Gilbert sighed and stretched from his spot in the clearing he had picked out. He was about ready to start a fire, since it was getting cold in the night. But he figured he should find Alfred and Arthur first. Knowing those two, they were either at each other's throats or about ready to kiss by now.

He ran a hand through his hair and stood up, but the sound of people talking caught his attention. It wasn't coming from the direction Alfred and Arthur went, though. Gilbert shifted his hand to his sword and watched the direction the noise was coming from, getting himself ready to attack, if necessary. Then he heard a familiar voice.

"I find it très adorable how the forest can blush," that was Francis' voice. Gilbert let go of his sword and amusedly crossed his arms in front of his chest, waiting for them to enter the clearing.

"It seems to like you, too," the voice of that kid, who's name Gilbert couldn't remember, giggled.

"I see a clearing up ahead. We should sleep there, si?" Antonio's voice asked. They were getting closer.

"But that would be sleeping on the ground, mon ami," Francis pointed out. "I am a king, I do not sleep on the ground." Gilbert rolled his eyes at that statement. That was the one thing Arthur didn't complain about.

"You want to go back into town today?" Antonio asked.

"Non," the kid piped up quickly.

"Mathieu…" Francis groaned. "I do not want to sleep on the ground…"

"I have no problem with it," Antonio laughed. "I think you just may have to deal with it, si?" And then all three of them finally stepped into the clearing. They all stopped when they saw Gilbert.

"You aren't very quiet, you know that?" Gilbert laughed.

"Ah, Gilbert!" Francis smiled excitedly. "Good to see you, mon ami."

"Ja," Gilbert nodded. Now that he knew those two were kings, he had a difficult time thinking of them as anything else. "What are you two doing in the forest?"

"We could ask the same of you," Antonio pointed out.

"Well, I'm awesome, I can do whatever I want," Gilbert shrugged. "Plus, I'm travelling alone, so sleeping in a forest feels a little more cozy."

"Well, we are trying to make sure our kid doesn't get scarred by the taxes," Antonio laughed

"Remind me your name again, birdie?" Gilbert turned his look towards the kid. He looked so much like Alfred, it was no wonder they were twins.

"M-Mathew," he muttered quietly.

"Ja, that's it," Gilbert nodded, laughing. "So, I can't help but wondering what people like you are doing in Larkin. Not the kind of place you see well-dressed people like you walking around."

"We are here on important business," Francis said simply.

"Oh, what kind?" Gilbert tried to sound interested, like he didn't already know.

"Can you keep a secret?" Francis quirked an eyebrow.

"That all depends on how I'm feeling at the time," Gilbert stretched.

"Francis," Antonio looked over to Francis. "You trust him?"

"Oui," Francis nodded and turned his attention to Gilbert again. "If you want to know, I am looking for mon fiancé."

"He's not your fiancé yet," Antonio pointed out.

"He will be when I find him," Francis glared at him.

"Marryin' a man, eh?" Gilbert laughed.

"Not much of a laughing matter," Francis responded dryly, but he still smiled. "You see, I happen to be a king and I am to wed another king, who has happened to go missing."

"You. A king?" Gilbert laughed harder. It wasn't that hard to act this part out. Francis definitely didn't look like a king.

"Si, me too," Antonio smiled. "It's strange how no one in this territory knows what royalty looks like."

"Forgive me for not being educated," Gilbert shrugged. "And I had no idea a king had gone missing."

"Kidnapped, actually," Francis corrected. Gilbert noticed that Mathew was quiet. Gilbert laughed. He knew something.

"Who would kidnap a king?" Gilbert chimed "Sounds like they would have to be an idiot." That part was actually true.

"Well, if you see a garçon with massive eyebrows, feel free to tell me," Francis smirked.

"Right, then," Gilbert nodded and turned around. "Best be on my way, then."

"You could stay with us if you want," Antonio offered.

"Nein, I prefer to be on my own," Gilbert chuckled and started walking. "I'll tell ya if I see him, though."

"Au revoir," Francis called.

"Adios," Antonio said.

"Goodbye," Mathew whispered. Gilbert gave them a wave as he started off towards the bush he knew Alfred led Arthur to.

At least now he knew where they would be so he could move Arthur and Alfred away without them knowing too much. He could hear the two of them talking as he started walking up to the bush.

"Well, I can't say I like you," Arthur's voice said smugly. Gilbert rolled his eyes and started silently moving the bush out of the way.

"But you don't hate me?" Alfred asked. Gilbert stepped into the clearing just in time to see the two staring dreamily into each other's eyes. Gilbert inwardly groaned.

"C-can't say I do," Arthur shakily smiled. For a second, Arthur looked down and Alfred looked pretty disappointed. But he moved Arthur's hair out of his face anyway. Arthur looked back up at him, but his face turned a beet red . "A…Alfred…"

The two leaned towards each other, both slowly closing their eyes, and Gilbert had to work hard to stop himself from gagging.

