Title: Coffee & Tea: A Hundred Day Challenge

Series: Axis Powers Hetalia

Pairing: America & England / Alfred & Arthur

Rating: K+

Genre: Romance, Friendship

Warning: Human names, Alternate Universe, Gakuen Hetalia, Shounen-Ai

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction by a fan for fans. Axis Powers Hetalia rightfully belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya. "The Masque of Red Death" and "The Black Cat" are wonderful pieces made by Edgar Allan Poe. Winnie The Pooh belongs to Christopher Robin- whoever owns them.

Author's Note: I'm posting this earlier than scheduled because I might, most likely I will, forget to post this one later. La~ I love this one-shot for it mentions Poe. X3 APH 100 Day Challenge was made by kimchi71399.

Edit: My good friend, E. L. Ash, so kindly beta-d this for me. And even though a hundred days is over/has passed, I'll still continue this.

Day 3: Studying

Arthur tapped the tip of his mechanical pencil on his lap; he was studying for that big test next month. No, he wasn't a nerd; he just preferred to read ahead, just in case. But the Briton was getting a bit hot in the head of waiting for Alfred. His 'friend', if you could call him that, was apparently failing in English class. At first, it was quite a shock to him-who on earth would fail English? Then again, this was Alfred we were talking about. The boy was torn between football practice and his studies, Arthur couldn't exactly blame the boy for cutting short in some classes.

Arthur had finished all his English classes and Alfred had begged him to tutor him, eventually, Arthur gave in and agreed to it. But Alfred was late for their arranged meeting and Arthur wasn't exactly a patient man himself.

"Yo! Artie!" Alfred's loud, booming voice echoed in the quiet of the library.

"Quiet, you git!" Arthur hissed at the grinning American as the librarian shot them glare. He had long given up trying to convince the stubborn American that his name was 'Arthur', not 'Artie'.

"Sorry!" Alfred whispered back, but it was still loud, as he sat down beside Arthur. "I'm really sorry I'm late, man. Practice and shit-hey, I know, why don't I treat you to dinner and a movie or something?"

Arthur sighed, shaking his head lightly, "No, it's quite all right, Alfred. I understand you have to practice, especially with that big game coming right around the corner."

"Oh, all right." Alfred replied, a bit dejected but he beamed up at Arthur the next second, "So, what're we doing today?"

Arthur cocked a great brow, "We're going to study Poe."

"Winnie the Poe?" Alfred frowned, his brows scrunched. "But I thought it was-"

"No, not Winnie the Pooh!" Arthur hissed, wanting to slap himself and Alfred. "Poe! Poe! As in, Edgar Allan Poe!"

"Oh, that guy." Alfred nodded, "Yeah. Who is he?"

'Patience, remember, you are dealing with an idiot.' Arthur reminded himself as he forced his anger down. "He's an American writer famed for his pieces of horror and terror-"

"Whaaaaat?" Alfred cried, his arms suddenly around Arthur's shoulders.

Arthur sighed once more, he was one of the very few people Alfred would invite to watch horror movies and the American would always claim he wasn't scared even if it was more obvious than obvious. Again, Arthur reminded himself to be patient as he flipped the pages to "The Masque of the Red Death".

"The 'Red Death' had long devastated the country..."

xxxxx

"...And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all." Arthur closed the book with a sigh. "It's over, Alfred, you may unhand me now."

"No, man!" Alfred whined, arms still around the Briton. "Like, what the fuck was that? How could someone write something like that? The hero is supposed to always save everyone in the end!"

'Sheltered upbringing, Arthur, patience.'

Arthur was supposed to ask Alfred how he interpreted the story and give him a number more questions but he realised it was futile. Alfred was cowering far worse than a twelve-year-old faced with a bloodied serial killer with a chainsaw. Heck, Arthur thought the child was fairing better than Alfred.

"Oh, there you are, Mr. Jones!" Arthur and Alfred both turn their heads to the sound of the voice. "Ah, are the both of you studying?"

"Uh, I was just helping him, sir." Arthur answered, fairly acquainted with the English teacher. "He's having trouble coping with Poe."

The teacher blinked confusedly, "Is that so? Well, it gets even the best of us, I suppose. But, Mr. Jones, I would just like to inform you that your extensive essay on 'The Black Cat' was well received by the Headmaster, he would wish to give you an award for it in fact."

Both Alfred and Arthur stared at the older man with their jaws hanging wide open for flies to enter.

"Well, I have to go now, but be sure to meet with Mr. Vargas before the day is over. See you tomorrow for class, Mr. Jones." The teacher cheerfully waved them good-bye before heading towards the exit door.

"Um..." Alfred began nervously as he slowly turned back to look at Arthur.

Arthur shot the American a glare and stood up, turning to leave without a word.

"W-Wait, Artie!" Alfred cried, scrambling off his seat. "Artie! It's a big misunderstanding! It's not what you think! Artie!"

xxxxx

"Well, it is a nice certificate." Kiku commented as he held Alfred's certificate for his essay.

"I don't want it!" Alfred whined.

"Well, it's what you get for lying to Arthur." His brother, Matthew, softly nagged.

"But all I wanted was a dinner and a movie!" Alfred cried, flailing his arms around.

Matthew grunted, already annoyed by his brother's wailing. "Oh, shut it. You're not even scared of horror-lit, you're only doing it to get your grabby arms around Arthur! You should be ashamed of how low you've gotten, Al!"

THE END

Author's Note: Laaaa~ One of my head!canons states that Alfred purposely acts dumb to get (Arthur's) attention. :D And while not exactly, "studying", it should still count, right? I mean, library + book? Yeah, that's studying. XD Sleeping in the library counts as studying, too!

Please leave a review before you go! I honestly appreciate it and it keeps me motivated! :D

Useless trivia/note/thing: The unnamed English teacher featured here reminds me of high school English teacher who I admire ever so greatly. He's the one who got me very much into reading Poe, Shakespeare and the classics. :') I wish to be his pupil once more. - I wouldn't say it to his face, though. Because like, he annoys me. *tsun tsun mode*

Shameless promotion-Please read and review my other Hetalia fics as well: Kiss Me Here, Minty Fresh, Melt, The Big News: Alfred & Arthur, World's End, The Big News: Francis & Matthieu, Nightmare, Choco Choco, Hung for Hungary, Just Another Meeting, Password Error, Creamed Trousers, The Best Man, Ring Tone, Concerned Brother, Happy Camping, Alfred's Hangover, Taste of Love, Possessive, Fetish, Lovino's Favourite Cap, Tokimeki Memorial World Edition, Public Display of Affection, Dragon of The Sea and Wilted Rose