This is the first fic I've ever made that has so many readers... I suppose that's one of the most popular ships for you... Anyways, thank you for all of the favs, follows, and reviews! I see you guys've been wondering who Arthur is, but I can't tell you guys that yet. I plan to make it clear eventually, and maybe soon.

Disclaimer: Axis Powers Hetalia belongs to Himruya Hidekaz. The picture belongs to Maki Atae. This story is entirely fiction, with no connections to any real life material, and has doubtful historical accuracies.

Chapter 4: It is nice to meet you (again)

/"... Thank you, France. Thanks for hearing me out.

You know... I had always wanted to say this to you.

I..."/

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Why did France had to call us out here?

"ー"

I mean, could he have predicted something?

"ーredー"

Don't tell me I'm that easy to see through!? Even though it was just my voice?!

"ーAlfred!"

What would he do if he saw Arthur?! Would heー

"ALFRED!"

And the bespectacled blond finally stopped. He looked down, and saw that his bare hand was grasped by Arthur's. It was then he noticed they both didn't have gloves, and how cold and white Arthur's hand is, and how small it is compared to hisー

"Slow down! You don't know where you're going, do you!? If you keep going like that, I might lose you, and/or you could bump into something again!"

"..." Alfred's expression was unreadable, as he continued to look at Arthur, blue eyes so clear behind the glasses. It might be because of the temperature, but the man's face was dusted with red.

"...? Alfred? Are you listening to me? Is anything the matter?" Arthur asked, his brows furrowed worriedly.

"... It's nothing."

America turned, and walked briskly, though not as fast as before. This time, he held Arthur's hand.

"Whoaー Hey, slow downー"

Huh? Why is he holding my hand in the first place? Sure, I grabbed it to have his attention, but...

Arthur had wanted to ask, but the words died out when he saw those blue eyes that kept looking forward. Those clear blue eyes that hid so much...

The cold wind blew all around them, and yet Alfred's hand was so warm... Arthur looked down, telling himself it's to shield from the cold, golden locks hiding his face.

For some reason, his hand feels hot.

"What's with that!? Why would you suddenly want to meet a guy I just met!?"

"As I've said... I'm the world's big brother, so of course I would want to meet my little brother's friend! Besides, I'm in London, so might as well meet up with you."

"You've just said your true intentions! And if you're in London, what about Canada!?"

"Canada is at my house. I came to London after taking care of him. Right now, Kumajirou should be with him. Besides, I have business here."

"Business...? What kindー"

"Anyways, come meet me right now! I'm currently standing at Big Ben! It's freezing, so if you don't hurry, big brother's going to find a bed with a pretty lady to warm up with! Au revoir~"

"Ah, hey waitー!"

The other line went dead. America thought up curses. It took all his strength to not yell them out loud.

"Alfred...? Mind telling me what's going on?"

America turned around, facing Arthur with an uneasy smile, sweating.

"... Arthur... If I said that an acquaintance of mine wants to meet you, what will you do...?"

He never expected for Arthur to agree to this. If it was him, he probably would never do something like this with a new acquaintance, much less a stranger.

America looked back, and saw that Arthur was digging his face into his muffler. Was he cold?

"Oh, mademoiselle~! It's so cold out here in London, but seeing a face as beautiful as yours has warm me up! Would you do me the pleasure of having dinner together~?"

America twitched. The flirty voice got on his nerves. He can also feel Arthur tense up next to him. He squeezed the latter's hand tighter, not noticing how the man almost squeaked.

A man leaned against a guard, wearing a fashionable trench coat, and long boots. His blonde hair swayed with the wind, yet not obstructing his face, and the stubble seems to give him even more charm. He didn't hesitate to flirt with any beautiful women that passed by him, and is always having an one-sided chit chat with the expressionless guard.

Every woman that got hit on by him left giggling and flushed.

"Oiiiiiiiiiiiiーー" America called, stretching his voice, deadpanned. To an added effect, he decided to throw a snowball at France. It hit.

"Mon Dieu, what do you think you're doingー!?" France turned towards America angrily(?), snow slipping off his long locks. He puffed. He walked towards them, behind him was a guard letting out a relieved breath.

"Throwing a snowball isn't a way to get attention!"

"It works for me. Arthur, this here'sー"

"Do not ignore meー!"

"ーMy acquaintance. Hey, acquaintance, introduce yourself."

"How cold you are, mon ami! Well, good evening, I'mー"

France's voice died out as soon as he saw America's companion. Blond (golden) hair, thick eyebrows, emerald green eyesーthe only difference would be that the man is even shorter than France himself. The man's hand was in America's hold.

"... Bonjour, Monsieur. I am Francis. Francis Bonnefoy. May I have the honour to know who you are?" He regained his composure, flashing a charming smile, and reached his hand out, but not before throwing a dirty glance at America, who glared right back.

"... Arthur. Arthur Kirkland. A pleasure to meet you." Arthur slipped his hand from America's grasp, and took France's, shaking. He had to wonder how long did the (obviously) Frenchmen stood out here, because those hands were freezing cold.

"Well then, shall we get to know each other better through some drinks?"

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"Oui, this wine tastes magnifique! Some more, please!" France declared loudly, raising the glass high, his other hand on his chest. America stared, unimpressed. Arthur kept sipping on his tea. Throughout their way here, he had gotten used to the man's behavior.

After meeting up at Big Ben, the three had settled to talk more in a pub Arthur knew. The wine is good, and prices were fair, Arthur had said. France was the most talkative, chatting endlessly, and also picking up girls along the way. Arthur then stated that he hated flirtatious men.

