had, propping his glasses on top of his head with a frown. "I'll help you go over your lines later if you want."

"Ah! Th-That would be great. If you have time…"

"I can make some time," Arthur responded when he reached her, reaching out to give her hair a playful ruffle. And Alfred could just see the small smile tugging at the corners of his frown. Green eyes shifted, landing on where Alfred had been sitting. A small exasperated sigh quickly following it. "What are you doing here?"

"Uh, I'm here to do what I've been doing everyday? Let you boss me around and help out."
Arthur was silent for a minute, before turning around and heading back to where he had come from. "I don't have time for you're antics today. Go back and bother your friends."

"Wh-What? Hey! That's not fair! You could've texted me if you were gonna be busy!" Alfred was on his feet in an instant, eyes wide. He was sure one of Arthur's enormous eyebrows twitched.

"I'm a bit busy to 'text you', you insufferable git!" The Brit snapped, and Alfred found himself raising his hands in defense, blue eyes wide from the unpredicted attack. "Honestly! It's just like you goddamn Americans to come waltzing in, assuming that everyone else can just drop what they're doing to spend time with you! If you hadn't noticed, I have a job that I've been trying to finish. Only to have it derailed everyday by a bumbling imbecile!"

"H-Hey if you jus-"

"You can't just take hints can you!? Just get-"

"Ah! Fratello," Arthur went stock still, Feliciano coming up to his side and patting his back. "Don't be mean. You said Alf-"

"Do-Don't touch me! You idiot!" Arthur had slapped the hand away, taking a step or two back. The Italian wilted, holding his hand.

"Fratello…"

"Don't call me that!"

"But-"

"I said-"

"What the fuck's with the shouting!?" Turning his head, Alfred watched another man join them. He looked remarkably similar to Feliciano, though with darker brown hair, and a strange curl on the opposite side. The newcomer paused, glancing around the scene in front of him, his scowl darkening. "Oi! Arthur, what the Hell did you do?"

"I didn't-" But Feliciano had cut him off, rattling off in what he figured was Italian, and Arthur's face was turning redder and redder with each word. And before Alfred realized it, Arthur too had busted out, shouting in Italian and leaving the American quite bewildered.

Lily was quick to step in. Calm and collected, acting as this was a daily occurrence. "Arthur, it's your turn to get lunch."

The shouting match (now between Arthur and the darker haired brunet) came to a halt. And Feliciano, who had been hiding teary eyed behind the other Italian, brightened. "Pasta!"

"No way, we had pasta last time!"

"Bu-But!"

"Go get pizza or something."

"Bu-But Lovi-"

"Shut up! Dumbass, don't you have to finish a costume!?"

"But I-I…"

"Get some Chinese! It's cheaper!" Alfred's head shot up, and he stared at the blond man who was perched on one of the cat walks above them. Blond hair cut in a similar style to Lily's, and a… A gun!? Point at him!?

"Vash! What did I say bout paint ball guns in the theatre!?" Arthur snapped, suddenly in front of Alfred, arms crossed over his chest. The blond, identified as Vash, snorted.

"Yeah, and didn't we have a talk about strangers in the theatre while we were working? Especially when they're near my sister?"

"Brother!" Lily had raced forward, almost looking exasperated. "He isn't a stranger. This is Alfred!"

Vash stared down at him, observing the American continuing to keep the gun aimed. "… Oh, you're Arthur's friend?"

"Yes! So please stop pointing you're goddamn paintball gun at him!" Arthur snapped, and Alfred turned his gaze to stare at him, wondering if he realized the slip. The Brit didn't pause though, running his hands down his face. "Honestly… Didn't the old man take that from you?"

"Had another," Vash responded, but Alfred was glad to see he had holstered the gun. The Brit in front of him released another groan, before shifting, pulling a notepad out of his pocket and a pencil from behind his ear.

"Fine, fine. What kind of Chinese food-"

"But pasta!"

"Oi! I want pizza!"

"-do you want Vash?" Arthur carried on, not listening to the Italian's outburst.

"Whatever's cheapest. We're on a budget."

