I was listening to two male versions of part of your world on youtube while writing those scenes. If you want you could listen while you read when the time comes. I really love how they sound I personally think it adds to the mood.

For the first part I typed in youtube: part of you world male version and clicked on the first one which should be by jonmaxgoh

For the reprise I typed in youtube: part of your world male reprise and clicked on the first one which should be by khcodesrikurawks

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from Hetalia nor do I own the songs from The Little Mermaid

The two royal siblings watched as their court composer sauntered grumpily away, probably to look for his new charge. Christian began to swim back towards their living quarters, "You coming, Bobby? Murphy wanted to talk to you about something."

The king cocked his head in question, "Any idea what it's about? He doesn't want me to get him a new seahorse does he?"

"Would that be so bad?"

"Damn it, Chris. That'd be his third mount this year. Tell him he's not getting another until he learns how to tie a bloody knot. And he's going to have to show me that he knows how to because I'm getting tired of buying new seahorses cause he keeps forgetting to secure them in the stable."

Christian smirked, "Whatever you say, brother." He was going to go bet ten clams with Kyle that Robert would cave by dinner and buy their brother a new mount. He always did spoil them. "Where are you going?"

Running a hand through his red locks, Robert turned away. "It's been a while since I've done some work around here. I'm going to the Pantheon and cook up a storm before dinner."

"Another? But you just made on this morning." Robert ignored him and continued on his way.

Roderich grumbled to himself in annoyance. Of all the things he could be doing, why did he have to follow around a couple of headstrong teenagers? And why for the love of jellyfish did he allow himself to be suckered into the role of baby sitter without putting up a fight? He should be writing sympathies! Not searching for these-hey! Roderich frowned when he saw his two charges sneaking out of the kingdom with a suspicious looking parcel in Arthur's hands. "Why those rotten little…just where on earth do they think they're going," he muttered to himself. Quickly as he could, and stealthily as he could, Roderich followed closely behind Arthur and Feli as the pair swam quickly to a well hidden cavern.

Arthur paused and looked around before pushing aside a boulder to reveal the mouth of the cave. He motioned for Feli to enter with the satchel and moved to push back the boulder. Roderich gasped and swam as fast as his fin allowed him but the opening had decreased in size and he there was no way he could squeeze inside. With a sigh he closed his eyes and focused what little was left of his magical ability to shrink his body down. His skin hardened, turning into a royal blue, as appendages sprouted from his sides. Now a blue crab he squeezed inside, struggling to get his claw through, he managed after a strong tug. Running his claw over his antennas to smooth out his appearance he lifted one over his head delicately to camouflage himself as a normal crab. Right...because everyone knows crabs walk like they're aristocrats.

He dropped the act when he bumped into an hourglass. "Stupid…things in my wa-" his words died when he opened his eyes to see what he had run into. His body shifted back into that of a merman in his shock. "My word," he whispered to himself as he took in the cavern and all its treasures with wide eyes. Well, to him it was junk but still.

Feli sat the satchel next to the rock Arthur had thrown himself over and quietly approached his friend, "Arthur, are you ok? I'm sorry about blabbering about seeing Francis. I didn't mean to get you in trouble."

The young prince sighed and shook his head, "No, don't worry about it. He would've yelled at me about that sooner or later. Guess it was for the best to just get it out of the way." He toyed with the pipe, "I don't get it, Feli. He says that humans are dangerous, that they'll kill us on sight but you're human and his father didn't do that. I know that a few may have harmed sea creatures but that shouldn't be used as an excuse to accuse every human. That's like saying all merfolk with magic are dangerous just because of some of them did bad things with their powers. And if he really did believe things worked like that, then why didn't he get rid of your brother, Roderich, and me?"

Moon light entered the cavern from a small opening above them making the silver reflect off of Arthur's ruby scales. Feli sat down on the cool ground, curling his tail around him and drew shapes in the sand. "I don't know, Arthur. But…you know, sometimes I think I never should've told you about the surface. Maybe then you wouldn't always be getting into trouble."

"Don't say that, Feli. Knowing me, I would've probably found out about it myself. It just wouldn't be as fun without you. Trident knows my brothers wouldn't have bothered with me and this strange hobby of mine." Arthur and Feli shared a giggle at that while Roderich kept his eyes trained at all the things lining the shelf like walls inside the cave, his jaw dropping as he realized what they said. Hobby? Just how long have they been doing this 'hobby'?

Feli watched his scales changed colors in the light, his middle golden scales reflecting beautifully against the pale moonlight, while Arthur pulled out the fork. "Feli?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think there's something wrong with me," asked Arthur sadly. "I know I can be…rough around the edges but..."

When he stopped talking, Feli floated up a bit so that he was looking at his friend upside down, "I think you're a strange merman but I like that about you," he said cheerfully. " You're different from everyone else and that's ok. There's nothing wrong with having a different way of thinking or wanting different things than what is expected of you." He stretched Arthur's cheeks with his tongue sticking out and made his eyes cross; making the face that he knew always cheered the prince up.

