Sorry for the incredible long wait! I don't own hetalia, and here's chapter 10.

Chapter 10

"I thought I heard an angry Brit walking up the lawn." Francis said from his position on his own couch lazily, messing around with his mobile. Arthur scoffed, and sat down on the bed, leaning back until his back met the wall.

"I don't suppose you have any new books that aren't French or about porn?"

Francis snickered. "You still have my copy of Notre Dame de Paris, don't be hypocritical. You love French literature." At Arthur's indignant 'I do not!', the Frenchman made a face and the boys fell into a comfortable routine. "Planning on sleeping over?"

"No."

"Staying for dinner?"

"No."

"Good, cause you have to get your ass out at five. I have a date with Mathieu." Francis said mischievously, and Arthur glared. Why bother asking him? Frog. "You know, everyone's on and on about how shy Mathieu is, but you should have seen him on the party Friday! I unleashed the beast, I'm certain of it." Oh, yuck. Arthur really didn't want to know about that. Couldn't Francis call Feliks or something and talk about gay stuff with him? "Why the long face, chérie? Wasn't Alfred as-"

"Don't even go there, I'm not in the mood." Arthur interrupted with a glare, before relaxing his face slightly. Damn, all that glaring got tiring.

Francis sat up when he heard the exasperated tone in Arthur's voice. "Did something happen? Didn't you have a date with the ape yesterday?"

"You don't wanna know."

"That's practically an invitation, rosbif."

XxxxxxxxxX

Alfred and Arthur returned from hanging about after school for dinner at Alfred's, since his stepmother had insisted before Arthur could've made a clean escape. They went straight up to Alfred's room though, only stopping briefly to greet Emily.

It didn't take too long before Alfred had whined enough to convince Arthur into a game of Call of Duty, and surprisingly for Alfred, Arthur didn't completely suck at it (advantage of growing up with so many brothers).

"Oh you are definitely cruisin' for a bruisin', Artie."

"Please stop using 60's slang." Arthur said with a smirk. He triumphed over this. It would be something he could use for a long, long time. "Maybe if you didn't go ape every time the other team is in view, you could also make more kills."

Alfred ignored him with a pout and they continued until they were called downstairs. Putting away the gaming equipment next to the television, Arthur bragged about his victory and Alfred named him a world class snob. They both stopped when the already open door was pushed open a little more. Arthur turned around and, taken by surprise, nodded his head in greeting to what must have been Alfred's dad.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Alfred tense when his father eyed Arthur up and down, disapproval clear in his eyes. He didn't say anything though, opting to just leave for the dining room instead. Alfred glared slightly, an expression Arthur didn't often see.

Arthur gave him a little push, and they followed to the dining room as well. Matthew was helping his stepmother setting up the table, and Arthur politely smiled at the other brother.

The dinner was entirely a little too awkward, but he figured he could handle it. It'd be over in a matter of seconds. There was a little small talk between the boys, and Alfred's stepmom asked questions like did he have a part-time job, or what did he wanted to be later. Arthur tried his best to remain calm though, but the tension was radiating between Alfred and his father. He was right next to Alfred too, and he got severely annoyed by it.

He debated kicking Alfred or pinching him, to silently declare his annoyance, but he decided against it. He sat out the entire dinner, and waited until Matthew and Alfred started clearing the table, before leaving and going to the toilet. Perhaps Alfred should just take him home after this, it was awkward enough.

He looked in the mirror briefly. He guessed his father didn't like Alfred bringing home a guy. But he didn't look bad, or something, right? He frowned at his own behavior and left the toilet, navigating his way back to the dining room.

"So Mattie is allowed to have a boyfriend, but I'm not?"

Arthur froze. Obviously the tension had led to something while he was out. He wondered if he should go in or not.

"That's not the same." Alfred's father said with a gruff voice, and Arthur frowned. Why wouldn't that be the same?

He heard Alfred letting out a fairly humorless laugh. "Oh, yeah, because in your eyes, Mattie isn't very important, and I'm supposed to step in your shoes. You're such a jerk!"

"Alfred! Don't talk to your father like that."

Arthur made a face. That wasn't very kind of the man. Matthew had quietly exited the room, and saw Arthur standing in the hallway. He gave a tiny smile, shrugging as if it was a daily experience, and disappeared up the stairs.

