A/N: So I'm not going to go into a lengthy explanation as to why this is nearly three weeks late because it doesn't matter I feel horrible about it anyway *sobs* school, life and sickness caught up to me... anyway I've got it a little more under control now, but I'm probably going to be like this for a while yet. SO.
http : / / tealover95. tumblr .com /
This, is my tumblr (remove the spaces of course lol), where I will be posting updates about release times and how things are going so you people don't think that I dropped off the face of the earth. If you have a tumblr, please feel free to add me. If you don't, you can still check my page for information :) I figured this could be at least some way for me to keep in touch with you guys when things get hectic like they were...
So yea, pretty crazy weeks... And thanks to APUSH I'm now ITCHING to write a story about the history of america and england's love from start to finish :3 and about the revolutionary war, I reaaaallly want to write a oneshot about that... *restrains herself from working on anything else* so yea, I really am sorry I let you guys down these past weeks. School and life have been nutty, plus I now have a responsibility to a hetalia editing group I was accepted into on youtube so I'm busy working on things for that...
Anyway! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, I really really do, because it took a while for me to piece together lol.
ALSO! Great thanks to my new beta who put up with me telling her it was going to be done every other day and then never being finished ahaha :D Thank you so much! And to everyone else who asked, thank you very much for offering, I'm really happy to have so much support from you guys! :3
Onward!
O ~ O ~ O
"Arthur!" Alfred called over the crowd, flinching as he was shouldered aside by a particularly broad boy. He and Laura had been pushing through the streets for ten minutes, and still had yet to catch sight of either the pub or the fuzzy eyebrowed Briton. Alfred was becoming impatient.
"Do you see him?" he asked Laura, glancing over the people. The golden haired blonde shook her head, locks swaying around her shoulders as she did.
"I can't see anything in this mess. You don't see that place you were last time, do you?"
"No." Alfred sighed dejectedly. "Good grief, of all the times to go missing... what else could go wrong?"
"Laura!" A voice exclaimed urgently from within the noise. "Laura!"
The senior jumped in surprise, spinning around curiously. "Mei?" She called, cupping her hand around her mouth, "Where are you?"
"Here."
Alfred let out a startled yelp as the chocolate hued brunette slipped out from behind him.
"I've been looking for you everywhere! Where have you been?" She frowned, setting her hands on her hips. Laura blinked her wide green eyes and cocked her head.
"I told you I was wandering around with the Imperaturi house. Besides, why aren't you with your team?"
"Team shmeam did you hear the news?" Mei insisted, shaking her friend's shoulders.
"What news?" Alfred cut in, feeling oddly excluded from the conversation. Mei's eyes curved into a slant and she glanced at him.
"If it had something to do with you i would tell ya!" she snorted. Alfred rolled his eyes. He didn't dislike Laura's friend, but she didn't seem all that particular to him. He hadn't the slightest notion what he'd done to make her hate him so much, but she was like this nearly every time they ran into each other. That being said, she wasn't all that fond of Arthur either, which satisfied some weird sense of gratification in Alfred's gut.
"So what is the news?" Laura asked loudly, drawing the focus back to the matter at hand.
"Oh yeah! Its about Lars!" Mei nodded. Laura's eyes widened slightly in interest.
"W-what about him?"
"Well apparently Jackson, you know, that guy he's friends with, was pestering him in class about whether he liked anyone and he actually admitted to it! Stoic forever unattatched Lars LIKES someone! Can you believe it? Of course its all over the school now. A lot of the girls want to know who it is, I mean he has always had hoard's of them gunning for him. Guess he finally fell for one of them, huh? I heard from someone that it was Katie from the Brickhaven house. I can't believe you hadn't heard! Aren't you guys really good friends? I would think he would have told you about it," she chattered, waving her hands in a flurry of motion as she spoke. Laura said nothing, face blank, and simply shrugged her shoulders.
"Great for him. I hope he manages to tell her. Anyway Mei, we were actually kind of busy. Sorry to abandon you like this, but we have to go." With a polite smile at her friend and a quick wave, she grabbed Alfred's hand in her own and tugged him through the crowds away from the baffled girl.
"A-ah wait hey Laura slow down I keep tripping over people!" Alfred stammered, winching at the annoyed 'hey' that a girl gave him as he stepped on her foot. "What's the hurry?" She shook her head, keeping her eyes to the cobblestone streets as they wandered through the town. Alfred frowned, gently trying to worm his way out of her grip around his fingers. He stared down at their hands. Laura's hand was small, soft and warm. Comforting almost. It reminded him that it had been quite some time since he'd held hands with anyone. He grimaced. It was nice... but... somehow, not quite right.
"Alfred? You ok? You're spaced out." Alfred blinked and looked down at Laura who had stopped running and was now staring expectantly up at him. They were standing in a fairly empty part of the village, although Alfred could still hear the eager conversation of students from the street over, and the small groups the wandered last them.
"Oh yeah fine." He assured her sheepishly. "Are you ok? You really took off there." She waved him off, other hand still attached firmly to his own.
"Never been better. I just thought we really need to get back to looking for Arthur. You were worried about him right?"
Alfred shot her a horrified look. "As if. He's just causing problems, that's all," he protested, "Anyway why did you stop?" She flicked her head sideways and Alfred glanced up.
"Is that your pub?"
