I'll be brief with my author notes and leave most of them while the end for you guys to read. As an excuse for this being so late, there is none and I'm so sorry. Thank you to everyone who favourited and commented while I was AWOL :) it was so nice getting support to write more, and they made me feel very guilty!

Anyway, here is the long awaited chapter. Hetalia does not belong to me.

oOo

The successful capture of one of Roma's top business ventures, and some of his men to boot, had put Arthur in a good mood that he could not shake himself out of. There was nothing in the world right now, he thought, that could put a dampener on the rest of this week. The grin on his face was genuine and bright; a lot more brighter than the morning sun which shone down weakly on him and William as they made their way into the office. It was a cool morning; a surprising touch of autumn had finally reached the city from across the river and the breeze that lifted the brim of their hats was brisk. A group of scantily clad women in knee length dresses passing the Kirkland brothers were holding onto their cloche hats to stop them being taken away by the wind and laughing breathlessly.

"You'd think these modern girls wanted every day to be summer, just to show a bit of leg off." William commented, blowing out a mouthful of smoke and copping an eyeful of one of the girls anyway. He gave her a cheeky wink which sent her and her friends into fits of giggles. "Not that I'm complaining mind."

"What would mother say?" Arthur scolded with a small chuckle. It was no wonder his brother had never married. "I bet she doesn't approve of such behaviour, William. You're meant to be a gentleman after all. Tut tut."

His brother snorted and kicked a pebble that lay at his feet. "Mother is much more concerned with Patricia and her 'red' to be bothered to fret over her eldest. The most she bothers these days is dinners to try to hook me up with all the eligible singles in the neighbourhood, who frankly could do with a diet and a half rather than a husband. To be honest with you Arthur, I think she's finally given up hope."

Arthur couldn't help but laugh out loud as they turned into the police headquarters' large entrance hall, his voice echoing off the cream coloured marble staircase. It was cooler in the hall and slightly too bright, the overhead lights more white than actual sunlight could ever be. A few of the officers around the hall stared at him openly, surprised that the usually grumpy Englishman actually had shown an emotion other than annoyance and had done it so loudly. He really must have been in a good mood. Arthur felt like he was flying, riding weightlessly on the feelings of success. No nothing could dampen his day. Even the sight of Vash stomping towards them was not enough to put a downer on his day.

"Sirs." He nodded crisply in greeting, his green eyes focused and hard as always. Vash was never one to take work as anything but serious. "One of you couldn't help me out, could you? Anri's out on duty with Lars and there's a bunch of paperwork to fetch from the head office to sort through, I don't think I can carry it all on my own."

Eurgh, more paperwork. As if there wasn't already enough. But it was fine, Arthur reminded himself, he had captured a speakeasy. Life was good right now; he could handle some puny notes and signings. Or at least he would do them without complaining.

"Sure, I'll give you a hand." William smiled, cutting across Arthur before he could speak. He turned to his brother with a sly grin adorning his face, a look that always made his brother want to punch him. "Artie here can get the coffee ready for the real men when they get back."

Arthur scowled deeply as the two men retreated quickly from him and towards the double doors that lead to the nerve centre of the offices, the hub where all the paperwork was kept. Okay, perhaps he wasn't that happy that his brother's taunting didn't still irritate him, but he would have to reach enlightenment for that and he had given up God years ago. William waved cheekily at him behind Vash's back; looking as pleased as the cat that had the cream because he had one over on him. Childishly, the younger Kirkland sent him the finger, putting venom in the action as he stabbed upwards like a knife. There was a polite but disgruntled cough behind him; one of the senior officers who by chance happened to walk down the stairs at that very moment had caught him in the act. He did not look pleased, his moustache bristled in anger. Arthur was suddenly aware of all the looks he was getting and blushed deeply, with a quick apologetic smile in the elder man's direction he scurried towards the familiar stairs taking them two at a time.

The building was an old one and had the simple layout it had been built with. There were separate floors for each department, each being accessible through the main staircase that ran up the rear of the building like the upright back of the law that led off to the hive of offices. When he had first been sent to this forces' headquarters, Arthur had been unimpressed by the look of the building. He had not liked the fancy marble in the entrance hall that just screamed pretentious, or the way that the actual offices were lacking the grandeur the rest of the décor offered. But after a while the dirty, messy little building had grown on him. Arthur made his way up the staircase, up and up until he got to the fourth floor, nodding at the people he passed who returned the gesture with smiles. They must have heard of his capture because a few of the men he knew well sent warm congratulations his way which lingered behind his back, following him comfortably to the office which was half hidden at the end of the long corridor. With a large smile decorating his face he pushed open the door-

And stopped in his tracks in the doorway.

"Oh, I'm sorry." He said automatically at the sight of the two unfamiliar men in his office. They lounged easily by the desks as though they were meant to be there yet they were total strangers to him. Perhaps a meeting he had forgotten about? "I didn't realise anyone was in here. This is my team's office, is there something I can help you with?"

It was not unusual for lackeys from the higher ups to be sent with messages for him, nor was it unusual for rookies to wander into the office as they attempted to find their own in the vast building. These men looked like neither. One of the men rose slightly to meet him. He was very tall, and had quite dark skin and inky black eyes that measured Arthur up in a short, calculated gaze. What he found must have not been to his tastes because he smirked making Arthur straighten up a little and narrow his own gaze in defence. Just who were these men?

"You must be Mr Kirkland." The man grinned, placing his hands on his hips and leaning back to survey him better. "Well, I certainly thought you'd be taller and beefier with the headache you're giving the boss!"

He barked out a laugh as Arthur took in his words. His boss? Warning sirens went off in his head as the other man also stood up; he was smaller than the other and looked on his companion with barely veiled dislike. His hair was also dark and he had a hint of a Mediterranean complexion, darkened most likely by the recent nice weather.

"You're not here to chat, Sadiq." The man scolded, his voice softer than Arthur expected what with the fire of hate burning in his eyes. "Hurry up and give the message before I do your job for you."

"Shut it, driver boy! I'm not being paid to listen to your mouth Heracles; I much prefer the sound of my own voice, thanks." The man, Sadiq, snarled in response before turning back on Arthur with a forced smile. "Listen here Inspector; we have a proposition for you from our boss. I'm sure you know who we mean."

