A/N: This chapter has mild sexual innuendos and cursing ahead. You have been warned!


Alfred sighed as he stared up at his ceiling. The soap opera had long since ended, promising to reveal everything in the next season. Typical tv show. He had tried to work on one of his essays for world literature but had failed. Then his laptop had died. He had spent hours of effort into Flappy Bird, reaching 197 columns. Then his phone had died. Then he turned on the tv. Nothing was on. But at least this gave him a reason to finish the book Arthur had lent him. Which is what he was doing when he heard a knock on the door and a click in the lock.

"Tony?" He asked, getting up and moving into the kitchen area as the door opened. His eyes widened when he saw who it was before narrowing into a smirk. "Looks like someone just couldn't stay away. Am I that irresistible?"

"Oh be quiet!" Arthur snapped as he shut the door behind him. "And what are you doing up? Antonio told me you were gravely ill last night."

"Such proper english. And no, I'm not that bad. Tony made me stay home, I wanted to go! I had it all planned out too, it's not fair!"

"Well I'm still here, right? We can do something here instead."

"But I'm always here!"

"What are you, 10? You're an adult, you can handle this."

"Adults are stupid."

"It takes one to know one. Now go sit back down, this is a new shirt and I don't want you barfing all over it."

"A new shirt? Aw Artie, did you buy it for our date?"

"Sh-shut up! I did not! It's an old shirt, I haven't worn it in a while and it was clean! That's why! And don't call me that!"

"Alright, alright. How are you here anyway?"

"I told you, I met Antonio. He gave me your key to the dorm that he took with him and told me to bring it to you."

"But I have my key. It's right here." Alfred replies, picking up the small bronze key with a spider man key tag hanging from it.

"Then whose is this?" Arthur asks, showing him the bronze key, a pressed carnation attached to it.

"That's Tony's key. He actually gave you his key. He must've felt bad for making me miss our date."

"I need to thank him later."

"Yeah you do."

"Anyway, go sit down. I'm serious, Alfred, I don't want you getting sick again."

"Fiiiiiine." He moans, plopping into one of the wooden chairs by the table. Arthur walks over to the refrigerator and opens it, taking out a few things. "Whatcha making?"

"Soup. Chicken soup. Except you don't have chicken, so I'm using pork. And you don't have noodles, so I'm using rice. And you don't have carrots, so I'm using parsnips. Why would you have parsnips and not carrots?"

"I like parsnips! They're sweet!"

"Spoken like a true child. Where do you keep the pots?"

"Third cabinet from the left, second shelf. That's the biggest one we have."

"Thanks." Opening the cabinet, Arthur hefts the heavy pot off the shelf and carried it to the sink, filling it with water, before letting sit on the stove to boil. He starts to cut up the vegetables as he asks "What exactly happened last night? Did you have a stomach bug or something?"

"No it wasn't that."

"Do you not want to tell me?"

"N-no I do. It's just… It's kinda weird."

"Was it a nightmare again?"

"Yeah."

"About what?"

"Well… Y'know that tree we were at a while ago? It was there, except there was two of them. Trees I mean. And Lovino Vargas was there, along with someone else, I think his name was Feliciano? Anyway, they were both there, and Lovino was really upset. He said something about a war I think? Anyway, it was during a thunderstorm, and Feliciano said something about a dead person, and I looked and, and…" His voice trails off as his face pales. Immediately Arthur's there.

"You're not going to puke again, are you?"

"No, I'm okay." Arthur stares at him with a pained expression before sighing.

"Frankly, I'm shocked. You just described exactly what happened around 2 years ago."

"I did?"

"Yes. It was all over the news. How come you didn't hear about it?"

"Was it in June?"

"I think so, yes."

"I was in America for a while. Summer vacation, so I was visiting my family back in Pennsylvania."

"That makes sense. So as I was saying, around that time there were some… turf wars, I suppose you could call it, between some of the large gangs around this area."

"You mean the mafia?"

"Yes. There was a lot of fighting and a lot of deaths. And that was one of the most violent ones. The Adnan family had captured Lovino's right hand man at the time, Milen Petrov. He was a handsome and kind man from Bulgaria that Lovino took a liking to. He refused to tell them what they wanted, so he was brutally murdered and hung upon an old tree. It was cut down after the incident occurred, which is why you didn't see it."

