After a day of R&R around Arthur's house, my hangover was no more. Thank the Allfather. I felt like shit. Was that the price I had to pay to have a drink with my kids? Well…To be fair, I did have a little more than just one. And Ivan's heavy handed. Whatever. Totally worth it. The other night was a blast and I wouldn't change a thing. But that was then. What am I going to do today? I know exactly what I'm going to do today. I walked downstairs and hoped that I'd be able to get out undetected. It's not that I don't love hanging around Arthur and Francis, but I had more babies to see than just them. They had to share me with everyone else, too. Whether they like it or not.

"Where do you think you're going, young lady?" Francis had a more wicked mom voice than I did. I knew I shouldn't have gone by the drawing room.

"Francis," I reminded him, "I'm very old. And you don't need to be my parent."

"Sorry," he pulled me into his lap, "Forgive me for being protective."

"I understand," I kissed his cheek, "If you must know, I'm going to go see my son. Is that alright with you?"

"I'm right here, cheri."

"My other son," I love him, but he's exasperating.

"Far be it for me to stop you," Francis let me go, "Go ahead. Send Kiku my love."

"I will," I promised. Something about that felt sad. Why is my Francis sad? I don't like that, "Hold on. Don't you usually have a salty, bitter Englishman to play with? Where's Arthur?"

"He had to go see his queen on business," he pouted, "It'll just be me in this big house for the rest of the day. Think of me while you're having fun with Kiku."

"You'll be fine, sweetheart," I assured, "The solitude might be good for you."

"I can't be in solitude," Francis groaned, "What good is it to be beautiful if I'm not being admired?"

"You're such a drama queen," I giggled, getting up from his lap, "You'll live, Francis. I won't be gone all day. And I'm sure Arthur will be home soon. Then, you can play with him all you want."

"As long as he says yes," he pointed out, "All bets are off."

"I'll be back later," I kissed his forehead, "Ja t'aime, Papa."

"Ja t'aime, cheri…" Francis sent me off.

I really do love that boy, but my god, he has his moments where he's a stage three clinger. Not quite a stage five. That's his boyfriend when he's wickedly drunk. Regardless, I wanted to go see my littlest baby. Seeing Kiku at the world meeting the other day…That was a punch in my chest that hurt in the best way. I still can't get over the fact that one of my boys were alive. With the way Rome and Germania fought, I thought they all would've chosen sides and messes would've been made and that would've been the end of that.

Then, there's Kiku…But he was still pretty young when Rome and Germania got into their mini pissing contests. Then, Rome would bust out a bottle of wine, Germania would bring a barrel of beer, and they'd settle their differences. Only to find new ones when they'd reach the right levels of drunk. Uncle Di was a bad influence on them.

Knock, knock.

"Mama?" Kiku answered his door, bowing to me, "This is a pleasant surprise."

"Hi, Kiku," I smiled, "Do you mind if I come in?"

"Of course not," he held the door for me, "What brings you to my house?"

"I was wondering if we could catch up," I kicked my shoes off.

"Are you sure that I'm the one you want to do that with?" Kiku winced, "I've been mostly a shut-in for a very long time, Mama."

"Come on, Kiku," I followed him into his main room, "Talk to me. Something's had to happen."

"Alright," he and I sat down, "What would you like to know?"

"What have I missed in the last century?"

"Well," Kiku began, "I did make friends, so I have that going for me."

"So I've heard," I awed, "Any particular reason they happened to be Ludwig and Feliciano?"

"They reminded me of home," he sighed, "I missed so much because I was afraid to put myself out in the world. Rome and Germania…I missed my brothers. But they also didn't make things safer. I miss all of my siblings, Mama."

"I miss them, too." My heart hurts…

"Not many of the other nations can relate to some of the feelings I have sometimes," Kiku went on, "Hercules can, to a certain extent. A part of him still remembers Ancient Greece. It's almost the same with Ludwig and Feliciano. They all knew where they came from. I'm the source of where I come from. That's why I was so overwhelmed when I saw you at the world meeting."

"So was I," I took his hand, "Imagine what it was like on my end of things. For centuries, I thought all of my babies were dead. Seeing you in that doorway, Kiku, was like seeing a ghost. For a moment, I didn't think you were real. I thought you were like Ludwig and Feliciano. Just a lookalike of one of my ancient nations. Because I made that mistake with Ludwig. I thought he was Germania."

"They do look a lot alike."

"Right?!" I squeaked, "They're practically twins! And don't even get me started on Hol…"

"We don't talk about that," Kiku stopped me, "We all know, but Feliciano and Ludwig don't. We figured it'd be best if we don't tell them for the sake of their mental health. It would tear them both to ribbons."

"I thought so," I agreed.

"I really do miss Germania and Rome," he admitted, "I don't miss their fighting, but I do miss them. Once in a while, they'd come and visit me. Individually, but they'd still come see me. Rome only wanted me for my land and Germania wanted whatever Rome wanted, so Rome couldn't have it. It wouldn't be very often, but when they did, it was nice to not be alone."

"Didn't Egypt or Greece or Britannia come to visit?" I wondered.

"No," Kiku shook his head, "They knew I could take care of myself. They understood that I liked my alone time and gave me all I could ever want. But it's nice to have someone sometimes. That's what I have Ludwig and Feliciano for. Besides, they make for good creative inspiration."

