(*Hetalia doesn't belong to me)
(*Author's POV)
"What you said was uncalled for. Most certainly not how to speak to a lady." Arthur spoke as he laid in Alfred's bed. He was rooming with Alfred as Matthew and Christopher were sharing. All while Victoria got her own room.
"I thought you was asleep." Alfred whispered as he stripped in the dim light.
"Well, I'm not. Did you think I would let you get away scot-free?" Arthur answered not moving to face Alfred. Alfred didn't say anything at first as he changed into his nightwear.
"Not really no. You're you after all" Alfred finally replied as he slipped under the covers squishing Arthur purposely.
"You are less mindful of space than Matthew you know?" Arthur spoke as he elbowed Alfred's side.
"Mhm," Alfred replied uncaring to Arthurs pushing.
"I'm still displeased with you." Arthur stated giving up on moving the heavier youth.
"Don't be."
"It's not that simple."
"Actually it is." Alfred said smirking turning his head to look at Arthur.
"You realize you're going to have to apologize."
"Why?" Alfred asked frowning a tad. Arthur turned his head looking back at him with an arched brow.
"You insulted her that's why."
"She insulted me too." Alfred reminded.
"If you apologize I'm sure she will in turn as well." Arthur spoke then looking straight up.
"But I'm not sorry. I understand I hurt her feelings but I spoke honestly. Should I have called an alligator a lizard?" Alfred reasoned. His thought process resembling Christopher's on the subject.
"I don't think you do understand. Apologizing isn't only to take back what you said but rather to mend things between people." Arthur elaborated.
"Ya know I'd like ta think I'm a kind person...I often forgive easily and move on...but...there's something...about her that I don't want to apologize. I told you before...I respect who I decide to respect."
"Perhaps instead of teaching you how to read I need teach how to speak. Manners more specifically."
"I got manners. For the most part. I know to respect those whom I see fit for respect. And she...ain't one of them." Alfred huffed out.
"She is an old friend...I'd like for you to respect her." Arthur replied.
"I ain't gonna go sticking my tongue out at her or anything. I just ain't that kiddish. I just...don't like her." Alfred clarified.
"I'd be most appreciative if you would though."
"I'm sorry if you think less of me cause of it Arthur but I'm not obligated to like someone. And perhaps only in time might she change my prospects."
"You are so stubborn." Arthur said with a sigh.
"Me? Say that to your ol' pally Vicky. She's much too proud. She has her nose so high in the air she could drown in a rainstorm." Alfred retorted.
"That was rude Alfred."
"Well tough. Forgive me for not speaking kindly of the girl that called me a bratty hillbilly." Alfred bit back turning away from Arthur.
"Alfred you're being childish."
"Don't care. My cheeks stings and I gotta start over with Rogues training to trust people again." Alfred snapped back.
"I'm not trying to be mean Alfred. I'm just saying that you could be the bigger person."
"Fine! I'll apologize. Geez...heaven forbid I ever dislike somebody." Alfred mumbled that last bit feeling a bit betrayed with Arthur seemingly taking sides with Victoria.
"Don't be mad." Arthur spoke looking at the back of Alfred's head. Alfred didn't respond.
"Alfred?...Alfred?...I know you're not asleep." Arthur spoke poking the younger of the two.
"Are you mad at me now?" Arthur asked turning towards Alfred's body. Still, Alfred didn't answer. Arthur and partially sat up resting his weight on his elbow.
He sat there for a bit as he observed Alfred's light frown and forcefully shut eyes.
The youthful handsomeness showed in the dim light. Arthur stared as the quiet once again left his mind to wander. The tinted skin, honey blond hair, and flushed cheek swirled in his vision like a flame. He didn't notice it.
This spark that was lit in the autumn and grew to a flame. It was dimmed in the winter growing cold he became unconsciously aware of it and how he missed it. And in the spring it was fanned back to life. Don't touch it. Don't even think about it, his mind screamed.
Arthur slowly laid himself down feeling dizzy for staring at the flame too long. Arthur felt the need to slap himself for letting his eyes linger. The very prospect of this feeling was a death sentence. But ever since Alfred came back he couldn't help but look, glance, and stare.
He was stiff on moving as he stared up at the ceiling. His mind raced warning, fighting, and denying. Don't be stupid it's not like that! Don't even consider it! The devil will surely drag you to the depths should this continue to grow.
Arthur forced his eyes closed and tried to sleep. Don't look. Don't you-
"I'm not mad." Alfred spoke up. Arthur's eyes snapped open.
"What?"
"I'm not mad at you...I'm just...I don't know...I'm just being pitiful really." Alfred laughed lightly.
"Don't mind...I do not blame you for being unhappy." Arthur replied forcing his gaze to keep upward. Alfred then flipped to his side facing Arthur.
"Thanks, I guess...but you realize I'm the one gonna be stuck with her while ya'll are going about your work right?"
"Ah...yes...well...all the more reason to make up."
"Heh...heh..urgh." Alfred tried to laugh but groaned at the thought instead.
"She isn't that bad." Arthur spoke still not turning his head.
"That's still to be concluded." Alfred whined.
"Don't worry you'll be fine. Just be a gentleman." Arthur suggested.
"Sure sure...Are you upset?" Alfred asked.
"No...not anymore."
"Then won't ya look at me?" Alfred asked as he stared at the side of Arthur's face.
Arthur tensed but slowly turned his face looking into Alfred's eyes.
"Pals again?" Alfred asked as he extended a hand near Arthur's face.
Arthur hesitantly shook the others hand.
"You really must've worked hard. Your hands are rougher." Alfred said as he took Arthur's hand again and played with his fingers.
"Well, whose fault is that?" Arthur snapped back but the fact he didn't retract his hand took the malice from his words.
Alfred found it funny and enjoyable bending and carefully stretching Arthur's hands.
"What are you doing?" Arthur asked hushed.
"Playing with your hands. They're like the real deal ya know. Although with as pale as you are...you still kinda like a doll." Alfred joked as he ran his thumb over Arthur's knuckles.
Arthur said nothing as he just stared at their connected hands. Alfred watched Arthur's eyes as he traced the lines on Arthur's palm.
There was something strange. Something strange inside him. A seed that was long planted in the autumn. That was held dormant in winter and now sprouted in spring. A strange something never to be named. A strange something that shouldn't be.
"I'm not that pale." Arthur randomly defended as though Alfred words had just processed in his head and allowed him to answer.
"Ya are Artie there ain't no denying it. If your eyebrows were still white I wouldn't have recognized ya." Alfred chuckled and released Arthur's hand and poked the older forehead. Arthur then smacked his hand.
"Again whose fault was that?" Arthur quietly growled back recalling the memory.
"Mine sheriff. Guilty as sin." Alfred replied putting his hands up. But was also mindful to quiet his voice.
"Have I ever told you that you're are an idiot?" Arthur spoke putting a hand to Alfred face pushing his head back some.
"Not in the last two minutes no." Alfred said smiling and repositioning his head.
"Well, I thought I'd remind you." Arthur said with a smirk.
"It's been duly noted." Alfred laughed back not looking away from Arthur.
"Good now sleep. Children need their rest." Arthur quipped.
"So do the elderly. G'night." Alfred responded quickly then covering his head under the covers.
"Alfred you tit." Arthur insulted back hitting the younger under the covers. Alfred, in turn, began making bird noises.
(*Several days Later)
"Alfred are you ready?" Victoria impatiently asked as she fixed her hat.
"Hah? Ready for what?" Alfred asked stepping out of the barn still very much in his work clothes. It was almost noon and it was only Alfred and Victoria occupying the Jones' Ranch.
"I spoke of it this morning. You were to take me shopping." Victoria said rolling her eyes.
"Oh...I thought you was jokin'." Alfred admitted as he fingered off his gloves.
"Well I wasn't and it is vital we go today." Victoria urged.
"Why? Didn't you and Mattie go shopping just the other day?" Alfred asked frowning a tad as he wiped his sweat on his shoulder.
"Yes but that was just to browse their options. Today I am to buy it." Victoria explained.
"Huh? That makes about as much sense as tits on a bull. Why didn't ya just buy it the same day?"
"Because I had to sleep on the decision of course. It's not just rumor that I put thought into choosing my gifts." She replied as a matter of fact.
"Uhuh...you gettin' Artie a gift?" Alfred asked having a hunch after spending so much time with her he was the sun to the earth of her conversations.
"How did you ever guess?" She responded sarcastically.
"Ain't gotta be bratty about it. Maybe you'd wanna get Matthew a gift or somethin'." Alfred argued back as he put away his tools still carrying on the conversation. He'd learned to multitask with her constant chattering.
"Well Matthew is kind and worthy of a gift but it'd be silly to give him a gift on Arthur's birthday don't you think?" She replied as Alfred halted in his tracks.
"Birthday?" Alfred turned and asked surprised and intrigued.
"What...didn't you know?" She questioned back with a smirk.
"Aaa don't act all smart. He doesn't know my birthday either." He protested back.
"Well, I do." She said proudly.
"Well yippee for you. What would you like an award?" Alfred argued annoyed with her already.
"No...because Arthur happiness is all that's important." She answered with a dreamy look in her eyes.
"Oh, brother you is more diluted than when I tried to make tea." Alfred mumbled.
"Pardon? If you've something to say speak up." She asked back now frowning.
"Never mind me. I've got work to do." He said waving his hand.
"Nothing doing. You are to escort me into town for shopping." She insisted pushing him away from his work.
"I can't I'm busier than a moth in a mitten right now. I don't got time to go a galavanting about town." He spoke factually as he moved to his station but she stood in his way.
"I said nothing doing. You are going to take me shopping or else."
"Or else what?" He challenged back.
"I...I'll...I-!...Oh, you just must Alfred!" She tried but ended up pleading with him.
"...Why can't you just ask Matthew again?" Alfred asked with double intentions.
"Because his birthday is the day after today and I haven't the time. Plus I wouldn't want to trouble him again." She answered. Alfred grinned inwardly having gotten Arthur's birthday from her.
"...Fine just let me freshen up." Alfred finally relented with a tired sigh.
"Please do." She agreed.
(*Later that day)
"Oh! Welcome home Arthur!" Victoria jumped up from her perched position having waited for his presence each evening as so.
"Ah good evening." He quietly replied.
"My you seem slow are you feeling okay? Here let me take your coat. Was the days work hard? Are you feeling well?" She barraged him as she took his outer layers of clothing and put them aside.
"I'm fine truly. But I must retire to my room I've much to study on." Arthur insisted as he moved away from her.
"Oh I'm sure but please sit and eat. I made dinner just for you. It's important to rest and eat. I'm sure your mother would agree."
"I will eat but I really need to look over some papers-"
"Afterwards Arthur dear. You look tired. Some food will help your energy."
"Or make him sleepy. Don't badger him so much." Christopher chimed in.
"Nonsense Mr. Jones. Age doesn't count with Arthur." She passive aggressively insulted Christopher.
"Age got nothin' ta do with it. A full belly after a long day will have ya tuckered out in yer dining room chair." Alfred added and defended.
"Yes well that wouldn't be good, now would it? I'll eat later okay?" Arthur tried to appease her.
"Very well...but don't be long or I will have to set you down to eat. Okay?" She begrudgingly agreed.
"Yes yes." He said as he moved away and headed for their room. Alfred gave her a satisfied grin as he followed Arthur.
"Where do you think you're going?" She stopped him.
"To my room." He answered.
"Arthur is going there to study you mustn't distract him." She pressed.
"Hah? I ain't gonna distract him."
"Knowing you-you will." She said up turning her nose.
"I won't." He insisted now frowning.
"He needs his space so leave him be."
"Like I said I ain't gonna bug him. I just wanna lay on my bed and rest." Alfred tired and reason.
"Hah! Should I believe you?" She snootily asked back.
"Believe whatever you like I'm going to rest." He said as he left for his room.
"Alfred!" She shouted some again stopping him.
"What?" He asked impatiently.
"I told you to leave him be. He's tired and doesn't need your snoring."
"My god lady I told ya I wasn't gonna bother him!"
"And I said-"
"Enough you two!" Christopher cut Victoria off.
"Victoria let the boy be. He won't bother Arthur. So set yourself down and take a breath." Christopher ordered.
Alfred bit back an 'in your face' laugh and gave Christopher silent thanks and left.
Alfred then entered his room to see Arthur laying on the bed unmoving.
"Ah, you ain't even working!" Alfred said exasperatedly.
"Am I not allowed to take a break?" Arthur growled out tiredly.
"No no by all means sleep." Alfred replied earnestly.
"It's just that Vicky was very insistent I shouldn't go to my room should I've disturbed you. I swear she could start an argument in an empty house." Alfred exasperated and sat on an open part of the bed.
"I know I heard." Arthur agreed not having the energy to argue what he also agreed with for the sake of kindness.
"Well, thanks for stepping in." Alfred said sarcastically.
"Your welcome."
"Tough day?"
"Yes...there were one too many patients that came in with nothing more than a slight sore throat." Arthur vented a bit.
"I see. Well, at least you didn't spend your afternoon shopping."
"Shopping?"
"Yes, and why didn't you tell me your birthday was the day after tomorrow?"
"Huh? Whats-huh?"
"Your birthday is coming up isn't it?" Alfred asked wondering if she lied to him.
"Oh...yes it is. I had forgotten." Arthur admitted.
"How does one forget their own birthday?"
"I've...been busy?"
"...Right...well I hope you don't mind me spoiling..."
"No no go ahead." Arthur allowed having already an inkling what he was going to say.
"Well...Your best pal Victoria insisted that we go shopping. I had thought she'd already made her mind what she wanted so I relented to her wishes. But little did I know that we'd be there for four hours."
"Ahhh...that does seem..."
"Awful." Alfred finished for him.
"Yes, awful." Arthur agreed.
"And it was for little ol' Artie." Alfred informed with a stressed smile.
"Huh?"
"A birthday gift." Alfred explained simply.
"Huh?!"
"Yep."
"...Strange...once pagan but seems to be evolving in a better light nowadays."
"I wouldn't know. We don't really acknowledge it other than eating a big dinner and being nice to the person really." Alfred agreed and shared his experience with it.
"Indeed...well I apologize having been the cause of it then."
"Wow, you must be tired. You're apologizing." Alfred said with a chuckle.
"Yes so best to enjoy it whilst you can." Arthur said shifting his shoulders a bit.
"Aw but you're so fun to annoy."
"Don't press me Jones. I'm not so tired that I won't hurt you." Arthur threatened unthreateningly.
"Oh, the irony."
(*Arthur's Birthday)
It was the morning of Arthur's twenty-first birthday. And unfortunately, it was a noisier morning than usual.
"What were you thinking? I was supposed to make him breakfast!" Victoria shouted at none other than Alfred.
"Well, I got up early and made food for myself and figured I'd make everyone something ta eat." Alfred explained for the fifth time as he was already serving plates of eggs and beans with a cheeky mint leaf for pizzazz.
"Well, that was stupid! You know it's Arthur's birthday and you serve him this mush of yellow and brown?!" She argued as her anger fumed.
"Well it may be amateur but it's still better than what you've been making." Alfred insulted back.
"Excuse me?!"
"You are excused now get out of the kitchen I'm trying to serve here. And your hollering about ain't helping." Alfred impatiently quipped back.
"No see here-"
"My god why are you two fighting so early in the morning?!" Christopher raised his voice as he trudged into the kitchen.
"Because your son decided to cook breakfast!" She shouted towards Christopher.
"He ain't my da-"
"What's wrong with him making our food?" Christopher quickly interrupted Alfred.
"Because I was supposed to!"
"Well, it's not something to get all ruffled about. The boy gave you a break be grateful. I know I am." Christopher sneakily insulted.
"Hahaha." Alfred laughed as he placed a plate in front of Christopher.
"Oh, you terrible boy! You are cruelly set on being a thorn in my side aren't you?!" She huffed nearing him.
"I ain't no thorn. I'm just going about life as usual." Alfred said shrugging.
"Oh, so you usually cook for yourself?" She asked hotly.
"Uh...Christopher typically cooks breakfast. I cook lunch usually for myself considering they're elsewhere. And dinners a toss up." Alfred explained what it was like before she insisted on staying and cooking for that matter.
"See! You aren't the one to cook breakfast! So if suddenly now then I can only assume it's to irritate me!" She pointed her finger at him.
"Don't go on gettin' a burr in your saddle. It's just breakfast." Alfred tried to calm her.
"No, it's not! I need to show myself worthy alright?! I can't be an eligible wife if some upstart horse breeding cook decides to out do me!" She shouted as tears began welling in her eyes.
"Now now there's nothing to cry about. Settle down." Christopher tried to stop the damage.
"Oh, you men know nothing! Oh, how I wish Alice was still here." She whined as she wiped her eyes.
"I told ya a houseful of men was nothing but asking for a headache." Alfred reminded.
"Oh shut up! You insolent brat! You know nothing!" She snapped at him as tears fell.
"I said settle down." Christopher spoke sternly again as he picked up yesterday's paper.
"No! You lot are so insensitive. It is no wonder you both are unmarried. You should be ashamed!" She growled back as she took a serviette to wipe her face and striking an unpleasant cord with Christopher.
"Listen well girl. You best watch your mouth. You've only a few days left here. You wouldn't want to cut that in half all cause of your snake like tongue." Christopher warned.
"Is this a bad time?" Matthew spoke up as he peeked his head in the room.
"Not at all Matthew. Perfect timing really. Here I made breakfast." Alfred said as he placed the plate on an empty spot on the table for him.
Matthew looked at everyone observing the situation but set himself down for breakfast.
No one said anything as they stiffly kept to themselves. Victoria still looked ready to burst into tears again. Alfred was playing with an extra mint leaf as he blocked a certain already served dish behind him.
Christopher and Matthew ate in silence aware of the thick air.
"Good morning." Arthur spoke up as he entered the dining area.
"Oh, Arthur!" Victoria suddenly spoke up flinging herself into Arthur's chest.
"Ah! Wh-what's the matter?" He asked raising his hands.
"Oh, these two are so cruel. It's your birthday and they ruined breakfast for you!" She explained shaking her head.
Arthur looked at Alfred for an explanation. Alfred, in turn, rolled his eyes and lightly shook his head. Arthur seemed to get the message.
"I'm not sure what you mean but I'm sure everything will be okay." Arthur tried unsurely and slowly pushed her away from him.
"I couldn't agree more. No need to be sad. Here ya go a breakfast just for you!" Alfred said serving Arthur plate across from Matthew.
"Ah thank you." Arthur answered escaping Victoria's grasp and sat himself down.
"Would you like some Victoria?" Alfred offered as he yet was to serve himself.
"No." She as answered as she sneered at him.
"Suit yourself." Alfred said with an another shrug then serving himself and sat down.
"Victoria I think it best you eat." Arthur added as he finished chewing his first bite.
"I kindly refuse." She huffed.
"Mother would think it rude if you didn't." Arthur reminded. Victoria said nothing as she thought on it but refused to budge.
That's when a knock was heard on the door. Christopher sighed as he stood up and went to answer the door. His footsteps were heavy as he made his way to the entrance. He swung open the door revealing a coated man with wavy pale blond hair and a scruffy short beard.
Christopher frowned but the stranger suddenly took the chance to speak.
"Bonjour-"
A/N And so the plot thickens! I didn't think I'd finish this but I did it! I tried to spice things up but I'm not sure if I did it well. Still its all thanks to you guys truly! Thanks for Reading!