"Ve~ did you sleep well last night?" Feliciano greeted me as I came out of the spare bedroom. I nodded sleepily, trying my best not to yawn.
"Thank you so much for letting me stay over," I thanked him, sitting down on a bar stool at the kitchen. Feliciano smiled and handed me a huge plate of pasta.
"No problem boss! We're like family members, right?" He said cheerily as I took a bite of the breakfast pasta, and I gave a quick nod before swallowing it.
When I had asked Feliciano to stay at his house he happily complied, pratically dragging me with him into his small condo. We were greeted by Ludwig, who was irritated to see him bring a girl home this late but after some quick explaining and pleading from Feliciano allowed me to stay the night. Luckily they had a spare room I could sleep in, which was usually reserved for Gilbert but he happened to be out with Roderich and Elisabeta that night. I didn't actually sleep, of course, with what occurred that night but just being in a soft bed and away from him comforted me.
Feliciano was persistent when it came to what I had to wear and convinced me to use a dress Elisabeta had gotten him for his birthday, somehow forgetting he was a guy and not a girl. One look at the dress and I knew I would be in for it at work; it was a french maid dress, more like cosplay, and it had so many ruffles it made a stormy sea look like a plain. I protested at wearing it, but after hearing Feliciano cry for about fifteen minutes I was persuaded and found disdainfully that it fit me perfectly.
I brought up a black stocking and wondered how much trouble I'd get in. Hopefully it was Casual Tuesday today. I glanced at the mirror and shot back in surprise.
"I-is that me?" I gaped, taking a cautionary glance back at the mirror then going against the wall again. Feliciano seemed delighted I was wearing it and was prancing around outside. Once hearing my question he came in and his eyes opened for one brief moment.
"Wow, you look so different!" He checked me out from all sides, smiling broadly. "Elisabeta has really good taste!"
Thinking of that, I understood why she chose the outfit for Feliciano and mentally facepalmed. Even Elisabeta was a yaoi fangirl…I couldn't take it off, though; the only other thing that fit me was my pajamas and jacket, and lord knows I wouldn't wear that to work. My watch beeped and I realized that if I didn't leave soon I'd be late.
I turned towards Feliciano, who was busy copying the kitty-cat on the bed, and announced, "I should be going, if I don't hurry now I'll be late. How much do you want for my stay?"
"What? No, no, you don't have to pay me!" Feliciano replied hurriedly as I fiddled through my purse for some cash.
"I really need to, though." I mumbled as I pulled out a twenty dollar bill and held it out to him. "You were so kind to me and all…"
Feliciano pushed it away, his eyes serious for some reason. "Don't worry about it. By the way you were looking last night you needed somewhere to stay."
I stared at him in surprise but then my watch beeped again. I sighed, slightly annoyed, but said, "Fine, but at least let me buy you dinner."
"Okay~!" He sang, grabbing my hand and skipping out the door. "We'll go and get lots of pasta!"
Hopefully he meant lots of pasta for a normal appetite, not his Italian one…
"Am I dreaming or are you wearing a maid outfit?" Amelia teased as I was about to enter my office. My face flushed for the umpteenth time and I sped inside, and then noticed angrily that she had followed me.
"You know, it's funny," I answered, leaning casually against my desk, "you're actually the tenth person who's asked me that today."
Despite Amelia's quiet mockingness, it could clearly be seen that she was barely stopping herself from laughing her ass off. After a moment of pure but electric silence she doubled-over laughing.
"You-you actually wore that!" She sputtered, and I rolled my eyes.
"Go ahead and have a laugh, you troll." I rebuked as I sat down and got to work. She kept laughing and after a few agonizing minutes got up and gave a long sigh.
"Man, that was funny," She breathed, then realizing what she just did became stone-cold serious. "Now if you excuse me I have some papers to copy."