Arthur couldn't help but feel his heart stop as he put all the factors together quickly in his head. Roma: who else could it be? He faintly remembered the call from Roderich warning them of a Sadiq, this was obviously the same man. One that Roma had called in as backup. Arthur felt his muscles freeze up in anticipation of attack, even though these men did not seem to have any intentions of going for him. Yet. They were too far away for a one on one fight but it did not mean they were not carrying weapons, it wasn't their style anyway. How the strangers had got past the halls of officers unnoticed was beyond him. His mind ran over itself as it thought of ways out of this situation, all as unlikely as the next.

"And if you don't mind gentleman," he used the term loosely as he opened the door wide behind him. "I would like for you to leave. I want nothing that man has to offer, thank you very much."

It was a shot in the dark at the very at least; one he didn't think would work and so was only slightly disappointed Sadiq shook his head while Heracles looked at Arthur with pity, the look you would give a lamb about to be sent to the slaughter house. It was not a good sign.

"Now, I don't think that you really want that to happen, Mr Kirkland." Sadiq laughed. In a silky movement he had placed himself back on top of the desk; the man moved with all the elegance and slyness of a snake. And Arthur did not like snakes. With one long hand Sadiq reached out to fiddle with a pen in one of the pots, his graceful fingers twirling through the air.

"We promised the boss we'd give you the offer," He explained waving the hand with the pen in a little. "It's best to hear us out before you make any decisions you might grow to regret. We're offering you a choice here man, you're better off listening to it."

Arthur didn't want to hear a word these men had to say but they were persuasive bastards. Besides wasn't this proof he was getting too close for comfort to Roma? Despite himself he spoke, briskly: "Well then? What is it your boss wants?"

He made his way over to his desk; it was the only one so full of paper and resources that the two men could not make it their perch to watch down on him from. Arthur pulled out his chair and took a seat, knowing full well it would give him a serious height disadvantage if anything went wrong but he didn't want to show these bullies he was scared. Sadiq appraised him with a cocky smirk before continuing.

"Here's the deal." He drawled. "Drop the case."

Well that much was obvious. Roma would hardly be inviting me around for supper, now would he? Arthur had to resist the urge to roll his eyes: that would be unprofessional. "I gathered that much. And my options?"

"Either you drop the case, and there is money in it for you if you do-"

"Or we drop you." Heracles cut to the chase before Sadiq could finish.

The darker man scowled in his companion's direction as Arthur let this new information sink in. Death threats already? Roma was either really stressed out by the police interference or he was a man who didn't mess around. He knew from experience how territorial and dangerous Roma and his men could be when pushed, and the fact that Arthur was receiving this message filled him with a certain shade of sickly pride. He was scaring Roma, making him threaten him with vengeance if he did not stop his enquiries. It meant he was stepping on the tail of a lion and he was happy with that. It meant after all these years his work was finally coming to its climax.

"Good." Arthur hissed. The two men, who had been bickering under their breaths while he thought, turned around at his address with similar looks of confusion on their faces.

"What do you mean 'good'?" Sadiq quizzed looking put off.

Arthur nodded and folded his hands in front of him on the desk to hide the fact they shook a little. His whole body had previously pulsed with the happiness of the capture of Roma's men, but now he felt the chilling bite of fear at his heart. Arthur was not an idiot, he knew what this decision could mean for him and his team but he was willing to take that chance. He had to take the chance.

"It means, gentleman, that I look forward to whatever Roma Vargas can throw at me." Arthur's face formed into a smirk before he could stop it. The men looked at him as though he was mad. "I refuse to drop this case."

Sadiq looked as though Arthur had picked up his desk and thrown it at him, his features a mixture of shock and growing anger now the brunt edge of the Inspector's declaration was wearing off. "Are you crazy or something fella? Or perhaps you don't quite understand the choice you are making-"

"On the contrary, I know exactly what I'm doing." It was stupid and dangerous but Arthur would be damned if he would be bought out of a case he had devoted the best part of his life to. The case to stop his brother's murderer, a man who had to be stopped at all costs.

There was a sudden clatter at the doorway making the three men look around as William and Vash made their way into the room, their arms full of towers of paperwork. When they had opened the door they had been chatting good naturedly but as soon as they saw the strange men they stopped in their tracks and stared. Arthur's brother gave him a long, hard look that spoke volumes before returning his gaze suspiciously to the two men.

"Ah, William, Captain." Arthur said, trying to keep his tone good-natured even though his heart was pounding in his chest. "These men are here to give us a message from our dear friend, Mr Vargas. I have had to unfortunately decline their very reasonable offer."

"You are mad." Sadiq said in disbelief.

William advanced into the room, dumping his paperwork on a table with a bang so he could turn and fold his arms at the intruders. His eyes were narrowed with dislike and Arthur could see him restraining himself from grabbing his badge and arresting them on the spot. They could not of course arrest these men; there was no proof to warrant the arrest. Besides, he was not after the small fry these men were. He had bigger fish to catch and the little fish were always cast back into the sea.

"Our boss isn't messing around you know." Heracles added, unlike Sadiq he did not seem as shocked and his eyes were focused and cool as they challenged him with little consideration for the other officers in the room. "If you mess with the family, he will mess with you-"

"Are you threatening the Inspector?" Vash snapped, stomping forward to place himself between the two men and Arthur. His tone was dangerous and if he didn't have a pile of papers in his arms he would have surely have been fingering the gun clearly visible at his hip.

He was glad; the one thing Arthur did not want was a shoot out in his office: he'd just had the floor waxed.

"Stand down, Captain." He ordered, rising swiftly to stop any fight before it occurred. "There is no problem here, these men were just leaving."

Sadiq looked for a moment as if he wanted to spit in his direction as a response but he must have decided better, his dark eyes quickly calculating the situation. It was three against one and he probably didn't want to push his chances. Sadiq sniffed loudly and left without another word, Heracles trailing on his heels after a moment's pause where he threw Arthur a telling green glare before sliding out too, as though neither of them had ever been in the room. All the strength seemed to leave Arthur suddenly and he found himself slumping in his chair slightly; the realisation of what he had done hitting him. He had put off his men at risk, especially himself. He knew exactly what Roma was capable of and he still did it. He had uncovered the speakeasy; it couldn't be too long now until the rest fell.

"Well boys," he spoke into the deathly silence that the men had left in their wake. William and Vash looked towards him with wide and scared eyes that did nothing to quell the rising terror in his gut. "It seems our man has caught our scent. Time is of the essence now; either we get to him, or he'll get us first. Let's try for the first one, shall we?"

oOo

The cooler edge to the weather the Sunday morning air brought made the church neither as oppressive nor as stuffy as it had been a week ago, yet it was still uncomfortably warm and poorly ventilated. It did not help that the room was too small to hold the mass of people that listened to the congregation. Once again, the aisles were so full that the members were spilling out onto the sides. It was always crowded in the small room, partly due to its size and the fact that it was the only Catholic church for a mile or so within the city. The congregation still flocked together every Sunday, even though the place was a dump and the pastor about as friendly as a plank of wood.

Lovino, however, was glad at the change in weather and also the liberty his Grandfather had allowed him in not forcing him to wear his best, and warmest suit. Instead he wore one of his own choice which was looser fitting and more suited to the hot weather. Grandpa Roma had made sure as soon as they had taken their seats that he was comfortable, saying that he 'didn't want a repeat of the week before'. He was placed at the end of the isle with Antonio by his side to allow him to get more air and was told to inform him the moment he felt funny. He couldn't really tell him the actual reason he had collapsed last week, so instead nodded politely and promised he would.

The room was cool but it was uncomfortable with the bodyguard's presence by his side. Lovino had not spoken to Antonio since he had been in the bathroom the night before, ignoring his pleading at the door and his meaningful stares over breakfast. He refused to even look at him, although his eyes found themselves travelling up to his face to gauge his emotions. Had last night been playing on Antonio's mind as much as his own? Was guilt written plainly over all of his features? The answer seemed to be no. The bodyguard watched the congregation resolutely, a professional crease formed between his eyes due to his focus; however Antonio didn't seem to notice the stares he was getting from his charge now and for some reason this thoroughly irritated Lovino who took to watching the choir get ready for their performance.

Silently he fumed over the situation as through the smell of the incense and the stifling air, Lovino viewed the familiar figure get into place amongst the other white clad boys. Feliciano was easily one of the oldest of the group, but was still marginally smaller than most of the boys and in result had to be placed in the centre of the group. Or so he said anyway, Lovino knew it was favouritism, he also knew that Ludwig was not far away from his charge even though he could not see the blond boy which was slightly unnerving for him. It was far too like Viktor for his own tastes.

Scipio droned on as the choir took their places as quietly as possible, their long white robes with the high collars drawing everyone's attention away from the pew and to the back of the room anyway. Feliciano caught his brother's eyes grinned and waved enthusiastically; some of the congregation who knew the Vargas brothers well smiled fondly in their direction at the show of affection. Lovino on the other hand scowled and nodded his head a fraction in response, not liking to draw attention to himself. His grandfather on the other hand waved back from his position down the pew, a large smile adorning his face.

"And now to end, the choir will sing for us," Scipio declared in his usual mournful tones. He was paler than usual and Lovino couldn't help but notice one of his under-eyes seemed a little darker than the others as though he had been hit in the face with a blunt object. He had been too focused on his own worries to notice. The pastor slid away so that the choir were the main attraction in the hall. "Please stand for Jesu Dulcis Memoria."

Lovino stood on the command and the row did with him; there was a moment of clatter and noise as people's feet bumped along the floor, and then a perfect silence. No voices filled the room, and even the sounds of the city dimmed into obscurity. In one collective heave the choir drew breath and began singing.

Lovino had always been struck with the simplicity of the choir, as a child he had wanted to join them but he was found to unruly for the cause. They had no accompaniment apart from the sounds of their own voices, no music to carry them forward. Like a vast organ the singular parts worked together in harmony as one living instrument. And of course, there was his brother at the head of the machine, his voice rising beautifully above all the others in the prayers to God.

"Jesu dulcis memoria, dans vera cordis gaudia."

There was a certain serenity to the music that Lovino relished. The contemplation it inspired on every face was enough to make him truly listen to the song and its meanings. God would always be there for him. Beside him, Antonio's eyes were wide with childlike awe and his lips formed a perfect circle. Lovino didn't want to look at him in that moment, not with a holy song playing, but his gaze was drawn in that direction none the less. He tried to tell himself he was curious about the other man's reaction to such music: music he had never really experienced. In the natural lighting of the church Antonio was as handsome as ever. He was focused on the performance, or at least he seemed to be. A small nudge touched Lovino's hand making him look down in surprise. Antonio's hand pushed him again, and Lovino was able to see the slip of paper he was attempting to pass him.

He shook his head slightly and set his focus resolutely on Feliciano at the front, singing away without a care in the world. No way, not a chance.Lovino would not accept notes in church of all places, especially not from his bodyguard, and definitely not after what had happened the night before. It would be asking for trouble.

"Quam bonus te quaerentibus, sed quid invientibus."

But the hand with the paper hit him once more with an irritating urgency that Lovino had no choice but to snatch it out of the idiot's hand to avoid him making a scene. He glared but did not look at Antonio; instead he glanced down the aisle to check his Grandfather was not watching him taking notes in church like a kid. He wasn't: Roma's gaze was fixed in devotion on his youngest, pride curling his lips. No one else had noticed the interaction; all of them were too busy focusing on the song.

Trying to ignore the satisfied smirk on the part of the Spaniard's face he could see out of the corner of his eyes, he unfolded the sheet of paper. It read,

'Lovi, we need to talk about what happened. It was entirely my fault and it won't happen again, but I can't work with you hating me and hiding in your room... So can we please talk about this? Tonight? Please?'

Conflicted feelings flew through Lovino's mind. His initial reaction was refusal and annoyance. His bodyguard should not be asking him to see him after the events of the night before, not while it was still raw at any rate. The idea of being alone with him in a room and talking about his feelings made him feel vaguely sick, especially in that he had no idea what he would say to the man. What did he have to say out loud that he had not said a hundred times or more in his head?

