I do not own Hetalia.
"It was my cousin," Alfred gulped as the other's eyes widened in realization. "Mathew. He's coming for a visit."
"W-what?" Arthur asked, staring shocked at the teen.
"Well it was Matt. He umm, my parents called to talk to him about the note. Apparently he covered for me but he's like extremely pissed he had to lie to my parents. Then he called here, not the cell I remembered to leave that at home so they can't track us from satellites or whatever they do. Also, don't ask me how because his exact answer was 'I have my ways.' So yeah he probably did something creepy like plant a tracker on me. Anyways he said he'll be here tomorrow, and that I better have a good reason for this." Alfred rambled as he paced back and forth, hands playing with the hem of his shirt.
"Bollocks!" Arthur mumbled as he sat on the edge of the bed, brows furrowed in thought. "What's the odds of Matthew keeping our secret?"
"Oh he's not gonna' tell on us." Alfred stated distractedly. At Arthur's confused look, he sighed and quickly added, "I'm not worried he's gonna' tell 'cause he knows my mom. How could you not wanna' get away? I'm more worried about what he'll say to us. I mean he's just vicious, though he definately doesn't look it. He once pointed out all of my flaws for three hours straight. I may or may not have cried. -Shut up, it was terrifying." Alfred pointed at Arthur, who hadn't even spoken the whole time.
"Then you're worrying over nothing, you dolt." Arthur replied, shaking his head. Alfred gave nervous nod in response. He honestly wasn't sure if Matt would rat them out or not, but he really, really hoped.
He didn't think he could stand seeing Arthur like he was yesterday night. Wow. It had only been a night ago. Alfred couldn't help but feel like everything was happening so fast. They were both suddenly hit with an overwhelming fatigue.
"I'm so tired!" Alfred said through a yawn, covering his mouth with one hand, and stretching the other upwards. He jumped onto the bed and caused the other blonde to bounce up a little. "G'night Artie!"
"It's Arthur," he responded, no hint of irritation. "and goodnight." They curled up comfortably and drifted into unconsciousness.
The next morning was a tizzy of hurried events. They woke up much the same as the day before, rushed through the morning ritual, and realized that they didn't know what to do.
"I'm starving!" Alfred complained, laying across Arthur's lap. The green-eyed teen had been reading one of the American's graphic novels, but couldn't quite get a hang of it.
"How does this entertain you? I can't make sense of this!" Arthur growled in response. Alfred looked up and started laughing.
"It's a manga, you read it backwards!" He explained taking the book and showing him the correct frame.
"What! Why?" Arthur asked confused.
"It was originally made in Japan, but translated to English. If we inverted the pictures to read it our way it would mess up the art." Alfred stated happily. "AND I'M STARVING!"
"Stupid Git! Go eat something!" Arthur rolled his eyes at the teen on his lap. Sometimes he was just so childish.
"We have no food!" Alfred complained, pouting up at the other, who was trying unsuccessfully to ignore it.
"Wasn't there a market across the street?" Arthur asked in thought.
"I don't wanna' go alone."
"Ugh. Fine, but stop acting like you're two." Arthur sighed. He gave into that boys antics far to often for it to be good.
"Yay!" Alfred clapped, slipping on a pair of shoes and bouncing to the door. He swung it open and promptly shut it in much the same manner. Arthur, who'd been tying his laces looked up at the scene.
"What's the matter?" Arthur asked, brows furrowing in confusion. Alfred turned around just as a light knock sounded. Arthur's eyes widened.
"Mattie's here."
"Hello Alfred?" A timid unsure voice called from outside.
"Well let him in." Arthur answered. He coughed uncertainly, and stood, straightening out his clothes.
"Bu-" Alfred started in a whisper before the British teen glared at him. "Fine." He hissed out and turned around to open the door. Arthur watched as Alfred hugged a young man, who looked remarkably similar to the previous, and led him inside.
"Really Alfred it's nice to see you again, but why'd you run away." Matthew asked, getting straight to the point.