"Ah! You liked the lo mein last time we ordered!" Lily piped in, glancing at the rafters before at Arthur. "W-We can share it! That was we save some money. Plus if you get the bigger size…"

Arthur nodded. "That alright by you Vash?"

A grunt was his response. Arthur just nodded, writing the order down on paper. Alfred watched quietly, the sandy blond glancing at where Vash had gotten back to work, before to Lily, whispering softly to her with the tiniest of smiles. "I'll get you some white rice too Lily. My treat. We'll tell Vash it came with the lo mein."

"Thank you Arthur!" Her eyes lit up, and Alfred had to nod to himself. Ah, this girl, she was so adorable in that little sister manner.

"Bu-But…" Feliciano was sniffing, looking absolutely pathetic.

"And I'll get you some pasta, and you some pizza Lovino," the Brit responded, cutting the older Italian off before he could say a world. Jotting them down on the pad, green eyes glanced over to Alfred. "And I suppose you'd like a burger or some other horrible greasy food."

"H-Huh?"

"To eat. We'll have to feed you if you're going to be helping."

Alfred snorted, planting his hands on his hips. "Weren't you the one who just told me to get lost?"

Arthur just released a short, irritated breath of air, holding the pad out to Feliciano. "Go find out what Kiku and the others want."

The air-headed brunet nodded, skipping off. Lily giggled, ignoring the annoyed look that she got from the Brit. Lovino snorted as well, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Damn, I forget how fucking pissy you get before the show."

"You'd be 'pissy' too if you had a lot of work left to do!" He snapped, and Alfred thought he would punch the Italian across the face. Lily was quick though, stepping between them. She seemed use to it.

"Lovino, how're the dresses coming?"

"Slowly," the Italian snorted, and it was only then that he took notice of the tomato red cast that wrapped around the darker brunet's right forearm. "I can't do all the details, but they'll get done."

"Thanks to me and Elizaveta," Arthur responded, still scowling.

"I can't help it my brother sucks at detailing." Lovino responded hotly, giving an indignant sniff as he looked off to the side. "'Sides, you offered!"

"Yes because I was just going t-"

"I'm back~" Feliciano skipped towards them, holding the pad out to Arthur, inadvertently halting an upcoming fight. With a small sigh, Arthur took the offered pad of paper, turning his head to look at Alfred. The American in question opted to stand off to one side awkwardly throughout the exchanges.

"You can help, come on." Alfred didn't get a choice in the matter really. Arthur had grabbed hold of his wrist the moment he was done speaking, storming out of the theatre, only pausing to grab a hunter green knapsack with a unicorn keychain off one of the seats.

-

"Y'know I'm not a pack mule."

"You know I really don't give two shits." Alfred scowled as he followed Arthur down the streets, carrying the majority of the bags in his arms. The Brit was two steps ahead, carrying the pizza for Lovino in his hands. They lulled into a silence, a tense one. Alfred shifted his hold on the bags, glancing around the streets.

"Are you sure we're going the right way?"

"Of course I am!" The other snapped, glancing over his shoulder with a scowl. "This is my city after all, git."

"That's an insult right?"

"Yes."

"What's it mean?"

"You figure it out, wanker," came the snort. Alfred almost pouted. Stupid British slang.

"So… We got everything right?"

"I think so…" Arthur shifted, balancing the pizza box in one hand while he fished the pad out of his back pocket. "Pizza for Lovino, pasta for the old man and Feliciano, curry for Yong Soo and myself, Chinese for Vash, Lily, Yao and Kiku."

"I thought the list said Yao wanted curry?"

"It did." Arthur had a smirk on his lips, and Alfred stared.

"You…" The stage-manager glanced back, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Yes?"

"… You sneaky bastard." Alfred laughed the tension lifting as he picked up his pace to walk side-by-side with Arthur. "The guys not gonna be happy."

"I know. But his reactions are hilarious," Arthur was laughing too, that smirk stretching. "You have to see it." Their eyes met, and Alfred felt an odd warmth spread throughout his chest. And was it just him but was Arthur blushing?

"A-Ah right! Right!" Clearing his throat, the Brit returned his eyes to the pad. "Chinese for Vash, Lily, Yao and Kiku. Disgusting McDonalds for you. And haggis for the damn Scott. That's everyone there right now."