"How do you know so much about it?"

"I'm more curious as to why you dreamed about it." Silence is his response, and Arthur looks up from his work at Alfred, whose eyes are downcast, staring at the floor. "...I get the feeling you're hiding something from me."

"..." Arthur sighs.

"Well fine. Don't tell me. But when you're ready to talk about it, I'll be right here."

"Thanks, Arthur."

"That's what friends are for." At this, Alfred looks up. Holding his head up with his hand, he smiles at Arthur.

"That's not the kind of relationship I want with you."

"You're the one who said he wanted to be friends!" Arthur replies, annoyed. "If I'm bothering you, I'll leave."

"You misunderstood me." Alfred says, chuckling. "I meant I want to be your lover." Arthur's head snaps up at this and his face goes completely red. As he brings the knife down on the parsnips, it accidently knicks his finger as well.

"Shit!" He curses, dropping the knife and holding his injured finger. Alfred jumps up and goes over to him. "Don't say things like that so suddenly!" Arthur hisses at him.

"Sorry. Let me see." Arthur takes his hand away to reveal a dime sized cut on his pointer finger. Pulling it to his mouth, Alfred begins to lick.

"Wh-what are you d-doing?!" Arthur exclaims, turning even redder.

"This helps the blood clot faster." Alfred replies. Still holding onto Arthur's wrist, he begins to move up his arm.

"Y-you-!" Arthur tries to pull away but can't, caught in Alfred's iron grip.

"Something wrong?" Alfred's blue eyes narrow slightly, a sly grin on his lips. Arthur instinctively blushes but can't bring himself to look away. As Alfred slides his hands under his shirt, Arthur moans softly.

"A-Alfred you're supposed to be sick."

"Do I seem sick to you?" He asks, his voice low and purring. Arthur moans again as Alfred moves his hand slowly up Arthur's chest. Leaning forward, Alfred purses his lips slightly moving close, so close, to Arthur's face, and-

"Hola!" Antonio bursts open the door. "Sorry guys I wound up forgetting my wallet and I promised to treat Lovi, so-" he breaks off as he notices the two wide-eyed men staring at him, Alfred's hands under Arthur's half-buttoned shirt, their faces mere inches apart. "Well I'll be going now! Lovi can pay! Carry on!" He backs out quickly, shutting the door, only to open it a moment later. "And don't forget to lock the door if you're doing that." Winking, he shuts the door. Alfred and Arthur just watch the door for a few moments before looking at each other. Their eyes meet and the two burst into laughter.

"God, that's so like him!" Alfred laughs. "Damnit Tony, pick a better time!"

"I think it was perfect timing."

"What, why?!"

"Because you're supposed to be sick! And I only just met you! I'm not going to have sex with someone I just met!"

"Seemed to me you were enjoying it."

"Th-that was because I got caught up in the moment! It d-didn't mean anything! It's not like I wanted it or anything!"

"...so I was just going to do it with you and you weren't even going to want it, let alone enjoy it?" Arthur looks up at Alfred. The American looks dejected and upset. "If you hated it that much, you should've said something. I won't do it again." He goes back to his chair and plops down, avoiding Arthur's gaze.

"Okay, now you're clearly pouting." Alfred doesn't respond. "Look it's not that I didn't want it, okay? I was just unprepared, and i-it was embarrassing and..." His voice trails off. Exasperated, he sighs. "I-I guess... I didn't h-hate it... Or anything... But you're sick and I just met you and... Can we wait a little longer? Please?"

"You're so cute when you're embarrassed." Arthur's head flips up to Alfred, who's watching him, a coy grin on his face. Blushing furiously, Arthur scowls.

"Shut up, git! It's your fault I am!"

"Like I said, it's cute. And I probably was moving a little fast, so I'm at fault too. I'm sorry, Artie."

"Don't call me that. And that seems unlike you. Normally you're quite the naive gentleman."

"I don't know whether that's a compliment or insult or both."

"Take it how you want, yet it's the perfect description." Walking over to him, Arthur leans down, touching his own forehead to Alfred's.

