Demon: Okay, I'm going to say this first and foremost. Where's the love!?! Not even one review! I want to give someone that honorable mention part down at the bottom, or give my dedication to a faithful reviewer who reviews on every story I do! -sighs- But whatever. I have the traffic page so I at least know people are reading this. :D... DX Ohmigawd!
ATTENTION: Nikita may seem like a total mary-sue, but I assure you, she's not. She can't fight worth crap and cries at the smallest things! -points to first chapter- But the way she acts in this chapter, I need her character to be like that, it comes into play later.
Lol, so, what's with all the haters suddenly! Did you like Althea and Alfred trying to kill one another? Yes, well, much more hate happens in this chapter, as well as some love, stalking, and some forever-steamy muffins! You will see why the first part of last chapter comes into play as well, in this chapter.
It may seem like I'm updating superfast, but it's cause I truely enjoy this story, and I actually have a plot line for this! That and my school sucks so I have plenty of time to write stuff in there too. There are tons of translations in this one xD
Word Count: 3,855
Disclaimer: I do not own the anime/manga of Axis Powers- Hetalia
Claimer: My OCs are purely mine and I am responsible for any mental or physical damage they may bring to the world
Dedication: To my friend Amanda, who, even if she doesn't watch the show, sits in French class with me and tells me funny things to add (the muffins)
Warnings: Naked men (but no smex D:), Violence with a wooden spoon, and a scary person on muffins
Translations-
Cпасибо - Thanks
Cпасибо Иван - Thanks Ivan
До свидания, Иван - Goodbye, Ivan
Bonjour - Literally means good morning, but can be used as a formal greeting at any time of the day (maybe I should have used informal .''')
Mon amour - My (masculine) love
une petite - (feminine) a small
Pourquoi - why
Au revoir -Goobye
This is the End of Everything
xxxxx
Chapter III
The Almighty Muffins
xxxxx
America was on edge from being near Russia for so long, but the nation had a brilliant idea.
"Trinity was talking to me about how many people celebrate different winter holidays, but that this year people were sad about them because they all come after the 12th of December- the supposed doomsday. So, since the nations haven't gotten together for quite a while without it being a World Conference, we should throw an 'End of the World' party on the 11th. But sadly, my place is not the place to do it. Too cold, so I wish to ask you if you could let us use your place?"
Alfred had agreed and now Ivan was walking him to the door as a safety measure. It was understandable, after all, his housemate was after his blood. It was weird, him and Trinity had been on good terms up until about the end of the year 2001. Then she had suddenly turned hostile toward him and he wanted to know why. But she wouldn't give him a chance, every time he got near, she tried to behead him.
"Cпасибо- for coming and lending the use of your place." Russia spoke, a sweet childish smile on his face as they approached the door. Right as the taller man's gloved hand was on the door handle there was a soft knock on the door, and Russia continued opening it.
It was sweet, little Nikita at the door, a bag in her arms and she greeted Russia with a smile on her face. "Hello Ivan!" She said cheerily, and Alfred didn't miss the darkened look in Russia's eyes as Nikita greeted him.
Did he hate her? And if so, for what? For making sure that no one fought obsessively with each other, so that Ivan didn't get to see any more blood baths? His blue eyes looked over to Nikita next, the innocent smile on her face. It was then he noticed what she was wearing. It was a pair of incredibly short black shorts, and a white turtleneck with a lime green jacket-vest. Shorts? Really? Living with… with… whoever the hell she was living with was making her go insane.
Nikita shifted and then noticed America. "Ah, good to see you too Alfred!" She chirped, waving. She looked to Ivan again, tilting her head back to look him in the eyes. "May I come in? I have something for you and Trin-trin?"
Ivan nodded slowly and let the non-nation in. She regarded America once again with a smile. "And I might as well give you yours while we're here, Alfred." She spoke, following Russia inside.
"What is it?" Ivan asked, turning around and stopping Nikita and Alfred from advancing any further into his house.
The little brunette nodded her head and reached inside the basket, pulling out something steaming. How it was still steaming while she had just been outside in Russia when it was nearing winter, Alfred will never find out and Ivan won't even bother, but the scent of whatever it was was so intoxicating that America could even see Ivan lean forward just a bit more to get more of that scent. "Muffins! I made one for everyone!" She cheered, pulling out a muffin with dark purple spots. "A blueberry one for you, Ivan. A blackberry for Trin-trin. And a banana-nut for you, Alfred!"
