Hetalia - Down the Rabbit Hole

Chapter 12! Just like to thank whose of you who reviewed and the new followers. It's amazing that you're giving support even if this isn't the fastest updating story. Any who, thank you for your patience and now I present the next chapter,

Enjoy!

Spades District, 221 Baker's Street, The Kirkland Residence.

In all fairness, the match had started well. Alfred had moved as he always had. Kept light on the balls of his feet, elbows in and high to guard the face. And yet, despite keeping to his tight technique, Seamus was able to counter or dodge his every swing with his staff. The irishman was too quick, too fluid in his movements for Alfred to land a solid hit on him. Seamus constantly had him on the ropes, weaving and dancing like water. He had already managed to knock Alfred on his back twice, which was impressive considering that Alfred was twice his size.

On the third time he fell, Allistor strode over from where he stood to offer his hand to the prone American. 'Come on. Again.'

'Dude. This blows. Seriously, how is getting my butt handed to me helping?' Alfred groaned as he used Allistor to leverage himself to standing. Allistor rolled his eyes at him.

'Then change things up if they're not working.' The Scot advised, before he broke away to resume his place as ref. Alfred gave a huff as he lowered himself into his stance. Seamus winked at him before he spun his bō staff expertly, and the fight struck up again. He started aggressively, working fiercely to push his opponent back, and yet despite redoubling his efforts, Seamus still managed to keep the high ground.

'Your strength! Your strength is your greatest asset. Use it!' Allistor shouted out to him, and Alfred spared him a curt nod before he narrowed his eyes at Seamus as he concentrated. Steeling himself, Alfred baited his time, waited as Seamus spun the staff for his head. His hand shot out, caught it wood, and broke it's end off by smashing his elbow through it; the wood splintered under the immense force.

A pulse of smug satisfaction shot through Alfred at the wide surprise that darted across Seamus' face as he back-pedalled, caught off guard by his sudden show of strength. However, the green eyes sharpened in record time, and he spun the broken staff for a follow up strike. With renewed confidence, Alfred caught it again, and snapped it like a twig the same way he had before; unconventionally, yet undeniably effectively, disarming the irishman.

Allistor's and Seamus' faces were astounded, frozen, before they both broke into ridiculous twin grins. 'Bloody hell! That was incredible! Ever thought about doing that with a gun?' Seamus cackled as he threw down the remains of his staff.

'Aye. He can be taught,' Allistor mused with an impressed smirk, before he made an upwards motion. 'Let's keep this up. I want to see power behind those swings.'

Alfred's victorious smile faltered like a dying light. 'Uh, I really don't think that's such a good idea.' He cautioned with a nervous glance over to Seamus.

'Don't worry laddie, I don't bruise easy.' Seamus breezed with playful batter of his eyelids.

'It's your bones I'm worried about.' Alfred returned seriously around chewing his bottom lip. Hadn't he told them that he could break concrete?

'I'm not asking you to go full force. Just more than what you've been using till now. You need to know the maximum amount of force you can put behind your punches whilst still being nonlethal,' Allistor soundly reasoned as he strode over to one of the dojo's wooden chests. He knelt down to open it and tossed the two pairs of boxing gloves he retrieved over to Alfred and Seamus. 'We have to establish your limits, and only then, can we train you to overcome them.'

'Wait, we're not gonna take a break? I thought I'd scored a point!' Alfred cried even as he pulled on the padded gloves. Seamus mirrored the action.

'Break? That's a good one! We ain't stopping until you knock me down,' He quipped before bumping his fists together. 'So c'mon then Ronald McDonald. Hit me!'

A few hours later.

When Alfred finally body slammed Seamus against the mat, he reared back to roar his success to the ceiling. The sweat of hard work had never smelt sweeter. Immediately, Seamus was flipping back onto his feet, laughing as he jumped onto the American's back to join the dance. Allistor joined them to thump him on the back.

'Fantastic laddie! That's what I like to see!' He congratulated and Alfred beamed back at him.

'All thanks to you two!'

'Na. You can thank us properly when you can take us all.' Seamus chuckled.

'That- doesn't likely.' Alfred said with an uneasy laugh. He'd only just managed to knock Seamus down, and he was sure that the trick he had used to do it wouldn't work a second time. The mere idea of fighting all the Kirklands simultaneously and winning, was way too farfetched.

