I do not own Hetalia okay? Just seeing how you guys like this really makes me smile. Anyway, I don't have much else to say, so enough of this A/N, on with the fic!
The days leading up the Epiphany celebration planned were filled with hectic tension. Alfred had a few projects that needed to be completed soon now that the holiday season was over. It was a good enough excuse to lock himself away from Francis and Natalya. This house may have a lot of space, but we don't have all the space that we'd need for everyone to be comfortable and not in everyone's business. He thought as his stomach growled around lunch time. Normally he did not get up until later in the morning but since Natalya, Toris and Francis were staying over, he could not find himself focusing or able to sleep that late. Many times there was a line for the shower in the morning or in the evening. Matthew had often taken his right after lunch and ran off after that to the station. Many mornings were started with Natalya pounding on the bathroom door trying to get Francis out of the bathroom only to find her cursing in Russian that the hot water was used up. This was the case this morning, which had caused both Ivan and Alfred to jump awake, Ivan rolling out of bed. "Can you talk to your papa?" Ivan sighed.
"I tried." Alfred sighed. "I said that he'd probably happier at a hotel but nooooooooooo…." he moaned as he placed his pillow on his head. "I try to talk to Toris when he's around. I love the guy, but I moved out so he wouldn't bother me. I have a house and husband of my own." He sat up and grabbed a pair of sweatpants, a shirt and headed to the bathroom. "I'm going to try again." He said as he got up on his crutches and headed to the bathroom to run into Toris.
"Go ahead Mr. Alfred sir." Toris said. "I can take a shower when Matthew heads to work.
"You sure? I mean I work from the house so I could do what they want me to buck naked." Alfred said.
"I will be fine." Toris said. "Although I do want to talk to you about something… later."
"Sure." Alfred said amazed someone wanted his advice. "You can talk to me in my office I need someone to talk to anyway way things are going now." Alfred sighed as there was a mix of Russian and French swears coming from the kitchen.
"Yes…. I was not expecting your papa to be here as well." Toris said.
"None of us were." Alfred sighed. "I got to wash up. Tell you what, bring lunch up to me, and we'll talk. It's a pain in the ass getting downstairs in these." He motioned to the crutches. "I don't think I will ever get used to these."
"Well it's usually 6 weeks and then the injury is healed." Toris said. "You will have some physical therapy afterwards but you should be fine again."
"Yeah." Alfred sighed. "Well I got to shower like an old man because of this. See you for lunch brosef."
Toris headed down the stairs to see if there was anything that needed cleaning in particular. He and Natalya were here to help while Katyusha was on bedrest before they went back to college for the semester. Honestly he didn't see why Alfred having a broken leg meant much that would be different than if he had never broken his leg in the first place. At least Alfred is rather friendly. I would not mind having him around more often. I don't know what it is about Natalya's brother though, he scares me. Heading to the kitchen, he looked around only to find Natalya in the kitchen preparing a salad in a large bowl. "What's that?"
"Salad." She said simply as she added a few more ingredients to the bowl. "Between how Fredka normally eats and the atrocities that Katyusha has been craving, I figured I would take the handle on lunch."
"Where's Francis?" Toris asked.
"Gone, thank god." Natalya said.
"Is he coming back?" Toris said.
"Probably." Matthew sighed as he came into the kitchen. "Thanks Natalya." He said.
"Someone has to make sure that Katyusha does not succumb to her cravings for horrible foods. Both in taste and nutrition." Natalya said as Matthew looked at her annoyed.
"Well it is greatly appreciated that you thought so far ahead and made enough for everyone." Matthew said. And I see why Al does not like Natalya that much.
"Thank you." Natalya said as she finished adding vegetables and placed the salad into bowls for everyone except Francis. Matthew counted them and noticed this. He took a breath to say something when Natalya spoke up. "Francis is not here right now, god knows what he's doing, and frankly I do not care. You have his phone number, call him if you are so concerned."