Alfred could sing to Nikita's happiness. She was always positive in whatever she did, even with Russia staring hatefully at her. Most people would have peed themselves and run for the hills screaming for their mommy, but she just smiled and gave him a muffin. And not only that, but a lot of others used their nation names when addressing them. As soon as Nikita had learned their real names, she used them and never addressed them as nations (unless scolding them for something). It had become and inside joke with the nations to call her Mommy Nikita. "Ah! You are so sweet Nikita!" Alfred cried out, taking a bite of the delicious muffin. He wanted to kidnap her so that she would feed him those muffins for eternity! "Going all around the world to share your wonderful muffins!"
Said woman blushed and looked to her feet, shuffling them along the clean carpet. "T-thank you, Alfred." She mumbled, obviously embarrassed, and that dark look on Ivan's face grew darker. Geez, what was the man's problem? Suddenly the wonderful woman perked up and looked to Ivan. "What time is it here?" She asked hurriedly.
"It's 3 o'clock." He muttered, looking away from Nikita as her fingers danced in the air, counting the time zones.
"Cпасибо Иван!" She spoke in his native tongue. "I won't be too early when I get to Arthur's place! Goodbye Alfred!" She yipped, leaning up on her toes and giving the American a kiss on the cheek and then hopping over to Russia. "До свидания, Иван!" And then she leaned up, pulling on the man's scarf to get him to lean down a bit and gave him a kiss on the cheek as well. Either she was ignoring or just completely oblivious to Ivan's look toward her. "Let Trin-trin know I dropped by." And then she bounced out the door.
Wow, what a brave woman, asking to come in (as opposed to being invited or kidnapped), giving Russia a muffin, pulling on his scarf, kissing him on the cheek, and then telling him what to do! She must have a death wish, or a heart made of pure gold, either way it would be her demise when Russia finally snapped. Alfred made a mental note to invite her to the party, if Russia did not, so that everyone could see how brave she was. "Well, I better be going too, later Russia!" He called out, leaving as well.
Trinity heard the doors open and shut three times before she went downstairs finally, and she saw Russia sitting at the table. "Ivan? What's wrong?" She asked, sensing a dark mood from the large nation.
Russia shook his head, truthfully, there was nothing wrong. "Nothing. Just so you're aware, there's going to be an 'End of the World' party celebrating all of the different holidays at America's place on the 11th." He informed her, ignoring her large scream and hole she put in the wall with her fist. One of these days she was going to have to explain what it was that made her want to kill Alfred.
xxxxx
England was busy working, ignoring his sore backside when there was a knock at the door to his office. He growled, "Go away Thane, I'm busy!" He shouted.
The door opened anyways and Nikita poked her head in, a happy smile on her face. "Not Thane, Nikita. But what has my brother been doing, you sound angry, Arthur?" She asked, taking a seat.
Arthur's eyes were drawn to the basket at her side. What was in there? Was she going to poison him so that Thane could have his wicked way with his limp body? Yes, that was it, Thane put her up to it. "That unsufferable-" He sighed. "He's just been bothering me, and with everything so stressed out lately-" He cut off his own sentence, hanging his head in his hands. "So, did you need anything Nikita?"
Nikita shook her head after listening attentively to his problem. "Nope, I just have something for you. And I'll let you know, Thane won't be bothering you for a while," She pulled out a muffin with chocolate ships melted into it out of her basket and placed it on his desk gently. "I gave him a couple of these. They do things to him, wanna come see with me?" She asked, a suddenly devilish grin on her face.
She didn't wait for his reply before reaching over his desk and grabbing his wrist. She guided him around said piece of furniture and dragged him out the door and down the halls to Thane's room. She put a finger to her lips, signaling him to stay quite and very slowly pushed the door open.
And sure enough, there in the corner was Thane. Normally cool, calm, and dangerous. Now a mess, unorganized, and crazed. There were crumbs and muffin-bottom wrappers all around the room, and Thane had the scariest smile on his face as he nibbled at another one. The look nearly made England shit himself. Damn, that muffin face was scarier than the tour of Russia's basement (torture chambers), and yet Nikita giggled like she was mad. It seemed reasonable; after all, Thane was her twin brother.
xxxxx
Later that evening, in England's house, Thane had long since passed out. "Probably over-stimulated from muffins." Arthur mumbled to himself. Arthur was heading towards his library, when someone knocked on his door. One of the maids opened it, thankfully close enough to hear with earplugs in.