Allistor made a thoughtful noise. 'I don't know. Give me a year and I could see it,' He pondered beneath his breath, before clapping his hands together. 'Right. We're done for tonight then. Now, go get a shower, I'm going to check in with Dylan and Britannia.'

A satisfied sigh left Alfred and he felt Seamus nudge him with his elbow and gesture him to follow. 'Come, I'll show you where the bathroom is. I'll even be nice and let you go first.' He said, and Alfred could of purred at the thought of a hot shower as he followed the irishman up the stairs.

The Kirklands' bathroom, like everything in the penthouse, was gorgeous. It was tiled with matte glossy tiles and there were neat piles of folded fluffy towels on the long sink counter of black granite. The most impressive feature for Alfred by far though, was the overhead open shower, and the American could see his reflection break into a smile at the sight in the wall of mirrors. Stripping quickly and setting his glasses down with care, he let out a loud moan when the hot pressured water rained down; washing away the sweat and tension in his hard worked muscles…

He got out when the heat began to turn his head light, and reached out to grab one of the towels he had seen earlier off the counter. Patting himself down, Alfred couldn't resist a quick flex in the mirror, grinning with pride at the hardened gun show. Sure it might be vain, but hell he had earned a bit of self appreciation after the day he'd had. With nothing else, he dressed back into his clothes, and when he reached for the door, he heard soft voices outside.

'Unbelievable! That stubbornness is going to get him killed one day. He shouldn't be moving so soon!' Alfred recognised as Dylan.

'Aye, he can barely stand as it is…There's something else to. Something off with him, even after I brought him up to speed.' Allistor's voice rumbled, and with a frown, Alfred paused from reaching out for the doorknob. Britannia was up already? He'd had his back freaking tore up. The more Alfred learnt about him, the more and more metal he seemed to get.

'Is he alright?' Dylan asked with an audible frown.

'I know his tell. There's something he's not telling me.' Allistor gritted through his teeth, and Alfred decided he had heard enough and opened the door. The two brothers looked over to him, stood together, arms crossed with tense shoulders; if Alfred hadn't heard them, he would of been able to tell that their conversation hadn't been a fun one. With a quick glance around the living room, Alfred saw that Seamus and Matthew were missing from the well lit room. When he asked where they were, Dylan cleared his throat and consciously relaxed his posture.

'Gone to get takeout. Here, you're going to need these.' He answered and reached into his pocket to take out the Columbia goggles. Alfred raised an eyebrow at them when he lunged forward to catch the modified headgear.

'Britannia wants to speak to you up top.' Allistor clarified with a nod to the upstairs, and Alfred felt a lump form in his throat. He wasn't sure he was mentally prepared to speak to Britannia after what happened yesterday. Sure, Allistor had said that he'd been told everything that had happened and the current arrangement; but the last time Alfred had spoke with Britannia as Columbia, he had gotten them thrown overboard and they had argued. Britannia had rejected his offer of partnership, what if he did again?

'He's pretty doped up on painkillers, just to warn you, so take things slow.' Dylan advised as Alfred put on the goggles and took a deep breath to steady himself. He could do this, just rip the bandaid off.

'Good luck.' Allistor called after him when he began to climb the stairs to the next level.

Even though he had already seen the top floor before, the absence of sunlight seemed to exaggerate and enhance every marvel-worthy feature as Alfred came to the top of the stairs. He awed, once again, at the protruding vast baloney with the luxury swimming pool built into it, now lit up turquoise by submersed lighting. A thin railing of metal and glass bordered the baloney and resting against it, topless in simple shorts, with his heavily bandaged back to where Alfred stood, was Britannia; watching the winking blue, purple and indigo lights of up town Spades District.

Taking a moment to engrave the breathtaking scene into his memory, Alfred quietly slid open the door and padded over to where Britannia stood; the distant blaring of car horns and smooth jazz floating up to their lofty heights. The night's air was cool, and helped soothe the earlier anxieties he had had about the reunion.

