Aurthor's notes: First of all let me say I am sorry for not updating the chapter sooner. Life decided to come by and pay me a long visit and brung along it's friends busy and work, and all that fun stuff. And then there was also the fact that this chapter to me was extremely hard to write, and I'm still not all that happy with it, but neh.

Anyway, I hope you guys are still reading this story and hopefully you guys will like this chapter! And an amazing thank you for geekisthenewawesome for being a great beta!

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or any of it's characters.

Onward to the chapter!

~Rose


Alfred froze and his eyes grew wide as he heard the young man's words.

Kirkland? Alfred's mind went back to the picture on the shelf as he took in the other blond's appearance, and how much it resembled Dr. Kirkland. He must be his son! And if he's his son, then he must know about everything!

"Are you all right?" Arthur's voice startled Alfred from his thoughts; causing him to notice the weird look he was being given.

Alfred didn't know what to do or how to react. There in front of him was one of his enemies. He wanted to do a number of things, but at the same time didn't. He wanted to run away, or to hurt the other for what he and his father had done. But Arthur was giving him a confused and concerned look, which in turn confused him.

It has to be a trap…. Alfred frowned before he looked down at Arthur's still extended hand. He hesitantly reached out and shook Arthur's hand, watching him carefully.

Arthur relaxed slightly as Alfred reached out and clasped their hands together, but raised his eyebrow at the other's reaction. "And your name is? Unless you want me to call you "rude git", or the "drunk who ran into me yesterday": I think those names fit you quite well."

"It's Alfred," Alfred responded warily keeping his eyes on Arthur and watching just in case the other blond was going to try anything.

"Well then, Alfred," Arthur moved across the room and placed his backpack and books on the couch, "do you need a ride home, or anything? Oh, and I'm still waiting on that apology."

Alfred blinked for a second before he stiffened at the mention of a home. Arthur obviously knew what was going on, so why was he playing with him? Well, if he wanted to play, then Alfred was going to play too.

"I don't have a home… not anymore, anyway." Alfred looked down at the floor. "And sorry for bumping into you." Alfred clenched his fist tightly; it felt strange to be saying these words to Arthur when he felt like he should be the one receiving an apology.

Arthur tensed a bit at hearing this, and gave a bit of a frown. There was an awkward silence between them before Arthur cleared his throat and spoke.

"Well, considering that you didn't ruin my home, you apologized for your actions, and, you seem to be in a tight spot, you can… stay here for a few days, I-If you like, of course!" Arthur's cheeks flamed and he gave a cough. After a few seconds he scowled and looked the other way. "But it's only for those conditions, and because I happen to have room here!"

Alfred looked up quickly and stared at Arthur in disbelief. Why was he giving him the choice to leave? Wasn't this a trap or some form of cruel joke? Didn't Arthur want him to stay so he could take him back to the facility he came from? Alfred frowned as he thought this over. Even if he did leave, there were people out looking for him. But if he stayed, he was right in the hands of the Kirklands….

If I stay…. I can make him pay for what he did…. Alfred's frown turned into a dark grin. I will play along with this ruse and then, when he least expects it, I'll get him. I'll be the hero and make Arthur and his father suffer for what they did. Then I'll go save Mattie and the others!

"Thanks, dude." Alfred spoke, his voice giving off cheerful tone. "You're not so bad for somebody that I just bumped into on the street."

Arthur's cheeks colored again and he made a grunt. "I-I just happen to have room, is all, and a proper gentleman wouldn't leave another in a bad position…."

Proper gentleman, right. Alfred laughed to himself before he walked over and gave Arthur a grin. "So, care to show me where I will be bunking then, Artie?"

"It's Arthur, git!" Arthur glanced over at Alfred annoyed, before he started to walk off and motion for Alfred to follow.

Arthur led Alfred down the hallway where they stopped at the first door on the left. Arthur turned the doorknob and opened the door to reveal a small bedroom, with a bed in the center. To the right of the bed was small side table, and on the right side of the room was a wooden bureau.

"This will be your room. Now if you excuse me, I have some work to finish up." Arthur turned and exited the room, heading back to the living room, picking up some of the books he'd set down earlier and starting to go through them.

Alfred watched Arthur as he walked away, a sinister grin on his face. I know you can't be innocent. I'll play your game for now, but I'll be sure to make you get what's coming to you, mister "gentleman". You and your father!


With justice set in his mind, Alfred had remained patient and played along with Arthur for the first couple of days, waiting for the sandy blond to make the first move. But after days of just watching the other study, read, embroider, and hardly ever speak, Alfred's patience was starting to wear thin, turning into restless paranoia and anger.

Why isn't he going to do anything? Alfred thought to himself one night as he was sitting in Arthur's living room. The aforementioned other was asleep on the couch; head leaned to one side, his mouth slightly open, and a book opened in his lap.

Alfred turned and looked over at Arthur and watched him closely. He took notice of his peaceful face as he slept, so much different from his face he usually wore (which consisted of a tight scowl, and furrowed eyebrows). As Alfred stared, he kept getting an odd feeling, a feeling that was telling him that maybe Arthur wasn't really bad…

No! Alfred frowned and quickly shook his head at that thought. This is what he wants! He wants me to freak out and doubt myself, and then he'll get me when I least expect it! So I'll get him before he gets me.