"Bonjour!"
Arthur nearly died. It was France. And usually when Francis was around Thane got jealous and then Arthur wouldn't be able to walk for the next week. But thankfully, Thane was passed out, so if he could get the other nation out of here as soon as possible, Thane would never have to know that he was even here. "Good evening Francis." He mumbled.
France seemed to swoon at the fact that Arthur was speaking to him and draped himself over the shorter man. "Ah! Mon amour! It has been too long!" He swung back and forth, England rocking in his arms. "I wanted to ask you une petite question."
England knew he would regret this later, but he needed this man out of his house before Thane woke up. "And that would be?"
France tightened his arms around Arthur and blew softly on his ear, causing shivers to wrack the green eyed man's body. "I heard that Russia and Alfred were having a party/ball, and I would like you to be my date."
That was it. England struggled furiously to get out the man's grip, scratching and clawing at the larger man's arms. "No, I can't." He pleaded, trying to get away.
Francis looked confused and released the smaller man. "Pourquoi?" France asked, looking mildly hurt at the fact that his love was rejecting his invitation.
Arthur panicked. The only way to get out of this was to lie. "Uh- because I'm not going. I wasn't invited." Yes, that was a complete and utter lie. Russia had phoned earlier, giving a verbal invitation to him and Thane. And he was going, even if he did say this, he was going. If France saw him there, he would claim that America and Thane dragged him out of his house. It seemed reasonable enough.
Francis looked destroyed and nodded his head. "Ah, I understand. Well then… Au revoir, Arthur." And he left, leaving Arthur to continue to his library. That is, if Thane didn't walk out of there, a pessimistic look on his face.
"Ah! Thane, what are you doing up?" Arthur questioned, knowing that Thane had been there long enough to know that France was there.
Thane just stalked toward the smaller man, who would step back to keep his distance- until he was up against a wall, preventing him from going anywhere as Thane trapped him. "France was here." The raven haired man stated more than asked. Arthur just nodded, not trusting his voice. "And he was all over you." A nod. "And called you his love." Another nod. "Do you love him back?"
Arthur wouldn't answer. If he said no, he didn't love Francis, then surely Thane would ask if Arthur loved him, and Arthur didn't want to ruin what they had if Thane didn't feel the same way. But if he said yes, he'd be lying to Thane and surely hurt the man (or the other would hurt him). It was very complicated.
"Answer me damnit!" Thane suddenly yelled, slamming his fist into the wall beside Arthur's head, making the blonde flinch.
Scared out of his mind that Thane was going to hurt him, he choose the answer that was in between yes and no. "I don't know. Maybe." He mumbled.
Thane suddenly left him, turning his back to England. "Then we're over. I'll be gone by the end of the week, I just need to find another place to stay."
The non-nation could already hear the tears that England shed, but what Arthur didn't know is that tonight Thane was going to sob his eyes out over the blonde. Why!?! Why did Arthur even remotely have feelings for France!?! Didn't Arthur even care about Thane? Twenty years living here, and now twelve of those years wasted on the blonde. Oh, he'd definitely be gone at the end of the week.
Arthur slumped to the ground as Thane spoke to him. Why!?! Why was he such a hardheaded person that he had to lie to the person he had given twelve years of his life to? Even if Thane was rough at times, he was sweet in his notions and really, Arthur had been the only one to see that.
That first day in the World Conference, Thane had held the gun to Germany's head only after he yelled at Althea. Obviously the man was loyal to his friends. But here Arthur was, hurting the most loyal man on the face of the earth. What had he done?
"Please, don't leave me." He whispered, the tears overflowing from his eyes.
xxxxx
Spain was busy relaxing when the call came, he was laying down outside, and thankfully he had a phone line out there, otherwise the person on the other line would just have to deal. He picked the phone up and held it to his ear. "Antonio here."
"Hello? Antonio, it's Thane."
