Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia, only the story idea.
When Saturday came, which happened to be all too sudden for me, word went out through the orphanage that I was taking Arthur out to the fair. The kids all complained to my brother how it was not fair that we got to go and not them. With utter disappointment and distaste, Mattie decided he would join us on the adventure so the children had three chaperons.
Matthew thought it would be smart to split off into two or three groups. Since I was the one who suggesting taking Arthur out, he felt it would be best that Arthur and I stayed together. The two of us would be taking most of the kids, at first, but asked Matt to only give us four or five. So Helen, Daniel, Taylor, Calvary and Peter were placed in our hands. The others would be under my bro's watch. Or so I thought.
Marie caught word of our trip and decided she would join in as well. She paired up with Matthew and I instantly knew that the kids would not give them any hassle because they love and adore Marie. With that, I took out a bunch of money for the kids and we took a trip to the fair.
Helen's hands held onto Taylor and Peter as they walked in front, Daniel and Calvary taking the back as they walked slower. I offered to carry Calvary, but being the stubborn girl she is, thanks to a certain 16-year-old, she refused. Daniel then offered to stay by her side and she nodded with a kind smile. The rest of the kids were huddled into a circle around Marie and Mattie, chatting about what they would be doing when they got to the fair. I smiled, pushing my hands in my pockets as I walk towards the original plot of land the fair resides.
"So," my ear twitched as Arthur spoke up, "the kids seem very energetic to come along." I rolled my eyes as he pointed out the obvious. "I would think you would be just as excited since Helen told me you're just as much a kid as they are." My eyes narrowed at the brunet's head as I heard that. Arthur leaned forward to look at my face and tried not to crack a smile. "Judging from your lack of response, she must be correct."
I sighed in annoyance, shrugging my shoulders. "If I act like a child, that just means that I have a childlike heart and I haven't given it up to the maturity I've gained over the years." He scoffed, obviously not believing that. "Just because I act like a child most of the time does not mean I am really immature. I can be mature." It sounded like I was defending myself, and Arthur didn't need to say anything.
"Right, well, I hope you don't go too childish on my today." He smiled at the kids in front of us. "We have to keep watch over them all to make sure nothing happens to them." I glanced at him, seeing the warm smile from his face. He really cared for kids. It was bluntly obvious.
"You have kids of your own?" I asked out of curiosity. His face bloomed red at the suggestion and he shook his head with a sad smile. "Why not?"
"Unfortunately, even if I tried to repopulate with a woman, I can't." My eyes blinked, feeling a bit sorry for him.
"Sorry." I said quietly. He merely shrugged as he smiled at the kids before us. "Though you can't create a blood related child, you can still adopt." I pitched in a high note.
"Yes, I know." He hummed, nodding. "That's the only thing that keeps me going. I just need to find a significant other that would enjoy having a child with me, though we have to adopt." His face tinged with pink again as he thought of something. My eyebrow rose, wondering what he could be thinking, but I shrugged it off, facing forward again as the kids shouted with glee.
"We're here!" All of the younger kids shouted together, going towards the gates.
They all stopped once they reached the entrance, waiting for the rest of us to join them. Marie looked at me, wonder in her shining eyes. I smiled, chuckling as I stepped forward. "All right kids, let's go to the ticket booth." They all followed me without hesitance and I approached the small booth. Looking at the person behind the plexiglass, I blinked. "Dude, wouldn't think you'd land a job here."
"Shut it, loser." The albino Prussian grumbled as he frowned from my grin. "So, what do you want?" He lazily asked, bored with his job already.
"Fourteen wristbands for the rides." The kids behind me squealed in delight.
Gilbert's one eyebrow rose as he smiled, missing the days of taking care of his younger brother. "Sure. Just give me the money and I'll hand them to you." I passed him the amount it cost for the wristbands and traded. He counted the bills and nodded. "Have fun kids." He waved, eying Helen. "Yo, Helen! Still don't like my awesomeness?" He grinned as she ignored him.
"Dude, let it go. She's just like Liz." I shook my head, waving to him as I pulled the kids over. I gazed at the oldest child and she sighed. "Gil's not that bad." I said to her.
"I know, I just think he's annoying." She pouted, taking one of the wristbands in my hand. "All he does is flirt with me when he visits the orphanage with his brother. You'd think he'd realize I'm not of age."
"Oh, he does. He just wants you to know that you're beautiful. Enough to attract guys." She blushed, huffing as she took four more bands to wrap around the ones joining Arthur and I. I helped put the bands on the rest and Mattie came up to me with a look I know all too well. "Now stop right there, Mattie. I knew that it would be expensive and I still did it. Out of love."
He sighed. "I was just going to ask if you intend to giving them money to play games as well."
Blinking, I nodded. "Sure!" Once they all had their wristbands on, I gave them each twenty dollars. "Now listen, kids." They looked at me, awe struck about getting money to spend. "Be smart with the money I gave you. You may use them for food and games. I would suggest getting food first so that you get change back to use for games." They all nodded. "Also, obey the rules that Mattie and Marie will tell you. And you five," I pointed to the chosen few that get to accompany me, "will listen to Arthur and myself." Helen shrugged, Taylor shadowing her, as Peter mocked me with his hand. The other two smiled. "All right." I looked at all the eyes on me. "Go have fun!" The smiles returned, only brighter, as they all herded towards where they wanted to go.
