Before you get on with the chapter, I have something to say.

/takes deep breath and gets on hands and knees, starts bowing repeatedly

I'M SO SORRY! I really really am! Taking over three months to write a chapter is absolutely unforgivable and I cannot believe it has taken me this long to get it finished! What's worse, I've had everything planned out for this chapter for quite some time but every time I sat down intending to work on it, I simply didn't know what to type! I hope you all forgive me for the long wait.

I promise you won't have to wait three months for the next chapter.

Just a reminded for names, since it's been forever: (though I'm sure you guys know most of these, I mostly do this for the characters who I had to come up human names for on my own)

Lars Peeters = Netherlands
Laura = Belgium
Zacharie = Luxembourg
Soren = Denmark
Nikolai = Norway
Isak = Iceland
Leon/Xianliang = Hong Kong
Jack = Australia
Kiwi = New Zealand
Sheila = Wy
Ms. Katherine Williams = Mattie and Al's mom
Mr. Franklin Jones = Mattie and Al's dad
Carlos = Cuba

Alfred = America
Matthew = Canada
Arthur = England
Francis = France
Kiku = Japan
Gilbert = Prussia
Ludwig = Germany
Feliciano = Italy
Lovino = Romano
Antonio = Spain
Elizaveta = Hungary
Ivan = Russia
Katyusha = Ukraine

All for the Love of Maple Syrup

After the Party

Pure chaos.

Matthew felt that was the most appropriate way to describe the state of his house the day after the birthday party. There were people everywhere. It seemed as though everyone who invaded the house the day before decided to return for a second day, if only to say their goodbyes and exchange phone numbers or e-mails.

He could spot Gilbert hanging out in a corner with Francis and Antonio, laughing about something the Spaniard was saying. Lovino stood nearby, alternating between shooting glares at Antonio and Ludwig, who was being followed around by Feliciano. The German teen looked hopelessly frazzled as he tried to get the Italian to release his arm.

Across the room, Soren and Nikolai were fighting about something or other while Isak quietly looked on from the couch. Leon and Yong Soo were on either side of the Nordic teen, playing on their handheld game systems. Not too far away Jack and Kiwi had a map spread out and were discussing what they wanted to do while they were in town.

In the very middle of the room Alfred, Arthur, and Kiku were playing a board game with Sheila. It was Candyland.

Matthew managed to get through the room without being drawn into a conversation and when he entered the kitchen it was to the sight of his mom discussing recipes and food with Katyusha, while his dad rambled on about what sounded like American football to a very confused-looking Ivan.

"Ivan's a hockey player, dad," Matthew informed him. "He's not interested in your American football."

Ivan brightened at the sight of him. "Matvey! Good morning!"

Katyusha broke away from the conversation for a brief moment to skip over and give Matthew a big hug. "Your mom is going to teach me to make a soufflé! I promised to teach her to make borscht in exchange! Isn't it wonderful?"

"Sounds like fun," Matthew said with a smile. "Guess we'll have an interesting dinner, eh? Just make sure you make something German or else Gilbert will complain."

Katyusha nodded and giggled before hurrying back to Ms. Williams side, eager to continue their conversation. Matthew decided to join his dad and Ivan at the kitchen table.

"So what are your plans for the day, Matthew?" Mr. Jones asked.

He shrugged. "I don't know yet. I figure I'll hang out around here, make sure Nikolai doesn't kill Soren, keep Gilbert from doing anything too stupid. The usual."

As cursing and several loud thuds erupted from the living room, Matthew silently amended his plan to taking the first chance he could to get out of the house. He didn't care who was the first to leave the house or what they would be doing, he was going with them.

"What about you, Ivan?" Matthew asked. "Do you have any plans?"

"I was thinking of helping out Katyusha and Miss Katherine. I can carry groceries!" Ivan seemed very pleased by his words, looking to his sister for approval. He pouted when she didn't answer, too busy enthusiastically looking over a cookbook.

