Admittedly, I had no clue at first what to do with this chapter but somehow I pieced it together. I know exactly what's going to happen in the next ones but this...oh well, hope you enjoy it anyway! So sorry that it took so long D:
By the way, Connichi was AWESOME! *w* It's always been one of my favourite cons and it still is. Saturday was a little rainy but it was bearable I suppose, especially with a comfortable cosplay (Amy from Doctor Who). We also took part in a DW/500 Miles music video. :D
And Sunday was nice and sunny at least and we could take some pictures in our APH Cardverse costumes. As always we met lots of great people, had fun, spent too much money, ate sushi etc. I was curious about the parade for Kassel's 1100th anniversary though. They even encouraged cosplayers to participate and we thought it would pass by the city hall where the con's taking place but apparently it didn't :O Or we missed it. Oh well.. XD
And next week is going to be HELL D: Preparations for our finals. And our history teacher is crazy =w= We can study like ALL facts and dates from 1789 to 1914 within that one week...and write an Abitur exam in all our main subjects, as an exercise...
Sorry, I won't bother you with my rambling any longer. Just needed to whine a little /D Thanks to everyone who read/followed/faved this. Never even dreamed of so much support! And special thanks to :
chibi-unicorn-girl, Elizaveta Hedervary, Wall-flower Hermit, Dreiks, Peteeter, innervoice, avidreader, khaji-da lover, BishieHunterReno, Maria Fremont, alguien22792, xBluieLovex, Awesome Empress, Q3APo, mochiusagi, Francislovesyaoi, El Tord, ShadowNightRose18, TheBlueQueen, two Guests, 01blackcat02 and another Guest
for the reviews, kind words and birthday wishes! You truly are the best!
Disclaimer: Hetalia Axis Powers and the portrayed characters belong to Hidekaz Himaruya and Gentosha Comics!
Chapter Six – An Unexpected Turn
"How's the search for a mate going, hun?"
If there was was something that didn't surprise Alfred any more it was his mother's bluntness. No conventional nothings were exchanged after a brief "Hi, Mom" and "Hello, Alfred". No, she went straight to the point.
Groaning inwardly the Alpha forced himself to stay polite. "Mom, there is nothing going on between me and anyone at the moment. With the company I can barely find the time to catch some sleep." He knew, however, what his mother thought of his career-oriented mindset and he mentally prepared himself for a sermon that was surely about to come after his reply.
He was also aware that his mother was known for spontaneous actions. Her answer, though, even excelled his wildest expectations by far. "Darling, I know you'll probably dislike the news but I signed you up at a dating agency."
The words took some moments to sink in. "You did what?" Surely his mother was joking. She had to be joking. Quickly checking his calendar he ensured he hadn't missed April Fool's Day. "You can't do that without my consent."
"You'd be surprised. There is no need for the future member to sign or even be present for the registration." His mother's deadpan words hit him like a truck. The last thing that he needed right now was yet another burden to carry. Not that he'd told anyone but mating and settling down was one of the things he had completely crossed out from his agenda. Why risk losing the little freedom he had left next to dragging a financially stricken company out of a nasty crisis?
"You could have at least asked me beforehand," he grumbled, mood worsening by the minute.
"Now, now, don't be like that. I'm coming over soon to take you to the first interview. I picked one of the most highly recommended agencies in New York." Though nothing his mother would tell him about whatever dreadful agency she'd come up with made the notion any less grim and defeating.
"That doesn't rouse my interest in dating at all."
"Just give it a try, would you?"
"Why does it matter so much? Name me one good reason why I should shoulder another weight above everything else? My job is stressful enough as it is." He'd had enough of his thick-headed mother. She'd never cared as much for him as she did for Matthew so why bothering him all of sudden?
Knowing her stubborn son she was well-prepared and knew where to strike. "You know that unmated Alphas or Omegas at your age already aren't well-perceived in our society. The older you grow the more it will damage your reputation and suitable Omegas are increasingly harder to find as years pass."
There was nothing he could retort to this. He knew exactly that this was but the crude and bitter truth and his mother knew exactly that he couldn't say that he didn't care and he cursed her for that.
