Alfred sat up, frowning a bit and protectively scooting closer to his best friend. "Whoa- What do you mean? Why do you want to help Artie?" He asked, curiously, and a little annoyed.

Arthur hissed at the choice of referral his friend-...acquaintance, made. "Don't call me that, wanker!" He said, but froze at the low laughter he heard coming from the opposite side of the table. Damn.

"Artie..~?" He chuckled, leaning in closer to the male, as Arthur couldn't help himself but sport a blush. Gilbert on the other hand, looked fairly amused, a coy grin seeming to permanently be stuck on his face right now. "Artie.. Cute name. Not exactly cool material, but..."

Arthur just grumbled, giving the white haired man a glare. "It's Arthur. And who are you to deem me as such..?" He asked, leaning back from Gil, and even more into Alfred. Which just made the blue eyed male a tad bit flustered, as he tried to back his friend up. "Yeah! Iggy is really cool!"

Arthur felt his cheeks burn a darker red as he slapped a hand over Alfreds lips, and gritting his teeth to keep himself from completely snapping in anger. "Alfred. Do me a favor and please shut up." He said, looking to him as he nodded in understanding, before he turned to the other staring at him, almost teary eyed trying to contain his laughter.

"Got anymore nicknames- Iggy~?" He said, before releasing his laugh, it echoing throughout the entire lunchroom.

And, with the last bit of his dignity, Arthur stood, snatching up his things in a huff, frowning in embarrassment "Shut up." He mumbled, before slumping his bag over his shoulder, and walking away from the two.

Gilbert sighed, following Arthur out, leaving Alfred to just watch them leave, and can't help but feel like Arthur was making him out to be the one that just randomly intruded on their lunch together...

Gilbert followed the steaming Brit until they were out in the empty hall, Arthur ignoring him, and his attempts to apologize. Or, at least what Arthur made out to be apology. . . "Aw, don't throw a hissy fit~" He snickered. Arthur just held his chin out, continuing to walk. He took a sharp right turn, walking down yet another long hallway. "Come on, Artie!" The man said, now getting a bit impatient. Arthur just growled at the name, taking another turn, now left. He hadn't even noticed he was going deeper, and deeper into the back on the school. Prussia's eyes now darkened to a crimson, as he stared at Arthur's back. He hated being ignored. "I'm talking to you!" He huffed, grabbing Arthur's shoulder, and spinning him around. Arthur dropped his bag in the process, and with a hiss, he slapped the Prussian's hand. Something bold, for such a nobody. His green eyes were bright, and glowering with a danger. Though his words were more frightening than his appearance, because his hues still showed that fear, hidden behind the brave front. "Don't fucking touch me, idiot." Gilbert's eyes widened, before he just let his signature grin take place again. "Whoa~" He cooed, stepping forward, in return making Arthur back up into a wall. "Such big talk, from such'a small person.." The albino laughed, letting himself step forward again, before his hand took place right next to Arthur's head, in one sly, natural movement. "I told you... I want to help you..."

"With what, exactly..?" Arthur said, eyes shifting anywhere but to Gilbert's face. Because, honestly, he was really handsome. And Arthur was already getting teased by his less-than-favored nicknames. Blushing and giving this guy another reason to pick on him probably wouldn't be the best right now.

Luckily for Arthur, it was dark. And the only thing visible was both of their irises. Glowing. And both irritated. Though Gil's gleamed with mischief, which left Arthur's stomach at an unsettling churn... Gil leaned closer, and Arthur leaned back as much as the solid concreted wall behind would let him, until he was squished between that, and the leader of the school. His voice was low, and husky, as he whispered down into his ear "...Do you hate it?" He purred, as Arthur just stood there, dumbfounded. Hate?

"Hate...what...?"

"...Being so lonely...? I've seen you everyday, the same thing... No friends... This is the first time i've even heard you talk~" He laughed, staring deep down through the Brits thick frames. "Didn't you exchange here in the first place?"

Arthur... couldn't muster anything other than a small nod, wide eyed... No one had even dared to come up to him before... But, now.. Well, Arthur would be damned if he just sat here and was called lonely.