The thought of getting out of the house, even if it was to go grocery shopping, brought a smile to Matthew's face. "Maybe I'll help too. It's been a while since I really cooked anything. At the apartment we mostly have pancakes, frozen food, fast food, and whatever Francis and Yao send over to us when they make too much food."

"But it's your birthday!" Katyusha said, tuning in to listen to what the Canadian was saying. "You should sit back and relax! Both of you should. Why don't you go see what everyone else is doing?"

Ivan and Matthew both glanced towards the living room and decided against going in there when a shriek arose.

"I-I think I'll stay in here," Matthew said, wondering if it was really such a good idea to not go make sure the living room wasn't being destroyed.

Ivan nodded in agreement. "I want to stay here too. It's much more…peaceful."

Matthew got the feeling that his friend was doing his best to remain polite and not mention how he would most likely punch Alfred in the face if he was forced to spend time with him. He felt thankful for his friend's tact.

To pass the time and ignore the chaos of the other room, Matthew and Ivan began discussing the possibility of putting together a hockey team for their college. Mr. Jones continued to sit at the table with them, occasionally asking a question or making a comment.

"The real question is, how many people will be interested in making a team," Matthew said. "There's you and me and I might be able to convince Carlos to join. I think I can persuade Al into it too."

Ivan raised an eyebrow. "Matvey, is that really a good idea?"

"It'd give you two an excuse to slam each other around. How else do you think I survived Christmas without killing him?" Matthew asked, giving his dad an apologetic look immediately after. "Sorry, dad, but being stuck inside with Al because he's afraid to go out in the snow and hearing him complain about how much he dislikes… certain people who happen to be my good friends, isn't my idea of fun."

Mr. Jones chuckled. "Alfred has never been fond of the snow. I'm still surprised you got him out of the house to play hockey."

"I just had to tell him it's a contact sport and he was game," Matthew said with a shrug. He turned his attention back to Ivan to carry on with their discussion. "So we have at least four potential people for a team." He sighed heavily. "This would be so much easier if we were putting one together here. I've already got a good half a team I play with, though a few of them are on the team at their college…"

Ivan's eyes lit up at the thought. "Can we play a game before I leave?"

Matthew nodded. "Sure. With my cousins here, we'll be able to have two teams five-on-five for once. I'll give the guys a call later and then check with the rink and see when we can get in there."

"Would you mind if I came along to watch?" Mr. Jones asked. "I've seen Alfred play football and baseball, but haven't seen you play anything yet."

As he agreed to let his dad come watch, Matthew decided it would be best if he and Alfred were on the same team for once so they would've break out into a fight in the middle of the game. As much as he would miss the opportunity to check his brother into the boards, it was a sacrifice he was willing to make in order to play against Ivan. (After all, there was no way the Russian nor the American would work together for any reason.)

"Matvey is a very good hockey player," Ivan happily informed Mr. Jones. "He's small but fast and hits hard. Plus, he doesn't stay angry after the game if I push him around. I very much enjoy playing against him."

Matthew blushed at the praise. "I-I'm not that good. I just enjoy playing."

As Ivan began to describe some of the great matches they'd played together to Mr. Jones, Matthew slouched in his seat and wished his friend would stop talking. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the Russian's words, he just didn't want to get his dad's hopes up. What if he wasn't at the top of his game during the match? He didn't want his dad to be disappointed.

The doorbell rang.

Mrs. Williams and Katyusha continued talking, as did Ivan and Mr. Jones. The ruckus in the living room carried on, uninterrupted. Matthew sighed and stood up, murmuring that he would go answer the door.

His words went unnoticed.

Matthew quietly made his way to the front door, slipping down the hallway that was crowded with luggage and unwrapped gifts so he wouldn't have to go through the chaos of the living room. When he finally opened the door, he found a red tulip thrust into his face, smacking him on the nose.

