Dro: You know, this chapter was supposed to be them executing the plan...but then I had the bright idea of immensely complicating half the relationships in this story, just so it would be that much more dramatic when the plan actually was executed and everyone was involved in a fight for their lives. So that's what I wrote instead. Enjoy, like, the closest thing to smut I'm willing to write into a T-rated story.

Chapter Summary: Arthur returns to the passionate relationship he had with Alfred with before his disappearance. Afterward, Ludwig and Alfred make their decision, and Alfred discovers something shocking about Matthew.

Warnings: Very Mildly Written Sex

Disclaimer: Dro will never own APH.

Arthur's entire body tingled. Shock. Adrenaline. Exhaustion. Joy. It all mixed together into one powerful drug, rushing through his veins and keeping him in a constant high. His entire world had just been flipped upside down. Again. Which meant it was back where it was supposed to be. Alfred was back where he was supposed to be. Just the thought of Alfred sent pleasant chills through his spine. His Alfred had returned to him.

He rolled over in his temporary cot, his eyes lingering on the window. Where the day had seemed bleak and hopeless before, there were now rays of sunshine pouring in as the sun set, rekindling the fire in his heart that had long since died. He felt rejuvenated now. He felt like the shadow that had hung over his shoulder for the last year had vanished, leaving only warmth behind. For the first time in as long as he could remember, Arthur felt peace.

He settled into the pillow. Alfred had gone out earlier to inform his men that they'd combined efforts. Apparently, Alfred had been planning to help him secretly, but now that they'd reunited, that obviously wasn't going to work. He could see a slight hint of disappointment that Alfred's plan had been compromised. The man wanted his secrecy. He wanted to surprise Russia completely. But that was, of course, not going to happen now. They'd told Alfred about Lithuania, and Alfred had instantly known his cover had been blown.

Of course, it hadn't been his Alfred that had Russia was aware of, but Russia did not know of any other, and therefore…Arthur sighed. He was so happy right now, but still Russia's presence lingered in his mind. Overbearing and threatening. Always. But that would end soon. He didn't care if Russia was expecting them. This would be the end. Even if it cost him his life. He gripped the sheets at the thought of being separated from Alfred again. But a world without Russia was more important than a world where he was alive to be with Alfred. If they failed here, they would all die. Alfred. Matthew. Francis. All of them. And if took Arthur's life to let them keep living theirs, then so be it.

He jumped at a knock on his door. He didn't bother answering, but the person opened the door anyway. Arthur didn't need to look back to see who it was. He could feel Alfred. He immediately rolled over, meeting Alfred's tired blue eyes.

"Did I wake you?" He asked softly.

Arthur shook his head. He felt magnetized around Alfred, like they were being pulled together by a inexplicable force. Alfred moved toward the bed and laid next to him, inching closer until their faces were a hair's breath apart. Arthur swallowed. It had been so long.

"Alfred…" He whispered, the desire heavy in his voice.

Alfred smiled, and then they kissed. Desperate. Hot. Heavy. Wet. Passionate. Arthur didn't care how sloppy he was being. He didn't care about his tired he was. He just wanted Alfred. More than anything in the world. He had for years. And years. And years. He pulled off his shirt, and Alfred followed suit, breaking his lips away from Arthur's and trailing soft kisses down his throat. Arthur remembered how long he spent pining after Alfred, watching woefully from the background as Alfred moved from person to person to person, restless and seeking something that no one seemed to be able to give him.

And then Alfred had seen him. Like it had been for the first time. They saw each other. Truly. And Alfred had realized what Arthur had been feeling for such a long time. Their first time together had been just like this. Hesitant. Passionate. Slightly afraid of what they were stumbling onto. But so, so, so wonderful. More wonderful than anything Arthur had ever felt.

Clothing was tossed about the room. Bare skin pressed hotly on bare skin. Soft voices moaned hotly in sensitive ears. Hips pressed together in pure ecstasy. Lips and tongues came together again and again. And there was one single word in Arthur's entire mind.

Alfred.

Alfred was his world in this moment. All his fears and worries and pains faded away at Alfred's touch. Alfred took away everything negative and replaced it with everything perfect and sweet and loving and pleasurable. Alfred was all of those things.

Arthur panted in the afterglow, his eyes never leaving Alfred's. They stared right past each others irises and into the other's hearts. Alfred's calloused fingers caressed his sweaty cheeks. Alfred's smile caressed his damaged spirit.

"I love you." Alfred whispered.

Arthur opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't find his voice. Instead, a single tear slipped down his cheek. Alfred brushed it away. "Shh." He whispered. "It's all right, Arthur." Alfred pulled him close, wrapping his arms around Arthur's fatigued body. "It's all right." He whispered into Arthur's ear, over and over until Arthur believed it. He settled himself on Alfred's chest, letting the man he loved more than anything take away all his fears.

In the morning, he'd knew they return again. But Arthur let himself fall into a quiet sleep, knowing that from this day on, he wouldn't have to face them alone.

Alfred gulped down his orange juice. For being a secret underground resistance, these guys had pretty good food. Ludwig sat in the chair next to him, picking at his toast.

"You okay?"

Ludwig started, his eyes glancing up to meet Alfred's. "I'm fine."

"Liar." Alfred whispered.

Ludwig sighed. "I still don't know what to do."

"Me either." Alfred put his cup down. "But, I think I already know what I'm going to do even though my heart is pulling me two directions."

Two blond eyebrows went up. "What are you going to do?"

"Stay. And fight. And win." Alfred said with finality.

Ludwig pursed his lips. "I was afraid you'd say that."

"But you were thinking the same, weren't you?"

He sighed again. "Unfortunately."

"Well, I suppose this settles that then, huh?" Alfred pushed himself up. "I'll go tell Arthur not to worry about the spell yet. I gave it to him yesterday, and he's probably trying to set it up. But if we're not going home yet, then I don't want him working needlessly. He looks half-dead already."

Ludwig nodded. "Good idea. I'll go inform the others."

They parted ways at the door, Ludwig heading for the armory on the floor below, Alfred heading a floor up, to where Arthur had apparently been staying. He hadn't spoken to this Arthur much yet. The man was absorbed with his other self. Alfred wrenched open the stairwell door and headed up, his boots echoing loudly with each step. They were so obviously in love that it made Alfred blush just thinking about it. Sure, he liked Arthur. A lot. He'd been attracted to Arthur for longer than he could remember. But the sheer intensity in the way those two looked at each other. Alfred wasn't sure he could even comprehend feelings that deep.

Just as he reached the landing, the door opened, revealing Matthew in the middle of a conversation with Francis. Scratch that. In the middle of a very heated argument.

"I've told you before, Papa. No! Non! Never. N…" Matt trailed off as he realized Alfred was standing right in front of them. He glanced back at Francis. "This discussion is over." He brushed past Alfred and headed down the stairs, Francis quickly trailing behind him.

"Matthieu."

"Will you just leave me alone?"

Uncomfortable, Alfred headed through the door, letting it close behind him and cut off their yelling. He was curious about what exactly they were arguing about, but it wasn't really his business. Right? He chewed on his lip. Maybe he would subtly ask Matt about later. Subtly.

He turned a corner and looked for Arthur's room, trying to recall the exact number. When he found the door, he knocked softly. No response. Hmm, go in or go away? Right, when have I ever gone for the second option? He turned the knob slowly, trying not to make a sound. Arthur could still very well be asleep. From the way he looked, he hadn't slept well in months. With the other Alfred back, maybe he was able to relax. Alfred peered in.

Okay, so relax was an understatement.

Big time.

Alfred's face heated up as he spied the two lovers on the bed. Arthur was splayed across his double's chest, sleeping peacefully. His other self's arm was slung around Arthur's waist. The sheets hung dangerously low on their bare hips, threatening to reveal the not-so-innocent things they had obviously been doing the night before. Even more slowly than he'd opened the door, Alfred crept back out of the room and closed it behind him.

He turned around.

And screamed.

Screamed a screamed that was muffled by a hand.

Matt's hand.

He instantly relaxed, but his heart was still beating erratically. Why the hell had Matt been standing right behind him? He hadn't even heard his brother approach. Matt removed his hand.

"Smooth." He teased.

"Well…well, that….you scared me!" Alfred whispered.

Matthew chuckled, but even through the mirth, Alfred could easily see a hint of deep hurt brewing in his eyes. Confused, he wondered why Matt was up here in the first place. "Um, why did you follow me here?"

Matt shrugged. "I had to get away from Francis somehow. When he starts bugging me, he won't leave me alone. So I quite literally have to run away until I lose him."

He's lying. Alfred knew. Matthew had followed him for something else. What isn't he saying? He tried to piece the clues together. Matt had followed him to Arthur's room, where Arthur was still in bed asleep, naked, with Alfred's equally naked other self. And, Matt looked kind of upset. Could it be that…? Pity washed over him. Matt's in love with Arthur too, isn't he? Oh, man! Alfred felt really bad now. How long had his brother been competing with his other self for Arthur's affections? And, of course, losing.

"Uh…"

The sound of the stairwell door opening echoed through the halls.

"Damn. Francis." Matt spat. He grabbed Alfred's hand. "Come with me." He pulled Alfred around another corner and through another door that led up another level. Weren't they on the top floor though? Ah, he realized, roof level. Sure enough, Matt tugged him through another doorway and out onto the chilly Moscow rooftop.

"Um, are you sure we won't be seen here?" He had the distinct feeling of being overexposed here. If a scouting jet saw them, wouldn't they get bombed?

Matt gestured to a covered area made of cement. Looks like a bus stop. Alfred mused. Matt pulled him under it and sat him down some soft pillows. "Poland showed me this yesterday. He says he likes to come up here to think."

And he probably has a lot of thinking to do. Alfred thought. He'd only briefly spoken to Poland himself. Feliks was still being monitored by doctors left and right. He was in a fragile physical condition after his prolonged maltreatment by Russia. And his mental state…Alfred didn't even want to think about that. Seeing poor Toris in his current condition had made Alfred's skin crawl. To think that just last week he'd been talking to a Toris that was in perfect health. And now he was comatose. On the brink of death. Likely to have permanent mental problems.

"I guess this kind of place is good for that."

Matt nodded. "It's good to just be able to think by yourself some time, maybe out loud, maybe just in your head. Right now, everyone has so many problems that being around anyone else just makes me feel so…crowded. My brain just can't handle everyone's problems at once. You know?"

Alfred mumbled a "yeah." He understood that. He had that feeling a lot during times of war, and he'd had it recently during the financial crisis. His boss and his congress and everyone just yelling back and forth about all their issues. It made his head hurt just thinking about it. Alfred rested his head on the wall and glanced at Matt, who was staring at him. He shifted a little under the intense violet gaze and blushed lightly as he realized their hands were still linked.

"Sorry." He went to pull away, but Matt gripped his hand tighter.

"Don't. Please?"

Eyes widening, Alfred relaxed his hand and let Matt hold it. He needs comfort, doesn't he? Alfred was split on what to do. One the one hand, he could confront Matt on his feelings for Arthur. Maybe talking it out would help. But on the other hand, Matt might take it the wrong way (especially since Alfred happened to share a face with Arthur's object of love) and get mad at him. But if he just sat here and let Matt be sad…Damn it. Please don't get pissed at me.

"Matt."

"Hmm?"

"About the other me and Arthur."

Matt's hand tensed. Alfred almost stopped and apologized right there, but he forced himself to address the problem.

"I know…I know about your feelings, and I…I'm sorry Matt. I know it hurts to see them together."

Matt's eyes were visibly teary. "He just doesn't understand, you know?" He whimpered.

"I know, Matt."

"I've tried so hard to get him to recognize my feelings, but he just won't acknowledge that I can even feel that way for him."

Whoa, Arthur won't even acknowledge his feelings? What an ass! "Look, Matt. I know this is really cliché and probably not helpful at all, but…maybe you try letting Arthur go."

Matt deadpanned. "What did you just say?"

"You know…let him go…?" Alfred swallowed nervously.

"Let…Arthur…go…"

"…Yeah?"

"You…you…" Matt wrenched his hand away and smacked Alfred in the face. "You idiot!"

Alfred nearly fell over. "Matt? What did I do?"

"Mon Dieu! You never change! You're always such an oblivious idiot!"

"What did I do this time?" Alfred was seriously at a loss here. He thought he'd at least been doing something helpful. What had he said wrong?

"You…you…you…" Matt was crying now.

"Matt, please don't cry. I'm so sorry!" What am I sorry for? What am I sorry for?

"You…you idiot."

"Matt, will you please tell me why I'm an idiot?"

Matt's tear-filled violet eyes roved over him until they met his own. Slowly, Matt's hand rose up, and Alfred flinched, thinking his brother was aiming to hit him again. Instead, Matt's surprisingly soft hand cupped his face, and before his movement even registered in Alfred's brain, Matt crashed their lips together.

Alfred froze. Matt pulled himself flush against Alfred's chest, tangling his fingers in Alfred's blond locks. His mouth moved passionately against Alfred's own, lips tugging and sliding and slipping wetly over each other. Matt's eyes remained opened, searching his brother's face for any reaction.

Inside Alfred's head, a war was taking place. One side screamed at him to immediately push his brother away. But that side was up against two others. One of them spoke the truth: Matt had been desperately in love with the other Alfred for a very long time, but Alfred's other self was either completely oblivious to it or outright rejected any non-brotherly feeling from Matt. In which case, Matt needed this. He'd been suffering silently while the other Alfred played around with one person after the other, finally settling his true love on someone that made the pain even worse: Arthur, who both of them cared greatly for. The last side was the smallest, but it tipped the scale. It was egging Alfred on with something he really wanted to deny. This felt good. Really, really good. Any with two sides telling him to kiss Matt and one telling him not to, Alfred relented.

He wrapped his arms around Matt's slender waist and pulled him even closer, tilting his head to let him kiss Matt better. Matthew's worried eyes immediately fluttered shut. He kissed harder, and Alfred let him deeper it. Tongue battled, Matt's surprisingly fierce. I'm not sure I want to know where he learned to kiss like this. Somehow, they ended up on the ground, Matt's back pressing into the concrete and Alfred hovering over him. Matt's arms were like shackles around his neck, desperately pulling him deeper and deeper into a kiss Matt had been wanting for years. Alfred's eyes slipped shut, and he gave himself over to it completely, letting his hand sneak under the edge of Matt's shirt.

"Well, gee, if I'd known if you were going to like, use my special place as a love nest, I wouldn't have told you about it."

They broke apart, Alfred jumping backward so far his back hit the wall. Matthew didn't move, his wide eyes now glued to Poland. Feliks was crouched down just outside the small concrete hovel, his chin resting in a hand supported by his knee. A small smirk graced his hollowed face, and mirth filled his eyes. "The least you could've done was invite me! Because that was, like, totally hot!"

Dro: Ha! Ha! Ha! I love Poland. Well, that complicates things, doesn't it? Now you have parallel! Al being oblivious to parallel! Matt's feelings while Alfred is now going to be struggling with himself over his feelings for regular world Arthur versus trying not to devastate parallel! Matt further. And then you still have parallel! Francis being in love with parallel Arthur, and what was it he and Matt were fighting about in this chapter?

Jeez, I like to make things complicated, don't I? All in the name of drama, my friends.

Next Chapter: The nations stake out Russia's house and sneak inside, completely unaware that he's waiting for him. Along with the Italy brothers, of course. What will happen when Italy comes face to face with Germany? A break down? A battle to the death? And what will Germany do when he has to fight the love of his life?