Arthur explained it all to Alfred, how he left the mansion, how he hid in the ship, and how he had saved Chancy. He searched the other's face for any sign of emotion, but there was none. He also hadn't said a word, he was just staring at the brit the whole time, humming every now and then. Once the brit finished his story, there was an awkward silence before the brit spoke again. "I know you don't want to hear it, but I am sorry I left without warning. I needed to help Chancy or else I would never rest easy." Alfred blinked at him, crossing his arms. A few moments passed before Arthur sighed, standing up and walking towards the door. If he isn't going to respond, there won't be a repeat of their last blow out. He'll get attention from someone else. He was a foot away from the door when he felt, the other grab his arm, squeezing and yanking him back.

Arthur couldn't help but cry out, his wrist felt like it was breaking. His back crashed against the other's chest as he fell backwards. His heart raced as he turned to face his mate, eyes stinging. He wanted to pull his hand away, but he dared not do that. He bit his lip as he stared his mate in the eyes. Alfred had a blank expression, just squeezing the other's wrist. Finally, the brit couldn't take anymore. "Please..." He started as he pulled his hand gently. "You're hurting me, Alfred." The prince stared him down for a bit before letting go of his wrist. Arthur sighed in relief before he felt the American grab his waist. Arthur pressed his forehead on the other's chest, not really having a choice because the other was that much taller than him. Arthur half expected him to squeeze and crush him, but they just stood there as he cradled his wrist.

"I said I was sorry." Arthur muttered. "Please don't..." Arthur didn't know what to say next. Ignore him? Hit him? Hate him? "I'll make it up to you, I swear, just tell me how." he pleaded. The prince was much angrier than he anticipated. "Please."

"I don't need anything from you." He deadpanned. "I don't want anything from you." he continued. Arthur grimaced before slowly looking up into the other's eyes; they looked malicious. "All I wanted to do was keep you safe, yet... you disappear in the middle of the night to follow your friend. I was terrified, and not for the first time either. Ever since I've met you, all you've done was add unneeded anxiety into my life. Throughout the day I think about whether you're okay or not, and when I don't know what you're doing I get worried. I get sad when we argue, and I get angry when other people look at you. I empathize with people now, even when I say I don't, I do, and I feel bad for things I have every right to do." He said all this in very few breaths, Arthur noted. He must be trying to hold something back.

"I'm changing because you're making me change. I'm changing because you smile when I do nice things, and get mad when I make mean comments. I find myself, despite you not being around, making conscious choices based on what you would probably tell me if you were there. I would have never done that before, not for anyone because I have never... loved anyone. I love you, Arthur, and I'm trying my best to make you feel... the same way... but... you're not trying. You do what you want, and you... really don't care about how I feel. You're in your own little world and you never take into consideration how I would feel when you do these... reckless things and it hurts and I'm tired of feeling like this." He whispered, his voice cracking. Arthur looked up at him in horror. He isn't saying what he thinks he saying, right?

"Alfred, I... I... I don't understand..." His voice was trembling. "I love you too... I love you enough to turn my back on my brothers and move to a country that's full of people who would want me dead. So yeah, I admit I should consider your feelings more, and I'm sorry but... I do want to make our relationship work." He cupped the other's cheeks, and forced him to look down at him. "I love you, you have to believe me."

Alfred leaned into his hands, kissing the brit's forehead. "I know, Arthur." Arthur furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Arthur sat down on the bed, and the American did the same.

"Maybe I could come home before dark?" Alfred bit his lip in deep thought, as if he could still say something to add another caveat into the equation. "Alfred, that's all I'm giving up." He stated, and the prince hummed, looking to the side.

"I'm leaving." He said as he got up suddenly, heading for the door.

"Where are you going?" They were in the middle of a conversation, he couldn't just leave.

"None of your business."


A few minutes passed and Arthur tucked himself into bed, groaning and sweating. That sharp pain he remembered from yesterday returned, and he was now unable to move even in the slightest. His body was warm all over, and the pains in his gut, he realized, were just cramps. Surely the pain would go away with a little rest, he told himself, but as minutes turned into a half hour he couldn't hold back his cries of pain. His body was on fire and his hair stuck to his face and neck in sweat. His thighs were wet, and his cramps traveled lower on his abdomen, almost just above his crotch.

"Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit..." He groaned. "Alfred... Alfred!" He yelled finally. He didn't want to call out for his mate because he didn't know whether or not he was close by, and he didn't want a stranger coming in. He didn't know why, but he only wanted to see Alfred, his body was yearning for contact, his alpha's contact. "Alfred!" He called out again, brushing some hair out from his face and away from his neck. As he grazed his neck he felt a warm sticky substance oozing from his glands. He pressed down on the gland and he instantly regretted it, the cramps suddenly getting worse and his thighs getting significantly wetter. Arthur was too shocked by the pain to make the connection, but thank god he could hear someone turn the handle to the door. "Alfred!? Alfred!" He cried out again, forcing himself on his knees.

"Arthur? What..." Alfred closed the door behind him quickly and locked it, placing the tray of food on the dresser on the opposite side of the room. He remained by the dresser, daring not to get any closer. He stared at the brit, eyes slowly dilating, a deep growl vibrating throughout the room. Arthur moaned wantonly, slowly, despite the pain, crawling toward the foot of the bed to get closer to his mate. He purred desperately, beckoning the prince forward.

"Alfie... whats going on? Why are you just standing there?" He panted as he rested his face on the mattress, his leaking bottom standing up in the air. "It hurts Alfie, help me, please." Arthur moaned, he was so close to his mate, but his Alpha wasn't coming. He writhed in pain as his gut twisted. Would the cramps ever stop. "Alfred, please, please, I'm scared." Arthur was so lost in his self pity that he didn't notice his mate move, moaning as he suddenly felt the other's strong hands on his hips. Arthur blushed as a heat coursed through his body, the cramps slightly going down. Arthur sighed as he was flipped onto his back, looking up at wild blue eyes and a tight jaw.

"Baby, are you sure it hurts?" He asked, and Arthur nodded, wrapping his arms around his lover's neck. Alfred leaned over Arthur, licking the brit's gland, lapping up the liquid that was at this point squirting out of his body. The englishman moaned out, tilting his head to the side to offer more access. The prince latched his lips onto the sensitive skin, sucking and lightly biting, moaning as his lover tugged on his hair. The brit thrusted into his partner shamelessly, his member coming to life. The cramps were no longer hurting him, instead it became a soft pressure slowly ebbing away. The prince practically ripped his pants off, tearing his shirt also, earning a soft whimper from the brit. "Does it still hurt?" Alfred whispered, licking the now red glands gently.

Arthur shook his head. "No, not really." He said, a little dazed. "What's..." he trailed off as he felt something prodding his entrance. He bit his lip, hands still intertwined in the other's hair. "I think I'm moist enough for you to..." He started, but blushed wildly. He sounded so lewd, did he just say moist? What the hell is happening? "What's going on?" he said breathlessly as Alfred pulled away, repositioning himself between the other's legs.

"You're in heat." Alfred hummed, placing a hand on the other's knee. Arthur bit his lip. Really? "Isn't it great?" Alfred asked, slowly pushing in. Arthur nodded dumbly as he arched his back, breathing heavily.

"Does it normally hurt like that?" He asked, remembering the burning sensation. "It felt like I was being stabbed in the stomach over and over again." he whimpered as the other began to rock his hips. "Nngh... faster." He begged. Alfred thrusted in rapidly, each one deeper than the last.

"It...ugh... shouldn't hurt at all unless it's the first time." He explained, "But even then, it shouldn't feel like you're getting stabbed."

Arthur was barely listening, his moans coming out like half screams and his mind almost completely blank. "Harder!"He said mindlessly. "I love you" He whimpered desperately, nearing his climax. Alfred cupped his cheeks and offered a kiss, which the brit sloppily returned. The englishman turned his head to the side, giving the other complete access to his gland. "Bite me." Alfred slowed his pace just a for a minute before sinking his teeth down into the soft tissue, growling as he drew blood. At this point, it was way too much stimulation for the brit to handle, climaxing alongside Alfred.


6 hours later...

Arthur felt sore and completely spent, but he knew better; he would be begging for another round in about 2 hours or so. Arthur had climaxed for a total of 13 times if he remembered correctly, and he would have climaxed more if the American hadn't stopped in the middle of sex to force feed the brit. Now it was another snack break, however, the brit felt bloated and he no longer wanted to eat. Alfred on the other hand was eating enough for two; trays and trays of steak and fruit were sitting on a cart ready for their consumption. Alfred downed a glass of wine before finally turning to the brit. Arthur watched him lazily, noting how the American stared at him unblinkingly.

"Yes?"

"What if Chancy hadn't won?" He asked, but he already looked as if he had the answer.

"I would have asked them to spare him in turn for my life." He answered honestly. Alfred scowled, and Arthur sighed, annoyed. "I'm sorry, I already said that I'm sorry but I'm still sorry. I won't lie to you about something like that again, I swear." He said as he dragged his upper body towards Alfred. The alpha grabbed him and scented him before burying his nose in his hair.

"You started your heat today. If you were to have gone with them, I wouldn't have been there to mate you." He said with a sad sigh. "Someone else would have took you as theirs." He continued, and Arthur understood. That could have been an unfortunate truth, yes, but it didn't happen.

"There's no need to get caught up in hypotheticals, Alfred. I'm here, right now, with you, in a nice room, surrounded by nice people. I'm sorry I worried you." He apologized again, and Alfred sighed heavily.

"I can't move you when you're in heat, it's dangerous. We'll have to leave when it's over." Arthur closed his eyes and nodded. He was getting tired, but he really should eat first, he didn't want to pass out in the middle of something. "You look tired, drink this." He said as he reached over to the night stand, handing the brit some water. Arthur drank it gratefully, handing the other back the cup, who put it aside. "Also, eat some fruit. Steak might make you feel bloated." Alfred said as he stood up, heading over to the cart.

"Too late." Arthur said, rubbing his stomach. The prince laughed, and the brit pouted. When he was handed the plate, the brit just stared at the selection of strawberries, blueberries and grapes. He really just wanted apples, but there weren't any. He groaned, handing the prince back the plate. "I want apples." He said softly. Alfred raised his eyebrows in shock before smirking.

"Alright, then. I'll get you some apples." He said, leaning over to give him a quick kiss on the lips before heading to leave the room. Arthur chuckled, clapping.

"You need clothes before you go." He called, and Alfred shot him a playful smile.

"No I don't" He responded. He opened the door just a sliver before talking to someone on the other side. Arthur could hear Alfred clearly, but the person on the other side he couldn't see or hear at all."Yeah, hi, can I get some apples in here, sliced... Yeah, he won't won't eat anything unless they're apples... I wouldn't call him high maintenance, he just has basic needs... Oh, is that so..." Alfred paused for a very long time, whoever it was on the other side must have been talking verbosely. "Well," he whispered "that's too bad because I just mated him ma'am... Uh, I don't... Why yes, she is awfully pretty... I, uh, wow, that's cool, but I have no idea what to do with that information... I'm the next king, yes... No, I won't annul my relationship ma'am, but I'm sure your granddaughter will have no trouble finding a mate... all right, bye now, don't forget the apples." Alfred waved and closed the door, sighing in annoyance. He turned back to the brit, only to see the other bundled up in blankets, facing away from the door.

"Are my apples here yet?" He asked through the mass of blankets.

"I just ordered them." he said, flopping down on the bed and stroking the blankets. "What's wrong, does it hurt again?" Arthur crawled out from underneath the blankets and rolled until he was practically on top of the prince. The brit felt strong hands wrap around his body, which made him feel at ease; however, he still wore a frown.

"Who was that woman? Was she trying to convince you to mate with her granddaughter?" Arthur asked, and he ignored the look of amusement on the other's face. "It isn't funny, we had just mated and a complete stranger told you to leave me and mate with her granddaughter." He whined, and Alfred smiled.

"She was really old, and if I had been rude to her, you would have complained about it for hours." He said, resting his head against the backboard. "Also, just like you said, we just mated, so therefore, why would I want to leave you anyway? I had finally, officially, made you mine, not just on a spiritual level, but a physical one." His voice was light as he went on and on, Arthur entranced in how excited the other was. Was this really that big a deal? "This also means we can get married sooner, perhaps just days after my coronation, while everyone is still there. We don't have to prep for practicalities because you can give me a son now." He said dreamily.

Arthur looked up at him in shock. The coronation was in a couple of weeks, so their wedding was in a few weeks. Arthur's stupor slowly broke into a smile, eyes watering. He can also give Alfred a child; he can make him happy. Alfred tucked a strand of loose hair out of Arthur's face.

"Hopefully, he doesn't inherit your eyebrows." The prince said suddenly. Arthur was very taken aback, one hand lifting slowly and softly touching his eyebrows.

"Do you not like my eyebrows?" He pulled away a little, rolling off of the other. He somehow found strength to get off of the bed in the first time in hours, slowly walking towards the full length mirror. Alfred looked at him in mild shock.

"I love your eyebrows, it was just a joke." He said, climbing off of bed and joining the other by the mirror. They were both completely naked, but none took notice, the brit just stared at his own face in discontent. Alfred wrapped his arms around the other and rested his chin on his head. "I'm sorry, it wasn't funny. I swear, I love your eyebrows, and I'll be happy til the day I die if our son is born with them." He squeezed lightly, and the brit sighed, looking up at the other's reflection. "I love you."

"I love you too." Arthur mumbled before turning around and wrapping his arms around the other. "Carry me." He demanded, and the prince smirked. He took hold of the brit's thighs and lifted him, the englishman in turn wrapping his legs around Alfred's waist. They stood like that for a few moments, kissing and giggling when a knock on the door interrupted them. "Coming!" Arthur called as he hopped down, but a quick growl from Alfred lead him to wait on the bed instead of answering the door. Alfred was getting protective.

Alfred opened the door a little bit and took the tray of apples. "Thank yo-... No, I will not be leaving the future mother of my child for your granddaughter. Thank you, and have a nice day." He closed the door quickly, stared at the door for a little bit, probably recuperating, and turned, handing the plate to the brit. "Enjoy my love." he said as he sat down. "Once you finish, try and get some rest." He muttered as he pulled out some paperwork. Arthur growled, but unlike Alfred's growl, Arthur's was more like a soft rumble, hardly threatening. The American noticed anyway and tilted his head towards the brit. "Yes?"

