A/N: First of all, forgive me for the really short chapter. The next one will be longer; this was kind of just a filler, with an important little tidbit at the end.
Second of all, I'm sorry it took so long. I've been working on a different Hetalia FF (Céleste Mosaïque) and have found myself kind of preoccupied with that.
Enjoy!
March 2nd
5:01 p.m.
"Oh, come now, Alfred. Is that really the best you can do?" Arthur complained, hunched over to catch his breath. He and his American victim stood out on the track, breathless and sweating beyond reason. "I could have you do this out in the summer heat. Your choice."
"Uhgn… I feel like my legs are going to explode…" He began to wheeze, desperate for air. "Iggy, please can we go inside now? We've been at this aimless running for hours."
Arthur's face twisted a bit, concern washing over his demeanor. "You shouldn't be wheezing like that. You have been following my diet plan, haven't you?"
Alfred gulped, breathing normally. In all honesty, the only times that he did follow the plan were when Arthur came to visit. Sure, he had attempted to eat healthier, but the temptations of sweets and grease were simply too much for the naïve American. "O-Of course. Why wouldn't I? I'll admit I've grown fond of sub sandwiches…" Which wasn't a complete fib. He did enjoy a good sandwich every now and then… he just preferred it veggie-less and stuffed full of deli meats instead.
"And, no, slapping a burger onto a long slice of bread does not qualify as a sub sandwich." Arthur crossed his arms over his chest, sweat dripping from his forehead.
"I know that! Honestly, why do you always have to take me for an idiot?" The American withdrew a small inhale, preparing himself for another lap around the devious track on which he stood.
Arthur groaned inwardly, rolling his eyes. "Oh, give it up. You look like you're about to fall unconscious. Just go sit in the shade for a while or something. There's a nice, wide tree over there, just beyond the fence."
Alfred made a beeline for the tree, collapsing beneath its comforting cool. He pulled his shirt over his head, wiping his sweat-caked face with the collar. "Thanks, Iggy. Mind getting us some water?"
"I do mind, as a matter of fact." Arthur's face softened. "But, I'll admit, I am becoming rather parched myself… Fine. Wait here, and put your shirt back on! It's indecent!"
"Oh, come on. We're the only ones out here anyway. It's too hot out… besides, what does it matter to you? You saw me with less on than this when I was a colony!" America draped his shirt back over his head regardless, glasses shifting beneath the movement of cloth. "Since when are you so particular about everything?"
You were nothing but childish chub back then… It's different now… Arthur snorted, fists clenched as he retreated back towards the water fountains with two water bottles tucked under his arms.
Alfred sighed, readjusting his thin-rimmed spectacles. "I wish I knew what's gotten England so easily tense. I mean, yeah, he's a pain in the neck, and he can get irritated for no good reason… but he doesn't just tense up like that out of the blue." He wiped his dripping forehead with the back of his palm, gazing up at the orange glow of the sunset soaring above his head. "He can't just make things easy, can he?"
Arthur returned after a few minutes, identical water bottles in each hand. "Here, just take it," he muttered, tossing his former colony a plastic bottle before taking a seat beside him. The Briton pulled open the nozzle and tilted his head back, allowing the crisp beverage to quench his dehydration. They sat in an uncomfortable silence for what seemed like hours, though only a few minutes.
Leave it to Alfred to break the peaceful calm of the evening. "So, Iggy, how long do you plan on staying this time?"
Arthur hesitated a moment, clutching his bottle tightly. "Well, I was going to leave tomorrow… Is that alright with you?"
"Of course it is! I don't need you to take care of me anymore, you know. I've been a nation for over two hundred years!" Alfred bit back the rest of his thoughts, realizing with utter terror what he had just said.
Arthur's breathing deepened, emerald orbs darkening. "You think I don't know that, you foolish little brat?" His voice rose subconsciously. "Your former guardian, the one who took care of you, who cooked for you, who held you when you dreamt of ghosts and horrors, who refused to shoot at you even though you held no weapon?! You honestly think that I-"
"Arthur, calm down!" Alfred's hands rose up defensively. "I didn't mean anything by it! Honest! You don't have to take it that way!" Oops. Things seemed to be slipping out from behind his tongue that day.
The Briton said nothing, unwavering. His eyes clamped shut, and his chin tucked itself between his knees. "Go do another mile."
"W-What? You aren't serious!"
"Well, if you're going to give me rubbish like that, then you can expect to get what you deserve. Quit complaining and go run."
Alfred groaned, standing with his water bottle tucked into his shorts pocket and strolled leisurely out to the track.
"What do you think you're doing, you bloody git?"
"You never said I had to run it."
********
March 3rd
3:56 p.m.
"Ungh… He's driving me crazy, Matthew!" Alfred complained, cell phone clutched tightly in his hand as he pressed it against his ear. "Iggy just won't slacken up. I don't know what his problem has been lately, but it seems like, no matter what I do, he just ends up having my head for everything. Any ideas why?"
"Amerique~! What a pleasure to have you call, for once!" Alfred gulped nervously. He was about ninety-nine percent certain that wasn't Matthew.
"F-Francis? What are you doing at Canada's place?"
"I'm afraid you have the wrong number," Francis remarked, voice smooth. "But, while you're on the other end, why not ask me about Angleterre's bizarre behavior? I'm sure I can help you out in some way or another. I am the nation of l'amour, am I not?"
Alfred raised in eyebrow in confusion. "Um, sure, France, but… what's lahmore?"
A/N: Told you this didn't qualify as a legitimate chapter. I just needed a bit more meat before getting into the juicy stuff next chapter. ;D
Midterms are this week, so I don't know if I'll update very often.
I'm serious, the stakes change in the next chapter! After all, Alfred has reverted to asking France for help... That alone should tell you something.
R&R!