I watched as she left and brought my attention back to my work, ignoring the ruffles prodding me as I did. As I signed and studied cases questions kept popping up in my mind: Where would I live now? What would happen to Richard? And the most important of all,
What will happen to our engagement?
"If you don't mind,some of my friends will be there too." Feliciano pronounced as we entered the restaurant. It was a fancy place, the kind Richard and I used to go to on our anniversary or special date nights. The memories of our happy times together depressed me and I looked sadly at the engagement ring still on my finger.
When we got to the hostess area we were led directly to our table, and Feliciano said that his friend had already made reservations yesterday. My suspicion and curiosity hightened when we were led through a curtain and into an even fancier place, with marble statues and soft classical music filling the air. I clutched my wallet to stop my money from running away.
"Ah, bonjour mossieur and mademoiselle!" A French accent declared as we arrived at a private booth. I saw that the adult Francis, a drunk Arthur, and Alfred were sitting in the booth we were shown. I had met a lot of important people in my life, but being in the situation I was in right now got me sweating more than I ever did with them. The reasons?
One: I looked like I was a slutty maid who screwed you as she cleaned. Two: I hadn't even started putting my life back together. Three: Alfred was there, and he looked absolutely stunned at what I was wearing.
"Hello everyone," I said courageously, putting on my best smile as I looked at them. Francis, having no idea who I was, returned it and motioned for me to sit next to him. I hesitated and he laughed.
"Do not be afraid, ma cherie, I won't bite." He patted the seat next to him and I was about to reluctantly sit down when Alfred cut in.
"Hey, I want her to sit next to me, not you!" Francis frowned at the American questioningly but let me go and pulled Feliciano to sit down next to him instead. I sat next to Alfred and gave him a glance of gratitude before Arthur could begin his drunken story.
"So there I was, talkin to the bloke," He slurred, swooning a bit as he clutched a glass of whiskey, "when suddenly he asks if I need to be taken home. So I say yes to the guy and we go at it in the bathroom, but then this wench walks in and tells us we're in the girls bathroom, and before I can blame the guy he slaps me and tells me he's actually a girl!"
He hiccuped and drank his liquor. "Damn bastard…bitch…whatever!"
Arthur probably didn't notice that we were all grinning ear to ear, and after he finished he slammed his face on the table. Francis called for another whiskey as Alfred and I tried to wake him up. Our efforts failed and Arthur stayed like that as Feliciano described how much fun he had at a young girl's birthday party. When our food came there was a whirlwind of motion, and soon seconds turned into thirds and into fourths and ended at sevenths. I gulped as our waiter set down the check.
I shakily picked it up and looked at the amount, covering one eye. My mouth hung open and my eyes went blank.
"How can this be two hundred dollars?" I inquired dryly, angling the check different ways to make sure.
"You don't mind paying, yes?" Francis said, "I could if you want, but you'd have to do something for me in return…" He reached his hand across the table and Alfred slapped it away before I could. I pulled out what I had left: twenty dollars, two fives, and five ones.
I put it down and felt everyone's eye on me, even the slumbering Arthur.
"That's all you have?" A drunken Arthur croaked, lifting up his head a little.
"I thought you had, like, loads of money since you were a lawyer." Alfred agreed, staring dumbfoundedly at the money.
I sniffed with contempt and felt the depression that I had held back sink in. "My credit card was left on the kitchen table at my apartment."
"Why would you leave it there?" Francis asked with confusion. I twiddled with my hands, feeling the panic from last night kick in again.
"Richard needed it…" I began, and struggled to stop myself from breaking down. I hadn't done it all day, I could still keep it down. That part was over now, I was safe and all right…
"I'll get it." Alfred pulled out his credit card (I had no idea he had one) and set it down with my thirty five dollars. I looked at him, perplexed, but before I could protest the waiter picked up the check and left.
"You must really like this girl, Alfred." Francis stated, winking flirtatiously, "You certainly seem to favor her more than your other lovers."
Alfred laughed nervously as I glared at Francis. "Ha-ha, yeah, she's one of my closest ones."
