Chap IV – The Absolute Obliviousness
The road trip went … horrifically, just as Germany predicted but worse.
It seemed that half of the invited guests decided not to show up at all. The ones that did show up were all 2 hours late and many of them suffering the remains of last night's party. Alfred, the host and organiser of this one week road trip arrived last with 3 hours late but at least his good mood and excited grin were fresh as daisies … and causing the other's mood to worsen at seeing him so cheerful and oblivious. Germany had to hold back his brother from assaulting America because he had yelled his greetings across the hotel, causing Prussia's (and other hangover nations) ears to ring in agony.
France was groaning and being irritable, a dark unusual aura surrounding him which meant only England could approach him without a risk of being murdered. However, England's expression was a bit colder than usual and lost in thought. He wasn't even paying attention to Francis or to America's loud instructions for the trip.
Spain shot a cautious glance at the Frenchman. Not only did he break the rule but Francis is in his hangover bad mood. He definitely hopes England will keep his word of not telling anyone. Turning his attention to Romano, the Spaniard noticed how the Italian was oddly quiet and glaring even more viciously than normal at the German brothers, particularly Gilbert. Spain knew Romano hated Gilbert but still. He shrugged, not really in the mood to cheer up Romano or even socialise. His own thoughts were already hard enough to control, having been plagued by guilt and the really familiar face of a cute green eyed blonde nation.
The only nation present and looking remotely cheerful was Veneziano as he was the only one talking (yelling) with Alfred concerning the trip and whether or not they would have enough pasta. The day could not have started any worse and they still had not left the hotel yet!
On the trip there were a limited number of nations: America (obviously), Canada (though America forgot to count him in as did pretty much most nations as well), England, France, Prussia, Germany, Veneziano, Romano, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Hungary, Russia, Belarus, China, Japan, Korea. Everyone else invited decided otherwise due to last night.
"Alright guys! Time to go! Are you all ready?!" America called loudly when he didn't need to as they were all seated in a rented bus and easily in earshot without having Alfred blowing their ears off.
"Will you just start the damn thing and stop your fucking yelling?!" Prussia roared and was barely held back by Germany.
"Alrighty then! Driver, hit the road!"
"Alfred … it's me, not driver! You asked me to drive, remember?" Matthew sighed, hoping his brother could stop forgetting his presence.
"Oh right! Sorry Bro! Well, it's all up to you!" America laughed and walked back to his seat next to Japan and in front of England and France. He shot a questioning glance at the two silent blondes. Normally, England would be the one to scold him, not Prussia. And France had that aura around him that made him look like Russia. Spooky!
"Hey, England? Dude, what's the deal with France?"
"Just a hangover. He'll be fine by tomorrow." England answered in a dull tone, his eyes staring out the window.
Alfred frowned in concern. Arthur usually wouldn't be this dismissive with him. He didn't even look at him or complain once! France is not the only one acting weird today either. Prussia was looking just as bad and growling like an angry beast. Germany was unusually patient with his brother. Spain was not hugging Romano or even smiling like an idiot. Romano was glaring even more than normal at the Germans with his face flushed in rage. And Italy, seated next to Austria, the two of them paid absolutely no attention to what occurred in the bus. Hungary and Portugal were chatting, though Portugal often sent concerned looks to England, under the sly eyes of Hungary. China was attempting to escape Korea's boob-grabbing. And Russia was as still as an ice statue while his sister had her arms wrapped around his. Glancing back at Japan, America lifted a questioning eyebrow in a silent inquiry. The Japanese only shrugged in ignorance.
The trip went in relative peace … mainly because most people on board were ignoring each other or sleeping off their hangover.
"We're here! This is the best spot! Good job Driver!"
"Alfred … I'm not Driver, I'm your brother!"
"Alright guys! Let's all go enjoy the beach! I bet you guys have never been to Florida before!" America ignored his mumbling brother and was getting everyone out of the bus and onto the sandy beach.
It took them a whole day to drive down to Florida, mainly because they stopped on various occasions to visit specific towns or sceneries. As a road trip, it was going well so far … aside for the tensions remaining between the nations. Luckily, it seems as though most nations had gotten over their foul mood and hangover, leaving them in a better mood for when they arrived at the beach for an evening barbecue. America had planned for them to spend the night here and the whole day tomorrow enjoying the sea, they would hit the road again the next day.
Arthur walked out of the bus and stretched himself. Spending the day on the road was dulling his senses but the fresh evening breeze hitting his face managed to wake him up and clear his mind. Feeling a hand land on his shoulder, Arthur glanced back expecting France but was agreeably surprised to meet the ocean eyes of Portugal. He smiled warmly at his friend.
"You looked a bit out of it today. Is something bothering you?" João asked as they both helped Alfred unpack the food and tools for the barbecue. The American looked up, stretching his ears and listening in on the conversation. He too wanted to know what was wrong with England. Said England shook his head dismissively.
"Nothing really. Just tired from last night."
"If that were all, you'd be grumpy and sleeping all day like France. Come on, Arthur! You know I won't let go until you tell me!"