Matthew pulled his phone out of his pocket but then looking at it, decided against calling his papa. "Meh if he lands himself in the hospital or in jail or just lost at a truck stop, he'll call." Matthew said, deciding he didn't need to check in on his father, he was a grown man after all. "I'll take Katy her lunch." Matthew said as he picked up the salad and juice and carried it to Katyusha.
"I'll join Mr. Alfred for lunch as well." Toris said as he took a tray and headed up to the house's office. Natalya looked at him confused as he headed out of the kitchen and knocked on the door. "Mr. Alfred."
"How many times do I have to ask you to drop the Mr. part? Alfred said. "Just come on in Tori" He turned in his chair and made to stand up in a weird balancing act with his cast as Toris had entered and placed the tray on available side table and handled Alfred a bowl. "So this is what is for lunch?"
"Yes Talya made it." Toris smiled.
"Talya?" Alfred asked.
"Natalya." Toris corrected. "Why did you take to calling me Tori?"
"Sounds cool." Alfred said as he stuffed his face with the romaine lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes dribbling down his chin and onto his Captain America t-shirt. "So what did you want to ask me of all people about? I doubt any of your classes would have anything to do with my work. Or do you have that professor who has tenure but used the same test since 2002?"
"I had that one freshman year." Toris said. "The answer key got passed around and he didn't care."
"How has he not just retired already?" Alfred asked as he sighed at the drinks. "Did Vanya tell Natalya to do this?"
"No, she was concerned that Katyusha was eating too poorly with her cravings for weird pizzas and macaroni and cheese so she took care of lunch while your papa was out." Toris explained. "But sounds like Ivan wants you to eat better too." Alfred nodded from a mouth full of lettuce. "Which kind of gets to what I want to ask you about. I wouldn't want to ask Ivan because Natalya is his sister and I saw how he reacted to the news that Katyusha was pregnant by the man she was married to."
"Sure, fire away Tori." Alfred said taking a long drink of the lemonade. "And I take it Natalya does not put a lot of sugar in her lemonade?"
"Nope." Toris said.
"And I've seen how Vanya and Katy take their tea…. like what I drink is too sugary…." Alfred scoffed. "But fire away and I'll guide you the best I can."
"Well…." Toris's face grew red. He had really fallen for Natalya hard and with graduation coming up, they could both really start planning their futures as they both had very good employment prospects. He didn't know what just to say he was thinking about possibly moving in with her, or even considering marriage. He knew that Alfred was the friendlier member of Natalya's family, even if it was as her brother in law. Matthew probably would be good as well, but he had enough to worry about with Katyusha's pregnancy, his job and his papa coming for an unexpected visit.
"Well?" Alfred asked as he wiped some dribbled dressing with his t-shirt. "I wish that she'd used ranch for this…."
Toris didn't quite know what to say so he figured he would ask about Alfred's experience. "So Natalya told me you and Ivan were roommates before you got together."
"Yep." Alfred sighed. "And we wanted to fight each other for so much. Chewing too loud, snoring, I think I yelled at him for breathing while reading. But then, well I can't explain it, I felt sorry for him studying in one class, the one the teacher never changed the tests since 2002 and I gave him my old answer key. He thanked me with some McDonalds and well, soon after that we realized we liked each other and well, everything went from there."
Toris nodded. "But when did you guys figure out you wanted to get married?"
"Soon after we had graduated. We had already lived with each other as roommates, and was able to get each other as roommates our last year and well, then decided that it would be a good time to make it official man." Alfred shrugged, not thinking much of it. "I mean there was no big sign that said it was perfect. I don't know, love you can't explain."
"I guess not." Toris said. "How did you propose? Who did?"
"Funny story there." Alfred said stuffing his face with some more salad. "It was the week after graduation and Ivan wanted to go to the spot we did a lot of our stargazing at and I wanted to surprise him as I had been thinking of it myself a little bit before then and right when he started to I did as well. We looked at the ring boxes a second and just laughed."