"So," Daniel stood beside me, "where to first?"
"I'd like to go on some rides." Calvary stated. "Just, ones that won't make me faint from too much excitement."
Helen nodded, looking up at Arthur and I. "I think we should eat first, though. Break our twenties for games." I knew Helen was a gamer so of course she would think that. "Besides, I haven't really eaten much and I'm hungry."
Chuckling, I nodded, patting her back. "All right. Let's eat first then go check out some rides. That okay with everyone?" The kids nodded and I looked at the Brit beside me. "Artie?"
"Yes, I'm fine- Wait, what did you just call me?" He scowled at the nickname, and I just brushed it off.
"Let's go get food!" I ushered them towards one of the many food stands around the fair. I heard Arthur huff before walking behind us to catch up. As I glanced around, making sure the kids paid fairly and got their food, I noticed a food eating contest sign near a ride. I grinned. "Heh."
"What's the grin for?" Helen bit into her hot dog she got.
"Oh, nothing really. Just noticed there's a food eating contest going on."
"Oh god." She facepalmed, shaking her head. "Are you going to force us to watch you inhale the food the present you?"
Laughing, I shook my head. "Of course not! There are rides and games around. Arthur can overlook you guys while I go have some fun." I winked at her and she chuckled.
"What are you planning?" Said Brit's accent grumbled behind me.
Turning around, I smiled. "I'm gonna enter in the eating contest they have here." Arthur's eyes widened, his mouth opened to scold me but I put my hand up. "Arthur, there's a reason why I enter in the contests." With that, I patted Helen's shoulder and walked off towards the table to sign in.
The sign that promoted the contest said it would start at 3:15, and looking at my watch, that isn't until an hour or so. I strolled up to the table, finding it without a problem, and smiled at the MC who does these contests around the area.
"Phil!" The guy raised his head, smiling as he saw me. "So, I saw a sign for a food eating contest." He rolled his eyes, handing me a paper to sign for participation. "Aw, you already knew."
He laughed. "Alfred, you're the only person in town that enjoys these things and is the reigning champ for all the different kinds of food eating contests." As I signed the paper, I grinned. "So, how's Marie?"
"She's doing well." I handed the paper back to him. "She's actually roaming around with my brother and a group of the kids."
"That's nice." He nodded, happy to hear that the woman still was able to mosey about. "And you're here just for the contest?"
"Nope!" I chuckled. "I'm here with my own group from the orphanage, along with the new hire-e that my brother employed to help him."
"Oh really?" He raised his eyebrows. "Is the person nice? Qualified for the job?"
"From what I've gotten to see, yes." I nodded, begrudgingly. "He gets along with the kids well, and-"
"Al!" A small form planted itself to my leg. Looking down, I see Peter clinging to me for dear life. "You shouldn't go off on your own away from us!"
Chuckling, I knelt down to his eye level. "You shouldn't have parted from the group just to follow me." Ruffling his hair, I scolded him lightly. "Peter, you need to stay with the group."
"You didn't tell us to not follow you!" Peter scowled, frowning a bit. "You're the leader of our group, Al! No matter what, I follow the leader!"
I smiled at the comment, loving that Peter looks up to me like this. "Yeah, well, I left Arthur in charge."
"That jerk-face is no leader!" Blinking, I tried not to laugh. "He's new and I don't trust him! Sure, he gets along with us well and is fun to be with, but I don't like him! It's hard to trust someone that you just meet and barely know."
When I heard those intelligent words from him, my mouth dropped a bit. "Oh, well, I'm sorry Peter." I lightly punched his arm. "I didn't want to force you kids to follow me to this stand, though. I'm entering in another eating contest for you guys, you know?" He seemed to brighten up when I mentioned it. "Would you like to see me gulp down large amounts of food?" I asked this thinking he'd be grossed out. Instead, he nodded his head vigorously.
"Boy, would I!" Phil laughed.
"That kid might be trailing your feet, Al." The man stated.
I chuckled, standing up. "Well, what can I say? I'm their hero." He smiled. "So, what food are we eating and when should I come back?"
"Hamburgers and around 3 o'clock."
"All right." With a wave, I picked Peter up and sat him on my shoulders before walking around. "See you then!" Phil shouted a 'bye' and I smiled up at Peter. "So, look out for our good, 'kay?"
"All right!" Peter scouted the crowd around us and I couldn't help but chuckle.
As soon as we broke through the mass of people near us, Arthur spotted us from afar and glared at me. He scurried over to me, seething. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" He looked from me to Peter. "You were supposed to stay with the group!" Helen came behind with the others, disappointment on her face. I glanced up at Peter, who frowned when he saw Helen. "Do you know how scared Helen was when she noticed you weren't with us? Just because Alfred had run off to do God knows what doesn't mean you had to follow him, thus separating from the group!"
"But Alfred's one of the chaperons!" Peter retorted. "It shouldn't matter who we're with as long as it's with one of you guys!" He scowled at the Brit.
Arthur sighed. "Yes, that may be, but did Alfred know you were going to follow him?" Peter opened his mouth, but didn't respond. "Alfred?" The Brit then looked at me and I shook my head. