Chapter twenty nine – Who's birthday was it?

"Potassium? Now, Arthur, what on earth would you want potassium for?" Professor Wang raised an eyebrow, turning away from stacking his overflowing shelves. The Professor had been clearing up a rather messy experiment he'd just finished (which involved Coach Braginski…) before Arthur had come waltzing in, begging for the element. The Chinese man couldn't think for a moment why someone like Arthur would want potassium, though.

"Please, Professor… I'm… Ehh… concerned about my health." Arthur pleaded that the pathetic excuse would let him free of the interrogation off the teacher.

Professor Wang raised an eyebrow at that, very curious, "You know you can't just eat potassium – that'd probably be very dangerous, Arthur. It needs to be treated and things first!"

Arthur nodded hurriedly, "Yes, yes I know that! Please Professor, you've seen me in your science classes! I know what I'm doing!"

"Well… I suppose so… just as long as you use it responsibly." Professor Wang wasn't stupid – he knew it'd be impossible for a year eight student make potassium consumable. That would take highly experienced knowledge and high-tech equipment. But for the life of him, the Professor simply couldn't work out what on earth the boy might need potassium for. But, as he had said, he trusted Arthur not to do anything stupid, "It's in that cupboard over there – take as much as you need."

"Thank you, Professor!" Arthur's face brightened up immediately as he ran over to the cupboard, grinning. Sure enough, once he routed through the mess of science-related substances, he came across a tiny bag full of little cubes of potassium. Pocketing quite a few of them (he really had no idea how much Gilbert might need) he skipped back over to the professor, thanking him over and over again.

The Professor shook his head, smiling happily, "It's no problem, Arthur. I'm always happy to help a student in need, okay? If you need anything else, just ask." With that, Professor Wang flipped out a pair of glasses from his white lab-coat, placing them on his nose as he shuffled through a few papers, finding the few he needed, and piling them up together, "Why don't you walk down with me? I'm heading down to the staff dormitories – it'll be nice to have a little company, no?"

Arthur smiled, nodding. He always enjoyed the company of Professor Wang. Not in a creepy, teacher's pet kind of way, he just found the Professor extremely interesting. He always had such amazing theories about the universe that he often liked to share with the class – like his own personal view of science. Most students (Alfred included) just yawned, and would later complain about how he was just waiting their time. Arthur however was constantly fascinated by Professor Wang's own views, and tried his best to remember as much as possible.

Sadly, though, it seemed Professor Wang had other things he wanted to talk about.

"So I heard you're dating Kiku then, Arthur?" He chuckled, always happy to talk about gossip with students. He was almost as bad as Miss Héderváry for that!

Stumbling over his words, a raw blush covered Arthur's face, "W-what! Where on earth did you hear that, Professor? I hardly think it's professional to gossip with your students!"

Wang shrugged, grinning boyishly, "Who cares? There's no head teacher here to fire me, so I'm safe! And surely even you must get a little rebellious, Arthur! So out with it! Are you dating my nephew or not?"

"What! Your nephew? You're related to Kiku?"

"But of course! I'm his uncle! You didn't know?" Wang blinked a few times, confused, "I thought everyone knew that. Seemingly not! So yes, what attracts you to him?"

"I-I don't want to answer that!" Arthur spluttered, blushing further, "P-Professor… I really don't feel comfortable…!"

Wang rolled his eyes, "Arthur, you need to loosen up, sometimes! Come and have a stir fry with me next time I'm making one – you never know, it might just make you smile a bit! I'm not planning on prying, but you and Kiku had better sort out your social problems soon – yes I know about your argument! The whole school knows, Arthur – because I don't want it interrupting your studies! Now off with you!" Wang grinned, patting Arthur in the way of the student's dorms, "Good luck!"

And with that, Professor Wang left the rather shell-shocked, utterly confused Arthur in the hallway, and waltzed off in the direction of his own cosy, familiar-smelling room.

There was something blocking his path though. A little confused, Professor Wang cautiously approached the odd lump in the middle of the corridor, and saw that it wasn't a something – it was a someone. That someone in particular being none other than his adorable little nephew, Kiku Honda, sitting right in the middle of the hallway, crying his eyes out.

"Kiku? Kiku what's wrong?" The Professor panicked, and was quickly on his knees beside the shaking Kiku, not sure if he should just pat the boy comfortingly or give him a good old uncle-style man hug.

