A/N: I'm back readers sorry for the wait. I started school D: Here is another lengthy chapter for you all. Enjoy!
Hetalia and its charas are owned by Hima-Papa
I do not own 'It Takes Two'
OCs belong to me!
Alfred smiled at the awed faced Brit while he was guiding his horse back towards the stable's doors.
"What?" Arthur looked around finding the American all in smiles. "Uh..nothing! Nothing at all!" He replied back quickly not wanting the Brit to be concerned about anything. He was his guest after all, and it was a host's duty to make the visitor not comfortable. Honestly Alfred started feeling something that wasn't there before, not even when he was with Natalya. He decided to forget about it for the mean time and just focus about the news from the camp. The American was very eager to listen in on what he was missing out the past ten years. Was the place the same as it was before? Did they make any changes? He was very proud of his wife creating this idea as a private 'get-away' for children who are not obligated to have any luxuries. Alfred's wife was an orphan as well. Knowing her background was a tragedy: not having many friends growing up, not having happiness whatsoever. She wanted to change that, to make every child to have a right towards happiness. It was one of her dreams that became a reality before she passed on. Alfred was on the verge of tears of remembering her. Her blonde locks brighter than the sun, her lovely forest gems that would never lose its spark. She reminds me of … Alfred turned his head looking at the back of Arthur's head. Him.
"Whatever you say," Arthur sighed while carrying the reins of his horse towards the stable. "You okay?" Arthur raised a brow wondering what the millionaire was up to, "Are you going to let them take the horse back? You're just standing there," Alfred shook himself back to reality, "Sorry a thought came up about work, but nothing to worry about!" He didn't want to tell Arthur exactly the whole truth, so he let put to rest for now. Arthur only sighed and gave his reins back to the stable men. Alfred did the same as well, paying a 'big' tip to his men as a 'thank you'. The stablemen informed the duo that some girls led their horses back. Both Alfred and Arthur drew a sigh knowing that the girls are alright seeing both their horses back in the stables. "I knew it. I was fooled, that silly girl!" Alfred chuckled alongside Arthur nudging his arm, "You should see mine. She has a natural talent of pranks. I will have to have a word with her."
"Oh you have a kid too?" Alfred questioned with Arthur shaking his head, "No she was one the children I look after at the camp."
"Oh I see. What are the odds of both of them just having some fun," Alfred chuckled again and was now in the awkward zone not knowing what to talk about next. After sending the horses off, the walk back was a bit uncooperative among the two men. Alfred didn't have anything to say until he got onto the patio. He really wanted to not only know just the camp, but about Arthur as well. He didn't want to be too snoopy so maybe in conversation he'll get the advantage of getting to know the man himself. At least he was back home now. This home was his favorite amongst the others that he owned in the country. Ever since with his wife's passing, he would feel a bit of remorse of coming back. He and his past wife created many good memories, just reminiscing would make him happy and sad that the same time. But now, he wanted to move forward, creating new ones with his little girl and maybe with his new guest. He would always be happy here no matter what.
"Well this is the place! Have a seat Artie!" The American offered Arthur a seat in his spacious outdoor patio. It had a wonderful view of the lake and you could even get a little glimpse of the camp in the distance. It was a beautiful sight to see with its landscaping and a wonderful fountain that too the Brit's breath away. Arthur was still stunned that not only he was having a meeting with the owner of the camp, but with the man who made billions with smart phone technology. He was too flustered that he didn't want to embarrass himself. Arthur nodded along and took a seat next to Alfred though hearing that dreaded 'nickname' made him speak out of habit. "It's Arthur. Thank you very much. My kids always do that to me, naming silly nicknames like 'Iggy'. I have no idea where it came from, my character doesn't fit it," Arthur gave a pouty look, crossing his arms. He did it and felt awkward for speaking out. He didn't catch the first time when Alfred mentioned 'Artie' on the way back to the estate. The Brit let that slide since he was dealing with a high class authority, he didn't want to be too impolite.
