I wish I had a reasonable excuse for the tardiness of this chapter, but I don't think I have one /D I'm on break at the moment and really, looking for Au Pair organisations and buying cosplay supplies doesn't take that long. Lololol. Just me being lazy x'D

As always a huge THANK YOU to everyone who's been supporting me ;w; I really could cry tears of joy whenever I'm opening my email account and see new favs, alerts and read your thoughts on the story.

Special thanks as always goes to my lovely reviewers: xBluieLovex, Laruna SilverFox, kyouko68, El Tord, Wall-flower Hermit, Dreiks, GhostGirl, Anon, Q3APo, hexa, mochiusaige, uskoic, khaji-da lover, AndyJune, a Guest, dasavioreHyde, nekokitten, Corey5268 and LiquidConfidence.

As for my question about PruCan. Thank you for your input on that as well! You pretty much confirmed my assumptions but I was still curious if they were right. :)

Disclaimer: Hetalia Axis Powers and the portrayed characters belong to Hidekaz Himaruya and Gentosha Comics!


Chapter Nine – Pressure

"Stop being so tense. It won't work if you don't loosen up a bit."

"I am perfectly relaxed. If your hands would just stop wandering–" Arthur was irate, so much he could tell, and also embarrassed of being put in this position.

"That's the correct position, though," Alfred interjected. "Trust me, I know what I'm doing. Just follow my lead."

The night of the gala came faster than anticipated, the week passing by in a blur of preparations and awkward dancing lessons in Alfred's office. Even though dancing wasn't required at the event he couldn't pass up the opportunity to put Arthur in that flustered, awkward, adorable state. Despite their start over a tiny part of his mind still relished watching the other suffer and squirm in discomfort.

The "Childcare Partnership Ball" to support nursing homes for disabled children financially was held at an impressive mansion outside the city. It was a three storey tall building in renaissance style consisting of a cubic main body with a majestic dome on the roof and identical staircases with pointed pediments above on each side of the house; its exterior adorned by elegant, marble figurines and ancient Corinthian columns. Bright lights shone through huge, decorated windows, illuminating the lawn in front of it.

Alfred had always found it hypocritical and false to hold such events which only purpose was to serve public good at expensive, extravagant places. Instead they turned out as merry gatherings of the rich and powerful. Dreadfully hypocritical indeed, but Alfred was wise enough to keep his mouth shut, for success demanded conformity to a corrupt and ignorant society. So he straightened up his posture and put up a friendly and confident smile and told Arthur whose hands were sweating in anxiety to do the same as they walked hand in hand up to the main entrance.

"Good evening, Mister Jones," the elderly butler at the door said with a slight, polite bow, "Mister–"

"Kirkland," Alfred informed him, squeezing Arthur's hand in a reassuring manner. As the grey-haired man was out of hearing distance he gently whispered. "Smile, Arthur. No one's gonna bite your head off."

"I'm not afraid, you twit," the Omega hissed back, fed up with the other pampering him like a scared little boy on his first day of school. Secretly though, he appreciated the comforting gesture. Now that he stood here in the large carpeted hallway and stared at the huge paintings in baroque, golden frames on either side he finally came to his senses. Why again had he agreed to accompany his boss? He had no hope that anyone had forgotten about the headlines he'd made, not with his former fame and success.

"I know, Artie." The American tugged at his hand, pulling him forth and away from undesired thoughts. They left their coats at the cloakroom and climbed the stairs towards the ball room, where they were greeted by faint music and cheerful chit-chat. At first, no one took notice of the two newcomers but soon acquaintances of Alfred's scurried over to just say hello, make polite conversations or catch up over fruity cocktails. Arthur tried not to stand in the spotlight, but unfortunately Alfred wasn't known for bringing new faces to social gatherings.

"Alfred, dear, who is your friend if I may ask?" a tall, bulky man asked with a slight Russian accent and an eerie smile that sent shivers down Arthur's spine as if the room temperature had dropped by several degrees in just a second. Apparently Alfred was familiar with him, if not on the most amicable terms. The American Alpha put one arm around him protectively – or was it possessively? – and replied curtly.

"This is Arthur, one of my employees and sort of a personal assistant at my company." He gave Arthur an encouraging smile. "Arthur, this is Ivan. I know him from my days at high school." Hesitantly, the Omega took the hand offered to him.

"It's nice to make your acquaintance," he said shyly, looking up into mysterious purple eyes. Again, he shivered a little.

"The pleasure is mine, Солнышко," he replied innocently, seeming unaware of his own chilly aura. With a chuckle he added: "Never thought you two would make it to speaking terms, let alone friendly ones again."

Arthur froze, unable to believe what he just heard. "Neither did I," he managed to force out stiffly.

Another childish laugh came from the Russian. "I'm sorry, that was incredibly rude." Taking Arthur's hand he bowed down and kissed it lightly, lips barely brushing skin. To his delight he could see his rival bristle in the corner of his eye.

"Please excuse us, Ivan, we should head on," Alfred interrupted harshly; gently but determinedly guiding them through the crowd. Dread pooled in Arthur's stomach when thinking of what had just occurred. After a moment of pondering he decided to voice his concerns.

"Alfred, they all know me. It was a horrible idea to bring me of all people," he said, hating himself for his weakness. "I'd really rather not stay here much longer. I must ridicule you–"

The Alpha halted to facing him. "No way. I told you I'd show you a great time, even if these events aren't the most exciting ones. As long as you follow the etiquette no one has the right to think lowly of you. Never mind Ivan."

Arthur had doubts but remained quiet.


Indeed, he spotted recognition in most people's eyes, although they feigned polite ignorance. Arthur scrupulously avoided colleagues and people he'd once so happily worked with, tugging Alfred in a different direction whenever they neared those who'd respected then abandoned him the moment he'd been forced to reveal himself. When beholding two blonde men eying Arthur with piercing blue irises and forehead knitted in a deep frown, both in a painfully similar way, he raised his hand to shake Alfred's shoulder in alarm. The younger one, Ludwig Beilschmidt if he recalled correctly, had been his opponent in a disproportional number of cases. When Alfred took notice of them, though, his eyes lighted up and before Arthur could voice his protest he was dragged towards his doom. With strong arms snaked securely around his waist there was nowhere to run to. Besides, he wouldn't give them the satisfaction after they'd already seen and assessed him.

"Mister Erhard, Mister Beilschmidt, it's fantastic to see you again," Alfred uttered his obvious excitement, the usual handshake and chattering carried out with more vigor than necessary. Arthur was satisfied remaining a quiet observer with the two Alphas of German descent, careful to not attract any sort of attention on himself, only half-listening to the ongoing conversation.

Oblivious to his discomfort Alfred made sure to introduce him, though, flashing Arthur a smile before continuing. "Adalbert, may I introduce my newest assistant to you? This is Arthur Kirkland. Arthur, these are Adalbert Erhard and Ludwig Beilschmidt, two long time friends of my family and our advisers in legal questions."

I remember that, stupid. Arthur was seething now, humiliating like that. Had he no recollection of the case almost ruining his company? And the people involved? Arthur took the outstretched hand, aware of the look of scorn and distaste in the men's faces. They'd always been traditionalists with no merciful thought towards anyone rebelling against the norms.

At this point the tension in the air was palpable, tangible, to be cut by a knife, that even Alfred noticed it without wanting to. So he stuck with engaging them in another topic, politics, be it a bore to him or not. As long as it deviated from the stifling tenseness. To Arthur's partly relief they turned from him during their discussion, not sparing him another glance. But the American had his arm around his waist the entire time, refusing him to wander the ball room on his own while he was obviously excluded from conversation.

After about twenty minutes a fifth person approached the group. The familiar, tousled brown hair and friendly honey brown eyes could be easily overlooked in the mass of people, especially with the man's considerable height disadvantage. His booming voice, though, often was enough to compensate.

"Adalbert, old friend," he called to the blonde's irritation. Arthur, too, recognised him, his own memories of him rather fond though. He recalled professor Remus Vargas as one of the most caring and supportive teachers during his studies but he hadn't seen him once since the day he graduated.

Mister Vargas seemed to enjoy annoying the two German Alphas. He himself was a Beta who'd always disliked the strictness of Nature roles and thus also the superiority Alphas prided themselves with. He was a man to judge and respect people by their achievements and personalities, not their genetic traits. Slinging his arms around Ludwig and Adalbert, grinning like an idiot Arthur couldn't help but snicker quietly to himself.