"All right." As cruel as it was he knew he had no choice but accepting his fate. There was no point in arguing with his mother. She would win. She always did. Perhaps he could find someone as pragmatic as he was himself, a partner more than a mate. "I'll take a look at it."
A victorious grin that didn't go unnoticed spread over her features. It was noticeable in her gleeful tone. "I'll fly over next week. Bye, bye, sweetie. And tell Mattie I said hi."
"Will do. Bye." And the line disconnected.
For the second time of the day he felt the need to punch something.
.
When he met up with Matthew for lunch he'd lost his appetite once and for all. Absently he pecked at his food. First, Arthur had reproached him with his own horrid behaviour and on top of that his mother had broken the most dreadful news imaginable to him. What, for heaven's sake, had he done to deserve such a sickening punishment?
Before that vicious, treacherous voice in his head could reprimand him again about his misdemeanour his brother interjected. "What's bothering you?" Genuine worry shone in violet eyes. "You haven't even touched your meal yet."
Alfred stared at his plate for a moment where his burger was still arranged neatly and invitingly, like on a huge, glossy advertising poster. Only the fries were holed by his persistently picking fork. Furiously he began to tell him of their mother's actions. He carefully left his earlier argument with Arthur out of his tales, knowing his brother still watched over the British Omega like a hawk, even more so when he had quit his job at The Pancake Factory.
To Alfred's astonishment Matthew didn't look all that surprised or exasperated, a tiny amount of relief even tainting his expression of empathy. He let the Alpha rant about the unjustness of it all, how she couldn't do that to him and how she'd always picked on him even when the two boys were still in their diapers, but his reaction certainly wasn't the desired or expected one.
"Alfred, perhaps she isn't even wrong." Sensing the protests that were forming in his brother's throat he quickly and efficiently cut them off. "Now listen, I know of your reluctance regarding mating or marriage. But she's right. Do you really want to become the favourite subject of those filthy boulevard magazines?"
Childishly puffing his cheeks Alfred refused to let him know of his silent acknowledgement. "Since when do they write about managers? I'm not a Hollywood star involved in dirty drug excesses."
Matthew remained determined. "Eventually they will. Because despite you're not the typical celebrity, a famous and unmated Alpha is still a real gift for those scavengers."
"I don't care." Insecurity was well-hidden behind a stubborn and confident tone, though it wasn't enough to fool Matthew.
"You do care. If not about what people are saying it's about your own career. Furthermore –" the other stressed, "a recent study proved the negative effects on an Alpha's or Omega's health and personality if they're spending too many years of their life unmated. Alpha's may become overly aggressive if their primal needs aren't satisfied. I'm not saying that that applies to everyone but as long as there is a chance I feel obligated to protect you from that. Understood?"
Well, that was unexpected. It took him some time to process the given information, not only the impending problems connected with his family's plans for him to settle down with someone but also the underlying meaning of his brother's well-prepared argumentation. "Are you...are you implying that you knew? What Mom's been doing I mean." He couldn't hide the sound of betrayal in his question. And there he had hoped to seek comfort and understanding with his twin brother, his constant ally, the one he shared everything with from the very beginning of his life. But then again the other had always had strong ties with their mother that he would never possess.
"Yes, Al, exactly. I even encouraged it," he admitted. "Don't give me that look now. We were worried about you. The insane amount of time you've been spending in office, the sudden mood swings lately, the lack of appetite –" he paused to direct a meaningful look at Alfred's plate. "Your current lifestyle is anything but healthy."
Alfred felt miserable now, but also an uncontrollable fury started to burn in his veins. Earlier he had kept reassuring himself that there was indeed no way of his day getting any worse but karma seemed to be urged to once again demonstrate its disdain towards him. "There are plenty of unmated Alphas at my age. And how might a mate even help improve my situation? Why won't you grant me the little freedom remaining next to my job?"
"And who, pray tell, is that?" He completely ignored the second part of Alfred's reply.
"What about Gil? Or Sadiq? He's even in the same business as I am," he shot back, rage growing.
Immune to his brother's Alpha powers Matthew kept his cool, continuing in a smooth and deadpan voice. "And Gilbert is a prime example for a recommendable lifestyle? With his exorbitant consumption of alcohol and his involvement in illegal businesses? I know you were friends at college but grow up." The half-Canadian knew he'd struck a nerve with that remark but it was too late to take his words back.
