Rivalry

Part 12

"Why are we here again?"

Prussia was startled by the question, as he'd been staring at the menu for the past few minutes and wondering why the hell everything had to be written in Italian. The only words in Italian he'd managed to pick up were the obscenities that Romano yelled at Spain all of the time. "Ah, what?"

England was watching him suspiciously, one large eyebrow raised as he folded his napkin and placed it in his lap. "I asked why we're here again. You're not the type to just suddenly invite someone to eat out at a fancy restaurant with you. And you're definitely not the type of person to actually remember to make reservations ahead of time." He rested his elbows on the table and leaned his chin on his fists. "So spill. What's going on?"

Prussia sighed. At least he'd thought to come up with an explanation ahead of time, but really? Why couldn't England be so observant when he was dealing with a certain loud-mouthed American? He wouldn't have had to get dressed up in a fucking suit and tie if England wasn't so deeply entrenched in the river of denial.

"I lost a bet with Francis."

England gave a little sigh of understanding at that and leaned back slightly. "Why doesn't that surprise me? And the terms were?"

"I'd get all dressed up in this shit and go to some fancy place that he chose. I figured that you were the best victim to drag into this since you can just imagine how it would go with anyone else…"

England grinned in amusement at the idea, probably mentally running through a list of the other nations and putting them in his place. "You three come up with the oddest bets, although this one is at least positive. Maybe you'll finally learn some manners."

Prussia snorted and shook his head, reaching up to his neck and unloosening his tie. "Don't count on that."

England smiled again at the statement and shook his head slightly, grabbing his own menu and looking through the options. Apparently actually understanding what he was reading.

Prussia barely paid attention as their waiter came up and took their wine order. Since he'd prefer beer, but he doubted that that sort of order would fly here. So he just half-listened as England and the waiter went on for a while about different types of wine. He vaguely wondered what Artie would say if he mentioned that he sounded like France… He didn't feel like dying now, so he'd resist it. Somehow.

While England was distracted, he slipped his cell phone from his pocket and checked the text messages. One from France and one from Spain…

France's… We're almost there. Idiot #2 is falling right into our trap…

And Spain's… I C U! U look so CUTE!!!

For a very long time, Prussia just stared at the screen in shock. Then he sighed. And how the fuck was that idiot still alive?He glanced around for a few seconds before noticing Spain sitting at a nearby booth, grinning brightly at Prussia, and now waving excitedly.

This was the sort of situation in which you pretended that you had no idea who that crazy person over there was. He turned back to England. "So, anything interesting happen today, Artie?"

England paused, frowning slightly at the question. "Well…kind of. Alfred came over…"

"And since when is that interesting?" Prussia snorted, leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms behind his head. "It's only interesting when the awesome me comes over."

England rolled his eyes, but chose to ignore the egotistical statement. "Well, it was just kind of odd. He came in and I was yelling at the bloody frog on the phone… He got bored because he's a twit like that and went into the other room to make his vile coffee beverage. Then I come in after a few minutes and he was just acting…weird…" He hesitated and then continued after a moment, "He even refused a hamburger, which let me know that something was seriously wrong with him. So I leave the room again and then when I come back in, he's gone."

Wow. His story had messed with America's head that badly? Awesome.

"Hmm…Maybe he found some of the leftovers in your fridge. I'm sure that would ruin anyone's appetite."

And England threw a fork at him.

Which he managed to duck. Barely.

"Hey, I thought I was the one who was supposed to be learning manners."

England just scowled at him, then turned back to his menu as if he hadn't just attempted to stab his friend in the face with a fork.

At least it wasn't a knife.

Prussia was more than thankful when the waiter arrived with the wine, as he managed to distract England from the men now being seated only a few tables away.

Except…Why were there three men?

For a moment, Prussia froze in surprise. France was distracting America by invading his personal space, effectively keeping him from noticing the other familiar inhabitants of the restaurant. But the other nation, who followed the two at a slight distance, had met his eyes almost as soon as he had stepped into the restaurant.

What the fuck was Mattie doing here?

Prussia just stared at the other male in shock, watching as Canada's eyes twitched across the table to where England was conversing with the waiter. He could see the Canadian's expression fall as he clutched at his chest, where he'd usually be holding Kumajiro if it weren't completely against the law to bring a polar bear into a restaurant.

Shit. Shit. Shit. France had definitely not mentioned this part.

A/N: Aw, poor Canada.

But now the real fun begins.

Well, almost. We're very very close to utter insanity. ;D

Actually, the next chapter is the beginning of utter insanity, but for a slightly different reason.

So, for all the many many many many many people who have asked/requested…

Yes, there will be a PruCan TMAMT story after this one is finished. Still trying to think of a title (probably in French since I already used German, lol). The plot is also being planned… But yes, they will be the next couple. Since I'm pretty much bashing you over the head with foreshadowing…