Even if it was true.

"I don't see how you have any business with me-!" He hissed, green orbs hardening to a glare. But, Gilbert worked his way up against Arthur, staring down at him, grinning a grin that much resembled that of a devils.

"I want to help you become better. Cooler, if you will. No charge. I just feel really generous.~" How could this stingy nerd decline such an awesome offer. Damn, Gilbert couldn't help but notice, he really was awesome! Helping out such'a poor, poor geek... At no price. No way Arthur could-

"I decline."

Gilbert laughed a bit, nodding "Right right, I knew I- Wait.. Decline...?"

"That's right" he huffed, crossing his arms. "I don't want any help. I don't need any help. I'm perfectly fine... and happy the way I am." He assured, his... strangely large eyebrows furrowing to a look of anger. Though, he remained proper. "Thank you, though." With that, he picked up his spilled belongings and began to walk away.

Gilbert in turn, looked shell shocked.

After a second or two it took to come to his senses, he shook his head, lunging forward and grabbing the boy's hand "Hey! Why would you turn down an offer like that?! You know who I am, right? I can make you popular with a pep talk and a few new pieces of clothes!" He said, looking pretty upset at the fact he believed Arthur didn't understand fully what he was offering to him.

Arthur blinked, brows still furrowed to an upset look. "I know what you're trying to give me, and though I don't know why, I don't want it. I don't want to be the center of attention."

Gilbert laughed, "Well, i'm always gonna be the center of attention baby, but I can sure as hell say you won't be left in a lunchroom corner eating alone anymore! Come'on!"

"I said no!" He scorned, pulling his hand back, growling. "Screw you! I don't want any of that- Didn't I already tell you thi-"

"Give me a chance!" He interrupted. Wait, what was he saying? "Just let me try, see if you like it. You've never been popular here before, right?"

Arthur was a bit stunned too by his sudden over-the-top enthusiasm. "...No, I haven't, but..."

"Then just let me try! Come n, what have you got to lose? If you don't like it, i'll tell everyone you're a loser again and we'll leave ya be. . ."

Arthur stared at him, and Arthur had seen that face before. Never on Gilbert, but he'd seen it. The look of determination, and pride. Arthur... once held a look very similar.

He knew he should say no. He knew that this offer wasn't just an offer... Something bad would probably happen. He was probably going to regret it. But...

"...Fine." The blonde sighed, releasing a long sigh. "But, I say the word, and this little transformation or whatever deal is off.. Got it?"

The silver haired boy fist pumped, letting out a long victorious hiss of a "Yes~!"

And Arthur could already tell he was going to regret ever agreeing.

Gilbert just laughed, nodding along. "Yeah yeah, whatever you say Iggy~"

"Don't call me that!"

He smirked, beginning to walk out of the mysterious hallway they wandered into. "Fine. I get it. You want me to give you your own nickname especially for me to call you, right~? I don't blame you, the awesome me does come up with some sweet nicknames.~"

Oh god. Arthur had heard his ego was big... But really? Awesome me? You've got to be kidding! "No, no, I don't need anymore nicknames, thanks." He mumbled, walking with him. "Alfred gives me enough of them as is..."

"Ja ja, but that's a nickname he calls you! You're my apprentice, so you need a special name only i'm allowed to say!"

Apprentice? Is that what he was now? "They're ridiculous! My name is Arthur, why can't people just call me that?"

Gilbert snickered, his irresistible smirk turning to face Arthur full on, normal trouble pooling in his eyes. "Think about it, a pet needs a special name, AmIRight?~ You need a name I can call you~"

Arthur felt his pulse quicken. "I am not a bloody pet!" He said, veins slowly showing with each second he spared for this... well, utter moron.

The Prussian in turn just let out a long, hearty laugh. "Well, still. You're following under me! So, I want a nickname."

Arthur glared up at him. "You know what? Fine- But I get to call you something, too."

