A/N: Chapter 4 everyone! Come and get it while it's hot :D (don't mind me I'm just in a really weird mood right now ^^)

This time I won't bother you with boooring long A/Ns

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia (do I have to write this in every single chapter? )

(btw has anyone noticed that I forgot to write the title in the second chapter :D…..never mind I'll shut up now…)

The Big Hit

Chapter 4

Arthur froze as all of his worst memories flowed back and took form right in front of his eyes as if mocking him. The source of his shock was the tall man with flaming red hair who was currently flirting with the library girl a dangerous distance away. That confident posture, the movements of his hands, the thick Scottish accent that filled Arthur with a mixture of feelings such as hate, fear and respect – all those things were sealed in Arthur's memories so very clearly. There was no mistaking it even though Arthur wished there was.

"Scott…" the terrified blond whispered barely audible. Luckily the red-haired man hadn't noticed him… But for how long?…

Arthur decided not to push his luck and stood up without making a sound, eyes never leaving the threat that still had its back towards him. He found even standing up hard, as his legs weren't listening to him. There was a good reason for his panic and right now he needed to get away from it. So far so good. Scott was still chatting with the librarian, who seemed very delighted with their conversation since she often giggled and blushed which gave her entertainer even more confidence. Second seemed like ages but Arthur finally sneaked out of his enemy's range of vision. However he was still far from safe. The exit was nowhere near and the chance of being spotted was high. The first thing he had to do was return the book to its previous place. The last thing he wanted was to be caught stealing from a library(although it looked more appealing than being caught by that man) but even that proved to be difficult. In his hurry Arthur managed to knock down a few books.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

'Oh shit…'

The blond bent down and frantically started to pick up the fallen items. That was a mistake. He didn't hear the approaching footsteps and it was already too late when he saw the shadow over him.

"Ye OK there lad?"

Arthur gasped at the familiar voice and dropped the books he had been holding. The blond turned around instantly (although he knew what he was going to see and didn't really want to). He felt the wooden shelves press against his back, reminding him that there was no escape.

The two men stared at each other for a few seconds. Then slowly Scott's expression turned into an amused smirk while Arthur's remained that of horror. Scott broke the silence first.

"Well, well, well…What do we have here? If it isn't ma dear wee brother Arthur. " The way the last word was said sent shivers down Arthur's spine. Scott was more than pleased with the reaction he got.

"How long has it been Artie? Two, three years maybe? We were worried sick since ye just disappeared without saying anything." His words were dripping with sarcasm and pretended worry.

'Lies' Arthur thought but decided not to dig his grave and remained silent, without turning his eyes from his brother's. Even if they were filled with nothing but mockery and amusement.

"I doubt you're here to see us though." Scott continued. "I guess it was luck that brought us together today."
'Yes luck indeed…very bad luck' Arthur was snatched out of his thoughts as his older brother grabbed him by the arm and lifted him up from the ground where he previously sat. Arthur stiffened from the rather rough touch but instinctively obeyed his brother, too afraid of making him angry. Scott swung an arm around the smaller blond's shoulder and gave him a cheerful smile. If Arthur didn't know Scott so well he would have thought that it was real.

"So tell me dear brother what have ye been up to all this time and what brings ye here if it's not to see yer family?"

Oh god that man wasn't planning to let him off easy.

"I know!" the red-haired man exclaimed without giving his brother the chance to reply. "I should take ye to see our brothers! I'm sure they'll be more than happy to see ye."

Arthur's face went paler (if that's even possible). He looked at his brother and could have sworn that he saw the man's smirk become wider and even slightly sadistic.

"Then you can tell us about the time ye were away and we can have some fun like the good old times! What do you say?" Scott's face was masked with a friendly childish expression but to Arthur just hearing 'the good old times' made all of Scott's intentions clear. Seeing his brothers? – No way in hell! One was more than enough for Arthur.

"N-no way!" the blond finally gathered the courage to speak up and get away from the taller's firm grip. "I know what you're thinking Scott and it's not gonna happen. I know you too well to be fooled." With every word Arthur's voice raised with an octave.

Scott was a little taken aback by his brother's sudden outburst. However not long after that his eyes got a look that said 'oh how interesting – you're actually disobeying me'. Scott's new expression drained all of Arthur's courage in a matter of seconds. He had finally taken off his mask.

"Well someone's gotten pretty cocky while they were gone." The red hair said as he crossed his arms. Arthur felt like his feet couldn't support him any longer. The library girl from before threw them a worried look but decided that it was better not to get involved and hurried away.

"Tsk tsk tsk. That was a very bad mistake Artie…Your last one trust me."

