A/N: Sorry for the long wait guys! Expo preparations were in order and being it was my first time, I wanted to be prepared. ^^' I'm Sorry~ Anywho~ ima shut up now.

It was about two days later when America finally had the courage to talk to Arthur without raging on about his former caretaker's absence at his birthday party. Hanging his head low, hands stuffed into his pockets, said American trudged next to Arthur while they walked through New York.

"What is it?" Arthur sighed.

As soon as he had stepped in the elevator back at the hotel, he knew he had made a dire mistake. He hadn't known that the former colony was also in the elevator to attend to some of his own errands, and when the shorter nation was asked what he was doing; Arthur couldn't help but tell him the truth. Only when the taller man had invited himself to join the other, was there a tinge of regret.

Alfred hesitated before looking up to the brit, who didn't bother to return the gaze.

"Well, I-I…I mean, um…" He couldn't stop stuttering

Arthur sighed again and pealed the paper that surrounded the hot-dog he had purchased before handing it to the nation who had desired it. Grabbing his own only after America had taken his thankfully.

"If you are going to say something, then say it." The island nation sighed again and took a bite out of the warm meat as they exited the small food court.

"W-Well, it's just, I heard from Matty that you were going to Francis' place on Saturday…."

Arthur exhaled and closed his eyes in annoyance. "Yes, I am."

The blue-eyed nation tensed. "Does that mean you are going to his place or his legit home?"

Arthur hesitated before taking another bite out of his 'meal'. Lowering the hot-dog, he took a moment to answer. "You know, I didn't really think about that…"

"You mean you don't know?!" Alfred's voice rose a bit.

"Calm down, calm down. I'll ask him later." He'd motion the other to relax with one of his hands before he would sigh again, "I don't understand why this is such a big deal to you, honestly."

"Not a big deal?! Dude he could either take you to his apartment or take you to 'The country of love'." The taller male exaggerated with air quotes.

"So? It's not like I haven't been there before…It's just dinner." The island's words were slowly released from his lips.

Alfred relaxed himself a bit as to not attract any more attention. "I just don't want to see you leave N.Y. so early…"

"I can always visit later." Arthur continued then threw the napkins and paper from his hot-dog in the garbage. Alfred did the same.

The two were silent for a while. That is, until Alfred realized where his former caretaker was taking him. "Why are we heading to a shopping center?"

"As I said earlier, I have errands to run." Arthur walked on.

"Yeah, uh huh. An errand that requires you to walk right into a boutique. Dude, you hate shopping, especially for clothes!" Alfred challenged.

"I dislike shopping for me, and I never said that I was going to get myself clothes." The Englishman rolled his eyes.

"Then who are they for?" Alfred responded while inspecting a rather nice tux coat.

Arthur tensed and blushed in embarrassment. "I-I…er.."

Alfred raised an eyebrow and wrapped an arm around Arthur's neck. "Artie~?"

"T-That's none of your business." He replied coldly before hanging up a shirt he was looking at.

"Come on Arty! I won't tell~" He smirked and leaned a little closer to the other's ear, whispering.

"I don't care if you bloody tell. I just didn't want you getting all upset that I'd be getting something for someone, when I didn't even go to your party…" Arthur said this with a slight bit of remorse.

"AH HAH! So it is a present? Also, who it's for, that would depend. Being the fact you aren't the type of guy to give presents." Alfred smiled with triumph.

Arthur looked at the other and scoffed and walking to another side of the store when his phone rang. "Hello?"

"Oh, you actually picked up your phone." Canada said nervously through the line.

"Yes, what is it Matthew?" Arthur shifted how he was holding his cell.

'Oh! Um, Papa wanted to know if you were still up for Saturday." The northern American asked softly.

Arthur had to plug one of his ears as he couldn't hear the soft speaker over the crazy streets of New York and the customers in the store. "Yes, but why didn't France ask me himself? Not that I mind you calling me." He asked innocently.

Alfred noticed Arthur was on the phone and wondered who the green-eyed nation was talking to.

"Alright, that's good to know. Oh, and, why isn't he talking? Papa's favorite pocket watch broke. You know how much he liked that thing as it 'added to the classy look'" Canada laughed nervously as some curse words and panicked French was heard through the end of the line.

"Oh shoot, that's not good. Did you try taking it to a watch repair man?" Arthur asked and glanced at the American that was now by his side, holding up a shirt that he had found. Arthur turned it down with the shake of his head. It was something of a t-shirt that said 'I 3 N.Y.' Alfred sighed and hung it up on the closest rack to him.

"Yes, but sadly, it's broken past repair…." Matthew said slowly with a sigh.

"Past repair?" Arthur echoed. "What do you mean it's past repair? How did it break?" Arthur's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"He had set it on the windowsill and forgot about it. When he went to check his coffee, he returned and placed his elbow on the windowsill and accidently knocked it out of the apartment and onto the street." Canada answered.

"That's repairable though…" Arthur sighed a bit.

"Oh, that's not all." Matthew had to stifle a giggle. "The moment when Francis realized what he did, he was looking out of the window with horror as a car flattened it like a pancake." A 'Zat wasn't funny!' was heard through the phone.

Arthur laughed lightly. "Must have been quite a sight." He continued,"Oh! And could you ask Francis which home he is expecting me to be at?"

"Sure" Answered Matty.

The brit thanked him and hung up the phone.

"Who was it?" Alfred asked and looked to Arthur.

"Matthew, Francis is being a pain." The two chuckled slightly.

After about ten minutes of aimless walking, the American looked outside of the store and spotted a Starbucks. "Hey Artie, I'll meet you outside of this store when you are done shopping."

Arthur blinked, "Huh?" He looked to where the younger was glancing at before. "Oh! Sure. When I am done here."

"Great I'll be right back" The native waved and left the store.

The Englishman made his way towards the front of the shop and looked through the glass that made up the counter. "You're an expensive fellow aren't you? But…" Green eyes were inspecting the item they were attracted to.

"See something you like?" A pretty young brunette with hazel eyes smiled at the man before her.

"Huh? Er yes, I would like to buy this please" Arthur pointed to the object.

The Cashier smiled and unlocked the glass. "You've got quite the eye, sir. This is an antique. Perfect shape too." She prepared the product for purchase and handed it to Arthur.

In turn, the brit paid the fine and smiled before leaving. "Thank you."

When said European left the boutique, he found an all too familiar American drinking coffee and leaning against the window of the store near the exit/entrance. He'd offer some tea to Arthur which was accepted. .

"Shall we go?" Arthur smiled and patted the taller nation on the shoulder before leaving the store.

Alfred smiled and nodded. "Yep! Now for one of my errands?" Sighing Arthur nodded with a smile. Once they would get home, Arthur would be sure to make his phone call to France.