Alfred got up and moved over to where Arthur was sitting, a serious, and yet menacing expression on his face. He wanted to make Arthur and his father suffer just like he and his friends had; to show them just how sick and despicable they were.

Alfred stood in front of where Arthur was seated and looked down at him, thinking of what he was about to do. An idea that seemed just suited for Arthur and his father took form.

"I wonder how Dr. Kirkland would react if he knew his son was suffering from the virus…" the spectacled blond whispered as he lowered his face closer to Arthur's. "I wonder what will happen to you, Arthur? Will you die like so many of the others you and your father have hurt?" Alfred then gave a low chuckle. "I can't infect you like your father did me, but it's a virus, right? Just a little contact and—"

Leaning his head down and tilting it to the side, Alfred pushed his lips against Arthur's slightly open ones. He didn't expect the kiss to be so… pleasant. Alfred closed his eyes, almost losing himself to the feeling, before he made himself focus and forced his tongue into the other's mouth.

It was only a few seconds later that Alfred felt Arthur moving underneath him, but even so he continued with his task until quick hands shoved him away.

Then there was a tense moment of silence with both of the blonds staring at each other, neither pair of eyes moving away from the other.

"W-what the bloody hell was that all about?" Arthur yelled, finally breaking the tension with flushed cheeks. He stared at Alfred harshly, trying to understand why he woke up to the honey-blond boy kissing him.

Alfred's own cheeks were tinged with color, but he had a smirk on his face. "I was just waking you up Artie, and it worked!"

"H-haven't you heard of shaking someone or something instead of —of kissing them?" Arthur hollered back his blush spreading up to his ears.

"But that wouldn't have been as fun."

Arthur gritted his teeth before he let out a sigh and continued to glare at Alfred. "Don't do it again. Do you hear me?"

"Sure, sure, whatever you say…." Alfred waved his hand and gave a smile. But I'm sure you won't have to worry about that, Arthur…


After Alfred had finally made a move, and his plan of getting back at the Kirklands and saving his friends was in motion, his paranoia and anger died down. With those emotions simmered down, Alfred started to notice things he hadn't before about the enemy he was staying with.

One of the things he noticed was that when Arthur had to leave, he made sure there was always food for him to eat. And speaking of the food, there never seemed to be very much of it, and Arthur always made sure Alfred got some even if Arthur didn't get much.

Alfred also noticed how hard Arthur would work. He would always have a book in his hand, or be writing on papers; staying up late into the night looking over what was written. And when Arthur went to bed he always slept on the couch. Now that Alfred came to think about it, there was only one bedroom in the home, and he was occupying it. But why was there only one bedroom?

As Alfred continued to watch Arthur, the more Arthur seemed like a good and worthy person. But that couldn't be right! His father is evil, so that meant Arthur is in on the evil action too, right? The more Alfred thought about this, the more his doubt grew, and with his doubt came a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. He didn't like it.

It was when Alfred finally learned more about Arthur that his bad feeling grew to its worst.

The two blonds were sitting in the living room. Arthur was of course studying as usual, with a book in his hand, while his other held a pencil, ready to write down anything relevant to his studies. Alfred was watching him carefully (though not as carefully as before since he'd done his "act of justice," as he liked to call it) when Arthur stopped what he was doing and looked up at Alfred, clearing his throat slightly.

"Um, Alfred, could I ask you something?" Arthur fidgeted slightly as he spoke to the other, a habit he had developed after the "incident." He moved his book out of the way and continued to look at Alfred a bit nervously.

Alfred stared in confusion at Arthur's behavior, before he gave a nod of his head to show that Arthur could continue.

"I understand if you do not want to answer," Arthur looked away for a moment, "but could you tell me a little about your situation? I mean you did say that you don't have a home any longer…."

Alfred stiffened and just stared at Arthur. What was he talking about? Arthur already knew all about him and the others… didn't he?

Arthur continued on, his gaze lowered to the floor. "As I said, you don't have to answer, but I thought since you've been staying here I should know…. And I would understand— I mean, if it deals with family or something of the like, I would understand completely and—"

"Wait, what do you mean?" Alfred said, his face confused but serious. What did Arthur mean by that? Wasn't he allied with his father and trying to hurt him and his friends?

Arthur remained silent for a moment before he let out a sigh. "Well, my family and I are not really on the best of terms, I guess you could say." Arthur then turned his attention to the family photo that was on the self, his face taking on a sad, depressed expression.

Alfred sat there in silence and confusion, that deep sinking feeling in his stomach growing as he waited for Arthur to continue.

"Well, it wasn't always like that." Arthur spoke, after taking in a ragged breath and turning back to look at Alfred. "I guess it all started going downhill when my mum passed away. It affected everyone, but my father was the one who was the worst off. He threw himself into his work, and started not speaking to any of us anymore." Arthur gave a bit of a sad chuckle. "He works as a scientist for the government, so I wouldn't really expect him to talk very much about his work, but after mum died, he never smiled, and just became so…. empty."