"Well we just needed a break you know." Alfred whined, giving Matthew an exaggerated pout. "Plus it's only for the summer! I didn't want to worry Ma so I just said I'd be with you. I didn't mean to make you miss your flight to France, for this."
"We. . ." Matthew looked around and finally noticed Arthur standing awkwardly a ways away from the reunited family. He glanced back at Alfred and then to the bed. His face grew red and he shook his head a little. "I didn't- I mean uh. . . you guys. I-I'm sorry! My name is. Um, it's Matthew, and you're er-" The older boy seemed to have grown, flustered stammering out his sentences. "I'm sorry. . . sorry."
"Calm down bro! It's my best buddy Arthur over there. Artie, meet Matt!" Alfred exclaimed happily, his trademark grin on his face. He pat Matthew's back a few times before pushing him forward. "Mattie's only 19 by the way, his mom is my mom's sister! Oh by the way how is Aunt Emily? She was always my favorite, you know? I remember that time we went to that amusement park and I threw up on the roller coaster, so she bought me ice cream! Good times!" Alfred rambled excitedly.
"R-right. Sounds simply smashing." Arthur replied uncomfortably. "Anyways, it's nice to meet you. I've heard a lot of stories."
"I'm sure. Alfred's always been a big talker." Matthew nodded as they both chuckled lightly. "So how long have you guys. . ."
"Oh since we were born. I'm 17, since April, so only a few months older. We grew up together. . . In a way." Arthur replied with a smile.
"But I don't remember you. . ." Matthew added quietly, in a confused tone.
"Ah yes. I lived across the pond, so to say. We mainly just wrote at first." Arthur glanced behind the Canadian to see Alfred watching them intently. The American gave a thumbs up and a wink, to which Arthur rolled his eyes. This caused Matthew to glance back before continuing.
"Oh. You're the kid who loved fairies and unicorns. I thought you were a girl! Especially how Alfred talked about you! He always just called you Iggy!" Matthew exclaimed. "I never knew you. . ." He trailed off.
"Oh that. I always signed my letters by that, but he knew my real name. It's an old nickname. My family moved here about two years ago." Arthur explained.
"I see." Matthew nodded in understanding. Alfred clapped him on the shoulder causing the older one to jump and wince.
"I'm all for having my two best friends becoming friends and all, but we haven't eaten today and I'm staaaarving!" Alfred whined.
"Right. You stay and catch up, I'll go find us some food." Arthur said, starting to feel the need for food, and tea.
"Here's some cash." Alfred said, pulling away from his cousin, who watched with curious eyes, to give him some money.
"Is there anything you want in particular?" Arthur asked as he put a few bills in his pants pocket.
"Just the basics for now I think. Milk, eggs, bread, you know. How about you get some pancake ingredients and me and Matt will make his famous recipe?!" Alfred said excitedly. Arthur nodded in understanding and smiled, waving a hand and starting towards the door.
"Alright. I'll see what I can do."
"Wait!" Alfred ran towards the other and hugged him. "Be careful okay! Don't talk to strangers or anything! Also look both ways before crossing the street!"
"Alfred, I'm not a child!" Arthur insisted, irritated. He tried to shove out of the others grip.
"Of course not! But as the hero I have to warn you for danger!" Alfred said with a final squeeze. He let the other go and shoved him outside. He turned around and saw a teasing smirk on his shy cousin's face.
"So Arthur?" Matthew questioned, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"What?" Alfred questioned as he flopped onto the other side. "Remote." He was handed the remote, and he turned on the TV, turning on some random cartoon to entertain himself.
"How long?"
"Like Artie said, we've known each other forever." Alfred answered absently. He was staring blankly on the screen, watching what appeared to be dogs of famous super heroes.
"Not what I meant." Matthew replied flatly yet softly. "I meant how long since you guys. . ."
"Since we what?" Alfred asked sitting up and turning his attention to his cousin.
"Wait you guys. . . you are right?" Matthew asked sounding uncertain.
"We're what? Come on dude just spit it out!" Alfred replied. He was starting to get that weird uncomfortable feeling that happens right before someone says something awkward.