He loudly cleared his throat and started walking towards the two. Arthur quickly turned away from Alfred, shaking. He tried to step away, but the shackles prevented that. Alfred looked terribly disappointed, looking like he was about to reach a hand out to touch Arthur, but then gave up.

"Time to go," Gilbert stated. "We got visitors and I'm pretty sure if they saw Arthur, it wouldn't be fun."

"F-Francis and Antonio?" Alfred managed out.

"Ja," Gilbert nodded. "So let's get moving."

"Right," Arthur said quickly, looking down at the ground. But he started moving, making Alfred move with him. Gilbert stayed behind for a fraction of a second before he followed them out.

"So, how long were we in there?" Alfred asked curiously, trying to make sure his voice didn't break. To be honest, he was kind of hurt Arthur turned away. He didn't know why, though.

"An hour, give or take," Gilbert shrugged.

"Th-that long?" Arthur asked quietly.

"Time moves slower in there," Alfred explained. "It's a part of the magic of the forest."

"Right," Arthur sighed behind Alfred. They had assumed their usual line as Alfred tried to find another clearing for them to sleep in.

"You know, I had a nice conversation with Francis and Antonio before I left," Gilbert informed, but Alfred didn't respond. He continued anyway. "Apparently, Francis seems to think you saving him will make you love him."

Alfred felt his eye twitch.

"Fat chance," Arthur muttered and Alfred relaxed. He didn't know why, but he was almost jealous of Francis. "I am saving myself in this situation."

"Whatever you say, princess," Alfred said half-heartedly.

"Don't call me that," Arthur replied half-heartedly.

"I love your enthusiasm," Gilbert chuckled.

"Stopping here," Alfred said as they entered a clearing.

"Fine," Arthur said and sat down. Alfred followed and Arthur laid down, his back to Alfred. Alfred felt a frown trace his face as he laid down, too, staring at the sky.

"I'll keep watch again," Gilbert muttered and walked off.

"Like you would need to," Alfred muttered. He wasn't going to fall asleep anytime soon.

Fire.

Smoke.

Screams.

Pain.

So much pain.

Arthur felt like screaming, but he couldn't pull it out of his dying throat. All he could see was the smoke around him. All he could hear was the screaming of his family. All he could feel was the shot in his shoulder. He closed his eyes quickly. He felt a rough kick in his stomach from one of the people who walked by.

"He's dead," he snorted and Arthur felt something hit the back of his head hard. But he couldn't open his eyes. Maybe he was dead, he felt ready to die.

"Put him with the others," a voice laughed. Arthur felt himself get jerked off the floor, his shoulder screaming in pain. But he still couldn't move or do anything. He should be dead. He could hear his mother screaming.

He was thrown harshly onto something soft, that moved with him. Arthur was finally able to open his eyes, but he was met with the glassy-eyed stare of his brother. His usually fire-red hair was tattered with dirt and dulled. Arthur could feel himself shaking. He glanced down, below him, and saw the limp body of his other brother. His eyes were left open, too.

There was a loud gunshot and his mother finally stopped screaming. Soon, Arthur felt something heavy land on top of him and his vision was filled with his mother's, long red hair. He took in a sharp breath and he could smell the ashes and blood on the hair.

He finally let out a scream, but no one could hear it.

He screamed until he passed out. Limp amongst his dead family. Surely he was dead. He wouldn't be able to live with this torture his whole life.

Arthur gasped for breath as his eyes snapped open. Water swam in his vision as he tried to regain his breath. He had forgotten about that nightmare in his time here. That was the reason he was afraid to sleep every night. He must have forgotten it with the dream last night.

Arthur could feel himself shaking horribly. He was surprised he hadn't woken up screaming like every time he had the dream before. He needed something...someone…to hold onto. Without thinking, Arthur quickly turned around and gripped onto Alfred's shirt for dear life, curling himself into him.

He felt better there. Safer. He never wanted to let go.

He could feel himself sobbing against Alfred's chest, but he couldn't stop. He was terrified to fall asleep, yet he found himself drifting into dreams again. Safe in Alfred's arms, though, something in him told him that the nightmare wouldn't come back. As long as he was there. Forever.

What Arthur didn't know, however, was that Alfred was awake. And smiling down at him. He held a protective arm around Arthur's quivering form.

And he whispered, "It's going to be alright," until Arthur fell asleep again.

This time with a smile on his face.

So, we didn't get a kiss, but we got more USUK in the middle of the night! Don't kill me, or Gil, for not having that kiss. Too soon, dudes. I know exactly when that kiss is gonna be. And you won't have to wait too terribly long. And we also got a sneak peak at that traumatizing thing that happened to Arthur. But, as long as he's in Alfred's arms, he'll only have good dreams. How adorable.

Thanks so much to everyone who's reviewed so far! It truely means a lot. So...please leave a review. Because that's the awesome thing to do. The more reviews I get, the faster I write, and the faster I write, the quicker you get that kiss.

I don't own Hetalia.