Gilbert's snide look was dim in the light that slowly hit his face by passing windows, making his pale ivory skin look almost unrealistic. His eyes reminded Arthur of a dolls, big, with long eyelashes... "Is that a challenge...~?" Prussia asked with a laid back tone.

Arthur didn't know Gil, obviously. Gil had too many nicknames to count. An extra one wouldn't hurt em'~! But... Gil didn't know Arthur, either.

"Maybe," the Brit spoke, looking forward, sunlight reflecting past Gilbert onto Arthur's face as he walked, causing his shadow, lean, and short, to form on the wall next to him, following his every move. "what if it is?" He asked, green bulbs staring up at his fellow student... Or rather, 'mentor'.

"Well... You wanna know what i'm gonna call you then?" Gilbert glanced out the window, still walking.

Arthur narrowed his eyes, huffing, preparing himself for it. "Bring it."

"Your new nickname...is..." Gilbert looked at the passing trees outside, with the students out at lunch, and both genders chitter chatting away, the sun was out, it was a nice day. And then, out of the corner of his eyes, Gilbert saw a small batch of chicks in a birds nest outside. Yellow, and in Gil's opinion, pretty fucking adorable. "..."

"Well?" Arthur huffed, shifting the bag on his back. "I'm waiting."

"...Birdy."

Arthur didn't believe it for a second. "...Bird...y...?"

Gilbert thought about it for a sec, before smirking, and nodding in confidence. "Yup. Birdy~"

Arthur just shook his head in disbelief, laughing a bit. "You're joking.."

"Serious~"

"Joking."

"Serious."

"Joking!" He scowled, looking at him with a face of disdain.

"Serious~" Gilbert laughed, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Stupid egotistical jerk.." Arthur mumbled.

"Wow. More than one nickname ya' got there." Gilbert smirked.

"...Shut up."

And, with that, they went on arguing. Gilbert rambled on about how the nickname was cute and Arthur claimed he was full of shit, all up until the bell rang.

"So, tomorrow night, 4:00pm. Be ready."

"Ready? For what?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, and tilting his head slightly.

"Shopping for something. Duh. You'll never be cool like that.." Gilbert nervously looked over his shoulder, as the crowd of students rushed in.

"But I don't have mon-"

"I got money, and a few hand me downs you can have that I don't want anymore."

By the way Gilbert kept looking over his shoulder at the wave of students coming in, Arthur could now tell that he was worried. After all, head honcho of the class being seen with a nerd... wouldn't be good for his rep.

"Right. Tomorrow then." He answered, short and sweet. Though there was no way Arthur would let Gil spend his money on him. He'd scrape together something...

"Awesome- Well, see ya later than, birdy~" Gil smirked, before walking off into the crowd, waving for a split second.

"Don't call me that! Jerk..." Arthur screamed, but the surrounding people drowned him out. Sighing heavily, Arthur just shook his head, walking to his next class, getting forgotten in the crowd again. Tomorrow.. This will be the first time he really has gone out with anyone from school besides Alfred. And... walking to class, behind the book bag, messy hair, and big frames, the Brit couldn't help but smile a little.

"Prusse!" Francis called, approaching him in the crowd, Antonio following closely with a swearing Italian next to him. Gilbert grinned seeing his friends, and his friends almost... kind of lover. Antonio had been loving up on that Italian boy ever since he and his brother got here.

"Sup Franny~" He said casually, as he strode up with one hand in a pocket, the other lazily by his side as he walked. Francis just smiled, crossing his arms when close enough. "How'd your 'business' go?" He asked, curiosity peaked in the blue orbs.

"Hmm..." Gilbert sighed happily, grinning. "...Well...I got a new bird...~"


Chapter end~

I hope you liked it!

By the way, Prusse is just a nickname that was given by Francis in their younger years. Yes, they're all the same age, Antonio, Francis, Gilbert.

Alfred skipped a grade, so he's a senior, with Arthur as well.

More characters will be added gradually.~
I know I said every month, but I had substitutes in class today, and I was in a writing mood. Newer chapters sooner are better, right?
...Right~

Please review~ c: