So yes, Alfred is a very strong Alpha and he isn't used to people talking back to him, let alone insulting him. Arthur, on the other side, doesn't know how to behave like a proper Omega. He doesn't understand his instincts all too well.
And I know I make Al seem like a nasty bastard right now, but please keep in mind that:
a) he is spoiled and used to get what he wants
b) he is actually too inexperienced to hold such a powerful position and might not think about the consequences of his actions sometimes. Doesn't mean he's stupid though.
c) he doesn't like Arthur. He pities him and he finds him interesting (even a bit irritating) but he doesn't like him. Yet.
He'll change throughout the story!
And I noticed FFnet messed with the formatting last chapter. I apologise for that. ;w; Hopefully this time will be better.
Special thanks to: Random toria, a Guest, xBluieLovex, Dreiks, xMatildax, Maria Fremont, innervoice, mochiusagi, Q3APo and El Tord
who took the time to comment on the previous chapter. You seriously made my day! Fast updates wouldn't be possible otherwise. I'd probably lose inspiration to write if nobody cared about this fic. Thanks again!
Disclaimer: Hetalia Axis Powers and the portrayed characters belong to Hidekaz Himaruya and Gentosha Comics!
Chapter Four – Decision
To say Alfred was an unbearable boss these days was an understatement. Even if his anger was primarily directed at himself and a certain Omega he couldn't help but try and relieve his frustration elsewhere. His patience was short-lived and he would snap at his colleagues for the smallest of vanities. Not even Mattie could brighten his mood.
And all because a certain green-eyed Omega wouldn't leave his mind.
He swivelled around lazily in his chair and let his thoughts wander to his encounter with Arthur a few days back. Regret gnawed at his conscience when thinking about that terrified expression contorting the smaller man's features.
Idiot! You shouldn't have expected him to act like a typical Omega. After taking suppressants for such a long timespan Arthur wouldn't know how to behave properly and according to his Nature. Now you'll probably never see him again. Did you really think that that would get him to work for you? Groaning he ruffled his hair and glared heatedly against the wall. But it was necessary, another voice argued back. He couldn't brush off his own instincts just to suit some badly adjusted Omega. It was his own fault.
To his defence, up to this day the Alpha had barely faced anyone who dared as much as speaking up against him. Aside from Ivan, another Alpha who would constantly challenge him back in high school, his own father when he was still alive, and his twin brother there was no one he could think of spontaneously. Hearing those unfounded insults from an Omega's mouth was more than his patience could tolerate. No one defied him so easily.
A knock on the door granted him the much needed distraction from mentally berating himself. But then, every time the phone rang or someone was at the door he got his hopes up that just maybe the Briton might have changed his mind despite Alfred's unspeakable behaviour. Only to have them defeated. Upon his call a blonde girl with big turquoise eyes from the financial department scurried timidly into the room to hand him the final report of the past month. He gave her an unexcited thanks and opened the file with a sigh once he was on his own again.
The day dragged on at an agonisingly slow pace. Minutes felt like hours and Arthur's face still haunted him when most of his employees had already left the office. Outside, the weather seemed to match his own distraught thoughts. A storm had been raging on for hours and hours on end, big rain drops beating angrily against the huge, polished glass windows. Both guilt and fascination tore at his conflicted mind. He felt bad for putting the other into his place so forcefully but the necessity of doing so alone made Arthur an even more intriguing yet irritating individual than he had initially assumed. The man was too stubborn for his own good.
As the sun was about to set behind the dark bank of clouds he couldn't take it any more. He had to do something, anything to get Arthur work for him. The Briton was like a challenge to him he couldn't back down from. So he called Matthew. Alfred remembered him mentioning that The Pancake Factory wasn't the only place Arthur was currently working at. Perhaps he could pull some strings to make him lose one of his other jobs - Matthew would never fire him for Alfred's sake, after all. He had to find out about his other occupations.