Alfred looked over the old log building, trying desperately to conjure a picture into his mind. It had been rainy and hard to see, so he really hadn't gotten a good look at the place, and they had never figured out the name. Even so, it did feel familiar somehow.
"Yeah I think it is," he nodded. "How did you know?"
"Feli mentioned hot chocolate, and this place has got the best around." She smiled proudly.
"That's what Fane said too," Alfred laughed fondly, suddenly remembering the mysterious boy he and Arthur had met all those weeks ago. They hadn't had the chance to visit the town since then, and neither of them had been able to catch sight of him in school, as far as Alfred knew. It would make sense that Arthur would try to find him to say hello after all this time. Laura gave him a funny look, scrunching her eyebrows as if thinking about something. He smiled.
"Thank you so much Laura!" He exclaimed gratefully, pulling her in for a quick, friendly hug. She laughed, patting him in the back and giving him a quick squeeze before they both pulled away.
"No trouble at all. After all I want to know where he is you ever need anything from your big sis again, don't hesitate to ask! I'm always happy to help."
Alfred nodded. "Got it, I will, heroes oath." She punched him gently in the gut.
"As long as your promising things, don't fight with Arthur when you find him." She chided.
"You're not coming in?"
She shook her head. "No I'm going to see if I can't find one of our houses. My team is probably wondering where I am by now..."
"You think, Miss wanders off without telling us?" An agitated voice growled from beside them. Laura stiffened vislibly, stumbling away from Alfred and shooting the speaker a veiled look.
"What are you doing here?" She muttered, turning away from the shaggy haired blonde as he loosened the scarf around his neck.
"Looking for you obviously. Where have you been Laura?"
"Out," she replied tight lipped. "Besides, I told Toris I was going to wander off for a while, its not like nobody knew."
"Yeah well Toris didn't say anything," Lars snapped, gritting his teeth. "And what's with the attitude?" Alfred stared awkwardly at the ground. What was the best thing to do in this type of situation anyway?
"None of your business," Laura replied stiffly. "I don't know why your worried about me anyway. Don't you have more important girls to take care of?"
The boy's face contorted into a mess of confusion. "Huh? What the hell are you talking about? You're not making any sense."
"Never mind, it doesn't matter," She muttered. Laura turned sharply back towards Alfred, throwing him a weak smile. "I'll be off then. Good luck finding him."
With a quick wave of her hand she started off in the other direction.
Lars was clearly having none of it.
"Hold up a fucking second, you're acusing me off wasting my time messing around with some girl, and yet YOU have the right to go on a date with some freshman?"
"We weren't on a date, dear gosh I was helping him, Lars."
"So that's why you hugged him. Because you were helping him. Oh sure, makes perfect sense."
"Shut up!" her voice echoed down the street. Alfred stared worriedly after them as they continued down the cobblestone path, arguing all the way. Was it really ok to leave them like that?
"So what if i was hugging Alfred? What's it to you huh? It's none of your business what I do or who I hang out with in my free time."
"Who says?"
"Me! Because I'm the superior here, and I give the orders, or did you forget that?"
"I thought we promised to treat each other equally."
"Yeah well I'm revoking that promise, so buzz off, and leave me alone. I can find the group by myself. Go go hang out with Katie or whoever the hell else you want!" Lars froze.
"Now wait just a secon-" He reached for her. She was faster.
The resounding smack of her palm making contact with his cheek echoed down the quiet street. A group of girls who had been wandering by and caught sight of the scene let out quiet gasps. She pulled her hand away, staring at the ground . Then, without another look at the tall green eyed boy, she turned down the busy street from which they'd come and dissapeared from sight, leaving Lars alone, fingers ghosting across his red skin. Alfred slipped quietly into the pub. He was a hero, but there were some things that even hero's didn't get involved with.
O ~ O ~ O
Alfred smiled fondly as the warm, familar scent of hot chocolate filled his nose. He relished in the sweet smell, as he knew he would only be in there for a second to grab Arthur, before having to face the damp smell of the rain again outside.
The pub was surpisingly well filled, despite the absence of students along that street. A handfull of large groups were despersed around tables in the open room, ad well as the ocassional two seater with a lovey dovey looking couple, or a pair of friends occupying its chairs. Alfred scanned the room for Arthur. Sure enough, there he was in the same booth as the last time, holding a blue mug of hot chocolate in his hand and laughing at some apparently hilarious joke. He must have found Fane.
Should I just go up to the table? He wondered absentmidedly. Arthur would be annoyed if he inturrupted their conversation... but then again when had he ever cared what Arthur thought?
"Hey." He called, waving his hand in the air as he meandered toward the table. Arthur's lips ceased their movement and he looked up, fixing his emerald eyes on Alfred. He frowned and looked back at Fane, ignoring him. Alfred wrinkled his nose, slightly digruntled. Geeze, what was with that guy?
"Hey." He grumbled, walking up to them and setting his hand on the wooden surface, "What the hell was that for?"
"Alfred!" Fane exclaimed in the booth beside him. Alfred smiled and gave him a nod.
"Hey Fane, it's been a while." He laughed light heartedly, ignoring the hole Arthur was boring in his skull. "I haven't seen you in school. Are you here with your house?" Fane shrugged.
"Yeah, sorta. I'm not really much help with competitions so I came back here. This guy caught me just as I was walking in the door. Said he saw me wandering through town and wanted to chat." Fance grinned, glancing at Arthur.