Arthur rolled his eyes but smiled and lightly shoved his friend's tanned hands away from his face. He looked at the 'dinglehopper' in his hands and sighed again, "I wish my brother was more like you. Maybe then he'd understand. I just don't see things the way he does. I don't see how a world that can make such wonderful things," he looked at Feli, "Could be bad?"

Roderich shrunk back into a crab to get closer. As he maneuvered his way through all the, junk as he saw it, he fell into a pile of unsorted goods. Not paying much attention the sound of things falling, the two teen mermen where quite used to that happening, Arthur placed the dinglehopper into a candelabra he found a few years ago, "Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete? Wouldn't you think I'm the guy, the guy who has everything?" He sat up and looked at the walls lined with things they've found. "Look at this trove, treasures untold. How many wonders can one cavern hold? Looking around here you'd think, 'sure, he's got everything.'"

Swimming upward he played with a few compasses and pocket watches he and Feli hung on hooks, "I've gadgets and gizmos a plenty. I've got whozits and whatzits galore." He swam past Roderich, completely oblivious to his presence. Picking up a shelled box similar to Feli's only larger he showed it to his friend, "You want thingamabobs? I've got twenty." Sighing he put it away, "But who cares? No big deal. I want more." The opening shone light on his favorite item in the entire cave. He swam towards it and leaned against the perch that served as the resting place for the dancing pair figurine Feli had given them as children. He made the couple dance with a longing gaze, "I wanna be where the people are. I wanna see, wanna see 'em dancing. Walking around on those-what do you call 'em?" Feli smiled and pointed to his wiggling fin making Arthur chuckle with a nod, "Oh, feet."

The blond prince laid on his back and lazily moved his tail, "Flipping your fins you don't get too far; legs are required for jumping, dancing." Jumping up, he looped his arm through Feli's and the pair pretended that they were walking, "Strolling along down a-what's that word again?"

Feli shrugged and offered, "Street?"

Roderich 'humphed' in annoyance but Arthur nodded once again in agreement. Lacing his fingers through Feli's, he twirled them upward, towards the small opening in their cavern, "Up where they walk, up where they run, up where they stay all day in the sun. Wandering free, wish I could be part of that world."

The elder merman was beginning to feel ill. Did the prince really want to do something so-so…insane! As if to answer his unspoken question, Arthur's sweet voice voiced his deepest desire as he descended back to the ground on his back. "What would I give if I could live out of these waters?" Roderich's jaw dropped. Feeling woozy, he leaned back against a table, jumping when it made a surprisingly pleasing sound. Curious he pressed down on the ivory and black keys, eliciting cheerful notes.

"What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand," sang Arthur, stretching out on the cool dark sand. He watched Feli do the same next to him, his amber eyes dozing off due to his friend's melodic voice. But Arthur wasn't done. Nudging his friend awake again, he laid on his side with his head on his fist, "Bet'cha on land, they'd understand. That they don't reprimand their brothers. Bright young gentlemen who are sick of swimming." He met Feli's eyes with determination before taking his friend's hand in his again to lift them back up, "We're ready to stand!"

Arthur's determination and excitement was contagious to Feli and the brunet was wide awake once again. He pulled out a book from their makeshift library, a cook book that showed all kinds of human pasta. He pointed to the one he remembered Ludwig's father offering him and his grandfather, "And we're ready to know what the people know. Ask 'em our questions and get some answers."

The prince nodded in approval and swam to an Ink Splatter that was his and Feli's favorite. It depicted a woman sitting at a desk with a skull in her lap. Her face looked guilty but it was hard to tell due to her head being turned away. But the part that really intrigued them was the candle. Arthur ran his fingers down the painted glow, "Like what's a fire and why does it, what's the word," closing his eyes and pressing his forehead against the painting in thought, "Burn!" He grinned, happy that he remembered, "When's it our turn?" Arthur once again swam towards the opening above their cavern, "Wouldn't I love," he stretched his arm above him, fingers extended towards the moonlight; he was desperately pretending that the surface was just outside and he could touch it, "love to explore that shore up above?" But, at last, it wasn't. Feli watched sadly as his friend came back down, his tail and fin moving on their own accord to slow down his descent. "Out of the sea." Was Arthur crying? "Wish I could be," Arthur looked up longingly through his fringe, "part of that world."

Feli sat next to him and pulled him into a hug, "Don't worry, Artie. One day. One day, we'll get you get up there."

