Laughter rang throughout the Kirkland household on a bright, Wednesday afternoon. Arthur didn't have to work today, so he was doing the only sensible thing he could think of.

Reading to his daughter~

"And then!" Arthur paused and sucked in a deep, dramatic, breath, looking at his daughter with bulging eyes. "Do you know what happened!?"

Francine gazed up at him with wide, focused eyes and shook her head slowly as she whispered in awe, "Quoi?"

Arthur grinned and reached over to tickle her back onto the couch, pretending to eat her. "Pinocchio was swallowed by a huge, monstrous whale!"

Making her screech with happiness and flail around, almost falling off the couch in a tangled mess of limbs and her own silky, long hair, "WHAAA -!"

Arthur laughed, continuing to tickle her and kiss her chubby cheeks. Oh, she was such a cute little darling~ He loved reading to her, since she always regarded him with rapt attention and would ask questions. He was pleased to instill curiosity inside her and excite her imagination, because what good was life without those things? Nothing!

Not to mention, telling stories and answering questions taught her how to figure things out and gain more intelligence, even though she was already a very smart girl~ She could already walk and speak in sentences by age two! Oh, what a few short months could accomplish!

"Back to the story~" Arthur told her, once she was red-faced and smiling goofily from all of the tickling. He smiled and sat her back up on the couch, joining her and putting the book in his lap. "So, a huge whale came along and swallowed him up! Which was a very discouraging thing, you know -"

"What does discouraging mean?" She asked him, blinking and smiling and looking incredibly interested in learning a new word.

"Well, it's like…" He thought about it for a moment, trying to think of a way to explain this so she would understand. "It's like when something happens that makes you feel very sad, and not want to do anything. Does that make sense?"

Francine stared up at him silently for a moment and then simply shrugged. Snuggling down more, she gave a yawn and hugged a pillow her head was resting on, "Oh."

Arthur smiled fondly and ruffled her hair, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "Hm…" He smiled secretively. "How about I show you what it's like~?"

Francine gave him a curious look and tilted her head, "How?" She asked in her cute, high pitched little voice.

He grinned at her and tapped the spine of the book. "Would you like to go inside the story~?"

Looking mystified, Francine sat up more and gave a suspicious little look. Tugging at Arthur's sleeve, she furrowed her brows and argued, "That is impossible!" while her curl became scrunched up like a scared cat.

Arthur just chuckled and poked her nose. "Not for your daddy, it isn't~" he told her. "Close your eyes and count to ten. When you open them, you'll be inside the whale!"

Francine pouted and folded her arms, now glaring a little. "Make me!" She looked away and sniffed. "Because I do not believe you…."

"Why not?" Arthur asked, mock pouting and leaning sideways to look at her face. "I have never lied to you, Francine…" He grinned. "Why, if I did, my nose would grow, just like Pinocchio's!"

Contemplating his words for a few minutes, she tried to weigh them internally and debate with herself if she should go along with this… But then again, being under the age of six, she didn't really have the ability to judge anything under face value and instead gave a little huff and squeezed her eyes shut. "Finnnnnneeee!"

Arthur smiled, closing his own eyes when she started to count. It wouldn't be that hard to imagine them in a whale's stomach - at least, not that hard to put them in the whale's stomach that was depicted in the book. It was a little cartoonized, after all!

He opened his eyes when she reached seven, grinning ear to ear when he felt a squishy "tongue" beneath his bare feet. His little girl was dressed in Pinocchio's clothes, not that she would know that yet~

Opening her eyes and feeling ready to roll them, she gasped when she tried to walk forward and slipped on the slimy, whale's tongue. "Woah!"

"Careful!" Arthur stepped forward and caught her, chuckling a little. "We're inside a whale now, sweetie~ You have to watch where you step!"

Francine stared down at the "floor" of the whale - which was the tongue's surface, and gave a little giggle as she moved her feet all around it and wiggled in Arthur's hold. "Heheh!"

Arthur laughed with her and slowly knelt down to look into her eyes. "Now, imagine - you're Pinocchio, and I'm Geppetto." He pinched her nose and smiled. "You've been searching for me ever since you escaped being turned into a donkey! You're cold, and hungry, and now you're in a whale, and you still haven't found me!" He stepped back from her and made himself disappear from her mind, chuckling to himself when he saw her gasp and look around for him. "That's what Pinocchio was feeling - like giving up and just staying here. He couldn't bring himself to look for his father anymore! He's trapped inside a whale, for goodness' sakes!"

Francine could feel that weight on her heart as she gave a little sigh and teared up. Oh… It had to be hopeless! Her Papa was not in this whale, and she had to be trapped in here forever!

She closed her eyes, sniffling a little. This was awful… so this was how he felt…

"Don't be sad, Francine," she heard her father's gentle voice as his hands cupped her cheeks and wiped her tears away. "I'm right here…"

Francine felt her heart alight at that as she tackled her Father's legs in a hug and squealed with delight, "Papa! I found you! Now I can become a real girl!"

