Chapter 2
Alfred sighed as he pressed the palm of his hand into his face. He was bored. Just really bored, ok? Iggy was off meeting the queen, or something to that effect while Japan was being a shut in and not answering the phone.
"Look, Japan, I know you're there. Pick up bro come on!" He groaned as he hung up throwing the device onto the soft cushion next to him.
He had just rented an awesome new horror movie, but he was altogether too scared to watch it alone and he had made the mistake of making a one-night rental without planning ahead. He was starting to regretting that now.
Just when he was about to give up and watch it alone, he realized he still had one more country he could call. It was a bit of a long shot, considering he had only really met with Italy once; but like he said he felt strangely connected to the Mediterranean nation and decided finally to call him up.
America sat there nervously as the phone rang; this was his last chance at being able to watch this movie. He just hoped the Italian would agree to it. "Hello?" Italy's voice rang out, sounding a little tired.
"Italy! Hey dude what's up?" he chirped, his hope dropping as he heard the other nation yawn. "You busy right now?"
"I'm over at Germany's house. I was just about to go to sleep."
"Oh, sorry to disturb you then." He said icily, he didn't like the idea of the nation over at the German's house after what happened during WWII. But it wasn't like there was anything he could do about it. "I'll just go-"
"Oh wait, it's ok. Is there something wrong?" Italy's voice sounded concerned, and America felt a little guilty. That had not been his goal at all when he decided to call.
"Nothing's wrong bro, I just wanted to know if maybe you wanted to come over and watch this new horror movie with me. But if you're already over at Germany's house then..."
"Oh that sounds like fun! I love a good horror movie! Ve, what's it about?"
"I'm not sure really, its highly rated online so I thought I would surprise myself. But I uh," He rubbed that back of his head. "I don't like watching them by myself, not like I couldn't- it's just nice you know to- I-I mean I'm the hero! I can watch it alone if I wanted I just-"
"Ve, I would love to watch it with you America!" Italy interrupted.
"Really?"
"Sure!" Italy sounded much more awake and like himself than at the beginning of the call. "I mean if you still want me over-"
"Sure dude!"
"Great! Ve, I'll see you in a little while!"
America laughed happily before replying. "See ya Italy!"
"Bye America!"
...
Germany ran his fingers through his hair stressfully. Italy had gone on about that stupid, American a little too long today. To no surprise it had irritated the blond to no end and he had to resort to asking the Italian if he wanted to play football. Something Italy had been trying to get him to do for a very long time.
It had actually been quite fun; the memory brought a tiny smile to the German's face. He wasn't surprised to find the country was actually a worthy opponent. After all, the brunette loved playing the sport almost as much as he enjoyed flirting. His pale cheeks darkened at the thought of Italy's flirtatious antics, and decided quickly he needed to think about something else...
The German's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of light footsteps on the stairs. At first, he assumed it was just Prussia going out late for a drinking game with Spain and France. That was a little strange since it was a weekday, but he would never understand his older brother.
Just as he turned around to warn him not to throw up on the couch again, he realized it was Italy pulling on his coat and heading for the door. That made Germany frown, why was Italy leaving? The nation usually stayed the night with Germany, where was he going?
The thought of sleeping without the Italian sent a pang throughout the Germanic nation's chest. Had gotten used to being next to Italy each night. He barely caught the older country before he bounded out the door. "Italy!" The smaller country turned at the sound of his name and gave Germany one of his blinding smiles.
"Ve hi Germany!"
"Italy, where are you going?" He asked, walking forward so he stood just in front of the little Italian.
"Oh, America call and he wants to watch a horror movie with me! He said he wasn't scared, but I could tell he really wanted to watch it with someone, so I-"
"Y-you're going over to America's house?" Germany asked, his mind going blank.
"Si!" Italy giggled. "I'll see you tomorrow Germany!"
Before the blond nation could further protest, Italy had already shut the door.
...
