A/N: Bahahah the chapter we've all been waiting for is finally here: Epcot! Man, I racked my brain for hours on end trying to figure out how this chapter was going to play out. Hopefully you all won't be disappointed/hate me/throw hard objects at me at the end of this if you don't already. I really took far too long to update this. My apologies orz. Erbby17 has once again, helped me come up with a wonderful idea for this chapter and just so you know, Disney employees are all kind and nice and this really doesn't happen sooo XD;; And with last chapter's addiction, this fic has broken 50 alerts, thank you all so much. ;w;
Chapter seven: Epcot: World Show Case.
For the first time for the duration of the trip, Arthur found himself not forcing his smile while strolling casually through the park. Instead of the loud screams of children, there was more conversation filling the air and intelligent ones at that. Despite Alfred's protests of wanting to explore 'Mission Space,' the Englishman was able to convince him to visit the show case first; Alfred might as well learn a few things while he was here. As they rounded to corner towards the Mexico display, Alfred protested about being on vacation and not learning and the fact he could just take a plane and be in the country of his choosing in a matter of a few hours or so. The green-eyed man sighed and merely pushed forward through the country, admiring the architecture.
Alfred let his eyes wander across the glittering lagoon and was able to see the United States display clearly as he pulled on the older's short sleeve while pointing across the way. "Arthur, look I can see me!" Although annoyed by the tugging at him, Arthur didn't respond and merely continued with what he was doing. "Aw come on, don't ignore me!"
"I told you I wasn't going to speak to you after what you did to the bed last night."
"So I fell asleep and soaked the bed, big deal!"
"I told you to take those clothes off, you're lucky you're not ill!"
"Iggy, it's 'sick.' When you say ill, it makes you sound old."
"I'M NOT OLD, TWIT!" Gaining many stares for the umpteenth time this trip, Arthur threw his arms down to his sides while getting extraordinarily close to the taller's face. The two had been going off on one another all morning, worse than usual. It only got worse when Alfred insisted that it was due to Arthur's PMS, which set the shorter blonde off in a rage for about a half hour.
"Then stop saying old people stuff!"
"I'm not saying "old people stuff," I'm talking normally!"
"If you normally talk like that then you're old!" The English nation was bright red in the face as Alfred snickered to himself for the good come back. It really was just too much fun making Arthur irritated and it was almost like bonus points for pushing him over the edge when he was already angry as it was. Arthur gave up the infuriating battle and spun around to walk to Norway without consulting Alfred about it. Mentally high fiving himself for winning, the American followed close behind.
Norway was a peaceful set up with stone buildings lining the walk way on the left side. There was a ride in the "country" but Alfred figured if he kept quiet all morning then maybe he'd convince Arthur to ride 'Mission Space' with him before the day was out. Arthur paid attention to every little detail of the set up, taking his sweet time at each point while the younger bounced around as they got closer to his own country's showcase. Of course, it was partially due to that fact that noon was descending upon their last full day meaning that lunch was soon and perhaps partially also due to the fact that Alfred was about 100 yards away from somewhere where they served hamburgers. They walked out of China and into Germany, the smell of chocolate hanging heavy in the air.
"Iggy, this is really boring. How much longer are we gonna be here?"
"Alfred, it's not boring, it's informative."
"But haven't you been to all these countries in person before? What's the point in coming here and spending massive amounts of time we could be using for 'Mission Space'?"
"You said to me this morning that you would go through every country in a timely matter with little to no complaining so we can go back to the hotel and pack for tonight. Don't lie to me." Arthur threw in a bit of guilt. "Besides, we aren't going to that God forsaken country across the lagoon so that should save you some time." A slender finger referenced the country with the Eifel Tower looming over the set up.
"…You don't even want to go to the fake one? Geeze…"
"There's a reason why they didn't put something in between the United Kingdom and France." He said with a tone of coolness to his voice. The duo walked into the shop that was the source of the sweet smell that grabbed its way through the air, their eyes being greeted by the many colored wrappers of German chocolate and other sweets. Alfred's attention was suddenly scattered as he stormed the shelves… Literally like a kid in a candy store. Arthur only thanked his lucky stars that he might now have a moment to concentrate on what he was doing.