"I'm in heat, and you're working." He spat, setting aside his plate. Alfred smiled softly.

"Arthur, if you don't eat you'll end up passing out halfway through sex. Same result if you don't utilize every free moment for sleep. I'm just checking off on some stuff before you start your secretions again, okay. Go to sleep." He advised as he kissed the brit's forehead softly. "But before that, eat." he iterated, grabbing the plate and giving it back to the brit.


2 hours later...

The two panted heavily as Alfred peeled himself off of the floor. They had just done it in front of the full length mirror and Arthur had just finished riding him. Arthur hissed as he stood, his knees raw. "Let's save this for another day, yes love?" Arthur suggested as walked over to the bed, throwing himself on top of the sweaty covers.

"Yeah, sure."Alfred said as he stood, stretching like a cat. "Another round or snack break?" Alfred asked, walking towards the brit. Arthur paused, debating.

"Another round." He said as he opened his legs, giving the other a seductive smile. Alfred smiled back, leaning over and kissing the brit passionately. Soon the kisses began to trail down to his neck, then his chest, and eventually his very red member. Alfred eyed it for a minute before shrugging, licking the side of the organ. Arthur moaned out carelessly. Alfred swirled his tongue on the tip of the muscle before putting it in his mouth. Arthur arched his back, shoving his hands in the other's hair, holding his head in place. Alfred gagged a few times before the brit tugged his head away for a few breaths, only to shove his member back into the other's mouth.

The brit didn't know when he began to fuck his mouth, but soon he was thrusting uncontrollably into his orifice. Alfred occasionally bobbed his head, but for the most part, Arthur was in control. After a few more pumps Arthur climaxed without warning, Alfred coughing hysterically. He managed to swallow it however, which earned him a pat from his mate.

"Can we... snack break now?" he panted, and the brit nodded, once again spent. "Thank goodness, that last one really took it out of me."


7 days later...

Arthur had his head in Alfred's lap for the last two hours, listening to the soft chirping of birds and the distinct high pitched voice of Chancy, shouting orders in French. They are on the road now, they left New York a day ago, and Alfred claimed they were making good time. Davie and Francis took half of the soldiers by boat, and the rest were with Alfred and Chancy, travelling by carriages. Well, Alfred and Arthur were traveling in a carriage, the rest were usually riding horses around the wagon they were in. Arthur's heat had stopped two days ago, and his bottom still aches. Occasionally Alfred would message him, but that was just a temporary fix, the dull pain would always return.

"No breaks! Get your lazy ass to the front!" Chancy yelled in french, followed by the sound of shuffling feet. Arthur had gotten a hang of this multi language power thing he had going on. He could understand and speak to Chancy at will, and could easily flip back to english once Alfred or Matthew tried to talk to him. Throughout the day Arthur could hear Chancy yell and insult his subordinates into submission, and Arthur finally understand why they called him a hardass behind his back. Chancy sounded absolutely terrifying, but whenever Arthur would poke his head out, Chancy had the same stoic face he always had on, the same super adorable face. Arthur sat up and leaned his head against the cart window, looking at the scenery. They had just left a small town a few hours ago, and know they were on a dirt trail cutting through the woods. The trees were a vibrant green, and they were very tall, as tall as the trees in the forest Sauvage. As he continued to look out of the window, two french soldiers and their horses began to gallop near it, talking to each other, not noticing the other's presence.

"I swear, I can't wait for what's his face... The American Chancy is seeing... Davie?" One asked. The other shrugged. "Yeah, well him. I can't wait for him to come back." Arthur furrowed his brows, why would they care about Davie?

"Yeah" the other said, chuckling. "Ever since he's come around Chancy was nice and... don't tell anyone, and really cute." He admitted with a soft blush.

"Yep, but now that he's gone Chancy is crankier than I've ever seen him. Maybe the sex was that good." he chuckled, and the other scoffed.

"Oh please, if I had an hour with Chancy and some chocolate, I would make him forget about that stupid American" He laughed as he said it, but Arthur could sense the tension in his voice. Apparently he wasn't the only one, because the other soldier patted his shoulder.

"We all want the chance that stupid American had, but now it is too late! He mated Chancy, just as I was about to start courting him" he said with a sad sigh. Arthur smirked. Chancy really is popular. "But since I was too late, I hope he can come back soon and sleep with him already, I'm tired of the yelling." The pair began to speed up and they became out of earshot in a matter of moments. Arthur flopped back down on Alfred's lap, the prince humming in mild annoyance. He was reading some paperwork, and he really didn't want to deal with Arthur's antics.

"No, not right now, Arthur, I'm busy. Go to sleep or play eye spy or something." he said without looking up at his mate. Arthur growled softly to himself as he sat away from the other, huffing. He was awfully bored, how could Alfred just leave him like this? Ugh it's all because of his stupid work. Arthur, in his rage, began to mumble to himself.