America smiled as he heard a rapid knocking at his door and got up to answer immediately. "Italy!" The smaller country wrapped his arms around Alfred's torso and the American instinctively wrapped his arms around Italy's waist, the familiar warmth filling his chest as he held Feli close.
"America!" He squealed.
"Yo Italy you came!" He cheered.
The smaller country pulled away and the blond felt disappointed at the loss of warmth. "Of course I came! Ve, you needed someone to help you through a movie right? So lets watch!"
"Hey, the hero doesn't need someone to watch with him." America huffed. "It's just nice that's all." Italy smiled as he shed his coat, throwing it onto the couch.
"Ve, I'm glad to help America!" The American returned the smile; the warmth in his chest felt like it was about to burst at the sight of the happy Italian. But he turned away in favor of making the two of them some popcorn.
"It was real nice of you to come out on such short notice." He drawled, putting the bag into his microwave and turning, hearing light footsteps walk in after him.
"Hmm? Oh it's no problem." Italy smiled, and hugged the American from behind. "It'll be nice getting to know you better." He felt himself blush a deep red as Italy rested his cheek on his upper back. Alfred was really enjoying how affectionate the little Italian was being. It was nice, for some reason.
"Same dude." The microwave gave a little ding and Italy let the American nation go to put the popcorn into a bowl. "Do you mind putting the movie in? It's right by the DVD player."
"Sure." Italy let him go as America went to grab his huge cup of coke. He heard Italy put the move in and settled down on the couch. Alfred grabbed the bag of popcorn and flopped down next to the Italian, wrapping them both in his favorite blanket.
"Don't worry, if you get scared the hero will be here to save you!" Italy positively beamed up at the blond and hugged his arm tightly.
"Ve, I'm not scared with you here." America felt his chest swell with warmth as he leaned into the Italian.
"Cool dude!" The movie began to play with the two of them snuggling close together.
"AAAHhhhhHH!" The blond nation screamed, as the film opened up to its first real action scene. He blindly grabbed for the Italian nation beside him. "Dude! That's totally a ghost! And that killer guy is-" He finally got hold of the Italian next to him and clutched at him as if his life depended on it. "Going to get that chick!" He squealed in a rather unmanly way and buried his face into Feli's neck, as if hiding from the screen.
He let out a breath and relaxed as America felt Italy hug him back, shaking slightly at the images on the screen. Italy stroked his head in a comforting rhythm. The blond let out a purr-like rumble from his throat and a rush of affection for the little Italian swelled in the Americans chest as he relaxed in his grip.
The blond nation opened his eyes and looked back at the screen fearfully as the girl on the screen was brutally stabbed in the chest by the ghost-killer-monster-thing. His death grip on the little Italian returned to stare at the screen.
Alfred let out a puff of relief as the credits of the movie played a good half an hour later with the two country's still cuddling close. He felt a rush of gratitude towards the smaller nation. For the first incident, Alfred could tell he was trying not to panic as he himself was having… Issues (he would never admit to anyone that he had broken down. He was way too manly to be reduced to such terms too a simple movie).
But as the film progressed the duo had thoroughly screamed their lungs out and clutched one another in mind-shattering fear. Popcorn had been scattered on the couch and the blond nation had to be extra careful not to spill any of his precious Coke Cola on himself or Italy.
Although frightening, ultimately Alfred and Feli both enjoyed the crap out of that movie. The American was glowing with happiness as he turned off the television and turned his bright smile towards the still shaking Italian. "Dude! That movie rocked!"
That was weird; usually the blond was left feeling about as scared as Italy looked (not that, once again, he would ever admit it out loud). But happiness was radiating off of him like rays of sun. He turned to face the frightened boy next to him. "Hey, are you alright dude?"
"V-ve, I-I'm fine America." Feliciano squeaked, Alfred frowned.
"Hey, come 'ere." America enveloped Italy in a full on bear hug. "Its ok dude, the hero like, totally saved those guys butts!"
