Yay faster update because the preparations are much more relaxed than I expected XD Haha. Though I'm wondering why my history teacher gave us sources to analyse about a topic we're talking about in class at the moment. Would make more sense to recap something like Napoleon or 1848 which we talked about months ago :O And generally, it doesn't make sense to do this so early. :O Hardly anyone has begun to study yet. Our exams are in January. owo
Lol, by the way I'm very pleased with the outcome of the elections :D With all the hate tweets the CDU got from my followers on twitter I'm feeling kinda obligated to stress my support. :O Honestly we're doing better than most of Europe. Germans really tend to whine and complain about everything. orz. And I really hate it when people are judging you because of your political opinion. ;;
Guess this AN at the beginning has become some sort of diary of mine lol. XD Feel free to skip!
Just as always, a special thanks goes to those AWESOME people who left a review:
A Guest, chibi-unicorn-girl, Q3APo, Dreiks, El Tord, khaji-da lover, xBluieLovex, uskoic, Wall-flower Hermit, J-J-ANIME-ROCKS, mochiusagi and cheezu
Disclaimer: Hetalia Axis Powers and the portrayed characters belong to Hidekaz Himaruya and Gentosha Comics!
Chapter Seven – Issues
That night, when Arthur woke up, heavy tremors were shaking his body and he was feeling uncomfortably feverish. Groaning he pressed the pillow down on his head and holed up under his blanket with a silent plea on his lips.
Please, just let me sleep and forget about this for a few more hours.
Far too tired to move albeit too aroused to escape back into blessed unconsciousness he remained in a torturous state somewhere in between. His groin was itchy and his hole emitted that warm, sticky substance, slick, desperate to be filled, stretched, stuffed-
He stifled his whimpers, or wanton cries, he dared not to find out, grabbing whatever he could get a hold of to maintain his sanity. His bed - or nest, he reminded himself - was a mess of pillows, blankets and old stuffed animals, anything soft or plush that may or may not provide him comfort during the quarterly recurrent ordeal. They were scented with artificial Alpha pheromones, a vain investment he had made in utter despair after suffering through his first heat cycle in years. The industry boomed, wrapping up useless chemicals in fancy packaging, making false promises to lonely and vulnerable individuals.
The next cry was mingled with an incoherent string of curse words as he thought of that vendor with her fake smile and smooth lies leaving her lips. Why, again, had he fallen for that?
As if on cue another impulse shook his spine before spreading down to every single nerve ending and he'd almost, almost bent down to retrieve that forsaken box hidden in a far corner under his bed. No, not yet. He didn't need that just yet.
It only took hours, though, for his resistance to wilt and soon he caught himself getting hold of one of those toys buried deeply in that bloody box.
"I changed my mind, I'm not going to that damn agency." Alfred was very close to demolishing his office in rage if she didn't drop this rigorous idea this instant. Why anyone of his staff would even transfer her call to him when he explicitly instructed them not to was beyond him. Here, he admitted, he missed Arthur. Not even once during his time at the company had he let him down.
"I'm already on my way to your office to pick you up," she informed him casually, completely ignorant of his objections. "And I already made a deposit for their services."
Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes Alfred did his best to remain cool when replying. That was awfully typical of her, always indulging herself in matters that were none of her business, going as far as making rash payments. "I told you. Maybe you should have consulted me beforehand. Not after spending unnecessary sums. It's your own fault. I don't even get why it is even possible to get someone registered at a dating agency without their consent – or knowledge – to begin with."
On that she seemed to ponder for some moments. Alfred welcomed the short silence even if it could mean the calm before the tornado as well. Before she finally spoke up again she let out a weary sigh as if arguing with the same point for the umpteenth time. "You really don't seem to get it, do you? Unlike some people," her voice carrying particular menace at that remark, "the general public still treasures the values our society was built upon. Neither Alphas nor Omegas are meant to spend their lives alone."
"Mom, welcome to the 21st century. That way of thinking was even outdated back when you were going to high school." Truth be told, the development of their society wasn't exactly his forte but he knew that the cries for a more liberal system grew louder and louder by day. His generation needed to speak up against an old-fashioned, discriminating opinion that was remaining persistently in the heads of their elders and lawmakers. That way, Omegas were still denied higher education as their "sole purpose lay in securing the continuity of mankind." Alphas, while required for procreation just as much as Omegas, took leading positions in politics and companies while Omegas raised the offspring after giving birth. Although Betas were the most efficient workers Alphas beat them in leadership skills.