Kiku, however didn't seem able to answer. The boy just shook his head, trying to scramble away from the Professor, but not getting very far in the attempt, "Y-Yao-san, please! I'm fine; I just need to be left alone…" Kiku insisted, letting his watery brown eyes meet the same eyes he'd inherited from Professor Wang.

"Now, now, Kiku, I know you and I aren't on the best of terms, but I'm worried about you! People don't just burst into tears in the middle of a hallway, now, do they?" The Professor sighed, pulling Kiku into a hug, "If you don't want anyone to worry, then don't make us worry, Kiku… we all care about you! And if any of your friends saw you like this, then they'd be acting just like I am. Please tell me what's upset you?"

Once hearing his uncle's words, Kiku just gazed at the Professor, and his sobs got deeper, and sounding more and more unbearable by the second. Cursing to himself, Professor Wang realised that he really had said the wrong thing at the wrong time. There was nothing else to be done.

"Come on, Kiku. I know exactly what you need." And, with that, the Professor hoisted Kiku up on to his back, letting Kiku grasp around his neck in the piggy-back position he was suddenly being carried in. Trying not to worry about the salty tears that were getting on his precious lab coat, Professor Wang quickly made his way to the place where he'd seen the one person that he knew would cheer Kiku up.

Probably.

Sighing and crossing his fingers, Professor Wang begged that Kiku would give his amazing idea a chance. Luckily, Kiku didn't seem to be paying attention on where they were going, which was at least a start. Wang knew that Kiku most defiantly would not like the plan to begin with, and would probably run away when he realised who exactly was involved with the plan.

Even so, he made it to the dorm room of the involved person, and knocked twice. He heard the sound of footsteps, and soon enough, the very person Professor Wang needed to see was in the doorway.

"Professor! What're you doing here at this hour? And… why're you carrying him on your back…?"

Kiku froze at the voice, lifting his head up from the safe little nest he'd made at the back of Wang's coat. There in front of him, safely inside his own dorm was the very person he did not want to see, and by the look on the other person's face, they didn't really want to see Kiku either. Of course, there in the doorway was none other than Heracles.

"Now, now, you two, I know what you're thinking – 'I really, really don't want to see this guy right now' – add in swear words where you will, I know what you youth are like these days. But hear me out, yeah? You two were happy, weren't you?"

There was silence, Heracles and Kiku locked gazes, and the Greek boy made a sincere nod, never once breaking eye contact with Kiku, "Yes. I was happy with him."

Kiku sighed internally – he couldn't back out now, "As was I."

"Then why can't you two just make up?" The Professor begged, finally releasing Kiku from his back, now convinced the boy wouldn't run away.

Another silence, before Heracles was the braver one again, "Because he's a hypocrite."

Kiku couldn't really argue with that…

"I know. And for that reason, Heracles-san, I am sorry… I just don't know why you'd move on so quickly… and to Sadik of all people…" Kiku sighed, finally finding it to be the right time to talk with his ex about the heated aftermath of their break up.

Heracles sighed, turning to Professor Wang, "Professor, if it's no trouble, Kiku and I would like some privacy."

The Professor who'd just twigged things were getting awkward couldn't be happier to take the opportunity to leave, "Yes, I think that would be for the better!" He laughed a little awkwardly, attempting to break the tension, "Tell me how it goes, Kiku! Good luck to the both of you! And no fist-fights or angry sex!"

At that, the Professor left, chuckling to himself at Kiku's brighter than red face, and Heracles' amused, almost ironic grin.

"Come in and sit down. I'll make you some green tea – I have a load left from when we were an item." Heracles was even more monotonous than usual. Kiku sighed, taking his usual seat, and cooing at the little black cat Heracles kept. The Greek boy was never very expressive in his words, but usually he sounded tired. Now he just sounded bored and cold, and that was creeping Kiku out.

Soon, Heracles returned with two little cups of the odd tea, and the two sat in silence, sipping it for a moment before anyone spoke. Again, it was Heracles to take the first step.

"You found me with Sadik because I was angry. Both of us had been rejected by you – both of us were somewhat heartbroken. I swear, if you'd passed us five minutes before, you'd have heard us arguing over you (again…) we're just stupid, hormonal teenagers – you'll understand soon enough – and well, with guys like us, when in doubt, act sexually I guess." Heracles sighed, looking down at the floor, "I was scared, shocked and embarrassed when you found me, so I just pretended to be smooth – it's what you have to do to survive in the world; if you let people know your true feelings, you'll get pulverised. But, in that situation, I was wrong, and I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me, Kiku, because I miss you more than I miss the air of Greece and the hot summers back at home."

Kiku knew that if he was being compared to Heracles' beloved homeland, then Heracles must really be missing him. "Heracles, there's something you need to understand – whenever I rejected your invitation for… ehh…"

"Sex?"

Nodding hurriedly, Kiku coughed and continued, "That, well… I wasn't rejecting you…" He mumbled for a second, not sure how to phrase his words, "A-and… well… Just because I rejected your body… It doesn't mean I rejected your heart." It was as clear as day that Kiku had been taking lessons from Francis.

"So… That break up… it wasn't really a break up?" Heracles narrowed his eyebrows, a little confused.

Kiku nodded sheepishly.

"You mean to say I never had to kiss that Sadik bastard?" Heracles suddenly realised, eyes widening and sounding an awful lot more emotional than he had done for a while.

Kiku nodded again, looking like he was about to either laugh or cry, but couldn't decide which one.

"Well fuck." Heracles decided, going back to his usual level of emotion.

There was yet another silence.

Sighing, Heracles lifted up his cat, petting it lightly, "But why Kirkland?"

Shaking his head, Kiku buried his face in his hands, "I was jealous… so was Arthur-san… I can't make excuses and blame it on him – but if I'm honest, I really didn't know what I was doing… it just seemed like a good idea at the time, Heracles… I'm really sorry… We both felt cold, and bitter and heartbroken, and we wanted to hurt those who hurt us… you see?" Kiku shook his head, "But it's like Sadik said – all I'm good at is using and corrupting people, and I feel terrible about it. Not only did I hurt you and Sadik, but I've hurt Arthur and Alfred… It's terrible what I've done."

Not sure what to say Heracles just stayed silent, and let Kiku cry it out. After all, it was rare for the Japanese boy to speak his mind, but everyone needs to let it out somehow. Kiku chose to bottle it all up until it exploded. And it was explosion time.

"I thought that I'd be able to get over you, and that Arthur-san would make things better. In a way, he did… technically we're still dating. Nothing really happened between us apart from that one kiss I gave him, but I thought it'd last a little longer than this. Ever since I started dating you Heracles-san (and I'm not accusing you of anything, so pardon me if I sound rude) I've felt like an outsider in my group of friends. Perhaps it was because Feliciano and Ludwig are dating, and I am nothing but a third wheel around them, or that I don't really understand Matthew and Alfred. I don't get it… but both you and Arthur-san have been the ones to really connect to me, and for that I am so grateful. I just feel so lonely, do you understand? I don't have a best friend, or even a real boyfriend anymore, and it hurts, Heracles… why does it hurt so much?"

That little question positively broke the Greek teenager's heart. Sighing, Heracles pulled Kiku into a bone-crushing hug, and just let the boy continue, rocking him slightly and rubbing his back ever-so-gently.

"I was going to talk to Arthur-san – I decided that it'd be good to let him know that he and Alfred-san were the ones for each other. But, then I actually saw Arthur-san… and he looked so happy. I know it's selfish to feel jealousy and pain at other's happiness, but I just wanted to burst into tears when I saw such a happy look on Arthur-san's face, despite everything that was going on. While I was sitting there, crying my eyes out, he was laughing… and it felt so, so unfair… Call me selfish, I know. But… Heracles-san, I'm just so confused. Please, please can you tell me why I'm so different? Why no one understands me?"

Pausing for a moment, gently leaning out of their embrace so he could look Kiku in the eye, Heracles spoke softly, "Kiku, listen to me. You are an amazing person, but because you rarely show off your amazing personality and just cloak it in a trench-coat of manners and formalities, no one really knows you. I'm being honest, now, okay? Arthur had no feelings for you, and he probably never will, yes? Now, it seems that you were finally feeling satisfied by being truly accepted by one of your age. Yes there's Feliciano and Ludwig, but as you say, they're an item, and with them you feel like you're intruding. If you just show people what you're really like then I have no doubts they'll begin to adore you. I know I did."

Kiku gave Heracles a wobbly smile, trying to sniff away his tears, "I'm sorry for acting like this. It's terrible of me."

"Don't' worry so much, sweetie…" Heracles whispered, hugging Kiku once again, "I guess this means we're back together?"

Silence.

Oh God why was there a silence? Heracles begged up to the heavens.