"They the rest of your crew?"

There was a nod, the pad slipping back into Arthur's pocket. "With the exception of Lily. But she always comes in to help when she can. She's a sweet girl. Terrifying Ophelia though…"

"So where are the other actors?"

"They won't be in until around four."

"Oh, and then run throughs?"

"Along with costume fittings and adjustments." Arthur sighed, blowing long bangs out of his eyes. "Costumes are going to be difficult… What with Lovino's broken hand. But luckily our troops good at banning together in times of need."

"… You guys… You're troop I mean… You aren't all from England are you?" Arthur paused at a red light, idly watching the cars drive by.

"No. Vash and Lily are from Switzerland. They moved here when their Father got transferred to the local bank." A small snort escaped the Brit. "Vash actually had no interest in joining our troop. It was Lily who really wanted to join. And then, when our old lighting technician stormed out before a performance, Vash jumped in to help. And well… The old man managed to get him to stay onboard."

Alfred nodded, smiling as he listened to the Brit talk. Any annoyance Arthur had had at him seemed to vanish, and it was like the day they had met, the stage manager chattering away as they walked. "Then Kiku, he's a friend of mine from school. He loves art, so he requested to join us. And then, his two friends Yong Soo and unfortunately Yao joined."

"You don't like Yao?"

"The bloody wanker's still angry at me because I may or may not have lost his brother for a few hours when he asked me to watch him!" Arthur fumed, and Alfred snorted.

"How could you 'may or may not have' lose someone?" There was no answer. Alfred just laughed louder, until an elbow met with his stomach. "O-Ow! Hey, do you want me to drop all the food!?"

"Anyways, those three are here studying, and just enjoyed the troop so they stay during the summer. And then Lovino and Feliciano are the old man's grandsons. So they just tagged along when he came to London."

"What about you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean… How'd you get to join the troop?" Arthur just looked at him, blinking slightly. He shrugged, turning the corner as they reached the theatre.

"I tagged along too."

"You…" Alfred blinked, quickening his pace to catch up, having stopped earlier. "Wh-What do you mean?"

"Just how it sounds."

"But I thought… Aren't you from England?"

"Yes."

"But then…"

"Are you done asking pointless questions?" The bite was back in his voice, Arthur scowling at him from over his shoulder. Alfred chewed his lower lip, but nodded.

The rest of the walk was quiet, and soon they had reached the theatre. Arthur held the door open, Alfred entering as quietly as he could. There were other people on the stage now. Three men, all with dark hair. One of them, with oversized sleeves, was flailing around the stage, an irate looking Vash chasing after him. The other two were sitting on the stage, one with a ponytail shaking his head at the scene, while the one with short hair seemed to be sketching. Alfred blinked, turning his head to speak with the Brit, but Arthur was already storming down the aisles, his eye twitching. "Oi! What the bloody hell do you think you guys are doing!?"

"Yong Soo was just an idiot as usual, aru." The one with the ponytail responded, sticking his leg out and tripping the one with the floppy sleeves. The young man flailed his arms out to the side, before falling face first on the stage floor. Alfred cringed seeing the event occur, cautiously walking down the aisle towards them. Vash had stopped running, his paint ball gun poised and aimed at the fallen boy.

"Br-Brother! It was an accident!" Lily was by the lighting technician's side, her arms wrapped around his, attempting to pull him away. Vash didn't budge, glaring down at the man. Arthur snorted, setting the pizza box down.

"If you're going to shoot him, do it outside where it won't get on the stage. Or would you like to be fined?" Vash glanced at the Brit, before nodding. And just like that, Alfred watched as the blond man dragged Yong Soo away by the back of his shirt, Lily following in a small panic. The America was about to voice his concern, tempted to take a step after him, but a shout caught his attention.

Well… More like a string of angry sounding Chinese…

"A-Ah! Yao please!" The man with short black hair had dropped his sketchbook, standing between a livid looking Yao and a well… Incredibly smug looking Arthur.

"I thought you wanted Chinese, my mistake."