"For what?" I asked.

"For…" he bit the inside of his cheek, "For manga I sell to Alfred…"

"What kind of manga?" Kiku looked down at the floor, twitching in his seat, "Kiku…"

"It's nothing," Kiku swept it under the rug, "I didn't say anything."

"Kiku," I knew better than that. What would he have to be ashamed about? So, he's drawing manga inspired by…Oh, "Kiku…Are you selling yaoi to Alfred?"

"No."

"Kiku…Are you selling doujinshi of Ludwig and Feliciano?"

"Yes…" he hung his head in shame, "It goes like hotcakes."

"Kiku…" I cradled my face in my hand, "I'm not mad. And I'm only a little disappointed."

"Only a little?" Kiku picked himself up again.

"Yeah," I let him have that one, "As long as it's ONLY Ludwig and Feliciano."

"Um…" his head drooped again, "Hai. It's only them."

"Kiku…" I love him, but this was my son. I had to love him, "Is it only Ludwig and Feliciano?"

"Um…"

I let out a heavy, exasperated sigh, "How many others?"

The stunned silence was not reassuring.

"Arthur and Francis?"

Kiku nodded.

"Gilbert and Matthew?"

Kiku nodded.

"…Antonio and Lovino?"

"Everyone," Kiku confessed.

"Kiku…" I groaned, "No more selling yaoi to Alfred."

"Yes, Mama…"

"But…" I wasn't sure if I should feel bad about this or not, but my curiosity was killing me, "How hardcore is it?"

"I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under the age of eighteen."

"It's a good thing I'm millennia old," I pointed out, "Show me."

"Are you sure?" Kiku worried, "Some of it gets pretty graphic."

"I'm a big girl, Kiku," I assured, "I think I can handle it."

"If you say so."

He wasn't joking. This was graphic. Some of these ventured into fetishes that I didn't even know existed. Or were legal. Although, artistically speaking, these were fantastic. Kiku had a very pretty art style. Some of them were definitely an anime style, some of the others were more…watercolor. The big, beautiful, soft brushstrokes were a nice touch. Even if the image wasn't portraying such a nice touch.

"Some of these are gorgeous, Kiku," I critiqued, "But in terms of context, you're the family disappointment."

"I'm sorry."

"But," I pulled him into my shoulder, "I still love you. Just no more selling yaoi to Alfred. He's still practically a baby and doesn't need to see...This."

"Yes, Mama," Kiku promised, "But I left the last chapter on a cliffhanger of will they/won't they and if I don't finish it, Alfred yells at me and says I gave him blue balls."

"That sounds like Alfred," I rolled my eyes, "Alright. Finish the last one, THEN no more."

"Ok," he smiled, melting my heart. It's hard to believe someone so sweet like him could do something so naughty. Those were highly inappropriate.

"Well, baby," I got up from his couch, "I need to be getting back to Francis and Arthur's. Francis is home by himself and I have a feeling he doesn't handle that well."

"He doesn't," Kiku confirmed, "If he still has pants on when you walk in, you're lucky."

"Not all of them can handle solitude like you," I figured, kissing his cheek, "This won't be the last time we see each other."

"I hope not," he nuzzled his face into my shoulder, "I like having you around, Mama. It's so wonderful to see your face again."

"You, too, sweetheart," I held him tight, "No more yaoi, got it?"

"Yes," Kiku promised, "I love you, Mama."

"I love you, too."

And I'm going to miss the hell out of you when I'm gone.

Regardless, I headed back to Francis and Arthur's house for some well-deserved rest and some more time with my boys. As much as I loved spending quality time with Kiku this afternoon, I needed to check on Francis and make sure he's still in one piece. Hopefully, he won't be white wine wasted and crying in front of the fireplace in the drawing room. I could see that happening. Then, Arthur would have to come home, pick up the shattered remains of his boyfriend (possibly husband, depending on the paperwork), and take care of him. I love them, but they're exhausting.

"Arthur!" I called from the doorway, "Francis! I'm home!"

"Bienvenue à la maison, cheri," Francis greeted me from the living room. By the looks of it, Arthur's home, too. Good. I don't have to worry about Francis being a groveling mess anymore, "How was Kiku?"

"He's fine," I reported, jumping the couch. Then, a flash of what Kiku had these two doing popped up in my mind and I couldn't look at either one of them the same.

"Terra?" Arthur worried, "Are you alright, darling?"

"I've been better," I cringed, "But yeah. I'm alright."

"TERRA!" a voice screeched from the front door, "WHAT THE HELL, DUDE?!"

"Hello, Alfred," Arthur groaned, "You couldn't come in a little quieter?"

"NO!" Alfred snarled. He is pissed.

"What seems to be the problem?" Arthur took control of it.

"YOU TOLD MY YAOI DEALER TO CUT ME OFF!"

"Ooh…" France winced, "Terra…"

"Trust me," I assured, "It's for the greater good."

A/N: Alfred's not a happy boy. And I can't blame him. I'd be pissed, too, if someone took my yaoi away. That's why I got my special folder on my computer. Don't look at me like that. We all have some shameful things saved in the bowels of our computers, our phones. All that aside, question for the week:

Who's next? Because this next series of chapters are going to be almost like dates with various nations. Who do we want to go with next? Anything goes. Sound off and I'll see you next chapter! xx