"A-Arthur? What're you doing?"

"You felt a bit hot while you were doing... that. As I thought, you have a fever."

"I do?"

"You do. It's not that surprising, after being up all night puking. Go lay down in bed, I'll bring you some medicine in a bit."

"And some soup?"

"Yes, and some- Shit the soup!" The pot has begun to bubble over, the meat and vegetables inside of it burnt. "Bloody hell!" Arthur curses as he removes the lid, smoke and steam escaping at the same time.

"Is it even possible to burn soup?"

"Be quiet! Go lay down!"

"Aye aye cap'n!" Alfred snickers as he retreats to his bed. Plopping down on his bed, he curls up under the warm covers, listening to Arthur's stream of curses. "Didn't even know that was a word." He mutters, as their volume increases. "Ya learn somethin' new everyday."

...

He didn't know when, but somehow Alfred had fallen asleep because the next time he opened them, it was a few hours later. Rubbing his eyes and glancing at the clock, Alfred yawned. "When did it get to be 11?" He groaned sleepily as he hefted himself out of his bed. "Arthur's probably left already. He shoulda woke me up." Pushing open his bedroom door, his eyes widen before he sighs and smiles.

Arthur's sitting in a chair at the table, a bowl of half-eaten soup in front of him. Across the table at another chair sits a second bowl, this one covered with a towel. Arthur's head rests in his arms, snoring lightly. Smiling, Alfred sits down in the seat across from him, watching the sleeping Brit. The worry lines always across his forehead had faded and the thick eyebrows always downturned in a frown had softened. A look of peace is on his face, an emotion Alfred rarely saw with him. He couldn't help but wonder what made those circles under his eyes so dark. What secrets was Arthur hiding from him? The thought made him uncomfortable, and he shook it off as he went to wake Arthur.

"Hey. Arthur. Artie. I'm glad you waited for me but you didn't have to. It's late. You should get home. Arthur. Arthur. Arthur. Artie. You." After a while of incessant name calling, Alfred gets up and walks over to him. "You asked for this." Bending down, Alfred moves close to him, leaning in for a kiss. Just as he's about to, however, Arthur grunts and his eyes flicker open. They connect with Alfred's eyes just a few centimeters from his own, and Arthur steadily goes from peach to pink to red in a matter of seconds.

"Wh-what're you doing?!" He cries, jolting backwards. Pouting, Alfred frowns.

"Sleeping Beauty deserves a kiss, right?"

"I'm not a princess!"

"I know. But if you were, I'd like you anyway."

"How romantic."

"I like to think I am."

"You and Francis would get along then."

"Ah, that French dude! Yeah, him! I still haven't met him!"

"Wha- still? Haven't you lived here for years?"

"Well yeah, I mean he's picked Gil up when he's drunk before, but that's it."

"Well when we all go out for thanksgiving, why don't you come?"

"We?"

"Me, Francis, Gilbert, Elizabeta, Roderich, Lily, Vash, Antonio and Lovino. Normally there's 2 others but... I doubt they'll come this year. It's a party we always have, since our families don't live here. It's gotten to be tradition."

"I'll admit that sounds nice. I can't go home for it this year since my folks aren't made of money. I'm saving up for Christmas. And I admittedly don't want to go home for Thanksgiving after what happened last year."

"What happened last year?"

"My brother Matthew came to visit me here instead of me going home. Let's just say Gil got him drunk and… Well, Matthew said he was never coming again. Thanks to Gil, I have to pay for going home while Mattie, who makes more money anyway, doesn't. Stupid friends."

"Wait you have a brother?"

"Oh I never told you?"

"I think I would've remembered if you said something about there being two of you. One's bad enough."

"Gee thanks. And really, Mattie's nothing like me. We have the same face but that's it. He's quiet and reserved and shy. I'm, well, the opposite."

"If only we all could have your confidence, Alfred."

"Hey I've got a lot to be confident about!"

"Keep telling yourself that."

"Hey! Rude!"

"No. Sarcastic. I'm a cynical british man. Get used to it."

"That sass. What are you a 16-year-old girl?"

"I like to think I'm a man, thank you very much."

"Want me to check?" Arthur blushes.

"Enough with the sexual innuendos, Alfred."