Feliciano looked at me with confusion and I gave him the look that said 'just don't say anything right now'. Luckily for me he understood and nodded, going back to playing with his curl.
"Okay then," Francis smirked, "then why don't you show us your love and kiss her?"
I felt my face get red. Was he being serious? I looked up at Alfred and he shook his head, "No way man!"
"Why not? A great love that is yours should be expressed publicly, no?" Francis pushed with Feliciano freaking out beside him. I felt my blood boil and was about to say something when the waiter came back with the check, handing it to us before saying farewell and leaving.
Alfred grabbed it swiftly and said, "Well it looks like we don't have any time left! After you, Erica."
I graciously got out and let Alfred come out, holding a passed-out Arthur besides him. Francis seemed disappointed but gave us his thanks and left with Feliciano at his waist, and I facepalmed as he grabbed his butt as they went out. Really, did the man have any boudaries at all?
We all left the place after them and when we left I breathed out in relief.
"Thank you so much, Alfred, you've helped me more than I can repay you for," I admitted, smiling at him.
Alfred smiled back and pointed at my outfit. "No problem dude, but why are you wearing that?"
Embarassed, I patted the apron down and answered, "It was all Feliciano had that would fit me."
Alfred looked like he wanted to ask something else but after noticing the distant look in my eyes didn't. A minute of complete silence passed between us, me in my maid clothes and Alfred supporting a drunken Arthur. I knew I would have to explain myself to him, no matter how badly I didn't want to. I opened my mouth to say something but he cut me off.
"How about we continue this talk when Arthur isn't slung over my shoulder?" He suggested, and Arthur snorted for extra effect.
"Sure," I replied, glad that he read the atmosphere for once.
"So that's what happened," Alfred muttered after I finished my story. I nodded solemnly, not knowing what else to say. Arthur was in his bedroom and in bed while we were out in the living room conversing.
He shook his head. "I hate to say it, but I told you so."
I was astonished at the insensitive comment and was about to yell at him when he unexpectedly hugged me. I bit my lip and tried not to cry, not to let all the dumb melodramatic emotions out that my mother always told me to keep in, but it was hard. I let tears fall down silently and thought back to that night, Richard yelling at me, trying to kill me, having to run out in the street…
I couldn't keep it in. I grabbed his shirt and cried, not caring if I was loud or not. My fiance tried to kill me, and now I wasn't even strong enough to go back to my apartment to get my clothes. How could I be so pathetic?
"Erica?" Alfred murmured through my hair.
"Oh, sorry!" I let go of him, wiping my eyes. He handed me a tissue and I used it quickly, trying to get rid of the mess I probably made with my make-up.
"Do you have any where else to go?" He asked timidly, and I shook my head sadly.
He straightened his back and proclaimed, "Well you can stay here then!"
I stared at his enthusiastic face, confused. "Wait, what?"
"Until you get your life back together you can stay here with me and Arthur," Alfred explained swiftly, grinning at his sudden idea.
"Wait a second, are you serious?"
"Yeah, man! Arthur would be cool with it."
I frowned at him and replied, "No, I couldn't do that to you. I mean, I would just be a burden anyways and I've already dumped enough emotions on you as it is."
"You did just fine when I was living with you," Alfred pointed out. "and since I'm the Hero I can handle all your feelings and stuff."
"Alright, fine," I agreed seriously, "if Arthur says yes then I'll stay."
Alfred did a fist-pump and I smiled, already feeling better.
"Now uh," He said, looking a bit embarassed, "are you gonna keep that outfit on?"
I realized with humiliation that I was still in the french maid costume, but decided to tease him a little bit. I winked at him and posed, saying, "Why? Do you like it on me, master?"
Alfred's face became a deep shade of red and he stuttered, "N-n-n-no, I mean y-y-yes, I mean-"
I laughed as he tried to say something appropriate and got up. "I'll go change into my pajamas."
