Arthur spent the rest of the day digging through the old spell books he found on the top shelf. He had to try and remember which ones he had used, but none of them even gave the slightest explanation. He sighed, dropping the book he had just looked through. He was getting fed up with searching and he was really starting miss Alfred. At least when he was around he had something to stop him getting too stressed. Arthur's mind lingered on Alfred. He was always good for lighting the mood. No matter what was going on around him that bright smile of his was always constant. It may have been annoying at times and Arthur made sure that was clear to him, but it just wouldn't seem right if it wasn't there.

Arthur's patience was wearing thin, he knew he would have a long day ahead of him if he couldn't keep Alfred out of his head. He walked down the hall to his office hopping there would be some kind of work for him to do but there was nothing not even the smallest thing that need to be done or caught up on. Arthur cursed himself for being so efficient. He sighed as he pushed his hand through his slick, sweaty hair, cringing slightly as he wiped the greasy oil off his hand. He was in such a rush that morning that he never took a shower.

Arthur walked into the bathroom and got undressed. A shower sounded like the perfect thing to clear his mind. He slipped under the hot flowing water, his whole body relaxing as it flowed down his back. He stood there letting it completely soak him, his eyes in a bit of a daze. Then voices began banging in his head and this time not just Alfred's. Matthew's, Francis', even Spain's voice seemed to echo. It was like everything that had happened up until then was just starting to sink in.

Surprisingly the voice that seemed to stick out most was Antonio's.
"He's just a kid, he won't be able to take it… I know exactly what I am talking about. And I know you can't control yourself."
Arthur couldn't help but laugh at himself and the pathetic situation he'd gotten himself into. He should have taken Spain's advice from the start, and then none of this would have happened. He thought further back on that. When he was with Spain he acted just the same as he did with America, but it was different. With Spain it was because he enjoyed it that way, but with Alfred… with Alfred his body seemed to move on its own, he enjoyed it, but it was definitely more than just pleasure that made him act like that.

Arthur finished his shower and turned the water off, grabbing his towel as he climbed out the bath. He rubbed his hair damp, living it messy with blonde strands sticking out all-over the place. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and continued thinking. If this was one of Alfred's movies they would probably work it all out somehow and then they would suddenly find out how to solve Arthur problem. And Arthur would like to believe that was going to happen, he didn't want anything more in the world, but this wasn't a movie. It was life and unfortunately life doesn't always have a happy ending. and that was what made him worry so much. What if it didn't work out the next day at the cinema? What if Alfred doesn't want him anymore? Or what if he ends up hurting Alfred if he does comes back? Nothing had him more stumped than that question. He wanted him but if that meant he was going to get hurt, he would rather he just stayed away.

Arthur yawned as he slipped his pyjamas on. It was only early but he was tired, besides the quicker he went to sleep the quicker the morning came.

Just as he was getting into bed the phone started ringing. He sat up but rather than answering he just stared at it as if it was some kind of unknown object. He didn't really feel like talking to anyone at the moment and Alfred would have called his mobile. He sunk back into the sheets and waited until the ringing stopped before closing his eyes and sinking into an unsteady sleep.

Alfred sat with Matthew watching tv, he had been with Matthew for the most of the past two days. Having Matthew around helped him distract himself and concentrate more on how he was going to get to see Arthur without Francis knowing. He looked so confused when he ran away from him earlier. Other than that, the only problem was Francis, who came in and out occasionally, walking around like he owned the place. Alfred still didn't get what the hell it was that Matthew saw in him.
"So, Alfred." Matthew started as the program they were watching on TV went on to the ads.

"You know how we were going to the movies tomorrow?" He tried to make it seem casual but he couldn't help but brace himself for a bad reaction.

"Yeah?"

"Well, you see, Arthur will be coming. You don't mind do you?"
Matthew expected him to freak out on him for not asking him first, but surprisingly he seemed to be happy about it.

Alfred beamed at him. As long as Francis didn't know it should be fine. Besides he could always say they bumped into each other at the cinema and he couldn't avoid him. Finally he could try to tell Arthur without Francis finding out. Even if he could go nuts and possibly try to kill France, he was sure he would know what to do if Alfred could calm him down.

"No that's fine, why would I mind?" Alfred raised an eye brow at him as if there was no reason why he might think he would be upset.

"Well it's just-"

Matthew was interrupted by a coughing sound from behind him. Him and Alfred both looked back to see Francis leaning on his elbow with a catlike smile spread across his face.
"So, you three are going to the cinema?" He ginned at Alfred with his usual sly smirk.
Alfred glared at him behind Matthew's back, before looking away, sinking back into his seat.
"I'm... not going..."
"What?" Matthew questioned, confused by his sudden change of heart. "Why not?"
"I just can't." Alfred raised his voice and stood up of the sofa.
"Alfred, what's wrong?"
"Yes Alfred, what's wrong" Francis purred.
"Nothing, I just can't go, okay?" He glared at Francis one last time before leaving the room with a slam of the door.
Matthew looked back at Francis confused to see him he was snickering.
"What's going on?"
"What do you mean?" Francis cocked his head to the side, playing dumb.
"I know you have something to do with this." Matthew glared at him in an attempt to make his soft voice sound even the slightest bit threatening.
Francis smirked again. "I really have no idea what you're talking about."
He walked into the bathroom leaving Matthew to wonder what was going on. The Canadian sighed, picking up the phone. He should probably tell Arthur so he wasn't disappointed. He quietly listened to the ring, waiting for an answer, but no one picked up. "Must be out." he dropped the phone beside him and was soon once again joined by Francis. He walked over, wrapping his arms around him from behind.