"Fine! Fine! Stubborn wanker!" Arthur chuckled and quietened his voice so that only Portugal would hear him.
"You know how last night we didn't go back together as planned?"
"Yeah, but you already apologised for that! I told you it didn't matter since Matthew took us back … Though, I was surprised not to see you in our shared room this morning. Where were you?"
"Yeah, about that ... the reason I didn't go with you guys and didn't come back to our room was … I didn't plan any of this but … your brother …" Arthur left the rest of his sentence unspoken and João could pretty much guess what had occurred. He glared his ocean blue eyes on Spain who was cooing over Romano, hissing in anger. Feeling Arthur pull on his sleeve, he looked back at his friend who shook his head with a sad smile.
"Don't bother. He was really drunk and I wasn't completely sober myself either."
"That's no excuse! And you know perfectly well that you were sober enough to drive! That bastard …! I'm going to kill him!"
"It's alright João."
"But if he knew about your feelings, he would …"
"What would that change? He hates me. He must never know." Arthur warned his friend in a low dark tone. João seemed hesitant but sighed in defeat.
"Alright. But you really need to get over this. I thought going out with me was supposed to help, not make it worse!"
"Yeah, well we aren't exactly going out and no, sex does not equal relationship!" Arthur chuckled as he prevented his friend from arguing. He shot a hesitant glance towards Spain but wasn't sure what he felt anymore. Sighing, he helped João pick up the large isotherm container and carry it towards the barbecue Francis, Feliciano and Ludwig were setting up.
"Then maybe we should go out officially. That way, my brother wouldn't dare mess with you like he did! I thought he would never stoop so low … what did he say this morning?"
"What do you think? It was a mistake and nothing happened. It didn't mean anything to him. He looked pretty angry too. I guess I shouldn't be surprised considering how much he hates me!" Arthur rolled his eyes, his voice light, but João noticed that his smile was forced.
"If he hates you, why did he sleep with you?"
"He was drunk. I was there. 1 + 1 = 2."
"That's no excuse! He's always acting like you're the devil reincarnated! Even drunk, I never thought he would actually … It's strange. Not at all like him."
"Don't bother, he was drunk and I happened to be there. Nothing more."
"I still can't forgive him. I'll make him regret it …"
"No, you will not! I promised I wouldn't tell anyone so can we just pretend this never happened?" Arthur pleaded, his emeralds hard and determined as he looked at his friend.
João hesitated. They both had stopped walking, standing in the sand holding the large ice box, and gazing in each other's eyes in a silent argument. Finally, the Portuguese nodded with a sigh.
"You win! I won't get involved. But then, you need to stay away from him, promise me!"
"Yeah, of course! I doubt Spain would even want me nearby anyway."
"You know … we should try that dating idea."
"I don't know, João … I feel bad about this. I told you before: It sounds like I'm using you to replace him …"
"It's okay! I don't mind! I just want to stop seeing you so down all the time!"
"… We can try …" Arthur tentatively agreed and nearly dropped the handle of the box when João leaned over and pecked his lips.
With a mischievous grin on his face, the Iberian began walking again, forcing Arthur to advance too as they both held the ice box. Arthur's red face was spluttering insults and scolding his friend who only laughed and teased his reaction. Neither noticed the dark olive eyes hovering over them.
America scratched his head in confusion. One minute Arthur was acting weird, and now he's back to normal. And why did Portugal kiss him? Are they dating? The American shook his head, unclear about the whole situation. He heard Japan take pictures next to him and glanced down to the Asian.
"Yo Japan, do you get what's going on?"
"Hai! Alfred-san, we are having a newly formed couple! So cute!"
"So they are going out? Uh … Well, I'm not surprised since they've been so close for so many centuries but … Isn't it weird?"
Japan turned a surprised expression to his American friend.
"Weird? How so?"
Alfred shrugged. He couldn't exactly tell why but … maybe it was the cornered glances Arthur was shooting in Antonio's way … or the stubborn glaring expression of the Spaniard as he avoided all eye contact with Arthur but glared openly at Portugal … or the angry hisses of Romano whenever Gilbert approached Veneziano … or the teasing arguments Gilbert always fell into with Romano … or maybe the dusty pink over Ludwig's face whenever Francis' hands brushed against his while they cooked the meat on the barbecue … or Francis soft look in his eyes and light chuckle as he helped out Ludwig … Or maybe America was just imagining things. People keep saying he's oblivious … if nobody noticed this, it might just be his imagination, right? Shaking his head, Alfred turned a bright smile to the Japanese.
"Never mind! I just thought maybe things aren't as obvious as they look!"
Japan remained stunned for a moment. He was certain Alfred had figured something out that he personally didn't notice. It surprised him that America would have such insight on things like that but if he did, Kiku decided it would be very useful for him and his investigation of couples between nations! Grinning excitedly, the Japanese followed after the taller American as they locked the bus and walked back with the last few things to meet up with the others.
"Alfred-san! I've got an idea …"