"What's so funny?" Toris asked.
"We had the same idea at the same time." Alfred laughed. "And that's how we knew then." He noticed Toris looking as if that didn't help his dilemma. "So why did you want to ask me about that?"
"You won't tell anyone?" Toris said, "Especially not Ivan? While Natalya can stand up for herself well if someone were to mean her ill will, Ivan sees his sisters as 'frail little darlings' as she claims. It's about the only thing she doesn't like about him. She speaks the world of him otherwise."
"Well he'll be glad to hear that part, but no Tori, I won't tell Vanya what you say." Alfred held his pinky up. "Pinky swear."
"Well, I really like Natalya, liked her from afar until recently when I got the courage to ask her out. She is a very assertive and self-assured woman…." Alfred nodded as that was the nicest way he could call Natalya's attitude. "And I had brought up the idea of taking my degree and working in Lithuania or Russia or something like that and I wanted to ummm…. marry her."
"Well." Alfred said. "Why do you want to go back to Lithuania?"
"Well there is a lack of good oncologists and cancer doctors and such but I got the nuclear medicine degree to get started in the field. And maybe the degree is cheaper over there."
"Yeah…. Not all of us are very lucky to get the scholarships Vanya did or have a pair of dads who were pretty well off to begin with." Alfred noted.
"And I wanted to bring Natalya with be back there." Toris said. "She seemed to like it when we visited my family over Christmas."
"Well…." Alfred paused, knowing Toris wanted to know his advice but was thinking of Ivan and Katyusha. Sure, part of him would love to have Natalya thousands of miles away but Ivan and Katyusha would not, considering what they had left. Though she was very young when they left Russia, so like there'd be very many bad memories attached I guess…. He thought as he looked at Toris as he poked nervously at his salad. "Marriage is for life. You can't just throw in the towel when things get tough."
"I know. I think you learned your dedication and loyalty from your fathers." Toris said.
"Huh?" Alfred said surprised.
"Well look at those two. Look how they fight and they have been together how long?" Toris said. "I mean if Thanksgiving was any indication of how they are."
"Point taken." Alfred sighed. "But Vanya and I could only know we would be well together from our time as roomies. You guys may be able to tolerate each other's presence for short periods of time but when you are there seeing how the other is nasty behind closed doors, that really can test things. And you want to make sure that you and Nattie are on the same page career wise. She seems like she wants to be Miss Queen CEO really bad. I have heard that career goals differing too much can really mess with things." At this Toris nodded.
"I can take your bowl to the kitchen for you if you're finished." He smiled.
"Thanks. I swear you're one of the most helpful people ever. I don't see what you do in Natalya but she'd be lucky to have a guy like you. And you'd make cute kids." Alfred laughed.
"Now it's a little early to be thinking about that." Toris blushed. "But thank you."
Meanwhile, Francis had headed out early to avoid Natalya's rage when she found out he had used up all of the hot water. His mind was still on the bed and breakfast that was for sale and he was determined to make it his. He'd turn it into a massive success and would be able to see his sons and grandchildren much easier. Now to convince Arthur this would be a good idea. Not like he would leave that job of his anyway. He works too hard, I am surprised his blood pressure isn't higher…and he worries about my so called drinking problem. I don't have that many glasses of wine a night! He thought as he pulled the car into the parking lot. "Well if I am to see what is so wrong, I should stay a night. I have a feeling if I stay at Alfred and Ivan's too much, at least before that sister of Ivan's goes back to college, she is going to have my head. That is the family that the boys married into?" He grabbed his overnight bag and headed into the hotel "I mean I had watched all those Hotel Impossible episodes, well the ones on the DVD anyway." He sighed as he headed into the establishment he was going to make his own in him mind. As he opened the door, he noticed a gruff looking older man reading a magazine.
"What do you want?" The man at the counter said.
