Chapter 2: Love

Okay, here's chapter 2! :3

I hope you enjoy the dramaticness! X3

Please review at the end! I appreciate every single review! =)

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this fanfiction, nor the series they come from. I also do not own the song "El Tango de Roxanne" from Moulin Rouge. They all belong to their respectful owners.

Why does my heart cry?

Feelings I can't fight!

"Ahem..."

Upon hearing the sound of a grunt, Arthur stopped moving, despite the Frenchman's efforts to keep him from doing so. He couldn't believe it. Had God finally answered his prayers? Had He sent someone to save him? His hopes rising, his emerald eyes began to shine and a tiny smile came across his lips. Eager to see the face of his savior, he swiftly turned his head towards the source of the grunt. But to his dismay, it was not relief that stared him in the face .

It was the face of the man he had tried to forget. The face of the man who'd left him hurt and alone. The face of the man that set of all his problems into motion.

The grip on Arthur's stomach loosened but the one on his heart grew tighter and tighter, squeezing so much that it felt like his heart was going to burst. The pain Arthur had suppressed for so long had resurfaced...and now, worse than ever before.

Alfred saw the tiny spark in Arthur's eyes and watched as it disappeared just as quickly. He knew why, but for now, he put it aside. What was really important at the moment was getting him out of the clutches of that disgusting Frenchman and into safe arms.

"I think there's a new song starting. And you know the rules here: after each song you must change partners," he said calmly. Too calmly.

"Hmph." The Frenchman sneered at the American. "I know the rules. But rules are meant to be broken, and today, they shall be." He pulled Arthur closer which caused him to yelp in surprise (and fear). Aflred's fists shook at his sides but he kept them there and remained calm-this was not the time-nor the place-for a fight.

"Please, sir. Would you please let me dance with your-"

DA-DA-DUM!

The music in the background exploded, startling every person in the room-including the Frenchman. Alfred recovered his senses first and seized the opportunity. He grabbed Arthur gently by the arm and led him away before the man could even blink. By the time the taller blonde realized what was happening, it was already too late. All he could see through the twirling couples around him were the backs of two blonde figures speeding into the crowd.

You're free to leave me,

But just don't deceive me.

And please, believe me when I say,

I love you...

Alfred stopped racing, holding Arthur by the hand. He was sure that they were far enough into the crowd by now, hidden from that sleazy Frenchman's gaze. Before even allowing Arthur to process what had just happened, he righted himself and arranged Arthur into the proper position for dancing. And strangely, Arthur didn't fight back.

Unlike the unruly Frenchman, Alfred held him gently and kept a comfortable, safe distance between them. He let Arthur lead just a bit in order to make sure he didn't force him to do anything he didn't want to. Arthur started to relax into the safe and easy dance. He liked being there. He almost let himself go completely when he remembered why the pain had come back-why he was in this mess.

"Whew!" Alfred said a little too loudly. "Think we lost him! That was close one, wasn't it-"

"Let me go," Arthur whispered.

Alfred looked down at Arthur. Arthur wasn't looking at him-he was staring down at the floor.

"Iggy, what-?" Arthur felt daggers stab into his heart at the sound of his old pet name. The one he used to-and maybe still-loved.

"Don't call me that, Alfred." The words continued to come out in whispers; he didn't have the strength to talk any louder. "Let me go..."

He needed to get out of there. His tears were just about ready to fall.

"Iggy...I know what you're thinking. But I'm back. And now there's nothing that can-"

"Shut up!"

Arthur's voice was full of anger and hurt. He couldn't believe that this man could come back, after all this time, and act like nothing was wrong!

"Iggy, I-" Alfred started as he tried to explain.

"Shut up!" he shouted again. "What the bloody hell is wrong with you? You come back, after a year, and think you can just come in, save me, and everything will be all right?"

Arthur could feel the raging fire build up inside of him and he couldn't stop it. He let the words flow out of him, louder and stronger.

"You left me, Alfred! YOU LEFT ME!" he shouted. "You looked into my face and told me it was over, and that you were leaving. And-and that you wouldn't-you wouldn't come back..." His voice broke on the last sentence. He couldn't stay there. He had to go. He had to before he cried...or even worse: before his true feelings came to the surface.

Alfred knew this had been coming-he had known it even before he entered the Ballroom. He'd been blinded by the feelings he felt just by looking at Arthur, putting all the possible consequences of his actions aside. Now all he wanted to do was to apologize to him. To hold him close and tell him "I'm sorry". But he couldn't do it. Arthur had been through enough that night-he didn't need to be subjected to anything else.

"I understand," Alfred whispered. Arthur snapped his head up and looked at him with wide eyes.

Had he just heard right?

"But," Alfred continued, pulling Arthur closer. "I want you to listen to me..." He lifted one of his hands and placed it on Arthur's small cheek.

"I want you to know that I love you. I always will. And it's true...I really, truly want you to believe that."

Arthur let out a tiny gasp. His heart, still constrictedby the pain, beat madly against his chest. He couldn't look away from Alfred's beautiful, shining blue eyes filled with all the emotion, love, and honesty in the world. He couldn't deny it-Alfred really meant what he said; he really, truly loved him.

No, Arthur thought, warning himself. No, I can't fall in love with him again. History will just repeat itself, and he'll leave me like he did before...

He had to get out of there, before Alfred could say anything more. He searched frantically for a distraction, an exit, anything.

"And also..." Alfred continued as he bent his head down, mere centimeters from Arthur's face. Their eyes locked. This was the perfect moment. He was going to say what had to be said, even if Arthur refused to himself. He knew the truth.

"Don't lie to me, Arthur..."

No...don't say it! cried Arthur in his mind.

"And tell me that you don't love me, too."

Arthur ran. He ran as if his life depended on it.

Alfred let him. He had done what he needed to do, said what he'd needed to say. He was done...for now.

Arthur didn't care where but he hoped he'd find a door-and quick. Tears were already streaming down his face.

Why...why did you say it?

And then he saw the door. He ran through it, a feeling of relief and happiness washing over him. He didn't even bother to look behind him.

Just a few feet from the ballroom exit stood the tall Frenchman, his lips curled up into a twisted smile. A diabolical, malicious plan formed in the dark spaces in his mind. He chuckled to himself.

"Soon, Angleterre...soon you will be mine."

There ya go! :3 Special thanks to sweet ticket who once again edited, and even added the line: No, Arthur thought, warning himself. No, I can't fall in love with him again. History will just repeat itself, and he'll leave me like he did before...

Thank you SO much, Tix-chan! =D

I hope you enjoyed chapter 2 and Chapter 3 will be coming...eventually! XD Please be patient!

Reviews greatly appreciated and needed! :)