He hesitated, unsure whether to break the peaceful silence, before going for it, and took his place beside Britannia. Britannia did not look over to him when he did, and they instead, stood in each other's company. A sweet, content pause of silence stretched between them, before Britannia eased out of it with a slight tilt of his mask toward him.

'Thank you.' He said in a cracked voice, and Alfred internally winced. The moment soured to bittersweet with the hoarse quality to Britannia's voice, acting as a painful reminder of his strangling, and of Alfred's failure to prevent it.

'I'm sorry.' Alfred softly replied, barely a whisper as he kept his eyes on the arm-in-arm elderly couple as they crossed the street below.

'You saved my life.'

'I should of gotten to you sooner.' Alfred disagreed.

'You saved my life, Columbia.'

'Allistor said you can barely stand—'

'Columbia,' Britannia hissed in his scratchy voice and grabbed Alfred's arm to pull him so that they were face to face. 'I would be dead if not for you. Never apologise for that again. And, if you even think about feeling guilty for something that you couldn't of done anything about, I swear I will throw your sorry arse off this baloney.'

Alfred stood there with an openly slack jaw, looking the half naked Brit up and down, before an unexpected chuckle bubbled from his chest. 'I see that stubborn temper of your's survived as well.' He laughed between breaths, unable to help himself.

'What temper? I am as cool as a cucumber.' Britannia snorted with a upturn of his nose, and Alfred steeled his courage as he take a chance, and leant in.

'It's adorable.' He smiled, and felt his heart quiver when Britannia gave out a high squeak of surprise at their close proximity; the response too cute for Alfred not to stop a blush of his own colouring his cheeks. What was that? Britannia had always been neutral to him at best of times, aggravated at the worst. Had- had that been an actual reaction to his advances? Alfred's heart flipped over inside his chest even as Britannia shuffled away to regain the previous distance between them.

'I— Columbia, I have to know that you are— that you understand what you are getting into here,' Britannia appealed, his grip on Alfred's arm gentle now. Pleading. 'You have know that is isn't like it is down there on the streets. The people we're up against aren't common thugs. Good people, people with their whole futures ahead of them can get seriously hurt in this. You have to be prepared to put your life in my hands, as mine was with your's. And… and you have to be prepared that what happened today, has a good chance of happening again.'

Alfred gulped and with deliberate slowness, rested his hand over Britannia's on his arm. 'I understand, because if it's my life in your hands, I know I have nothing to worry about. It's like I said on the beach B, I trust you.'

The intimate beat lasted suspended a second longer, before Britannia took back his hand; Alfred already missing it's warmth. He cocked his head playfully at the American. 'Hm. Just because I'm pumped up on morphine, don't think I'm such an easy tease.'

Said American blinked, and opened his mouth to insist that -No. I am genuinely trying to flirt with you. I love you- when Britannia pushed himself off the railing and spat out a sharp hiss of pain as the action jarred his tender back. Alfred reacted fast, and caught him by his elbow before he could crumble to the ground.

'Here B, I gotcha.' He said as he helped steady him, and then proceeded to hang one of the vigilante's arms over his shoulders whilst his own encircled his thin waist.

'Like I asked for your help.' Britannia mumbled, despite already moving to lean his full weight into Alfred's support (at least, what Alfred supposed was his full weight. Due to the super strength perks, Britannia weighed next to nothing to him).

'Yeah, yeah tough guy. Let's get you downstairs to dear matron Allistor.' Alfred smirked and his smirk turned into a wide grin when it earned him a rough bark of laughter from Britannia. He'd made him laugh! He'd made him laugh!

'What I would give if you could say that again to his face.'

Alfred quirked a brow, dropping his hold on the hand over his shoulder to ease open the sliding glass door. 'Oh yeah?,' He baited, the challenge pulling at that innate childish competitiveness that carried through into adulthood. 'If I do, how about you owe me a favour?'

'On one condition.' Britannia bargained as they neared the stairs.

'Anything.'

'I get to be there when you do.' Britannia said with an intangible smile in his words.

Alfred wickedly grinned with a wink. 'Done.'