Roderich, preoccupied with his new discovery, managed to overhear what the little brunet said and his claw got caught on a latch, making the piano collapse on itself. He let out a startled yelp and fell back onto the unsorted pile with a loud crash. The two mermen pulled away from each other in surprise and looked as an angry merman, he having changed back from his borderline hysteria at his charges nonsense, staring at them. Despite the seriousness of being discovered, Feli and Arthur started to laugh at Roderich. His violet eyes seeming larger due to a pair of spectacles he had somehow managed to stumble upon. The elder merman turned red with agitation but tried to calm down by taking a few deep breaths.

Arthur was the first to calm his chuckles, "I-I'm sorry Roderich. It's just you look positively ridiculous with those things on. Don't you know? They're supposed to go on-"

"I don't care where they're supposed to go, why do you have them to begin with," cried Roderich as he removed the spectacles, frowning when he realized that his vision had appeared sharper with them on. "What is all this junk anyway?"

"Um," the prince lightly tugged at his own arm, "it's…uh, it's my collection. Well, ours," he motioned to Feli and himself. "But Feli has his really special stuff in that corner over there so that it doesn't mix with mine. He's picky about what he collects. Not me though, I like it all." Arthur stopped with a blush, realizing that he was saying too much. And to Roderich of all merfolk.

Roderich, however, nodded. Putting the glasses back on he took a pace back, "I see, you collection." He grunted when he realized that he still twine wrapped around his fin, he moved to pull it off along with the diamond tiara and pearls on his head sputtering, "If your brother knew about this place-"

"You aren't going to tell him are you, big brother," cried Feli, rushing to tug at Roderich's arm. Roderich grunted when Arthur tugged at his other arm.

"Oh, please don't tell Robert, Roderich," pleaded the prince, his green eyes begging. "He'll never understand. This place is very special to Feli and me and if you tell him, I don't know what he'll do."

The elder merman sighed. They were tugging at his heart strings by calling him big brother, a guilty pleasure he swore never to tell anyone, though he suspected Lovi and Robert knew. Roderich's face softened and he patted both teens on their head. "Ok, fine. I won't tell." He smiled at Arthur and pulled them both towards the mouth of the cave, "I understand that you're under a lot of pressure, Arthur. Maybe it was too soon to introduce your voice to Atlantica. Let's get you both home and I'll tell Lovi to make you something warm and sweet to drink, ok?"

Feli noticed a shadow come over them as they exited the cave. Looking up, his jaw dropped and he nudged at his friend. Arthur followed Feli's gaze upward and his eyes widened. Pulling away from Roderich, he grabbed his friend's hand and together they dashed towards the surface.

Roderich felt them pull away, "Hey, come back here! Where are you going? Arthur? Feli!"

Popping out of the water, Arthur brushed his fringe back and gasped. His eyes glittered with excitement when he saw blue, red, white, pink sparkles light up the sky, "Look, Feli! Fire flowers!"

"Ve~ I never thought we'd actually get to see them in person," marveled Feli. He zoomed in on the ship where lively music and laughter could be heard. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Artie?"

Roderich chose that time to surface as well, "What do you two think you're doing? You can't just go with out-" He jumped as another firework exploded above them, "Jumping jelly fish," he cried. The two teens took advantage of the distraction and raced towards the ship. "Arthur! Feli! Don't go over there! Please, come back!"

The ship was in top condition; Not a single barnacle on its belly nor any sign of algae. Arthur marveled at how clean this ship was in comparison to all the ones he and Feli had explored. Though, that was to be expected. This one hadn't spent time under the sea like its brethren. Enthralled by the sound of laughter and music, the blond climbed along the side, finding a spot where he could comfortably sit. He peeked through an opening and smiled to himself. Men were dancing with each other to the music of an accordion. All of them were dressed in blue and white striped shirts with red bandana's tied securely around their necks, some even wore hats. A furry creature was skipping around the deck meowing loudly and cheerfully as if it were singing along with the tune.

Feli panted and sat weakly across from his prince, taking a moment to catch his breath before he too peered through the opening. His eyes immediately fell on a lone blonde sitting by himself on a barrel with a brooding expression on his gorgeous face. Feli felt his breath hitch in his throat, 'I've seen him before.' Looking closely he noticed a very important detail hanging around his neck that made his heart beat faster and a blush form on his cheeks. Ludwig?

Arthur, oblivious to his friend's love struck behavior, felt his eyes zoom in on a very handsome blond playing a snarfblatt. He was dancing around another blond that looked remarkably a lot like him, brother perhaps, save his hair had a peculiar curl and he was dancing with a very pale, red eyed man. The blond with the snarfblatt playfully bucked his hips to the side, pushing his brother a lot closer to his dance partner. Matthew blushed while Gilbert simply grinned and brought his arm tighter around his waist, twirling him around.

Alfred laughed happily before bring his flute to his lips to play some more and allowed Max to jump onto his head so that the two could dance. This made Arthur's smile broaden, that is until the creature caught sight of them and ran right towards the two mermen. The cat sniffed at Arthur's face, his blue feline eyes furrowing in confusion. No doubt it thought something along the lines of, 'It smells like food but looks like my master.'