"U-um, Lars…?" Matthew asked, gently accepting the flower. "Not that I don't appreciate you dropping by, but I thought you said you were busy today." He waited patiently for an explanation, knowing his friend hadn't lied to him intentionally. The Dutch man had the habit of changing his plans at the last minute.

Lars cleared his throat. "I changed my schedule around so I could come ask you something."

Matthew looked at him, puzzled by what could possibly be so important for Lars to speak to him in person. "Okay…"

Allowing nothing to betray just how nervous he truly felt, Lars dove right into the question he'd spent several hours perfecting by speaking to a picture of his friend he kept in his wallet. He tried not to think of how his younger siblings had both teased him for doing so. "Would you like to go out with me? I was thinking we could go see a movie or go ice skating, whichever you'd prefer."

Matthew was about to turn down the offer and explain that he couldn't leave when he still had guests in the house, when he heard Soren scream and then the sound of shattering glass. He closed his eyes and began to slowly count to ten as Sheila began to cry and Jack started yelling at Nikolai. He gave up on counting before reaching five. "I think we have time for both," he murmured. "Let me put this in a vase with the others and we can go."

Lars offered him a rare smile in return. "Sounds good to me."

Lars Peeters is going on a date with Matthew Williams.
July 2, 2011 - 1:21 pm · Comment · Like
[Laura Peeters, Elizaveta Héderváry, and Zacharie Peeters like this]

Laura Peeters: Congrats, brother! Looks like all of your practice paid off!
1:34 pm · Like

Gilbert Beilschmidt: WHAT
1:40 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Katherine Williams: Have fun! Don't keep him out too late!
2:24 pm · Like

Gilbert Beilschmidt to Alfred F. Jones DUDE WTF
July 2, 2011 - 1:41 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Gilbert Beilschmidt: FUCK! UR NOT MATTIE!
1:42 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Alfred F. Jones: Dude, what is wrong with you?
1:42 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Gilbert Beilschmidt to Matthew Williams DUDE WTF Y ARE U ON A DATE W/ PEETERS
July 2, 2011 - 1:42 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Alfred F. Jones: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. WHAT
1:45 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Elizaveta Héderváry: Don't do anything stupid, Gil.
1:46 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Gilbert Beilschmidt: You can't tell me what to do, Veta, you traitor!
1:46 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Francis B.: What is this? Darling Matthieu is on a date? When did this happen?
1:48 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Gilbert Beilschmidt: I don't know, but I don't like it. Mattie's not allowed to date!
1:49 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Alfred F. Jones: Well said! I think we should go spy on them and try to sabotage the date!
1:50 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Gilbert Beilschmidt: Brilliant! Lets do it!
1:50 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Alfred F. Jones: So, uh, where the hell are they?
1:51 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Gilbert Beilschmidt: FUCK
1:53 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Arthur Kirkland: You two need to leave Matthew alone and let him enjoy himself. He's probably gone because you've been ignoring him all day, which is exactly what I'll do, Alfred, if you don't get off your phone.
1:55 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Gilbert Beilschmidt: Lame. I'll find someone else to help me.
2:03 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Matthew Williams: It's not a date, you hosers.
2:48 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Things had calmed down at last at the Williams house. Francis had led the way out the door, anxious to get back to the USA and make sure Sadik and Heracles hadn't destroyed the apartment building during one of their "wars". Antonio had followed, dragging Lovino with him. The oldest of the Italian brothers had struggled and wiggled in the Spaniard's grasp, eventually giving up and settling for yelling at Feliciano and screaming curses and threats at Ludwig.

Shortly after the three left, Jack hoisted Kiwi over his shoulder and marched out the door, yelling for Yong Soo to follow after him. The others were left to assume that, not only had Yong Soo gotten tired of trying to get Leon and Isak to be social, he'd also decided going out and doing crazy things with the Oceanic duo was the best way to conquer his boredom.

Leon and Isak were still on the couch, sitting awfully close to one another. They'd put their games away and were quietly talking, Leon smirking and Isak staring at him with a somewhat annoyed expression.

"Hey." Nikolai tapped Isak on the shoulder, his eyes flickering briefly to the Asian sitting next to his younger brother. "We're going out to get a new mirror for Aunt Katherine since this idiot broke it. Are you coming with us?"

A grinning Soren wrapped his arms around Nikolai's shoulders. "Leave the lovebirds alone, Nik. I'm sure they'd rather stay here." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, his grin not fading even when Nikolai elbowed him in the gut to get him to let go. He caught the annoyed glare sent in his direction by Isak and held up his hands in surrender. "Hey, I'm just saying that you two look really cozy for two people who've just met."

"We've been penpals for, like, two years," Leon informed him dryly.

The only indication of surprise Nikolai gave was a raised eyebrow. Soren, on the other hand, openly gaped at him.

"W-what? How-? But aren't you here for Mattie's birthday? I don't get it!" Soren complained, lifting a hand to his head to grip his hair in frustration. "Hang on, explain this to me. You two are penpals? And it's just a coincidence that you met up here?"

Isak rolled his eyes. "Don't be stupid. I mentioned I was visiting Canada and he asked me where. I told him it was Ontario and he mentioned a friend going back home to Canada for his birthday and we decided that we'd find a way to meet up."

"Then I told him my friend's name was Matthew Williams." Leon took over the story. "So we didn't have to find a way to meet up elsewhere."

"I'm still surprised your brother let you come here, knowing you'd be meeting me," Isak mentioned, turning to look at his friend.

Leon smirked. "Yao doesn't know. He thinks I'm here to, like, keep an eye on Yong Soo."

Nikolai considered asking what was so wrong about the teen meeting his baby brother but decided it wasn't his business. Knowing his fiancé would have no qualms about questioning the Asian, he grabbed Soren by the collar of his shirt and began dragging him away.

"Wha- Ow, Nik! Hang on! I'm not done talking to them yet!"

"You can talk later. We'll need all day to find a replacement mirror."

"It won't take that long to find a stupid square mirror!"

"Snow globes."

Soren fell silent for a moment. "Oh. Right."

Isak chuckled at the mention once he heard them leave the house. He caught sight of the somewhat curious expression on Leon's face and decided to elaborate. "Soren broke one of my snow globes one year and Nikolai dragged him off to get a new one. According to him, Soren kept getting distracted and wandering off. He ended up in an IKEA at some point. We're still not sure how, since it was three blocks in the opposite direction of the store they were going to."

Leon appeared amused by the little story. "And I thought, like, my brother was weird."

"Your brother is weird. And Soren's not my brother!"

"Not yet," Leon said with a smirk. How he loved seeing his Nordic friend get all flustered. In his opinion, that's when he was the cutest. "If that ring on Nikolai's finger is any indication, you're going to have a brother-in-law soon."

Isak scowled and crossed his arms over his chest, clearly annoyed that Leon had picked up on that. He pressed his back against the couch and looked away, dead set on not talking to the Asian for quite some time.

Leon wasn't bothered. He was much better at the quiet game than his friend. It was only a matter of time before Isak's annoyance reached a high point and he started talking again.

Feliciano happily skipped after Ludwig, humming a cheerful tune and not at all bothered by the glances of frustration the German occasionally cast in his direction. He was so happy to have found a new friend to talk to! It was much better than going home with Romano and the others. His brother always found something to scold him about. But Ludwig didn't do that! He was so nice and strong. And he protected him from getting hit by anything earlier that day when everyone else was acting crazy!

He was determined to make it up to his new friend. There had to be something he could do to thank him! But what? What was he good at?

"Ve~ Ludwig, Ludwig!" Feliciano cheerfully sang, tugging on the taller teen's shirt sleeve. "I want to teach you how to make pasta! Even fratello says I make the best! Would you like to learn? Please say yes!"

Ludwig stopped walking to look at the eccentric Italian who had been following him around since they first met. All he wanted to do was go home, take the dogs for a walk, and then relax with a good book while his brother was too distracted to bother him. If Feliciano joined him, he could count out any semblance of relaxation at home.

But the hopeful expression on Feliciano's face - his smile and the fact that his amber eyes were wide open for once - had him agreeing before his brain could send orders to his mouth to just shut up.

"Er, ja, I suppose," Ludwig said inelegantly. "That would be nice."

The smile that lit up Feliciano's face was one Ludwig would never forget.

"Really? Grazie! Let's go see what ingredients you have! I wonder how much money fratello left me…" Feliciano pondered, reaching for his wallet.

Ludwig stopped him. "You don't have to do that. I'll take care of it."

"Yay! Grazie, Ludwig!" Feliciano shouted, throwing his arms around the blond teen. "I promise I'll teach you to make the best pasta in the world!"

Ludwig awkwardly hugged him back. As he did so, he caught sight of his brother watching them from around a corner, holding up his cell phone and smirking. Before he could say anything, he heard the tell-tale click of a picture being taken and then his brother cackled like the crazy person he was and ran off.

As Feliciano pulled away and began babbling about everything they would need, Ludwig vowed to find a way to rid the world of the photo Gilbert took.

Gilbert Beilschmidt Not awesome, Birdie. Not. Awesome.
3:14 pm via Mobile Web · Comment · Like

Alfred F. Jones to Kiku Honda Where'd you go, dude? Me and Artie have been looking for you everywhere.
3:48 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Kiku Honda: My apologies, Alfred-kun. Elizaveta-san invited me to join her for lunch. You and Arthur-san were talking at the time, so I didn't want to interrupt you. I did send a message.
3:50 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Alfred F. Jones: lol sorry man. Just found the message you sent. My bad! Don't worry about interrupting us next time. I'm sure it wasn't all that important anyway.
3:52 pm via Mobile Web · Like

Gilbert was bored. Completely and utterly bored. His brother was gone - off running around with that Italian boy. Veta had ditched him hours ago to hang out with that Japanese guy who came with Alfred and his grumpy English friend. Jack and Kiwi had run off, taking one of the Asian teens with them instead of invited him like always. Even Soren and Nikolai had left without invited him. Soren always invited him! He always refused because Nikolai creeped him out, but he liked being asked! Then Alfred's grumpy English friend dragged him out of the house demanding a tour of the area, leaving him all alone with the eerily quiet duo on the couch - not that he wanted to go with them! He'd rather baby-sit Matthew's bratty little cousin Sheila than do that!

He was rather relieved when Sheila decided to cook with Mutti and Ivan's hot sister that day. He wouldn't have been able to handle baby-sitting duty. He was much too awesome for that.

Gilbert had tried to stalk his brother and the cute Italian so he could take pictures and tease his brother about it later, but Ludwig took the car and he, for once, had no one to drive him around.

Really, it was no surprise when he got bored with rearranging the furniture in Matthew's room and wandered down to the kitchen in hopes of snagging a snack.

"Hey, Mutti," he greeted.

Ms. Williams glanced over and smiled. "Hello, Gilbert dear. I hope you didn't rearrange Matthew's room too awkwardly this time. I remember a time when you pushed everything together in the middle of the room and poor Mattie had to climb over everything to get to his bed." She chuckled at the memory.

Gilbert smirked. "You'll see." He walked over to get a better look at what the two women were cooking, but before he could reach out and snag a bit of food, Mrs. Williams gently pushed him away.

"Not now, dear. Wait until we're done cooking," she said. "If you need something to do, why don't you and Ivan spend some time together? I'm sure he's had enough of Franklin's rambling to last him a lifetime."

Mr. Jones cracked a smile. "Now, now, I'm not that bad. You've never seemed to mind it."

