Hey~ Yup, I'm lazy~ Too lazy to edit. 2cute4lyfe and I took a break from roleplaying, but we're back in the game and we have good news for you all!
First, the two of us have created a joint account on Spotify called epically2cute4frenchfry and on it we have created playlists for each character of significance. They include songs sang during the club chapters and songs we thought fit them. Check it out!
Second, we have begun a prequel. It follows the cast of Agent X during their college years, briefly talked about in earlier chapters. For this, 2cute4lyfe has taken over the roles of Francis, Antonio, and the Italian bros as well as a rather special character. A poll will be placed on my account regarding when we'll begin posting this prequel. As much as we'd rather not wait to start uploading until Agent X is finished (since that will be a long time from now), that will be an option. The other option will be uploading it after the next few chapters of Agent X are published and the two will be written at the same time. It's completely up to you guys, so go ahead and make your vote~!
Sorry for the long author's note. 2cute4lyfe and I do not own Hetalia. Enjoy!
They filed in, looking around. The bar was a large part of the main room, and the other half was a mass of tables, a large dancefloor, and a small stage with karaoke equipment. The walls were painted dark and the floor was dark hardwood. The dancefloor was smooth white tile and pulsing lights lit up the room in an odd glow. Arthur's bright green eyes looked almost neon and Gilbert's eyes looked unearthly.
Feliciano was already at the bar, spinning side to side on his stool and sipping a red drink as Ludwig, sipping his beer, berated him about talking to strangers.
Madeline went up to the VIP lounge and got some wine at the private bar. Arthur stepped into the lounge after her and looked around. There was a smaller bar than the main one, but the lounge area was decorated with dark red furniture and mahogany side tables and a coffee table. The lounge had an excellent view of the goings-on of the main room and of the stage. "Nice." He complimented.
Gilbert nodded in agreement. Francis wasted no time in plopping his ass in a cushy loveseat and patting the cushion next to him. "Come sit, Arthur." He said invitingly.
"No thanks." Arthur said disinterestedly and looked towards the bar, examining the display of alcohol on the shelving.
Alfred was ordering a beer and he looked around as he waited. "Hm, not too busy tonight." He remarked and went over to the balcony that overlooked the dance floor. Maddy sipped her wine and hummed to the upbeat dance music and swayed a little, wanting to dance a bit.
"Let's go dance!" Francis said, sitting up and approaching Arthur. The blond shrugged and accompanied him to the dance floor. Antonio dragged Lovino out to the floor and the two started to dance as well, the latter a bit reluctantly. Alfred stayed for a moment, examining the dancers with intense concentration. He thought he just saw... but no, it couldn't be… He ignored his thoughts and took another swig of beer.
"You wanna dance?" Gilbert tapped on Maddy's shoulder, cocking an eyebrow.
Madeline nodded, setting her wine down with a smile. "Yes please." She replied and followed him to the dance floor.
"Heh, you shouldn't be drinking. You're only 19." Gilbert teased.
Maddy smirked. "Oh yeah? And who's going to stop me?" She asked playfully as she sipped her wine again and put it down so she could dance.
At that moment, a man came on stage and announced the start of Karaoke Night. Anyone who wanted to sing could go up to the stage, enter a song into the computer, and sing. Arthur looked over at the machine contemplatively.
Alfred offered to sing and the DJ, who was a close friend of his, called him onto the stage and he picked out a softer song. Francis grinned, taking the opportunity to dance a little closer with Arthur.
Alfred's voice was smooth and tender, flowing effortlessly over the crowd. He soon got to the chorus; his eyes closed and he sang with heartfelt emotion.
"I'll be your crying shoulder,
I'll be love's suicide
I'll be better when I'm older,
I'll be the greatest fan of your life."
Francis pulled Arthur into a slow dance, but the Brit could only watch Alfred curiously as he sang. He sang as though he was living the lyrics, and Arthur recalled Madeline's earlier words. He liked someone... Arthur wondered vaguely who it was.
Alfred continued to sing, making the song almost come alive. It soon ended and the people cheered for him. He bowed a little playfully then handed the mic back to the DJ, who asked for another volunteer.
Arthur volunteered, and after climbing onto the stage, he picked a song with a slight smile and started to sing, eyes closed and pulling the lyrics from memory.
"I try to face the fight within
But it's over
I'm ready for the riot to begin
And surrender
I walked the path that led me to the end
Remember
I'm caught beneath with nothing left to give
Forever
When angels fall with broken wings
I can't give up, I can't give in
When all is lost and daylight ends
I'll carry you and we will live forever, forever."