"You know what? I'm fed up with you two bossing me around. I'm twenty four years old and last time I checked that means all grown up." Without so much as looking at his brother – or his lunch – he got up and stalked out of the restaurant, the cool air outside momentarily piercing his heated skin.
In the following days he ignored any incoming calls by either his mother or his twin brother. He could barely recall the last time he had fought with the timid, purple-eyed Omega and usually it was for the sake of protecting Matthew.
However, if there was one noticeable, positive change in Alfred it was his strangely paced and patient behaviour. He'd secretly sworn to show his conspiring family that he was perfectly capable of controlling his Nature without the gentle traits of an Omega complementing him. It evoked pleasant surprise yet also suspicions among his staff.
While some were simply grateful about his suddenly bearable attitude others rumoured as to what could possibly tame their boss. Arthur who had vowed to stay out of the ridiculous whispering concentrated on his work and paid the gossiping women in his office no heed.
To his horror, though, one day he was approached by one of the tattlers. A light orange flower adorned her curly, dark blonde hair and a mischievous glint shone in big green eyes.
"Arthur," she chirped in a sing-sang voice. "Without meaning to offend you, is there anything going on between you and Mr Jones?" Well, that was straightforward.
Arthur choked on his tea and stared at the woman in utter disbelief. He didn't even know her by name and there she presumed to have the right to inquire about his private life. And more importantly, what on earth had even led her to such preposterous assumptions? Him and that thick-headed Alpha idiot? That's what all the gossip of the past days was about? He could hardly believe it.
"Excuse me?" Mentally counting to ten he struggled to gain control over his nasty temper. "I have no clue what gave you the idea but I can assure you that your assumptions are completely false. And it's `Mr Kirkland´ to you," he bit out mechanically. Not knowing for how long he could maintain his composure he excused himself and swiftly dashed out the door. He definitely needed some fresh air.
.
To prevent another of these humiliating rumours he made sure to avoid any contact with Jones as much as possible. Of course his job didn't allow him to evade him altogether but he refrained from making any unnecessary conversation with him. Earlier after the other had stopped his unjust treatment their relationship had somewhat improved. Arthur would tease him about his unhealthy diet or his dishevelled appearance when he'd once again overslept and Alfred would in turn mock him for his own unruly hair or his stuck up "old man" behaviour.
They weren't on an entirely amicable level but their bickering lacked genuine menace.
Now, after Elizaveta's – as the woman's name had turned out to be – outrageous speculation he only talked to him, or even acknowledged his presence, when absolutely necessary. He even e-mailed him most of the documents he had formerly delivered him in person.
Alfred, in turn, wondered what happened all of sudden when Arthur refused to talk to him unless spoken to directly. He knew it was none of his business and he probably deserved no more from the other after all he had done to him but he hated it. He despised his cold attitude. After Arthur had approached him about his working conditions he had come to the conclusion that breaking him didn't bring him the desired satisfaction, even if it met his initial aim of revenge.
Seeing the other's loneliness and then considering his own he had hoped to befriend him. He knew from their encounter at Mattie's café that there was something alluring about the British blonde. Something that had captured his curiosity. Perhaps it was the fact that he was possibly the only Omega – excluding his mother and his twin – who had ever dared defying him.
With their playful fights he had thought that their relationship had made some progress after all.
Sighing silently he idly spun around in his chair, a habit of his, he realised, that had become awfully frequent.
Arthur felt extremely nervous at the thought of the news he was about to break to his boss. Suddenly he was reminded of the first time he had entered that room. His fist lingered inches from that dreaded wooden door, hesitating to knock as he tried to gather his courage to talk to Alfred.
Stop being ridiculous. You're getting worked up over nothing at all. Taking a deep breath he hammered precisely two times against the dark wood, as always.
Knock, knock. He carefully opened the door to peek inside. "Mr Jones? Sorry for interrupting-"
Gemlike, cerulean eyes shot up immediately from whatever paper the American was currently reading. "Mr Kirkland! Come in, you aren't bothering me. In fact I needed a break from this." With a dramatical gesture he motioned towards his desk where files and documents were piling up.