But then again Antonio was taking the whole damn event upon himself. When it had first happened Lovino had blamed him of course, but after a night of fitful sleep it had dawned on him that it was his fault too. He had allowed it to happen; he had wanted the company. It was as much his fault as the bodyguard's. In that case, yes, they needed to talk. Just to set things straight.

Not for too long of course. He couldn't let things get out of hand again.

"Sit nostra in te gloria, per cuncta semper saecula. Amen." The song drew to a close with the final drawn out note before Lovino could realise what was happening. Once again another service finished around him without his notice, people chatting and getting to their feet with a growing crescendo of noise as they exited the small hall and out onto the street. The sounds of the city returned, the throb of motors, the screech of tires and the incessant droning of voices and the pounding of feet.

Lovino glanced to his side and found Antonio watching him, clearly waiting for an answer to his silly little note. With a sigh and a feeling like he was making a very big mistake, Lovino nodded in agreement, crumpling the paper into his pocket before anyone could see it. Antonio beamed but did not speak as a voice beat him to it.

"Did you like it?" Feliciano asked brightly as he bowled himself forward through the throngs of people to meet them as they escaped the pews. Ludwig emerged behind him in such a Victor-eqsue manner that Lovino couldn't help but pull a face which he quickly morphed into a smile in his brother's direction.

"Beautiful as always, fratello." Lovino assured him as Antonio nodded behind him, which he fruitlessly tried to ignore. "You'll be getting too old to sing though soon, it's a miracle you've managed it this long."

Feliciano giggled and shook his head. The white of the surplice caught the bright light coming from the now open church doors as people exited and almost shone in comparison to his russet hair and large brown eyes. He made the most perfect cherub and Lovino could not imagine his brother being anything other than his innocent self forever.

"Scipio will let me sing until I get really old, he likes me." He tittered, his eyes brightening as their grandfather removed himself from the pew behind Lovino. Feliciano all but pushed his brother out of the way as he jumped on the older man for a hug. "Grandpa! Did you hear? Did you like it?"

"Yes and yes, Feli." Roma said patiently, sharing a long suffering glance over the younger boys head to Lovino who returned it slightly. "You were lovely, mio caro."

"Grazie!" Feliciano sang while Lovino shook his head. His brother was such an attention seeker sometimes, he knew how good he was but he liked to hear it from their own mouths. He never lied to his brother but it was very draining sometimes.

Roma disentangled himself from his youngest grandson with a smooth motion, a quick pat on the head and a fond smile did the job. "I'm sorry but I need to talk to our pastor urgently. Scipio and I need to chat about something important. Why don't you go and get changed and then me and Lovino will meet you at the car?"

"But I like talking to Scipio too." Feliciano complained with the smallest of pouts at their grandfather, his eyes pleading. "Can't I come?"

Lovino had some sort of insight in regards to the conversation Roma would be planning with the religious man, and it was not something his brother needed to hear. His brother liked the older man, goodness knows why, and he would certainly be upset by the talk the grandfather had planned for him. As of yet he still could not work out what Roma wanted from Scipio but it was certainly not legal or holy. Lovino could not allow his little brother to hear any of that.

"No Feli, this is business." Lovino sent a pleading look in his grandfather's direction who surprisingly took the hint and removed himself from the brothers without another word. Lovino sighed and cast his brother a sombre glance. "It'll be long winded and boring and you won't like it. It'll be better if you just wait in the car for us, or better yet get Heracles to take you home and pick us back up. Then we won't have to wait for the car."

The sensible suggestion seemed to fly over his brother's head. Feliciano's pout became more pronounced and frustrated as he crossed his arms in defiance.

"But that's not fair; I'm part of this family too." He argued. Behind him Ludwig's mouth formed into a thin line as he tried to keep his own temper in control. Lovino had a feeling the expression was not for him but for his brother, sending a surprising surge of gratitude the blond' way. "I want to take part Lovi, please let me. I promise I won't be bored or anything. Besides, Heracles and Sadiq took the car somewhere and Luddy won't want to wait on the pavement. Too dangerous."

Lovino grimaced. Feliciano had no idea what he was talking about, to him the family business was everything their grandfather made it out to be. Fun, good; he had never seen the bad side, never even guessed at it. But Lovino had always known and it was his duty to protect him from the truth.

"You are not old enough to take part in these discussions, Feli." Lovino could feel his frayed patience wearing thin.

Over his brother's shoulder Roma was busy talking to the pastor already. Scipio did not seem to be talking very much and merely watched the older man with cold eyes as Roma gestured good naturedly with his hands. He definitely had some mark of some sort on his face and he did not seem to be hiding it. Lovino knew his grandfather would expect him and if he didn't hurry up, and it was best not to keep him waiting.

Feliciano didn't seem to care about his brother's words. He cocked his head to one side. "But you're allowed to take part and you're only three years older than me."

"Older is the operative word there." He responded with a sigh and attempted to move past his brother to join in the conversation with Scipio before his grandfather got mad. "Please just go back to the car; we can discuss this later-"

His brother's hand shot out to grab his shoulder faster than Lovino had ever seen the younger boy move. His small hand closed around his shoulder joint almost painfully and it stopped him in his tracks. For a brief second the younger of the pair's eyes were dark, but then they softened and turned pleading as they gazed up into his face.

"No, I want to discuss it now." He argued. The grip on his arm was surprisingly tight and Lovino pulled against it slightly. Beside him Antonio moved a little closer, almost blocking his view of his grandfather and boxing Lovino in between everyone. "I don't see why I can't come; I helped out the other day with the business when Kiku visited."

"That was different." Lovino snapped out before he could consider what he was saying. A knot of annoyance built in his stomach before he could seriously consider it. Damn it, why couldn't his brother just do as he was told for once? Couldn't he see that this was for his own good?

Apparently not.

"It was not different." Feliciano mumbled, and his eyes were bright like he might start crying which would not be good. "You nearly chickened out of the deal and I stepped in to help." Lovino blanched back at the word 'chicken' as though it was scalding water. "You were the one not working with the business then Lovi, not me. I deserve to take part in the business."