His brother picked up at the first ring. "Hey, what's up?" He sounded distracted.
"Hi, Mattie. I'm not bothering you right now, am I?" Just making sure. He took his brother's lack of response as a sign to continue. "Errr," he paused."I actually wanted to ask you something."
At the other end of the line the older one of them narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Fire away. You were never one to beat around the bush. I doesn't suit you."
"It's about Arthur." He was aware that his brother was still mad at him for his outburst and he had grown quite protective of his employee in the last couple of days. "I need to contact him. I shouldn't have used my power on him like that."
Silence. After a few moments of contemplation Matthew spoke up again. "You're right. You shouldn't have done that. He doesn't want to talk to you."
"But –"
"Listen, Alfred." The voice grew impatient. "He tore your business card and threw it away the moment he exited the restroom. Just let it go and accept that not everyone willingly dances after your pipe."
"Fine." Alfred pouted. "But don't think I won't find out either way. Will just take longer and worsen my mood."
Sighing Matthew replied. "I know you will. But I'm not helping you making him miserable. He's struggling enough as it is. If you would excuse me now I'm preparing for my date tonight."
At that Alfred scrunched up his nose. "Yeah, right. That pervy Frenchman always lurking around at your café."
"He isn't lurking there. He just happens to go there on a regular basis. Unlike other people I know." The tone held a little of a reproach directed at Alfred. Should he notice he pretended not to.
"Whatever. I'll check if you get home tonight. Untarnished, all right?"
"Yes, Mom," his twin teased. "Seriously, it's just a dinner, okay? Don't worry too much about me. Bye." With that he hung up and Alfred was sitting there in silence once again. He'd made up his mind, though. He knew he'd already wronged the Omega but if he didn't do this he wouldn't even consider his offer. And Alfred could provide him with work more appropriate for a brilliant mind such as Arthur. It was for the best and sometimes, foul play was the only way of winning. Life was just that twisted and cruel. Even a hero had to bend the laws on occasion.
Flipping through his contacts he dialled a different number. It was of an old friend who still owed him a favour anyway, as far as he could remember.
"Hello?" asked a gruff voice.
"Gilbert? It's Alfred here. I was actually hoping you could do me a small favour." Hopefully the man was still as helpful as he'd been in his memories.
"Alfred? I'm fine and you?" he shot back sarcastically. He laughed though. "Anything for an awesome friend. On one condition."
That eerie laughter send a strange chill down Alfred's spine but he shrugged it off. He knew it well by now. "What is it?" he asked warily, not the mood for any of the albino's games.
"You'll have to go out drinking with me again. Just like the good ol' times in college." He snickered. "I should bring Matthias along as well."
The American groaned inwardly. He should have known the German would demand something along those lines. "All right. How about tomorrow night? In the meantime I want you to find out where a certain Arthur Kirkland lives and works at. He's turned twenty six this year. Was a very successful lawyer once. I'm sure you can gather some information on him."
"Of course. Tomorrow is awesome. Then, I'll call Matthias." The call disconnected and a gleeful smile spread across Alfred's face. Step one accomplished.
Francis was punctual. Just as promised Matthew's doorbell rang at seven o'clock that night. The Frenchman was dressed in an elegant suit and carried a large bouquet of deep red roses. The Omega was touched by the simple gesture and made sure to go and fetch a vase for them before leaving.
When they arrived at the restaurant Matthew immediately felt underdressed. He inspected his dark coloured sport jacket along with the lilac shirt he wore underneath and then looked around at the expensive place that the other had picked. Men and women were dressed to their finest, the floor was covered by a thick royal blue carpet and crystal chandeliers hung from the the ceiling, gently illuminating the room. The conversations around them were hushed and polite.
Noticing his self-conscious look Francis leaned in, his stubble gently brushing against his ear. "Don't worry, mon amour. Tu es très manifique."