"Yeah, choose work over me." he muttered, staring out of the window. "Lock me in a box with nothing to do, while you read the same clause 4 times over because you don't know what a word means and you're trying to figure it out using context clues. The nerve! All I want is attention, and all you're doing is staring blindly at an asterisk because you don't want to wear your glasses. Play eye spy, you say, but what the fuck is a eye spy, what sorcery is that? I'm definitely not going to sleep, it'll ruin my sleep pattern. Do you want me to ruin my sleep pattern?! Do you-"

"Arthur, I can hear you loud and clear." The brit flinched, turning slowly to face the other. The prince had an amused look in his eye, but the smile he had on looked false. Arthur sucked his teeth before huffing loudly, looking out of the window.

"I can hear you loud and clear" He mocked in a cheap American accent. "I'm Alfred Jones and I have happy eyes but a fake smile that makes me look deranged." He continued, ignoring the warm feeling in the back of his head. Alfred was getting mad. "I'm Alfred Jones, and I creepily stare unblinkingly at the side of my mate's face when I get angry." He egged. "I'm Alfred F. Jones and I prioritize my work over my relationship. Also, since I'm a big momma's boy, I-"

"Arthur... I'd choose my next words wisely if I were you." He said coldly. Arthur faltered before asking himself what the other was really going to do.

"I"m Alfred F. Jones, since I'm a momma's boy I adopted my mother's cowardly technique of empty threats so I can use them against people who offend me." He said. It wasn't what he originally going to say, but he figured calling him and his mother a bunch cowards would piss him off more. Arthur heard shuffling of paper as he laughed, but his laughter was cut short by strong hands grabbing his shoulders and forcing him to lay flat on his back. He tried to struggle, but the heat in the other's eyes told him to stay still, causing him to struggled even more. "No fair, you're bigger than me!" He grunted as he was pinned down, and the American had a distant look on his face. "Are you okay? You look ill." He inquired, but Alfred only smiled, letting go. Arthur sat up and scooted far away from the American, unsure of what he was planning. A few minutes passed before before he heard whispering from the American. The brit strained his ears in order to hear, and he picked up everything the other was saying.

"He is so rude, that brat. I'm not the only one who could be roasted on some petty shit." He silently cleared his throat and whispered. "My name's Arthur Kirkland," He said in a, Arthur had to admit, decent british accent. "And I have to go by Pendragon because my father was a failed rebel who ended up getting dying in an explosion because he foolishly thought he could steal American cannons and use them without special training." Arthur flinched. That's how his father died? He had heard it was an assassination attempt, did he really die in an explosion? Arthur opened his mouth to say something, but Alfred continued to quiet drabbles.

"My name's Arthur, and I keep complaining about how shit my life could be once in the castle even though my life was actually shit in the tunnels." He continued to mock. "My name's Arthur and I keep demonizing my mother in law because she's protective of her son, but I wouldn't know what that looked like because my mother couldn't keep a job and left me on the streets." Arthur felt his heart skip a beat... What? He was going for dead parents, two can play at that game.

"My name's Alfred Jones" Arthur said loudly. "And I whisper louder than I cried over my father's dead body." Arthur should have stopped there, but he continued. "I'm Alfred Fitzgerald Jones! And I think I can fight anyone and anything even though 4 months ago my mate's brothers killed some of my closest friends." The words burned as he spoke them, but he said more and more. "I'm Alfred fucking Fitzgerald Jones! and I-"

"Stop the carriage!" Alfred ordered suddenly, and the cart slowed to a stop. The brit barely had time to process what was going on before the American glared at him. "You're ALFRED FUCKING FITZGERALD JONES AND YOU WHAT?! I FUCKING DARE YOU TO FINISH!" he yelled. He was angry, no doubt, and Arthur bit his lip. "What?! You have nothing to say?!" Arthur scoffed.

"GIVE ME A MINUTE SO I CAN REALLY GET YOU ANGRY!" He yelled back, think of something, anything to challenge his mate. Alfred shook his head.

"While you're thinking, I'll say another... My name is Arthur Kirkland, and I make jokes about other people's deceased parents despite me not having any of my own." He hissed, and Arthur barred his teeth. "My name's Arthur Kirkland, and I read books with a lot of dialog because it makes me feel like I'm included in actual conversations." Arthur opened his mouth to say something, but Alfred cut him off. "My name's Arthur Kirkland and I still get angry when things don't do my way, which is weird because nothing since I was 10 years old ever gone my way." Arthur felt his eyes water, that bastard was gonna get it. "My name's Arthur Kirkland, and I don't want to go with my brothers because deep down I fear that they'll end up like Peter, dead at the hands of the Americans, and discarded in the forest with a tiny grave marker-"

The American didn't even have a chance to finish, the brit silencing him with a single firm slap across the cheek. Did he really bring Peter into this? Arthur was so angry that he swung again, but this time the slap didn't land, the American caught it just in time to save himself. However, the brit had two hands, and he used his left hand to swing with everything he's got into a single closed fist. It landed, fortunately, and the prince let go of his hand, instead cradling his face. The brit didn't wait for the other to speak, he forced the door open and he hopped out, not caring for the staring soldiers who had to stop because of them. Matthew was among the crowd, and he tried to approach Arthur, but the brit darted into the woods. He ran and ran, despite his dress being snagged in the brambles and such. He could hear Alfred call out for him, but screw that guy, if Arthur ever saw him again he'd drown him.