Upon limping to the bottom of the stairs, Alfred inhaled deeply and sighed as he was met with the drool inducing smell of Chinese food. The Kirklands and Matthew, all sat around the glass dining table, spared them brief glances as they approached, before they went back to shovelling cow men noodles into their mouths. At his side, Britannia gave a soft grunt as he detached himself from Alfred's side, and moved to swipe one of the unopened boxes. As he took his place between Allistor and Dylan, Alfred claimed a noodle box of his own and plonked himself in the chair opposite. To his right, Seamus leant forward and pointedly cleared his throat. When no response was given, he rolled his eyes.

'We're seriously not going to acknowledge that Britannia just bloody limped down the stairs?' He demanded looking between his brothers. 'By all rights you shouldn't be moving!'

With (to Alfred's amazement) his mask minimally pulled back so that his mouth was exposed so could eat, Britannia scoffed. 'Oh hush. I'm using magic to accelerate the healing. I'll be in shape to break into N.O.V.A tomorrow.' He brushed aside, and Alfred choked on his piece of pork. His wild spluttering to dislodge the meat was accompanied with cries of outrage.

'It's too soon!' Dylan protested as Britannia lowered his mask back into position.

'Too right it is!' Seamus agreed. 'Columbia's had only a day of training to lift the door.'

Britannia turned his head to meet Alfred's uncertain stare. 'Can you lift the door?' He directly asked.

A 'Yes.' left Alfred's lips before he could stop it, and three green pairs of the evil eye stopped him from saying more. Britannia cracked his knuckles and switched his gaze to Dylan on his right.

'And the gear and plan is ready?'

'Easy lad. There's no sense in rushing this.' Allistor interrupted with his thick brows pulled together.

'No Allistor. Every moment we wait, the more we risk our lead to the scientists disappearing. Our last and only lead.' Britannia spat back. An extended, solemn silence followed after.

'Matthew and I finished prepping the gear before he and Seamus left for food. The plan's done as well.' Dylan finally admitted with reluctance, and Britannia gave a curt nod.

'Then we move tomorrow.'

'And what exactly do you plan to do if the White woman turns up for you?' Seamus countered, and Alfred could practically see the scowl beneath the gas mask.

'It's a fair point. She did hand our asses to us.' He grimly reminded.

'We'll be ready for her this time.' Britannia growled.

'Being 'ready for her' ain't gonna cut it Britannia.' Allistor retorted, and Alfred held up his hands.

'Hey hey, just- what everyone's trying to say, is that maybe it isn't such a bad idea to have some kind of ace, y'know? A wildcard we can play to get outta a pinch?'

Britannia tilted his head as he considered. 'That's…actually not a terrible idea.'

Alfred couldn't stop from smiling as he leant on the back on his chair legs. 'Yeah, ain't I full of them?' He winked and caught Matthew mock retch, before his eyes went wide when Allistor subtly overtipped his balance; causing him to slam back onto all fours in panic. The Scotsman tried to unsuccessful smother his amused smirk as he turned to Dylan.

'Can you come up with something?' He asked and the man in question shrugged.

'I can pull something together.'

Allistor gave him an appreciative nod before he pushed back onto his feet; everyone else followed suit as if it were custom, a slight delay between them and Alfred and Matthew. 'Right. Columbia, Britannia, get some rest. I want you both in prime shape if we've moving tomorrow. Britannia's going to need a proper bed, so Columbia, you're in with Matthew. Seamus, Dylan, Matthew, we've staying up to make sure everything's watertight.'

There was a chorus of agreements before the board split, scattering to carry out the assigned roles. Alfred hurried to catch up Britannia at the stairs.

'Hey,' He whispered as they climbed. 'Are you seriously up for this?'

'Is that doubt I hear?' Britannia teased, followed up by suppressed hiss as the action of opening the door to the bedroom's jarred his back. Alfred shot him a dubious look.

'I just don't want you to overdo it.'

Britannia gave a bark of a laugh when they to a stop in front of Arthur's bedroom door, his hand resting on the handle. 'The concern is appreciated, but unfounded. Good night, Columbia.'

'Night B.' Alfred managed before Britannia shut the door in his face with a resounding thud…

Well, that went well, He thought as he entered the guest bedroom; it's layout identical to that of Arthur's room. Matthew's belongings had been spread out on every available surface, and on the neatly made bed, Alfred spied the glow of his half open laptop. When he crept closer, his brows shot up when he saw that the drive that Germania had given them in the port.