"You know, we don't have any work left to do before we all go home, so how about we have a little fun instead?" Matthew felt Francis's hands slither under his shirt and try to pull it off, but Matthew grunted shoved him away and pulled his knees up in front of him.

"What's wrong Matthieu?"

He blanked him, keeping his glare aimed at the floor; he didn't even want to look at him until he told him what was going on. Francis huffed, irritated at being turned down.

The next day Arthur meet up with Matthew as planned, he was confused when he didn't see Alfred.

"Hey," Arthur smiled at him trying to look like he'd forgotten about what he had tried to do to him. Awkward had to be the only word to describe it.

"Hey." Matthew nervously played with his sleeve.

Arthur looked around for Alfred, it was clear by the expression on his face he was confused.

"Alfred couldn't come, I tried to call
you but you didn't pick up…" Matthew finally admitted.

"Why? did you tell him I was coming?"

"Yeah, but that's not why he didn't come!" Matthew quickly reassured him as he saw the look of hurt on his face. He knew there was something that they weren't telling him.

"Actually, he seemed to be really happy when I told him. But then, uh," Matthew trailed off, not really sure if he should tell him that he thought Francis was involved. He didn't want to get him in to trouble.

"But then, what?" Arthur asked, bringing Matthew back to earth.

"Oh, it's nothing don't worry!" He attempted to smile casually, but he wasn't sure how good of a job he did.

Arthur stared at him, he was acting odd. There was a pause as neither of them really knew what to say. Matthew was the first one to break the ice.

"Arthur, what's going on? Have you and Alfred been fighting?"

Arthur sighed "I don't know… the other night when I…" he looked up at Matthew with an ashamed face, moving his attention to a pebble as they made eye contact.

"He said he was going back to see you and said he would be back later, but he never came back… and I haven't seen him since, well, except from yesterday when he ran away from me…"

"what do you mean he ran away form you?"

Arthur explained what happened with his dream and what happened in Hyde Park, it took a while but he managed to keep his head while explaining. Matthew dropped the subject, not wanting to stir him up any more.

It got easier and less awkward as the time went by. The two watched the movie as planned and actually had a good time at some points. Arthur even almost forgot about Alfred. Almost.

As they were walking out of the cinema Matthew suggested that Arthur should come back to the hotel. Francis was out for the night so if he did have anything to do with it, he wouldn't be around. It was perfect! But there was still the chance that Alfred might freak.

Back at the hotel Alfred was knocking on Matthew's door. He was annoyed when the door was opened to reveal Francis who sneered as usual when he saw Alfred.
"Hello, Alfred~"

Alfred shivered, hearing his name in that tone of voice made him feel sick.

"Is Matthew here?" It was a simple question, but Alfred still made it clear by the way he said it that he was not happy to see him.

"No, they're at the cinéma, remember?" Alfred turned back to walk away but Francis grabbed his wrist, gently pulling him back.

"You don't need to leave, come in~" Alfred glared for a moment but soon it turned to a mischievous smile. If France wanted to play then he would let him, but that didn't mean he got to have all the fun to himself. Alfred floated past him into the room.

"So, how come Matthew still went to the movies?" Francis was just closing the door.

"Well, I tried to convince him not to, but he didn't want to disappoint Arthur."

Alfred smiled as he sat on the sofa leaning in to a relaxed pose, crossing his legs and spreading his arms out along the back.

"Oh well, I'm sure they will be having lots of fun together." he heard Francis grumble slightly. He was starting to figure out what he was doing. He thought for a moment whether or not he should say it, but what more could he really do?

"Might as well," Alfred thought. "They had fun a few days ago, you know, when I was heading to the hotel and bumped into you~ oops, I wasn't supposed to say anything about that! But, I guess sometimes things just slip."

He glanced sideways to Francis who seemed to be a little bit in shock. His face was red and his eyes stared daggers right at Alfred's throat.

"..What happened?..." his voice was slightly husked, his face was smiling but he was straining to seem casual.

"Oh, nothing, just a little incident. In fact it was quite similar to the incident during that meeting a while back, the one where everyone walked in on me and Arthur- well, you know what happened."

The Frenchman walked closer and hunched over the sofa. Alfred heard him grip the top of the cushion next to his ear.

"In which way was it like that?"

"Oh, I wouldn't like to gossip, besides I know thing's between you two haven't been going to well in that department." Alfred pushed.

Alfred was suddenly lost his breath as an arm squeezed tight around his neck, blocking his wind pipe.

"What happened Alfred!?"