"Well I am trying to get 'in you'."

"Do you know how incredibly stupid that sounds?"

"I thought it was pretty clever."

"It's stupid."

"Yeah I got that."

"Honestly, how did you manage to get into college here?"

"I'm pretty smart, Artie, whether you believe it or not!"

"Uh-huh, sure. And don't call me that."

"I'll call you what I want! We are friends, after all! And friends have nicknames for each other! Don't you have any for anyone?"

"Well Francis is frog, pervert, asshole, bastard, Frenchie, twat-"

"I get it, I get it! What about git? You call me that all the time."

"You're special, love."

"Love? Love? What's this? Are you coming on to me?"

"It's a term of endearment, Alfred! Even you aren't that culturally ignorant to not know that!"

"Okay, sorry." He replies laughing. "At least I have my own nickname. Even if it is a dirty word."

"That's right. Be thankful."

"I am. Doll."

"Doll? Is that an American thing?"

"Nope. That's a me thing." Alfred smiles slyly, standing up from his seat.

"Hmm? What're you-" His words are cut off as Alfred leans across the table and kisses him. His warm lips touch Arthur's forehead for just a moment, before pulling away. The American sits back in his seat, blushing slightly. When Arthur doesn't say anything, Alfred glances at him. The Brit is sitting stiffly in his seat, a red flush creeping across his cheeks. The two lock eyes, and then Arthur smiles. Alfred almost falls out of his chair.

"Damn, Artie. You could light up a whole entire room with that." And it's true. When Arthur smiles, and of course, really smiles, not some fake little one, or a cocky and teasing one, but a real genuine smile of happiness, he's beautiful. He's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. At least to Alfred.

"What do you mean?" Clueless. Of course. Alfred laughs gently. Reaching out, he ruffles Arthur's hair.

"Just smile like that more often." And for once, Arthur doesn't poke at him for being cheesy.

"I think I could do that. If it's for you."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

The peaceful silence is soon interrupted by a knock on the door. "Yo, Al? Arthur? It cool to come in? No sexytimes occurring? Wouldn't want to walk in again like last-" Antonio breaks off as the door swings open and Alfred grabs his face.

"Shut. Up." He hisses, thoroughly embarrassed. Behind him, Arthur is chuckling.

"Lo siento, Alfred. Just making sure." He replies with a wide grin, before stepping into the house. "Come on Lovi!"

"Eh, wait, you brought him back with you?"

"Don't talk about me like I'm a fucking animal, bastard!"

"Sorry man." Alfred steps aside as Lovino strolls in. The Italian has a slight flush to his cheeks, contrasting with his black fedora and matching trench coat. His green eyes flash as he glares at Alfred and then Arthur and then finally flicker back to Antonio, where they soften slightly.

"Remind me again why I had to come with you, asshole?" He snaps.

"I wanted you two to… um… talk."

"Talk?"

"With Alfred."

"With him?" "With me?" They ask simultaneously. "But I don't have anything to talk to Lovino about." Alfred continues. "I barely even know him."

"Lovino knows what about. And I need to get Arthur home."

"I can get home myself!" The blonde replies indignantly.

"Look, the Adnans are acting up again. You can't be too careful, okay? I'll drive you home."

"I can take care of myself!"

"Look, things aren't the same since a few years ago. Times have changed. People got meaner. And you aren't a-"

"Alright fine." Arthur cuts him off. "Just stop talking already." Standing up, he sighs as he pulls his winter coat on. Turning to Alfred, he walks over, smiling. "Is this one of those smiles you were talking about?"

"That's the one." Alfred replies happily. He holds out his arms. "C'mere."

"I-I'd rather not."

"Come on, Artie. You know you want to."

"I've told you not to call me that!" He says, but obliges, walking over to Alfred. Wrapping his arms around him, Alfred smiles, leaning and whispering something to Arthur. I love you. Blushing, Arthur pulls away.

"What, no response?" Alfred pouts.

"You're embarrassing, you git. We have an audience." Arthur says, turning to Antonio and following him to the door

"So you disagree?" Alfred calls, as Arthur steps through the doorway. Stopping, Arthur doesn't turn around, but speaks just loud enough for Alfred to hear him.