"Max," called Alfred. "Come away from there, you silly kitty. I know you're a hero like me but let's not test our luck." Max gave Arthur's cheek a lick, making the prince giggle at the scratchy texture, and ran back to his master. Arthur watched as the blue eyed blond reached down to pet his cat with an affectionate smile, his own heart beginning to beat rapidly at the sight. He knew all humans couldn't be so bad. And this one…well this one seemed so perfect.

Arthur and Feli sighed in pleasure as the leaned their heads on their arms while watching the two men they were pining after. Neither noticed a white bird flying alongside the ship until it started to shout at them. "Bounjour mes amors," cried Francis, his blue beady eyes glittering with mischief. "What are beautiful creatures such as your selves doing on the side of this boat? Enjoying the show?!"

The blond prince hissed in annoyance, swinging his arm to get the bird to shut up, "Quiet, Frog! You'll get us spotted."

Francis landed in between their tails and nodded in understanding. "Oh, I see. I got ya, we're being intrepidaceous." He extended his wings out happily and shouted, "We're out to discover!"

Before Arthur could swat at the bird, Feli took him onto his own lap and gently patted his head, "Please don't be so loud, Francis. Just sit here and watch with us." Francis settled down and cooed as the brunette continued to pet him.

Arthur nodded and turned back to look at Alfred, a smile forming once again on his face, "I've never been this close to a human before. Well, a live one with skin and hair and…oh," he sighed, resting his head on his arm and looking at the blond longingly again, "He's very handsome, isn't he?"

Feli tore his gaze from Ludwig too look at who Arthur was looking at. He wrinkled his nose, "I don't know, Arthur. Isn't he a bit hairy and…short? He's not even walking right, he's on all fours and licking…I don't even want to know what he's licking."

Arthur giggled when he realized that he was talking about the cat and shook his head, "Not that one you git." Gently taking Feli's chin into his hand he maneuvered it around so that he could see Alfred, "The one playing the snarfblatt." Feli nodded in approval. The three mermen sat back and continued to watch the festivities, ignoring the desperate pleas from Roderich below them.

Matthew gently stepped away from Gilbert, a happy glow on his face from all the dancing, "I think I-I need a break, Gil. I'm getting thirsty."

The albino nodded to his partner and led him to a barrel so that he could sit down. "I'll be right back, Birdie." Gilbert skipped around the dancing crew and towards the keg of wine that was next to his still brooding brother. "Oh, come on, West. You ain't still sore about the teasing from this morning are ya?"

"You said that I was crazy," muttered Ludwig while crossing his arms. He absolutely refused to acknowledge that he was pouting. It wasn't a manly thing to do after all. The blond felt a heavy hand on his shoulder and he rose his baby blue eyes to meet his brother's red.

"Listen, I may think that merfolk is nothing a bunch of hoo-ha but Vati believed in it. Hell, he still goes on about how you and him were friends with a couple of merfolk. I don't buy it but hey whatever floats your boat."

"Are you trying to make me feel better, bruder? Because even I can tell you that you're going about it the wrong way."

Taking out a few wine glasses from the case, Gilbert shrugged as he filled them with wine, "What I'm trying to say is, don't live in the past or a fantasy. You can't keep pining over a creature who, if he did exist, I'm not saying he did, but if he did or does, would not be able to be a part of your life. The dude's a merman. Key syllable 'mer' as in the sea or whatever. He has to stay in the water right? How would you two even be together?"

Ludwig looked away and felt even worse than on the day his father told him that they were going to leave their seaside summer home. He hadn't even gotten to say goodbye to his wayward curled merboy friend. It was almost as bad as when they would return every summer and he and his father would sit by the dock waiting for Feli and his grandfather to come…but they never did. And now, Gilbert had to go and ruin his plans of one day finding the merman and confessing his love for him. He glared at the beer in his hand. Stupid dream crushing brothers...

"Now don't go blaming your love life, or lack of, on me, West," said Gilbert, interrupting his brother's pity party. "I didn't tell you to fall in love with an imaginary friend."

"Shut up, East," muttered Ludwig as he stood up and drowned the last of his beer. "Let's go get those presents, Vati made us sneak aboard."

"Ok, let me just get this wine to my Birdie."

"Talk about pining over someone impossible."

"Hey! It's not impossible. I know, Matthew will see my awesomeness one day." Gilbert stuck his tongue out at his brother and Ludwig fought the urge to do the same. Oh hell, why not? He returned the gesture before heading down to retrieve the gifts his father arranged for the two princes.

When Ludwig and Gilbert returned, they were dragging two large objects covered in a cloth. "Ok, guys, shut up for a sec, will ya," shouted the albino. "Kesesese~ Settle down, guys. Ok, now I have no idea what these things are but they're from our old man so I have no guarantee that they'll be awesome."