Nothing he said would convince her, though. "Darling, I know this isn't easy for you. I wish I could have kept you from tasting such rebellious ideas. But one day you will see that keeping things the way they are will benefit everyone." Unbeknownst to him his mother had also suffered under society's restrictions.
"If you say so," Alfred snorted. "But I'm still not going to that stupid interview. I don't have the time to take the day off." With that he hung up and pushed the phone away from him. He could still take care of the treacherous employee later that day.
After the conversation he found himself unable to concentrate on his work again. Thinking back he recalled the underlying sadness in his mother's voice as she had desperately tried to convince him of the righteousness of the current social order. He suddenly wondered if there was some story, some truth that she hid from him. Maybe she had suffered just like Arthur before painfully accepting her position in life. He wondered if Arthur's defiant attitude would diminish some day as well.
A frustrated cry erupted Arthur's throat as he finished. Again. For the eighth time that day if he'd counted correctly. Though it wasn't enough and it would never be. Tears stung in the corner of his eyes, he tended to be awfully emotional during these periods. No toy and no miraculous chemicals could ever provide him with what he so desperately needed, what he craved like the air to breathe. As much as he hated to admit it he felt like a fish in the desert. He needed someone to hold him, to cuddle up to after finishing, a warm weight on top of him and strong arms enveloping him and most importantly he needed someone who was able to knot inside him.
For a brief second an image of a set of familiar blue eyes with familiar blonde hair on top flashed through his mind but before could realise – or freeze in shock at – what he had just thought it was already gone. Disappeared into the haze.
But it wouldn't leave him alone. Alfred's face would re-appear several more times over the week and each time it would last longer and manifest itself more clearly. He would dream about the Alpha doing all those things that he craved, he would silence his desperate pleas for relief and hold him close afterwards.
At some point Arthur couldn't even bring himself to be ashamed of those fantasies any more. He didn't care in the slightest.
Only on Friday - his peak lay three days in the past already - when his urgent needs slowly dissipated and the afterglow of his most recent orgasm ebbed away he came to his senses. Horror and utter mortification were holding him in an iron grip. He couldn't believe what had happened during that past few days. How could he have let his mind run away like that? And how for heavens sake was he to face his employer ever again?
Yes, Alfred was the only Alpha he was relatively close to – or rather, that he came in contact to on a regular basis – so fantasies about him were to be expected when the brute force of instincts took over his mind and sure, the other would never know but nevertheless, he knew he couldn't ever look him in the eyes again.
A bit shakily he got to his feet, slowly making his way to the bathroom. Despite not wanting to know how he looked like he still risked a peek in the mirror. His hair was even messier than usual, sticky with sweat and slightly greasy from yielding personal hygiene to primal needs. His face was still a bit flushed.
Overall he felt completely wrung out. His heat always demonstrated him how utterly lonely he felt after all. While he managed quite well without a mate the majority of the year his heats were the only periods he could hardly face alone. He was defenceless and vulnerable and needy and he couldn't help it.
Before he got wrapped up in hormone-based, over-emotional thoughts he stepped into the shower and washed thoroughly.
If there was one thing, Alfred F. Jones couldn't stand it was boredom. As much as he hated his stressful position sometimes it would never be as abhorrent as little to do he swiveled around in his chair staring into space. Normally he would end up one floor below and bother his new employee but said one was absent still.
What the other was probably doing right now? No, wrong question. He certainly shouldn't think about that. Shaking off the graphic image he sought distraction elsewhere. Perhaps he could find some work to do. Or he could grab something to eat. Sounded even better in Alfred's ears.
On his way out, his thoughts wandered to Matthew whom he still hadn't spoken to since their argument. He barely ever fought with his twin brother and the other constituted a such consistent, unshakable pillar in his life that he hadn't even noticed just how important he was to him. Of course, he'd always played a crucial role in his life but only now that he was gone, he noticed just how much it upset him.
Finally he had found an occupation for the uneventful afternoon. He'd visit him at the café, get a pancake, patch things up and everything would be just dandy. Fine like it always was.
Arriving at The Pancake Factory he was told, though, that his dear brother wasn't there. No, he had taken the whole day off to spend it with his new boyfriend.