Arthur felt the blood flow out of his limbs. Cold sweat was forming on his forehead as he took a step back. His instincts were now screaming for him to run away although he knew it was futile since his brother wouldn't have any problems in catching him. Scott was better than him…he had always been better…

"Excuse me …"

The voice brought the terrified blond back to reality.

"Is there anything wrong?"

As he recognized the voice Arthur was suddenly filled with immense relief. He jerked his head to the side only to be greeted by a familiar face. Arthur was grateful to god for there, only a few feet away stood none other than…

"Antonio…" Arthur said and without realizing it a barely visible smile crept onto his still deathly pale face. But there was something wrong. Antonio wasn't smiling. He was dead serious. Arthur's smile disappeared as quickly as it came. He had never seen his friend like that before. It was almost scary. Antonio himself wasn't looking at Arthur. All of his attention was pointed at the red-haired man in front of him. The Spaniard assumed that it was Arthur's oldest brother but right now he didn't really care. He had heard the two's conversation and was fully aware that whoever he was…that man was trouble. The brunette was glaring daggers at Scott who seemed fairly surprised but certainly not frightened. For him the boy didn't poses a threat but he sure had some guts. Antonio was standing his ground even though he was much shorter and skinnier than Scott. And he wasn't showing any signs of retreating. Arthur's fear was replaced by worry. He couldn't let a fight break between those two. It would be a disaster. Well he wasn't worried about Scott. That man would surely overpower Antonio. And that's what Arthur was afraid of. He wasn't going to let his friend get hurt because of him. He opened his mouth in attempt to say something to prevent the catastrophe but was suddenly cut off by his brother's laughter.

"Dear god Arthur. I never thought ye actually had any friends."

Antonio's expression fluttered and for a moment he seemed surprised by the audacious remark. He looked at Arthur and could not believe the change he saw. The Brit was glaring furiously at his brother with clenched fists and a dark expression. It was like he was a different person just like Antonio had been a few seconds ago. The assuring presence of Antonio had returned his confidence and his brother's remark made him remember and added to his hate for his older sibling. That hate was currently giving him the strength to do the unthinkable – stand up against his brother.

"And what the fuck do you mean by that? I've always had friends. You don't even know me and you dare say that you bastard?"

Scott was silent. It was as if he was contemplating whether his brother had gone mad. But he was calm. He didn't even flinch. After a while in tense silence he finally looked like he was going to make a move. Scot took a step forward. Antonio saw Arthur shiver and decided that it was once again time to interfere. He took a protective stance in front of his friend but Scott ignored him as if he was thin air. He walked past the Spaniard casually and stopped right next to Arthur, putting a hand on the blond's shoulder.

"Looks like I haven't scared all of them away." He whispered lowly so only Arthur could hear. Arthur felt his brother's breath and even though he couldn't see him he could tell that the man was smirking. After that everything happened very quickly. Scott turned around one last time to wave at Antonio and went out of the library, shutting the door with more force than necessary. His words echoed in Arthur's head. But why was he still thinking of Scott. Scott was gone now and he was safe. The Brit turned to his friend and that's when he finally felt at ease again. Antonio was smiling as cheerfully as ever. It was as if nothing had happened. Arthur smiled as well.

"You know you should start making a list of how many times I save your ass." Antonio said in a playful sing-song voice.

"Oh shut up!" Arthur retorted but there was no actual malice in his voice.

"Hey~ You're not even going to say thanks?~" Toni pouted.

"Why would I?" The truth was that Arthur was so grateful to Antonio that he wanted to run to him and hug him, but he still had his pride.

"But still thanks…"

"You're welcome partner."

Antonio and Arthur were out of the library and were walking to the van when suddenly Antonio spoke.

"Hey I know I probably shouldn't be asking this but that was your brother right?"

Arthur was surprised by the question but nodded nevertheless. Antonio seemed to regain a bit of his seriousness as he spoke again.

"Why didn't you call me immediately? You're lucky I saw Francis get out of the library and decided to check on you. I swear I don't care if he's your brother or not I'm gonna beat him up the next time I see him!"

At hearing that Arthur seemed to sadden a bit.

" No you're wrong. They're my family and I should be able to deal with them…then why can't I?…." The last part was said very quietly as if it was not meant to be heard. Arthur's pain was more than obvious in his words and Antonio decided that that should be the end of their conversation.

Francis was staring at the red liquid in his glass. He was sitting in a comfortable armchair, enjoying a peaceful evening alone in his mansion with a glass of expensive wine. His thoughts were still wandering to the short blond he met earlier that day.

"Well 'Liam '. Let's see how long you'll be able to keep that little act of yours…' Francis whispered and emptied the contents of his glass in one breath…

A/N: Yey! Scotland appears~

I really wanted him to have Scottish accent…but I have no idea how to write that ;_;

Pls review and lots of thanks to those who already have ^_^