Oh boy, I'm so sorry about the delay! This chapter took a while to write and I'm not too pleased with how it came out. Oh, well. It has a nice little treat at the end for all you Russia/China shippers :D. Again, thanks for all the reviews and such and do continue to read and review!

Disclaimer: After five chapters, I still don't own Hetalia.

"Honestly Al, could you please slow down just a little bit?" Matthew cried as an eager Alfred led him through the winding streets of Yoshiwara.

"No can do Mattie, you're just gonna have to keep up." The other man replied with a smile before continuing on at a faster pace; Matthew groaned before hurrying to keep up with Alfred.

"Why are you in such a hurry, anyway? You're acting like the place is going to be closed or something. It just opened about an hour ago."

"I know. We would've been there, too, if my commanding officer hadn't held me up. Fucking paperwork." Alfred said.

"Why is it so important that we rush? I haven't even had dinner yet. Besides, that club is a place Arthur goes to a lot and you hate running into him, unless…" Matthew said before realization hit him like a ton of bricks, causing him to stop and let a slow smirk spread on his face. Alfred stopped as well, not liking the tone of that last word.

"Unless someone wants to see a certain someone, perhaps?" Matthew said quietly, smirk getting bigger.

"N-no! That's not it at all! I just want to get there early, you know before it gets too crowded." Alfred said defensively.

"You want to get there so you can see Miss Kiku again! Alfred's got a cru~sh, Alfred's got a cru~sh!" Matthew said in a singsong voice.

"Okay, so maybe I do." Alfred knew there was no point in hiding it from Matthew. Ever since he had left the club on Saturday, the only thing he could think about was Kiku and when he would get to see her again.

"Aw, that's so cute. Love at first sight. I suppose you've already thought of what the wedding will be like and what you're going to name your children. One better be named after me, with the amount of crap from you I have to put up with." Alfred glared at this insinuation. Honestly, he wasn't some lovelorn teenager.

"For your information, I haven't done any of that. And even if Miss Kiku and I were to get married and have children, why would I waste my child's name on you?" Matthew rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Al, I know you too well. I saw the way you looked at her; you kept looking at her card the entire walk home the other night, for Chrissakes." Alfred shrugged before continuing on.

"She's a very beautiful and striking lady, Matthew. Frankly, I'm surprised you're not infatuated as well." Alfred said nonchalantly.

"She is pretty, I'll give you that. But I don't do the whole "love at first sight." I'm not a fifteen year-old girl, Al."

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A GIRL?"

"Quit whining and hurry up. Don't want to keep your Miss Kiku waiting~"

Kiku couldn't help but notice that Arthur seemed kind of nervous tonight. He had been rather twitchy since he sat down next to Kiku at their favorite spot at the bar, keeping his eyes downcast and fumbling at something in his pocket. Whatever conversation Kiku had tried to start had been awkward and Arthur kept insisting that nothing was wrong.

"Asa-san," Kiku tried again for the fifth time, "are you sure everything is alright? You've been acting very strange and it is making me think I have done something wrong."

"What! N-no! You've done nothing of the sort! I'm just a little nervous, that's all!" Arthur sputtered before he realized what he said. Kiku gulped, what did Arthur have to be nervous about?

"Why is Asa-san nervous?" Kiku tentatively asked. Arthur gulped before reaching in his pocket.

"I don't know how you're going to res—"

"Hello Miss Kiku!" a loud voice interrupted them, causing Arthur and Kiku to look up and see a beaming Alfred being trailed by Matthew. Arthur mentally groaned while Kiku's smiled before waving them over. Just what I need, Arthur thought to himself, the git.

"Alfred-san, Matthew-san, it is a pleasure to see you again." Kiku said, gracefully getting off the stool to give a polite bow.

"It's good to see again, too, Miss Kiku. Arthur, you're looking a bit peaky, is everything okay?"

"It was until you showed up with the prat." Arthur mumbled to himself.

"What was that?"