'That was quick Matt.' Alfred muttered to himself as he undressed down to his briefs and crawled into bed, pulling the laptop onto his lap and lifted the screen.

TOP SECRET:

The Guardians Initiative,

the Heroes of our World

Founded and led by Special agent Germania of DIA, the Guardians Initiative was formed to create the first government regulated specialistic team of gifted individuals, in a UN collaborative effort to reduce international crime and terrorism. Each potential candidate of the Guardians Initiative undergoes an extensive background check alongside covert surveillance to ensure that said candidate exhibits all the ideal qualities (see Page 9).

Successfully scouted candidates will be required to sign a nondisclosure secrecy agreement and will then have access to privileges such as:

-Level Three access to DIA digital archives.

-Entitlement to DIA resources and services (terms and conditions apply).

-International immunity when conducting mission assignments on foreign soil.

-Private tuition in diplomacy, media awareness, public speaking, languages and geography.

-Enhanced martial arts and weapon training.

-Air, water and ground vehicle pilot training.

-Financial security for oneself and family, with the minimum annual pay starting at-

Alfred gave out a low impressed whistle. That was a lot of zeros. He wanted to read on, but the fatigue got to him before long to turn his vision hazy and blur the words together. 'I'll just have Matthew paraphrase the nitty-gritty for me later.' He yawned as he set the laptop down and rolled onto his side, unable to help but compare at how much nicer Arthur's bed was as he drifted off to sleep.

Immediately after shutting the door, Arthur took off the Britannia mask and turned to glare at the eyes he sensed on his back. Across in the window, distorting his reflection, Hatter grinned that shit eating grin of him; intense, electric blue eyes unashamedly up and down Arthur's naked front.

''Ello poppet.' He purred and Arthur didn't merit him a response as he strode forward to stop in front of the glass, and placed his hand against the cool plane. In his parallel bedroom, Hatter rushed forward to pressed his hand in the same position to give an illusion of intimacy.

'Don't get the wrong idea.' Arthur hissed as he opened his mind to Bleed, weaving his magic into a glowing runes of warding and protection that flowed out from under his hand to cover the glass. A low pulse echoed throughout the rest of the apartment, and Arthur heavily exhaled as he felt his magic be smothered by the neutralising effect. The spell was a double edged sword, in that whilst the entire building was safe from anyone or anything Lucid, it meant that Arthur was essentially cutting off one of his senses. However, if it meant that his brothers, Columbia and Matthew Williams (still low-key internally screaming that Alfred's brother was the coordinator of Columbia. Arthur just prayed to god that Matthew had enough sense to keep Alfred out of it all) could sleep soundly, then it was worth it. He could not be allow Hatter to hurt any of them because of him.

'This is impressive and all,' The dream demon mused as he tapped the glass, the runes' glow fading as though they had never been there. 'but it won't help you escape me in sleep. The land of dreams and everything in it, is mine. See you in a bit love.'

The glass rippled, and Arthur saw that his reflection was his again, mirroring back a pale face of exhaustion. Nothing left to do but discard his pants, he climbed into bed with grim anticipation, reaching over into his bedside draw and to retrieve and swallow down a handful of sleeping pills he kept there. As the darkness at the edge of his vision throbbed, Arthur took a deep breath, and let it take him.

Favourite part of the chapter? New teasing/competitive/ flirty dynamic between Britannia and Columbia.

Least favourite part of the chapter? Writing the plodding, but necessary dialogue between Britannia and the Kirkland brothers. Necessary because it sets up for next chapter and establishes the situation, but I dunno- to me it was just kinda 'meh' to write.

Characterisation of Alfred was fun to play around with, particularly with Britannia when he's trying to impress him. I felt Britannia had to be quite subdued this chapter, what with the terrifying news that enemy number one is back, but I thought that his acceptance and liking of Columbia as a teammate redeems that. In Britannia's mind, Columbia has proven himself trustworthy by saving his life, so he knows that he doesn't have to be as frosty towards him as before. A milestone has been hit, and it's the start of something beautiful :3

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you are liking the story, please take a moment to leave a review telling me your thoughts, opinions and questions about it. Once again, thank you for reading and as always,

Until next time folks!