AN: Because so many people asked for it! Their will be at least one more chapter to wrap it up. Maybe Alfred will get a happy ending :)


America rolled his chair back and forth. China was talking about his new censorship laws, and all Alfred could hear was blah, blah, blah. China had put hummus boredom in Alfred's mouth. Yuck.

He'd been rolling his pen across his binder, but when he flicked it back up it went to far and hit England in the face. The superpower snorted from the mac n cheese amusement. But England leveled him with a scathing glare and slowly the heavy taste of molasses rose up. It was only an accident. Alfred flashed an apology smile around the mouthful molasses. England kept glaring and Alfred didn't think his old guardian could tell the difference anymore.

When the meeting was over the hummus left his mouth. Nations stood around and chatting with each other. Their murmuring was a blueberry slushy. Alfred stretched. His back popped a little and he savored the taste of pulled caramel.

Finland invited Canada out for drinks with the other Arctic nations. Italy convinced all the Europeans to go out also. Alfred looked around, the African nations had disappeared and the Asian nations were moving towards the door. Alfred put on his cotton candy smile on even while cooked asparagus and yogurt misery set up residence his mouth. England was leaving with France. The two were fighting, but Alfred could see the cotton warmth in their eyes.

"Don't worry, the hero will go also!" American exclaimed to the room. No one listened. Cooked asparagus.

Maybe he'd get a few burgers before going over.

0000

At the bar Alfred downed shots of rum. The European nations were all talking to each other about the Euro zone. England was laughing at them and bragging about... something. Alfred couldn't participate in that conversation. The arctic nations were giggling at some joke. He had cooked asparagus in his mouth.

"Hey," a breathy voice said. Alfred looked up to see a dark haired brunette next to him. She was holding a pink drink with an umbrella in it.

"Hi," Alfred said back, giving a smile that tasted of salt. "Do I know you?" He asked.

"No, but you looked lonely over here," she explained. "So I figured I'd visit."

"I'm not lonely! I'm never lonely. Imma, Imma" he stumbled around the words, "I'm a hero!"

She laughed, "sounds awesome!"

Alfred nodded, "yes it's very, very awesome."

"What are you drinkin'?" He asked her. She said some candy name and Alfred shook his head at her.

"You're my new friend." He declared, "We gottsta do shots together!"

She laughed and it was a drop of Coca Cola then agreed. The two pounded back shot after shot. She started to sway and couldn't seem to stop giggling. Alfred inhaled the taste of her Coca Cola laughter. Alfred couldn't feel his teeth after his sixth shot. He laughed with her and when she suggested dancing on the bar top. He thought it sounded like a guacamole good idea. He climbed up first, pulling her up with him. The two bounced and rolled against each other. His body felt like warm, floppy rubber. Alfred kicked a few glasses and watched them shatter. Just for fun.

The people in the bar were hooting and hollering at America's show with his new friend. He was still drinking in her Coca Cola laughter, but he was also laughing too.

"No asparagus," he shouted at his new friend.

She smiled and laughed, "Asparagus sucks!"

The soda's sugary taste popped in his mind. Spilled liquids made the bar slick. His new friend and Alfred leaned all over each other. Alfred grinned. The taste of strawberry ice cream happiness was stuffed in his mouth for the first time in... a while. Alfred wanted to gorge himself on the taste.

Just as Alfred was about to respond he felt a hand wrap around his ankle and another on his shin. He looked down. It was his brother and his not-anymore-brother. He frowned at them. They had peppermint anger on their faces and disappointment hanging from their shoulders. Alfred balked at the nasty tastes. He wanted more of the cola and strawberry ice cream. It was the best thing he'd had in years.

Canada and England wrestled him down off the bar top. The bar tender was hollering. More peppermint. Green tea resentment washed away the coca cola and strawberry ice cream. Alfred frowned at the loss of his new friend. She was still on the bar. The other people in the bar were smiling up at her. He was tugged away from the counter.

0000

Alfred bounced when he landed on the bed. Canada was standing above him sighing pumpkin sighs. Alfred rolled his head over to look at Arthur. Peppermint. Canada silently slipped out the door. Alfred only noticed because he took his pumpkin sighs with him. Only peppermint flavored Arthur was left. Peppermint was so cold and sometimes it burnt. He wished he could taste cheeseburger.

"Alfred, go to sleep," the Briton commanded as he moved towards the door. Was he really gonna leave Alfred all by himself again?

"Wait!" Alfred called, "doe, dun…" Alfred struggled to keep hot sauce sadness from falling out of his mouth, "don't leave me!"

England turned back around. Cautious vanilla and strawberry ice cream cooled the hot sauce.

"And why should I stay?" Arthur snapped as he turned back around, "Just because you couldn't handle your liquor is no reason that I should not be able to enjoy myself. Don't be so selfish."

Alfred pressed back into the bed. He felt like a fistful of pennies had been stuffed into his mouth.

"I… I just," Alfred sniffed. His heart bled vanilla caution.

"Oh belt up!" Arthur exclaimed.

Alfred closed his mouth and looked at the bed spread. He wasn't going to cry. Hero's don't cry. Yogurt and copper battled it out on his tongue. He could feel the sourness of plum exasperation rolling off Arthur. The North American waited to hear a door slam. It was dark green. Kinda like Arthur's eyes. Alfred looked up after several moments to see Arthur just staring at him.

Alfred stayed silent. He didn't want to do anything to make the peppermint any worse. He traced patterns into the fabric until he felt the bed shift next to him.

"Alfred," Arthur said, "I didn't mean that."

Alfred nodded. The room was quiet as quiet as a picture. Hot sauce was burning in his heart, but least the cooked asparagus wasn't coming back. Although he thought he might prefer asparagus to hot sauce.

"Alfred."

Alfred looked up to his not-brother. Arthur was sitting right next to him.

"Alfred, say something."

"I'm sorry, Arthur," Alfred whispered. He'd sobered up.

He rolled over and buried his head into the pillow. He wanted cheeseburgers and a coke. His eyes burned. The bed shifted and Alfred hoped Arthur would come over and pet his head like he used to when he was a kid. Even when they fought and Alfred wouldn't hug Arthur, the older nation would always come over to the upset boy and pet his head for a moment. Alfred waited hoping. Instead he heard the door open and close quietly. Tears gathered behind his lashes. He fell asleep to the burn of hot sauce and taste of cooked asparagus.


Fear not! It had to get worse before it could get better... maybe :D Look for the next chapter sometime this weekend!

Key to emotion-tastes:

Boredom tastes like hummus.

Guilt tastes like molasses.

Misery tastes like yogurt.

Resentment tastes like green tea.

Sorrow tastes like hot sauce.

Loneliness taste like cooked asparagus.

Caution tastes like vanilla.

Pain tastes like pennies/copper.

Fear tastes like marshmallows.

Disappointment tastes like pumpkin.

Anger tastes like peppermint.

Happiness tastes like strawberry ice cream.

Laughter tastes like Coca Cola.

Friendship tastes like guacamole.

Pride tastes like coffee.

Trust taste like BBQ.

Kindness tastes like apple cider.

Humor tastes like chocolate.

Amusement tastes like mac n cheese.