"I said I just need a drink! It's been a long day." Arthur lied quickly, turning to the bar and ordering another bottle of sake. Kiku caught Matthew's puzzled glance and gave an elegant shrug before turning to Alfred and smiling sweetly to which Alfred returned with a huge grin of his own.

"How are you this evening, Alfred-san?" Alfred didn't want to admit it, but he felt his world get a little brighter whenever Kiku smiled at him.

"I'm doing great," he said, claiming the seat next to Kiku as his own, "especially now that I'm in the presence of such a gorgeous girl." Matthew really had to fight to keep from snorting out loud. Is this really the best he can do? He thought to himself as he took what was looking to be his usual seat next to Arthur.

Kiku was fighting off the makings of a fierce blush; of course he had heard every line in the book, but there was something about the way Alfred said them with such confidence and earnestness. It was like Arthur but somehow different…

"Alfred-san is too kind with his words." Kiku said softly, smoothing out his navy blue dress. Alfred couldn't help but appreciate the contrast of porcelain hands on dark blue.

"That's a beautiful dress you've got on, Miss Kiku." Kiku smiled demurely while placing a hand on Arthur's arm, earning a kiss on the cheek from the Brit.

"Arigatou, Alfred-san. It is Asa-san's favorite and he asked me to wear it tonight." There was something about those actions and Kiku's words that made Alfred feel the barest burn of jealousy. Lucky jerk, Alfred thought as he shot Matthew a look. Matthew merely shrugged before moving to order a drink.

"Asa-san, you were about to tell me something before your friends arrived." Kiku reminded Arthur, pouring a bit of beer into Matthew's glass. Arthur swallowed hard before reaching in his pocket and pulling out a small box wrapped in rice paper; Matthew and Alfred raised their eyebrows as Arthur placed the box in front of Kiku.

"I didn't want to give you this in front everyone…" Kiku gently picked up the box and slowly unwrapped it and opened it, revealing a pair of simple yet tasteful blue flowered hair combs.

"I saw it the other day and it reminded me of that blue dress you always wear…" Arthur was blushing furiously now while a light pink was dusting Kiku's cheeks.

"Arthur, I had no idea you were such a sentimental fool." Matthew said, chuckling at his friend's expression.

"I'm not sentimental! I just saw this and thought Kiku would like it! Nothing sentimental or foolish about that, prat!" Matthew only laughed harder while Arthur continued to stammer.

Kiku swallowed nervously, it seemed like Arthur had put so much thought into the gift. He gave Arthur a sidelong glance before plucking the combs from their place in the paper and fixing them neatly in his hair.

"Domo arigatou, Asa-san," Kiku said, moving to awkwardly hug Arthur, "I will cherish them." Arthur returned the hug and before Kiku could register what was happening next, the other man's lips were suddenly on his. It was brief kiss that lasted for not even a full second before Arthur pulled away quickly, face redder than a tomato. Kiku could practically sense what Yao and Yong Soo's reactions were going to be when they found out and right now his own reaction was one of utter confusion. Asa-san just kissed me, he thought dazedly to himself. It had only been a peck, but Kiku could tell that it had taken Arthur a whole lot of nerve to kiss him. For what had to have been the millionth time that night, Kiku swallowed nervously as well as trying to fight off a furious blush.

"A-a-asa-san?" He asked softly, gazing at Arthur who still had his face buried in his hands. Arthur sighed before turning to look at Kiku, carefully twining their fingers together.

"Kiku, you are very special to me. Don't ever forget that." Arthur said, leaning in to give Kiku another kiss on the lips. Kiku was about to reply a loud thud from his right prevented him from doing so. Alfred had slammed his hand on the bar, startling them.

"Al?" Matthew asked, noticing the hurt look that had quickly disappeared from his face.

"Oh! I, uh, just remembered that I…have some paperwork that I forgot to turn in to my commanding officer! So, I'm gonna go…heh, don't want to get yelled at again…" Alfred finished lamely, jumping up from the bar.

"Alfred-san is everything alright?" Kiku asked and Alfred gave him a forced smile.

"Everything's fine, Miss Kiku. I just need to finish up some work. I'll probably see you again soon?"