"Hey Iggy, can we get these?" …Nevermind. Turning to face the blue-eyed annoyance, Arthur eyed his arms that were full of chocolates and shook his head.
"Have you forgotten that it's one hundred degrees out? Please tell me you can at least remember the climate of your own state."
"I can eat it now!" Merely shaking his head, Arthur told him to put all of it back before walking back out into the sunlight where his eyes squinted for a moment. Waiting for Alfred to catch up, he looked next to the Italy display which was almost disgustingly like France's architecture. Alfred finally bound out a few minutes later eating some chocolates as the Englishman cocked an eyebrow.
"How did you get that, I'm holding the money…"
"Flirted with the girl in there." Alfred winked while shoving another piece into his mouth, a knot of something heavy placing itself in Arthur's stomach.
"Oh, well at least you're putting your skills to work." The shorter man said with venom in his voice. The taller didn't see the problem with his actions, finished his chocolate and pointed towards Italy next door.
"Well, the stuff in Italy's really expensive, I can maybe flirt you some stuff there if you want."
"OH, WONDERFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT OFFER." Alfred blinked in confusion wondering just how he had started yet another fight, but only spoke up after examining the Englishman's continuously darkening face.
"…Oh you're jealous because I flirted with that chick? Arthur, you need to relax!" The other's face only reddened further if it was possible. "All I wanted from her was chocolate, it wasn't anything legit like when I flirt with you!"
"Fantastic, you ass." Having no desire to continue talking to the man, Arthur moved forward onto the next country, looking into the large shop that was placed in front of him. He wanted to ignore anything that may come from the idiot behind him, knowing that the America show case was now mere yards from them. Alfred only coughed in response to the various perfumed scents that dragged around the area, choking anyone who inhaled the tainted air. He almost considered waiting outside of the country set up for Arthur to be finished, but due to the argument the two had just shared, it may not be a wise decision on his end. Alfred only stared to the next set up longingly while the elder sighed to himself. "Alfred, I'm going to make you a deal. Go into the America set up and eat lunch and meet me over in the United Kingdom; that's where I'll be eating."
"Don't you want to eat together..?"
"Yes, but I'm not in the mood for hamburgers nor am I in the mood for anymore of this fighting." Arthur's emerald orbs stayed plastered to the bottle in his hand. Knowing that he really did push the other over the edge with the flirting thing, Alfred just turned around and walked slowly out of the country. "And if you're not back in an hour and a half, I'm coming to you." Throwing a thumbs-up over his shoulder, Alfred continued walking towards the United States set up and disappeared into the crowd.
Putting down what he was looking at, the English nation watched as Alfred's form became unseen and started carrying himself through the long trek across the park. He found it strange, he thought he felt awkward walking through large groups of people holding hands with Alfred, but now that he wasn't there with him, he felt even more uncomfortable. Happy couples walked past him, forcing his eyes to the ground; why couldn't he and Alfred just stop fighting? It was the same routine every day, every hour, every minute. Now that he was really thinking about it, Arthur's favorite moments with him and Alfred only happened because of a fight they had and the younger had tried to make up for it. Is that all their relationship was based on? Fighting and make up sex?
The Englishman's heart clenched in his chest at the thought and the words that just ran through his head. That couldn't be all their relationship was. Arthur loved Alfred and he was pretty sure the other felt the same, so why was he so concerned? It was perfectly normal for couples to argue…
Arthur passed France without a hateful thought as he quickly walked the remaining distance into the United Kingdom. He found the pub almost immediately and thanked the high heavens that there was some place to get a drink; he could at least clear his mind momentarily. For the time being, Arthur would have to cling to the small hope that tonight would be the most romantic night of either of their lives and a fight would most definitely not be the cause of it.
XxXxXxX
Alfred walked through the park as he normally would, bored by the history but not so much the exciting things that happened around him. He kept his visit in the America showcase to a minimum due to the fight the nations had just had with each other. Most of all, Alfred just wanted to make sure that Arthur wasn't going to remain mad at him for the remainder of the trip.