The little country nodded his head against America but his grip tightened. The two cuddled like that for a few minutes in complete silence, aside from the closing theme that still played on the television. The American was feeling a little guilty; he hadn't meant to invite Italy just to scare him. It was his duty as the hero to help his friend!
"I should probably go." Alfred heard Feli murmur in a shaky whisper a few minutes later. But before he could think of a way to make him feel better he felt Italy's warmth leave him abruptly as the nation got up and started to pull on his coat.
"Wait!" He heard himself shout, and he found himself blurting out the next sentence without thought. "You shouldn't go home like that, why don't you stay the night?"
There was a condemning silence as the Italian paused and Alfred's brain caught up with his mouth. Why did he keep saying things like that?
"N-no, that's alright America. I probably shouldn't." The Mediterranean nation stammered, looking a nervous and a little hesitant.
But the blond still felt bad, and he found himself insisting-"No way. You're my friend and you came all the way out here so you could help me, I want to do the same for you."
A smile grew on the Italy's face, but the American noticed with a pang that it didn't quite reach his chocolate eyes. "Grazie, America, for the offer. But I really can't"
Alfred found he was more than a little disappointed to hear the door close behind him.
...
America felt a smile light his face as the sound of Italy's sweet giggle sounded off in the phone. He switched the device to his other ear as said country tried desperately to calm his laughter. He loved having someone he could talk to non-stop for an hour or two. It was a nice for a change.
He heard Feli emit a tiny sigh as he finally gained control over his little giggles and Alfred felt disappointment tug at his chest as the Italian said. "Ve, I really have to go America. Romano and I are going out for pasta this afternoon."
America sighed but put on his most cheerful tone as he answered. "K Feli. See you tonight?" As soon as he said it the blond felt like an idiot. Of course he was going to be there! It was a world meeting he had to go represent his country.
Nonetheless Italy answered cheerfully. "Si I'll be there. Goodbye Alfred!"
"See ya later Feli!" America sang before hanging up with a huge, stupid grin on his face. The blond nation had been calling the little country almost daily ever since Italy had been over to watch that horror with him. Alfred's smile widened as he remembered just how these phone call traditions had begun…
America ran his fingers through his blond locks the next morning stressfully. He didn't quite understand why he was so concerned for the little Italian. He had watched his horror movies and they were nothing to scoff at.
All the same, he hadn't felt quite right letting him leave. Of course, the American nation chalked it up to the fact that Italy was a weaker nation, and, as any concerned friend would do, he called the next day to see if he was alright.
He paced anxiously around his kitchen as he waited for Italy to pick up. After what felt like way too long, he heard a tired voice answer. "Hello?"
"Italy!" America gave a sigh of relief; glad it wasn't the nation's overly protective brother who had come to the phone. He knew that Romano was all talk, but he wasn't overly fond of the older Italian. Few were. "Hey, I was a little worried about you last night. Are you sure you're all right? You seemed a little shaken up."
Feli then went on to assure the American that he was completely fine after he got home and, apparently had even gotten said protective brother to cuddle with him that night.
Alfred smiled as the brunette went on to talk excessively about Romano, and Alfred found that he actually enjoyed listening. And, to his great relief, the smaller nation didn't seem to mind his interrupting and constant questions as other people usually did. Then Alfred went on about his own brother and found that Italy seemed to have to exact same habit of interrupting with questions and random imputes, and America found he really didn't mind.
It was…
Nice didn't really give it justice. America had hardly realized an entire hour had passed until his stomach started growl due to lack of food. They laughed and accidently ended up talking about breakfast for another fifteen minutes before the call ended.
And so, the next day he had called Italy again, and the Italian didn't seem to mind that he had no real reason for doing so.
Thus began Alfred's habit of calling Feli, usually in the morning almost everyday. It gave him someone to talk to, someone who the American felt actually listened no matter how wild the conversation turned. America started laughing at the thought of a few of the topics they had somehow managed to breach.