She felt her father shake with laughter after her announcement. "R-right!" She was picked up, a kiss planted to her forehead as her father smiled lovingly at her. "You're my little, real girl~"

And at that, the vision all around them started to fade as Francine hugged him tight and rested her head on his shoulder with a very happy and loving sigh. "Papa~"

Arthur smiled and leaned his head against hers, a smile never leaving his lips as he closed his eyes. "My darling daughter~"

He stood there for the longest time, just holding her close like that and rocking her slowly, back and forth. It was these moments he loved the best - just being with her, hugging her, sharing in a happy moment~ It was everything he had ever wanted, laying perfectly in his arms. His little girl, who loved him and whom he loved more than the stars and the moon in the sky~ It was made even better by the fact that she had started calling him "Papa" instead of "Mama," now!

And yet... This little girl in his arms was… well, not his. She was Alfred's daughter… Even if no one remembered it.

In truth, his nose should be incredibly long right now, because he had already lied to her. He had lied to her about being her father… He wasn't the one meant to share these moments with her - Alfred should be… Her true father should be spending his time with her, reading to her over these short months, helping her talk and learn and grow… Not catching Arthur do it from the sidelines before they go on dates, unaware of what he was missing.

She wasn't his, no matter how much he tried to convince himself of that fact.

He sighed softly, tightening his grip around her. He shouldn't be thinking about this - he was supposed to be having fun! He should finish the story - yes, that's what he'd do! He'd finish the story and then they'd think of something else to do together!

Arthur opened his eyes and leaned back from her, smiling. "Hey, Francine -" His words fell off his lips as he noticed his little girl's eyes were closed, her breathing slow and even… It seemed she had fallen asleep after the excitement of being in a whale.

He sighed lightly and smiled at her, kissing her soft, rosy cheeks. "Sweet dreams, my little angel," he whispered, walking over to her room to place her in her bed. Yes, she had long outgrown that crib, as handy it had been to keep her in one place growing up. Luckily, Francine had outgrown her tendency to run away from him with her superspeed, though she still did it sometimes to get a rise out of him. It was as cute as it was frustrating, he'll tell you.

Anyway, he set his little girl down in her bed, smiling and tucking her in nice and tight under the covers. She looked so peaceful… like a delicate doll, who needed to be cared for and protected. Which was all right, because Arthur would always be there to do just that for her~

It made him start to imagine sometimes what it would be like when Francine was older. How would she look in a few years? Would she be tall, short, skinny, a bit curvier than expected? Would she be all gaga for boys or end up being completely disinterested? Would he have to be overly protective and always keep tabs on her or would she be a good and responsible girl? Who knew what she would turn out to be like! All Arthur knew was that he had to be there for her and help her through all the motions - maturing emotionally and physically!

And he'd enjoy every second of it! Even if he may get a little frustrated as time went on and she, naturally, started to rebel against him. He knew it would happen, so that was why he had to make sure he raised her right!

For right now, however… he could enjoy the simple and lovely task of kissing her forehead and stroking her back as she slept. Francine was just a little girl right now, so he should enjoy every one of these precious moments, as they weren't going to last forever.

Sighing, Arthur stood up and began to walk out. He'd make lunch for them while she slept, and if she wasn't awake by then, he'd go and gently shake her awake and tell her that lunch was ready, princess~

~Weeks later~

~!~!~!~

THE CHEATING HERO!?

Ready for another update on The Hero's love life, Metro-News fans? Because this one's a doozy! The intrepid reporter, identified as Arthur Kirkland, has been seen acting very chummy with another man - a real-estate agent named Alfred Jones.

There are only two possible explanations for this situation, readers! Either Arthur's cheating on our beloved hero with a common citizen, or the reporter is simply part of a string of suitors that The Hero indulges in! After all, that "saving" business could definitely be a great pick-up line.

We've decided to do some research on the matter and asked around town, digging up some of The Hero's sketchy past!

"I felt like I had to, you know?" claims one girl, who wishes to remain nameless, when asked if she had ever done any "dirty deeds" with the city's most famous man. "Here was the best person in town, coming on to me and asking me to, to… well, you know - I felt compelled!"

Other sources claim to have intercepted letters from The Hero addressed to an Albanian woman. While these letters remain classified for now, we can tell you that the way they're written insinuate that the receiver has a few secrets of "his" own.

Could The Hero be using his respected title for more "action" behind the scenes? Could he, in fact, be a sexual deviant? Could he be into some freaky stuff? Stay tuned!

~!~!~!~

… Sometimes, Arthur really questioned why he was working for this newspaper.

He could feel his eyes twitching, his hands curling around the edges of the paper and crumpling it up. How dare they spout such lies! It was bad enough when they used that incriminating photograph, now they used his name?! No one was ever going to take him, the "intrepid reporter," seriously ever again!

Not to mention that bit about "The Hero" having a string of suitor sent his knickers into a twist. These people obviously did not know that sweetheart of a man at all if they would even think of writing such, such…!

Complete, bloody bullshit!