He didn't stay long after that, but Arthur noticed his eyes flicker towards him every so often, clearly he recognised him as well yet refrained from saying anything. To Arthur's pleasant surprise they parted ways with the Germans, too, after Remus had left.


The evening continued in fairly similar patterns. Sometimes Arthur would successfully evade his old acquaintances and sometimes he wouldn't. Sometimes they'd talk to people he'd never seen or heard of before, apparently though they all knew him. After the initial pleasantries were exchanged they usually talked about friends or family or other people that Arthur didn't know. Or worse about business or politics that Arthur did know about, but wasn't allowed to engage in their discussion. An occasional joke might cause the Omega to laugh but overall it was more of a frustrating than an amusing event.

When Alfred ordered drinks and snacks for them both, though, that was the last straw, one drop that caused all the liquid frustration and anger he'd bottled up carefully to spill in a split second. Couldn't he at least ask him? "And a glass of 'The Emerald Forest' for Arthur, please," Alfred added cheerfully to his order, motioning in his direction. It was such a simple trifle but Arthur just stared at him incredulously. Being ignored by strangers in discussions that were commonly regarded as "none of an Omega's business" was one thing. Alfred following their example was another thing. After all those weeks of exchanging smiles and words of understanding Arthur had thought that Alfred was different, that he cared for or at least respected him. To see him wrong him like this made his heart hurt strangely in his chest.

He waited until he and the Alpha made eye contact before turning on his heels and hurrying through the mass of dancing and laughing guests away from Alfred, staggering there on shaky legs. You're overreacting, a voice in his head shouted. Over some stupid snacks and a bloody cocktail. Arthur shook his head as if he might shake off the annoying scolding. In the course of the evening, though, he had stifled all his anger, frustration and desperation over those haughty, arrogant faces, looking down on him like on an incapable child.

He didn't make it far before bold hands grabbed him firmly leaving him struggling and squirming futilely to wriggle out of the iron grip.

"Oi, would you hold still?" Remus asked, earnest concern laced in his voice after watching his former charge storming off in obvious distress. He felt Arthur slump in his hold, weary, desolate, defeated. "Come on, lets talk somewhere more private," he suggested with a brief glance over his shoulder to see if Alfred had spotted them yet. Fortunately not.

Out on the balcony they stood in silence for a minute, Arthur stubbornly focusing on some point in the distance refusing his former mentor to look at his troubled face. During their previous, brief conversation he hadn't been able to fathom whether or not the other was appalled or enraged by the fact that he had taught an Omega a profession reserved for Alphas and Betas, like Adalbert seemed to be. Even if it was absurd when he thought about his liberal views. Sensing his anxieties Remus placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and spoke to him in a fatherly way.

"I'm not thinking lowly of you now because of your Nature. You were a fantastic student." Arthur said nothing, still gazing into empty space. "You're upset about something." It wasn't a question but a plea at Arthur to tell him what was wrong.

"It's only me being a stupid, spoiled brat. Maybe I just shouldn't have agreed to come here with Jones," Arthur replied at long last. What else was he supposed to say? Spill out his heart to someone he'd just caught up with after two years? Besides, his problems weren't real problems, they were societal norms everyone else took for given.

Behind them a clicking sound signalled the door opening, revealing – speak of the devil – Alfred Jones, looking a bit out of breath after searching the ball room and several adjacent hallways before the idea of coming here had struck him. He had half-thought the short-tempered Omega had left the gala without a second thought after whatever crime he'd committed to upset him so much that he stormed off. He hadn't brought the Omega to make a fool out of him.

"Arthur, we need to talk. Now," he announced, his smooth voice and blank features hardly containing exasperation underneath. "In private," he added, directing a sharp glare at Remus. Reluctantly he left, shooting Arthur a last encouraging smile before closing the door behind him. The Briton stood there, insecure, gripping the banister to keep his flight instinct from taking over.