"Yeah, well he slipped away from the group without telling us. I got sent to find the idiot." Alfred complained, crossing his arms.
"Sorry." Fane chuckled. " I didn't mean to steal him from ya. You want him back?"
"Not particularly." Alfred snorted, eyeing Arthur as the boy continued to glare at him. "But Matty'll get worried if I'm gone to long, and we should be helping out."
"Matthew?" Fane offered. Alfred cocked his head, surprised that the elder boy recognized his friend's name.
"Yeah. How do you know about him?"
"Oh, Arthur was telling me about your house and his name came up." Fane explained, motioning toward the tight lipped blonde. "Actually, we were just talking about you."
"Wonderful," Alfred muttered, "Well don't believe anything he says, it's all lies I promise."
"Really?" Fane asked, an amused glint lighting up his crimson eyes as he rested his chin on his palm. "So you didn't punch each other the first day you met? And you didn't help him when you guys got lost in the forest, and he didn't save your ass from Mr. Palmer in bio? Oh, and you guys didn't get stuck writing a play together in theatre, or locked in the library after I met you? Not to mention the day you two had to stay in the house and recover together, or that you're in homeroom together, and during the storm a couple nights ago-"
"Alright, knock it off!" Arthur cut in, staring down into his mug. Alfred blinked at him, mortified.
"How does he... I mean... you told him all THAT?" Alfred hissed. He felt uncomfortable, having Fane know everything that had gone on between them. It wasn't stuff he really wanted other people knowing.
"Nah, I just got good ears," Fane smiled slyly, clearly pleased with himself, "Besides, things get around, ya know?"
"Not like that." Alfred argued. "Seriously why did you tell him all that stuff?" He bit out, rounding on Arthur.
"I didn't tell him that much," Arthur muttered, twisting the silver studs around in his ears. "It's like he said, he just heard some of it around school. He has to have a class with one of out team mates, after all. Besides, what does it matter what I say? It's my business too, and I can tell whomever I please about it."
"Like hell you can! Not if I'm involved." Alfred protested angrily.
"Dude calm down," Fane chuckled, "I won't tell anyone, cross my heart ok? Besides, it's good to get things off your chest sometimes. I know it helps me."
"Yeah... I guess." Alfred admitted begrudgingly.
He still didn't like it. It wasn't like he was mad at Fane for knowing. It wasn't his fault he'd found out. After all, Arthur was the one who told him. Well, that and word of mouth, apparently, although he was skeptical of that part. Still, somehow, he felt almost betrayed. Why wouldn't Arthur keep those things a secret?
"That's the spirit," Fane encouraged him, patting Alfred on the back. "Anyway, didn't you guys need to get back to your group? You should probably get going now, before its starts raining."
"The weather didn't predict rain for today," Alfred said, recalling the storm report he'd checked on his computer. "Just partly cloudly. And look, its sunny out now."
"Nah." Fane shook his head, crossing his arms behind his neck. "Trust me it's going to pour buckets, and you do not want to be out there when it does."
Alfred laughed. "You psychic or something?"
Fane grinned shrugging nonchalantly. "Hmm not really my area. I do know one though. Maybe I should introduce you to him some time."
"I thought psychics were supposed to be girls." Alfred chided. Fane looked like he was trying to fight off an amused look.
"Well he's not exactly the manliest of guys, I'll say that much about him. Anyway, get going. And good luck on the challenge."
"Yeah," Alfred nodded, glancing at Arthur as he slid quietly out of his seat. "You too! Hey we should see you there, right?" Fane nodded.
"Presumably, yup. I look forward to it. My house is going to wipe the floor with you guys, just fair warning." Alfred stuck out his tounge childishly.
"You wish. By the way, you never did tell us what house you're in. I've looked for you at lunch before but I can't see you cause we're at the front."
"Still not telling." Fane teased. "Anyway, I actually eat lunch with a friend of mine somewhere else. The mess hall is a little to loud for my liking."
"Yeah well stop by some time. We can introduce you to our group."
"Go." Fane urged, rolling his eyes as a grin tugged on the corners of his mouth. "I told you, you're going to get soaked."
"Right. Later!" Alfred saluted. Arthur gave Fane a polite nod, and uttering his own 'bye' following Alfred out of the pub.
Alfred stared at the sky uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact wit the Briton. It was true that since the night he'd fallen asleep in Arthur's bed they'd been back on speaking terms, but they really weren't any friendlier then they had been prior, and now, Alfred felt that familiar awkwardness beginning to seep back into his skin.
"I didn't tell him all that much, I swear." Arthur insisted quietly, startling Alfred. He frowned and crossed his arms.
"Not what it sounded like to me. But whatever, it's none of my business after all."
"You don't believe me," Arthur sighed. " Well, I don't really care if you do, but I am telling the truth. I don't know how he found out all of that, but I only told him about the forest and the first day."
"I told you, I don't care." Alfred muttered. "Geeze, it's fine already. So..." He looked over at the sandy blonde who was fidgiting nervously wit his earrings again. Honestly, Alfred had forgotten he even had them until recently. He only really noticed them when the boy was spinning them around in his ear, and he seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. "What else did you guys talk about? He mentioned Matty, and the rest of the team."
Arthur shrugged. "This and that I guess. I told him about Francis, and his antics with Gilbert and Antonio. And how Elizaveta beats up on Gilbert."