Alfred chuckled and sat down next to Arthur in a different seat, "I think I know where they got that from," He was amused at knowing how the children got that 'nick-name'. "Ha. Ha," Arthur mocked back finding the first aid kit on the table provided by Toris. The family butler knew before hand, from a call from his boss, to bring a first aid kit and a couple of beverages since they had a visitor arriving. "You are just one of many my good sir," Arthur dabbed some rubbing alcohol to some gauze to clean the cut on Alfred's forehead. High class citizen or not, Arthur could see that the man is no different than an average worker back at the camp. He started to be more calm and just moved along in conversation by just simply being himself. "They got it from the Japanese word for United Kingdom. Igirisu," Alfred said with a slight smirk, winking at the Brit. That little comment prompt Arthur to blush out making himself even more embarrassed. He just shook it off quickly before the American noticed his flushed face.
"Word spreads quickly like fire," Arthur just kept getting the gauze ready preventing himself to blush more. "It will sting a little," He warned Alfred before he applied the wipe to his forehead. Alfred nodded along letting the Brit continue, "True that man...wait what do you mean it- ouch!" Alfred yelped in pain as the stinging of the alcohol took effect. Cleaning out the wound was stinging him like a bitch. "That hurts!" He whined out, letting his arms out of reflex cover the wound to prevent anymore fixings towards it. "Ow. Ow. Ow. You big baby," Arthur gave a frustrated sigh, peeled the American's calloused hands off his face, and grabbed the man's face in both of his hands to blow the wound, letting it heal faster with the alcohol that was already applied.
Alfred kept whining until he realized what Arthur did and started blushing madly. Oh boy was he loving it though. The touch and feel of the Brit's soft hands against his face felt magical. Both had seemed oblivious to the two little identical girls hiding underneath the tea cart Toris brought out for the ice tea. "I can't hear anything!" Amelie mumbled, "We need to get closer!" Alice nodded and let her right hand peek out of the cart's table cloth and Amelie did the same with her left hand. Both girls worked together scooting themselves closer towards the sitting area to get a better glimpse on what their guardians are doing right at this second. Arthur was so caught in the moment he didn't realized he actually did that. "B-better?" Arthur gradually let go of the man's face to find a band-aide in the kit.
Alfred nodded and tried to focus on something else other than the flustered Brit. He felt slightly disappointed when Arthur pulled away and was tempted to pull the smaller, more petit man into his arms and hold him there. He knew that would be just plain creepy, even though he was drop dead sexy and he knew it, so he resisted and stayed in place. "I can't see!" Alice quietly mumbled in the tea cart. Both she and Amelie were pack rats underneath trying to a good view. "Stop pushing Aly before anyone notices!" Amelie hushed her hoping no one would catch them especially Toris or worse, Alfred or Arthur. "Fine! You have a better view. What are they doing?"
"It looks like they were about to kiss, but Arthur chickened out!"
"Arthur!" Alice sighed back. They really wanted this to work out for the both of them. This really had to work, or at least, let there be sparks between the two of them. "Shh!" Amelie hushed Alice as she held the table cloth a little to see the two men still sitting. "Here," Arthur was still flushing red when handing the band-aide for American to take care of himself. Just touching the man sent jolts towards his spine. He doesn't even know or doubts the man would play for the same team. Alfred took it, but accidentally brushed his hand against Arthur's and he loved the sensation going through his fingers. It was so warm, it felt like fire. His hand hadn't moved though he wished he could move it because he didn't think Arthur would even like him, a total stranger. There was no way that there could be 'something' between them or was it? The American himself didn't think 'love at first sight' would ever happen for the second time since he met her. Maybe it was fate, maybe it wasn't. He just needed to be cautious.
Arthur was trying to start a new topic so the situation couldn't be any more awkward, "So Mr. Jones, I heard of a new phone of yours coming out soon. Could you give some details on what it might be?" Arthur wasn't into the phones as much since he was a 'plain Jane'. He was thankful enough of having a device that calls and texts for emergencies and such. Talking about the man's profession was a good start in the conversation; they could discuss the camp and its matter later on.
"U-Uh yeah..well It's going to be thinner than the old version, the capability to hold more data, water proof! And overall, it'll be just better! I feel like making designs for the next one to be more like those flip phones from Japan. A friend of mine showed me the types they make there and I found it more interesting than the designs we have in the good ol' US of A. Though I don't really use the damn things!"
Alfred chuckled back, "Remember to call me Al? Or Alfred? Mr. Jones is my Dad!" Arthur face turned a hue red from the comment and covered his face making the man chuckle more. Alfred smiled and leaned back against the couches. "Have you ever seen their phones? They're so cool! It's a flip phone that's so much better than the basic brick smart phone. I just don't like cells because I'm sick of it really. I mean I'd rather be out here in the more peaceful woods with my friends and family then out in the city, being hunted by paparazzi that are mad to get a scoop out of anything ya know?" Alfred asked as he closed his eyes with a sigh while the Brit recovered from his 'blush attack', "Sometimes I regret having all of this..."