Spain nearly jumped out of his skin upon hearing the name. Had he done something to piss the man off? No, he was pretty sure he didn't. "Ah, yes, Thane. What can I help you with?" He asked, trying to calm his rapid heartbeat.
"I need a new place to stay."
Spain made a humming sound. "I guess you could stay here for a while. England kicking you out?"
There was silence on the other side of the line, and Antonio swore he heard some sniffling. Did Thane beat the crap out of England? Is that why he couldn't live there anymore? Wow, he'd have to watch his step around the crazy non-nation. "Kind of." Thane finally replied.
"Alright then, when can I expect you here?"
"The end of the week."
And Thane hung up, leaving Spain to wonder what the hell had happened over there.
xxxxx
Canada welcomed Nikita home as she got back from delivering muffins to everyone. Wow, if she was a character in a book, she would be classified as a Mary-Sue. But Canada knew the other side of Nikita. She was very shy, despite how friendly she was, and she was afraid of the dark and of not getting people's approval.
"I had some leftover, so we can have those after dinner tonight, Matthew!" She chirped, setting the steaming basket down. It was amazing, that thing had been all around the world and the basket was still steaming.
Canada nodded, holding Kumajirou in his arms. "America called while you were gone, there's a party on the 11th." He informed her, setting the small bear down and going to reach into the basket to get another additive muffin.
Nikita's red eyes flashed and she smacked Canada's hand with a wooden spoon she was using as she cooked up dinner. "No! After dinner! I will call you when it's ready." She scolded and Canada felt like a small child.
He went to his room, flopping down on his bed. He enjoyed having Nikita with him, she seemed to be the only one who didn't forget about him constantly. And it wasn't so lonely in his house anymore. He finally had someone to talk to and someone who would keep him company in the long winter nights. They were the best of friends, according to Canada. He knew about her fears and everything and she knew about his. She also knew he was gay, and she promised she wouldn't tell anyone about it- and he could believe her.
"Matt!" He heard Nikita call upstairs. Was dinner ready that quickly? Surely it took her longer to cook something… or had he zoned out without realizing it. "Matt, it's important!" He could now recognize the panic in her voice as she called to him.
He got out of bed, careful not to trip of Kumajirou who had followed him up there, and went to the kitchen. "What happened?"
"It's Ludwig! Gilbert and Althea can't find him!"
xxxxx
Prussia sat on the couch, his elbows propped on his knees, his fingers folded together in front of his mouth as he was hunched over, trying to think of where his brother could have gone. In the other room, he could hear Althea calling the other nations, trying to see if they knew anything about where Germany had gone.
It wasn't like him to just up and disappear, he even told Prussia, years ago, when he was going out to buy a hooker 'cause he was lonely. In other words, he told at least someone where he was going at all times. It was like an extra safety measure to the blonde man.
So where was he now?
Althea had seen him and talked to him, before he stormed out and that had been the last trace of him. They had gone to the local bars, and Althea had even gone to the red light district of the town they were in, asking the hookers and pimps if they had seen him. It was harder than expected, seeing as there tended to be a lot more blonde and blue eyed men than just Ludwig. But it was easy, because Gilbert was pretty sure that none were as large as his little brother.
But alas, Althea had returned empty handed and Ludwig was still gone. It was beginning to disturb Prussia a little too much.
"I've asked everyone, except Thane and England. I can't get a hold of those two- but no one has seen him." Althea spoke as she sat down on the couch next to him, tipping over and managing to wiggle herself so that her head was in Gilbert's lap. "Did I do anything wrong, Gilbert?" She asked softly, the albino almost didn't hear her.
He shook his head. "From what you told me, no. And you're sure it was Italy on the other end of the phone?"
Althea had told him everything that had happened after she had left him in her room; she even told him about the conversation Ludwig had on the phone. "Yeah, Luddi even said his name."
"And it's not like Italy would kidnap him, I mean, West would just beat him to the ground, right?"
Althea shifted. She hadn't liked the angry tone that Ludwig had used when he yelled at Italy. She couldn't even fathom why Germany would want to yell at the smaller nation. Weren't they at least friends?
But at this moment, she didn't care if he was angry at her or anyone else. She really just wanted Ludwig home safely.
xxxxx
Greece stretched out, his joints popping from being curled up for so long. The pale form lying against him made a small moan in protest at his movement. Heracles ran his fingers through the silky black hair of his lover and stared at the ceiling.