Stepping into the United Kingdom showcase, blue eyes scanned the area looking for Arthur's form amongst the many people in the area and were met only with disappointment. It wasn't like him to be late to be early, mad at him or not. Trying to fight the feeling of nervousness away from his stomach, Alfred walked further into the set up and looked in every place he could think of. His feeling of urgency disappeared as he realized that there was a pub in the United Kingdom and suddenly knew exactly where Arthur was; not that he was happy about walking in and finding the Englishman leaning on the bar in order to keep himself standing.
The drunken man saw Alfred and smiled dumbly while stumbling forward into his broad chest. Catching them both before they fell over backwards, the younger stared down at the man now nuzzling him affectionately.
"Al-Alfred…" He held a sweet tone despite the twinge of alcohol at the end of his words. "Alfred, when did you get back here?" It was only due to the younger nation's experience decoding Arthur's drunken slurs that he could make sense out of the words that were jumbled from his mouth.
"Just now. C'mon, Iggy, let's go back to the hotel so you can sober up for tonight." Sighing loudly, he slung Arthur's arm around his shoulders and began walking the dead weight next to him forward. "Geeze, how much did you drink when I was gone!"
"Only two or three… Or more I'm not sure." He giggled while covering his eyes as they duo stepped out into the sun light. Seeing if he could walk on his own, Alfred let go and the other managed to stay up on his feet. Walking lazily to his right, Arthur began walking the opposite way and walked back towards France, while the other cocked an eye brow at the action.
"Arthur, where're you going? That's Fra-"
"I know bloody w-well what it is, git." Stumbling past families, the man ended up watching a French performer with disdain in his eyes and from what Alfred could see, started saying things to him as well. Arthur saying things to a Frenchman was never a good thing.
There was a large crowd forming around the performer to watch his feats of juggling wine bottles while Arthur continued to pick a fight. Figuring he'd best pull the inebriated man out of the crowd before a scene broke out, Alfred started to push his way to the front. Keeping his eyes on Arthur, Alfred quickened his pace when the Frenchman stopped what he was doing to flat out yell back at the swaying Englishman. By the time he got close enough, the two were in each other's faces and a few other staff members were calling for security. Alfred broke through the line of petrified park guests and latched onto Arthur's arm.
"Iggy, come on, you're gonna get in trouble if you stay here!"
"S-Shut up, he's speaking to me in that filthy language!" Arthur said pointing to the very disgruntled employee. He pulled against the restraint that the larger man had placed against him but Alfred wasn't budging, gripping the other hard enough to bruise his arms. "Alfred, lemme go!" Arthur slurred, kicking his legs at the Frenchman instead, just in time for security to arrive on the scene and jump on top of both Alfred and Arthur. Arthur put up more of a fight with the security officers while Alfred tried to yell at them just who they were but before he could even blink, they were placed into a security car to be escorted away.
XxXxXxX
"Mr. Jones, I told you one more screw up and that was it."
"But it wasn't intentional!" Alfred protested back as Arthur sat with a pounding headache heavy in his temples. It had been about an hour since the two were escorted out from the park and Arthur had had just enough time to sober up and ample time to feel like an ass. "Isn't there anyway that we can get one more shot?"
"Alfred." The hotel owner held a stern face. "I'm afraid that it stands that you both messed up and now you have to deal with what you've done. I'm sorry, but I can't allow your night in Cinderella's Castle." Out of the corner of his eye, Alfred saw Arthur cringe noticeably and hide his eyes away.
"…There's no way for us to be there at all?"
"It would look poorly on us as a whole if we allowed you the privilege after the irresponsible actions you two have performed. It doesn't look good at all if we do, no matter how important of a person you are." Alfred sat back in his chair and sighed.
"I guess."
"Your check out is tomorrow at 11 am sharp. Please do not be late." The owner walked to the door and let himself out of the room to leave both Alfred and Arthur alone. Alfred slumped in his chair, supporting his head on his fist not even wanting to look next to him. He already knew that Arthur was crying silently next to him.