Matthew giggled at that while his brother snorted, "That old timer, he shouldn't have." Despite his words, Alfred couldn't help but feel giddy with excitement at getting a present. He rushed over to Ludwig, "The biggest is mine, right? Of course it is. I'm the hero and first born!"

Ludwig rolled his eyes at his friend but nodded, "Ja, the biggest is yours."

"Oh boy!" Arthur chuckled and blushed when he saw Alfred's breathtaking smile. Matthew shyly went up to Gilbert's box and took a corner of the sheet. "Ok, Mattie, on three. Ready? One, two, three!" The twins pulled at their respected sheets to reveal their gifts as their crew shouted out 'happy birthday'.

"MAPLE LEAF," cried Matthew in excitement, "Is this really for me? Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" He jumped onto Gilbert and hugged him tightly when he saw what his gift was. The albino, shocked at first, turned red but returned the hug tightly. He sent a happy wink to his brother and raised his eyebrows to say 'See, I told you he'd see my awesomeness'.

Ludwig rolled his eyes again but smiled anyway, glad that his brother and prince was happy. Well, one of his princes. Alfred had a look of confusion on his face, "Um, gee, Luddy. I don't know what to say. Thanks I guess, it's…it's really something." He took a step back to see that his gift was a statue in himself, and though he was posing very heroically, he couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. His brother had gotten a pet bear for crying out loud. Why did he have to get something so…lame? Even Max looked unimpressed by the gift, choosing it to sharpen his claws on it instead of respecting it as a piece of art.

Arthur, however, couldn't help but gape at such a beautiful creation. Based on the look Alfred was giving it though, he didn't seem to share in his appreciation. And if that was the case, hell, he'd be more than happy to take it off his hands. Feli was staring at the polar bear now cradled like a baby in Matthew's hands. It was so cute! Not as cute as his Luddy of course. What he wouldn't give to just go up there and hug him senseless.

"You know this statue was a gift from my Vati. I personally wanted to get you a few new cannons for this ship but he insisted-." He paused when Alfred started to laugh at him.

"Sorry, dude, it's just 'vati' sounds like 'daddy'," whispered the prince.

Ludwig felt his cheeks redden. There was no way in hell he was going to confirm that 'vati' did mean daddy…perhaps he should use 'vater' from now on. Clearing his throat he continued where he left off, "He insisted that we bring it aboard should and present it to you as a wedding gift. He had hoped we did."

Arthur gasped at the word wedding and leaned closer to hear more about it. He'd just seen this Alfred fellow, no way could he get married without him at least getting the chance to court him himself. It wasn't fair! Feli reached over and held his hand in comfort.

The prince snorted however, "Please. If you want me to get married, you guys, and your father, need to stop forcing girls on me. You know I don't swing on that vine."

Matthew looked up from his new pet and frowned at his brother, "Well, it's not as if it's all that easy to find you a suitable man, brother. All the men that we know of that could serve as a possible suitor are either taken or married."

'Not me!' Thought Arthur.

Alfred sighed and sat on the ledge of the ship, right over where Arthur and Feli were sitting, "I'm in no rush. I'm fine as I am right now and it's not like you can force me to marry someone I don't love."

"Why not Ludwig," offered Gilbert.

"What," cried both blonds in horror as Feli and Arthur cried 'No!'

"Kesese~ I was only teasing…sorta."

Ignoring his crush, Matthew continued addressing his brother, "Oh, Alfie, you know it's not that we want to force you into marriage. We just want you to settle down and be happy. The entire kingdom wants to see you happy."

Alfred smiled, "Thanks, Mattie, but don't worry so much about me. I'll find him. I'm sure he's out there somewhere."

"Perhaps you haven't been looking hard enough," said Ludwig. "I know I have," he whispered to himself.

"Come on Luddy, we've know each other since we were in diapers. You know that I'll find my other half."

"How can you be so sure the person you find is the one?"

"Believe me, man. When you find someone who's the one you'll know. When you see them, it hits you like lightning. Bam!" Alfred brought his fist to his palm and a sound of thunder pierced the air making Max hiss and the bear cub moan in fright. Lightening followed after, lighting the sky ominously.

"Verdammt, brother, I told you King Triton was real! He's probably pissed off you praised Fritz for his good humor and is stirring up this storm as punishment," cried Ludwig as he moved to cry out orders. "You, men, secure the riggin!" Alfred jumped to help out while Matthew ran towards the wheel, slipping once against the wet stairs, in attempt to steady the ship.

Arthur's face fell, "Perhaps big brother was angrier than I thought," he told Feli. The two mermen grasped at the ledge as the strong winds pushed the boat back and forth. Rain began to pour down, thoroughly soaking all who stood in its path. Waves became rowdy making Roderich struggle to stay close to his charges.