Germany was missing and no one could find him? It was odd, at least.
He knew that this wasn't merely Althea being absent minded and forgetting that he often went out to bars without her or Prussia. No, the girl sounded like she was in hysterics as she asked him if he had seen 'Luddi' anywhere.
After she had hung up, sounding disappointed, Greece tried to call the man himself, only to find that his phone was off. That really did get him thinking.
Someone had to know where the giant man was! He was just- he couldn't be missed!
The small man beside him stirred and opened his fogged over brown eyes. "Mmm… what's going on?"
Heracles leaned over and placed a small kiss on the side of Japan's temple, a smile curling at his lips. "Why do you ask?"
Kiku looked up at the Grecian man who had returned to staring at the ceiling, the brown eyebrows furrowed. "Because of that look on your face." He answered, crawling over Heracles, straddling the man's waist with his thighs as his knees supported him over the other man. His hands were at Greece's shoulders, gripping the sheets beneath them. He attempted to look his lover dead in the face, but the larger man just kept staring at the ceiling.
"It's just…" Greece wondered if he should tell the man. After all, Germany was one of his better friends and that would mean that Japan would be too worried about Ludwig to do anything with Heracles. But on the other hand, Althea was bound to call the smaller nation and he would find out later. It was better to tell him now and not be deprived for not telling Kiku. "They can't find Germany."
Kiku narrowed his eyes. They couldn't find… Germany? How was that possible!?! Just look at a map, he was right there next to Poland! It's not like his country was incredibly tiny, like Lichtenstein. The country was easily found on a map… Unless, the Germany they were talking about was the human embodiment- Ludwig. His eyes widened as he realized this. Ludwig was gone!?! How the hell!?! Didn't he tell at least one person where he was going before he went anywhere? "We have to help them look!" Kiku nearly yelled, trying to slide of Greece, until an arm wrapped around his waist prevented him from doing so. "Let me go!"
Greece had watched the confusion on his lover's face slowly turn to pure concern and he caught the small nation before he could leap into action. "No, we're going to stay here." Japan's face became furious at him and when he opened his mouth to talk, Greece cut him off. "They've looked everyone. You know that. Althea wouldn't give up and start calling people unless she had looked everywhere she could." He calmed his lover down, rolling them over so that he had Japan trapped beneath him. "I'm sure they'll let us know when they find him."
Had the whole world gone crazy? Spain had called him earlier, freaking out because Thane had to live with him because apparently Arthur had kicked him out. The America and Russia had both called him inviting him and Kiku to their twisted ball/party at America's place- somehow they had known that Kiku was over at his place at that moment. And now no one could find Germany.
Yes, Heracles concluded. The whole world had gone insane.
Demon: Ah! -dodges pitchforks and torches- I didn't want to! Okay! I did! But it gets better, I promise! So yes, Thane has left Arthur. Damn the Brit for being so hard headed and thinking shot through too much! The party, it promises to be good and detailed. I told you Nikita was a Mary-sue... it pains me, but there's a reason she's like that. And Thane with his muffins... it was disturbing to think of, but something had to be done to make him pass out. The whole one-sided FrancexEngland thing... that makes me giggle. My friend said that French sounded dirty so I wisphered passage cloute to him and he almost had a boner in class. It made me laugh. By the way, that means Pedestrian Crossing.... xD So it makes me laugh to think of poor Arthur wanting Thane, but he can't help but be effected by France speaking French :D I'm evil.
GERMANY'S MISSING!!!! OH NOES!!!! But don't worry, he'll be found eventually.
Yes, The Italys, Spain, France, Greece, and Japan do play into the whole thing, you'll just have to keep coming back to read more to find out why.
Oh, and what was up with Russia hating on Nikita!?! I bet you want to know that too! And I gave a small hint as to why Trinity hates Alfred... not a big one, just small.
The Contest: Can you find the lyric line? I'll give you a hint- The break-up. Good luck!
(All contests remain open until someone solves them! Only then are they closed!)
Honorable Mention: Sadly, there isn't one. Again. Honestly, guys, I want to give this to someone. A lot of writers get praise, but barely anyone mentions the reviewers and aren't they what fuels the writer to write more!?! Please, review or do the contest to get this spot.
