Ok this chapter is short, and I apologize. However, I think it's a pretty good short chapter. But... I'm terrified that I'm going to piss everyone off. I swear, I probably going to get some review saying 'oh em gee y would u make him go there? u hore!" Or something. You'll understand.

Also, seriously guys? I made a cliff hanger for you to question who's house he was going to! Everyone guessed Arthur! There could be other people! He could've gone to Ludwig's house, or maybe Kiku's to apologize, or some random hobo! Wait a minute... well you know what I mean!

It was actually pretty funny, though, when I noticed everyone was like 'Why is he going to Arthur's house?" I just wanted to start laughing and shaking my head and pat the person on their shoulder and tell them it'll be okay. But then everyone started doing it. Everyone wanted to know why he was going to Arthur's. So now, I'm paranoid. I even considered changing the story to fit what you guys thought would happen, but then I realized I would have to change a scene I really liked between Arthur and Alfred, and I got bummed out. Well, when you read the first word of the story below, you'll immediately realize how wrong you were to assume he would just waltz back to Arthur like a lost puppy.

As I neared his house, I looked up at the double-door nervously, gulping hard in fear of what I was about to do. There was only one man in my life that would comfort me, no matter what. I walked up to the door slowly, adjusting the bag on my shoulder and raising a timid hand to knock on the door. Just as I was done knocking, the door opened slowly, and the man of the house looked down at me, first in confusion, then shock, then happiness.

"Bonjour! Mon neveu mignon! Comment etes-vous?" My uncle, Francis, cheered out happily, pulling me into the weirdest but happiest hug I've had in a while. "You have dyed your hair! Ohonhonhon, it looks good!"

See what I mean? No matter what you do, he just compliments you over and over. I smiled up at the tall blond man when he finally let me go.

"Um, can I come in?" I ask, and he nodded, letting me into his wonderfully decorated house. No matter what year it was, his house was just perfect. Always clean, always beautiful, and always smelling of roses.

"Who is at the door, mon cher?" A female's voice called out from the bedroom, and I felt myself get nervous.

"It is my nephew! Come out and meet him!" Francis said excitedly, and I dropped my bag near the door and looked up at the man.

"Oh, is Stacy over?" I asked him, and his face went white. He put his hands on my shoulders and laughed a little. His laugh was kind of weird, it didn't really sound like a laugh, but more like a mating call.

"Let's not talk about Stacy, oui?" Francis suggested, and I nodded, understanding quickly. Francis was my mother's brother, and he was one hell of a womanizer. Actually, he was just kind of a loose slut. He did it with women and men. There wasn't a time when he was every alone in this house. Every time we visited when I was a kid he had a new love interest. This man was a god at getting people into his bed. Hell, he even tried it out on Dad once. Luckily, Dad was a pretty straight guy, and he didn't fall for his advances. I wouldn't be surprised if the man hit on me when I turned eighteen.

A woman came out of the bedroom in a very provocative black mini-dress and her hair was a little messed up. She smiled at me warmly and greeted me. I just waved at her and looked at the couch, then at my uncle. He nodded at me, secretly telling me he hadn't had sex on it recently. I sighed in relief and plopped down, feeling a little relaxed.

Francis and the woman sat across from me, on the other couch across the coffee table, and the woman cuddled up to the blond man like a kitten.

"So, what are you doing around here, Alfred?" Francis asked me, and I frowned.

"Well, I needed some help, but I didn't know who else to go to…" I said, and Francis' eyes lit up.

"Did you get yourself a copine?" Francis asked, and I raised a brow. He sighed a little, "A girlfriend. Did you get a girlfriend?"

"Oh. Oh! No, no, it's not sex-related. Well, kind of." I said, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Boyfriend?" Francis tried again, but I sighed and gave him an annoyed look. "Désolé."