I sighed, balling my fists together, and waited. Time passed by slowly but my heart still beat faster than normal.
I was standing outside my apartment and waiting for Richard to answer the doorbell.
I had a key but it would be easier if he answered it rather than me bursting in and taking everything like a burgular. A few days had passed, and Arthur had agreed to let me live with them for the time being. During those days I had spent time not just with work but deciding what to do with the engagement and the apartment. It had led me to one conclusion: I would take my apartment back to live and I would have to make Richard go to rehab. It would be legally simple; I paid for most of the bills for the house and I could pay for the treatment, but in an emotional sense it was difficult for me to tell my fiance he needed help and would have to get out and go to rehab. I sighed a second time and waited.
Still no answer.
Well if he wanted to do this the hard way, we'd do it the hard way. I pulled out my key and unlocked the door, stepping inside and smelling a strange odor. What was it? It was so distinct and familiar yet…
Oh God no.
I ran to the bedroom and found a scene that I wish to only describe with a few words: an unknown woman and Richard were having sex. I gagged and closed the door, leaning against it to support me as I fell leisurely down. This wasn't happening, it just couldn't be.
"Hey, who was that out there?" Richard, sounding drunk yet sober, asked the other woman loudly.
"Nobody, just get back in bed." Her voice sounded familiar and I wondered desperately where I had heard it before. "No, Rich, don't-"
The door was opened and I scurried back and saw Richard with his blue robe on, looking confused to see me. He took a long look at me then ran back inside, but not before I could get up and stop the door from being slammed shut. I held it back with my hand, searching the room, but he was covering up the vision I was allowed and I couldn't see anything but the window.
"Let me in now," I growled, feeling unimaginable anger bubble up inside me. With every word I leaned harder on the door.
Richard shook his head. "This-it isn't what it looks like, honestly, you're just hallucinating-"
I broke through, sending him backing up and catching himself from falling. I surveyed the room and found not the stranger I expected to be in here, but Peggy.
"Peggy?" I whispered, tears finally falling out. "Peggy, how could you?"
She was speechless with shock at first but cleared her throat. "A-at first I came over here to personally deliver this parcel about your work that you forgot to get, but then I met him on the way and after a few drinks…well…" She trailed off, looking ashamed and humiliated. "I'm so sorry, Erica, but you know I haven't been with anyone for years, and when he was so nice and kind to me then all the others-"
"You don't need to explain," I cut her off bluntly.
She nodded, tears also in her eyes, and repeated, "I'm so sorry."
Seeing her cry made me feel guilty but I was too angry to care at the moment. "Please, just go."
Peggy picked up her things quickly and left the room, leaving only me and Richard. He still had on the robe and was eyeing a bottle of vodka on the nightstand. I stood between him and it, glaring at him furiously.
"Give me a reason," I said, "give me any reason, I don't care if it's good or bad, just give me one."
He stood there, eyes blank and incredibly sad. "I can't, Erica. I don't have one."
I felt my eyes water and I cried out, "Why? Why would you sleep with her? I just want to know!" I stopped myself from breaking down and let the words come out quietly, "I just need to know."
"I don't know." He confessed with dejection. "I don't know why I do anything anymore. Whenever I'm sober I want to drink, and whenever I drink I just see my friends get killed in front of me. It's a vicious cycle I can't break."
I sniffed and wiped my eyes. He looked so defeated, the opposite of the man I knew and loved. I knew what I would have to say next. "You need help, Richard. I'll get you help, I have the money to get the best for you and when you're cured we can try and work this whole thing out again, just wait. I'll wait for you, I have the time, I really do."
"No you don't," He replied, shaking his head sadly. I saw him pull something out of his pocket and gasped as it was revealed to be a pistol. "And I don't either."
"Richard, no!" I leaped for the gun but he stepped back swiftly, aiming it at his head. I stepped closer and heard him ready it.
"Please, don't…" I pleaded urgently.