It was, to the blond country, a totally awesome way of bonding with another nation in a way completely unique to just them. He had never done this with anyone else before, save Japan maybe, but he didn't call the Asian nation on a daily basis, and he was pretty sure Japan only partook in their conversations to be polite.
And that was what was confusing America. He didn't understand why things were so different between the two of them. He never did half the stuff they had done with anyone else, he didn't even call England this often.
Not that he was complaining. He loved calling Italy, this little nation was fun, and Alfred found him interesting. But there was something just, different about Italy that the American just couldn't place. He felt, just different and he didn't know what to do about it.
But it wasn't until the blond was walking, admittedly late, into the world meeting and he heard Iggy yell- "Hurry up wanker! Every single time..." When it hit him. Of course! Iggy would know what to do! He would just ask him for some advise.
"Sorry bro. traffic." The blond muttered, flopping down in his chair.
The rest of the meeting went by in a blur for the blond. Although, he did clearly remember getting many dirty looks from Germany. Confused, but ultimately unwilling to back down America sent them back as discreetly as the he could.
"What's your problem dude?" He snarled. Getting up as halfway through the meeting, France called a break claiming the stressful environment was bad for his hair (or something to that effect, America didn't really care). "You've been sending me dirty looks all afternoon."
The German nation didn't reply, as a squealing Italy attached himself to Ludwig's arm and shrieked. "Germany, Germany!" said nation turned his head, blushing and grabbing Italy's arm to steady the little country before he knocked the larger man over. These details did not go unnoticed by America. "Yay! Break time! Lets go get some pasta!"
"Ja, Italia." Germany mumbled, still holding the excitable country by the arm. "Just give me a moment." He gave Alfred a quick glare before turning back to the smiling Italian.
"Ok!" He giggled and bounded over to the American and gave the nation a quick hug. "Hi Alfred!" He squeaked and he ran off to catch up with Japan.
As soon as the brunette was out of sight Alfred turned back to Germany (only then did he realize he had been watching Feli leave). "What's your problem bro?" he sighed. Holding out his arms in a challenging manor. "You wanna go?"
The German looked, a little confused before muttering. "These damn Americans." And he looked up, a new fire in his ice blue eyes the American had never seen before. "I want you to stay away from Italy."
The words hit Alfred like a bus. The American's eyes went wide and his arms dropped back down to his sides. Stop seeing Italy? Germany was clearly crazy. "What?" he ground out, demanding an explanation from Ludwig.
"You heard me." He snapped taking a bold step forward. "I know what you're doing and I won't let that happen."
That… Didn't sound right. The blue-eyed American didn't know how to respond, what did he mean by that? "I don't-"
"Save it yank." He growled, taking another few steps forward so the two blondes' were face to face. Said yank stepped up to the plate (no pun intended [unless you think those are funny, then yes pun intended]) facing the other nation with determination, despite not knowing exactly what the German was talking about. "Italy might be naïve, but I most certainly am not. Stop talking to him, or I will make your life very interesting." He hissed.
Before America could come up with any kind of response, a loud gallop of footsteps was heard and Germany took a few steps backwards before Feli crashed into him, wrapping his arms tightly around Ludwig's middle. "Germany! Come on! Come on! Japan brought a football and those cute little rice balls for lunch!" He squeaked, squeezing the larger nation tighter.
"Ok Italy." The German nation conceded. Giving the American one last look before turning towards the hyperactive Italian and walking away.
This left America to stand there, shocked and more than a little pissed. He knew that Germany didn't like him, that's just how it worked between country's sometimes. But he didn't think the blond would go as far as threaten him because he they shared a mutual friend.
Did he just want to fight? Alfred wondered, as he walked down the hall and out the door to the front where most of the other nations were talking, eating or putting the final touches on their presentations and speeches. What right did he have to threaten him like that?
No, that wasn't like Germany. He needed advice. His first instinct for advice was Japan; he was one of the only nations that actually liked (tolerated) the American. He found the Asian country was very knowledgable when it came to these kinds of personal situations.