Arthur growled to himself and ripped up the newspaper, sighing and leaning back in his chair as the mangled paper fell gently around him. At least he didn't have to go into the office today - he didn't even want to think of all the new comments he'd receive. "Didn't know you were so easy, Kirkland," he mumbled to himself. "Hey, there's the cheat!"

… That sounded about the right tone they'd use…

"Papa! Papa!" he heard Francine call frown down the hall, giggling and completely breaking his hell bent, pathological rage that made him want to put on the old super villain threads and chase down the wankers who had written such trash.

He let out a withering sigh, but put a smile on his face nonetheless. He was not mad at Francine - she had done nothing wrong. Deep breaths, deep breaths…

"Coming, sweetie!" Arthur called, standing up and walking over to her. "What is it?"

She looked so cute~ Dressed in her adorable polar bear hoodie he had bought her the other day and some fuzzy, polar bear patterned pajama bottoms. She had only woken up ten or so minutes ago, and since they weren't going anywhere today he might as well let her lounge about in her casual, Saturday attire! At the moment, she seemed to be building a little castle with her blocks! "Papa?" she asked with a happy chirp, "Play with me!"

Arthur's smile came much easier with her simple, earnest request. He could always count on his daughter to put a smile on his face. "I'd love to, darling!" he told her, sitting down next to her and reaching for a block.

Francine seemed exhilarated as she hugged his arm and then proceeded to try and teach him how to build a castle. Oh how precious! Trying to be helpful and kind! He couldn't help but chuckle and kiss her forehead. "Thank you, Francine~"

Francine just gave him a beaming smile and sat up to kiss him on the forehead. "Non! Thank you, Papa!"

Arthur smiled wider and pulled her into a hug. "Come here, my little girl~" He grinned and held her up to blow a raspberry on her stomach, which caused her to squirm and laugh, just as the door was rudely… Punched down and through the floorboards with Alfred speeding into the living room, flailing about and squawking like a scared hen?!

"Alfred!" Arthur stood up, cradling Francine in his arms as he walked over and grabbed his shoulder. With a worried stare, he asked, "What the devil is wrong with you!?"

"I SWEAR I'M NOT CHEATING ON YOU PLEASE DON'T BELIEVE THIS PAPER OH MY GOSH I AM SO SORRY -" Alfred wailed in a rush of syllables, tears, and shivering as he practically began to bounce against the walls… Till Arthur stopped him - as best as he could.

"Alfred, please! Calm down!" Arthur sighed and pulled at his arm, feeling a bit irritated. "I didn't believe that bloody article for one second!"

Alfred didn't seem to really be in the same room as him now, mentally speaking, as his wails turned to sobs and he crumpled up before Arthur like a tent without sturdy support. "P-please - I-I'm sorry! You must hate me right now! Absolutely hate me -!"

Arthur sighed, Alfred's wailing beginning to give him a headache. He set Francine down with a pat to her head and a smile. "I'll be right with you, darling," he told her before grabbing Alfred by his collar and pulling him into a kiss. If nothing else, it would at least shut him up for a second.

And it seemed to work, as Alfred seemed boggled out of his mind for a moment till… He wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck happily, and kissed back as sweet as could be. "Oh, Artie~"

Arthur felt himself blushing, and he pulled away once he heard his voice. Huffing, he decided staring at the floor would be better than looking at him right now. "Glad you're calm, finally…"

Blushing now too, Alfred gave a shy smile and apprehensively placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Heh… Yeah… I am…"

Arthur's shoulder tingled lightly, and he couldn't stop the smile that came to his face. "Anyway," he looked up at him and whacked his head lightly. "You're an idiot!" he exclaimed. "How could you think I'd believe that article?!"

Alfred looked sheepish at that and gave a nervous little laugh as he felt his back being pressed up against a wall, "I-I don't know!" He swallowed. "Doesn't e-everyone believe the paper?!"

Arthur rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, giving him a "really?" look. "Alfred, I work for this newspaper - I know how often the reporters fudge the facts and write things that aren't true." He scoffed and waved a hand in the air. "Frankly I'm just contemplating if they made up that quote or if some woman actually lied just to be on the newspaper. Which there would be no point of since they didn't give her name, hm…" Arthur seemed to contemplate this for a few seconds now, his eyes zoning out.

Feeling incredibly sheepish and embarrassed now, Alfred redrew his hand and held it close to his body - as if it were a sprained or injured paw. If anything, it made him look even more like a dejected puppy than Arthur had noted from before… "R-right… Sorry…"

Arthur felt his resolve melting, and he quickly leaned over to give him another kiss. "It's okay," he assured him quickly before grinning. "If anything, it was really cute of you to be so worried~"

That seemed to make Alfred smile as he leaned in to give Arthur a quick kiss in return, "A-awww..."

Arthur smiled at him, standing up and reaching his hand out to help him up as well. "Do you work today?"

Alfred laughed a little and gave a slight shrug, "I guess if there are people in need of my help…" he then gave a little grin and teased, wrapping his arm around Arthur's waist, "Or if you jump off of anymore things~"

Arthur blushed, a shiver going through his entire body as he closed his eyes and defended, "Th-that was only because I didn't want you to know I knew who you were!"