"Alright, I got in a fight with my friend about Arthur, right?" I said, and he nodded. Good thing about this guy was that he was always up to date with the goings-on in our family. You never had to fill him in on anything, even if you hadn't seen him in years. Which I hadn't. Actually, Mom was kind of angry at him right now. I don't remember why, but she told us not to go see him on our own. I hope he doesn't tell her…

"Well anyway, Kiku and me got in a fight about the guy, and Kiku started calling me stupid and stuff because of what happened between me and Arthur…" I said, and Francis clicked his tongue. He shook his head and wiped his golden wavy locks behind his ear.

"Oh, Alfred, you are not stupid." He sighed out, leaving the girl and sitting beside me, putting an arm around me and hugging me tightly. Whenever Francis touched me, I didn't really get too nervous. It was nice being able to be hugged by an older man in a comforting way. I smiled a little and leaned against him, and the woman sat up straight.

"I am not sure if I understand…" She said, and I looked up at her, "Who is Arthur?"

I frowned and was about to open my mouth, but Francis huffed and let go of me, standing up, "That is none of your business, mon chéri. If you may please excuse yourself from my house." He said, grabbing her arm and actually shoving her out. I never saw this happen before. He never kicked his women out! When he closed the door and came back to sitting with me, I stared at him in shock. He chuckled a little.

"What is that face for? She had to go home!" He said happily, wrapping his arm around my shoulders again, "Anyway, do you want my advice?"

I nodded quickly, wanting to hear what he had to say about the whole thing. He looked into my eyes with his blue ones, and he had quite a serious look.

"I think you should go to Kiku and apologize to him."

"W-what? But he started it!" I said, feeling a little let down. Francis shrugged and crossed his legs.

"He was almost raped too, you know. He is probably just as scared of the man as you are, and he is just trying to protect you. Call him." He tells me, and I frown. I take out my phone and dial his number, holding it to my ear. Francis gets close and whispers to me, "When he picks up, just apologize and hang up. That simple."

I nod a little, waiting for the kid to answer. When I thought it would go to voicemail, though, I heard his upset voice over the receiver.

"Hello?" He asked, sounding peeved.

"Um… Look… Uh…" I stammered, and Francis rolled his eyes, patting my back. "I'm sorry." I finally got out, feeling just as nervous as asking a girl out to a dance. Francis took my phone after and closed it, hanging up on the teen.

"There we go. All better. Is there anything else you want to talk about?" He asked, smiling and giving me my phone back. I frowned a little more and looked at my phone.

"I don't get it…" I said, then my phone buzzed with a text.

'I'm sorry too. I was just scared.' It was from Kiku, and Francis did his weird laugh again.

"Is he apologizing? What did I tell you?" He said happily, and I smile at my uncle, then I hug him really quick.

"Thank you so much…" I said, and he shrugs, getting up.

"It isn't a problem! Would you like some wine before you go?" He asked, and I frown, looking at him as he walked into his kitchen.

"But, Francis, I'm underage." I say, and he scoffs at me.

"So what? It's just a little wine." He says, pouring two cups of red wine. "To calm your nerves."

I shrug a little and take the glass when he offers it to me. It smells strange, and when I sipped some, it burned the back of my throat nicely and had a bitter but delicious taste to it.

"Wow, that's really good!" I say, drinking more. Francis just laughs and sips his own wine.

"I know it is! Now, don't tell your mom. She's already mad at me." He said with a wink, and I nod, hugging him again.

"I should go. Thank you for your advice. I'll visit you again later, okay?" I said, and he nodded, letting me leave on my own. When I got my bag, I pulled open the door and stepped out. It wasn't much later, and I figured I should go visit Arthur, just so he doesn't keep me from school again tomorrow. I closed the door behind me and started heading to the man's house, feeling a little better since I talked to Francis. As I walked to Arthur's house, my phone buzzed again and I checked the message.

'Where are you?' It was Ludwig. Of course he'd be worried, mostly after I just walked off like that.

'I'm fine, I just went to see my dad and my uncle.' I texted back, hoping he wouldn't pry more.

'Well, come home, I don't want you out long.' He replied, and I rolled my eyes.