"Oh yeah." Alfred snickered, stuffing his hands in his pockets as they. "They were going at each other in the hall this week. You know, I think something's up with the two of them. I mean, Gilbert's been acting weird around her lately. And she just seems to hate him even more. Plus, have you seen how she is with Roderich? Totally different."
Arthur stared at him. "Are you daft? Obviously she likes him. Seriously, you wouldn't know love if it hit you between the eyes."
"She likes Gilbert?"Alfred exclaimed. "No way, seriously?"
"No you moron, she likes Roderich. What in god's name would make you think she likes Gilbert?"
"Because you said so! And don't call me a moron you-you wanker!"
The briton stopped dead, turning his head away. Alfred felt an anxious feeling rise in his gut. Had he offended him or something? Not that he cared... but OK so it had been a little out of little out of line to use his own curse word against him, but Alfred had lived in England for years now. Surely he had SOME right to use British swear words, right?
"Err ok so that came out wrong, I uh-"
"Sh-shut up." Arthur inturrupted him, voice shaking. And his voice wasn't the only thing that was quivering. In fact, As Alfred looked him over, he realized the boys entire body was positively quaking, hands up at his face and folded over his mouth.
"Are you... laughing?" He gawked, stepping around him to get a better look at Arthur's expression.
"N-n-no." He choked out, letting a faint snicker escape his lips.
"You are!" Alfred cried, surprise and excitement bubbling in his stomach. "Oh my god, you're actually laughing! What, because I said wanker?"
"Pfft!" Arthur pressed his hands visibly tighter over his mouth, unable to stop the strangled sound that worked its way out from between the gaps of his fingers. A devious smile crept onto Alfred's face. There was no way he was letting this opportunity go to waste! Taking hold of Arthur's wrists, he yanked them off his mouth and watched as the boy tried to tug the amused smile off his face.
"Wanker wanker wanker wanker wanker wanker!" Alfred taunted in a sing song voice.
That did it.
"Ah! Ahahahahaaa" Arthur's laughter came out in loud, gasping breathes, his eyes clamped shut and his mouth pulled into a pained smile. Alfred had long let go of his hands, that were currently wrapped around his sides as he hunched over shaking violently.
Alfred chuckled. That made Arthur laugh harder. The American snickered, holding his hand in a fist over his mouth, willing the laughter down. What the hell, why was he laughing now?
Absolutely and utterly completely fucking useless.
In a mere moment, he had been sucked into his own trap, and was laughing just as hysterically beside the tearing blonde, fighting to take in oxygen as his lungs burned and his stomach ached.
Several minutes, spent on laughter and still managing to let out an exauhsted chuckled here and there, they sat sprawled atop the cobblestone streets, chests heaving and both grinning from ear to ear.
"That," Arthur gasped out, "Was the strangest, funniest thing I think I've heard in my life. Please, for your own sake and the sake of anyone you might come across, don't EVER use British slang again." He wiped his face clean of the salty tears that stained his cheeks, still smiling like Alfred had never seen before. He found himself staring at that smile, so vibrant and full of life, lighting up his entire face. Screw the stereotype the Brits had bad teeth. Arthur's were fucking glowing. Even his eyes, usually so serious and calculating, were shining with a kind of happiness that made Alfred want to take a picture of them.
He wished he had a camera right now.
"Dually noted," he agreed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"By the way, not a word of this to anyone," Arthur said more seriously. Alfred scrunched his eyebrows, dissapointed. His emerald eyes had waned themselves back to their normal guarded look, and his mouth was pulled into a thin line. He looks so much older like this. Alfred thought to himself. He supposed that was what drew girls to him, that mature air he had about him, but even so, it was a shame to see that smile go. It made Arthur much easier to be around. He wondered absentmindedly if he would ever see it again.
"Yeah yeah, I hear ya. I'll keep my mouth shut. Just as long as you promise not to have any more 'lets tell the story of my life at school thus far' events with Fane."
Arthur sighed and nodded. "Alright then, I can agree to that."
"Goo-" Alfred crossed his eyes mid sentence as something wet hit the tip of his nose. "What the...?" He looked up that sky, azure orbs growing wide. In the short time that they'd been outside, the sky had grown dangerously dark, the sun completely blotted from view, like a light bulb being covered with some sort of fabric.
"Looks like Fane was right," he noted as another drop landed on his head. "Come on, we better get going." Arthur nodded, pushing himself to his feet and brushing off his pants.
"Yeah."
O ~ O ~ O
"Shit! Shit shit shit!" Alfred swore, backing into a building and running his hands over the wall. Where were they? He'd been walking back with Arthur, it had started pouring rain, and everyone went running screaming. That was when it happened, but he couldn't remember where he had been. Not that he really knew where he was now, or where Arthur was for that matter.
He squinted through the blurry shapes, desperately trying to make sense of the scene in front of him. Even if he could see everyone moving around, there was no way with his vision that he was going to find his glasses in this mess. They'd been bumped off his nose when someone ran into him. He hadn't seen where they'd gone, and in the mob of kids, there was no way it was safe to get on the ground and feel for them. He let out a miserable whine. At this rate, they had probably been kicked halfway across the town and were in pieces.
"Alfred! Alfred Jones! Where the hell are you?"
Arthur?
"Arthur! Hey I'm over here!" He yelled, trying to make out the britons form in the mass. He felt a hand suddenly fall on his shoulder.