"Really?" Arthur was surprised from the comment. He never knew that the Alfred Jones would think of that. He honestly thought the man as a 'not so serious' person thinking everything was a game. Just looking at that side, made Arthur think highly of the man. He then quickly shook his head out of habit. The Brit still doesn't know the man's preference. He had to be cautious.
Amelie gasped slightly at what she heard and looked to Alice to see if she shared the same feelings as her father. Alfred nodded and sighed, "They burned me pretty bad years ago when I was in the middle of releasing a new phone. They found out that I had an ex who was still crazy over me and they loved all the stories the guy told them. They made me seem like a terrible man because I loved another man," Alfred said with a frown, "They said a fag was never going to make it in the real world and all my investors would drop me once they found out. All American Jones was 'queer'. It was horrible really because everyone gave me dirty looks because I did love a man. I made it through. I am not homosexual but I am bisexual. I never really knew what happened to my ex afterwards though," The American face palmed himself, a little lost in his memories. Those years when he was starting out in the real world, at the start of his career this would happen out of the blue.
Alice bit her lip and gave Amelie a slow nod agreeing to what her father had mention. Her father had to play another persona just for the career to go forth which she didn't like. He had to agree with his boss to whatever, work late hours in the day and night, and have less time to spend with the family. The American just had to be strict and serious in the work field; he couldn't be slacking and laid back, otherwise, he would've lost his job. Luckily, Toris told her many stories of her father's work since she assumed her father would be uncomfortable talking about this with her. She never knew her father had really liked another man before her mother came into the picture. No matter what, Alice would always love her father. She just wanted him to be happy, not sad. "Oh I apologize," Arthur tried not to tear up from hearing that depressing story, "I never knew you had to go through that because of your preference."
Amelie never tears up, but by what she heard was pretty close. She knew it was the same for Arthur because one time when she was being interviewed by one family, they found out about Arthur's sexuality and ran out after cursing him and spitting at him. She was only five at the time. The little girl understood that what the family did was a bad thing, and bad things don't go unpunished. Which was why they ended up falling down the stairs. Alfred shook his head and smiled slightly, "Naw Artie. There are other people out there who die because of who they love, and it's because they didn't have someone to give them hope. I'm not strong like the others out there who are still holding their heads up through this messed up world."
The nickname Alfred gave again made the Brit erry, but he let it off the hook for now. "But you are honestly," Arthur started to stutter on spot, "E-evn though we just met I think you are. All the kids brag about wondering who Jones really is, like he's some secretive superhero like Robin Hood, giving the best summer of a lifetime."
"R-Really?" Alfred asked getting out of his funk and stared at Arthur with hopeful eyes, "I'm glad...I am so happy that kids enjoy the place...I started feeling useless you know, but with this I feel so much better now! Thanks Iggy!" The man gave his childish smile that could melt even the ice queen's heart. "It's Arthur," The Brit gave a smile back, "But you're welcome." Alfred was going to hug Arthur and managed to do so before Toris came out with the phone in his hand, "I'm sorry sir but Miss Natalya is on the phone."
Alfred sighed taking a big gulp of his ice tea. All that talking took a big thirst towards the man. He looked at Arthur with apologetic eyes as he took the phone, "Hello?" He said as he stood up, walking away from the Brit.
"Alfred. Do you have any idea what your daughter did?!" Natalya was literally screaming off the other line almost about to break the American's ear drum. Alfred winced and pulled the phone away from his ear. Dang can this girl get any louder? "Uh no I have no idea Natalya dear..w-what's wrong..?"
"That little angel of yours put gum in my hair!" Natalya tried not to yell at this time, but she was getting flustered from that little knick in her path trying to make a dent out of everything. Her hair was so precious to her and now it will be all 'cut city' because of this.
"I-I'm sorry what?" He asked again, "She put gum in her hair?"
"Alfred F. Jones! This is very very serious!" Natalya screamed on the other end. Alice was shocked and turned her head towards Amelie giving her a 'thumbs up' for a good job. Amelie smiled right back returning the 'thumbs up', "Gums a gal's best friend!"