There were more shouted curses in Chinese, or at least Alfred assumed they were curses. The American wasn't sure what to do. Hesitantly he looked around, wondering whether he should help the other man in breaking it up. But before he could even do it, Feliciano had reappeared, eyes lighting up as he helped take the food from the Alfred's arms. "Lunch break!!"

"Uh shouldn't we…?"

"That's normal," Lovino had appeared, picking up the box of pizza. Not even batting an eye at the scene in front of him. "They'll calm down in a couple of minutes."

"If you're sure…" Alfred wasn't very sure himself. But he followed the Italian's lead, setting the rest of the food in his arms down and breaking into his bag of McDonald's. The fight didn't seem to be any closer to letting up. At least until Vash returned, a paint splattered Yong Soo and a rapidly apologizing Lily in tow.

"Oi, don't make me get the boss!" Vash snapped when he saw the scene (Yao having forcibly shoved the other aside to grab Arthur by the front of his t-shirt, and the Brit shoving his hand in the Chinese man's face). They stared at one another for a brief moment, before pushing apart. Alfred couldn't help but sigh in relief, watching Arthur hand out the food, before taking a seat next to the American. Alfred shifted, nudging the Brit in the side.

"I thought you said his reactions were priceless…"

"Eh, he was in a bit of an angrier mood today." Was the Stage Managers response, followed by a shrug. Alfred rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but smile. "Oi, where's that stupid Scot!?"

"He and Grandpa went off to get something," Feliciano chirped, Lovino rolling his eyes and shoving a napkin at his younger brother.

"You have sauce all over your face idiot."

"Ah! Thank you!" The older Italian just went about eating. Alfred couldn't help but watch the exchange, before glancing around the assortment of the troop members. Yong Soo seemed to have recovered, chatting away with a still seething Yao (as he had been introduced), while the other dark haired man (Kiku) chimed in occasionally. But he seemed far too engrossed with his sketch to pay them much mind, even his food had been put off to the side. Vash was grumbling into his meal, something about prices and stuff, while Lily continuously assured him that everything was fine. Meanwhile, Feliciano chattered aimlessly, while his brother ignored him. And Arthur…

Arthur was staring off into the theatre seats, his eyes full of an emotion that Alfred couldn't quite place, one that made his heart clench with anticipation. Alfred remained silent, until finally, the Brit turned to face him, a wry smile on his lips those dazzling green eyes twinkling.

"We make quite the group, don't we, Mr. Jones?" He chided, nodding his head to his oblivious troop mates. "All foreigners all brought together through a common interest. A common love for performing, for building a reality out of fantasy. A world for people to escape too."

Alfred wasn't sure what to say, allowing the soft words to wash over him. Arthur was giving him one of those rare smiles, his gaze slowly turning back to the theatre seats. "We are weavers of tales you couldn't even imagine. Breathing life to fictional settings and characters. That is the magic of this place. Of what we do…"

Lovino and Vash were arguing about something. Yong Soo had leapt onto the distracted Kiku. But Alfred hardly noticed the chaos in the background. His eyes were too mesmerized by the paint splattered stage manager besides him. "We're quite the group, aren't we? Misfits that found a place to thrive amongst one another."

And just like that, the Brit returned to his meal. As if the almost poetic words he had just spewed were a mere illusion. Alfred suddenly found he wasn't very hungry, his burger sitting forgotten in the bag. Quietly he looked around the chaotic group around him. And Arthur's words rang true in his mind.

And suddenly he felt like an outsider amongst these misfits…

-

A huge thanks goes out to loveanime18 for putting up with me so much while I was working this chapter out. From telling me where to end it, to telling me where was awkward, to just listening to me rant. 3 I owe you a lot buddy!!!

Right-o. After the lovely comments the intended one-shot received… I opted to continue it. So far the entire thing is planned out~ I hope you all will enjoy it!!

HOWEVER, there is a major edit. As I had not originally intended to continue the story. So something was significantly changed. And that would be, instead of opening night being at the end of the week (as Arthur stated in the first chapter) it is now at the end of the month.

Uuuh, I had so much more to say. But I can't remember. So I hope you all enjoy the continuation of this story! And don't mind the other Hetalians making their appearances!