"There you are," Arthur growled. "What the heck, you were right beside me one second and then suddenly you're gone! What happened, why are you... where are your glasses?" He asked suddenly.
"They fell off in the crowd." He murmured. "I couldn't see so I wandered over here."
"Cripe," Arthur sighed. "You could have just gotten my attention, I would have grabbed them for you."
"Didn't think of that."
"Clearly."
Alfred glanced over at the blob that was Arthur. He could make out some features; his eyebrows, the studs in his ears, other such things. But they were hazy and unclear, and it hurt Alfred's eyes to even try to look at anything up this close. He closed them.
"Can... can you see anything?" Arthur asked hesitantly. Alfred nodded.
"Some things. I can't read anything though, and pretty much all of it's really blurry and out of focus, especially up close. My vision is better looking at stuff that's far away, so the buildings way over there are pretty clear to me where as you and the crowds, well not so much."
"Oh..." Arthur trailed off. "Well once the students clear out, I'll see if I can find them, if you want me to. Your glasses I mean." He offered. Alfred shook his head.
"It's ok. I break them all the time, so I brought several pairs with me to school. The problem is just getting around until we get back to the cabin where I can put them back on. Everything's fuzzy as it is, it doesn't help that its pouring rain."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
Alfred stared up at the sky, heart pounding in his chest. He really did hate losing his glasses.
"Look, you should go back to the team." He told Arthur. "Matty can see pretty well without his glasses, and they're not the right perscription for me but they've worked in the past. Just go get them and I can borrow his, we do it all the time. Besides there's no point in you standing here getting rain soaked with-"
"Idiot," Arthur cut him off. Arthur stiffened at the feeling of something cool wrapped around his fingers. "I'm not going to just leave you here, obviously. It'll work if I hold your hand right? That way I can just drag you along."
Alfred shifted uncomfortably on the balls of his feet. It certainly was the best way to go about it. But walk through the streets with people around? Holding hands with a guy? With ARTHUR? That sort of thing never looked good. Still, if they moved quickly, it would be hard to tell because of the rain. And he doubted to many people would be paying attention to them as the were more focused on getting themselves out of the downpour.
"Alright..." He agreed reluctantly. Arthur shifted his hand so their palms were touching and nodded. Alfred stared at the sky.
"Ready?"
"Yea, let's go." He sighed, pulling his lips into a weak smile. What kind of hero let himself get saved by another guy?
Arthur pulled him slowly at first, taking every step carefully and gently, their hands, though clasped, just barely ghosting against each other. Until it started to rain harder.
"Fuck," Arthur swore, tightening his hold on Alfred's hand. "Now it's getting hard for me to see. I wish cell phones worked in this place, I could call Francis and see where the group is."
"Do you think they went back to the train already?" Alfred asked, ignoring the tingling sensation in his hand. He thoguht he caught Arthur shake his head.
"No, that would take to long. They're probably hiding out inside somewhere. Did you guys pass any coffee shops or big restuarunts?" Alfred frowned, thinking back to their route that day.
"Yea, I think we passed a coffee place somewhere. And I know that Feli and Romano found a pastry shop."
"Do you remember where?" Arthur asked, pulling him along at a faster pace.
"Not really. If it helps, it was about a ten to fifteen minute walk from where I left them to the pub."
"We've been walking for fifteen already." Arthur muttered. "But I'm sure they've wandered somewhere else by now."
"Do you see a toystore?" Alfred inquired.
"Yeah, I think so."
"Then we're right on track." Alfred breathed. "Go straight past it down the street, that's the direction they were going."
"Perfect!" Arthur exclaimed. The briton took off without warning, dashing throguh puddles of rain down the slippery stone street. It felt like a sort of deja vu to alfred, until he remembered that he'd been in the same position with Laura earlier. He started thinking about hands again. Arthur's hand was rough and cold, a polar opposite to girls smooth warm ones. And yet... that uncomfortable feeling he had was different. It was still there, but instead of weird it felt... well like a different kind of weird. Like the kind of weird that had him looking anywhere but their touching skin and the back of Arthur's head. So weird.
"Alfred? Arthur? Is that you guys?" A voice called through the rain. He felt his shoulders sag in relief as he was ripped from his thoguhts. Matthew!
"Matthew!" he yelled, pulling his hand away from Arthur's. The tingling sensation remained. "Matty that's you right?"
"Alfred!" His friends voice broke with concern. "Thank goodness, we were so worried about you two!" His friends blurred form approached him, taking hold of his shoulders. "You're drenched! Both of you! And Alfred, where are your glasses? What happened?"
"It's a long story," Arthur explained, voice edged and weary. "You guy's are in that coffee shop?" Matthew nodded.
"Yes, us and a whole bunch of other people. It's packed in there, but it's one of the only places that didn't shut down when it started to rain. Come on, let's get inside before you two catch pneumonia. Alfred ,is it ok if I guide you?"
"Fine by me, I can't see a thing." Alfred laughed tiredly. Matthew placed his small hand gently on the back of his shoulder and pushed him toward a faint glowing light. Suddenly, he was inside, warm air surrounding his body like a blanket.
"There you guys are!"
"So Matthew was right, you were out there! You've got sharp eyes Matt."
