A/N: I need to censor the smut in this chapter because some readers warned about MA-rated stories being taken down. If you want to read the original chapter, tell me your email in the review or PM. I'll send the chapter to you.

Rating: M for language and suggestive themes.

Main Pairing: USxUK

Side pairings: GiriPan, RoChu, FraNada, GerIta, SpaiRoma, DenNor, SweFin, and others.

Ares-Arthur/England

Heracles/Hercules-Heracles/Greece

Zeus-Francis/France

Apollo-Vash/Switzerland

Artemis-Lili/Liechtenstein

Athena-Elizaveta/Hungary

Dionysus-Feliciano/N. Italy

Demeter-Katja/Ukraine

Poseidon-Ivan/Russia

Hermes-Lovino/S. Italy

Hephaestus-Berwald/Sweden

Hestia-Natalia/Belarus

Hades-Lukas/Norway

Chapter Ten: Persuasion

He shouldn't have let things be so far gone like this.

Ares clenched his jaw, striding along the hallway with an unbelievably quick pace, that people had thought he was running. But he was not. He was striding quickly. He was just using his mighty speed and he just wanted to quickly get the hell away from this hellhole. But this wasn't enough, maybe he had to use his spear and transform it into a motorbike or something. At this rate, he could've cared less of being found out.

"Arthur! Y-you got it all wrong!"

Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Fucking bullshit!

He wasn't going to fall for that. He wasn't! He had seen enough. Now he had to leave before what was left of his little patience run out and he explode, possibly turning the whole area into a battlefield. Any obstacle in his way would certainly result in a bloody mess. He felt rage already gnawed sharply at his insides, hatred burning within his ribcage. How dare he! How dare he stomped at his pride over and over again, degrading him in such a way! He wasn't going to forgive this! He had enough! Ares cluck his tongue in displease, gritting his teeth.

Arthur sped up his pace.

"Arthur! Wait!" Alfred's desperate call fell on deaf ears.

The older man had misunderstood! Alfred screamed why, why the hell Arthur had to walk in to such a bad timing, of all time. There was nothing between him and that girl, he had to tell him! He wasn't giving up. He wouldn't until Arthur understand that he had mistaken, that Alfred hadn't cheated on him. But it made it hard for him that Ares was walking so fast, when he clearly wasn't running. But Alfred managed to follow him, the gap between the two was only two or three feet. Alfred wasn't called the best point guard in West High for nothing.

They were already outside of the building, Arthur promptly descended the stairs while Alfred slid down along the iron bar, only managing to knock down a guy who was unsteadily holding a bunch of books. The brunette fell on the hard, flat cement, books scattered everywhere. "S-Sorry!" Alfred got off and helped him stand on his knees, but he glanced hurriedly down at the older blonde, who had reached the end of the stairs, resuming his way towards the front gate.

Alfred cursed his luck, he promptly apologized to the guy, before dashing down the stairs, skipping several steps while almost stumbling. He ignored the odd looks plastered on the others' faces as he dashed, sweat covered all over the exposed skin and soaked under the clothes he wore. He could've cared less of how this affect his reputation at that time, Arthur was all he could think of. He wordlessly thanked the gods when Arthur suddenly stopped before a throng of students occupying the center of the school ground, he quickly grabbed the chance and it became literal, catching Arthur's right arm, tightening his grip then.

He half-forcefully turned him around, a clear expression of displease met his gaze as Ares frowned deeply, glaring at Alfred. The younger blonde flinched under his wrathful gaze, but he grabbed at the smaller shoulders instead, making sure the older wouldn't run away anymore. He was panting, quite heavily so. He felt a bit dizzy from all the running, and yet Arthur didn't seem to have broken a sweat. Alfred was about to speak out when he realized there were too many people looking at the two with curious expression on their faces. He realized the possibility of making Arthur even angrier if other people were to know about their relationship, Alfred didn't like too many people knew his private life either, so he released Ares's shoulders and grabbed his right wrist instead.

"We'll talk in somewhere more quiet, okay?" He told Arthur, who didn't reply and was strangely silent.

He had wondered why Arthur didn't struggle when Alfred dragged him across the green pasture, towards a small building at the farthest west side of the school area. It was the library. And it was known that the library was closed during lunchtime since the librarians and the caretakers consisted of students who volunteered, and they were most likely at the cafeteria now. The entrance was locked, but Alfred had the duplicate key in his wallet he got from one of his ex-girlfriends, who was also a librarian. These days, no one really went to the library, most of the kids who went there were the nerds, none of those gossipers ever took the time to linger around the old building, except for home works and making out.

He made sure no one saw them before he unlocked the door, pushing the door inward and then entering a huge room filled with wooden shelves stuffed to the brim with books of all shapes, colors, and categories. As he expected, it was silent and empty inside. He could hear no sound but their own footsteps and the noise of the door that creaked shut. Alfred locked the door again, just in case a librarian came for a double-check. The whole room and the books were tidily arranged, almost eerily so, with the indigo carpet closed every gap of the floor and the white-painted walls and ceilings, the whole atmosphere wasn't exactly cheery.