1 hour later...

The Brit sat in a clearing for about 15 minutes, a full 45 minute run away from the carriage. He sat on a wooden log, rewatching the argument in his head. Arthur had to admit, he shouldn't have started mocking the prince. Well, even then, he shouldn't have mocked his mother. Looking back, It was when Arthur mocked his mother did Alfred get angry, but in Arthur's defense, he just called her a coward. Alfred didn't have to come at his mother like that. His mother was an omega, so that's why she was unemployed. Also, his mother loved him dearly, she didn't just leave him on the streets, she was arrested and thrown in prison.

The prince had the option of stopping there, but then he came for his father. As Hammurabi once said, an eye for an eye, so if he talked about his father, it should go both ways. Arthur realized now that that was a stupid excuse for him to bring up the late king, and he truly does regret it. He said it out of maliciousness and, unlike Arthur, Alfred only had a few months to grieve over his father's death. Alfred clapped back though, Arthur doesn't really remember with what, but he knew it included Peter and no one talks about Peter. He slapped and punched Alfred, which made the brit feel sick now that he thought about it. He put his hands on his mate; that was wrong.

The back of his head was a mix of worry, remorse and anger, so he knew he and Alfred were on the same page. He could also tell the American was getting closer, his presence getting stronger by the second. He wanted to apologize to him, but at the same time, he didn't want to either. How could he face him after that? The brit acted like a brat from the start, all the other wanted to do was get some work out of the way. Arthur sighed, standing. He might as well meet them halfway.

He began walking in the general direction of the road, basing his location on how far his mate seemed to be. After 10 minutes or so, he could here voices. He stopped and crouched behind a tree, waiting, not sure whether they were friend or foe. He felt Alfred nearby, though, so perhaps it really was him.

"I said it's none of your business." Alfred barked stomping his feet. "Arthur should be around here somewhere, I can feel him." His companion sighed.

"Alfred, whatever it was." Matthew, arthur recognized, said. "You need to resolve it out here. Don't bring it back near the soldiers." He said as he walked away, presumably back to the carriage. After a few moments Arthur crawled out from behind the tree and stood up, dusting himself off.

"There you are." The American sighed, slowly approaching the englishman. Arthur looked down, nervous.

"I'm so sorry. I crossed the line completely and from the bottom of my heart I-"

"It's okay." Alfred said quickly, shaking his head. "I escalated it by bringing up your mother. I'm sorry." He apologized, which only made the brit feel worse. He shook his head wildly, taking a few steps back, away from his mate.

"No, you don't need to apologize. I started it because I'm a brat with nothing better to do. I apologize for demonizing your mother, and that thing I said about your father was disgusting, and mocking your dead friends was beyond rude. I'm... I know that by this point my apologies are tiring, and that I should probably work on myself... so, I won't bring them up ever again, and I'll get along with your mother if I have too, and I won't make anymore scenes and I'll give you space if you need it! I'm just... really really sorry that I said that." He didn't look up once, but he could hear the other walk closer. He squeezed his eyes shut as he felt warm lips press against his hair. Strong hands cupped his cheeks and tried to force the other to look at him, but the brit resisted. He didn't want to look in the other's eyes and still see disappointment.

"Arthur," The other sighed, slightly annoyed. "Look at me. You can't just say all of that and not look at me." He said, bending down so he could see the other's face. "I'm happy that you're willing to change, but you can't just stop being dramatic, it's unrealistic. Besides, I can usually handle your banter, and I admit I handled it very poorly this time." He said with a brush on Arthur's cheek. "You were just teasing in a very bad American impression, I took it too personal. I shouldn't have mentioned your dad." Arthur's eyes were still closed, but he could tell that the other was really speaking from the heart. He also didn't feel angry anymore. The brit sighed heavily, opening his eyes slowly to see bright blue ones only inches from his face. The eyes were accompanied by a dazzling smile, and two very red cheeks, which instantly made the brit feel worse.

"I'm sorry," he started as he cupped the other's cheek, caressing them lightly. "I don't know what came over me. I'm so sorry for hitting you." The prince put his hands over the others as he rubbed, leaning in.

"It's fine." He chuckled. "It just goes to show that my self-defense lessons weren't wasted." He said, holding onto his mate's waist. "But we should get going, it's been an hour or so and the next town in far away." Arthur nodded, hands still on the other's face. They stood there like that for a minute or so before the American chuckled awkwardly. "We really need to go, babe."

