A/N: hey people!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Francis gave a heavy sigh as he walked through the hallways. He could hear the children in the garden playing with their new toys. He smiled slightly as he followed Antonio through the house.

"So where are you taking me?" Francis asked. "To the torture dungeon?"

Antonio chuckled lightly. "No. The nanny gets their own room. However seeing as Arthur isn't too fond of you I wouldn't suggest getting too comfortable."

Francis rolled his eyes however chose not to say anything.

They passed by Alfred's room. Francis glanced over his shoulder at the locks once more and narrowed his eyes.

"I will fix that." he murmured.

"What?"

"Nothing." Francis said.

Antonio opened the door to an empty room. "Alright this is your room. Fill it, decorate it, do as you please with it. Just please remember that there are three children down the hall."

"Mm hmm." Francis said sitting on the bed and bouncing slightly. "Seems comfortable."

"I have to go prepare dinner." Antonio said. "We eat at six thirty. Make yourself comfortable Francis."


Francis leaned in the doorway with his arms crossed and a smile on his face as he watched the children play.

"You boys having fun?" he called out.

His smiled widened when they called out their excited answers.

Francis glanced back into the house before pulling out his cell phone and dialing a very familiar number.

"Hello Gilbert?" Francis said into his phone gaining the attention of Alfred.

"Yes I am fine. The children are too." Francis said. "Listen. I have a favor to ask of you."

He listened for a moment before saying "You can bring Ludwig as well."

Alfred immediately was at Francis side. "Ludwig is coming?"

Francis glanced down at Alfred. The familiar twinkle in the eyes, the hopeful look, holding his clenched hands together and grinned at the signs.

"On second thought Gilbert." Francis said into the phone. "Just send Ludwig. I think he can do it by himself."

Francis rolled his eyes. "I know that the awesome you raised him and he can do anything. Just tell him to bring that toolbox with him."

"What's going on?" Alfred whispered.

Francis held up a single finger and continued his talk before telling the address. "When do you think he'll get here?"

"Francis, what's going on?" Alfred whispered.

"Helping you." Francis whispered back.

"That's great Gilbert. See him soon." Francis said before sliding his phone into his pocket and grinning at Alfred. "You've seem to have taken a liking to Ludwig."

Alfred blushed lightly. "I just…think he's somewhat cool."

Francis winked at Alfred. "Whatever you say, he'll be here within an hour if you are interested."


Antonio came into the living room where the children, Francis, and Arthur were.

"Francis." Antonio said. "There is a boy named Ludwig at the door, said you called him over."

"Yes, I did." Francis said jumping to his feet. "Come Alfred, there is something we need to do."

"You invited a complete hooligan into my house." Arthur said through gritted teeth.

Before Francis could say anything Ludwig placed his gaze on Arthur and said "I go to an Ivy League school, that I got a scholarship for. I get nothing but straight A's in all my classes. I do not do anything that is illegal such as smoking, drinking, or doing drugs. The most I have ever stayed out from my house is about two in the morning where my best friends and I were simply playing videos games and lost track of the time. I simply dress like this because I enjoy it and my brother in a sense threatened me if I hadn't. Please tell me, what exactly is it that makes me a hooligan?"

"Well…I…" Arthur stammered.

Ludwig nodded and turned to Francis. "Why did you call me here?"

Francis placed a hand on Ludwig's and Alfred's back and led them out of the room.

Together the three of them walked through the hallway until they reached Alfred's door. Ludwig raised an eyebrow at the locks.

"What in the world is this?" he asked.

"My room." Alfred said.

Ludwig touched the locks gently. "He put all these locks on your door?"

Alfred nodded.

Ludwig mumbled German words under his breath before looking at Francis. "I'm guessing you want me to take these off?"

Francis nodded. "I think it's time the little bird is able to spread his wings and fly."

Ludwig chuckled while Alfred looked at Francis.

"You're…you're going to take them off?" Alfred asked. "The old man isn't going to like this."

Francis rolled his eyes. "I could not care less about what that English tart would care about or not."

Ludwig kneeled and placed his toolbox on the floor next to him. He surveyed the locks in front of him. He turned to Alfred.

"I can take these off." Ludwig said. "But I think I have a better idea. How would you like it if I place these locks on your side of the door?"

Alfred grinned. "That…would be awesome."

"I'll leave you two boys alone." Francis said clapping both on their shoulders. He walked around the corner and paused as he peeked out slightly to watch and hear their conversation.

"So…uh…Ludwig." Alfred said. "Do you…um…have any hobbies?"

"I have a lot of hobbies." Ludwig said in amusement. "I'm in quite a few clubs at school. Newspaper, soccer team, anime club to name a few."

"I prefer football." Alfred said sitting next to Ludwig on the floor. "But I'm also on the newspaper in my school."

Francis bowed and shook his head at Alfred's pitiful attempts at flirting.

Young love, how wonderful it is. Francis smiled at his own memories as he went towards where the other children were and leaving the two teenagers alone.


Francis walked back to his room feeling slightly accomplished. Alfred had, somehow, gotten a date with Ludwig for the following weekend. He himself had put Arthur in his place once again. And he had a wonderful slice of cake for dessert.

All in all, a very nice day.

A tugging in his sleeve brought him out of his musings. Looking down he saw Peter standing there.

"Something you need Peter?" Francis asked.

Peter held out one of his books that Francis had bought him. "Read to me?" he asked in a pleading voice.

Francis smiled and bent down to pick Peter up and carried him to Peter's bedroom. "Of course."

He sat on Peter's bed against the headboard and placed Peter on his lap as he opened the book and started to read out loud.

Halfway through the book he was aware of two figures in the hallway. Finishing the sentence he called out to the hallway.

"I don't think it's that easy to hear the story from the hallway boys." Francis called. "If you want to hear more come in here with us."

There was a moment's pause before Alfred and Matthew entered the room. They sat on Peter's bed, with Alfred on the right and Matthew on the left and leaned in to listen to the story.

Francis smiled at them and continued reading.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.

Questions? Comments? Leave them in a review.

Until next time.

This is Phoenix-Fire Power over and out.