In the course of the evening they talked about everything and nothing. It surprised Matthew how comfortable he was in the other's presence and how easy it was to talk to him.
"So you lived in Canada for a while?" Francis asked after listening to Matthew's tales from his childhood.
"Yeah," he replied, his thoughtful eyes now at a place far, far away. "After our parents' divorce Mom went back to her home town in Ontario and I went with her. Our father always favoured my brother as he was the Alpha who would inherit the company and his place as the family leader. Our mother didn't care about power. She was a much kinder being than father would ever be."
A sad looked crossed the Frenchman's face. The thought of Matthew being passed over by his father made his heart ache. "Why did you come back then?"
It was a question the half-Canadian had asked himself from time to time. He didn't answer right away. "Because of Alfred. He might be an insufferable brat at times but he's still my twin. I missed him and thus I went back. Even if it meant being outshone by him."
After the incident in the restroom Arthur indulged himself into his work even more so than usual. He took extra shifts seeking the distraction that he desperately needed. He paid the worried glances and warnings of his employers no heed, assuring them that he was fine. He could handle it. As long as he didn't have to think about the encounter with the American Alpha. And his mind would wander back to that day as soon as he was in his small apartment all by himself with no one to talk to.
Only when Crumpet, his petite Scottish Fold kitten, complained about his continued absence he settled his shift plan so he could come home to check on and feed the little fur ball at least twice a day aside from mornings and nights. The cat was the only thing that provided him comfort these days and he was glad to have it around. Disappointing it made his heart ache.
So Arthur laid there, curled up on the couch in his living room, and cradled the lovely little creature to his chest. Some random TV show was filling the room with soft noises. Arthur couldn't care less. His eyes didn't perceive any of the figures tootling across the screen. His mind was far, far away, back in Matthew's cosy little café when Jones had dragged him into the bathroom. For the first time he'd had to experience how weak his body was now, how easily he'd had abided by the Alpha's demands.
Angry tears were stinging in the corner of his eyes. He'd always despised his Nature but even more so he despised the weakness that came with it. It reminded him too much of the way his childhood had come to an end, when his brothers would exclude him from their games all of sudden. Or how he felt when he woke up in that dreary hospital room, the day he lost everything he had worked for. His career. His wealth. His reputation.
Mutely he cried himself to sleep.
.
When he got to work a couple of days later Roderich, the owner of a small music bar, approached him directly upon his arrival. Arthur suspected that something was off but still, he wasn't prepared for the news the other had in store for him. He was led into the small office at the back of the bar, following Roderich's motion to sit down in front of the desk.
"Arthur," he spoke calmly, voice and expression unfathomable, "I've been going through our finances recently and I've come to a very unfortunate decision." Arthur panicked slightly albeit didn't show his distress. Please don't tell me. "I am very sorry but I have to tell you that we are no longer in need of your services." Roderich's voice remained awfully professional, as if reading out a standardised letter of cancellation.
Arthur sat there in silence for a while fighting against the lump forming in his throat. "May I ask why all of sudden?" he forced out, trying to sound polite.
The bespectacled man in front him seemed conflicted. "As I have already told you. We've been having less customers than usual for a while now and you are the bartender we have employed most recently." That part at least was true and Arthur grimly acknowledged it. "We simply cannot afford the amount of workforce we are currently paying. I'm sorry." Roderich felt guilty. That part was only a half-truth but the man on the phone had assured him that Arthur already had a new job that he only had to accept. It was better for the bar and probably also better for Arthur. He'd been overworking himself lately and the Austrian wasn't the only one who was under the impression that the Omega has been getting thinner and paler during the past couple of weeks. He had taken far too many night shifts but he'd been too stubborn to listen to any warning voices.
"I wish you the best luck for your future. Your working attitude is remarkable." A last handshake was exchanged and last words of goodbye were spoken before Arthur put on his jacket again and exited the bar. Outside, the icy cold wind was soughing and biting mercilessly into his skin. Defeated, he trudged down the street. He was in no hurry as there was nothing else he could do right now. When spotting another bar, not far from his his home now, he decided he could as well have a drink or two right now. Just to drown his sorrows for one night.