Alfred raised an amused brow and just laughed, while Francine began to crawl over to Arthur and tug on his pants leg. "Papaaaa!"

"Ah!" Arthur opened his eyes and pushed Alfred's arm off of him so he could bend down and address her, smiling and trying to cool his burning cheeks. "I'm sorry, sweetie! What do you need?"

"I wanna play in my room, but it's too far!" she lamented, giving a little pout and wiggling her legs. Alfred seemed to find this adorable, as he leaned over and gave her an amused kiss on the cheek. "Too far, eh?" He ruffled her hair a bit, causing her to giggle and try to swat at his hands. "Guess I'll just have to throw you there -!"

"You better not," Arthur warned with a playful shove to his shoulder. He looked back at Francine and pinched her nose. "And you!" He chuckled. "I remember when I had to chase you around the house with how much you moved!"

Francine gave a little grin and tried to plant her feet down on the ground so she could run off, "Good point~ Ohonhonhon~"

Which made Alfred curious as he turned to Arthur a little more and questioned, "Just how much did she move? I thought you said her powers came in late!"

"Did I?" Arthur blinked, trying to remember. "Hm, well, I suppose by some standards, but she's had her powers ever since she could walk - which makes sense, given what they are." He picked her up a bit more, holding her close and tickling her with a grin. "Isn't that right, my little jumping bean?"

In hysterics now, Francine squirmed around violently in Arthur's hold while Alfred seemed to laugh just as much as she did and joined in the tickle fest. He couldn't help it! Kids were always so cute~

They continued their "tickle torture" for a little while longer, until Arthur left a big, sloppy kiss on Francine's cheek: "Mmmmua!" Which made her stick out her tongue in disgust ("Ewwww!"), and turn to kiss Arthur back so he would feel equally "grossed out." "Lemme go!"

Arthur chuckled deeply and held her tighter. "I don't want to~"

Which seemed to annoy her enough to squirm and fuss, "Lemme gooooo! Now! Now!"

Arthur just laughed and hummed a bit before saying. "All right~ But first," he glanced over at Alfred with a smile. "What if Armel could come over and play with you?"

Francine seemed delighted by the prospect, yet Alfred gave an awkward smile and pointed out, "Even though it feels like a Saturday, it, well... It's, um, like, a Friday…" he tugged at his collar a bit and looked away, "He's at school right now…"

"Oh…" Arthur frowned in thought for a minute before an idea came to his mind. "... Can't he be in two places at once, though?"

Alfred's eyes lit up before he gave him a serious look and furrowed his brows, "He knows better than to split off and ditch school -!"

"He wouldn't be "ditching" if one of him was still in school," Arthur pointed out with a laugh. "Let's go get him!"

Alfred shook his head, looking very annoyed as he firmly insisted, "No, I am not having my child or a clone of himself leave school!"

Arthur sighed and nodded in defeat, looking down like a dejected puppy. "All right, all right…" He gave his daughter a sad, apologetic look. "I'm sorry, sweetie, Armel can't come until much later…"

Making her start to slowly tear up and look as crushed as could be. "B-but….!"

"Don't cry, sweetie!" Arthur pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheeks, he himself starting to tear up a bit. "I'm sorry - but he is Alfred's son."

Tensing up, Alfred could feel guilt starting to clog up his system like heavy amounts of corn syrup to an artery. N-no way! He wasn't going to be convinced to ditch his own morals like this -!

"And we should respect Alfred's wishes," Arthur continued, wiping at his daughter's tears. "Even if they may make us sad…"

…. Damn it!

Giving a long sigh, Alfred hunched over and grabbed Arthur's hand, now pulling he and Francine roughly out the door. "Let's go."

Arthur seemed surprised. "Wh-what? Why? Where are we going?"

"To pick up my son." Alfred stated simply, giving a slightly unamused stare as he pulled Arthur into his car, and then got in on the driver's side.

"... We really don't have to," Arthur said quietly, feeling a bit guilty. This is what he wanted, yes, but not if Alfred was going to be mad at him over it. "Really, Alfred. I'm sor -" a tap on the window cut him off. Turning to look, he saw… "Armel!?" Which made Alfred pale and almost faint in shock. What the Hell was his son doing here during school hours?! And was he psychic?! Did he know they were almost on their way to pick him up?!

Armel smiled sheepishly through Arthur's passenger window and opened the door, crawling on top of his lap next to Francine to look at his father. "H-hello, daddy!"

Alfred just stared down at him like a cow staring at an oncoming train and didn't speak for a while... Until he put two and two together and gained a rather frightening look. A sinister shine on his glasses, hiding his eyes, he glowered down at his son and demanded in a low, warning tone, "Why aren't you in school right now?"

Armel squeaked and covered his eyes with his tiny hands, shaking in Arthur's lap. "I-I - A-Armel p-prime is at school! I just, just wanted to play, too!" He teared up and sniffled, wiping at his eyes. "I knew you weren't selling houses and I figured you would come over here and I want to play with Francine!"

