Chapter 12

Hey. Sorry for not posting sooner- work experience is next week and my tests were last week so now was the only time that I could write.

Shout out to Fangirl3333 who sent me an awesome message of support!

Hope you all enjoy!

/ / / /

Feliks frowned disapprovingly at Gilbert when he mentioned Arthur choosing. It was waaaay too soon for Arthur to have made a choice- Gil had to stick with the plan, Alana had filled them in earlier and they were all encouraging Arthur to find someone perfect for him.

"Partners? I barely know anything about him, other than that he has an eternal love for pasta." Snorted Arthur, crossing his legs an taking a sip from his beer.

"Yeah, that obsession is like, borderline insane." Said Feliks, his lips twitching upwards in amusement.

"Nah, Feli's a sweet kid! He and Luddy would make an awesome couple!" Grinned Gilbert, scanning the bar for people they know.

Antonio and Lovino were on a table across the room, Alfred and Matthew were on the other side of the room, also at the bar and Ivan and his lot were sat awkwardly in the corner.

"You know, this could easily erupt into a bar fight" Mentioned Arthur mildly, not even bothering to turn around. He continued to ignore that Alfred was steadily getting drunker and staring more. Also that Ivan was looking at the American with interest.

"Yup" Smirked Feliks. He didn't even bother to hide his staring at the two once super powers that held extreme hatred for each other.

"No shit" snorted Gilbert.

"So I'll be playing peacekeeper as always then?" Sighed Arthur but he didn't sound too bothered.

"Like, duh"

"Kesessese I'm not doing it!"

"No, you would join in. Well, hopefully it will just end in hate sex and poor Mattie will join us. Maybe I'll call Francis if he does." He mused aloud.

"I dunno Art, tensions between those two are totally high right now."

"Oh really, why?"

`because of you` was the unspoken answer but neither were going to admit it out loud. Not here. Not now when Arthur was considering things.

"Damn. So it really is true then?" Arthur grumbled and Gilbert eyed him warily. He wasn't drunk. Gilbert was buzzed a little and Feliks had a few fruity drinks but they had heard him correctly.

"Um..." Feliks seemed unsure how to proceed.

"The world really DOES want to shag me" Arthur looked annoyed and disgruntled.

"How did you..?" Gilbert blinked owlishly.

"Francis and the lads. The frog can be useful, he helped me decide what clothes to wear. Joao said they'd eat me alive if I went out in my err `sexy punk shit`" Arthur chuckled at his best friends supposedly exaggerated words.

"I'm so not drunk enough for this" muttered Feliks downing a martini.

/ / / /

Alfred's staring was making even Matthew uncomfortable.

"Alfred. Stop trying to undress Arthur with your eyes. It's creeping him out."

Alfred finally stopped talking and looked shocked.

"Dude! I am so not staring!"

"Yes Alfred, yes you are. Honestly, you have seen him in swimming trunks and you're starring more now!"

"Yeah well, I didn't like him like that back then." Replied Alfred airily, eyeing Arthur out of the corner of his eye. Arthur wasn't wearing anything special, smart casual clothes- the usual but his hair was all messed and fluffy. Alfred kinda wanted to run his fingers through it.

"Alfreeeeed. Ivan is giving you a scary look." Said Matthew nervously.

"Really? Sounds like fun." Alfred gave Arthur one last sideward glance before grinning at Ivan cockily and Russian stood up from his chair and marched over.

"Comrade Alfred! Don't you think your staring is a little out of hand?" Said Ivan cheerfully with a huge smile.

"What staring dude, I don't know what your talking about. You might be going senile like Artie. Hahahahah."

Ivan frowned disapprovingly at the unconvincing American.

"Now, now you shouldn't insult Arthur- he is your brother, da?"

"He used to be. He's always been on my side."

Ivan's eye twitched and he conjured his pipe from nowhere.

"Say that again? Who's the one that stamped all over his heart in the civil war. Ungrateful little brat."

Alfred snapped, throwing a punch that Ivan easily side stepped.

"Now, now comrade! You can do better than that!"

Alfred's punch landed this time but only made Ivan laugh his creepy kolkolkolkol. Then, he got angry and threw himself at the American. They ended up sprawled on the floor wailing on each other as Matthew stood and watched, mortified by the scene.

He didn't know what to do.

/ / / /

"Alright lads, that's enough now." Came a firm voice with a very familiar sexy accent.

He pulled Alfred away from Ivan and stood between them. An effective human wall.

"I believe Ivan has had too much to drink, so he should go home and sleep it off." Said Arthur mildly but it was an order.

"Da, but what about Alfred?" Ivan scowled and glared spitefully at the blonde with a busted lip stood behind Arthur.

"He will be doing the same thing."

Ivan huffed but obeyed, leaving the bar for his hotel room.

"Awww but Arrrtiieeeeee! I didn't get to spend any time with you guys! Me and Mattie were having an awesome time!" Alfred whined and pouted like a four year old. Matthew and Arthur rolled their eyes, he always acted like this when he was drunk. Clinging to Arthur like his life depended on it- he had Arthur's arm in a vice grip while he tried in vain to use puppy dog eyes.

His cheeks were flushed too- yes, definitely inebriated.

"You need help handling him?" Asked Arthur with a raised eyebrow.

"I've got it. Thanks anyways." Matthew had Alfred's arm wrapped around his shoulder now, carrying his weight.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye Artieeeee!" Alfred launched himself at the smaller man, enveloping him firmly in his arms and grinning happily into his hair.

"Silly lad. You're only a bit tipsy, you can sleep it off."

"'kay" He stumbled back to Matthew.

"Night Arthur."

/ / / /

"Hey Mattie?"

"Yeah?"

"You know I'm not really drunk right?"

"Fuck you Alfred! You just wanted a hug!"

"Yup- and to piss off Ivan."

"Brothers." Huffed Matthew, rolling his eyes.