Alfred smiled and sipped his beer, enjoying the sound of Arthur's powerful voice. He hummed softly to the song because it was one of his favorites then when Arthur finished, he applauded with the rest of the crowd, fans screaming. Arthur looked up and grinned, catching Alfred's eye and motioning for him to join him.
Alfred raised an eyebrow and walked forward and looked up. "Did you want me to get Francis or something?" He asked, confused.
"No, I want to do a duet." Arthur said playfully. "C'mon, I have the perfect song in mind."
Alfred blushed and got up on stage and grabbed the other mic and bit his lip curiously. "So what song did you have in mind?" He asked.
"Lion?" Arthur suggested. "Hollywood Undead?"
Alfred grinned and nodded. "Okay cool, I love them."
"Alright!" Arthur selected the song and started off with the singing parts.
"I am a lion and I want to be free
Do you see a lion when you look inside of me?
Outside the window just to watch you as you sleep
Cause I am a lion born from things you cannot be
How can I sleep at night, there's a war inside my head?
I found a lion hidden right beneath my bed
I will not hide myself from the tears that you have shed
Cause I am a lion and you are dead."
Alfred got ready to rap the part of Johnny Three Tears.
"Here's a story of everything we'll ever be
You can hide but some of us can never leave
And if you go I don't need those little things
They remind me of all our little dreams
Can you hear the words, all I can say?
We can watch the world even if they walk away
Forget about tomorrow, tomorrow is today
You were born a lion and a lion you will stay!"
And Arthur took over with singing the chorus,
"I am a lion and I want to be free
Do you see a lion when you look inside of me?
Outside the window just to watch you as you sleep
Cause I am a lion born from things you cannot be."
Alfred listened raptly to Arthur's lovely voice then continued with the rapping,
"Remember an army, of all those little kids
Living life like they only get a little bit
It's hard to fight when you're born in the middle and
I'd rather die, won't watch you giving in
I'm sorry daughter but your father's not the same
I can look into your eyes and I'll swear that I will change
But tomorrow is tomorrow so forgive me if I stay
You can hide beneath the covers while I hide behind the pain
After all, only so much we can say
Words can lose their meaning, once you walk away
Promise that you'll love me, watch me as I fade
I'll give you all those things that these liars never gave
The hands on the clock, and the things we cannot change
Tear it all to pieces, and take back what I made
If there's one thing I'd keep, it's you that I would save
Cause I am just a lion and a lion I will stay."
Arthur sang the chorus again and the song went back to Alfred.
"Hey!
I never meant to let go
All I want and you're all I ever wanna know
Can't hide in the attic of a pretty home, of a pretty home, of a pretty home
Hey!
I never meant to let go
All I want and you're all I ever wanna know
Can't hide in the attic of a pretty home, of a pretty home, of a pretty home
Hey!"
"I am a lion and I want to be free
Do you see a lion when you look inside of me?
Outside the window just to watch you as you sleep
Cause I am a lion born from things you cannot be." Arthur finished up the song and the final notes played as the club burst into applause, both fans of Arthur and casual club-goers who enjoyed their show.
Gilbert jumped on stage and tossed an arm around Arthur's shoulders. "It's our turn now, right Brows?"
"Yes, Gil. Choose a song." Arthur sighed. Gilbert grinned and did as he was told.
While the people applauded, Alfred jumped off stage and went back to the VIP area with Maddy and he watched Arthur and Gil on stage as he sipped his beer.
The intro music played, the song opening with the chorus. Gilbert and Arthur sang together,
"I look to the sky but there's nobody watching,
Left here behind I'm alone and forgotten,
So now, the world belongs to me,
The world belongs to me."
Gilbert continued solo,
"So many roads that I've taken
When nobody thought I could make it
And even though I had to go it alone
I still survived."
Arthur took over with a soulful tone, singing from the heart.
"When you live in darkness, there's always confusion,
Sometimes your mind will provide the illusion
And your whole life can change in the blink of an eye, yeah."
Their voices mingled again for the chorus, and then Gilbert fell back as Arthur started off the next verse.
"I opened a box full of secrets,
Where the strongest of locks couldn't keep them
And even though I was the last to know,
They were living inside."
"When you see through the darkness and find the solution,
How quickly your eyes will remove the illusion
And your life is gonna change in the blink of an eye, yeah." sang Gilbert.
The two of them finished off the song together, singing through another chorus, the bridge, and final chorus. When the last notes played, they both bowed with an exaggerated flourish and Arthur hopped off the stage and slipped away to the VIP lounge and sat at the bar, allowing Gilbert to take center stage.
The songs from this chapter, in order, are:
I'll Be (Edwin McCain)
Angels Fall (Breaking Benjamin)
Lion (Hollywood Undead)
The World Belongs to Me (My Darkest Days)
We do not own any of them! :)