Francis hissed at him as he forced him to look up at him. Alfred knew he wasn't in any position to be hurting Francis right now, but he couldn't help it. His instincts were going to make him fight back, but just as he was about to hit him, Francis's grip lessened around his neck. He huffed and looked around as he heard the door squeak.

Matthew walked in followed by Arthur, and Francis did not look happy. Arthur glared at him slightly, partly as a force of habit, but also because he couldn't help but be suspicious of him. Alfred sank into the sofa, not really sure what to do. The couch faced away from the door so he at least had a little time to think of a plan. Maybe he could find a chance to tell Arthur what's going on without Francis realizing. But he'd be watching him like a hawk, how would he distract him?

Francis's gaze slipped over to Matthew. Alfred presumed it was probably because of what he said, and he felt a little bad knowing that he most likely just got Matthew in a lot of trouble. It gave him enough time to turn to at least look at Arthur.

Arthur looked over to the sofa to meet eyes with Alfred, although he had to admit he wasn't expecting to be met by a pair of full on puppy dog eyes. Something was clearly wrong. He walked closer, not wanting the other two to hear their conversation. He leaned on the back of the sofa, but just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by France.

"Well, look at the time." he smiled at Alfred, making it clear he wasn't supposed to be so close to Arthur. Alfred looked to Arthur who was cluelessly facing Francis like it was a normal thing to say. That was the problem, it was a normal thing to say and only he could pick up the annoyed tone in his voice because he was the only one looking for it. Alfred quietly sighed as he pushed himself out of his seat.
"You're right... I think it's time I left."

Matthew looked at him almost like he knew what was going on. "You don't have to go, you can stay if you want to"

"No, I've gotta get going, besides-" He faked a yawn as he opened the door."I'm tired, I still have some work to do before tomorrow and I need to get some rest"
Arthur exhaled in disappointment before heading out the door himself.
"Yeah, I think I should too. Thanks again for the nice time. Goodbye, Matthew."

Arthur walked out into the hall to find Alfred gone, He had no idea which room was his. He stared back at the door, what just happened? Why did he look at him like that and then just disappear? With nothing left to do, Arthur thought about heading home, knowing that tomorrow was his last chance. Alfred would be at the meeting building dropping off his last minute work along with a few others. It was the last thing before everyone went home and if he didn't sort this thing out then, then he might never be able to.

The next day Arthur looked around the building; Alfred had to be there somewhere. He had seen just about everyone but him; why did he always have to wander? He slipped down one of the quieter halls, venturing through a few of them before he spotted him. Alfred stood looking through a bunch of shuffled up papers, which is why he never realized Arthur walking up to him.

Arthurt took a quick, but deep breath. "Alfred."

Alfred jumped, all the papers scattering around the room. The terrified look on his face was too much for words to even describe.
"Uh,I,uh, keep away from me!"

He ran, leaving all his stuff scattered on the ground.

Arthur stared down the hall after him until it was complete silence. Why did he want
to avoid him so bad? There had to be something wrong with him that he couldn't tell him about, but what could that be?

He bent down and picked up Alfred's stuff, slowly walking back down the hall confused, why wouldn't he talk to him?

"-the American?"

Arthur paused as he heard familiar voices, there was someone in one of the other rooms and he was sure he heard Alfred being mentioned. Arthur leaned against the wall and tried to listen in. It was muffled, but he could make it out. There were three of them, only two of which whose voices he could recognise.

"You're kidding, so he's just doing whatever you tell him?"

"It's brilliant, no?"

France.

"Wait, but why are you trying to keep them apart Francis?"

Spain.

There was a short pause.

"Because if I can get America to even follow something as harsh as staying away from Britain, whom he supposedly loves so dearly, then I can make him do anything. Besides, Britain would never let me push him or America around no matter the consequence."

Arthurs eyes shot open. "Bastard! That's why, but how-?"

"But I don't get it, how did these pictures make him do that? They can't be that bad, and Amerika doesn't seem like the kind of man to care if something like a couple of make out pictures got out."

"Non, he's not, but Britain is, and he knows it. He thinks if he doesn't do as I say and I leak them, then Britain will hate him."

"So, will you be keeping them aparte permanently?"

"Of course, I can't have him finding out about it, can I?"

Arthur looked down the crack of the door, he could see Francis and... was that... Prussia? Yes, it was. He could see them hanging onto the Frenchman's every word, and Spain leaned against the wall, by the sounds of it. It seemed like the only thing he really cared about was keeping him and Alfred apart, same as always.

"Kesese! So, what are you going to make him do next?"

Not sure if everyone's still following this, I know I've been taking longer to upload chapters recently, but I made this one extra long, so enjoy.

anyway review - seriously If you want the next chapter soon it helps. and if you haven't already pweeze fave and follow.

also, I'm starting on a new story called "A jocks secrete" its another UkUS (don't worry I am still writing this, I will finish it) if you want to read it follow the story so you know when I publish chapters.

Anywayyyy hope you enjoyed and byez for now! ^_^

[UPDATE!: Hope you're all still waiting for the next chapter, for those of you who are thank you for your patients and don't for get a review or message telling me to hurry the hell up is actually helpful so feel free to do it. hopefully it should be up soon because I have nothing left to get in the way so see you soon! bye!]