"Of course, Alfred-san. I hope the rest of your evening goes well." Alfred felt a surge of hurt course through his chest at Kiku's words. As if that was going to happen, his night had been completely ruined.

"Thank you, Miss Kiku." He swallowed hard. "Well, I'll see you all later. Good-night." Without waiting for another word, Alfred hurriedly left the club.

"I wonder what's wrong with him?" Arthur said, watching the other man's retreating form. Matthew sighed before reaching into his wallet and pulling out a handful of bills and dropping them on the bar.

"I'm going to go with Al. You know, make sure he gets his paperwork done this time." Arthur nodded and waved him off while Kiku gave the blond a concerned look.

"Don't worry about him Miss Kiku, he'll be fine. I'll see you again later, Arthur?" Matthew said before leaving to catch up with Alfred.

"I hope Alfred-san will be alright…" Kiku said after Matthew had left. Arthur merely shrugged before placing his arm around Kiku's thin shoulders.

"No idea, love." Kiku inwardly shivered at the epithet Arthur had used for him. So they were at that stage now, though Kiku had to wonder if Arthur was going at this whole thing backwards; kissing, gifts and nicknames were supposed to come before prepositions of intimacy

"Asa-san…" It wasn't a question this time.

"Kiku, I told you: you are a very special person to me. I enjoy your company a lot and I find you fascinating." The arm around his shoulder pulled him closer to the other man and Kiku had to force himself to relax into it.

"…I feel the same towards Asa-san…"

"Dammit! Just dammit all to hell!" Alfred cursed angrily to himself as he stalked back to the base.

"It's not fair! What does a beautiful, charming, lovely, sweet girl like Kiku see in a bushy-browed, ornery old man like Arthur anyway? He's a pain in the ass!"

"Alfred!" He was so deep in his Arthur-bashing thoughts that he almost missed Matthew calling his name; he stopped and looked behind him to see the other blond jogging to catch up with him.

"Oh, hey Mattie. I thought you stayed behind." Matthew shook his head, panting from his attempt to catch up.

"Are you alright, Al? You looked like your heart was about to break back there." Alfred shook his head, clearly indicating that he did not want to talk about it. Matthew rolled his eyes and blew out a puff of air.

"Alfred, are you actually upset that a girl you just met two nights ago is in what seems to be some kind of relationship?" Alfred said nothing in favor of glaring at the ground.

"Ah, so you are. Are you really that infatuated with her? You barely know her and it seems that Arthur is quite keen on her."

"I guess you could see it that way, since he practically confessed his love for her." Alfred said moodily.

"Al, did it ever occur to you that Miss Kiku might want to be with Arthur? She's known him a lot longer than she has you. It makes sense." Matthew's words were not making Alfred feel any better. What kind of friend is he anyway, Alfred thought to himself, he's supposed to be on my side!

"What does that have to do with anything?" Alfred snapped. "She hasn't had a chance to get to know me!" Matthew sighed.

"This is actually upsetting you…"

"You're damned right it is! What does she see in some bushy-browed old man like Arthur? He's got to be twice her age! What is her age, anyway?" Matthew was resisting the urge to facepalm.

"See, there you go. You don't even know how old she is, let alone anything about her save for that bit about when she got stuck in a tree as a girl and a few other stories about her childhood. And Arthur is only five years older than you, so quit with the old jokes." Matthew said.

"Well, I still don't see why she prefers him. I'd think the fact that she's known him long enough would put her off…." Alfred trailed off, reverting his gaze back to the ground. Matthew sighed, it was looking like he was going to have to take a different approach.

"Well, here's an idea for you: get to know her. Become her friend first instead of going straight into making her your girl." Alfred perked up at this.

"What're you getting at?"

"What I'm saying is start out as friends, let her see the real you—not that lame attempt at being a gentleman that you're pulling—get to know her, let her get to know you and then…you know."

"Y'know Mattie, that's actually a pretty good plan." Matthew smiled; maybe if he could get them at the friendship stage and maybe show the other man that there were plenty of fish in the sea, Alfred would drop this whole infatuation with Kiku.

