Rivalry

Part 18

America had never really been the type to lose his temper at the drop of a dime. That was Romano. And England…and various other nations who really needed to take some anger-management classes.

Not him! The hero had complete control over his emotions at all times.

Except in certain situations, when his anger was justified. The sort of situations where even a saint would lose his temper.

This was one of those situations.

Prussia had just asked Iggy to marry him.

Prussia had just asked Iggy to marry him.

America was on his feet before he'd mentally decided to move, his legs seeming to have a mind of their own as they brought him to England and Prussia's table. Where Prussia was watching him. Smirking. As if he'd won…

And then his fingers were clenched around the albino's shirt collar, dragging him forward, knocking a few plates onto the floor. And he was still smirking, his red eyes narrowed in a taunting expression. 'Yeah, I just did that. What are you going to do about it?'

He had never felt this angry in his life…

Which is why he wasn't all that surprised when his hand suddenly burst forward, seemingly of its own will, and punched the Prussian right in that smirking expression.

"Alfred!" He could barely hear England's voice behind him as he drew his fist back for another blow. Prussia had barely reacted to the first; he was still smirking, even as blood dripped down from a cut on his lip. America could feel a vague pressure on his arm, trying to push it down so he couldn't hit him again. He just shook it off, following the first punch with another. And then another…

And then three more pairs of arms were around him, dragging him backwards.

"Amérique!"

"Alfred, stop!"

And that voice set him off again. He whirled around, barely able to see… He wasn't sure why… He wasn't crying, was he? Why would he be crying?

England was staring at him in horror, jerking backwards as he turned to stare at him, catching a glimpse of the fury in his expression. "Alfred, what are you doing? You can't just…"

"Why the fuck are you defending him?! What's wrong with you?!" Why was he so angry? Why did it matter that England and Prussia were dating? What was wrong with him?

France was standing on one side of him, Spain on the other, and Germany behind, all holding him back in case he attempted to return to attacking Prussia. Or decided to turn his fury on England. Although Germany released him once he felt America slowly begin to relax, instead turning to his brother, who was now holding his nose and wincing.

"Bruder, are you—"

Prussia ignored him, immediately jumping down from the table and walking down to stand beside England, wrapping one arm around his shoulders before flashing America another victorious, challenging smirk. "Hey, Al. What the hell is wrong with you? I just asked Iggy to marry me and now you're trying to punch my lights out? Like I said, just because I'm getting married doesn't mean that the awesomeness is going to come to an end. I have plenty to share…"

And Germany just managed to grab America's arm before he attempted again to murder his brother.

"Get your hands off of Iggy, you albino freak! He's mine!" And now he broke free, reaching forward to grab England's arm. England apparently too shocked by the sudden exclamation to even react as America dragged the relenting body into his arms. And then he pushed his chin up and pressed a fierce, dominating kiss against his lips.

Every single body in the room froze. Even the humans, who had been watching the entire fiasco in horror and confusion, all stared in silence as the American suddenly seemed to realize what he'd just done and jerked away, a flush colouring his cheeks.

"Ah, Igg—"

"Fuck yeah! I told you it'd work! You owe me now, Artie!"

And all eyes turned back to Prussia, who was now beaming in victory, while simultaneously rubbing at his bloody nose with a napkin he'd grabbed off a nearby table. At everyone's attention, he just smiled even more brightly and walked forward, patting America on the shoulder. "I knew that would work. You are way too easy to manipulate, Al."

There was another moment of silence, as America stared at Prussia in confusion. Before Spain grinned as well, turning toward France while glancing down at his watch. "I think you owe me too…"

"You fucking bastard!" Not that his victory lasted very long, as he was suddenly greeted by a fuming Italian in a skirt, who punched him in the stomach before stomping on his foot. "You fucking dropped me!"

Spain jumped back, wincing…as everyone else just stared at them in confusion. Besides England, who looked as if his brain had entirely shut down with the kiss and France, whose eyes were starting to widen in realization.

"Ah, Lovi…I had to go help make sure that Gil—"

"Lovino~" And suddenly France was at the Italian's side, one hand already half-up his skirt while the other ran through his wig. "What a surprise to see you here! And in such a delectable outfit…"

And then he was down.

A rather irritated, overprotective Spain sliding beside his lover, an arm slipping around Romano's waist as he glared down at his friend. "Sorry for that, Francis."

Romano blinked, a little surprised by the speed that the molester had been disposed of. Then he snorted irritably and kicked him as hard as he could in between the legs. "Pervert."

France whimpered and curled up into a ball.

"Wait…" a soft voice suddenly interrupted. Everyone turned, a few eyes sliding over the figure before settling on him when he spoke again. "Wait, so this whole thing was a trick…?"

Canada had made his way over and was now standing in front of the others, staring at Prussia with an expression that somehow managed to mix confusion, anger, betrayal, and a little bit of hope.

Prussia immediately straightened, dropping the bloody napkin onto the floor before walking to his friend's side. "Ah, yeah…You see…it was Francis's idea."

For a moment, Canada just stared at the Prussian. Then he forced a smile. "So, you and England weren't dating? You were just trying to make everybody think you were?"

"Huh?" England jerked out of his daze at this. "What? You told people that we were dating?"

"You weren't?" America questioned.

"Of course not!"

Prussia ignored them, more intent on the Canadian standing at his side. "We were trying to make Al jealous so that he'd finally admit that he was in love with Artie…"

"Hey, I never sai—" America started to argue, and then glanced down at England, who was staring up at him… And shut up…

"So…this entire time…you weren't actually dating England. You were just trying to trick us…" Canada blinked again, seemingly deep in thought. His fingers twitching as if he wanted to hug Kumajiro to his chest. Then he smiled slightly. "I understand…"

Prussia beamed, glad that Canada wasn't angry at him. "Yeah, it was all just to hel—"

And then a fist suddenly smashed into his face again.

This time coming from the usually timid Canadian. Who was still smiling, even as everyone else froze in shock and Prussia fell onto the floor, staring up at him in amazement.

"That's for making me worry." He remarked, still speaking in that very quiet, calm voice. Then he turned, heading out of the restaurant. Past tables of very surprised humans.

For a moment, Prussia remained on the floor, staring at the retreating Canadian in shock. And then he jumped to his feet. "Hey, wait, Mattie!"

"Bruder." And he was held back by a much stronger arm. "Let him go for now."

Prussia turned, glaring at his younger brother. Before his expression suddenly changed… "Hey, wait. What are you even doing here? And—" He turned toward Romano, who was still glaring down at the twitching France. "Why's Romano in a skirt?"

"PASTAAA~!"

And suddenly the door to the kitchen burst open, a very excited Italian running out with a huge pot—probably about half as he was—filled with pasta…

"Doitsu~! I made pasta for everyone!"

Germany often wondered if he happened to be the only sane person in this world.

A/N: Wow. Lots of stuff happened right there. *wipes sweat off forehead*

So we're getting close to the end here. I'm thinking that there might be either 2 or 3 more parts. (I'm leaning toward 3, since that'll mean 21 chapters…and that means that the length of these stories has increased by multiples of 7 each time, lol)

Holy snapdragon! 300+ reviews!! You guys are seriously amazing!! I'm sorry for not responding to everyone. The sheer amount of reviews doesn't allow me to answer everyone, but know that I absolutely LOVE you all!! And I read every review and message I get…multiple times… LOVE LOVE and Hearts!!