'Okay, Mama Ludwig.' I sent back, but I didn't plan on listening. He didn't text back, either, and in no time, I was at Arthur's house. I sighed and tapped my shoes on the matt at the door before knocking. The door swung open, and there stood the blond man in a grey wife beater and some jeans.

"There you are. I was thinking I might have to injure your other leg tomorrow." He said, sounding a little upset. I frowned and stepped in, putting my backpack down and looking at the man.

"I'm not staying long." I said quickly, and Arthur looks even more annoyed. He sat down on the couch and watched the TV, looking upset. I frowned a little, not sure if I should ask him about it or not. I was standing by the door awkwardly as he sat there, and his green eyes slipped over to me.

"You look terrible." He said, and I blinked, frowning a little and touching my hair, "Really hideous…" He growls, looking even angrier. He got to his feet and stomped over to me, grabbing my wrist and dragging me through the house and into the bathroom.

"W-what are you doing?" I gasped out, trying to yank my hand away, but he wouldn't let go. He shoved me into the bathtub, tripping me and making me hit my head against the wall. I hissed in pain and rubbed the back of my head, trying to get up. He grabbed the shower head and turned the water on hot, and he started pouring it on me. It burned a little, and I couldn't keep from yelling at him to stop. He grabbed the shampoo and dumped half of it on my head, scrubbing it roughly and muttering to himself as he did it. I winced and squeezed my eyes shut, the water and shampoo running down my face. I had to spit a few times to keep the mixture out of my mouth.

"Why are you so mad?" I finally asked, trying to wipe my eyes, but more soap and water covered them. He keeps the water pouring, roughly scrubbing my hair with his hand, scratching my head with his nails a few times.

"I'm angry at you!" He yells, "The hell did you think you were doing? Dying your hair and wearing contacts? Did you think I wouldn't care? Did you think I would just let you?"

His scrubbing got rougher, and I felt that tingling feeling from the Midnight Blue running down my cheeks. I winced more, trying to grab his wrist, but he wacked my hand with the shower head.

"You're hurting me!" I yelled, getting some of the soapy dye into my mouth. I tried to spit it out, but the taste stuck.

"You hurt me!" He yelled back, rubbing harder. Soon, he stopped rubbing and just poured the water over my head. My clothes were soaked and I still couldn't open my eyes, but at least he stopped tearing at my head.

"How does dying me hair hurt you?" I questioned, spitting out more soap and dye. He didn't respond immediately, but he let the water up and I was able to wipe the water and soap from my face, blinking a few times and looking up at him. He looked really angry, but really sad at the same time.

"You're the only thing I have close to my son…" He said, shaking a little and shaking his head, "I don't care how much you hate me, but I am not going to let you change your looks. I love you because you look like him, and that's all I need." He told me, and I stared up at him in shock. I looked away from his torn expression and I pulled the hair out of my face, shaking my head.

"You're angry because I stopped looking like your son?" I asked, making sure I had it right. He huffed and sprayed the water on my head again, and I covered my eyes. It wasn't as hot this time, and it was a bit of a relief. Then, when I thought he was going to try and drown me, he turned off the water and I felt him hug me tightly. I wiped my eyes as best as I could, but my arms were trapped between our chests. I tried getting him to let go, but he just tightened his grip on me instead.

"Don't do that ever again…." He said, squeezing me against his chest. I nodded in response, shivering from the damp clothes.

"Okay… okay…" I mumble, and he pulled away from me. His shirt was wet now, too, and he helped me out of the tub. He had his hand tightly around my wrist and he pulled me into his bedroom, shoving me onto his bed and stepping into his closet. I touched my hair again, my head feeling sore from the rough attention. He threw a shirt and some pants at me, pulling his own shirt off and switching it with a t-shirt with the band name Metallica written on the front. I raised a brow, switching my clothes quickly while he looked away.

"So… were you really that angry at me?" I asked, and he looked at me, glaring at first, but it softened as he stared.

