I'm so sorry for the wait! I've been so busy getting ready for finals that I haven't gotten a chance to write at all! What has this world come too?!


Chapter 4 – Shopping expedition

Even though they are technically plants forest sprites still need to eat regular food when in their human form.

It's a hassle feeding all eighteen of us, I mean we grow most of our food, but it's not enough. Also the only "adults" who get off their lazy arses and actually earn money are Liz, Mei, Alistair, Aveline and surprisingly Mathias.

~oOo~

I gathered everyone into the living room for our least favorite activity. Grocery shopping.

"It's that time of month again." Groans echoed throughout the living room.

My eye twitched. "Shut your damn gobs! There will be no complaining, got it!" Once they quieted down I continued my speech.

"I need three volunteers to accompany me to the grocery store, raise your hand if you would rather not be forced to come."

Three hands immediately shot up, I groaned at who had volunteered. "Thank you Michelle, Lovino and Gilbert"

I gave the rest of them a cold stare, "Don't do anything stupid when we're gone or there will be hell to pay."

"Yes Mom" they moaned. I wasn't going to bother with that response.

~oOo~

The four of us hopped in the car, with me in the drivers seat. I refused to let anyone else drive since the road rage incident last year, involving Lovino flipping off multiple people.

I let Michelle take shotgun because out of the three of them she was the calmest. No way am I letting Gilbert sit up front with me!

~oOo~

When we got to the grocery store I was less crowded as usually, but I still had to park the car the farthest away from the entrance.

The minute I stepped out of the car Michelle and Gilbert bolted to the door.

Lovino and I clicked our tongues in annoyance, "impatient brats." We looked at each other in surprise, but our expressions soon turned to playful smirks.

"Let's see if we can beat those losers," I suggested. Lovino nodded, "We'll kick their asses."

We took off down the parking lot, quickly gaining on the others. Our chase ended with a tie, the four of us panting as we tried to catch our breath.

Entering the store we were hit with refreshing cool air. After glancing over at the mass if shopping carts I turned to the sprites. "Who wants to push the cart?" I asked.

Michelle's hand shot straight up as she started jumping up and down. "I will! I will!"

I sighed, "Calm down please, Michelle. We're trying not to cause a scene here- and yes, you may be in charge of the cart."

She smiled happily as she skipped toward the row of carts. I shook my head and smiled, she was always so hyper.

I now turned my attention to Lovino and Gilbert. "We are sticking together this time, so no running off, got it." Even though they nodded I knew for a fact that it was never going to happen.

~oOo~

Within ten minutes I found myself standing in the produce section, completely alone...

"When I get my hands on them I swear..." I muttered furiously, checking each and every aisle. I rounded the next corner to find Lovino sprawled out on the floor. I raised an eyebrow in confusion, walking over to stare down at his pissed off face.

"Are you alright?"

"Gilbert is going to die tonight," was all he said before he stood up, stalking off in some unknown direction. I quickly followed him until we stopped in front of the seafood section.

"What's wr-" I didn't get a chance to finish when a shopping cart came into sight, heading directly toward us!

Lovino grabbed me and ducked behind a display case. As it passed by we peered over the edge to see Michelle pushing the cart at top speed while Gilbert sat inside, cackling like a maniac and urging her to go faster.

I was beyond furious now. I couldn't even find the words express how I felt.

"Those motherfuckers almost killed us!" Lovino exclaimed, his face bright red with anger.

"I know that, you git! We should be focusing on more important things, like how the fuck are we supposed to stop them!?" I spat.

"Oh I don't know, maybe slap them with a fucking fish?!" Lovino retorted.

I paused, that might actually work. "Lovino, grab a tuna! We are going to kick their arses!"

"Fine by me, as long as I get to hit Gilbert."

I frowned, "I can't hit Michelle! What kind of gentlemen would I be if I hit a girl!"

Lovino snorted, "Mmhm. And I'm sure gentlemen also don't swear, insult others-"

"I get it! I still won't hit a girl though. I say we should both hit Gilbert, he deserves it."

"Sounds fucking fantastic."

~oOo~

We both stood on each side of the aisle, tuna in hand as we waited for the cart to pass.

A screech of wheels could be heard as it turned into our lane. Lovino and I counted down until finally we swung the fish out, smacking Gilbert in the face.

The blow knocked him off balance, causing him to fall backward into Michelle. We high-fived, ignoring their complains and insults. However, we hadn't been paying attention to the cart as it went spiraling into a nearby display tower.

We went silent as the tower came crashing down. A few employees came out to examine the scene, apparently the out of control cart driver hadn't concerned them.

Gilbert sat up, rubbing the back of his head. "Let's make a run for it," he whispered to us.

We nodded vigorously and tipped the fuck out the door, leaving our forgotten groceries behind

~oOo~

When we got home I dragged the three sprites into the living room, only to find Aveline, Femke, Lars, Alistair, Mathias, Liz and a few others playing poker.

"Are you fucking kidding me!" I roared, all my pent up anger exploding.

Alistair looked up from the game, "Oh. Welcome back, did you get the groceries?" He asked.

"No, I didn't get anything because this three arseholes wouldn't cooperate! They decided that playing around with a shopping cart and racing through the aisles was more important than starvation. Then I come home to find the rest of you playing bloody poker?! I told you bloody plants not to do anything stupid, that includes poker! W-why can't you just act your age for once!" I was so caught up in my anger I hadn't noticed that I had begun to cry.

My vision was now becoming blurry, tears rolling down my cheeks. I hid my face in my hands, not wanting anyone to see how pathetic I was. That's when I felt a pair of small arms pull me into a hug.

"We're sorry, Arthur," Michelle whispered. "We never meant to upset you."

Another pair of arms circled me. "I'm sorry I acted so unawesome today, Arthur," Gilbert added. Then a third pair of arms circled me. "I was a bit of an asshole today, I-I'm sorry Arthur," Lovino stuttered.

Slowly I felt more arms encase me in a tight embrace, each sprite apologizing for their behavior. I wept harder, these tears being ones of joy.

The sprites dispersed and a gruff, but soothing voice broke through my tears. "Hold your head up high and wipe the wetness from your eyes, Arthur. We can't bear to see you cry any longer," Alistair said, giving me a soft smile.

I dried my eyes with the back of my sleeve and met their gazes. "I love you, you gits."


List of Forest sprite flowers...

Lovino (South Italy) – Rose

Alistair (Scotland) – Thistle

Antonio (Spain) – Carnation

Femke (Belgium) – Chrysanthemum

Lars (Netherlands) – Aconite

Feliks (Poland) – Orchid

Gilbert (Prussia) – Cornflower

Matthew (Canada) – Statice

Vladimir (Romania) – Ivy

Michelle (Seychelles) – Protea

Aveline (Monaco) – Snapdragon

Lukas (Norway) – Bakkekløver

Mathias (Denmark) – Marguerite Daisy

Emil (Iceland) – Mountain Avens

Leon (Hong Kong) – Poppy

Mei (Taiwan) – Hibiscus

Liz (Hungary) – Iris

Auf Wiedersehen für jetzt - Scottish Hills