That seemed to calm Alfred down a little as he gave a low sigh and ruffled Armel's hair. "Alright…. But," he bent down to place his hands on his son's shoulders so he could gaze seriously into his eyes, "You better not be lying to me young man, understand?"

Armel shivered and nodded frantically, "I-I would never lie to you, daddy! I know you'll lazer me!"

"What?!" Arthur jumped at that last bit and gave Alfred an incredulous, accusing look. "Why does he think that?"

Jumping a bit as well, Alfred seemed horrified at Armel's words and demanded, now sounding a bit hysterical to be accused of child abuse, "Why would you think that - er, well, say that?!"

Armel sniffled and wiped at his eyes more, blubbering, "B-because you always g-get upset when I joke about u-using my powers at s-school and your eyes get r-really scary and y-you said s-so…!"

Alfred teared up and looked to be on the verge of tears by his suggestion, "I-I would never hurt you!" he rubbed his eyes quickly so he could hug his son tight and never let him go. "I would be terrified if someone hurt you!"

Armel didn't say anything more as he cried into his father's shirt and latched onto him tightly. The sight tore at Arthur's heart and made him cling to his own child tightly, kissing her forehead as well. He wondered if Francine would ever doubt his love…

Water works flew, as the Father and son pair unleashed their feelings and expressed them for one another to clearly see. No more holding it back, because this was how they both felt!

"Please forgive me…" Alfred finally managed to whimper as he rubbed Armel's back and kissed his freckled nose. "Please…. Please don't think I want to harm you any longer, alright?"

Armel smiled happily up at him and left a chaste kiss on his lips. "I won't, daddy!"

Which made Alfred very happy as he helped Armel out of the car with a smile on his face. "Good boy! Now!" he turned around to grin at Arthur and Francine, "How about play time?!"

Arthur smiled and stepped out of the car, Francine in arm. He was, honestly, very happy to have been a part of that moment. It was touching to see them talk so honestly like that and clear the air… it made his heart ache.

"I think that sounds wonderful!" Arthur smiled down at Francine and nuzzled noses with her. "Don't you?"

Francine seemed to agree as she gave a bright smile and clapped her hands, "Yay!"

And all seemed right with the world.

~!~!~!~

"I wanna build a castle!" Armel announced to Francine as they ran to her room, laughing. "You can be the princess! And I'll be the dragon!"

His declaration made Francine rather enthralled as she dashed into her closet and came out wearing a pretty, blue and white princess gown with tons of sparkling sequins. "Oui! But I shall slay thee!" and began to run circles around the poor boy, giggling all the while.

Armel grinned and split into another one of himself, who trapped Francine into a hug. "Hahaha! You are no match for my secret weapon!"

Making her screech in delight and try to run around the room with Armel attached, "Non!" she cried out happily, "You cannot have me, evil dragon!"

Their laughter continued to ring out as they played together, not noticing the pair of warm, green eyes that watched them. "They are so cute~" Arthur whispered to Alfred from his perch around the corner of the room.

Alfred was perched poking his head out right up above Arthur's as he gave a warm smile and focused on the two of them. "Yeah… They are…" He chuckled and started to turn around to go back down the hall towards the kitchen. "I can almost see them in white down an aisle, to be perfectly honest!" He stopped and turned to wink at Arthur and then add a bit saucily, "Like us~"

"... Wh-what?!" Arthur squeaked, stepping away from the door and staring at Alfred with wide eyes and rosy cheeks. Nevermind the fact that he didn't know Francine and Armel were actually related and shouldn't be married, did he just insinuate that he and him would, would…!?

It seemed that he did as his grin became more cat like and he quickly dashed down the hall to leave Arthur in a confused and twisted conundrum. What the bloody Hell w-was that wanker thinking?! They had only known each other for, for a few months! Seven and a half months, tops!

… Not to mention that Arthur was keeping a big secret from him…

Arthur felt his stomach twist with guilt again, so he quickly tried to banish it as he followed after Alfred. "Get back here, you…!"

"You what~?" A low purr resounded, and a set of stunning bedroom eyes crashed with Arthur's own vulnerable and heated pair. A smooth smirk, a poised and ready body, able to push Arthur against a wall and kiss the living daylights out of him… And a very cheeky Alfred looking as though he felt like he was on top of the world.

Arthur blushed more and took a step back from him. "You - you… idiot!" His frantic mind flew back to his default insult, causing him to mentally berate himself. Think properly, damn it!

Yet thinking properly looked like it would be the last thing on his mind, as an ever confident (or rather cocky, in Arthur's aggravated opinion) Alfred advanced forward and pressed him up against a wall. "Oh, come now," smooth lips were firmly pressed against Arthur's own chapped ones - chapped from all the nervous chewing he did on his lips. "We both know you can see it~"

Arthur shivered and reached his hands up, lightly pushing against Alfred's shoulders since he knew with his stupid superhuman strength he wouldn't actually be able to push him away. And he didn't really want him to go away right now, anyway. "Wh-what if I told you I can't~?" he asked, just to be difficult.