"Mhmm." Arthur said, still not letting go. Alfred groaned before scooping the other into his arms, bridal style, and walking. The englishman gasped in shock, but soon relaxed, hands still on the other's cheeks. His cheeks were very warm, but the brit had a feeling that putting his hands there would help him. Who knows, perhaps he can heal minor bruises. After 20 minutes or so, they arrived to the road, the soldiers sitting on their packs, laughing and resting. Arthur guessed they utilized their time by taking a break, one that Chancy refused to give them.

Once back and settled in their carriage, Alfred ordered for the journey to commence. The brit kept his hands on the other's face, despite the American's mildly annoyed looks. After 15 minutes, while the prince was reading some papers, the caressing become annoying, the prince releasing a deep growl that caused the other to flinch away in a brief panic. Realizing what he had done, the prince scrambled to apologize, but the brit laughed it off, really focusing on the other's face. His cheeks, they weren't red anymore, and the small bruising that was starting to form from the punch had left no trace. He giggled in glee.

Alfred went back to reading and the brit continued to look out of the window. He had really healed his cheeks. This magic thing wasn't too bad. "I think I fixed your cheeks." He said with a warm smile staring out at it. "What's eyespy?" The brit asked suddenly, remembering the other's earlier suggestion. He heard Alfred hum a little bit before answering.

"I'll explain when I'm done. But... can you give me your opinion on this request?" Arthur quirked his brow, the other never really included him in on his paperwork. However, he nodded. "So, Gil and Ivan are coming as a pair to my coronation. Gilbert has a brother named Ludwig who is engaged to Feliciano of Italy. Ludwig still wants to petition Gilbert's engagement to Ivan, saying that his brother is being blackmailed. He wants me, during the coronation, to send people to Ivan's room to filter through his stuff in order to find evidence of blackmail." Alfred explained some of the background information. "Should I help him?" Arthur blinked.

"What happens if you say yes?" He asked. Surely a request this invasive will have a significant reward. Alfred shrugged.

"It's just a favor." He said with a wave of his hand. Arthur tilted his head.

"That's quite a favor. Then I'm assuming if you say no, nothing will happen." Alfred nodded. "Well then, decline." The brit said bluntly. Alfred sighed, sinking in his seat.

"Why?" He asked, looking over to his mate. Arthur shrugged.

"If you get caught, consider your ties with Russia shot. I know that tensions are a little high already, so breaking into his room and trying to find documents won't help at all." Arthur huffed, resting his head in his hand. "Also, what if your friend is wrong? What if Gilbert really does want to marry Ivan now that he's gotten to know him? The accusation Ludwig is making is quite serious. I assume that the marriage between Ivan and Gilbert was for practical reasons like money, resources, power, peace etc. I think you should keep your nose out of it, it's bound to get sticky." In theory, of course, Arthur knew very little of politics, but he felt it was reasonable to say that this won't stay a secret. Alfred stared at him intently before nodded, pausing with a frown,

"But what if he's right?" Alfred suggested, which caught the brit off guard. "What if he's right and his brother is being blackmailed into the marriage? Ludwig is perhaps the most calculating person I've ever met, he wouldn't make this claim unless he had grounds to conclude it. Foreign relations or not, if someone were blackmailing my brother I'd petition too." Arthur hummed in agreement, flicking his hair back.

"This could also be a trap. The U.S is a superpower, and Ludwig could just be setting you up to be the instigator in all of this." He suggested flatly, turning to look out of the window. The American sat silent for a moment before sighing.

"That would make sense actually..." He mumbled to himself silently. "If Gilbert and Ivan really get along, they might want control of my islands in the Pacific. Gilbert could easily get Ludwig on board, and he, in a perfect world, would get me to break into Ivan's room. I would be accused of trying to steal confidential government plans from Russia, and my reputation would be marred. From there, Ludwig could use Feli to sway the rest of Europe to their side, forming a coalition against me. Once that happens, I'm screwed." He surmised darkly, and the brit couldn't stop himself from grabbing the other's hand in worry.

"Please don't over analyze this. I doubt he's setting up a plan that elaborate if he could just accuse you of blowing up his ship." Arthur felt bad, he shouldn't be filling his head with doubts. "Don't strain your pretty little head of yours, you should be enjoying your last few weeks as a prince with relatively no responsibility." He chuckled and the prince nodded, though he still seemed a little off. He needs a distraction. "How do you play eyespy? You said you'd teach me." Alfred's features suddenly lit up, and he smiled widely.


2 hours later...

"Alfred, literally there is nothing else here that can be green. It's either the trees or grass!" Arthur stared out the window searching the scenery. Alfred shook his head.

"I saw what I saw, I thought it would be obvious to you, but I guess not." He said smugly, trailing his hand down the other's back. Arthur let out a frustrated groan. "You don't like losing, huh?" He mocked, and the brit couldn't hold back his laugh.