.
Life was even harder for Arthur now. Not wanting to use up the remnants of his savings he cut down his outgoings. It wasn't pretty but he'd faced worse, and so he managed. Keep calm and carry on, Arthur. He liked to remind himself of that famous British motto, it comforted him even if he could only distinctly remember anything of his home country. He'd been four years old when his family moved across the Pond.
Only when his other job was cancelled as well – the only one he had beside the one at Matthew's café – he was seriously alarmed. Now his earnings would by no means suffice any longer. Selling some of his expensive pieces of furniture would only help him out temporarily. He needed to find a new job, though luck wasn't exactly on his side these days.
December elapsed fairly uneventfully. Arthur found himself working over the holidays but he didn't mind. There was no reason for him to celebrate after all that had happened in the past year. Matthew stopped by to check on him and Madelaine, one of the cooks who had also stayed behind with him. He begrudgingly gave him the present his idiotic brother had gotten for the Briton and Arthur appreciated the gesture more than he wanted to. He wanted to resent it the way he resented the arrogant Alpha bastard but for some reason he couldn't. It was genuinely cheering him up a little after his life crashing down on him recently.
Matthew treated him for breakfast before the place actually opened. It was Matthew who broke the comfortable silence between them first. "Arthur? Did you make any progress finding work?"
Lowering his gaze onto the table he fiddled a little with the crimson wrapping paper of Alfred's gift, it was dotted with tiny golden stars. Eventually he shook his head in resignation. "No, nothing."
The other blonde sighed. It was obvious he wasn't liking the suggestion he was going to make in the slightest. "Arthur," he began, hesitating. "I know you aren't fond of the idea and frankly, neither am I, but given your current situation maybe you should reconsider Alfred's offer."
Arthur's head shot up, emerald eyes staring at him in bewilderment. Judging by the look Matthew felt as if he had suddenly grown a third arm. "I'm aware the talk with him wasn't pretty and he isn't good at controlling his instincts at times," he went on, ignoring Arthur's snort, "but deep down he isn't a bad person. Believe me."
The green-eyed man averted his gaze again, unsure how to react. "I suppose," he finally spoke with a bitter, humourless laugh on his lips, "I suppose I have no choice on that matter, do I?"
Matthew reached out and took his hand in sympathy, assuring him to keep an eye on his brother's whims.
And so stood here marvelling at the skyscraper proudly stretching towards the clouds. The morning sun was reflected by the gleaming glass facade. Jones Consulting Services Inc. read a glossy sign above the entrance. If the idiot stayed true to his words he'd be working here soon with Jones as his boss. Massive eyebrows knitted together in a scowl at such a grim and gloomy prospect. Taking a last deep breath he stepped into the vast foyer of the building.
Oh Artie~ Working for Alfie surely won't be that horrible.
I genuinely feel bad about making Arthur suffer so much in this chapter and again on Alfred's behalf (even though he doesn't know that). And as I have mentioned at the beginning, Alfred is a bastard right now but you'll certainly all forgive him later on. *winks*
I had Liechtenstein in mind when describing the girl in Alfred's office. And fem!Canada might as well be a cook at Mattie's café. I don't like Nyotalia, though. And that character will most likely not be mentioned again anyway.
And yay for the Awesome..eh...I meant "Idiot Trio" XD
I really should get some school work done. And fix my Hungary Cardverse Cosplay. Meeh, someone stepped on my frill at a costume ball in May and it tore a little. D: Nope, that wasn't like four months ago already /D
Aaaand I ought to clean up my room. *looks around* That might be even more overdue than sewing that damn frill on x.X XD I'll try and update until Friday again though before leaving for Kassel. ;3
Let me know what you think :)