"I was infuriated, lad. Did you really think dying your hair would be okay?" He asked, and I shrugged, fidgeting with the shirt he gave me. It was really soft, and it smelled good.

"I did it because I thought it would make you leave me alone…" I admitted, and Arthur frowned even more. He stood in front of me, crossing his arms. I looked up at his annoyed expression, and he grabbed my cheeks again, holding my head still.

"Don't flinch, and don't close your eyes." He warned me, and I stayed perfectly still, terrified of what he was going to do. It was weird, but he actually took my contacts out for me, tearing them, then throwing them away. I blinked a few times, now unable to see properly. My eyesight was terrible, too, so everything was a bit of a blur. I rubbed my sore eyes and stared at the now blurry Arthur as he moved around the room.

"I want you to apologize." He demanded, standing in front of me so he was partially clear. I frowned and shook my head.

"Why should I?" I asked defiantly, and he grabbed my hair, forcing my head back painfully.

"I can force you back into the shower, or I can have my way with you. There are a handful of things I can do to you, boy. Now apologize." He threatened, staring down at me sternly.

"I-I'm sorry!" I gave in, wanting him to let go of my hair, but he tugged harder.

"For?"

"For dying my hair and wearing contacts!"

"And?"

"And… and I'll never do it again!" I finished, and he let go of me. He caressed my cheek now, and I tried to smack his hand away, but he just went back. He tilted my head up and kissed my forehead.

"I do this because I love you." He said, but I shook my head.

"You do this because you love my appearance." I scoff out, and he actually slaps me! He drew his hand back and swung it across in under a second! I didn't expect it at all! I yelped when he did, rubbing my cheek in shock.

"Y-you just-"

"Don't doubt me, Alfred; I can lock you in the basement." He threatened, lifting my chin and glaring at me. I shook my head quickly, giving a weak smile.

"P-please don't! I won't say it again!" I promised, and he smiled, patting my cheek.

"Come on, let's go into the living room." He said, taking my wrist again and tugging me off the bed. He sat on the couch and made me sit next to him, pulling me so I was leaning against him. I shifted around, a little uncomfortable, but he didn't let me go. He was watching more football, and I let out a soft sigh, giving in and resting my head on his shoulder. He was playing with my once-again blond hair, looking much happier than he did a half hour ago. I watched his face for a while, not sure what to make of this guy anymore. His mood swung like crazy….

He glanced down at me, raising a brow, "What're you staring at?" He asked, and I look at the TV.

"I was just thinking." I mumble, watching the football players set up. "Do you think I'm stupid?"

Arthur let out a sigh, and I looked up at him to see him frowning again. I started preparing for the worst, but instead of saying yes or no, he lifted my chin and kissed me. It felt… kind of nice, actually. It made me feel better, and kind of cared for. When he pulled away, I fell into confusion, wondering if he was this gentle with his son.

"You're not stupid." He said, turning back to his TV. I just sat there, frowning a little. I leaned against him some more, looking down at the carpet, then at Arthur's hand. It was hanging lazily off my shoulder. I playing with his fingers, and he chuckled. I sat with him for a while longer, and I noticed it started getting dark outside. I frowned and got up quickly, getting my backpack. He watched me quietly, and before I left he called out to me.

"Alfred, come back here for a minute." He said, and I sighed.

"I really have to go. My parents get home at eight, and it's probably already seven…" I explained, but I went to him anyway. He took my wrist and pulled me down so I was eye level with him, and he tapped his lips.

"Kiss me goodbye." He requested, and I sighed and looked away.

"I'm not going to do it." I said, and he chuckled a little.

"Come on, just once." He whispered, and I shook my head. He just shrugs and takes my chin, kissing my lips softly and letting me go. I stood up straight and wiped my mouth.

"When do you want me to come back…?" I asked nervously, and he shrugged.

"Tomorrow after school. If you dye your hair again, I'll burn it off." He warned me, and I frowned and nodded.

"I'll see you later then…" I mumble, taking my leave and walking home.