"Arthur, are you alright? You look soaked to the bone." Francis asked, brushing past Alfred to get to his friend. Alfred narrowed his eyes, feeling an odd sort of knawing in his gut at the thought that Francis was rushing to take care of him. It wasn't unusual, after all wasn't that what Matthew had done for him? Even so...
"He's fine." He muttered under his breath. Nobody appeared to hear him over the noise.
"Alfred, here, borrow my glasses." Matthew offered. "I know they don't work quite as well as yours, but they worked in the past so I don't think it should be too different now," Alfred nodded greatfully, enjoying the familiar friendly warmth that came from being around his best friend.
"Thanks Matty, I owe you one," he said, taking the rounded spectacles gently from the other boy's hands and raising them to his face. He squinted as he put them on, trying to get used to the prescription and the small fit. They weren't perfect, but he could see again, for the most part. Matthew giggled.
"Sorry, they just always look really weird on you."
"No kidding," Soren joked. "I remember the first time I saw you use Matt's glasses I almost had a heart attack. I thought you were him! You two seriously look too much alike."
"We don't look that similar." Alfred argued, sticking out his tounge.
"They really don't," Yao agreed, covering his mouth as he let out a yawn. "Really, any person could tell the differance."
"See?" Alfred exclaimed. Soren just rolled his eyes.
"They look funny on you." Arthur snorted from beside him. "Seriously, too weird."
"I didn't ask you, did I?" Alfred pointed out.
"Matthew-san looks different too," Kiku pointed out gently. "You look younger, like a little kid."
"What?" Matthew exclaimed fearfully. "Oh, this is why I never take my glasses off. I always look like a twelve year old without them."
"You look fine." Francis soothed him. "Very charming indeed." Matthew looked away.
"Not really." He mumbled. Francis opened mouth, looking like he was going to protest, but instead snapped it shut and shrugged.
"Alfred? Is that you?" A familiar voice rose over the noise. Alfred perked his ears.
"Heracles?" He called. His team mates gave him a funny look.
"Who?" Antonio whispered.
"Alfred." The chocolate haired boy slipped through the group, smiling brightly, although he looked worn down. "I thought I recognized your voice in here. You're soaked, what happened?"
"Hold a sec, who is this guy?" Romano cut in, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
"Oh, guys, this is Heracles." He explained, patting his friends back. "We're lab partners in Bio. Heracles, this is my team, the Imperaturi house."
"Ve~ Nice to meet you. My name's Feliciano!" Feliciano offered, extending his hand. Heracles took it, shaking gently.
"I'm Antonio."
"Gilbert."
"Francis."
Soon, everyone was offering their welcome to Alfred's lab partner. Alfred smiled. He was glad that his team mates were so accepting of having friends outside of their own house. He couldn't imagine being in a team that shut everyone else out. Kiku was the last to slip through the crowd and extend his hello. He seemed as nervous as ever, but Heracles completely ignored the fact, taking the boy's tiny hand between his two bigger ones and giving him a gentle smile. He said that his parents had lived in Japan once, so he knew a little of the language through them, although he was from Greece. Kiku seemed surprised, but pleased at this, and offered to teach him more if he wanted. Heracles agreed almost instantaneously. They seem like they're going to get along well. Alfred thought to himself.
"So, Heracles, are you here with your team?" Alfred asked. Heracles nodded.
"Yeah, we slipped in here after it started to rain."
"Where are they?" Ivan asked, looking easily over the other students. Heracles motioned to the team huddled in the back of the room.
"Over there. I kind of snuck away to say hello. They're a little strict about things, my group, but they're not so bad once you get to know them."
"Oh?" Francis asked, raising an eyebrow. "Tought old timers, huh?"
"Oh no, my team is all new this year." He explained.
"Oh, so you're one of the newly formed ones?" Elizaveta exclaimed. "Like us?" Heracles shook his head.
"No, we're a replacement group. For a team that left last year."
"Wait, a replacement?" Arthur frowned, muttering under his breath. "But if I remember correctly, wasn't the only replacement..."
"So what house are you then?" Francis pressed.
Heracles smiled. "I'm from the Script house."
O ~ O ~ O
Arthur yawned, blinking his eyes as he lifted his head off his homeroom desk. It was Monday, and everyone was eagerly awaiting the chance to check the board for the announcement of the first clue towards the challenge. Except for him. All Arthur wanted to do was crawl into bed and go to sleep.
The rain had continued heavily for some time the afternoon before, leaving the team stranded in the coffee shop until it finally began to let up at about three in the afternoon. At that point, everyone was to tired and worn down to do any more shopping for the competition, so they trudged back to the train, bags in hand and returned to the cabin.
Dinner had been a short, rushed affair. Feliciano caught a cold, so had Anotnio, and Yao wasn't doing well either, so Francis had prepared a quick meal before excusing himself to his room and turning in early. Arthur followed suit the best he could, but found himself up against his head board coughing his lungs out, and a headache pounding through his skull. He took an advil, but found that the medicine only made him feel more miserable, and continued to roll and hack for a good while longer until he finally drifted off.
"Psst, Arthur, are you ok?" Laura whispered, nudging his shoulder from her seat beside his. He nodded, letting out another loud yawn.
"Sorry, I didn't sleep well," he muttered, rubbing his eyes. "A bunch of kids in our house are sick, including me."
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry.," she exclaimed sympathetically. "Have you gone to see the nurse?"