"Thank you." Arthur shuffled shyly towards his boss, taking the seat offered to him. He fidgeted a little in the plush chair and stared down at his hands, unsure how to approach the issue. The soft padding all of sudden wasn't that comfortable any more.
"Look at me." The Alpha's voice was gentle but demanding. "Why did you come to see me?"
Involuntarily his head jerked up and green met blue. The Omega firmly held Alfred's intense stare. "Well, I just wanted to inform you that I most likely won't be able to make it to work next week." His voice lacked confidence by the end of the sentence and finally he averted his eyes. Anything concerning his Nature had always made him feel small and weak.
Under the examining gaze Arthur felt his cheeks redden slightly. From the corner of his eye he could make out the other's clueless expression until understanding slowly dawned upon him. "Oh, oh. You're going into–"
"Yes, yes! No need to say it out loud." The Omega's face was on fire now.
Unimpressed by the other's reaction Alfred went on. "You're going into heat, huh? You'll need to hand in an attestation by your doctor then. There's no need to be ashamed. It's a very natural thing."
At that the Brit quickly tried to regain his composure and scowled, the blush, however, still prominent. "I am aware and still, it's uncomfortable to me to talk about it openly." With a mute sigh he let his shoulders slump a little, blank eyes fixed a non-existent point on the mahagony table. He was tired. No words described his resentment, his disgust, towards the torturous ordeal he underwent four times a year.
The sight of Arthur lacking his usual fire evoked a strange heaviness within Alfred and it grew even more pressing when he realised what exactly he'd been aiming at only a couple of days ago. Had he really wanted his former opponent to break and admit defeat to him, succumbing to Alfred's power?
Seeing the shorter blonde slumped like this made his chest ache. This wasn't the person who intrigued him, who challenged him, who irked him beyond belief. The miserable man in front of him was too unlike Arthur.
"Arthur," the Alpha tested the sound of the name on his tongue. He'd used it before but never in this context. Not in such a personal conversation. "I know you aren't very fond of your Nature. But please don't be ashamed of yourself. We haven't met on the best terms imaginable but it would hurt anyone with a heart seeing you hating what you are."
"As if you knew what you're talking about. You'll never know. You'll never have to experience it. You have the chance to do everything I ever aspired and worked for." The fire in his eyes had very much returned but his expression was contorted in pain. "So don't you dare lecturing me about resenting what keeps me from pursuing my dreams." He was prepared for the scene in the restroom repeating itself and yet he couldn't care less. With the hormons of his pre-heat already coursing through his body there was no way he could tame his emotions at the moment.
He was prepared to be put in his position by force, sensing the other's disdain of his kind words being brushed off so blatantly. But instead he felt no force or aggression in the warm hand landing on his shoulder. Looking up hesitantly he was greeted by a warm and gentle look.
"Sorry– " he began but he was cut off immediately by the Alpha.
"No, I'm sorry. You're right. I don't know anything about you or what you've been going through. But you should know that Omegas aren't the only ones who are pressured by society or their parents or the general public." Sighing inwardly the the unspoken question in the Omega's eyes he continued. "My mother is dead-set on getting me hooked up with someone. It's not even funny." He emitted a humourless laugh. "I've been ignoring her calls for days now."
"Oh?" Suddenly intrigued Arthur couldn't help asking. "Why is that?"
"Apparently it's unbecoming of an Alpha of my status to remain unmated for long. It would damage both my family's and the company's reputation." He shook his head incredulously. Why was he telling him that? "Too bad I never planned on marrying and settling down."
"I'm sorry to hear that." At loss for anything better to say he averted his gaze, looking out of the window.
"Don't be." The smile had returned to his features. "But know that you aren't the only one who is troubled by his Nature sometimes."
A few minutes of silence passed between them before Arthur spoke up again. "I'll see you in a week again, then." He extended his hand for Alfred to take, giving him an unreadable look.
"Yes, good-bye then. And remember sending me an attestation."
When Arthur exited the building that day he still couldn't believe that he'd honestly had a decent, private conversation with the American Alpha. Sensing that thinking about it too much would only give him a headache he did his best to push it at the back of his mind before heading to the nearest Subway station.
Hope the chapter was worth the wait. :O I hope I won't be too busy next week so I can update sooner next time. :3
Tell me what you think. :)