"I'm sorry Erica." A shot was heard as he fell to the ground. I screamed and went to his side, catching him as he fell. A bullet wound above his ear flowed out with blood and I stared at it in horror. I pursued my lip, holding back tears, and buried my face in his chest and sobbed like there was no tomorrow.
Why? Why does this keep happening?
After that Peggy quit her job, I got my apartment back, and Richard's funeral was organized. I didn't do any of the organizing but was invited and found out it would be in a week. The letter I held in my hand saying that shook as I held it with trembling hands and I put it down, covering up my face to stop from crying. He was gone, just like that. Like some sort of dream…I wanted to be happy, to know that he was in a better place, but the way everything had gone down haunted me. I went to work like normal but was released from any cases, and was stuck making copies and signing off things most of the day. Feliciano tried to cheer me up but Amelia always brushed him away, telling him that it wasn't the time for him to be acting cheerful when I was so depressed. I thought about therapy but knew it would do no good; what I needed now was something that would make me happy, forget all my worries, and not be drugs.
I picked up my phone and dialed the number. I waited as it ringed, anxiety floating by me.
"This is the Hero speaking!"
"Alfred, hey!" I hated to admit it but I found comfort in his voice, and mentally slapped myself at how much happier I was.
"Erica, what's up?" He asked, and then added with worry, "Are you okay?"
"What? Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, "Listen, can the rest of the units meet us out somewhere?"
"I don't know."
"Well can you ask them?" I inquired with a hint of impatience. A minute passed by before he responded.
"Okay!"
"Great, how about Central Park tomorrow at three?" I suggested, and could see him give a thumbs-up.
"Sure dude, that sounds awesome! But are you gonna bring food?"
I rolled my eyes and answered, "Yeah, don't worry about that. Just tell them to meet me at Central Park."
"Kk bye!"
He hung up quickly and I resisted the urge to facepalm. Really, the man was too spantaneous…but he and the units would be good to have around, as long as I made enough food of course. I wondered briefly if I was using them and pushed the thought away. No, it was a way of paying back Alfred for the meal the other night, and a little for all those years ago when the clones had to give themselves up to save me. I may have freed them but that was one thing I had never felt I had repaid them for.
Looking at how late it was, I poured myself some milk and held it up high, saying to myself, "Here's to tomorrow." And drank it swiftly. After finishing I got ready for bed and settled in, trying not to think about Richard for the umpteenth time while falling asleep.
I tapped my foot against the pavement, checking my watch. It was well over three, about thirty minutes to be precise. How they could be this late I had no clue. I looked to the left, then to the right, and spotted three handsome men and a teenager walking on the sidewalk with different facial expressions for every person. Alfred was grinning, Arthur was frowning, Gaul!Francis was smirking, and Ivan was smiling like always. I waved towards them and Gaul!Francis sprinted over to me, giving me a hug before I could get up. At first I was glad he was so happy to see me but then ticked off when his fingers grazed my behind. I smacked him upside the head.
"Haven't you learned anything in school? You can't just go and molest people when you meet them!" I scolded, and Gaul!Francis crossed his arms and pouted.
"For a beautiful woman you do not have a very pretty personality!" He countered angrily. I was about to reply when Ivan hugged me from behind.
"This is fun, da?" He said happily as he squeezed me, and I nodded and got out, gasping for breath. The two smiled at me, and I imagined Arthur's sparkles around them.
Alfred and Arthur stood on the sidelines, not sure of what to do. They knew what happened to me, of course, and probably didn't want to say anything offensive. Gaul!Francis looked through the container of food I had brought as I motioned them over. Alfred grinned widely and came charging toward me, and I readied myself as he embraced me.
"Hey buddy!" He yelled, tightening his grip.
I winced but smiled. "Hi Alfred."
Arthur followed after him and pulled him off me, offering his hand for me to shake. I shook it and saw pity in his eyes.