He decided to wait in the hallway, and a few seconds later Alfred walked out of the room as well. He glanced at Arthur and gave a nervous chuckle. "Oh…wow, guess you heard that." Arthur didn't reply, and Alfred scratched the back of his head. "eh… You want me to take you home? I totally understand if you want to go home. I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"It went even more horrible than I had anticipated." Alfred said with a laugh, having the modesty to look somewhat embarrassed.

Arthur shrugged. "It could have gone worse." He offered, feeling a little sympathy for the guy. Alfred obviously thought high of his parents. "Well… I guess you should take me home." He eventually agreed, not missing the slightly disappointed look on Alfred's face. He ignored and went to other room.

"Thank you for your hospitality." He said shortly to the two adults still in the room. He turned around and went to grab his coat, nodding for Alfred to follow.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

"After that, he just took me home and we didn't talk anymore. And now I'm here." Arthur scoffed. "It's kinda illogical Matthew is allowed to be gay, but once Alfred is, it's a problem."

Francis nodded and made agreeing noises, but he didn't look very surprised. Bastard probably already knew and neglected to tell Arthur. Judging by how apologetic he looked when Arthur sent him a glare, he was right.

He waited until Francis had to go pick up his little sister and left for his own house again, deciding he might as well get those dusty books and stall them somewhere nicely. And read them, of course. He was almost excited to do so with a cuppa tea, that when he got home, he completely missed the green car outside and just skipped in, heading straight for the kitchen.

"Talking about the devil. Hey, nosebleed."

Arthur stopped in horror, looking at Peter dangling off of Colin's shoulders with a happy glee on his tiny face. Colin, bent over a bit because of Peter and still taller than Arthur, smirked at his younger brother.

"What are you doing here?" Arthur bit out a little more aggressively than he wanted too. Peter frowned.

"Imma tell mum you guys are fighting again!"

Colin sighed and pulled the boy off of him like a little monkey. "We're not fighting, lad. 'Tis friendly bickering. Go play with yer new game." It worked, because Peter ran to the table to grab a box and quickly made a dash to the living room. "And what, can't I visit the ol' family once in a while?"

"You did, a few days ago."

"And now I'm here again. No need to get yer panties in a knot."

Arthur grimaced. He could already feel the tension for the next few days. The older they got, the more hostile they got as well. Arthur didn't want to put up with a fight today, and he sure as hell wasn't looking for some 'playful' bruises.

"Whatever. I don't care anyway." He said childishly, feeling rather small underneath his brother's gaze. Colin grunted something in annoyance before rolling his eyes and turning around to grab a beer or something. Arthur quietly made his way to the stairs and into his room. His mother had been in his room again, he noticed it by the made bed and the scattered things on the desk, instead of the floor. Oh well, she didn't move anything important.

He sat on the floor and pulled the box with old books out from underneath his bed, relishing in the musky smell from it. With a slight smile, he carefully opened it and took his time admiring the stashes. Grabbing one of the first ones, he let his fingers travel over the cover and the name, Faust. There might be so many more books in there he never had the chance of reading. Or having. He felt that if you really liked a book, you should have it. A book can last a lifetime and will always make you feel the same, every time you open it or close it.

Feeling giddy, he grabbed his cellphone and opened a new text.

To: The Hero!
02:34 P.M.

I really love the books. Please thank your mum for me, again. You should read one or two of these, as well.

Arthur hesitated, wondering what more he could add, but opted for just sending this. He threw the phone back on the bed and made himself comfortable on the ground, grabbing the next stash of books. Some of it were classics he knew, like Animal Farm and the Hobbit, but some of them were new to him and not exclusively English literature. He opened one with a German title, pleased it was translated in English, and curiously started reading it.

He was so absorbed in the tale of an old lady coming back to her hometown to get her vengeance, he never noticed his father standing in the doorway and calling him for dinner. One look down to what his son was doing, and he smiled. "I see you got yourself some new books. Where did you get them?"

"Eh…" It was well known he rarely had money to spent on luxuries like books, when he went out that much. "A friend wanted to throw them away and I got them."

"He's an idiot for throwing all those books away." His dad said with a smile, crouching down and grabbing Animal Farm from the stash. "I even read this book when I was young! Didn't know it was still this popular with the kids."

"It's not called a classic because it's rarely read." Arthur murmured, closing his book and getting up from the floor. He followed his dad into the dining room, choosing to neglect Colin's taunting gaze and sitting opposite of Peter instead. During dinner, there wasn't much talking, except for his mum asking Colin about his work and other activities.

"Arthur, how did that date with that girl went from a few days ago?"

