Standing in the shower the next morning, Arthur kept telling himself that he really, really, really needed to stop drinking.

"Ugh, I am making such a fool out of myself." He turned his head to face the shower head and allowed the cold water to splash down all over his face. He hoped it would wake him up, but his eyes still felt heavy and ready for another few hours of sleep. The alcohol hadn't left his body yet, and the more Arthur remembered of the evening and the drinks he had shoved down his throat, the less sober he felt. Especially when thinking of Alfred. Arthur almost slipped in the shower cubicle as the memory hit him, and he felt his cheeks heat up. "Fuck, I tried to get into his pants, didn't I?" Arthur grimaced. Alfred had told him he was an old man. Now he felt like an old, perverted man. How stupid.

Arthur got out of the bath to get dressed. As he was standing in front of his closet, he vaguely hesitated picking out a suit. He'd always found that his collection of suits and tuxedoes were rather nice, but compared to what Francis and his family could afford, he would probably look like a bum no matter what he choose. He ran his fingers through his short locks and huffed.

"No matter what I am going to look foolish," he loudly told himself and flipped through the shirts until he reached a black, neat tuxedo. "They're all wealthy, and you're just working for them. A simple employee. No one will think highly of you no matter what you put on." No one but Alfred. Arthur smacked himself for even thinking about that youngster now again. He then took out the tuxedo and tried it on. It had originally been bought for the wedding with his former wife, but his mother-in-law had decided that it wasn't pretty enough and had bought him some brown, chequered suit. A pretty one, but not something he would've chosen himself. He could, however, not deliver the tuxedo back, and so he'd been stuck with it for years without even using it once.

Arthur turned around in front of the mirror and nodded slowly, accepting the man that was staring back at him. It was fine. No one would be able to tell that it hadn't been purchased for the occasion. He fixed the butterfly and smiled a little. Maybe it wasn't going to be all that bad a day. After all, he was just showing up to eat cake and drink coffee and to congratulate Francis on surviving yet a year. It would be over in a few hours, and he could probably get a ride from Alfred back.

Reminded him, how was he going to get to Francis' home in the first place? He grabbed his cell phone and called Alfred.

"Fuck, Arthur! Good you called - I am running late." Arthur blinked at the words that Alfred had spoken.

"And hello to you as well."

"S'ry, it's just.. Ya know how it is when your bike suddenly crashes." Quite frankly, Arthur did not know how that was. But he just nodded and smiled a little, fixing a lock of hair.

"It's your father, I think he can accept you showing up a bit late. I was just wondering how I should get there? After all, you have the present I'm supposed to give to him.."

"Yeah, about that - Matthew's going to pick you up in his car. He'll be coming by with his girl, is that okay?"

"Sure, that would be great."

"He'll have the present." There was some loud sounds in the background. Profanities were yelled. Then Alfred's voice returned. "Are you feeling better today?"

"Yeah, at least I am somewhat sober. Thanks for being so nice."

"Don't ya sweat it."

"Really, Alfred, I do appreciate it." Arthur settled down on a chair in his kitchen. He watched the sky out of the window. It seemed like it was going to rain. Alfred choked embarrassed.

"Yeah, well… Ya… No problem." They both chuckled. Arthur stretched his legs and flinched as his knees cracked.

"If you get your bike running, will you be coming on that?"

"Maybe. Why?""I was just hoping on a ride back home." Alfred whistled, and the way he chose his tones made Arthur roll his eyes. He could just imagine Alfred squatting in front of his bike while smiling like an idiot.

"Oh, you want yet a ride from me?"

"I can pay for the gas, if that's what you're concerned about," Arthur said, purely ironically as he knew money for gas wasn't really one of Alfred's biggest problems in this world. He doubted it had ever and would ever be a problem to him. Alfred laughed.

"I am more concerned about you going for my groin again. I am not sure I'll be able to resist."

"Oh, shut it, I never went for your groin."

"But you wanted to!"

"I am most certainly not going to admit that." Arthur got up and put the water on for tea.

"You're not?"

"Nope."

"Hmm.." Alfred were messing around with some tools. Arthur could hear the metallic sounds from a motor being hit.

"Are you fixing the bike yourself?"

"Yeah, I'm fucking good at it."

"Don't swear."

"S'ry." He paused. "But I am fucking good at it." Arthur laughed helplessly.

"Sure. Then come and fix my washing machine, it's been running unsteadily for some weeks now."

"Sure, no problem." He'd been joking, but Alfred's voice weren't kidding. Arthur raised a brow and got a cup.

"Oh, and what will be the cost for that?"

"One hand job for the washing machine. Two for additional machines."

"In your dreams."

"You bet I am dreaming about such." Arthur poured the boiling water up into the cup and went searching for his tea bags. Alfred turned quiet meanwhile, and he almost thought the line had disconnected, then a weak voice whispered, "sorry." Arthur blinked and dumped a bag with strawberry-taste into his cup.

"Sorry? For what?"

"Like, yelling at you earlier and all that. I know ya're saying it's a new beginning, but.. Ya, I just want to make sure ya know I feel bad." Arthur sighed and shook his head lightly. He wasn't sure he could take that kind of emotional apologizes.

"Really, Alfred, it's fine. I know you didn't mean to hurt me."

"Good."

"Yeah." Arthur tip-toped as he heard some noises outside his window. He looked a the street below. People had started gathering, some were pointing, some laughing. He followed the direction they were looking and ended up gazing at a long, white limousine. "…Alfred, does Matthew own a limo?"

"Yeah?" Arthur face palmed.

"I'll see you at the party, it seems like he's shown up."

"Oh, okay. Bye." He put down the phone and pushed his cup of tea aside so that he could see it all better. Matthew got out of the car, however not from the driver's seat. He had probably hired a guy to drive for them. Then the other door opened. Now it was getting interesting. A pair of legs were swung out, soon followed by the rest of a girl. Arthur raised his brows in surprise.

She was pretty, no doubt. She had short, blonde hair and was wearing a sexy, black pantsuit. Her jewelleries were shining though there was hardly any sun to make them glistening. Arthur sloped his head to the side as she and Matthew disappeared into the building. So he was going to drive a limousine.. Well, it was certainly going to be an experience.

Arthur couldn't help but stare. He shouldn't, really, and he wanted to be a gentleman, but those breasts… Gay or not… They really were something.

Matthew had went to the bathroom. Arthur was sitting in his living room with Katyusha. She was busy staring at the unicorns he had hanging from the ceiling while fiddling with a cup of coffee. Arthur was busy trying to stop looking at her breasts. It was so obvious what he was doing that she finally put down the cup and smiled kindly at him.

"They're not fake." Arthur blushed furiously and looked away.

"I-I wasn't looking."

"Of course not." She peeled a pillow up into her lap. It held a embroidery of a pink unicorn. "This is cute."

"I made it."

"Really?" She looked at Arthur with surprised eyes. Arthur nodded shyly.

"It's not that big of a deal. It's quite easy to do embroideries."

"It is?" She turned the pillow around between her hands and then sighed longingly. "I always wanted to learn such things when I was a child. My mom wouldn't let me. She said I had people to do such for me. I just wanted to learn to do it myself." Arthur smiled caringly and lifted his cup of tea.

"If you come by some time, I can show you how to do some simple patterns."

"I would love to!"

"Then it's a deal." They smiled at each other like long-lost friends who'd finally gotten together. Katyusha put the pillow away again and rested her hands in her lap.

"So… you're with Alfred?" Arthur felt his cheeks heat up again.

"Yeah, we're.. dating," he agreed. She sloped her head to the side.

"Mhmm? And you can stand him?" Arthur blinked and laughed a little.

"Wow, never gotten asked that question. Normally people just say it's good that he's found someone." She chuckled and fixed a lock of hair.

"I can imagine that. But I really think it's been his own fault that he hasn't earlier. He should've tried looking. I am more concerned for whoever ends up with him."

"He's a fine lad, don't worry."

"I know he's a good boy, but he'll be a hell to control." Arthur ran his fingers through his hair and sighed with a smile resting on his lips. It was as if he just couldn't stop smiling when speaking about Alfred.

"I am not planning on controlling him. He's a grown man, he has to start controlling himself. I just think he needs someone who trusts that he can do that. Someone who doesn't just tell him that they don't believe in him."

"And you're that someone?"

"I hope."

"What're you up to?" Matthew came back into the room. He zipped up and slumped down to sit next to Katyusha in the sofa. She turned and pecked his cheek.

"I am giving Arthur advice on how to handle your brother." Matthew snickered.

"Oh, they're not together anymore."

"They're not?" She looked at Arthur. Arthur fiddled with his butterfly. Matthew raised a brow.

"You are?"

"Well.." Arthur smiled sweetly. Matthew clapped his hands together.

"Fuck, you are! You are dating my brother again!"

"I thought he had told you, since you were coming here," Arthur mumbled, a bit taken aback. Matthew shook his head.

"I mean, he did seem all happy and joyful, but he hadn't told me. Fuck… That's brilliant!" Arthur scratched the back of his neck. Katyusha elbowed Matthew.

"You're making him embarrassed."

"Then my job is done."

"Should we go for the party?" Arthur got up. Katyusha followed him.

"Good idea, I'd rather that than sit here with Matt' and listen to his stupidities." Matthew stuck his tongue out at her and rose to his feet.

"Evil woman."

"So it can be used all year?"

"All year." Arthur turned the envelope and scratched a nail down across Francis' name.

"And it's tickets for two to go to France?"

"Yeah. But why do you care for all the details?" Arthur looked at Matthew and raised his brows.

"Because it's a gift. I need to know about the gift I am giving."

"It's not like he's going to look at it anyway."

The limousine was rolling slowly down the road towards Francis' home. The apartments had turned into houses that had turned into mansions. Arthur took in a deep breath and stretched his legs. There was plenty of room for doing that. Across of him Matthew was seated with Katyusha. They were holding hands, but not looking at each other. When Matthew looked at her, it was mostly at her boobs. Arthur couldn't help but wonder if that was a behaviour encouraged by Francis.

The seats were royal blue, extremely comfortable and soft. Arthur was being swallowed by the pillow in his back. He tried freeing himself from it while Matthew lighted a cigarette.

"Has Alfred always been working with machines?" Arthur snuck his jacket closer around him while sitting on the edge of the seat. Matthew shrugged and exhaled.

"I guess. He used to fix our toys when we were kids. He said he tuned them. At least I've never seen a more crazy play station than the one we had." Arthur chuckled.

"Sounds like him." The limousine stopped. Katyusha got out first, then Matthew, then Arthur. They were standing in front of Francis mansion. The doors were already opened, and Francis came running out from nowhere.

"Lovely family, you arrived!" Matthew flustered forced his cigarette into the hands of Katyusha and turned to face his father, his eyes doubling in size and his cheeks turning pink in a second and his lips stretching into a big, white smile.

"Daddy!" Francis arms pulled Matthew into a big, warm hug. Matthew giggled like a little kid and snuck their cheeks together. "I've missed you so, papa."

"I've missed you too, my little love." Francis pinched his cheeks and pursed his lips and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "My little, innocent Matt'." Arthur gawked. Daddy, papa, and all that said with a sweet sing-song voice? That wasn't the Matthew he knew! He turned to look at Katyusha with questioning eyes. She just shrugged and waved at him with the cigarette. Francis let go of Matthew and looked at her with arrogant eyes. "Oh, I see you've found yourself a smoker, Matthew.." His voice was frosty. Katyusha smiled a cheeky smile and sloped her head to the side.

"Nice meeting you too, Mr. Bonnefoy."

"Keep telling yourself that." She reached forward to shake his hand, but Francis walked past her and over to Arthur. Arthur took a step back, unsure of how Francis would greet him after the conversation they had yesterday. After all, if he was considering Katyusha to be air just because she was a girl with a cigarette in her hand, how wouldn't he treat the man who had just turned him down?

But he had nothing to worry about. Francis places a hand on each of his shoulders, leaned in and pressed three kisses to his cheeks. "I am so glad you decided to come along, Arthur." Arthur blinked and felt his cheeks get a little warmer. He fiddled with the envelope between his hands.

"T-thanks for inviting me, sir."

"No-no." Francis shook his head and patted his hair. "No-no, this is not at work. Francis. You call me Francis." He glared over his shoulder at Katyusha. "You call me Mr. Bonnefoy still, get it?" She shrugged and sighed. Matthew was just standing next to her like a doll, his eyes still big and glistening and his lips never failing to stretch into a smile whenever Francis looked at him.

"Sorry. Uhm, congratulations on your birthday." Arthur tried smiling his best smile as he handed Francis the envelope. He took it and looked shortly at it before putting it down into the pocket of his trousers.

"Thank you, Arthur. Now," he slipped one arm around Arthur's shoulders, pulled him over to Matthew who he offered his other arm, "let's get inside and get you a drink, hah?" He smiled at them. Matthew giggled. Arthur threw Katyusha a worried look. She put out the cigarette and just followed behind.

Maybe it wasn't going to be such a relaxing day as he had first thought.

Half an hour later Arthur found himself standing in the corner of a dining room, a glass of champagne in his hands and a worried smile stuck on his face. He felt so out of place.

All the women was wearing dresses made by some snobbish designers. Only a lesbian couple had decided to go with pants, but those were also made by famous hands. Arthur only spoke briefly to them. One of the girls was apparently Katyusha's sister, tall and with long, white hair. The other was a very short girl from Taiwan, had long, brown hair and a threatening attitude towards Chinese stuff. At least she refused to sit in the sofa because she heard that it had been made in China. "It's all political," she told Arthur who just nodded and kept smiling. He wasn't going to start a political discussion at his chief's birthday party. So he just kept quiet as she started rambling. He felt somewhat happy that Yao wasn't around.

Apparently Francis mostly knew gay-couples, and they all came from all over the world. He was placed in the middle of a multi-cultural meeting. He shook hands with a quiet guy from Greece and his husband from Turkey who refused to take off some mask he was wearing. He said he wanted to be mysterious like a superhero. His husband said he was dumb. Then they started fighting and went upstairs to yell at each other.

After them an old couple turned up. Arthur didn't get their names, but one of them said that he was so old he could be ancient Rome. They spend most of the time sitting in a corner, reading magazines and sipping wine.

Later a guy playing the piano showed up. Arthur thought he had just been hired to entertain people as he went straight for the piano and started to play, but as he went to exchange a few words with him, he understood that he was apparently one of Francis old friends. "I used to be married to some bitchy girl with a thing for homosexuals," he said and sighed at Arthur as if his life was horrible, "now all I have is the music."

The more Arthur spoke to the men and women, the more confused he got and the more he stepped away to just sit by himself. Everyone was involved with everyone, hated or loved each other. It was hard for him, as an outsider, to guide his way through the jungle of relationships. So he ended up not trying and just crossed his fingers and hoped for Alfred's entrance to be soon.

Then someone entered he hadn't expected.

"Ludwig?" The German was wearing a green suit and a confused look on his face. His blond hair had been combed back and was held in place with a lot of gel. He'd clearly tried to make himself as presentable as possible. Entering with him was Feliciano in a matching suit. Arthur grabbed each of them a glass of champagne and went over to greet them. "What're you doing here?" Ludwig accepted his glass, looking at Arthur with a stunned face.

"You're here?"

"Nice to see you again, Arthur!" Feliciano saluted.

"I was invited by Francis."

"So was I," Ludwig said, "yesterday. He said he'd just invited you, and since I'd been an employee for long, he wanted me to come as well. And Feliciano too." Arthur felt a nervous rumble spreading in his stomach. If Ludwig was going to be here, then what about Alfred and him?

"Ludwig, I have to tell you something," Arthur grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out of the room. As they were standing in the quiet hallway, he looked at him with a serious gaze. "Francis knows a lot of gay-people. Actually, most of the guys in there shag guys. You get it?" Ludwig shrugged.

"I get it. I know what I agreed to. I don't think it's okay what they do in bed," he said and took a short sip of his glass, "but as long as I am not to befriend them, I don't care. I am planning on sitting between you and Feliciano. I told Francis, he said it was okay." Arthur gagged.

"O-oh.. Uhm.." He scratched the back of his neck. "You're.. not going to beat anyone up, are you?" Ludwig shook his head. He sighed. Then he leaned down to look into Arthur's eyes.

"Arthur, none of us like homosexuals. They're.. disgusting. But I bet you're here for the same reason as I am - to look good. If Francis sees us at his party, mingling nicely with his friends, we can get a promotion. I could really need a raise, Arthur," he whispered, and Arthur almost felt like throwing up. "So please, if I restrain myself, you do as well."

"I will," Arthur promised and nodded. Ludwig walked back into the room. Arthur fell down to sit on a chair in the hallway. "Fuck.." He put his glass aside and hid his face behind his hands.

He knew someone who wouldn't be able to restrain himself - Alfred. This could only end badly.

"Oh, hello." Arthur didn't react at first as he didn't recognize the voice. Then a shadow fell across him. "Nice to see you again." Arthur looked up. And stared into the eyes of the man he met days ago in the park. The one who was about to kick the brain out of his skull. He opened his mouth to say something. But nothing escaped his lips.

The man had clearly not shown up to confront him, but to be at the party. He was wearing a tuxedo like most of the other men. But he had murdering eyes and a horrible smile on his lips. Horrible in the 'I see you and kill you'-kind of way. Arthur stumbled onto his feet and took a few steps away from him.

"I… I am not here to be hit! You have no right to hit me!" Arthur chirped and held his hands defending up in front of himself. The man chuckled and crossed his arms.

"Oh, I am not planning to. Yet." He sloped his head to the side. "So.. I hear you're getting involved in the family as well. I don't like that."

"What do you mean, involved?"

"Well, my sister is dating Matthew, and Matthew is Alfred's brother. And rumours are that you and Alfred are dating… So we're family. And I don't like that." He narrowed his eyes. The violet in them were glistening with hate. Arthur stuttered,

"You were the first one to attack. We.. I.. had every right to defend myself!"

"Probably you had. And I was willing to let it go. But you see.. In the dark, I couldn't see Alfred was the one who hit me. He probably hadn't seen it was me either, else he would've kept running over my hurt body. Me and Alfred are not.. very good friends." He smiled. Arthur hesitated.

"You know each other well?"

"Oh, we went to school together. He was not very nice to me…" The man sighed sadly. "So I was never nice to him either."

"That's not my fault," Arthur whispered.

"It isn't," he chuckled, "but, you see.. I later found out that Alfred had been the one on the bike. That didn't make me happy.. Because if Alfred hurt me to protect you, it must be because you're precious to him."

"N-no no!" Arthur shook his head and grinned insecurely. "No, we didn't even knew each other back then!"

"I don't believe you." The man snorted and clenched his fingers to fists. "I don't believe you. I think you were a secret couple, that's what I think.. Secret, because he knew that if I ever found out about him being in a serious relationship, I would go straight after his boyfriend. But now, it's out in the open, and he even hurt me to protect you, so you must be a very, very serious boyfriend of his. So you would be the perfect victim, you see." Arthur was shaking. He tried controlling himself from just running, and instead tried calming the other down.

"It's.. It's not serious! It's.. It's all rumours! We're not even dating!"

"I don't believe you."

"Please do."

"I don't. I don't believe you."

"Please do!"

"Please do what?" They both turned around. Alfred was standing in the doorway, blinking at them. As his eyes fell upon the man Arthur was bickering with, his face was screwed into repulse. "Ivan…"

"Alfred.." Ivan straightened up and smirked.

"I see you've found Arthur."

"I most certainly have."

"Leave him alone, he hasn't done ya anything." Alfred went over to stand at Arthur's side. Arthur was more than willing to let him, he even stepped a little back.

"Oh, but he has," Ivan said and opened his eyes widely while smiling. "He most certainly has."

"What has he done?" The white-haired girl from earlier stuck her head out into the hallway.

"Brother?" Ivan mumbled a quiet swear as her voice interrupted them. He turned to look at her.

"Not now."

"Now or I stick a knife into your balls."

"…" Ivan glared at Alfred and Arthur, then he left to be with his sister. Alfred spat after him.

"Come back and tell me what he has done!"

"Alfred," Arthur pulled at his arm, "don't provoke him." Alfred looked at Arthur and raised his brows.

"Provoke him? He's been provoking me all my life, and now he's going for you!"

"He was the one in the park."

"What?" Alfred blinked. Arthur cleared his throat.

"He was the one you ran over with your bike." Alfred's eyes widened. He slowly turned to look at the door leading into the dining room.

"He was?" Arthur nodded. A happy smile spread across Alfred's face. "Fuck how cool!"

"I don't think it's cool. He's going for my life now!" Arthur hissed. Alfred snuck his arm around his shoulders and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"Don't be silly, he won't. We just threaten each other at whatever occasion. He's not serious."

"He seemed serious when he kicked me to the ground at the park."

"I won't let him do that again. Or ever get the chance to do so. Get it?" Arthur glared at Alfred. It would've been so easy for him to say that of course Alfred couldn't assure him of that. But somehow, the way Alfred raised his brows and smiled sweetly, somehow it all convinced him that the bloke meant every word he said. And he sighed.

"Fine, but if he speaks another bad word to me, I call the police."

"That's not part of the game."

"Alfred," Arthur looked him sternly into the eyes, "this isn't a game. If he does, I call the police." Alfred hesitated. Then he nodded.

"Okay."

"Good."

"Yeah." Alfred turned Arthur around to that they were facing each other. Then he leaned down and pecked his lips. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"I will be, if you don't take life seriously," Arthur mumbled weakly to Alfred's lips. Alfred sighed.

"S'ry, I don't mean to be a bother."

"I mean, we're lucky he hasn't called the police about you running him over."

"Probably." They looked into each other's eyes. Arthur snuck his arms around Alfred's neck and gave him a short kiss before he freed himself from him. "But really, Arthur, he doesn't hang around the family. He shows up once in a while to yell at me and give his sister money. Him and Matthew are buddies. He only gets upset when drunk. You know how that is yourself.." Arthur nodded though he wasn't keen on admitting it. He knew.

"Oh, another thing, Alfred - we can't kiss anymore at this party."

"What, why?"

"Well, first of all your father doesn't know."

"Well, he has to know at some point."

"Secondly, one of my friends from work has been invited as well." Alfred raised a brow and shrugged.

"So?"

"He's very homophobic."

"Tell him off."

"It's not that easy. He's a good friend of mine, we've known each other for years. I.. I don't want to break it to him rudely." Alfred pouted. He clearly wasn't understanding what Arthur was saying. "Please, Alfred. Imagine you lost one of your good friends. Imagine you lost.. Well.. Who's your best friend?"

"Gilbert, I think."

"What if you lost him?"

"Then I would have to search for another buddy to drink with." Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Be a bit serious."

"Okay-okay." Alfred placed a hand on Arthur's right shoulder. "I get it, okay? I'll be cool. I am not emotionally disabled. Trust me, okay? I thought we were going to trust each other." Arthur sighed and nodded.

"I trust you."

"Good. And if I don't get something, just.. Tell me. I want to try and make this work." Alfred lightly brushed his fingertips down Arthur's cheek and leaned down to look at him. "Okay?" Arthur smiled a little. Then he laughed.

"Stop being cute. Yeah, okay. Okay."

"Okay," Alfred repeated and smiled daftly. Arthur shortly pecked his cheek.

"When we go home, we watch unicorn-cartoons."

"Ugh. Fine, but now I want food."

"Right on."

Dinner was awkward. Not for most of the guests, but for Arthur it was.

On his right, he had Ludwig who was being careful with handing people stuff. He made sure to fake smiles, but he would avoid touching anyone who was openly gay. Even the girls. Though, as he said, they were just 'being gay to look attractive to men'. Arthur didn't correct his way of thinking. The less people Ludwig would hate, the better.