"Maybe it was all just an accident babe?" Alfred kept pacing to and fro on the pavement. "Alfred I should go," Arthur offered to take his leave. Whatever the American was dealing with on the phone he didn't want to be a burden. Arthur knew it was true. He was already with someone. He was about to tear up, but he couldn't in front of the kids to suspect. Alfred hadn't heard what Arthur said and kept talking with Natalya until she hung up. He sighed and hung up as well when the call ended. As he was walking back to go apologize to his guest, "I'm sorry I…," He suddenly noticed that Arthur was gone, and so his smile dropped as well. Alice just gave a frown while seeing Arthur leaving the patio. Leave it to Natalya to mess things up once more. She scooted out underneath the tea cart, "We'll meet next time."
"Man that lady always gotta ruin it!" Amelie complained before nodding in agreement, "Deal." Since it was getting dark Alice made a quick run back to the camp without no one suspecting. She missed dinner because of the plan though it was worth it that they finally met, but disappointed that they left on a bad note. They need to think of a better plan. Amelie herself left her post at the tea cart and went inside finding Alfred on the sofa in a bad mood. She knew the reason so as to why. Alfred looked up finding his little girl, "We need to talk," He said back in a serious tone. The little girl listened and sat next to him waiting what was coming next. "Honey I was off the phone with Natalya and she mentioned of you putting gum in her hair. Is that true?" Amelie was hesitating to answer the question. She really didn't want to get in trouble so she gave a partially white lie to cover it up, "Well.. she hugged me so tight..it sorta popped out."
"Huh. Huh," Alfred nodded and let his daughter continue. "I don't think she likes me."
"Baby she was looking forward to meeting you for months. Do you know she loves children?"
"No," Amelie stared at Alfred's face to counter argue, "Do you?"
"Well," Alfred stared in a confused look mentally noting the girl may have been right, "You are the first kid that I saw her with, but I'm sure it's a whole bunch."
"And you love her right?" Amelie stared into Alfred's blue eyes. "Like can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, World Series kinda of stuff right?"
"Did you get that from the dictionary or something baby?" Alfred gave a chuckle back.
"And your marrying her because Aly..I mean I…I need a mother?" Amelie stared back at Alfred standing up and almost sweating bullets, "I think that's enough questions for today."
"Wait," Amelie stood up from the sofa looking up at Alfred, "I only got one more." Alfred sighed and accepted, "Dish it out baby."
"Who is that gentleman on the patio?" Amelie gave a big smirk seeing Alfred blush for the first time.
Alfred sighed after he was done with his plate. "Toris...what do you call that butterfly sensation you get in your stomach when you see someone?" Amelie was hiding nearby close to the door, hoping to hear what was going on.
"What do you mean Alfred?" Toris was cleaning up the remaining glasses from the back.
"Well...I met this person…and...well when our hands touched I felt this tingling sensation on my hand..as if it was in fire...and then when I saw that person…I don't know..I..I just wanted to keep them here...is that a bad thing?" Alfred asked getting worked up by letting his fingers dig in his hair from stress.
"Oh I understand sir. It's just love is all, nothing to get worked up about! Miss Natalya is a lucky lady," Toris took some dishes to place them back to where they were supposed to be in the cabinet.
"Love...? But it's not for Natalya," Alfred murmured not believing that he was in love.
"I know," Toris smiled, "He really reminds me of her. You don't see the resemblance?" Toris pointed out, "The way you saw him was the same with Alice."
Alfred sighed and smiled a bit...Alice...Arthur...They both had a same sort of aurora and were very pleasant. "I-I guess you're right."
Toris nodded and gave a smile back to his boss.
Alfred chuckled, "Hey do you think it'll be a good idea to visit the camp tomorrow? Nat isn't coming back until next week."
"A day there would be great for you. You haven't been there in a long time. There were a lot of changes that were made from your absence," Toris smiled back.
"Alright I'll go! I really want to see how much the kids love it and I wanna see Artie!" Alfred said with joy.
Toris noticed his boss ever so happy from meeting Arthur. He still had that hunch Arthur really reminded him of Alice. "I'll get your car set up in the morning!"
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed the story so far! I will bump the story to 'M' the next time I upload a new chapter. Just to warn you all. Lots of stuff to come! Review and Share! And thank you readers for sticking with me. See you soon!