"Fine." Arthur murmured. Usually they'd agree to such an answer and didn't pry anymore. Now, though…

"A girl? Interested in lil' Artie? World news? What's the little lass's name?" Colin said, amused. He had raised both of his eyebrows in surprise at the news. Arthur never was one to take to love interests after all.

"None of your business." Arthur snapped back.

"Oh a touchy subject? You guys serious then?" He chose to ignore it and Colin's bantering that followed. He wouldn't do much anyway with his parents and Peter at the same table. His mother only smiled endearingly. Wouldn't this be a perfect moment to breach the subject of Alfred, hah. But he didn't want Colin involved.

After dinner, he excused himself from the table and took his own dish to the kitchen, before fleeing upstairs. He hadn't reached his room just yet when Colin coughed from the other end of the hallway and smirked. "Is there even a girl or did you just made that up for attention?"

"Fuck off, Colin."

"Did she look at you twice and did you get excited? Huh? Come on, a girl. Really Arthur you're not one to be in love with." At Arthur's silence, Colin grimaced. "Don't ignore me, lil' brother. I'm just making some friendly man-to-man conversation here."

Arthur's phone beeped and he sighed, dragging his hand through his locks. He glared and pointedly rolled his eyes at Colin, entering his room and shutting the door. He almost, almost, screeched at what he saw.

Alfred was halfway climbing through his window, which wasn't open far enough so it was a rather tight fit, and Alfred was making it as difficult as possible for himself.

"Alfred!" He half yelled, half whispered. "In the name of the Queen, what are you doing?!"

"Queen? Dude we have a President you know that right. Obama?"

Arthur actually smacked his hand against is face and gave an annoying grunt, before remembering his brother in the hallway. He stumbled to lock the door and shushed Alfred harshly. "Why not just use the door?"

"I texted you but you didn't respond. And well, I was nearby, and your window was open and your light was on."

"So you climb into my room like some stalker?! This isn't Twilight!"

"…You read Twilight?"

Arthur felt himself becoming hot and stuttered for a good response, but Alfred laughed and brushed it off easily, dropping down on Arthur's bed, looking around his room. "I've never gotten to take a good look around here."

"Not when I'm asleep, no?"

"Cut it, Bella, or I'll bite." He joked and Arthur shook his head with a smirk. He sat down next to Alfred and buried his face in his hands for a moment. "Something up? With locking the door and stuff."

"My idiot brother is visiting. That, and everyone would be wondering how the hell you got in here. So no boisterous laughing either." He grabbed his cellphone to check the messages Alfred had apparently sent him. Ignoring Alfred's quiet babbling about the new posters he bought, his gaze wandered to the ground where the books were still scattered. He slid off the bed to carefully and respectfully place them back into the box. He wished he had some more money. His parents didn't earn all that much, and since he smoked and went out a little too often, Arthur went through his allowance pretty quick.

"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I have ever heard of." He said dramatically, quoting Austen. He nodded, he was going to save some money and buy some good, timeless books. Like Shakespeare, as well. And he had to have the Eragon series. Dragons, magic, oh, he loved it. But, of course, nobody knew that. And he liked to keep it that way.

"You should smile more often, you're actually… ah forget it."

"What? I'm what?"

"This sounds really lame…but you're kinda beautiful when you smile. Not like a girl though! Just.. I don't know. Sorry."

Arthur stared for a while, two books still in his hands, almost forgotten. Alfred avoided his gaze, opting to look at the ceiling instead. That was kinda unexpected. And the comment, beautiful, well that actually got a little on his nerves because guys aren't supposed to be called beautiful, but for some reason it was so sweet it almost sickened him, but not just yet. He cleared his throat and nodded. Okay then. He could handle this. "It's okay." He forced out, quickly focusing on putting away the books again.

Alfred nodded too and pulled at his collar, looking at the box with the books. "So, you love the books right?"

"Absolutely adore them."

"Good." Alfred smiled brightly at him and nodded again. He made himself comfortable on the bed again and slowly they fell into conversing about all kinds of things again, until he got called away by Matthew. Arthur closed the window with a sigh and went to the bathroom for a leak. Returning from the bathroom, he met eyes with Colin who was in the guest room, with his door open. He glared, and Colin winked knowingly.

He spent the rest of the night wondering if he had heard something strange or not. There weren't any other weird words traded that night with the American, so… He ignored Alfred's texts and went to bed early, tossing and turning until he finally fell into a fitful sleep.