"No!" The shout flew from Lovino's mouth quickly and desperately. It bounced back off the hall walls and hovered around them. Their Grandfather paid them no mind but Scipio looked up curiously, his blue eyes fixing on them from across the room. Lovino didn't like the audience and turned around so his back was to the pastor, aiming to keep his voice down. "Feli, you don't understand what you are asking. I'm doing this for you. You aren't old enough."

"I'm asking to help my brother out." Feli shook his head slightly, like he could not understand and pulled a sad face. His hands that were still on his shoulders convulsed a little, tightening his grasp so he would not get away. "Why won't you let me? You look tired Lovi, and you're so stressed out with all the work Grandpa is giving you. Why don't you let me take a bit of the load off? I can help like I did with Kiku. Jobs like that are easy to sort out when you talk to people, and you're no good at talking. Let me speak to Scipio, he likes me. I don't mind working for the family."

It was tempting, so very tempting, but the eager look in Feliciano's eye was what turned Lovino off the idea. There was too much glee there. Too much enjoyment at a job that was not meant to be fun. It was true the deal with Scipio would probably be minor, nothing too bad even with the way the pastor was rejecting it, but still he could not risk it getting worse than that. If he allowed his brother to get his foot in this door he would never be free, and he wanted to keep him as innocent as he was now forever.

Lovino forced a smile onto his lips; one that he hoped would pacify his brother a little. He shook his now limp hand off easily and placed his own palms on his brother's shoulders. He remembered a time when he had to crouch to be on eye level with Feliciano, now they were almost the same height. He had grown up without Lovino noticing and the thought hit him deep in the heart.

"Listen Feli, it takes more than talking to people to be part of the business." He tried to ignore the devastated expression that cracked on his brother's porcelain face. If he had to break him to keep him safe, then he would. He just didn't understand it like Lovino did. "It takes-"

He never got to think up a lie of what his brother needed because at that moment Heracles and Sadiq entered the church. They caught Lovino's gaze immediately, they seemed agitated and their muttered bickering seemed more violent than usual. Lovino stopped because they never entered the church unless asked to, Roma liked to keep his religious day clean of business and the sight of these two men brought with it a horrid feeling. Something had gone down somewhere, something was wrong.

"Feli, go and get changed." He ordered stiffly as he stood up straighter. Feliciano did not like being spoken to like that and went to complain but Lovino snapped before he could form a sound.

"Now! This is not up for discussion." He winced internally at how much he sounded like his Grandfather. That was something he never wanted. "You aren't old enough, you're still in school. Just go wait at the car."

Feliciano's expression shattered this time, like smashing a china cup on the floor. His brown eyes stared at Lovino as if he didn't recognise him, his lips quivering slightly. The sight broke the elder Vargas' heart and for a second he stretched out his hand, to reach out and try to fix what he had broken. But then with a strangled sob Feliciano pushed his hand away.

"I'll be old enough." He said suddenly. Lovino saw that behind the tears his brother's face expression was determined, the same one that he saw regularly on his grandfather's face. It had no place on the younger boy's features and it made him flinch, but not as much as the tone of his voice did. There was fire in his brother's eyes as he promised:

"One day I will be old enough, and I will be part of the business. Just you see."

And with a final muffled sob Feliciano turned away, his white robe flapping loudly about his ankles. Ludwig gave Lovino a hard glance as he followed his charge away, but he barely noticed the action, too focused on his brother's retreating back. In trying to look after his brother he had ended up upsetting him and it had been years since they had argued.

"Shit." Lovino swore under his breath, wanting to punch the nearest object. But the nearest object was Antonio and the man was a lot bigger than him and would probably laugh at his feeble attempt at an anger release. Instead he was left with no option but to breathe heavily for a second and go dutifully to his grandfather; he turned in the direction with a heavy heart and made it over in time to hear the end of Sadiq's hushed conversation.

"-and then he said 'no' boss, can you believe it?" He sounded annoyed and Roma seemed to be channelling his feeling, only silently. His golden eyes were dark and sharp like flint as they listened to the man's explanation, only briefly looking up when Lovino and Antonio wandered over.

"And you explained the situation to him?" His Grandfather demanded. Sadiq shrugged.

"Trust me boss, I couldn't have made it any more clearer without basically telling the guy what we would do to him if he refused." Lovino knew then that this was not a conversation he would enjoy. By the sounds of it they had been trying to persuade someone to do something and the individual had refused. He felt sorry for them. You were to never refuse his Grandfather.

Heracles must have been aware of Lovino's apprehensive expression and misread it for confusion because he spoke up softly in his ear.

"We went to see an officer who has been giving your Grandfather a little trouble. He raided the Gold Rush Hotel and closed it down yesterday, name of Kirkland."

Lovino felt all the blood fall from his face and his heartbeat suddenly felt very loud in his ears. Kirkland, as in Arthur Kirkland, the man who he himself had lead to his Grandfather. And now the bombshell that he had taken the largest speakeasy they owned, surely more would follow after Lovino had given him the first rung of the ladder to climb. Would his Grandfather know? Would he be able to tell it was him?

It seemed for the moment Roma hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary. When he gazed at Lovino it was with pity rather than anger.

"Now Heracles, I didn't want to tell Lovi until I had sorted this out." He grumbled, stretching out a hand to cup Lovino's paling cheek. His hand felt very warm against his own cold skin. "Now you've upset him."

"Sorry, Mr Vargas." Heracles bowed his head slightly. Lovino finally managed to form words.

"It's not upset me, I'm just shocked." He said, trying to keep his tone light as he quizzed. "What happened Grandpa? I thought the hotel was safe."

Roma's eyes narrowed and he clenched the hand on his face slightly without realising. "I am afraid we might have a leak somewhere. Someone is selling my business out and when I find out who it is they will pay. I will not allow it."

The promise sounded genuine and Lovino hoped his Grandpa could not see the guilt in his eyes and the stains of it on his features. He was the sort of man to keep his promises and he dreaded what the elder man would do to him if he discovered the true identity of the person that had led the police to their door. Grandson or not, he would pay.

Then again, he had not seen Arthur for a while. He most certainly had not revealed any more information to the police without realising, so how on earth had they found out about the hotel? It would need prior knowledge of the building to get them into the speakeasy, so it must be someone else. Lovino was merely a link on a chain; he was not sure if that made him feel any better about the situation. The hotel was still lost, his Grandfather was still mad, and the foolish officer was still in a lot of trouble.