"It's just a cold." He sighed into his arms. "Besides, I'm better then Yao is. He stayed back in the cabin today. Apparently Ivan couldn't even wake him up."
"Poor guy." Laura murmured. "And before a challenge too. I hope that you all get better soon." He waved her off.
"It's fine, really."
And he left it at that.
The day dragged on slowly and mercilessly. When the bell finally rang for lunch, it felt like a 5 ton weight had been lifted from Arthur's shoulders.
"Arthur, are you ok, mon ami? You're not looking so good." Francis asked, coming up from behind him as they entered the hall.
"Yeah I'm fine, honestly." Arthur huffed. "Seriously, why do people keep asking me?"
"Alright alright." Francis chuckled. "I get it. Just take it easy alright?"
"Sure." Arthur gave him a tried smile. "Ah hey, I think Antonio and Gilbert were looking for you."
"Let them look." Francis grinned mischeviously. "They've been dragging me off every which way lately, it's exhausting. I mean, I do like hanging out with them but there's only so much a guy can take. Like the other day, Gilbert wanted to sneak into the gym and swing around on the ropes hanging from the ceiling. Can you imagine ME doing something like that? No thank you. I'm from a noble family after all. It wasn't until I met you that I even did much outside of my studies."
"You were a stick in the mud alright." Arthur snorted. "But still a flirt, that part of you has always been the same." Francis threw his hands into the air.
"What can I say? I love beautiful people."
"Speaking of your 'love' and 'beautiful' people," He began, putting air quotes around two of the words, "Are you back on good terms with Matthew again? You guy's have seemed to be going on and off for a couple weeks now between talking and being awkward."
"I don't know, to be honest." he admitted. "I can't figure out what's going on in that head of his. Sometimes we get along great, and then the next moment he'll be giving me these nervous looks, and all of a sudden he's trying to get a way from me and I haven't even done anything wrong. Like yesterday in town. 'Watch Gilbert' my ass, he just didn't want to hang around me anymore." Francis grumbled. Arthur stared at him in surprise.
"Woah, you don't usually swear in English. This is really bugging you, huh? You don't usually get this upset over the people you're interested in."
"Who knows." He sighed. "Somehow it's different with him. And he keeps being so... so indicisive. If he really doesn't want me around I wish he would just go ahead and say it."
"You really think Matthew would tell you to fuck off?" Arthur snorted.
"No, not in a million years. Which is why it's so frustrating. Because I can't tell if he actually doesn't mind me, or he's just to soft to tell me to leave him alone."
"Do you want him to tell you to go away?"
"Of course i don't." Francis rolled his eyes as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I just wish he'd make up his mind."
"You know, even if he wants you to stick around, his intentions... probably won't be the same as yours." Arthur reminded him.
"Yes, yes, I know. you don't have to remind me." Francis replied. "Still, little Mathieu and I are quite similar."
"Oh please, you're about as similiar as a dog and a cat."
"That's quite the compliement."
"You know what I meant you twat."
"I suppose." Francis chuckled.
"Hey Francis!" Gilbert's voice called over the noise. "Where have you been, Antonio and I have been looking everywhere for ya."
"Oh, here and there." Francis answered off handedly. He glanced around the other boy and Arthur watched as he quirked and eyebrow.
"I hate to sound impatient, but where's the food?"
"Dunno." Gilbert shrugged. "I think Alfred went to go ask that Laura chick if she knew what was going on. Wonder if the headmasters coming to talk again."
"Becuase of the competition?" Arthur guessed. Gilbert nodded.
"Probably."
"Oh hi Francis! What are you doing, standing around in the middle of the cafeteria?" Arthur glanced behind them to see a short, dark skinned girl with long brown hair pulled into familiar looking pig tails smiling up at them.
"Élise?" Arthur blinked, staring at her.
"Oh Arthur! Hi I didn't see you there." She laughed, mouth pulling into an embarrassed smile. "I know it's been a while, but I forgot to tell you guys I really liked your play!"
"Uh... thanks." He grimaced, pushing the memory from his mind. "Wait, but how do you two know each other?" He asked, motioning to Francis.
"Economics," Francis informed him, tossing her a dazzling grin. "Élise here is from France as well. We study together during class. She'd quite good at it, much better then me." Élise blushed and looked away.
"Thank you, but really, it was really amazing meeting Francis. I was so surprised, I thought I might be the only student who spoke French. Ah anyway, um Francis... do you have a minute? I wanted to ask you about something."
"I was gonna roll anyway, if you're busy." Gilbert shrugged. "When you're done, come over to the table k? Toni and I have got the sickest thing to show you!"
"It worries me when you say it like that."
The German boy simply laughed and slapped him on the back before slipping away through the crowded lunch room.
"So," Francis turned back to the girl who was currently fiddling with her hands nervously. "What did you want to ask me?"
She stared up at the ceiling. "Um, actually it's, I wanted to, um..."
"And I was like dude, that is sooo epic! But he totally won't show me how he freaking does it! Seriously, Berwald is so big and stuff, I always figured it would hard for him to climb up that little rope. But he was up there in a heartbeat! I can barely get past the second knot. Have you guys started ropes in gym yet Matty?"
Arthur went rigid and frowned. Suddenly his headache was back full force, and he didn't think it was going to ebb away this time.
"Ah no, we just... oh hi you two, what are doing?" Matthew asked suddenly as they approched the trio.