"Ummm a room I guess, this is a bed and breakfast after all." Francis said, shocked at the man's attitude You work in the hospitality industry and that was rather rude!
"Oh la dee da, it's true what they say, French are rude." The clerk said and he pulled up the books for the hotel. "60 bucks a night, with a 30-dollar deposit. Cash only."
"I should talk to the owner about this." Francis said with an indignant huff. Well I see part of this place's problem. The owner does not seem to care if his employees abuse the customers.
"You're speaking with him." The man said. "My sister started this place, and then she goes and up and dies and leaves this to me. Thanks sis. I tried to run it but I know jack shit about this crap and I would rather be shot of it. Trying to sell it."
"Well if you hate it so much why not close?" Francis asked.
"Well I wanted to try and uphold my sister's legacy. She wasn't totally bad at this and it was a vital place in this weird community that drops marshmallows on New Year's eve. So I tried to handle it for my sis. Between all the activity she had in the community volunteering and other shit like that, I can't keep up. I poured so much of my own money into this place and had to cut corners. At this point, I just want out. I fucking tried and if her ghost don't like it, she can haunt the place. Well that might actually improve business…."
"Well I am on my way to visit family and need some time to rest." Francis said plainly.
"Here. Room 4 upstairs." He said as he shoved the key into Francis's hand. Normal keys. Something that isn't seen at even cruddy motels anymore. But this is a specialty part of the industry. You can get away with things like that at this, he tried to open the door, but found it stiff. Nor does he really care about upkeep. Francis sighed as he looked around. The room was small and had a small bathroom attached. Certainly not much for romance in that size… He thought as he looked around. "At least the bed is a little more comfortable than a pull out sofa…" Francis sighed as he laid back and turned on the television. It was old, it reminded him of one of the ones that Alfred had hooked up the GameCube he had mowed yards all summer for when he was a teenager to. "This place will need a lot of work, upgrades in ammonites and such…." Francis said as he turned on the television. "And Arthur will not be happy about that one bit…." He sighed for a moment. The listing had seemed like this was good to go nothing much needing improved. But at least I see why it has the reputation it does and it is losing money. As he contemplated calling Arthur, the phone began to ring "God Save the Queen" "'Ello mi amor!" Francis smiled.
"So did you get kicked out of the boys' house?" Arthur said.
"Not exactly. Katyusha's little sister decided to help out…" Francis began.
"So she did the work that Alfred and Matthew probably were too nervous to do." Arthur sighed. "So where are you now?"
"Last night I was on their couch but now I am staying at the bed and breakfast I was thinking of taking over." Francis smiled. "And I could save it."
"Mother of mercy…" Arthur said. "Anyone can fix basic mistakes but you need the money to do so and I will not risk our retirement funds nor the house for a mid-life crisis! Oh dear…"
Francis noticed the tone difference "Are you alright?" He asked.
"Something is bothering me in my chest. I mean I may have just pulled a muscle where I had to reorganize my office and some books in the library while the librarian was out…." Arthur said but Francis knew the man well.
"Do not lie to me Arthur. You're going to give yourself an aneurism and it sounds like it from your breathing pattern. I have heard how you breathe for years now." Francis said panicked.
"I'm fine frog." Arthur said as he wiped his brow.
"Non, get yourself to the hospital and I will head back to check on you. I will let the boys know when I meet up with you." Francis panicked.
Arthur gripped his chest. "But you're over an hour away." He started to gasp.
"Nonsense. By the time I get there is when they will let you see visitors again. Now either call the ambulance yourself or I will."
"Fine Frog…." Arthur winced as Francis quickly headed out of the room and paid and headed back to down to the local hospital where he knew they would be taking Arthur.
So how was that? Good? Bad? Short? Long? Let me know in a review. I don't know how fast I can update the way life is right now but I will try to. Anyway remember to read (well you just did) and to review. Ciao for now,
Otherrealmwriter
Aka
Realm.