Arthur started to tug a bit at his clothes, and clench and unclench his fists, as the topic of his family seemed as thought it was difficult to talk about. "Soon my father got another job here in the States; he wanted for my brothers and I to stay in England, thought it would be easier on us, I guess…. My brothers decided to stay, but I went with my father. I didn't want to leave him alone after the incident and how bad he had taken it..." Arthur looked up at Alfred with a questioning expression, as if asking if his decision was right.

"I started school here, doing my best to stay on top of my studies and trying to help out around the house, since my father was spending most of his time at work. He soon grew more stressed then I had ever seen him, and he wouldn't come home for days at a time." Arthur's shoulders stiffened but he continued on.

"Then came the day we got into a huge fight. I told him he was overworking himself, and he just yelled at me and called me a burden. Said that's all I ever was… He kicked me out with just a bit of money, and told me to never bother him again. So I managed to buy this place, I continued to go to school, and I respected my father's wishes by leavening him completely alone. It's been about three years since we last spoke…" Arthur finished quietly.

Alfred remained silent as he took in all of the blond's words. They sounded so sincere, and judging by the way Arthur was acting, they were. Then Alfred thought of all the things Arthur had done so far, by helping him when he had such problems of his own.

"I'm sorry…." was all Alfred could think to say.

"It's all right," Arthur responded, though his expression said differently.

It's all that bastard's fault! Alfred thought angrily as he remembered Dr. Kirkland's dark, hollow eyes.

"So what happened with you?" Arthur asked once more, bringing Alfred back from his thoughts.

Alfred tensed at the repeated question. What was he suppose to say? He couldn't tell him the truth could he? Heck, would Arthur even believe him?

"I…I ran away." Alfred finally answered as he stared at his feet and the floor. There. That wasn't the total truth, but it also wasn't a lie.

Arthur nodded to show he was listening, and remained quiet so Alfred could continue, but after a long pause he sighed disappointedly. "Oh…."

The two then just sat there, neither knowing what to say after that. It was then, sitting there in that silence, the sickening realization hit Alfred.

So Arthur isn't with his father at all… In fact, it appears that his father doesn't really care about his family. And if Arthur isn't with his father, then that makes him innocent…. The "incident" that had happened not too long ago flashed in Alfred's mind. He remembered as he pressed his lips against Arthur's, and what could happen from that single action.

Alfred turned his eyes quickly to Arthur in a panic. What if Arthur was infected with the virus? Had he really just harmed someone who was innocent? The terrible feeling in Alfred's stomach grew until it consumed him. He might have just killed Arthur.

Alfred kept his eyes on Arthur and silently hoped that his initial plan had failed, and that nothing bad would happen. But judging by how life had treated him so far, he knew chances of that weren't pretty high.


Author's notes: So as always at the end of the chapter I'm going to address the reviews:

xIkuna: I'm glad you like how I wrote Arhtur, and I hope you liked this chapter, and continue to read the story. Thanks for the review. :D

Fantasia di Tempesta: Yeah last chapter theere wasn't that much interaction and I hope you liked learning about Arthur in this. And yes Dr. Bragniski is Ivan's father. XD I hope you continue to read the story and thanks for the review.

Renuki: XD Yes last chapter was the apparence of Ivan's father. And you were correct Arthur didnt' know of Alfred running away, so far it appears he knows nothing of the work his father does. sfdafdas And I'm sure with coming chapters you will really want to kick Dr. Kirkland, and Dr. Bragniski's asses. XD Thanks for the review.

MidknightPhantom: I'm glad you are liking the story so far, and think it's epic and all that. I hope you liked this chapter and thanks for the review. :D

tynder20: I'm glad your liking the story far, and I hope you find this chapter intresting as well. Thanks for the review.

artfan: Yeah poor Alfred indeed. And Dr. Kirkland is Arthur's father, and Dr. Bragniski is Ivan's father. I hope you continue to read and thanks for the review. :D

BB: XD I do indeed know your feelings for chapter 4. And to be honest I'm excited to write it. And no don't hurt me with the blow-up sword! XD But thanks for the review.

PunkPirateUk: I'm glad you like the pacing of the story, I'm paroaniod that I'm either going too fast or too slow or something. XD And I'm glad you liked the letter in the last chapter, and I hope this one pleases you as well. Thanks for the review.

IchigoMelon: I'm glad you liked Arhtur's note. XD And I'm also glad you liked the last chapter. I hope you continue to read the story and thanks for the review.

So guys what did you think of this chapter? As I stated eariler this chapter was really hard for me to write. I don't know, I think it was just hard to write down all that was in my head and a part of me just wanted to go ahead and do the other chapter, but I couldn't skip this chapter as it is rather important. -wink wink- XD But yeah I would love to hear your guys thoughts. So what do you think is going to happen to Arhtur? And What will happen with Arthur finds out the truth?

But yeah hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon, since I'm break now and all, but we shall see. As always reviews are much apprechiated and make me smile. :D

~Rose