"Heracles-san." Kiku addressed the Greek boy all-too-formally, "Since our little break, I've been doing some thinking…"

"You're breaking up with me? Like not the other breaking-up rejection thing? Like a real break up this time?" Heracles' eyes widened, unsure how to react.

Kiku stuttered in his wording, "Well no… well… actually I don't really know. Take it how you will, but… I think… because of our age difference, and our age difference only… I don't think I can date you. You said it yourself – we look for different things in a relationship… perhaps, when I'm ready for such intercourse you desire, we can be together once again. But, for now…" He shook his head, "It would be unfair to make you wait for me."

"No, no! I'll wait! Kiku, I don't want to break up with you – no, not again!" Heracles' tone had once again gained a little emotion as he begged at his ex. This couldn't be happening to him…

"Please, Heracles-san, I need you to understand… I can't love you. Not just yet. At the moment, I love a part of you – your personality. But I'm not ready to embrace your body. I am simply too young." Kiku got to his feet, begging his knees not to give way, "I'm sorry."

"Kiku! Wait, please!" Heracles begged, scrambling to his feet and attempting to reach the door before the Japanese boy. Unluckily for Heracles, Kiku had seen him coming, and had already darted for the door, and was racing down the corridor.

Staring after him, heart in his throat, Heracles tried to re-play everything that had just happened over in his mind. Surely he was dreaming…

Surely.


"Gilbert! Gilbert, I got the potassium! For god's sake, open the door you idiot!"

"Shut up and get in here, then!"

Gilbert yanked open his door, checked the corridor to see if anyone else was around, and yanked Arthur inside the room with such force that the Brit almost fell straight into the wall just opposite the door. Glaring at the German, Arthur brushed himself down, and invited himself into the main room, gingerly sitting down on an arm of a chair, trying not to touch anything that could have French germs. Apparently Francis was out 'visiting' Owain, thought, so luckily for Arthur he'd be able to avoid the frog.

"Sorry… I'm just avoiding Matthew." Gilbert shook his head, "It's not as easy as you'd think it'd be! He's been trying to talk to me all day!"

Arthur raised an eyebrow, "Why on earth are you avoiding Matthew? I thought you'd lap up his attention."

"Well, yeah, usually I would, but hell! It's the 30th June, man! I need to avoid him!" Gilbert said, assuming that Arthur would know why that would mean the German was avoiding poor Matthew.

Raising a bushy eyebrow, Arthur began rooting for the potassium in his pockets, "Gilbert, just because it's the end of June that doesn't really tell me why you're avoiding Matthew."

Gilbert gave a frustrated sigh, "What day is it tomorrow?"

"July 1st." Arthur still had no idea where Gilbert was going with the conversation.

Throwing his hands out, Gilbert sighed, "And what day is that? Any special occasions on that day?"

Arthur racked his brains, shaking his head, "It's Kaoru's birthday?" The only reason Arthur knew the kid's birthday was because Peter had kicked up a huge fuss about his birthday party classing with their family holiday (which was a huge flop) last year.

"For God's sake! You'd think I'd have given you enough clues! It's also Matthew's birthday, idiot! I'm avoiding him because I'm getting together his birthday present, but I want it to be a huge surprise! I've even been collaborating with Alfred!" Gilbert lost his frustration, and replaced it with a huge grin, muttering how awesome he was.

Before Arthur had a chance to reply, Gilbert's statement was confirmed, as none other than Alfred himself walked through from the kitchen, a load of Canadian-flag themed wrapping paper in his arms. Luckily for Arthur, Alfred was too involved in his work to notice the Brit standing in the corner of the room, feeling somewhat lost.

"Hey, Gil, what did you say I needed to wrap next?" Alfred asked with a grin on his face.

Gilbert pointed over to an oddly familiar scarf lying on one of the beds, "If it's no problem, then you can wrap that! Thanks so much for this, bro, I'm just so busy! I've gotta try and get my hands on a gigantic novelty bottle of maple syrup. I'm not kidding you, man, it's like this big!" The German threw his arms apart as wide as far as they could go, signalling that the bottle really was huge.

"W-well, Gilbert I'm just going to leave this here and go, okay?" Arthur muttered, finally finding all the little bits of potassium he'd stuffed into his pocket, and hastily heading for the door, staring at the floor and making an obvious point that he didn't want to make eye-contact with Alfred.

Alfred never had been good at getting signals though, had he?

"Arthur! Wait. Can I have a word with you?" Alfred pulled Arthur back by the shoulder, both of them ignoring Gilbert's 'kesese'-ing, "I need to talk with you. I think you know about what."