The wind picked up Francis but his wings and lifting him out of Feli's lap. "Arthur! Feli," he cried out as the wind carried him away. Without giving the idea a second though, changed back into a merman, falling back into the water where he dove further down to where it was safe. "Please come down here, mon amis," he thought out loud. "It's not worth staying up there."

"Boys," shouted Roderich, "Boy's come down from the-"his voice was drowned out by a wave crashing into him.

Feli and Arthur exchanged worried glances. Robert was really pissed off. They looked through the opening and saw the crew scrambling about in panic to keep the ship steady. Max and the polar bear stood frozen near the statue in fear.

"They're going to be ok, right Feli," asked Arthur, feeling himself slip from his perch.

"I-I don't know, Artie," answered the brunette. Another wave rose over them, this time reaching the edge of the ship, dragging down the two mermen back to the sea but they rushed back up to the surface despite Roderich's desperate pleas for them to go back home.

Matthew was knocked over but he quickly stood back up and gripped the wheel. Alfred rushing to help his brother keep it still. Ludwig and Gilbert exchanged panicked glances when they saw a lightning bolt hit the mast and its sails, igniting it in flames. The mermen gasped in horror. Fire. Wasn't fire supposed to light things and keep people warm?! This fire was going to hurt the people the care about! If that wasn't bad enough; their eyes widened when they saw that the ship was headed straight into rocks.

Gilbert tossed Matthew over his shoulder and tucked the polar bear cub under his arm before taking a running leap over this ship as it collided against the boulders, tossing everyone else overboard. Crew members pulled them into lifeboats as they all watched their ship burn. Alfred looked around the life boats and noticed someone was missing. Fearful meows drew his attention back to the ship. His eyes tearing up he cried out, "Max! Don't worry, boy, Daddy's coming for ya!" Without thinking twice, the Alfred jumped back into the water and swam towards the ship. "Daddy's coming, kitty. Daddy's coming," he shouted as he climbed back up.

Ludwig moved to jump after his charge but a strong hand kept him in place, "Let go of me, Gilbert! I need to help him!"

"No, West, you'll get yourself killed," argued Gilbert.

"He's my friend and my responsibility. I need to make sure he's safe; now, let go of me!" Shoving his hand aside, Ludwig went after Alfred. Matthew whimpered and held tightly to Gilbert as he and they everyone else watched the two blondes' board the flaming ship once again.

"Max," called Alfred upon locating his cat. "Come on boy, jump!" The feline did as it was told, jumping to his master's arms.

Alfred felt himself be pushed back. Looking back he saw Ludwig holding him firmly, "You should be more careful, idiot. Now come on before the ship blows," he said nodding fiery broken mast that had nearly landed on his charge. Near it was a barrel of gun powder and left over fireworks. "Let's move." Alfred nodded, picking holding his cat tightly in his arms, both he and Ludwig made a run for it.

Arthur and Feli held on to each other, their tails working overtime to keep above the surface and steady in the chaos that was the sea's surface. They watched as their loves ran in order to jump over board but as soon as they did the ship exploded. "BLOODY HELL," screamed Arthur. Max paddled towards the boat and pulled himself out of the water, moving immediately to cuddle against the bear cub's fur for warmth.

"No, Alfred," cried Matthew, hugging his bear tightly in his grasp. The crew members paddled towards shore, having nowhere else to go since the explosion pushed them in that direction and the waves were far too fierce to battle in mere life boats. "No, turn back! I order you to turn back!"

Gilbert held onto Matthew, "I'll look for them personally. But first we need to get you to safety, my prince."

'To hell with waiting,' thought Arthur, disentangling himself from Feli. "I'm going to look for him; you go see to that other guy!" Feli nodded and began to search for Ludwig.

Arthur looked through the debris desperate for signs of the beautiful human, known as Alfred. He couldn't let him die. A groan to his right alerted him to his whereabouts. He watched in horror as the human slipped from his life line, a piece of wood, and into the water. Diving after him, Arthur wrapped his arms around Alfred's broad chest and dragged him back to the surface. He leaned on his back in order to let Alfred's head rest on his chest to keep his head out of the water. It was a struggle but he eventually made it to the shore. Alfred shivered in his unconscious state. His boots were long gone, his pants torn and singed away so that they were more like shorts than anything. Arthur curled next to his body in order to keep him warm, "Please be ok," he whispered. "Please don't die." He closed his eyes over Alfred's heart, determined to stay with him through the night, or until one of his people found him.

Feli had struggled the most after he found Ludwig clinging unconsciously to a barrel of ale, whatever that was. He wasn't as built as Robert or Christian, but he could hold his own. Taking a firm hold of Ludwig, he swam towards the shore. The rain had calmed down to a very light drizzle by the time they reached the shore but Feli felt the need to keep his love as warm as possible. Thinking back from when he first saved Ludwig in their youth, the merman recalled his grandfather telling him that he had to give him the kiss of life. In other words, breath into them to stimulate their own breathing mechanism to work. Human biology wasn't like their own after all, their lungs couldn't handle water like his.