But that wasn't an option, as the Japanese man was one of Germany's friends.
Of the few people who talked to Germany, he had to pick the two nations the American liked and that liked (tolerated, on Japan's part) him too.
The fact only fueled America's hate for the blond country. Why couldn't he have any actual friends? He was sick of it; there was no way he would let big, scary Germany stand in his way.
He huffed as he walked into the small park in the back of the building they had been using for this meeting, anger prickling every inch of his skin. The area was put there for recreation, but it was mostly used when break time came in after a particularly long meeting. Today was no exception the blond noted, seeing a huge group of country's talking. He looked on and noticed England among them, and upon seeing Iggy he remembered his initial goal and made his way towards the older country gingerly. "Iggy, dude, can I talk to you a sec?"
The British nation scowled but excused himself from whatever conversation he was having and followed the American away from the crowd.
As soon as they were out of earshot the acid eyed nation scowled up at the taller blond. "This better be good you twit." He snapped and he folded his arms.
"It's just- I need some advice about…" The younger hesitated, could he trust England?
"Well, get on with it then!" He hissed and America leaned in close, dragging the older nation slightly forward, making him blush. "What are you doing-?"
"It's about Feli." He admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Italy? What's wrong? Do you think Germany is making him do something-?"
"What? No! It's uhh… Personal." He muttered his face turning a slight red. "But yes, it also involves Germany."
England started shaking, and Alfred opened his mouth to ask if he was ok when hysterical giggles burst from his lips. The American's jaw dropped, what on earth was so funny?
"Dude!" He exclaimed feeling slightly scandalized. Wasn't England supposed to be the responsible one? "Stop laughing!" He frowned when the Brit's laughter only increased. "People are staring!" The last line was a lie, but had the desired effect as the British nation, stopped, glanced worriedly around, scowled at his former colony.
"That was a dirty trick, Yank." He hissed, his acid eyes burning.
"Well it worked didn't it?" Arthur scowled but mirth was lurking behind his light green eyes.
"Spill it then." He snapped, and Alfred waste no more time in explaining-
"Ok, so- I really like Feli. I think we make an awesome pair, right? So we've been hanging out ya know, just chillin lately. Then Germany-" He scowled momentarily before continuing. "Comes up to me today and he's just like, 'I know what you're doing, and I'm not going to let it happen.' And like, I would've said something super cool and witty, but Italy comes up and they just leave." The American finished with his arms out, feeling, once again, scandalized. "I mean, what's up with that?"
It took a moment or two for the British nation to catch on to all the butchered words and phrases before he responded. "So, you like Italy. That is, you like Italy?" The nation asked, his bushy eyebrows rose looking for confirmation.
The blond American sighed, he didn't know if he knew. He was so confused. He loved being around Italy, the little nation could relate to him in ways he felt no one else could. He was kind and handsome…
But there was just one problem.
"I can't."
...
Alfred's eyes dropped guiltily to the floor as he realized his mistake. "I-I mean I don't! I'm not gay! Italy and I are just friends!" The blond insisted, catching the eye of a few standby country's. "Can you just, give me some advice please? I don't know what to do about Germany."
The Englishman shook his head in disbelief, his acid green eyes still wide. "I- wait, what did you mean, 'you can't?'"
"That's not what I said."
"Don't lie to me git."
"I'm not-"
"Alfred!"
Said blond rubbed his eyes stressfully before he muttered. "Arthur, can you please just help me? My situation is I want to be friends with Italy and Germany is getting in my way."
The silence stretched as emotions passed through the Brit's face. At first he just glared suspiciously into Alfred's cerulean eyes, but the expression melted slowly into one of thoughtful concentration. Just when he was considering asking Matthew for advice instead, the smaller country piped up quite suddenly. "I think you should tell Italy about it."