"You're not drinking?"

Arthur looked up from his teacup, facing America. The man was drinking coffee, in a beer mug.

"... No. While I can hold my alcohol well enough, I prefer not to drink around this time."

Hearing that, America almost dropped his cup, and France stared down at Arthur. Both were wide-eyed.

"... What?"

"Nothing." They said in unison.

Arthur had a question mark floating above his head. But he decide to resume drinking his tea. America had to wonder how the man could drink so much tea?

The rest of the evening was spent talking and getting to know each other, like France had said. Occasionally the man would dramatize everything, and America would interject it. The same could be hold true vise-versa. Arthur would just silently listen, sometimes making an incredulous face, sometimes saying "no way!", and sometimes giggling.

Apparently Arthur was a regular customer of the pub, since the owner affectionately called him 'Artie-chan', and would join their conversation, laughing out loud, and tell them bits about the Briton. Sometimes, the owner would give them wine on the house (France was very much delighted). Lots of the customers seemed to know Arthur too, and it could've escalated into a party with a drakes France and drakes customers. Luckily, Arthur intervened.

It was around midnight when they finally start to leave.

"Well, since I was the one who suggested going to this bar, I might as well be the one to pay." Arthur started, opening his wallet.

"Are you sure? We could go Dutch and split the bill evenly?" America started, digging around for his wallet also. He then felt his phone vibrating slightlyーa message.

"Nah, it's fine. I'm more than enough."

"Then big brotheeeeer *hic!* shaall leave it to you, Aartiee~ Come n'w, Alfred! Let us *hic!* see the snooooooow~ The beautiful white snow, like ladies' skiiiiiiiiiin~" France slurred, arm hung over America, face beet red. He was also holding a half full wine bottle.

"You stink! Well Arthur, if you say so... I'm going to leave this idiot in the snow to see if he sobers up."

Arthur smiled before America left the shop. Outside, the sky was dark, spots of white falling everywhere, looking like stars. Today was a new moon, and the sky was devoid of light. The streets were empty, and the only customers still inside were either drunk enough ones, or the ones chatting with the owner (and currently also Arthur).

Glancing at the man next to him, whose head was slumped over, hair falling all over the place, America couldn't help but sighed a long breath. He then took out his phone to check the message that arrived.

"America, you sure seemed chipper today."

He looked over in shock, and saw that France was looking right back, violet eyes sharp.

"... What do you mean?"

"Since England's dissolution, you've never been the same. Your cheery persona was strained, and didn't fool anyone. And now, here you are, smiling like no tomorrow."

"Soー?"

"What the hell are you thinking?"

"We met by accident. I didn't even knowー!"

"It's not right, America! You can't justー!"

"I'M NOT!"

France stopped in surprise, but his accusing gaze didn't falter. America looked down, shaking in rage.

"I'm not...! I can never! Do you think I can forget that easily!? He...! I-I know..."

"..."

The younger nation looked through the glass doors of the pub, and at Arthur. He was hold back by the regulars and the owner for a chat, it seems. He doesn't appear to be minding the two out here, and America was grateful for that.

"...I know that it's wrong, that for even just one second I thought like that. But...he's gone. He's no longer here. And I...

I want to see him again so badly, just one more time...!"

(In the world that you had disappeared from,

I kept on living,

I kept on wanting,

I kept hanging on to the words you left me...)

"I...!"

(I kept on waiting...)

"... What are you thinking now?"

"..."

"... Haizz... Listen carefully now, America."

France grabbed the taller's head, having the man face him directly.

"... I do not like this. However, the choice, belongs to you. And I hope you will not make one you regret."

Blue eyes looked at violets, tears appearing slightly in the corner.

"... Just know that Canada and I will have your back. So do not make a choice that will have us all fall down."

The phone was still in America's grasp, the bright screen displaying a text.

/Where are you right now? Are you okay? I'm kinda worried, so please don't do anything reckless... Just remember that I have your back, 'kay?/

"... Okay, I get it."

"Good." France let out a small smile, and America returned it.

Afterwards, they bid goodbye to Arthur, and France dragged America to his hotel.

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"Hey, why do you care about this matter that much? I mean, it can't just be about Canada."

"Hm~? I am the big brother of the world! Of course I am worried, even if it's you!"

"Oi... Isn't there some ulterior motive here?"

"How cruel of you to think that way, mon ami! Big brother is hurt!"

"Ah-hah..."

France pouted, then they arrived at the hotel. Only now did the man notice that France's wine bottle was gone, and he had no idea where it went. After America checked in (to the room next to France), they resumed the conversation.

"But really... Why?"

France opened the door in silence, then looked at America before going in.

"... Even before you and Canada, I had someone I cared about, and considered a little brother. Even if he isn't cute, and still hates me, I still cared about him. So of course... I can't leave this matter alone."

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/"... I'm sorry for everything I've done. And also, thank you.

Thank you for always being there, France.

Thank you, for caring about me, even in the slightest.

You're really annoying but, I see that I've never hated you truly.

... Take care of yourself, and Canada, okay?"/

I'm sorry for the wait. This chapter was somewhat difficult to figure out... In the end, I had to cut the bonus ending, but no worries! It'll be featured in the next chapter.

France is a really big pervert, but one can't deny he is the best at giving (emotional only) advice! Canonically, France and England has the same height of 175cm (I don't know how many ft is that), but Arthur is even shorter. Due to malnutrition.

I do not like FrUK that much, but I do want them to get along better... Thanks for reading!