Author's note: Another jump in the timeline c: I might just post another chapter after this...because I can.


Chapter 7

First Kiss


Their first kiss happened by accident. If anyone were to ask when their first kiss was, they would both say, "On New Years Eve when we were both adults." That would be a lie.

In reality, it happened when Arthur was 17 and Ludwig was 15. Gilbert was hosting a party at his house while his father was away on business for the weekend and so Arthur had been called in to help set things up. Ludwig had been unwillingly recruited to help as well.

"Lud, did you get the chip and dip out?" Gilbert called from the upstairs.

"Yes," the younger teenager replied irritably.

"And Artie, you set up the big screen, right?"

Arthur said a few choice swear words before replying. "Yes, for the one hundredth time, Gilbert!"

Gilbert almost flew down the stairs. "Man, this is gonna be the most badass party ever."

"If you say so," Arthur grumbled.

It wasn't long before people started arriving. Ludwig was forced to serve drinks and Arthur was told to look out for him so the two of them went to the kitchen, both angry at Gilbert for making them work so hard.

"This party is stupid," Arthur sighed.

Ludwig cocked his head to the side. "You think so too?"

"I don't even knowhalf these people."

"Maybe Father will come home early from his business trip…"

"We can only hope, right?" Arthur chuckled a little.

Gilbert walked into the kitchen, glaring at them. "Yo, guys, people want drinks out there."

"Right, right," Arthur rolled his eyes.

Ludwig glared at his brother and finished pouring the drinks. "You should treat me nicer if you don't want me telling Father, Gilbert."

"…Are you threateningme, Lud?" Gilbert towered over him.

"Hey, hey, leave him alone," Arthur said, blocking Ludwig from Gilbert's intense glare. "Go be a good host or whatever. We'll bring the drinks out soon."

"You better." Gilbert walked back out to mingle among his guests, leaving a very tense atmosphere behind.

"I swear, his ego makes him such an arse sometimes," Arthur snarled.

"You didn't have to defend me, Arthur."

Arthur shrugged. "I'm a little brother myself. I know what it's like to be treated like shite."

"Well…thanks."

"No problem. Careful with those drinks there."

Ludwig was almost back into the room with the party when someone rushed by and knocked him off balance. He fell back into Arthur and they both fell to the floor. All the drinks spilled around them. But that wasn't Ludwig's main concern right now. He turned around to see if Arthur was all right.

"Arthur?" He shook the older boy.

Green eyes opened slowly. Arthur sat up quickly and didn't seem to realize just how close Ludwig was. Their lips met instantly. Ludwig's eyes were wide and Arthur's were even wider. Arthur pulled back quickly, hiding his blush and standing up on wobbly legs. "L-Let's pretend nothing happened," he mumbled.

Ludwig nodded, his own cheeks just as red. He never imagined years later they'd be kissing again.