"Boyfriend? Why wasn't I informed?" Alfred barked, exasperated at the news. He was now the oldest Alpha in the family, so someone had to inform him when his Omega brother had a lover.
The waitress in front of him shivered, sensing his fury, and shifted into a more guarded position. She had seen the Alpha plenty of times and was decidedly not comfortable in his presence. There was something about him setting her off. The lack of pace perhaps?
"I don't know," she uttered shyly, averting her eyes.
"All right," Alfred replied, pensive, calmer now seeing that he wouldn't gather much more information from the timid waitress. "Thanks for telling me though." He forced out a smile before turning to leave.
He went back outside, not knowing where he was wandering exactly, too many things on his mind at once. His fight with Mattie, his brother's new lover, and also his annoying mother who had seriously dared to show up after her phone call. She had literally dragged him by his ear to that blasted agency where he was to note down his character traits, hobbies, likes and dislikes and so on.
Later on upon prompting why she was even let into the building without anyone calling him Heracles, the other receptionist besides Antonio had only shrugged, apparently clueless what he was talking about. He assumed that the Greek had fallen asleep on duty, again, and found it hard to contain his anger. Despite his impulsiveness, however, he found it hard to fire people, once he had gotten to know them.
To strangers he could be cold and manipulative, even violent if it was necessary but never to his friends or closer acquaintances. As long as his authority was respected he kept his bright, carefree and cheerful attitude. He was a hero after all!
Unwrapping the burger he had gotten on the way he plopped himself down on a bench in the nearby park he'd ended up in.
Arthur arrived early the next Monday he got to work. His attire gave away no sign of his cycle ever happening, hair brushed, shirt ironed crisply and his frown – or scowl – as prominent as ever. He was already typing away on his computer, uttering furious incoherent curses as he faced the mess his incompetent co-workers had left in his absence.
How he hated anyone interfering with his work. It could only result in chaos and disaster. He nipped on his water, as the company still seemed to lack tea and never would he sink low enough to even touch that stinking, disgusting beverage people called coffee, and went back to sorting files and messages of the past week.
Far too absorbed in his work he didn't notice a figure sneaking up behind him, until –
"Morning, Artie~" Two large hands fell heavily down on his shoulders.
"Bloody hell," screeched Arthur, jumping out of his seat. He swore his heart just stopped momentarily. Regaining his composure he turned around slowly to glare daggers at his annoying boss. He was about to chide him extensively but when his gaze met those seas of blue a very unfortunate image flicked through his mind.
Without saying anything he turned around again and replied impassively. "I'd appreciate you to refer me as Mr Kirkland. Thank you."
Alfred, however, just watched his reaction in bemusement, taking a bite from an overpriced croissant he had just bought at the street corner after waking up late. He chuckled. "Nice to see you, too." The remark held no bite though.
They fell silent and Arthur, still aware of Alfred's presence, couldn't help but feeling awkward with blue eyes still piercing right through his back. Why was the other still here if he didn't give him any tasks or instructions? His position was tense and rigid, his movements mechanical.
After three minutes of silence, that frankly felt more like an hour or two, he couldn't take it anymore. "Mr Jones, if there is anything you need me to do, please tell me so." Stealing a quick glance he caught the other gazing at him pensively before flashing him his usual, bright, idiotic smile.
"Nah, just continue with what you were doing before..last week." The short pause was barely noticeable but it was there nonetheless.
Arthur pretended to have missed it, turning around and forcing out a quick "All right then."
Holding his breath he hid his face behind the screen until the Alpha had finally left.
Relax yourself, he mentally chided himself. It's not like he's ever going to know about your nightly fantasies last week. They mean nothing.
Yes, nothing at all indeed.
The day continued quite uneventfully. No unpleasant surprises, hassles or interruptions. No nosy colleagues, no annoying Alphas, not even troublesome clients. Arthur could get used to this.
The next couple of days passed in a similar pattern. Alfred would wish him good morning, all smiling and laughing, with a cheerful, boisterous voice so loud that every late riser would probably wish him a slow and painful death. Just like Michelle, an accountant situated in an office on the same floor and visiting Elizaveta quite frequently, who would never understand how any human being could "thrive with such an amount of energy so early in the morning."
Arthur didn't mind though. Not even on weekends he could stay in bed longer than eight o'clock, and apart from that he had learned to ignore the Alpha quite effectively. He had pushed the memories of his most recent heat at the back of his mind and he needed no reminder of the graphic images involving his boss.
