"Okay. So far so good." Alfred said as he peeked around the corner, making sure the coast was clear. He waited an extra second before he rolled, army style, to the other side of the hall. Glancing toward his right, he noticed a little yellow blur dash into another branch of the hallway. Before he can make heads or tails of it a white blur and flash of red eyes tackled him to the ground, making sure to hold his wrists down.

"And that's game! Kesseseses!" Gilbert proclaimed happily, puffing out his chest.

"Cheater! You promised you wouldn't use your bird as a distraction!" Alfred whined, struggling against the weight of his captor. Gilbert is always doing that! When he can't sneak up on someone he uses that freaking bird! Such a sore loser.

"Phhs! Nonsense! I never said that! I said I wouldn't use her to win. I never said she couldn't fly around on her own." The albino pointed out smartly, loosening up his hold.

"Oh yeah, suuuure! The bird just decided to fly through the hallway as soon as I looked that way!" He snapped back sarcastically. "I'm not even sure why I play with you." Alfred's lower lip poked out slightly as he pouted.

"You do it because you can't get enough of my awesomeness of course! And you're pouting again."

"Am not!"

". . .Suuuure." Gilbert said sarcastically, watching as the pout got even bigger. He released a sigh then moved off the blonde.

"What are you two doing?" Kiku asked, walking up to them.

"You were late you and we were bored so we played 'Capture the Flag'. We didn't have a flag so we used ourselves. And I won!" Gilbert cackled.

"Cheater!"

"Whatever."

After watching the brief display of a childish argument, Kiku let out a sigh and put down the bag he was carrying.

"Anyway, I brought the markers, pens, and boards for us to use."

"Awesomeness!" Gilbert flew into the bag, taking out everything he will do.

"Shouldn't you wait until we're in the room genius?" Alfred asked snatching up the bag before the albino could take anything else out.

"Ignoring the sarcasm, thanks, I know I'm a genius." Gilbert strutted down the hall carrying two large boards and a pack of markers.

Letting out a sigh of his own, Alfred hung the bag over his shoulder and turned to face the smaller teen. Kiku turned slightly to glance at the blonde. There was a long and awkward pause before Alfred decided to break it.

"About what (almost) happened the other day, I-" Alfred tried to explain but was interrupted.

"It's okay, Alfred. I understand."

"You do?" Alfred asked cautiously.

"Yes, and I just want you to know I don't hate or dislike you." Kiku stated honestly.

The utter relief that washed over Alfred must been visible because Kiku also visibly relaxed. Oh thank god! What a relief! That's one problem off my mind. Oh! Maybe, he'll even give it a shot! Please! More than friends, more than friends, more than friends-

"I just hope this doesn't ruin our friendship."

Damn it!

"O-Oh? Y-yeah, me too!" Alfred struggled to keep up his happy smile. Forcing that smile isn't helping the overwhelming feeling of hopelessness and sadness either. Having the love of your life out right say they want to be just friends will make you feel like that way.

"I'm glad that you agree. Now let's catch up to Gilbert-kun before his 'awesomeness' does the entire project." Kiku smiled a small but noticeable smile.

"Did you just make a joke?"

"No. You probably just heard wrong." Kiku shook his head lightly, turning away.

"Uh-huh." Alfred made an unconvinced noise but kept silent; all the while a small genuine smile touched his lips.

They entered the room right beside Kiku's own bedroom. The room itself was a fairly large. It could fit three king sized beds and still have room for an even larger television. Alfred walked over to Gilbert, who was half way done with his poster.

"Took you guys long enough." The albino grinned, picking up a poster that he was able to finish. "So what do ya think? Awesome or really awesome?"

Taking the poster in both hands, Alfred stared at. "Hmmm. . . Not bad, not bad at all. It just needs more pictures than it will be awesome."

"More like 'epicly awesome'." Gilbert mumbled to himself.

"I agree. I'll get my laptop so we can look up and print some pictures and graphs." With that said, the raven haired teen walked out the room.

As soon as the door closed the albino pounced on the blonde almost knocking him down. "So how'd it go! Did you chicken out? Does he hate you? Do I have to plan wedding? Answer me!" He yelled in a dramatic whisper, shaking the poor American as he did so.

"No, no, and no." Alfred answered slightly dizzy from the shaking.

"Explain!" The Prussian said desperately.

"He said he didn't hate me and that this hopefully will not get in the way of our friendship."

There was short pause before the Prussian interrupted. "Ouch. Well. . . At least he didn't punch you in the face and call you a faggot or something." He shrugged.

Alfred returned the shrug. "Yeah. That would've sucked. Anyway, I'm going to play hard to get."

The red eyed teen stared at the blonde before bursting with laughter. "Getting Ivan to stop sneaking vodka into school is more likely than you playing hard to get!" With that said, it caused another round of laughter at the mental image.

"Don't be a jerk! I can play hard to get! Just you wait, frosty!" Alfred smirked at the surprised and annoyed look on his friend's face. Gilbert was too awesome to get upset at childish nicknames but he hated that one the most. He hated it for three reasons: One, it was too unawesome to be compare to a stupid and most likely mentally ill snowman. Two, he only liked the winter when it involved him getting presents. And three, he's own best friend came up with it which isn't awesome.

"Don't be a butt-hole about it! I was just kidding!"

"Yeah, sure, whatever."

As soon as the argument ended the door slide open, revealing Kiku holding his laptop. "Sorry for the wait. My brother had it."

"No problem." Gilbert replied sneaking a glance at the American.

Alfred made a grunt in acknowledgement not looking away from the poster he was currently working on.

'Can't wait to tell the guys about this new plan of his,' Gilbert thought excitedly.


Author's Notes:

Hello again~! I hope your enjoying the story!

Also, any ideas who the "guys" are? If you don't know, I need to rewatch all the episodes of Hetalia. Like, right now. Go! Shoo!