He glanced at the eerily silent Arthur, who, despite was still glaring at the carpet as if it had done him wrong, was oddly obedient. Alfred wondered if this was what people called "A quiet moment before a storm", because the quick-tempered Arthur just acted the same way, it was as if he was holding it in, building it up until it explode. Alfred gulped. He couldn't help but to remember the deathly aura Arthur emitted when he was 'Ares', when he had attempted to kill him right after their first night.

But he knew he had to set things straight, facing the older man with courage, staring into his eyes. "Listen, Arthur. Listen to me. There is nothing between me and that girl, okay? Stephanie's just a friend. Well, she did that because we…" He hesitated. But he had to tell the truth, didn't he? Well, not entirely, Alfred didn't dare to tell Arthur he had slept with her before. But it was way before he met Arthur! It didn't count as cheating.

"Listen, she likes me, okay? But I don't like her, I've told her that I'm seeing someone else - you. But she said she doesn't want to give up and she forced me. That kiss was nothing. She forced it on me." He explained, hoping Arthur would understand.

But Arthur kept quiet.

"Arthur?" Alfred called out softly, wondering if he hadn't heard him.

"…excuses. You humans are a bunch of lame excuses." Ares suddenly spat out, malice dripping from his voice. Alfred unconsciously took a step back. Arthur looked at his own feet, glaring at the carpet.

"No. You're no different with us. Zeus always told Mother those women were nothing, that he only loved Mother and no one else. It turned out all lies. Lies. Lies. All lies. He even went as far as making demi-gods children with those filthy women. He did it over and over again! My Mother suffers so much! " He clenched his fists.

After he heard Arthur's words, Alfred suddenly felt irritation surged up his body, taking a firm hold on both of his shoulders, he blurted out, "That's not true! I really love you, only you! I am not cheating on you! It was an accident!"

"How could it be an accident, when you did nothing to stop it!" Arthur snapped back, shooting hot glares at the younger man's face. "You just stood there! You didn't stop her! You just froze there and you didn't even push her! You accepted her kiss. How can you call that an accident!"

"I was surprised! I didn't expect her to still be so stubborn after all the times I've spent rejecting her! She took me by surprise, okay? I don't like her! I love you! You're the only one for me!" Alfred tried to reason as harshly, tugging hard at Ares's shoulders.

"Bullshit!" Arthur spat, slapping the hands away with a much stronger strength, that Alfred's tight grip loosened almost immediately.

"You're so like him, so full of bullshit! Let me tell you, never have I ever been unfaithful to any of my lover when I was with them! Even if I was, I would never tell them such lies that they were the one for me and I wouldn't look at others! I hate lies more than anything, I hate them!"

"I didn't lie to you! Can't you tell that I'm telling the truth? Only the truth, Arthur!"

Arthur shook his head, screwing his eyes shut. "Liar! You're a liar! Don't tell me that you've never slept with her, because it'll make you an even bigger liar! There is no way that girl can be so stubborn if you had not given her some hopes! Don't you dare lie to me!"

Alfred groaned in frustration. "Okay, I did, okay? I slept with her! So I didn't lie! I may have slept with her once, but that was months ago, before I even met you. And after I met you, I made up my mind to never look at another person again for the rest of my life!" Alfred took a brave step forward and once again secured his grip at the older man's shoulders. He didn't care if Arthur was a god, he didn't care if he'd kill him afterwards! He had to make him understand, even if it cost him an arm or two.

"Didn't you once tell me you wanted to meet with someone who will make you go madly in love with? I've wanted it to be me, Arthur. At that time I fall in love with the man who said those words so earnestly, so innocently, I was jealous of the person who would get such an earnest man! That's why I did it! I took you before anyone could! It might be selfish of me, but I don't regret it! Not at all! And if I ever wished for the same thing. I'd want that person to be you!" He shook his shoulders lightly, looking at the god straight in the eyes, without blinking, showing him a pair of honest, serious blue eyes.

Arthur was taken aback, emerald eyes widened.

"Lies." He muttered softly, but this time he sounded like he wasn't sure himself. He lowered his gaze to Alfred's chest instead. "You're lying."

"I'm not lying." Alfred sighed tiredly, pulling the older man into his arms. He breathed in the bright golden tresses as he embraced him closer. "I wasn't lying when I said I love you, okay? If it makes you feel better, I'll tell you that you're the only one for me at the moment."

Arthur suddenly pushed him, Alfred didn't expect to find those brilliant green eyes widened in disappointment. "…at the moment?" He uttered, a question tone ending his sentence.

Alfred smiled and kissed his forehead. "At the moment." He repeated. "But that means 'forever'."