"You're dating. Right?" Matthew hesitated quietly.
" NO!" Alfred replied instantaneously. He smacked the palm of his hand on his cousins forehead lightly. "What the heck gave you that idea?"
"Ow." Matthew cried quietly. "Jeez, Al. It was an honest mistake. It's not my fault you guys act like a couple!"
"We whaaa-" Alfred started, sitting back and thinking. Him, and Artie? A couple? That was crazy! That was weird! That was. . . it was different. Wasn't it? If they were a couple it would be different. They would act different. Being a couple was way different then being best friends. Alfred had definitely had his fair share of girlfriends and that. . . that was definitely different. So he voiced as much, "Being best friends and being in a relationship with someone is totally different!"
"Sorry. I well, oh this is embarrassing." Matthew said, face red as if proving his point.
"Yeah. Let's just. . . never mention it again!" Alfred agreed.
"Mention what?"
"Shit!" Alfred yelled.
"Eeep!" Matthew squeaked at the same time. Both jumped in surprise as they looked over towards the mildly concerned British teen standing before them.
"A-Arthur. You're back." Alfred said, looking still a little freaked. Poor Matthew was holding a hand over his heart as if to calm its sporadic beating.
"Yes. I'm back." Arthur replied, clearly unimpressed. He sighed as we toed out of his shoes and brought the bags onto the little table in the kitchen area. The table was small and round but held four chairs nonetheless. He made a grateful noise as he rid his arms of the many bags.
"What did you buy!?" Alfred asked wide-eyed and curious.
"Well, I saw an old lady trying to load her trunk, so being the gentleman I am I stopped to help her. After that she was so thankful, and its beyond me, but she gave me a handful of coupons." Arthur explained with a shrug.
"Coupons?" Alfred asked.
"Precisely. So I sorted through them and bought what I could. Mainly quick meals like Macaroni Cheese or Ramon Noodles, but I suppose it's better than nothing. I also picked up some paper plates, plastic utensils, a mixing bowl, as well as a small pot, a spatula, spoon, and a flat pan to cook with."
"Wow. Living is hard!" Alfred replied helping to put things away in the little cupboard space available.
"Yet you insist on doing this?" Matthew asked from behind the pair. He was a bit skeptical on the whole situation.
"It's an experience Matt. I need vacation time!" Alfred replied. He opened up the little fridge and put away the milk and butter.
"Yeah vacation. Just wait until you need a job. How else will you pay rent, for food, or transportation, God forbid there be an accident. I've been living with my roommate for two years and I still don't know what I'm doing. It's hard Al, really hard." Matthew argued quietly.
"We know what we're doing." Arthur replied smoothly. He was getting a little upset but it's not Matthew's fault. He just doesn't know.
"I'm not sure you do." Matthew countered in a small moment of confidence. Arthur bristled, like a cat would when hissing. Warning bells went off in Alfred's head as he tried to stop the inevitable.
"Arthur. . ." He said, but it fell to deaf ears. The teenager was too stubborn, too self-defensive, for it to work.
"You don't know. Not me, or my life, you don't know. I've basically lived by myself for an entire year. Cared for myself, and my mother. . . for an entire year. Please, just. . . don't say I'm incompetent, or incapable, because you don't know!" Arthur had his head down, hair blocking the view of his face. His shoulders were tensed and his hands were fisted by his side. Matthew on the other hand looked completely taken aback. A sniffle came from Arthur, before he bolted to the bathroom.
"Arthur." Alfred whispered, obvious concern in his voice. He glanced up at a bewildered Matthew and sighed. "It's alright you didn't know. Arthur's had it rough ok." Alfred whispered pulling his cousin into a quick hug.
"I-I-I didn't. I mean, I'm really sorry. . ." Matthew stammered. He pulled away from Alfred and nodded as if to say he was okay. "I think he's the one that needs the cheering up." Matthew motioned to the door.
"Right." Alfred nodded as well and walked over to the door.