"So what do we do about Kirkland now, boss?" Sadiq asked. There was an eager hint to his tone that made Lovino inwardly cringe and want to leave but with his Grandfather slowly moving his hand from his face to rest at the small of Lovino's back he could do nothing but stay where he was.

"He strikes at me and my family, then I shall strike at his." Roma's voice was grave but authoritative. Lovino could not help but think that it had a hidden meaning between the lines that he could not see. "The first meeting was a warning, now I am not playing games. I have enough on my hands with Braginski and I don't have time to mess around dodging Kirkland too. I want him off the case, as soon as possible."

Sadiq and Heracles nodded, seemingly pleased with the response and turn of events. Lovino on the other hand felt sick. He had not wanted Arthur to get hurt from this; it was partly his fault if anything happened to the man. He had liked him, and he was Alfred's dad. The moron doted on him like a puppy. Innocent people were not meant to be hurt in this.

"Lovino, do you mind if I talk with you for a moment?" Scipio surprised them all by speaking up. He had silently been listening to the conversation with a thoughtful countenance and now his blue eyes were fixed on the younger Vargas' face while everyone else stared at him. Even Roma seemed surprised, but he overcame it quickly to sneer down at the pastor, his features twisted in delight.

"Looks like our holy saviour would like to chat with you, Lovi." He commented, stooping to chuckle in his ear, his breath fingering the lob delicately. His voice was a viscous whisper in his ear. "Perhaps he would be more willing to talk to you about business. Try to win him over." He had to resist a shiver as Roma straightened back up easily, his fingers curling around the hair on Lovino's neck. "We shall leave you then Scipio, until next time."

Scipio did not acknowledge Roma's farewell, the pastor merely stared at the man suspiciously; waiting until his broad back, followed by Heracles and Sadiq who were once again bickering, had disappeared out into the courtyard. Lovino felt stumped, Scipio obviously did not like him, that much he had made clear every time they had spoken. So what on earth could he want with him? Antonio too watched the pastor curiously as he motioned for them to come closer. They did so after a moment's pause.

"You are a hard one to place, Mister Vargas." Scipio said once they were close enough that they could hear his muttered voice. Lovino wasn't quite sure why they needed to be so secretive. Up close the bruise on his face was dark and painful looking, again he wondered what had happened for him to get it. "I thought you were your Grandfather's man through and through but I think I might have been a bit presumptuous. My apologises."

"None taken?" Lovino replied out of courtesy. Beside him Antonio's eyebrows were raised so high they had disappeared behind his low fringe which brushed into his eyes.

"I had believed you did not see the danger of this business." Scipio continued in a grave air. "Or the effect if could have on people. Your brother is an innocent soul, Lovino, and I refuse to stand idly by and watch him be swallowed by the darkness of this world. I am on your side in this."

Of course, this was about Feliciano, who else would it be about? The pastor had doted on him for as long as he had known his brother. It was not surprising that now his consideration was focused on the younger Vargas brother. Lovino knew he should have been angry but he wasn't, for some reason Scipio's words touched him. There was someone out there looking out for his brother too, and to Lovino who was busy with the business, too busy to keep an eye on Feli all the time, it meant a lot. He did not know what Scipio would do exactly or whether it would be helpful but backup was always good to have.

That was if Feliciano ever talked to him again.

How much did this pastor know though? By the thoughtful look in his expression it was clear to see he knew enough. And the mysterious bruises were suspicious in their appearance. How had he, a priest, got bruises that looked round enough to have been caused by a fist rather than foolishly walking into a blunt object?

"Your eye looks sore." Antonio commented, clearly picking up on the same out that Lovino had. The Spaniard's smile was strained on his face. Scipio nodded slightly and continued in his hushed accents.

"Saying no in never a good idea." He said quickly, eyes locking onto Lovino meaningfully as if he was attempting to send a message. "Sometimes a 'no' can be more dangerous than a 'yes'. I feel for you and your brother sir, and the poor, idiotic police officer that dared to refuse your grandfather. I hope you manage to find a way to solve all of our problems."

And with that the pastor had finished. He glided away from them towards the back of the church where his colleagues were waiting for him to finish talking so they could disappear like ghosts into the back of the church. Lovino watched him go, feeling more confused than ever, his heard beating wildly in his chest as though he had just ran a mile. For some reason his words had more meaning than they seemed, and they seemed to be resting a lot of hope on him that he didn't think he could bear.

oOo

"Ah here they are," Yong Soo sighed in relief as he uncovered the tarpaulin covering a selection of boxes that looked identical to the ones around them. "No wonder we couldn't find them. The handlers must have misread the label."

Kiku nodded, it was easily done after all, and counted the boxes in question before ticking off the correct number on the clipboard in his hands. It was late afternoon and the workers that usually filled the main warehouse storage area had left for the day. The room gave off a certain smell at this time of day, no longer filled with the clattering masses and machinery it gave off a colder, unused smell that was only marred by the flowering contents of the boxes. Most of the goods were imports from across the world; spices from Asia, machine parts from Europe. A large majority of the merchandise was from Yao's native China and it was this Yong Soo was rifling through. Stock taking was a major part of the business, but it was left to them to do seeing as half of the staff couldn't speak, let alone read English.

Out of curiosity, Kiku lifted one of the strange looking tubes from the box Yong Soo had opened to check before he had moved onto the next. It was made surprisingly of bamboo leaves and brightly coloured, it had no immediate use that Kiku could figure out and he could only assume it was a novelty gift of some sort.

"What is this?" He inquired. Yong Soo, turned to look at him, his backside up in the air as he bent over the box before him, also filled with an assortment of odd objects.

"It's a Chinese finger trap." He explained as he stood up with a smile. He took the tube from him and pushed the ends together with the palms of his hands so it bent in on itself. "It's a toy for kids or for just pulling pranks on adults, kinda like a puzzle. Yao has them imported for gift shops and tourists; they just lap up the stuff. Make it cheap and sell it big, eh?"

