(Disclaimer: I do not claim to own Hetalia: Axis Powers in any way.)

When Alfred arrived at the Hyatt the next morning, the lady at the desk told him that the Bonnefoy's were not to be disturbed. Alfred immediately demanded why, and he was simply escorted out of the hotel by the security staff. He glowered at the fancy glass hotel doors as they shut behind him. One of the security guards simply glared back at him through them practically daring him to try to reenter.

Dejectedly Alfred made his way back to his car. He didn't even want to imagine what the two of them were doing up in that room that they didn't want to be disturbed. It was an image that he couldn't get out of his head though.

Alfred calmed himself down by repeating in his mind the events of last night. With the exception of Arthur leaving, of course. The trip through Central Park had been pleasant.

The American tried using the redial on his phone to call Arthur's hotel room. He just received an automated message that the room was not to be disturbed by hotel staff however. He spent half and hour lounging back in the driver's seat of his car in the parking lot. He wouldn't let Arthur slip away from him this time. Alfred would make sure that Arthur heard him out this time.

That's when Alfred hatched his plan. Said plan helped him wind up in the office of a Kiku Honda, listening through the door, hearing the inner thoughts of Arthur.

Alfred had little trouble locating Kiku Honda's office. Apparently he was quite popular in the art industry. The man's secretary had told him that her boss was currently occupied and may be for some time. He could wait if he wanted, or she could leave a message.

He opted for waiting.

A few minutes later she had left to go handle some affairs elsewhere for a bit. She had told him to wait until she returned. Alfred had waited patiently until she left to sneak over to the door. He had been about to open it despite the meeting being held inside when he'd heard that voice. That sexy English voice.

That was how Alfred ended up in his current predicament. He couldn't help but pressed his ear against the office door to hear better. "-know Francis. His desires are so sudden. I assumed after a few weeks or so he would become bored with the whole affair." There was pain in that English voice, and Alfred couldn't help but flinch.

"Francis-san is quite affectionate."

"I hate all this lying, Kiku," Arthur sobbed. "I just want everything to go back to how it was the first few months. Business call! That's preposterous. I'm surprised he even came at all. It would have been much easier for him to stay in Italy. I suppose she wanted to see America though."

Kiku's voice was gentle. "Arthur-san, if you are so unhappy why not tell him?"

"I suspect he knows," Arthur sighed. "How could he not? We haven't slept in the same bed in months. I suspect I should be pleased enough that he isn't bringing them home with him. He has that much decency left."

"What about Alfred-san?" Kiku asked quietly. Alfred was holding his breath upon hearing his own name. What would Arthur say about him? "You seem to enjoy his company."

There was a long pause on the other side of the door. Alfred hoped that Arthur hadn't lowered his voice. The American pressed closer to the wooden door in an attempt to catch any quietly spoken words. He couldn't miss this. He had to know if Arthur really did feel those sparks igniting.

A breath similar to amusement escaped Arthur despite his teary voice. "Alfred does make me happy, doesn't he?" There was a saddened sigh following. Alfred felt his heart sink just a little, but he was still uplifted knowing that he made Arthur happy. "I hardly know him though." That was his big argument wasn't it? He was always using that against Alfred.

"You've known Francis-san for a very long time, Arthur-san," Kiku stated in that consoling voice of his. It was easy to listen to. Alfred understood why Arthur would come to him for a comforting talk. "Yet it appears that he doesn't make you happy. Wouldn't it make sense then that someone you hardly know would make you happy?"

"But what happens when we do learn to know each other? Wouldn't it be back at the beginning with unhappiness?"

"Maybe you could learn about each other and learn to love at the same time." Alfred suddenly liked Kiku very much. Everything that he wanted to say and was never able too was easily put into words by the Japanese man.

Arthur sighed again. He sounded tired but not nearly as sad as he had before. Alfred would be eternally indebted to the Japanese man for making Arthur feel better and for saying what he never could. "I'm just not sure if I have enough courage to leave Francis. I did fall in love with him, I think I still am."

Alfred's heart sank just a little more.

"But love and happiness go with each other. If you are not happy how can you be in love?" Chalk another one up for Kiku's good words. "You should go see Alfred-san and Francis-san both, separately, and decide which of them makes you the happiest, Arthur-san."

Two days later, Alfred received a call. "Alfred?" Arthur asked tentatively over the phone. "I would like to apologize about the other night. It was quite rude of me to kiss you like I did."

"There's no reason to apologize, Artie!" Alfred called back through the phone. The boisterous attitude once again caused Arthur to need to remove the phone from before his ear as not to go deaf. Was he always like this when talking to others electronically?

"In any case," Arthur answered, "I am sorry."

"If you're so sorry how would you feel about going to get something to eat tomorrow night with me? To make up for it, you know? We didn't really get to catch up the other night though. I'd like to see you again before you and Francis go back to Italy."

Arthur didn't bother to hold his surprise. He had been about to say the very same thing. He'd decided to follow out Kiku's plan and test both of the blonds. Francis had taken him to a very expensive, elegant restaurant the night before. It was the first time in many months that Francis had shone his romantic side to the Englishman. They had even finished the night with some of those nightly activities that Arthur had been missing for a long time. Alfred had a lot to live up to now.

What also surprised the Englishman was the fact that there was no bitterness in the American's voice when he mentioned Francis. It was the first time that such an event had occurred. After a pregnant pause on Arthur's part, Alfred continued through the phone, "'Yello! Arthur? Still alive over there?"

"Of course I'm alive, git!" Arthur snapped. He was embarrassed by his own shock and was blushing. Thankfully Alfred couldn't see that though. "That sounds lovely, Alfred. Would you care to come fetch me at my hotel. You do know where it is after all."

"Sounds great, Artie!" Alfred exclaimed. "I'll swing by at eight tomorrow!"

"Why so late?"

"Trust me. I've got the perfect place for us to go."

"Well, if you're sure." Arthur did not sound sure in the slightest of the American's secret plans. "Just don't be late this time."

"Trust me, I won't be."