"Well, there was a conversation going on." Arthur muttered.
"No your conversation, if I remember correctly Angleterre."
"AH! I'm sorry." Matthew stammered. "I didn't mean to... Élise?" Matthew cocked his head.
"Huh? You know her too?" Arthur exclaimed. Alfred was staring at the girl thoughtfully.
"Oh yea, aren't you in our theatre class? That's right, I remember you!" He grinned, clearly pleased with himself for remembering.
"Yeah hi Matthew, hello Alfred." She smiled nervously. "Matthew and I have home economics together. We're seat partners." Matthew nodded.
"Oh?" Francis cut in, clearly as surprised at the news as Arthur. "Well it seems that we all know each other then. Anyway, Élise I'm sorry for all the interuptions. What is it?" She squirmed uncomfortably.
"We can leave if you want." Arthur offered. Francis shook his head.
"No no, it's fine, right Élise? We'll be just a second. Now..."
"It's just... um... I wanted to know... I wanted to know if... if you..."
"I'm sorry mon cher, could you speak up a little, I can't hear you." Francis requested gently. She nodded, rocking back and forth on her feet and taking in a big breath.
"I like you!" She blurted out loudly. "So um i-if you wanted to, would you, would you go out with me?"
The surprise on his friends face was clear as day, the gentelmenly mask he always wore stipped away to reveal the awestruck look he now wore. Obviously he hadn't been expecting that. It's a shame for her he's not interested, Arthur thought inwardly. Set her down gently you ass, remember she just confessed in front of all of us too. That's right. He'll probably say something like 'I'm flattered but..." or "I'm sorry I already like someone...' something like that. Arthur had been friends with Francis for a long time now, and during that time had been subject to watching countless confessions from girls to the French boy, both ones that he accepted, and turned down. There were more of the latter, obviously. It'll be quick and painless, like taking off a bandage. It usually was. His friend was just that smooth, for better or worse.
But to Arthur's immemse surprise, Francis was silent. In fact, he almost looked as if he were thinking about it. Arthur narrowed his eyes. What was he up to? And then he saw it. Just for a moment, a mere instant, the boy's baby blue eyes flickered to his side to glance at Matthew. And then he spoke.
"Miss Élise, I would be honored to go out wi-"
"NO!"
Matthew, who only a second before had been standing quietly and unbothered beside them, was suddenly latched onto Francis's arm and had pulled him roughly backwards, away from the wide eyed girl with his face buried into the cloth of Francis's sleeve as if trying to shield his face.
The area around them got quiet, students glancing around to see what all the commotion was about. Even Alfred was silent, staring at his friend in a sort of awe and disbelief. It remained that way for an instant before conversation quickly sparked again between the students.
And all at once, as if the voices of the kids had awoken him from sleep, it seemed to occur to the fair haired boy what it was exactly he had done. He tumbled backwards, releasing his grip on Francis's arm and staring at them, a horrified expression masking his face as his violet eyes whirled with a storm of emotions so brutal and swept that even Arthur couldn't have gauged what he was thinking at that moment.
"AH! I-I-I-I-I'm s-s-s-so s-s-sorry! P-please, p-p-please excuse me." He whispered lowering his head to the ground.
And without another word, Matthew had turned on his heel and sprinted away.
Alfred was the first to speak up.
"Matt! Matty hey wait up!" He yelled. And then he too was gone, lost in the crowds and chasing after his friend.
"What... uh what just happened." Arthur muttured awkwardly. He glanced up at Francis. He still looked shocked, but at the same time, it seemed as if a pleased little smile had managed to work its way onto his face.
"And there you have it," Francis said suddenly, turning to Élise. "What I was going to say, Miss Élise, was that I would be honored to go out with you, but right now I like someone else. Please accept my deepest apologies. I hope that we can still be friends."
Élise stared at him blankly, mouth agape. "Wait you... I mean you like... you like him!" She blushed furiously. "I'm so sorry I didn't even think that, you would be, you know..." He winked at her.
"For the record, I'm actually bi. But yes, he does... interest me." He chuckled. She smiled.
"Well, I wish you luck then, really I do. And um... can we forget about this?" She asked, scratching her head in embarrassment. Francis gave her a knowing smile.
"Forget about what?" The boy shrugged, feigning ignorance. She laughed quietly.
"Right. Nothing at all. Bye then Francis, I'll see you in class. You too, Arthur!" And with a quick wave she walked off.
"Bollocks, my head hurts even more then it did before." Arthur groaned, holding his aching skull. Francis just grinned, humming happily to himself.
"Hey, don't you go getting all excited or anything," Arthur reminded him, nudging the boy as they started towards the table. "That 'no' could have meant anything."
"True." Francis admitted. "But no matter what it meant, it's certainly going to be the beginning of everything."
O ~ O ~ O
A/N: And there you have it :P All things will be answered next chapter! Well no... actually one thing will be answered next chapter and its just why the food wasn't there XD But it is a question and it shall be answered! I don't really have to much to say because I'm tired and i'm going to be out from 7 in the morning until 10:30 at night tomorrow so I need to go to sleep early *yawns* Btw, anyone else psyched about the Hetalia movie coming out in dub? :D :D :D Pre ordered :P *jumps up and down* and that sekai ichi hatsukoi is releasing another season in october! I'm so psyched for that, like seriously lol.
I'll see you as soon as I can! :D THank you for your constant support!