Ms. Williams winked at him. "That's what you think, sweetie."

Slightly weirded out by the two of them flirting with one another, Gilbert slowly backed out of the kitchen. No way was he going to stick around and be forced to spend time with that damn Russian. He didn't care if Matthew was friends with him, he would never get along with him.

"Ah, wait, I'll go with you," Ivan said, quickly standing up before Gilbert could sneak away. Anything was better than staying in that room.

Gilbert cursed under his breath and continued walking, well aware that Ivan was going to follow him. Why did Matthew leave him alone? Even better, why didn't Matthew invite Ivan to tag along with him and fucking Peeters if he thought it was just a friendly outing? Now he was the one stuck with the Russian and there was no one else around who could intervene.

Matthew was so going to get it when he got back. Gilbert wasn't sure what he'd do to his friend at that moment, but it would be something the Canadian would never forget, he was sure of it! He'd teach Mattie to leave him all alone!

"You don't like me very much," Ivan stated, sounding suspiciously polite. "But that's okay. I don't like you either."

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "Great. Now that we've established that, go the fuck away."

"Nyet."

Gilbert stopped walking and turned around to glare at Ivan. "Are you trying to piss me off on purpose?"

Isak and Leon quietly peered over the back of the couch to watch the two argue. Neither of the older boys noticed.

Ivan smiled, something alarmingly childish and not at all sincere. It sent shivers of terror down Gilbert's spine. What the hell was wrong with Matthew? Why was he friends with this guy? He was fucking scary! He couldn't back down though. Gilbert stood his ground, matching the creepy smile with his glare.

"No." Ivan paused. "Ah, wait a moment, yes I am. It's fun~" He giggled.

Fucking giggled.

Gilbert was going to have a very long talk with Matthew about what sort of people he should trust.

Ivan hummed. "You know, I think there's one person I dislike more than you. I was looking forward to spending the day with Matvey but then he took him away."

"Peeters," Gilbert growled. "Damn. I hate to say it, but I feel the same. And worse! Mattie doesn't even realize they're on a date!"

Ivan's eyes darkened. "Date? He asked Matvey out?"

"Yeah," Gilbert said, crossing his arms over his chest. "How the hell is Mattie so clueless about it, though? Everyone else agrees that it's a date, but somehow he still doesn't think so. Maybe we should prove to him that it was when he gets back! Then he'll be all awkward around Peeters and not want to hang out with him anymore!"

"Do you really think so?" Ivan asked with a tilt of his head.

Gilbert nodded. "The awesome me is never wrong! But we'll need some help. As much as I hate to say it… we need Alfred."

Elizaveta raised a finger to her lips, motioning for Kiku to be as quiet as possible. Both of them had a digital camera in their possession. Kiku's was hanging securely from his neck, ready for use at any moment. Elizaveta's was tucked away in a small bag at her side, easily accessible for use.

The two were pressed up against the side of the Beilschmidt house, half hidden by the bushes planted around it, crouching just under a partially open window. From there, they could easily hear the conversation between Ludwig and Feliciano as they made pasta in the kitchen.

Elizaveta cautiously stood so she could peer over the bottom of the window and see what was going on. To anyone watching her who didn't know who she was, they would have thought she was trying to break into the house. Fortunately, the neighbours were used to seeing her do that sort of thing and brushed it off.

She smiled when she saw how Ludwig's OCD had kicked in and he was wiping down the counters as Italy cooked. "Doesn't look like they'll pay any attention to us," she whispered to Kiku. "Let's get some good pictures!"

Kiku smiled and stood up, raising his camera in preparation.

When Matthew returned from his day out with Lars, he was completely unprepared for what was waiting for him. First, he walked into the kitchen in time to hear his mom tell embarrassing baby stories about him to Katyusha. Then, as he decided to avoid the living room altogether because he could hear Jack yelling loudly about something, he walked by the coat closet and heard strange noises. He didn't bother questioning why he only heard those sounds when his cousins came to visit.