"Indeed." Kiku said. He understood the sales logic but still didn't quite see a point to it. As a child he had never played with toys that weren't in some way beneficial for him and had instead been encouraged to play a lot of sports. A finger trap seemed a silly little object but he could not help but think of his meeting with Feliciano Vargas the other day. The boy, or young man, was the exact opposite of him: a giddy daydreamer that had talked of nothing in particular but also of Kiku and himself (and his poor servant that had watched the one sided conversation with a pained expression). He was certainly interesting to study. He had been thinking of Feliciano and Ludwig for a large part of the day and how it was nice to have such useful acquaintances that already knew the city he was so used to. Kiku knew he would enjoy a second meeting and that Feliciano would enjoy the toy, it was this that made him ask for one.

Yong Soo laughed a little and clapped him on the shoulder in reply, something that made Kiku wince and the smile on his face falter.

"Sure, like I said they're cheap." He said. "But I'm still taking it out of your wages."

"You don't pay my wages." Kiku reminded him in a monotone, a hint of a school teacher in his voice that Yong Soo didn't seem to notice, he was too busy chuckling to himself as he returned to searching the boxes. The person in question who did pay his wages was not far off.

Yao was shuffling amongst the boxes on the other side of the room. He had insisted on helping them take the stock check, going as far as saying that it would be almost impossible to complete without him and that it was his business at the end of the day. The look that Yong Soo had shared with Kiku over the older man's shoulder as he spoke read volumes. Yao was unable to take part in the business like he used to, Yong Soo and the others were practically running it now. It was only Yao's own pride that would not allow him to stop working even though he wasn't really needed. Kiku had not wanted him to help, fearing for him in his sick state, but had not forced the subject and had allowed Yao to help. It was not his place to order around his elder, especially his boss and godfather.

He had not come into the warehouse alone though. Feliks watched him from the second story office that looked out onto the room. During the day it was for the team to keep an eye on the workers, but not it was simply a place to stay and observe without being in the way. Both Feliks and Xiang had taken station in the room, the nurse to watch his charge and the boy to do some of his work. Kiku could just spot the dark hair on his head, peeking out from a point under the window.

"He takes his work seriously." Kiku noted aloud as he and Yong Soo moved onto the next items down the list, Kiku pocketing the finger trap as they did so. "Xiang, I mean."

Yong Soo glanced in the direction of the office window and shrugged before turning back to his work. "He likes to busy himself with his little business. Lording around the warehouse and acting as though he is better than the rest of us because he manages things himself."

Kiku did not respond to the sniping comments and merely lowered his head thoughtfully.

"But then again, he does work really hard." Yong Soo added thoughtfully after a moment. His face was scrunched up in thought, so much it almost looked painful. "And even though he likes to pretend he doesn't care about Yao and the rest of us, his father's illness really shook him up."

"How so?" Kiku was thankful that they had thought to whisper their conversation, it would not be polite for Yao to hear them discussing him, and not good business. He was the boss after all. As it was the sound did not reach the older man as he pottered between the boxes at a distance.

Yong Soo spared a glance in Yao's direction also before continuing.

"Well Xiang and Yao don't really have the best of relationships." He started warily. They continued to work as he spoke, fiddling with the boxes. "Xiang was brought here when his mother, who he had been living with, passed away. Yao wasn't good with the boy from what I could gather, but they got along well enough. As you know, Yao pushed Xiang out of the business when he got old enough, saying he wanted him to make his own way."

Kiku nodded, that much he had gathered. He let his gaze once again flow up to the overhead office to the young man in question who had just stood up to gather papers from a higher shelf. Hadn't turning him away to make him a man turned him against his father in a way that would be irreversible? Or would he one day see that it was all for the best? Xiang seemed pretty stubborn from what Kiku had seem of him, and still as petulant as a child.

"It was dumb if you ask me, but that's what happened." Yong Soo shrugged. He paused in his story to tick something off his list before continuing. "So Xiang started his hat business. He followed the fashion of the times really. It's a small business but he controls all of it really. There's no leaving it to other people, apart from Lien; she hangs around him but that's just running errands."

Kiku remembered the masculine female with distaste. Women were not meant to walk and talk like men, it wasn't right. But then again he had old ideals, just like his father. His mother had been as soft and as delicate as blossom petals, just as he had been brought up to believe all women should be. To see one that was so outwardly confident was off-putting to say the least. America was certainly a whole new world.

"And then Yao fell ill?"

"And then Yao fell ill." Yong Soo agreed with a decisive nod. He straightened up from his bent position over the boxes to look at Kiku with his dark eyes. "It was slow and barely noticeable at first; he would be sick some days without reason and feel weak all the time. Eventually Mei persuaded him to call a doctor, the guy said it was stress and prescribed some medicine. Thing was the business had fallen a little without Yao guiding it as he had been, and the money was too low. So Xiang ventured into the medicine business a little. He helps manage the supply of drugs from Ivan so that Yao doesn't have to deal with him."

Kiku blinked and looked back up to the office, his gaze not totally fixed on the occupants and his mind elsewhere. Xiang was the one dealing with Ivan then, the man who was cold hearted and sadistic enough to threaten to stop giving them the medicine when he did not get his own way. Kiku wondered how a young man Xiang's age could manage such a man as that. And how he had managed to keep the medicine supply going on even after his own slip up when trying to barter with the Russian. He hoped he had not caused any trouble with that, that would be very awkward for everyone.

A sudden terrible noise broke his train of thought. There was a horrific gasp, like the sound of a dying man gasping for his last breath and a shuffling, then a metallic clattering noise that made his head turn to the source. Feliks was rushing full pelt down the stair case from the office, his eyes focused as they fixed onto Yao. He seemed to be struggling to stand up and breathe at the same time. His complexion had turned grey and his whole body flimsy as tissue paper. A thin, paling hand clutched at the material of his clothes above his heart and his eyes bulged in panic. Kiku was moving to help before he realised it, Yong Soo at his side as Yao brought them all closer like a magnet.

Feliks got there first and was lowering Yao to the floor as Kiku skidded to a stop beside them, his heart in his mouth as he took in the sight of his godfather struggling to take a gasp of air, his face pained.