He took a few breaths to calm his nerves before settling over him and lowering his lips over Ludwig's. Feli breathed in a few times and pressed his hands against Ludwig's chest, "Please wake up, Luddy." He lowered his lips again and repeated the motion with his hands, "Come on, Ludwig!" Shutting his eyes tightly, he brought his lips over the blonde's only this time he felt a hand press his head closer. He opened his amber eyes to see that Ludwig was staring right back at him. Squeaking, Feli tried to pull away but found that he didn't really want to. Instead he leaned into the long awaited kiss.

"Did I die," croaked Ludwig after allowing Feli to pull away.

"I don't think so."

Feli watched as Ludwig closed his eyes again and smiled, "Gut. Let's take a nap, Feli." Well, it wasn't like the poor merman had a choice in the matter seeing as Ludwig brought his arms around his waist and held him tightly against his chest. And it certainly wasn't like Feli even wanted to leave his long lost loves' embrace to begin with. He should probably go make sure Arthur and that other guy were ok but, and he felt slightly guilty for feeling this way, he couldn't bring himself to care. Arthur could hold his own and would be just fine without him. So, Feli snuggled against his blonde's strong chest, positioning his head over his heart. The beat was faint but it was still there. He'd make sure it stayed that way.

Morning came far too quickly for the two mermen. On Feli's end, he was woken up by the heat of the morning sun. Heat? Sun? Oh! Feli scrambled out of the warm embrace he had been kept in and looked down at a still sleeping Ludwig. Had his ear not been pressed against it, he would be sure that the blonde's heart had stopped beating. He looked far too peaceful for someone who had just been in an explosion, nearly drowned and slept on a beach in a drizzle.

Ludwig cracked his eyes open and saw a very familiar face with an even more familiar curl. It couldn't be, could it? Then that meant last night…cuddled…kiss…kiss! The blonde's chapped lips broke into a smile, "Are you really here with me, Feli?" Before the merman could answer he felt two strong arms wrap themselves around his torso and drag him back towards the ocean. "Feli? Feli! Don't leave me," cried Ludwig. He scrambled to get up in order to reach out and grab his merman's wrist but all he could reach was the blue seashell bracelet that he had pulled off as his lost love was dragged into the water. Sliding it onto his own wrist, he prepared to dive in after him but his brother reached out to grab him.

"Oi, West! You scared me to death, you crazy bastard," cried Gilbert as he hugged his brother tightly. "God, never do that again. If I didn't already have naturally white hair, I swear you would give me a whole headful."

"Did you see him, bruder?!"

"See who?"

"Feli! He was here, he saved me again. We kissed and he stayed the night with me and we cuddled and I woke up and he was there. He still remembers me, Gilbert!" Ludwig was beginning to hyperventilate as he looked at his brother with wide eyes.

Gilbert blinked slowly. Not wanting to excite his brother but not wanting to discourage him either, he decided perhaps it was best to humor him, "Uh, sure thing, Pal, whatever you say. Hey, we still need to go find Prince Alfred. Come on, big guy." Ludwig's eyes cleared and became serious. Nodding, they both went to look for their prince.

"Are you ok, mon ami," questioned Francis when he flew down to the shore. He spotted the pair from the sky after he had resurfaced in order to search for food.

Arthur heaved a tired sigh; he hardly slept a wink all night having been worried sick about the human that slept under him. His tail flicked anxiously as he watched Alfred's sleeping face. His boyish features brought a blush to Arthur's cheeks, "I'm fine but I'm not sure if he is."

Francis brought Alfred's foot to his ear, "I can't find a heartbeat."

"You git, even I know that's not where the heart-look! He's breathing." Arthur breathed out in relief and smiled warmly, he's so beautiful isn't he?" He ran his hands through Alfred's thick hair, marveling at how soft it was. Francis smirked and decided that perhaps it was best to give his friend some privacy. The merman was oblivious to his friend's departure and kept staring down at Alfred and sang softly, "What would I give to live where you are? What would I pay to stay here beside you?" He ran his knuckles delicately across his brow bone, "What would I do to see you smiling at me?" His knuckles continued their journey down the curve of his cheek bones, brushing away some of the fringe that fell delicately over his face.

Roderich fixed the glasses on his face while keeping a firm grip on Feli's arm. The teen wasn't putting much of a fight, apparently still in a lovesick daze. When he was sure that he wasn't going to swim away, the older merman released him and he slumped tiredly against a rock. A familiar voice brought him out of his brief moment of piece and threw him into another fit of terror when he saw what his other charge was doing. What was wrong with teenagers these days?! His jaw dropped when he saw Arthur run his finger pads over Alfred's lips. Francis chuckled softly and lifted Roderich's jaw in order to close his mouth.