"What have I done now? I don't get you. Seriously, I've been trying to be nice to you all night. Avoiding your former colleagues, introducing you to my friends. I know these events aren't the most exciting ones but I thought it would be nice change from sitting in the office all day," Alfred didn't even stop once to grasp for air. Or look at the distressed man in front of him more closely. "And besides, I thought we had an agreement. I needed a companion because I don't want people to talk. You know, it's uncommon to be unmated at my age."

"Sorry that I've been such a bad accessory," Arthur bit out sarcastically. He hadn't even noticed the tears pooling in the corner of his eyes.

With a frustrated cry Alfred yanked at Arthur's shoulder, turning him to face him a little too forcefully. "Fuck, Arthur. Just tell me why –" Shock was evident on the Alpha's face. He hadn't meant for the other to cry. Instantly let his anger drop, wrapping the distressed Omega in his arms, not caring that he felt initial resistance. "Please, tell me what's upsetting you so." His voice was softer now and instead of his anger over becoming material for cackling women weaving rumours day and night for the lack of anything better to do serious concern was his reason to plea Arthur to speak to him now.

But the Briton didn't say anything. He didn't fight him, but he wouldn't open himself to him either.

"Arthur," Alfred spoke up again, soothingly whispering in the shorter man's ear, "I'm just trying to help. I won't laugh at or condemn anything you might possibly say."

"I hate it," he answered, finally, bitterly, still motionless in Alfred's arms, "to be ignored. No one asks my opinion. I'm excluded like a child who has to be silent when adults talk. And I can't do anything because that's just who I am, what I am." He trailed off in fear of his voice breaking, did he continue to voice all the unjustness he was feeling right now. It had been shaking dangerously as he was speaking already.

The Alpha was petting his back now, hoping the soothing gesture might mend the pain in some way at least. "I know, Arthur. And I know it's not fair. I know you're a brilliant mind and I wish the world would understand people aren't defined by Nature alone. We cannot do much over night though." Saddening as it was, it was the truth. Who could change millions of people's attitude so suddenly? Who could make all those women and men out there, Alphas, Betas and Omegas alike, see the truth when they'd been raised by lies and prejudices? The Natures might be equally treated by law but no one dared to take action against the injustice, against the colleges not accepting Omegas, or employers not hiring them in most departments. For they were to stay home to do the chores and tend to the kids.

"I know that. 'm sorry for causing you trouble. I just–"

"No, I'm sorry. I apologise for bringing you here. You were right. It was horrible of me to force society onto you like this." They remained like this for a few minutes, enjoying the peaceful, cool night outside. After overcoming his inner conflicts Arthur even returned the hug, thankful for the comfort he found in the American.

Only reluctantly, they headed back inside but it didn't take long until the crowd began to thin. As the evening drew to a close and more and more people said their goodbyes, filing out of the hall, Alfred and Arthur decided to take their leave as well.

"I don't know how it's with you, but I could really do with a drink right now," Alfred stated. He still hadn't digested Arthur's outburst yet. It had only fuelled his rage at the people who were clinging stubbornly onto outdated rules and he had a vague idea that the Omega felt the same. They hadn't spoken much to anyone after their conversation on the balcony, not able to sympathise with the present guests.

As expected, the Brit nodded. "Rather. A drink sounds lovely."

Naturally it didn't stay at just one drink, or four, and before Alfred could've done anything to prevent the Brit from a drunken dilemma, Arthur was clinging to him with the strength of an anaconda, sobbing incoherent words of misery. Deciding Arthur couldn't be trusted to spend the night alone Alfred hailed a cab and shoved him into the backseat, climbing in afterwards. He directed the driver to his penthouse where he led Arthur to one of the guest bedrooms, undressing the nigh unconscious Brit to his boxers and tucking him in carefully.

With a soft "sweet dreams, Artie" he exited the room, silently closing the door behind him. Arthur would have one hell of a hangover in the morning.


Hope you enjoyed ^-^

Солнышко – I read it's a Russian equivalent to the pet name "sunshine". I hope it's correct. OTL ;o;

Adalbert Erhard – Germania. Since he's only a distant relative of Ludwig they don't share their last names.

Remus Vargas – Rome, obviously. He's Feli's and Lovi's father instead of their grandfather in this story!

'The Emerald Forest' – I shamelessly stole that from RWBY but I thought it would make a great name for a cocktail. And I wanted Al to pick something green for Artie because of his eyes x/D