The American was even more surprised but delighted at the same time when a crimson blush spread over the god's face, all the way to his ears. His mouth gaped slightly, but no coherent words escaped the parted lips. Alfred laughed out loud, earning an embarrassed glare from the older blonde. He leaned down and gave a short peck on Arthur's lips, before withdrawing a second later. Arthur frowned. Then he suddenly brought his hands up and wrapped them around the American's neck, pulling him down for a kiss.

"What's wrong, Heracles-san?" Kiku had asked with a voice laced in worry, at the quiet Grecian who hadn't been responding to his call for a while now.

Heracles snapped his head aware, finally returned to reality. He remembered he was sitting on a bench just outside of the hospital with a special friend, chatting as usual. "N-nothing, Kiku-san. I-I am just worried."

"What is it that you're worried about? Perhaps you will feel better if you tell me." Kiku offered kindly, although his gaze was as absent and unfocused as ever as he tilted his head towards the Grecian Hero.

"Well," Heracles scratched his cheek. "My brother was fighting with his wife just a little while ago. It was just a misunderstanding, I think. But they dashed off suddenly and went somewhere else, I'm worried because my brother has an awful temper." He explained, leaving the details where he had actually abandoned them so he could sneak into the hospital and meet Kiku, and which he had done with a little guilt in his chest.

"Was it that bad?" The Japanese brought a hand to his mouth, eyebrows curling up.

"Hmm. I don't think so. I think they're probably making up right now." He said. Seeing Arthur's reaction, Heracles could predict it. Although his older brother claimed himself as a brutal and heartless and bloodthirsty god, he wouldn't harm the people he liked. And the fact that he didn't try to kill Alfred right there and then at the school, showed that he was growing fond of the American boy even if he hadn't realized it yet. If Alfred had done right, they've probably kissed and made up by now.

"Oh. That is good." Kiku sighed in relief as he rubbed his chest gently. Heracles stared at the Japanese man curiously, it never ceased to amaze him how the Japanese man could show concern towards people he wasn't related to in any way, even to the animals. He was such a kind, good-natured man.

Which was why Heracles was fond of him in the first place. "Yes, it is a good thing." He smiled.

The atmosphere was nice. The hospital had plenty of trees and a big garden of flowers, and a white bench that was facing directly towards the colorful flowers was really comfortable. Heracles glanced at Kiku, who was enjoying the gentle breeze that blew his deep raven hair. If only Kiku could see, he would've been delighted, since the flowers were all blooming so beautifully, without blemish. He had told Heracles that he was able to see when he was younger, but a terrible illness had took his sight away. Though Kiku had said he was thankful his life was saved and that he could still be with his beloved family, but Heracles couldn't help but to feel disappointed that Kiku couldn't even see his face.

They chatted about things, Kiku talked mostly about his siblings, about how little Yong Soo suddenly came home from elementary school declaring he owned all of the family's 'breasts', and had tried to grope Thai-san's chest before Yao came in and stopped his attempts. He had laughed joyfully as he fondly told Heracles, his cheeks once again bloomed red as he told about his family. The same as Kiku, Heracles mostly talked about the cats, or complaining how Ares forced him to eat the failed food he cooked every day and how Heracles would always end up fainting after the first bite. They both had laughed at each other's stories.

The day was getting hotter, Heracles noticed the Japanese man was sweating under the sun. He had offered to him to buy some juice, but the Japanese had declined. After Heracles insisted, Kiku finally gave in and thanked him before the Grecian walked around searching for a vending machine. There was one within the hospital, near the receptionist desk, so Heracles decided to buy orange juice for Kiku, and strawberry milk for himself. But as he was walking along the small path, he met with an unexpected person.

"Hermes?" He uttered, and the brunette god, who was previously walking indifferently stopped on his track and turned his head, deep brown eyes widened slightly.

"Oh, Heracles. Fancy meeting you." The Messenger of the Gods greeted him, approaching the quiet half-god. "What are you doing here?"

"Ares and I live in the town at the moment." Heracles told him, Hermes nodded.

"Oh yeah, the Old Bastard mentioned that. I forgot." Hermes sighed, looking more absent unlike his usual self.

"What are you doing here, Hermes? I thought you're in Hades's place?"

Hermes scoffed. "Should be, but that bastard Dionysus just had to distract me and go missing."

Heracles's eyes widened. "Dionysus is here too? For what?"

"He's working. Supposedly anyway. Father gave him a task, but then he went off somewhere else as always instead. He's such a pain." The quick-tempered brunette sighed tiredly, scratching the back of his head. "And now because of him, I'm being punished. I have to gather souls by myself, using my powers is forbidden." He frowned, crossing his arms in displease.

"Oh. So that's why you came to the hospital." That was plausible, since so many people died at hospitals every day.

"No. I'm supposed to gather the 'special' souls only. I think I'm a bit lost, though the place should be around here somewhere. A guy's scheduled to die today." Hermes rubbed his chin in thought. Then he asked Heracles.

"Are you familiar with a place called West High?"

TBC