He was so week. So terribly weak. How could he cry over her again. How could he let that feeling creep into him again. That woman wasn't his mother. His mother was sweet. She sang to the fairies and gardened. She smiled and laughed. She was perfect. She was not the cold, drunken woman who prostitutes herself for drugs and alcohol that he'd left back home.
"Arthur." Came a whispered voice accompanied by a soft knock. Arthur hurriedly stood and looked to the mirror/cabinet above the sink. He wiped at his eyes, straightened his shirt and threw the door open. Alfred startled back in surprise. "Hey Art, are you oka-" Alfred started in a quiet tone.
"I'm quite alright." Arthur cut him off, walking past the boy and into the kitchen. He could see Matthew using the new bowl to mix up some batter for the long-awaited pancakes. "I'm terribly sorry for how rude I'd acted. Honestly, my apologies." He continued, startling Matthew into a wide-eyed look of shock.
"Oh no r-really. I'm the one who should apologize!" He tried, bowing his head towards the other blonde. Alfred walked in and stood slightly awkwardly, unsure of what to do.
"So how about them pancakes." Alfred interjected, laughing loudly to distract from the earlier events.
"Right!" Matthew nodded returning to his earlier work.
"What happened to Mattie and I can cook his famous recipe!" Arthur chuckled, mocking the other by faking an American accent. Matt snorted as Alfred crossed his arms childishly. "I'm only playing love." Arthur commented, patting the American's cheek. He shook his head and walked into the bedroom area to read some more of the Japanese books.
Love. Arthur had used it many times. Talking to children, to Alfred, even to random strangers he bumped into on the street. Yet every time Arthur used the pet name on Alfred, the American felt a strange shiver run through him. It really was to intimate sounding for the way the British used it.
Suddenly a hand came into vision and Alfred blinked owlishly at it. He adjusted his glasses and looked down into a pair of beautiful green depths. Arthur's eyes were quite beautiful. Not that he'd ever tell him that though. It's just weird for friends to say things like that, and also knowing Arthur, he'd get a harsh smack to the back of the head, along with some British insult, and a scowl.
"Hey." Alfred said, sounding a bit breathy.
"He yourself." Arthur replied, a concerned look entering his eyes, causing them to shift to a lighter shade. Seriously it was like a kaleidoscope! "You've been standing there for quite a while just staring into space. Are you alright?"
"I'm awesome!" Alfred replied with a thumbs up and a big smile, as well as a wink sent towards the shorter teens way. Said teen just rolled his eyes and huffed indignantly.
"Well pancakes are finished. I'd of thought you would jump at the mention of food, but you didn't so . . ." Arthur trailed off, averting his gaze to another area.
"SWEET!" Alfred yelled, causing the other to jump slightly at the unexpected loud noise. Alfred pumped a fist in the air and made his way into the kitchen.
"So, what were you doing on your way to France anyways?" Arthur turned towards Matthew, cutting another small bite from his pancakes. "That is to say, what where your reasons to visit?"
"Actually I was planning to visit a friend there. We became pen pals in my French classes during sophomore year of high school. Well, I suppose for him it was English classes though. I'd write in French and he'd write in English, we's correct the other's mistakes as well as get to know each other. We wanted to finally meet." Matthew replied with a smile.
"Well I'm very sorry you had to miss the chance then. What was this friend's name?" Arthur continued questioning. He looked over to see Alfred holding and entire pancake on his fork and biting off the biggest piece he could chew. Unmannered git.
"Francis Bonnefoy." Arthur, who'd been drinking some water from a plastic cup, proceeded to spit take, all over the unused side of the table.
"That bloody, no good, ill-cultured, perverted frog." Arthur mumbled to himself as he, in a very un-Arthur like fashion, wiped his mouth on his arm.
Matthew was a bit startled to say the least, and also thoroughly confused. "Umm . . . you know him?" Matthew asked hesitantly.
"Know him!? I grew up with the bloody frog! His mum lives in England, his dad in France. I spent my whole life with that pervert." Arthur pouted, crossing his arms. "Got me in to trouble more times than I can count, though I suppose I did return the favor." Now there was a smirk on his lips and Alfred thought it right to finally jump in and comment.