"It took you four months to notice? You really aren't the brightest-Oh!" He stopped mid-sentence to swat the other's hand away, which had began to pinch the parts of Arthur's back that was exposed. "I, before meeting you, have never lost a game in my life. My father had always let me win." he continued. Alfred stopped pinching and pulled the other into his lap, giving him his full attention. "They figured that since I was an omega, I wouldn't be able to handle losing well. So whenever I wanted to join my brothers' wrestling match, they would somehow collapse on contact, and when my father was a big scary dragon, the flower in my hand was enough to defeat him and save the princess, my mother."

"That's sweet." Alfred said with amused eyes. He was probably imagining a miniature Arthur running around with a sunflower, chasing around a man three times his size. "What did your dad look like?" Alfred asked suddenly, and the brit paused, eyeing in confusion. "You don't have to tell me, but I'm curious about where you got your eye brows from." Arthur scrunched up his nose before answering quickly.

"I got my eyebrows from my mother." He sighed. "She had my eyebrows, but unlike me she'd shape them so people couldn't tell. All of my siblings got them, but none of us got her hair color. Peter had dirty blonde hair, sort of a combination of my mother and father. My mother, Igraine, had brown curly hair, and my father, Uther, had blonde straight hair; Peter, Dylan, and Seamus inherited for the most part his hair color and texture. I got my father's hair color, but my mother's hair texture." he explained, leaning into the other's person. He could see them now, his parents, and how they looked before the war; so fresh, so happy.

"Who do you look like the most?" Alfred asked. Arthur shrugged.

"Um... probably my mother because I have very soft features. However, her nose was a tad big." Alfred nodded, and the brit continued. "Allister got his hair color from my grandmother from my father's side. I've never met her, but I've seem some portraits; she was gorgeous. Try to imagine this: Fiery red hair, pale skin, ice blue eyes and a contagious smile. We all got our eyes from my mother, except for Peter, who got them from my father."

"That reminds me, the answer was your eyes, but you were too dense to figure it out." Alfred interjected, and Arthur scoffed.

"That's sappy." He said with a quick kiss to his nose. "Anyway... My father used to be a soldier or whatever, and, wait actually no" suddenly remembering what Dylan had just told him. There was no harm in telling his mate. "He was the last King of England who abdicated the throne and bought a big house near the coast."

"What?"

"I know, crazy right? That's why my brother's came all the way to kidnap me, we're the next heirs to the throne and all of us need to be present in order for one of us to be crowned." He laughed half-heartedly. "Ridiculous if you ask me! My father left for a reason, why would we go back?" The englishman glanced at the prince only to find him staring at nothing. "What is it? Is it really that hard to sink in? I'm a witch, but the fact that I'm royalty is sending you off of the deep end?" Nothing should come as a surprise anymore.

"You're... you're... Ohhh this is bad!" He muttered to himself, setting the other aside. What? What was bad? He wanted to ask but the look of panic in his eyes warded the brit off. "This is awful... Why?" he said suddenly, looking at the brit with exhausted eyes. "Why didn't you tell me this before we mated?" Arthur swore he felt his heart fall into his stomach.

"What? Would that have changed your reaction or something?" He asked softly, not wanting to know the answer. The American stroked his face to calm himself down.

"Are you sure you are royalty?" He asked. Arthur shrugged.

"Dylan told me that the night I went to the harbor." he answered. "Is there a problem?" Alfred closed his eyes for a moment.

"You need a new cover story."

"What? I can't, I just told everyone that I was distantly related to the Kirklands." Arthur hissed, and the prince shook his head.

"Doesn't matter, you're royalty. Before royals could mate, their legal guardians must be present in order to conduct a contract or treaty. Also, the consummation must have at least three witnesses... if not it's seen as a war crime."

"What?!"

"Yeah, so now you're Arthur Pendragon, the estranged son of the king of England who was raised by Arnold Pendragon. You have no personal ties to the Kirklands, but you are a direct heir to the throne. You and I knew about this all along, and Francis, Matthew and Davie saw us consummate the marriage, okay? Go with that for now until I can think of something better." he swore, grunting as he pulled at his hair. Arthur bit his lip. Did they really just commit a war crime?

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, babe. You couldn't have known. But, this means we probably won't be able to have our wedding in a few weeks." He sighed remorsefully. Arthur nodded, that was fine with him. "Is there anything else you want to tell me?" Alfred asked. Arthur racked his brain.

"Uh... I have the ability to understand and speak French at will." He offered, and the American stiffened. "Il est si difficile de contrôler une fois que je l'ai utilisé quelques fois." He explained with a shrugged and Alfred looked mortified. "I said it got easier with practice." He translated. The prince stared at him for a while.

"Is it only french?"

"I don't know, I've only ever been around French so far. I can try it out once in the capitol." he offered with a shrug. The prince groaned.

"This is a lot for one day, actually. I think I'm gonna nap."