And yet, Arthur received an easy answer in retort to his question as Alfred chuckled warmly and grasped Arthur's chin. Cocking it up, he forced the Brit to look him in the eye as he teased almost darkly, "Then this super hero might become a supervillain and force you to~"

". . ." Arthur blushed darkly and shivered, wondering if there was a hidden indication to Alfred's words. "That's, that's - I, I…" He hated how Alfred could take his words away so easily - he was a reporter, for goodness' sakes! "Y-you'd never do that!"

"Or would I~?" Pushing the envelope further, Arthur felt hands being pressed down his inner thighs as Alfred kissed him deeply and started a rather heavy makeout session. Everything heated up, things became hazy, and almost like magic, Alfred seemed to have Arthur under his spell and almost down on his knees~

"A-Alfred…" he moaned his name quietly, gripping his shirt tightly and pulling him closer. The guilty part of his brain told him he shouldn't enjoy being shoved against a wall and fondled by Alfred so much, and the selfish part of his brain told that part to shut it. "L-let's go to my room…" he suggested, yet didn't make any notion to move away from him at the moment.

Smirking now, Alfred seemed to have another idea as he released Arthur and sauntered away from him into the kitchen and called coyly over his shoulder, "No way~ There are children just down the hall~~~"

It took Arthur a few seconds in his heated daze to realize just what had happened, and when he finally realized it his eyes widened in horror and he held a hand up to his heated cheeks, groaning. That was such a dirty…! "You didn't seem to care about that a few seconds ago!" Arthur snapped at him, pushing himself off of the wall yet still using it as some support.

Alfred just turned around, however, and gave a mischievous grin as he noted pointedly, "Well, you never said you didn't want to make out with me there~" He gave a small yawn and bustled into the kitchen with ease. "I just told you that I didn't want to make out with you in your room~ So there~"

"... You're insane," Arthur mumbled, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself and his body. "And I hate you," he muttered under his breath as he finally felt well enough to follow him into the kitchen. "What are you doing in here, anyway!?"

Grinning, that excitable, childlike look of Alfred's seem to return as he whipped around and chirped happily, "Why, baking sugar cookies of course!" Pronking over, he grabbed Arthur's wrist and pulled him into a makeshift waltz around the kitchen. "Doesn't that sound fun?!"

It baffled Arthur how this man could go from "drop dead sexy and gorgeous" to "adorable, cute dork" in a matter of seconds, but he found himself smiling happily anyway as he was led around in the sloppy waltz. He laughed a bit before nodding. "Yes, that does sound fun, love."

Leaning in, Alfred left a trail of delicate butterfly kisses before breaking apart and twirling over to the fridge to grab some ingredients. "Tres bien -!" till he stopped and realized what he had just said out loud… And seemed to grow quieter as a result.

Arthur sighed a little, having a feeling this was about his deceased wife. He didn't understand why Alfred should feel guilty, though - it wasn't his fault…

He walked over to Alfred and placed a hand on his shoulder. "... Are you okay, Alfred?"

Jolted a little bit, the American tried to smile and wave a dismissive hand - as if his apparent negative feelings were absolutely nothing at all. "Oh, of course -!"

Arthur smiled gently. "Funny - I don't seem to believe you." He wrapped his arms around him in a hug before he could say anything more. "You don't have to lie to me, you know…" he whispered, more into Alfred's shirt than at him, but he was sure the boy could still hear it. Especially when he felt arms wrap around his body as Alfred silently rested his head on Arthur's shoulder and didn't say anything. It was safe to assume he was trying to regain his composure and sort things out on his own… So, the least Arthur could do is just be there for him. With that in mind, he closed his eyes and relaxed against him, rubbing one of his arms up and down his back in a comforting gesture.

And after awhile, it seemed to work as Alfred squeezed Arthur in return and broke the hug apart with a soft smile. "Thanks," he whispered, turning back around to grab more ingredients. "For being here for me."

Arthur smiled, feeling happier than he should from his words. "Of course, love."

All the melodrama over, it felt as though magic began to work in the kitchen as the two doe eyed lovers began to mix and match ingredients to create their own special cookies!

"Let's have sprinkles inside them, as well!" Arthur suggested, standing on tiptoe to reach the bottle of sprinkles from the top shelf in one of his cabinets. "The kids would like that, don't you think?"

Alfred chuckled and clamped his hands to Arthur's sides, lifting him up gently with ease so he could grab the sprinkles. "But of course~"

Arthur blushed lightly, finding he was getting quite used to feeling Alfred's hands at his sides. He grabbed the bottle and smiled down at him. "Thanks, but I could have gotten them on my own, you know!"

Feeling amused and a bit mischievous, Alfred dipped Arthur down and kissed him heatedly, quickly stealing the sprinkles out of his hands and then gently lowering him onto the ground. Turning away, he snickered to himself. "Fufufufu, I don't think so~" and started to add the sprinkles into the mix.

Leaving Arthur on the ground, feeling as if his world was spinning when Alfred suddenly left like that. How had he gotten onto the floor!? He quickly stood up, dusting his shirt off and clearing his throat. "Wh-whatever… I'm going to find the frosting." Luckily, he kept his frosting in a shelf below the counter, so there could be no trickery from Alfred this time!