And then he made it upstairs to his room - his supposed sanctuary - to find his brother and friends waiting for him.

In addition, Gilbert had apparently taken it upon himself to rearrange his room again. He'd also added a bird cage.

"What's going on…?" Matthew hesitantly asked. Something was seriously wrong if Alfred, Gilbert, and Ivan were in the same room and weren't arguing.

Alfred crossed his arms over his chest. "We need to have a little talk, bro. About you and Peeters."

"Me and-" Matthew cut himself off with a sigh. "For the last time, you guys, Lars and I were not on a date! I don't know why you think we were!"

Gilbert nonchalantly tapped the hard screen of Matthew's computer. "Lars Peeters is on a date with Matthew Williams." He read in a sarcastic tone.

"Y-you're making that up!" Matthew stammered. "Lars wouldn't-" He paled when he got a closer look at the words on the screen and saw that his friend really wasn't making things up. "But he never said it was a date! It can't have been a date!"

"I hate to agree with them, but all of the facts point to it being one," spoke up Arthur.

With a jolt of surprise, Matthew realized it wasn't just his brother and two friends in the room. Arthur was there, sitting on the other side of the room with one of his many books, one leg crossed over the other. He looked at Matthew with sympathy in his green eyes.

"Let's go over what we know, shall we?" Arthur said, closing his book with a faint snap. "Lars shows up with a flower for you and asks you to spend the day with him. What were his words exactly?"

Matthew thought back to earlier that day, trying to recall the precise way Lars had invited him to hang out for the day. "Well… I think what he said was 'would you like to go out with - ' Oh." He could feel his cheeks heating up from embarrassment and knew that they were slowly reddening.

"And from there you went ice skating and then a movie. I believe you skipped dinner, knowing Ms. Williams and Katyusha are cooking, but then you came back home and he walked you to the door. Am I right?" Arthur asked, ticking off each event with his fingers.

Matthew gaped in shock. "Yeah, but how did you know all of that?"

"Facebook, bro," Alfred spoke up. "He posted it all on there. It was like he was trying to taunt us."

"Fucking bastard," Gilbert growled under his breath.

"Matvey, you don't want to go on another date with him, do you?" Ivan asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft.

Matthew was silent for a moment, taking in the expectant looks from everyone in the room. He sighed heavily. "How many times am I going to have to say this before you understand? I only see Lars as a friend. I don't want to date him. If it makes you feel any better, I'll talk to him about this tomorrow."

"And I'll help," Gilbert said with a grin, cracking his knuckles.

"No," said Matthew. "Absolutely not. I will do this by myself. If I see any one of you nearby when I do this, I will crosscheck you when you least expect it!"

Everyone but Arthur flinched.

"Now that we've cleared that up…" Matthew narrowed his eyes at Gilbert. "I'm not even going to ask why you rearranged my room. I'm used to that. What I want to know is why there's a birdcage in my room."

Gilbert's grin returned, even broader than before. "Remember Birtilda?"

Matthew groaned. "Gil, I'm not taking in one of your birds. Especially not one you named after me!"

"Oh, it's not for Birtilda. It's for one of her and Gilbird's awesome babies! She laid eggs!" Gilbert said excitedly. "And since you're my best friend, you get one of them once they hatch!"

Somehow, Matthew was able to refrain from screaming in frustration.

End chapter

I bet you guys thought I forgot all about Birtilda.

My newest headcanon is that Canada uses hockey terms when threatening people because that's the only way he gets them to listen to his threats.

The next chapter will probably be various scenes used to summarize the rest of their summer vacation. Because if I try to write out their whole summer day-by-day I will never get this thing finished.

By the way, I wrote a Halloween one-shot for this way back in October. I didn't post it as part of this story since it would've been way out of place in the timeline. It's called "Halloween Hijinks".