"What did I tell you, Mr Wang?!" Feliks was scolding, his pitch high and irritable. His lazy green eyes were unusually alight with fury and annoyance and he performed his medical acts on the older man. He was busy loosening the folds of Yao's clothes to allow him to breathe better. "I said not to overdo it! And what did you do? This is your own fault, if you'd have just done as I said this wouldn't have happened!"

Yao's dark eyes were still panicked and unfocused but they still managed to look up in shame at his nurse, tears of pain clinging to his eyes. Kiku's worry diminished slightly to be replaced by annoyance. Feliks was not a member of the family, and as a nurse or carer he had no right to speak to Yao as though he was a child. Kiku was all for looking after him, but Yao was a person and an active one at that. However stupid and detrimental to his health, he would still want to work. The business was his whole life. The least Feliks could do would be to show some consideration at least.

It seemed Kiku's own sentiments were not to go unvoiced as in that moment Xiang hurried down the stairs from the office. His face was the picture of horror at the sight of his father on the floor and in pain, but there was also anger in his stern features as he caught the scolding the nurse was giving to him. He walked up right behind the blond and gave him a hard look, almost as if he was contemplating pushing him away from Yao, but instead he spoke:

"Your job is to help my father, not to yell at him."

Feliks turned around quickly to face the other man. Beside him, Yao seemed to be clearing up a little, but still seemed pained. His face was pale and his breathing shallow. Kiku knelt beside him and after a moment's hesitation touched his godfather's hand lightly with his own. It was clammy and shaking and Yao withdrew it before he could feel it any more, his eyes which caught Kiku's own were for once afraid. Yao could not hold his gaze long and soon dropped his eyes to the floor. He never showed weakness and to have had such an outburst of his illness in public must have been utterly humiliating for him. But there was no denying the truth: he was getting worse by the day. Kiku wondered how long this would last, and if his illness would ever give up its hold on him.

"I was, like, hired to look after him." Feliks argued as he straightened up from the crouch he had gone into to help Yao, flicking his hair slightly as he spoke. "I can't do my job properly when my patient refuses to co-operate for his own good."

Beside Kiku, Yong Soo was watching the growing developments with curious eyes, and was for once silent as the grave.

"Ivan might have placed you here." Xiang argued, his voice quivering with rage and his hands shaking by his sides. "But under this house you follow our rules. I don't care who employs you, you'll do as we say; and I'm telling you to watch your mouth."

Feliks bristled in fury and opened his mouth to respond but didn't manage to make his complaint as Kiku cut across him suddenly in a fit of uncontrolled shock. He stood up and stared open mouthed at this new turn of events.

"You work for Ivan?" He asked loudly. Kiku felt instantly ashamed for speaking so out of turn but his mind was more preoccupied at the moment with this information. Ivan was bad news and for him to have a man of his own under their roof filled him with dread for many reasons. There was too much Ivan in this building for his comfort, everywhere he looked he saw his dark influence and he did not like it. It was not good for business.

Looking at Feliks now, was that dark glint to his eye some form of murderous intent? What orders had this man been given in regards to the house?

There was a feeble cough by his side and Kiku looked down to find Yao watching the conversation with wary eyes.

"Ivan knew him through one of his subordinates." Yao mumbled. He seemed to be straining to keep the shake out of his voice and was failing miserably. "Feliks was struggling to get a job elsewhere and Ivan sent him here to me; he needed a job and I needed a nurse who wouldn't charge out of the roof. He's nothing to do with Ivan. And now," he looked over to Feliks. "I think I need to be taken to my room, don't you?"

"Of course, I was getting to that." Feliks replied flippantly, albeit pushing Kiku out of the way so he could get to the elder man on the floor. With a little bit of easing and painful gasps on Yao's side he was up off the floor. There was little ceremony or words before he was carted away out of the room, dragging his slippered feet along the floor like the sound of a wounded animal straining to carry itself from danger.

Kiku, Yong Soo and Xiang watched him go. A quick glance to Xiang's eyes showed them dark and unfocused in thought as he watched his father leave the room without so much as a backwards glance to the son that had defended him. Dejection washed off him in silent waves. With a half masked sigh he turned on his heel and hurried away from them, back into the confines of the office, slamming the door behind him so hard the glass in the office windows shook. Yong Soo and Kiku shared a long meaningful glance that spoke volumes. Everything Kiku had been told by the other was true, there was definitely something wrong with Xiang and Yao's relationship, Kiku just did not know what he could do about it. So, as was his custom, he refrained from speaking, and got on with the remainder of the job, his mind mulling over Ivan's disturbing presence in the household, and how he would rid himself of it.

oOo

Explantions of why this took so long: I went on holiday, twice. Plus spending time with home friends before returning to university. Lots of reading for university which I had to tackle. Work for university. Preparing to go there, and spending too much money. And just general feeling uninspired. I'm sorry to everyone who was waiting for an update and thought I might have left the story, because I haven't. It just took me a while.

The next chapter will probably be the same. Long since are the days I could do nothing and just write, actually have to buckle down this year... :I but I will still be writing when I have free time. Messages are always welcome in this time period, so if you reaaaally need an update and are wondering where it is inbox me and I'll let you know. I am a person too and it takes a while to do these things sometimes :')

And in my defense I have had a really busy but enjoyable summer, and I hope this semester to come will be just as good. Thanks again for the support over the summer and continued reviews and adds. You guys are literally as awesome as prussia.

And now, a big thank you to WeDon'tKnowEnoughToUnderstand who drew me some beautiful fan art for this story :D I'll post a link it and the song on my profile for people to look at (which I hope you do guys!)

For all those that are interested and have not yet noticed (because they don't follow all my stuff or whatever) I have uploaded a new story! It's a one shot and not just a random one I'm trying to sell to you: it actually goes with this series! I will be trying to do a series of one shots and little insights into the story at certain points, but probably when the main story is finished. The one I uploaded is for Birdie and Prussia so take a look and review please :D Let me know what you think and whether there are any more stories you would like to hear. I am currently in the process of planning Roma's backstory which should be a doosey.

Oh and well done to Night13 who won the oneshot for 200th review. Darling, I still need you to reply to the message so if you see this please do that :') thankss!

Anyway, thanks once again for waiting patiently for so long. Please drop a review :D and thank you so much for reading! See you next update!