"You do not have any wine? Mademoiselle, how could you!" Gaul!Francis complained, breaking me off from the awkward handshake.
I sighed and Arthur walked over said, "Don't say anything because you're not even old enough to drink!"
Gaul!Francis mumbled incoherently and walked away in defeat. Alfred picked up the container, staring at the bottom curiously.
"Is this supposed to be where the food is? It's all white inside!" He asked, and Arthur facepalmed.
I went over and took it from him, saying, "It's white because that's the material used for it. Here, see?" I opened the lid and Alfred took out a burger, eating it quickly. I stared at him in astonishment and he gave me a thumbs-up.
"Yep, that's definitely a hamburger!" He declared, nodding with satisfaction. That time I facepalmed along with Arthur.
We all sat down at a table in the pavilion and I handed out the food, giving Alfred his hamburgers, Arthur his beef, Gaul!Francis his cooked snails (I don't want to remember how I made them) and Ivan his pelmeni. I sat down with a salad for myself and hilarity swiftly ensued, meaning that Alfred tried to eat everything while Arthur complained about how bad the food was while Gaul!Francis played with the dead snails while Ivan stabbed each dumpling with a delighted smile on his face. By the time everyone finished the table was broken and the people around us retreated.
"Nice job everyone, you scared half the people here out of the park," I sighed, cleaning up as much as I could.
"Sorry, master." Everyone replied in unison, and I dumped what I had in the trash can.
"I'm not your master anymore, remember?" I said, frowning at the units ahead of me. They all smiled and scratched their heads in embarassment.
"Oh yeah, right!" Another one in unison. I have to admit, they had a cool thing going. Too bad I had to be the code breaker.
"I brought some discs." I announced, taking out a blue frisbee and holding it up in the air.
Alfred was super happy to see it. "Awesome! Throw it to me, I'm wide open!" He raised up his arms and I threw it to him, but with my horrible hand-eye coordination hit Arthur instead. Some very explicit curse were heard and he glared at me, face red with rage.
"What the bloody hell do you think your doing?" He shouted, about to race towards me. Alfred held him back and I apoligized as quickly as I could until he calmed down.
Afterwards the rest of the nations did play frisbee, with the excpetion of Arthur being in the middle as Alfred introduced monkey in the middle. I tried to coax Gaul!Francis to join them but he insisted on people watching, and he sat down at a bench and hit on girls and sometimes guys as I sat next to him.
"Don't you ever get tired of being rejected?" I asked as yet another woman gave him a dirty look as he winked at her.
He shrugged nonchalantly, replying, "I believe that there is romance everywhere, mademoiselle, and so I search for it."
I'm sure that his words were meant to sound wise, but coming from a teenager flirting with people of random ages it was anything but.
"Yahoo! The Hero wins again!" Alfred's truimphant holler was heard from the play field ahead of us and I spotted him fist pumping as Arthur went over to pick up the disc.
Ivan said something with a creepy smile and Alfred yelled back, "That is so not true! I got it in the right place, right Artie?"
"You didn't and stop calling me that, you wanker!" Arthur retorted, throwing the disc at him angrily. It flew only a few inches and automatically hit the ground. Arthur stood in his throwing pose, stunned, while Alfred laughed hysterically at the pitiful throw. I smiled at the scene, glad to forget my troubles again.
"-aren't you?" Gaul!Francis snapped me back from the scene and I looked at him in confusion.
"What?"
He sighed impatiently and repeated, "You are still in love with Alfred, aren't you?"
I blinked at him in surprise, then remembering what he said quickly shook my head. "No, no, no! I don't like him that way."
He wasn't convinced and rose an eyebrow.
"Honestly I don't!" I said with more certainty. Gaul!Francis lowered his questioning look and chuckled softly.
"In some ways I feel bad for Alfred," He replied, smirking at the American as he somehow tripped and fell flat on his face.
"Why?" I frowned at him, and his smirk got wider.
"Oh, you'll find out sooner or later."