"So is this that 'girly, devilish, jerk-face Frenchie' I've always heard about?" He took joy in the way Arthur's face lit up with a deep blush.
"It most certainly is." He replied, still sitting with his arm's crossed. "In fact I'll call him up now. Perhaps I can save your innocence before it's to late." The seriousness in the tone Arthur used in his last sentence was something to be reckoned with. It left Matthew wondering if he really was making a smart idea, planing a cross Atlantic trip to meet a total stranger.
The amused, yet nervous cousins followed Arthur out into the living room/bedroom and waited on the bed as Arthur picked up the land line and started dialing a number.
"You know it by heart?" Alfred asked, raising an eyebrow at the other.
"Shut up! I only know it so that I know not to answer if he ever calls!" Arthur replied as he set the phone down and his a speaker button. Slightly static filled ringing filled the room.
"I'm sure." Alfred teased, snickering at the way Arthur bristled. Suddenly the ringing stopped and a click sounded.
"Bonjour? Qu'est-ce?" Came a reply. The man sounded to be around their age.
"Don't speak in stupid French to me you inconsiderate jerk!" Arthur growled into the receiver. "I already told you I've no wish to learn that dreaded language."
"Ah! Arthur! To what displeasure do I have to speak with such a troll?" Francis quipped, sounding amused and quite happy. Now that he thought it, Alfred also noticed Arthur also looked to be the same way.
"Saving innocent souls from your clutches again, Frog." Arthur smirked, with a shrug as if the other could see him. By now Alfred assumed he and Matthew had been all but forgotten This made him rather jealous of the attention Arthur gave his so called enemy.
"Who might that be Eyebrows? Finally decided the attraction between us was to much?" After that was said, Arthur let out a disbelieving laugh.
"Actually it's a friend of mine. I believe you know of a one Matthew Williams." Arthur replied.
"Ah Mathieu! Sweet little Mathieu! How ever did you hear about this?" Francis sounded wistful now, Alfred could practically imagine someone on the other end was throwing a hand over his forehead dramatically. Matthew on the other hand, who he could actually see, was blushed a dark red.
"He was to visit you at you're father's house, correct?" Arthur questioned.
"Oui, he had to delay it because of his brat cousin." Francis explained.
"HEY! Brat cousin right here!" Alfred yelled, offended.
"Who-" Francis started before he was cut off.
"Hey Francis." Matthew said timidly, leaning into the phone.
"M-Mathieu?" Francis asked sounding perplexed.
"It's kind of a long story. . ." Matthew replied hesitantly, but explained the events anyway, leaving out small bits, like the Arthur thing or his conversation with Alfred. Both teens felt grateful towards the older blonde for protecting their privacy.
"Why does that place sound familiar?" Francis asked himself, still in conversation with the other three blondes. "Merde! You said the World Motel, non?" He sounded excited.
"Yeah, why's it matter?" Alfred asked curiously.
"I have two friends staying there! What a coincidence? Wow." Francis replied excited. There was a serious of beeps before a whole new voice came into the conversation.
"Franny! I've missed you!" came the sound of an annoying voice with a German accent.
"Gil?" Matthew asked hesitantly.
"Birdie!?" Came the reply from the German.
"Birdie?" Alfred questioned giving his cousin a strange look.
"Hola!" This voice sounding Spanish.
"ANTONIO!" Alfred yelled excitedly.
"Alfred! Mi amigo!" The reply was made.
"The hell?" Arthur questioned looking at the three occupants of the room.
And that is where I leave you m kittens! You don't know how frustrating it is to get this chapter going! Like my mom's computer crashed, and then I didn't save the document right, and then power goes out in my whole town because it starts friggin' snowing! But I did it!
In case you were wondering I had to make Alfred and Matthew cousins, because I don't think Alfred is the kind of person to run away and leave his brother behind.
Translation:
Bonjour ? Qu'est-ce ? - Hello? Who is it?
I think you should know the other words. xD
Anywas that's all I have to say to you guys, so I'll talk to you next chapter! :3