America opened his mouth angrily but the bushy eyed blond beat him to it. "Italy has as much a say in this as you do, and that Germany listens to him." The blond hesitated before muttering softly. "At least I think he does. Should anyway; the bloody twit needs to lighten up."
He lifted his head confidently before Alfred could interrupt. "If this silent war goes on, then Italy will eventually find out anyway, and everyone gets hurt. Maybe you should talk to him at that party you're having." Arthur scowled. "You know, the Fourth of July." He spat.
At once, the American felt slightly guilty at the prospect of the American Revolution. He knew he had been in the right; Britain had no right to keep him locked away from the world, tax his people and push him around all his life; especially when they were worlds apart and the Englishman didn't even begin understand his situation. He had every right to separate from the country; England's boss at the time had taken advantage of him. As much as it hurt to leave his only relation (at the time, of course) he had to do it.
Alfred bowed his head and said gently. "You're invited too, you know."
"Well I'm not going you insufferable-!"
"England." He took one of the older nation's hands and looked him right in the eye. "This isn't me celebrating being away from you. This is I celebrating finally becoming my own nation."
His green eyes dropped scornfully to the floor. "Because you so desperately wanted to get away from me."
The blond American felt his blood begin to boil and he released Arthur's pale hand. "You know; I never blamed you for abusing me. But I feel like you have always blamed me for wanting nothing more than to stand on my own two feet."
Britain's green eyes burned with malice and the larger nation could feel the oncoming argument on his tongue; but the American was having none of it. He turned on his heel and began to walk away. He didn't want to fight England on this particular subject; it broke his heart. Besides, the break was nearing over anyway and he wanted to have something in his stomach before being subjected to the long second half of the meeting.
...
The tension in the air was so thick; England could feel the weight of it crushing his very lungs. It wasn't just between him and Alfred either, he could feel the same sort of emotions radiating off a glaring Germany, an unusually distant Japan and- he really hesitated to say this, a rather down looking Italy.
Maybe the British nation was seeing things, but he could sense the Italian's discomfort. The brunette wasn't looking at America. Not that that was weird, but said nation was presenting some wild idea which usually captured Italy's full attention. True, maybe the acid eyed blond was seeing things, but if he didn't know any better he would say the little nation was avoiding Alfred's obvious staring gaze (of course the idiotic nation was staring, his crush on the older nation was too obvious if you asked him).
He could understand Japan and Germany (the German was angry for some barbaric reason, and he had obviously told his Asian friend as soon as he could) but Italy never held grudges, or generally got angry or spiteful. He scowled slightly; the American must have done something really stupid to make the Italian so blatantly upset.
Arthur inwardly groaned. Great, now it was he who wanted advice. He gave the little brunette a quick glance. His heart squeezed with pity as he looked between the two crazy kids. He just knew this was some sort of huge misunderstanding, and these two idiots were going to run themselves into the ground before anything remotely interesting would actually happen.
England glanced back at America, aware the country was now rambling, the British nation could tell he was still trying to catch Italy's eye. They really are hopeless. He thought, shaking his head. Then a wave of sympathy swelled up in England's stomach. They were just two hopeless kids (despite the fact they were both completely able country's for goodness sake!). Besides that, America's voice wouldn't stop playing in his head.
"You know; I never blamed you for abusing me. But I feel like you have always blamed me for wanting nothing more than to stand on my own two feet."
He sighed. Damn that American and his words. He sighed for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
He wanted to help the two, he really did. But I'm going to need some help. He thought, he didn't have any real experience. Just what he knew from watching other tried, and failed relationships. He also (though he would never admit it out loud) had watched way too many soap operas in his time.
He looked around the room in a panic. He used to love being on his own, but all of a sudden he was finding it a huge problem. He needed someone who had real experience, someone who he at least knew beyond the occasional, and very formal 'good morning.' Someone who knew Italy and-
He almost forgot he was in a room full of respectable country's and only just held back a gasp of horror as he realized whom he needed to talk to. His worst and oldest enemy...
France.