"I never said that."

And with that said, the door closes, leaving Alfred and Lovino in the dorm room. Alfred turns around, moving back to the table.

"You're grinning like an idiot, bastard."

"Oh right. Forgot you were here."

"An idiot like you would. Can't believe I'm stuck here with you." He mutters.

"Hey it could be worse. You could be with Francis."

"How do you know about Francis?"

"I've lived here for 4 years, dude. It'd be weird if I didn't. I know that he's a player and he's perverted and French and handsome. In a French kinda way." After a moment, Lovino responds.

"Do you know anything about 2 years ago, bastard?"

"2 years ago? Um, let's see… Oh! I heard about… what's his name… Milen?" Lovino visibly stiffens. "Oh. Crap. I forgot. he was your friend. Look, I'm sorry dude, I didn't mean-"

"No. It's fine. It was a long time ago. Is that it?"

"Yeah, just about."

"You didn't hear anything about what happened in June?"

"I was away in America for June, July and half of August. So no."

"Huh. Alright then, I'll fill you in. A lot of this could be confusing, but you need to hear this. For you and for Arthur. You already know I run a gang here. First off, there are 2 others: the Beilschmidts and the Adnans. All 3 families aren't exactly friends, of course. However, the Beilschmidt family and my own were considering a peace contract."

"Why"

"People fell in love, I guess."

"Huh?"

"My little brother, Feliciano Vargas, and the first son of the head of the Beilschmidt family, Ludwig Beilschmidt, fell in love with each other. I wasn't about to get between them. Feliciano can be terrifying when he's pissed. And Ludwig is incredibly… buff. Very… beefy. Didn't want him to break my fucking arms. Honestly, I don't know what Feli saw in that potato bastard, but he saw something. And it's not like I was one to talk. I don't know how many of my duties I've neglected for Antonio."

"So your brother and that Ludwig guy fell in love? And you were going to make peace? I don't get it, what's so bad about that?"

"It's not us who it would be bad for. It would be bad for the Adnans. The precarious balance we had maintained would come crashing down, and they would be on the losing end. With two of the families allying each other, it's almost guaranteed they'd be wiped out. They were angry. And they lashed out. People were hurt. Killed. It was one of the most awful gang wars I've been in. Now here's where Arthur comes in. Arthur-"

"And I'm gonna stop you there."

"...why?" Alfred took a deep breath before responding.

"Arthur has obviously been trying to not tell me. He always changes the subject when I approach it. And… I guess I want to respect his wishes. He can tell me what happened in his past when he's ready to." Alfred looks up to find Lovino watching him intently.

"Tony was right about you." He says, a sly grin on his face. "You're perfect for Arthur."

"Tony said that?"

"That. And that other thing."

"What other thing?" Lovino looks ready to respond, but Antonio walks in.

"Ready to go home, Lovi?" Glancing between the two of them, his eyebrows go up. "Did I interrupt something?"

"We were just finishing." Turning to look at his lover, Lovino smiles, getting up and walking to the door. Then he stops and looks back at Alfred. "That you're a good person." And he walks out the door. Antonio watches him walk down the hall, then looks at Alfred.

"Good job, man! Lovi doesn't ever say that! To anyone! I think he likes you."

"I don't need him to like me. I need Arthur to."

"Between you and me, that's already taken care of." Antonio winks as he shuts the door, hurrying after Lovino.

And just like that, Alfred is left alone again, cold, long-forgotten soup sitting on the table. To sit and think about what he learned. And to wonder. What exactly was Arthur hiding from him?


A/N: After a very very VERY long hiatus... I'm back! Swim team started, ap euro got hard, school got stressful, and I got busy. But I'm back now! Updates will be slow, but I promise you won't be waiting this long anymore. To my readers who stuck with me, I say thank you and again, I'm sorry!

I seriously love writing this. UsUk is adorable and I enjoy playing my part in the fandom. I hope you guys enjoyed the many cheesy moments in this chapter. :D

I really hope you enjoyed the story and I'll be updating in January. Next month I'm doing a hetalia advent calendar which will take up all my free time. Please continue to support me!

Reviews are love :) & love is happiness :D

~SilverIvy~