On his left he had Alfred who was keeping an eye on Ivan sitting across of him. They we having a kicking-battle underneath the table, and it was obvious to everyone though no one commented on it. Sometimes Ivan would 'accidentally' knock his glass over so that his wine hit Alfred's food. Then Alfred would 'by mistake' send a piece of ham flying over onto Ivan's vegetarian salad. And then their feet would start kicking again. All while they were smiling friendly at each other.

Then Francis got up and demanded everyone's attention. Arthur felt slightly relieved. At least Alfred stopped kicking at that point.

"Dear family, dear friends," Francis lifted his glass and smiled, then his eyes fell onto Katyusha, the not-good-enough-for-my-son girl, and he added, "and Katyusha as well." There was a hushed mumbling around the tables. Katyusha got up and left. Matthew kept sitting, staring at his father with a fake smile and bright eyes. Francis smiled back. "Thanks to all of you for coming. It thrills me to see so many of you have shown up. I-" Francis kept speaking sugary nonsense. Arthur couldn't concentrate on what was being said as Alfred grabbed his hand underneath the tablecloth. Arthur glared at Alfred. Alfred didn't react, he was just looking at his father. He gave Alfred's hand a little squeeze. Then Alfred smiled. "Such a child." Arthur couldn't help but smile as well. A warm, nice feeling was filling up his heart just holding the other's hand. Despite Ludwig sitting behind him, despite Ivan sitting across of them, despite Francis standing and blabbering. He was feeling a little joyful.

However, he couldn't wait to get out of there and back to Alfred's, watch cartoons with him and hold his hand out in the open. Like lovers should.

"-today I am announcing something important. Arthur, will you please come up here?" Arthur blinked. He was ripped out of his daydreaming as all eyes fell on him. Especially Alfred was looking at him with wonder. Arthur was just as confused himself. Francis was smiling sweetly at him. "Arthur, please." Arthur got up and slowly walked up to Francis. Francis slipped an arm around his shoulders and sighed lovingly. "Everyone, this is Arthur Kirkland. This man has worked for me through years. He's a good employee, has for the last few days been a good friend. But today we'll openly announce," he held a pause, then spread his arms, "that we're settling down as lovers."

A gasp went through the guests. Arthur just gawked and felt his face whiten. Alfred knocked over a bottle of wine as he got up.

"What the fuck are you talkin' about?" Francis pulled Arthur in closer to him. Arthur snapped out of his thoughts and wriggled free.

"We're not lovers!" Arthur cried. Ludwig got up.

"Arthur, what is this?"

"I want to know as well!" Alfred said and pulled Arthur away from Francis. "Don't touch him, Arthur is mine! We're dating!"

"Oh, you are?" Francis smiled sadistically and looked down at Ludwig whose face was turning red.

"You are?" the German roared. Feliciano hid his face behind his hands and started crying. Ivan tumbled up just to do something. He could see that this situation was not bad for Alfred's reputation. So why not make it even worse?

"They've been fucking for years!" he then cried, followed by a smug smile.

"No we haven't!" Alfred roared, "you fucking drunk Russian!"

"You fucking, fat American!" Ivan roared back.

"Are you a damn backdoor Indian?" Ludwig asked, making most of the gay men gasp and start to throw stuff at him.

"There's nothing wrong with being gay!" someone yelled, and everyone seemed to agree loudly. Matthew got up and left the room. Ivan's white-haired sister said that whatever Ivan said, it was probably true. The Austrian started to play the piano. Alfred went over to hit Francis. Arthur went after him to avoid anyone fighting. Ludwig wanted to join in, tripped, and they all knocked over the table and fell into the mess of liquid and food. Now everyone wanted to join in. Feliciano started crying loudly,

"I just want us all to be happy!" Arthur, lying sandwiched between Alfred and Ludwig, found, that there was nothing to be happy about.

"I quit life," was what went through his mind.

Note: That's all you get for now! =u= I hope you enjoyed it!