"Well, you guys, I'm off!" Gilbert winked, "'Parentally if I get to the store soon enough then my brother'll give me discount! Wouldn't want to waist money, now, would I? Enjoy yourselves!"

And the German was gone, giggling all the way out of the door.

Sighing, Arthur turned to face Alfred, finally meeting the blue eyes of the American's. It had been just as Arthur had feared – they weren't full of joy like they usually were; they looked like broken mirrors, reflecting the sky. It made Arthur want to stare right back down at the floor, but he'd be brave!

"Tell me, Arthur, the other day… why were you sharing a bed with Kiku? I know the two of you're now going out… but you didn't do that already, did you?" Alfred said, his tone sounding painfully begging.

Shaking his head, Arthur found that his confidence had gone, and, like a coward, he stared right back down at his shoes, "No. Of course not – I don't want anything like that, and neither does Kiku. We were just watching a film and Kiku happened to fall asleep on my bed. I didn't want to wake him, so I figured we'd just share a bed. I'm sorry you thought that, thought, why were you in my bedroom?"

Blinking a few times, Alfred blushed, realising how stalker-ish he'd just sounded, "No! I wasn't there, like, watching you sleep or anything! I just… had a nightmare…" He admitted sheepishly, "S-sorry…"

Arthur chuckled, "Don't be… it's me who should be sorry…" The Brit sighed, "The twins were right – not only did I end up hurting myself, but I hurt Kiku, you and Heracles and Sadik… It was terrible what I did."

"It kinda was…" Alfred admitted. Arthur was a little shocked at the American's honesty, but then the Brit realised that Alfred was simply telling the truth. Smiling a little, Arthur realised he was glad Alfred was as honest as he really was.

"So… are you still dating him?" Alfred asked, breaking the growlingly awkward silence.

Arthur shrugged his shoulders, "I don't really know… I guess technically we are, but I don't believe either of us really want to be in a relationship. Or I don't, anyway. I'll have a word with him tomorrow about it – it's late now, anyway."

The American looked down at his shoes, shuffling his feet, "So… does that mean…"

"… We can get together…?" Arthur concluded Alfred's unfinished question. Truth be told, both of them had been thinking about the relationship with the other that they were almost bound to be in one day if their wishes came true, but now it actually came to that one moment – that one awkward moment – neither of them were very sure how to react, or even if they wanted it.

Alfred was obviously aware of the doubt both of them were feeling, and he leant down to hold Arthur's hand, while cupping his cheek with the other free hand, a smile twitching at his lips, "Well, why don't we take it slow? See if we like it? You never know – we might just be better off as friends."

"No." Arthur answered quickly and defiantly, "I don't want that. I want to be with you… but I want you to be with me, too, if you get me? I don't want us to be 'Arthur' and 'Alfred'… I want us to be 'Arthur and Alfred'." He demonstrated in the air by drawing little quotation marks around his words.

"I'm sure that can be arranged, Artie." Alfred smiled, and leant down, letting their lips meet gently. Like always, their kisses were a little awkward – but that was due to their age and their uncertainty. But it was defiantly enjoyable, and once Alfred lifted his lips away from the Brit's, both had cleared all doubt in their mind. Right now, all they wanted was to be able to do that again, but to be allowed to do it. They wanted to be together, even if it killed them.

"Date? Tomorrow after school?" Arthur asked, only using the vital words to get the message across – he was too flustered to concentrate properly.

Alfred nodded defiantly, "Try and stop me."

And, with that, the two were kissing once again, so glad that finally after everything, they'd finally obtained what they truly desired – the other's heart.

A/N

Hellos! :D ARTIE AND ALFIE ARE FINALLY TOGETHER :'D after so long! But don't think that's the end of their problems! This is only the beginning! MWHAHAHA. Lol jk. But it's not over yet!

u.u I'm worried I'm getting a little repetitive u.u" I hope I'm not! Well, I can pretty much guarantee that if I am getting repetitive, then soon things WILL change X'D

Thank you for your kind reviews (200+ Q_Q THANK YOU!) and I genuinely thought I'd never get such good feedback! I love you all for this ^^ Thank you!

I'm excited for the next chapter, so it could be up tomorrow (or even today!) but I'm not eniterly sure, as I have a load of music-related shit going on tomorrow :P not looking forward to. So I might not get time XD but the weekend has almost guaranteed updates!

I SHALL SEE YOU THERE :D