But knowing his luck he should've known better than to trust in the momentary peace. Unbeknownst to him a certain American was anything but happy with the ignorance that he'd been receiving. After their private conversation that now already lay two weeks back he had thought to have finally crossed a threshold towards the Briton.
All of sudden, however, their relationship had become as distant as always again for no explicable reason. While they hadn't been friends the other had at least talked to him, even instigated a chat himself at times. It might have been more for the sake of scolding him playfully about his greasy diet, his sometimes unruly attire when he was running late – like today but the other hadn't even given him so much as a disproving glance –, or his tendencies for childish behaviour like pouting, pulling pranks on his employees or calling people by ridiculous nicknames. But he didn't care. Anything short of complete ignorance was fine with him.
None of his obnoxious traits seemed to spark an emotion in his secretary any more, though.
That day, when Arthur left his office at five pm sharp Alfred was lurking just around the corner in the hallway, only to sneak in the elevator behind him. Got'cha! He smiled gleefully, mentally applauding himself.
The Omega remained unimpressed, pointedly fixing some point ahead of him. But then, the Alpha hit a button to halt the elevator, finally, finally causing the other to cast him a wary, questioning look. Other than that he remained calm though, waiting for Alfred to do or say something.
The gazes they exchanged soon evolved into a staring contest, both refusing to speak first.
Arthur lost, eyes flickering down. "Would you be so kind to set this bloody thing in motion again?" He looked back at Alfred expectantly.
"Don't worry, I will. But I needed to talk to you first." The Alpha's tone was firm, not leaving any option of objection.
"And you couldn't wait until we were downstairs or talk to me in the course of the day because –?" He folded his arms in front of his chest protectively, involuntarily taking a small step back. He couldn't help feeling uncomfortable in this contraption.
Feigning Arthur's defensive reaction had gone by unnoticed Alfred stayed where he was, speaking in a calming voice. "You've been ignoring me, avoiding eye contact, been reluctant to speak to me. Am I making you uncomfortable? I know I'm not the nicest boss sometimes but I have no intention to make my employees unhappy."
Ah, well. What was he going to reply to that? 'I've been avoiding you because I had dirty fantasies about you screwing me' was out of question. "Well, it's not that. It's just–" Bloody hell, that was awkward. "I realised that it's highly unbecoming of an employee and an employer to talk in such a familiar way. I mean all the insults and whatnot that we directed at each other." Hoping the other didn't sense his nervousness when telling such a poorly woven lie, his gaze shifting anxiously to an fro, never quite meeting Alfred's cerulean ones.
Why again did his self-confidence become so short-lived in Alfred's presence? He usually managed quite well despite his inferiority as an Omega.
"There is no need to worry about that," Alfred gently disrupted his troubled mind. "I can tell that you don't mean it. And you should know not to take me so seriously when I call you an old man. I would let you know if I was genuinely offended." Arthur suppressed a shiver at the last remark.
The Briton looked up, a bit at a loss. What was he supposed to reply to that? Now he didn't have an excuse to ignore the other's presence. "O-okay, then," he stuttered, laughing halfheartedly. "That's good to know. I didn't mean to purposefully ignore you either, Mr Jones."
"Alfred. Just Alfred, the office is closed now. We're not at work," he added at the confused look that he was given.
"Okay, Alfred," he repeated. "I suppose you may call me Arthur then. When we're not in office." Putting some extra emphasis on the last part.
"All right, Artie," he chirped, pressing the button to set the elevator back in motion at last, relishing the Omega's sputtering at the nickname.
"Arthur is fine. Or we're going back to last names," he bit out, irritated, scowl deepening. He could have sworn the other had just uttered "old man" or something along these lines but sadly he had no evidence. A 'bing' finally announced his freedom. Before Alfred could make another cheeky remark about him Arthur had given him hurried words of goodbye and swiftly strode down the foyer and out the doors.
Aaaand another chappy is done. Now I really have no excuse to postpone biology any longer ;w; Might as well go and accept my fate. :'D
Hope you enjoyed this. While I was very, very unhappy with the last chapter I'm quite satisfied with this one again.
Question to all of you: Do you prefer Franada or PruCan as a side pairing? I can work with either of those, but as Gilbert will play a more significant role later on I think that might add to the drama. But like I said. Either works with me and neither will get much too much spotlight anyway, so it's up to you ;D
Tell me what you think!