Except, to make a long story short, there was as Alfred looped a quick finger on Arthur's belt loop and pulled him close, whispering suggestively into his ear and sliding a hand down his side, "How about I get you to frost more than just the cookies~?" he purred saucily, biting Arthur's ear and then quickly letting him go as if nothing had happened~

"..." Arthur could feel those blasted butterflies fluttering in his stomach and across his skin and he turned to give Alfred a frustrated look. "What the hell, Alfred?!" he demanded. "Stop doing that!"

Alfred turned around and gave an impressionable look and batted his lashes coyly, "Stop what~?"

"You know bloody well what!" Arthur yelled at him, feeling his face heat up from that look on his face. "Stop…" How in the world did one phrase this?! "Oh, just stop it!"

"Stop what~?" Alfred continued, his grin becoming more and more fox like as his endless cycle of teasing continued.

Arthur felt his eyes start to twitch. He gave a huff and bent down to grab the frosting again, grumbling. "Bloody… stop "what"... idiot…"

And felt a hand dart out and grope him as he bent down, which was soon replaced by cheerful whistling as Alfred continued to pretend to be innocent.

At this point, Arthur decided that ignoring it would be the best option right now as he continued on his task and quickly snatched his prize, slamming it on the counter with a huff. "What else should we add?" he asked, looking at him.

Again, for what felt like the hundredth damn time he was pushed up against Alfred's chest and felt a sneaky hand being shoved down his pants and feeling around as the stupid, bloody wanker practically gasped into his ear, "How about your cream~?"
Arthur shoved him away that time, his insides writhing and his face enflaming to an impossible degree. "Are you getting these lines from a porno?!" he asked. That last one was just so, so…! Ridiculous!

Laughter rang out and Alfred winked at him, closing his eyes to shine another feline grin before turning away and chuckling under his breath without an answer.

Oh, how infuriating!

Arthur felt steaming by now. This man was using his powers to get a little "action," and damn it if Arthur had had enough!

… Wait a minute.

Arthur grinned devilishly to himself. Alfred wasn't the only one with powers~ Let's just take a look inside that big head of his and see what would turn him on the fastest~ Arthur thought to himself as he focused and started weaving his way through Alfred's head. There was actually quite a lot going on up here… and he could see all of the other tricks Alfred was concocting, each one as frustrating as the last, but through it all Arthur found his secret weapon:

Feeding him~

Such an innocent little turn on now that he thought about it, but, knowing Alfred, it was to really be expected, considering the fact that he had a rather sound moral character.

Arthur laughed to himself as he quickly saddled up next to Alfred, digging his finger into the batter and offering a ball of the sweet mixture up to the boy with a big smile. "Want a taste, love~?"

Ooo~ And what a delicious reaction he received as he saw Alfred start to heat up and give a nervous little grin. Quickening heartbeat, a small sweat, and glazed over eyes - oh, he knew Alfred wouldn't be able to resist! "U-uh -!"

Arthur giggled and held it closer up to him, the dough a feather's width away from his lips. "Please, try it~? I want to make sure you like it, after all!"

All composure breaking, Alfred slowly wrapped his lips around the dough and began to suck on it with a soft blush. It made him look vulnerable, and frightened - a far cry from how sexy and confident he was trying to be before~

And Arthur enjoyed every second of it~

He giggled and leaned up to kiss his cheek when Alfred finished enjoying his treat. "Is it good, love?"

Nodding a little, Alfred blushed more and twiddled his fingers as he timidly whispered, "Y-yeah…" with eyes locking down onto the floor in his embarrassment. Oh, the poor dear~

Arthur chuckled and reached in the bowl to grab a bit more of the dough, smearing it on his own lips before wrapping his arms around Alfred's neck and pulling him down close. "Have some more~" he whispered, not kissing him just yet.

Thus, Alfred started to become like melted chocolate in his hands. Easy to bend and shape to his will as he continued to feed and dote on him, making him more and more timid and quiet till eventually he tried to hide behind his own arms!

The whole thing was impossibly cute~

Arthur smiled warmly at Alfred, who was now sitting at the kitchen table and not daring to look at Arthur anymore. He was probably afraid of what he'd do next!

"I'm going to start shaping the cookie dough into balls, okay, love?" Arthur informed him softly, turning to the bowl of reduced batter. Perhaps he had fed him a little too much... Ah well, there should be enough for at least one batch of cookies.

Besides, he had to give Alfred a bit of a breather after all~

Though it did make Arthur curious… Why shouldn't he just read more into Alfred's mind and find a few more kinks~? How bad could that be~?

Arthur smirked to himself, shaping the dough into his hands and going inside Alfred's mind once more. Let's find out what makes you tick, love~

It seemed a lot did, as he began to look about and find a few surprising ones~

On the top of his list seemed to be pirates, of all things. Apparently he loved their outfits and eyepatches and the confident air about them. It was kind of ironic to Arthur, since his ancestors had actually been pirates, and he knows quite a bit about them and owns a pirate costume - for Halloween parties, of course.