Arthur paid no mind to the mermen behind him. His sole attention was for the human in under him, "Where would we walk? Where would we run if we could stay all day in the sun? Just you and me and I could be," the merprince watched as the human prince opened his blue eyes and smiled at him, "part of your world."

Alfred could barely see without his glasses but he could tell that the person before him was a man. A handsome one at that, "Who are you," he asked, wincing at the scratchiness of his voice. He heard faint voices calling out to him but he didn't respond. Meows and barking came towards them scaring off the man before him. He rushed to stand up but stumbled as the blood rushed to from his head making him get an instant headache.

"Alfie!" He fell over again when Matthew launched himself at him with wide arms. "Alfred you scared me to death! When I saw the explosion-and then you and Ludwig fell into the water- and I ordered them to turn back but they wouldn't. But Gilbert said he'd go looking for you and he did. But I wanted to help and now you're here and your fine and…oh god don't ever scare me like that again!" Whatever Matthew said was lost to the elder twin. It was all jumbled and to be frank he could bet money that even his brother wouldn't be able to tell you what he said. But under all that mess he could tell that his twin had been worried to the point he felt the need to bring out one of Ludwig's dogs to help search.

"Mattie? Did you see a guy just now?"

"A guy?" Matthew furrowed his brow in confusion, "No, Alfred. It's just you. Why do you ask?"

"A boy, no a man rescued me," he pushed away and tried to stand on his own. "He was singing and, oh, Matt, he had the most beautiful voice. He was pretty cute too."

Gilbert ran up in time to catch Alfred as the prince fainted, leaving his brother to lean against a rock, "What was he saying, Birdie?"

Matthew stared at his brother, "Nothing. I think perhaps he swallowed too much sea water."

The albino nodded in understanding, "Yeah, I think West did too. Come on; we'll get you three home to Elizabeta. She'll take care you guys. Who would've thought we were so close to home, eh Birdie?"

"I thought you had an excellent sense of direction?"

"Of course I do! But really, I'm no sailor. I'm a chef! Come along, Max. Blackie."

Four mermen watched as the four humans left the beach. Roderich was beyond panicking, "Ok. Ok," running a hand through his black hair he took in a deep breath, "Ok, this is what we're going to do. We're going to forget this whole thing ever happened, ok? The sea king will never know. You won't tell him, I won't tell him." Francis raised an amused eyebrow when Roderich pointed at him. As if he ever went near Atlantica anymore. Roderich continued to ramble about his plan, once again brushing dangerously close to the border of hysteria, "they won't tell him and I will stay in one piece."

Feli leaned under the rock they were hiding while Arthur rested above it; both were staring after the retreating back of their human crushes and completely ignoring Roderich. Arthur felt a grin tug at his lips, "I don't know when, I don't know how, but I know something's starting right now. Watch and you'll see," he reached down and held his best friend's hand tightly in his, "someday we'll be, part of your world!"

Roderich shooed Francis away and ushered his charges back home oblivious to the two mermaids watching them carefully with a glowing violet eye each. Ivan cackled in cruel childish glee in his cave, "Oh, this is perfect! Little Arthur is in love. And he's not just in love but he's in love with a human. A human prince to top it off. Heh, Big Bother Robert will love that." He stretched out, his black tail flicking happily, "This is going to be too easy, right sisters?" Natasha and Natalya nodded knowing that he'd know that they agreed with him despite them being miles apart. Ivan smiled pleasantly, "Da, I think so too. And King Robert's love sick brother would make a pretty addition to our little garden." The black tailed merman rubbed his chin in thought, "Da. That's what I'm going to do. Arthur will be part of the garden. You'd like that wouldn't you my darlings?" Natasha and Natalya blushed and nodded once again, though Ivan wasn't talking to them. He was eying his garden hungrily, relishing as the once merfolk, now turned into coral polyps, trembled in fear.

A big thanks to everyone who has added this story to their Favorites and to their Follow list. I know Prussia sounded a bit hard on Germany during their little chat but I promise he isn't mean. He just doesn't want his brother to miss out because of his obsession with trying to find Italy. Also it's in my opinion that Merfolk are very affectionate creatures, or at least they're very touchy feely. In the movie Ariel does hug Flounder to her and does hold his fin during the song and such which is why I'm having England and Italy interact the way they do. I think that's all I have to say for now, hope you all enjoyed it. Until next time where we'll a bit more of Romano/Turtle in the next chapter lol

spititualnekohime4: I'm glad you thought so =3

zoewinter1: ;3

Fallen Heavens: Thank you! I think your hoping worked 'cause when I checked my email I had a bunch new notices about readers adding this story to their Follow list ^_^ Thank you all by the way!

Lintunia: Thank you! I'm so glad you think so. Francis and the fork was a fun scene to write ^.^ Don't worry, I'll see this story to the end. =3

VivaAmerica: Yup Yup. Thank you so much for the review ^_^ I'll see ya in the next chapter