"Of course it is. What better way to show your "love" than by being her friend?"

Kiku had gotten lucky in that Kin didn't need him to stay and help clean up that night, so he didn't have to walk home with his brothers and the inevitable teasing. He was not in the mood for any of their jokes and he was hoping that he could make it back and in the bed before they arrived home. He took in a deep breath, letting the cool night air filter through his lungs. It wasn't everyday that he got a bit of alone time to do some thinking.

Kiku knew he should be grateful that Arthur had expressed an interest in him and he was. He was kind, generous, and Kiku did find Arthur's thicker than average eyebrows to be quite endearing. And it wasn't like he had any reason to be picky when he himself wasn't much to look at, Kiku thought to himself. Out of his brothers, he was the palest as well as the smallest; he was a good two years older than Yong Soo and yet the younger boy still towered over him by several centimeters. He was bony, not quite getting over the food shortages from when he lived in the village, so any clothes that he got had to be altered so they wouldn't fall off his thin frame. And then there was the matter of his personality: whereas Yong Soo and Yao were loud and outgoing, he was quiet and reserved. What Arthur saw in him to make him start kissing him and using nicknames, as well out right prepositioning him, puzzled Kiku to no end.

Then there was the feeling that he really didn't hold the same feelings for Arthur. Kiku knew he couldn't tell Arthur that he only saw him as a friend, that would make him look like the essence of ungrateful. The man had gotten him a gift, for heaven's sake. And even if he did mention to Arthur how he truly felt, what if the other man took offense and left? If Kin found out, this could cost him his job and then the brothers would be short one income.

Kiku arrived at the apartment, still just as unsure as ever. Perhaps it would be better to go along with it, he thought as he trudged towards the bedroom. Maybe after awhile, he would find himself reciprocating Arthur's feelings. He sat at the vanity and gently removed the combs, running his fingers over the delicate flowers. These were not cheap, Kiku noted, especially since they were made of finely polished cherry wood. Kiku placed them gently on the vanity before grabbing a hankerchief and wetting it in the water bowl and setting about removing the minimal make-up on his face. Afterwards, he stripped himself of his clothes, pulled on his nightclothes and crawled onto the futon, hugging his knees as he stared off.

"Asa-san kissed me." He mumbled to himself. It felt weird, saying it outloud, acknowledging it. Before his mind could start up with another analysis of the situation, he heard the door to the apartment open.

"Ah! They're back!" Kiku thought, pulling the blankets over him and pretending to be asleep. He waited for the telltale signs of his brothers' entrance but heard nothing except the soft murmur of voices. One of them was definitely Yao but the second voice wasn't Yong Soo. Silently, he got out of bed and crept over to the door, pushing it open slightly in order to see what was going on.

"I would invite you in, but I don't want to wake Kiku, aru." Yao was saying to the figure in the doorway.

"That is fine. I would not want your sister to be angry, da." It was Ivan. He must have waited for Yao to finish up in order to walk him home, Kiku realized.

"Thanks again for escorting me home, Ivan-chan. It was so sweet of you, aru…" Kiku couldn't see Yao's face, but he was pretty sure the he was blushing.

"It was an honor. I did not want anything to happen to you, da." Ivan had placed a gloved hand on Yao's face and was stroking it gently. Yao grabbed his hand before pressing a small kiss to the palm of the other man's hand. Kiku could see Ivan's face light up before dropping the hand down to Yao's waist, bring his other hand down to rest on the other side before pulling Yao close. Yao raised his arms up, draping them around Ivan's neck before bring him down to meet his lips for a kiss.

It was passionate and slow, quite unlike the peck that Arthur had given him earlier in the evening, Kiku noted. Ivan was gripping Yao's waist, pulling him closer while Yao's fingers were tangling themselves in the hair on Ivan's neck, pulling the man further down to make the kiss deeper. Kiku would have stayed there all night when it finally hit him that he was intruding on a private moment; he wordlessly shut the door, careful not to make a sound, before slipping back in the bed.