… Well, perhaps that'd be a good costume, this year~ He'd win all the prizes.

Next inside Alfred's head was something that honestly surprised Arthur. He liked being pushed against tables and made out with! Huh, to think a strong guy like him would be into that sort of thing… not that Arthur was complaining, of course! He might actually do that once these cookies were in the oven~

Next were standard items, in Arthur's opinion: whipped cream and leather. Mm, to think such an "innocent" boy was into something like that~ It seemed the article was right about him being into some "freaky stuff"~ Arthur smirked to himself and chuckled. He was having too much fun with this~

He turned around to look at Alfred briefly, being practically assaulted with another turn on of his - apparently, he liked certain words being whispered into his ear. Things like petnames, or - oh my - explanations of what his partner wanted to do with him…! Arthur actually blushed a little at that one. S-so it seemed Alfred was the kind to get turned on by anticipation alone, too, huh?

He took a breath and turned back around. That was enough kinks for now, he should get out of his brain. He had plenty to work with!

… But wait, maybe he should find Alfred's weakest points, too? After all, those went hand in hand with intimate acts! It wouldn't take much longer to find them, anyway - he already knew Alfred's cowlick was sensitive, so all the new information he discovered, really, was about his pecks, neck, and the center of his chest. Figures it's all around his muscles.

Arthur forced himself out of Alfred's mind, sucking in a breath from the hard feeling of full consciousness again. It appeared he had been in there too long - he was starting to feel a bit dizzy, as he always did when outside himself for longer than was necessary.

Shaking his head, he looked down to find that the pan had been filled with little cookie dough balls. One of the great things about his power was that he could put himself on auto-pilot for simple tasks when he was using it. He smiled and quickly dashed to put them in the oven, feeling a sense of excitement at trying some of these out!

"Alfred, they're in now~" Arthur informed him as he walked over, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Breaking whatever concentration Alfred had been in, he noticed his boyfriend give a soft smile. Turning, he hugged Arthur's shoulder and chirped, now back to his normal self, "Alright! What should we do now?"

Arthur really tried to appear calm on the outside, but when a small smirk refused to disappear from his face, he decided to just go all out. A devilish smirk appeared on his face, his lids drooping halfway as he took Alfred by surprise and pushed him back against the table. He took a few seconds to appreciate the flustered look he had on his face before leaning in and whispering, "I'm in the mood for some kissing, sweetheart~"

Shivering in delight, Alfred couldn't stop himself from starting to pant. Grasping Arthur's shoulders, he started to relax as he felt the Brit starting to mount him on the table with ease. "T-then so am I~"

"I wasn't ready to take no for an answer," Arthur purred into his ear, nipping it once before kissing him. He pried his mouth open with his tongue and pushed it against Alfred's own. His hands got to work reaching under Alfred's shirt to massage his pecks, rubbing in small circles and pinching occasionally.

Which made Alfred writhe with pleasure under Arthur as he moaned softly into his mouth and began to squirm like crazy. "A-ah~" It seemed he wasn't use to being under someone else, now, was he~?

Arthur smirked to himself and continued to kiss him, since that was, undoubtedly, his favorite activity. When Alfred's moans started to calm down ever so slightly, however, he moved to kiss down his neck, pushing his tongue against the skin and trying to find the spot that would make him turn to jelly~

Which, by the way, was right under his jaw bone, as he cried out softly and ceased his squirming. "A-Arthur -!"

Arthur grinned and gently nipped at that sensitive area before breathing out, "Yes, darling~?"

"M-mercy…." he heard his sweetheart whimper, loosely clinging to his shoulders and whining in the back of his throat like a puppy.

"Mm…" Arthur chuckled and lifted his head to look into Alfred's eyes, his own green orbs shining with delight. "But you wouldn't give me any earlier, would you~?"

Alfred whimpered more and nodded as he felt hands rubbing into the middle of his chest, making him heat up more. "I-I know…" S-so much heat! Too much of it! Alfred felt as though he was going to melt!

And Arthur didn't seem to want to give him any relief as he just chuckled again and bit harshly under his jawbone.

A jolt of tingling pleasure through Alfred, making him cry out and give a squeal, as the tortures continued~

And then… abruptly stopped.

Just as quickly as it had begun, Arthur got off of him and started humming a happy tune. "Cookies should be done any minute, love~" he called back teasingly.
Leaving a dazed Alfred staring up at the ceiling, wondering how on Earth he could have ever thought teasing Arthur through sexual means was a good idea.

~!~!~!~
AN Annzy: Well, hope you all enjoyed that~ XD Isn't Francine a cutie? :3

AN Knux: Very cute dear! ^^ Very cute!

Now, to respond to a question from our Anon, I can't reveal much, but Alfred's wife is not Canada. It is France, or in this story, Françoise Sr. Their daughter is Françoise Jr. or Francine. Hope that clears it up for you. ^^ Our France/Francis/Françoise has longer hair and a hair curl. That is just how we prefer to write his appearance.

Anyways, hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Stay tuned for more! And thanks for reviewing, favoriting and enjoying the story so far!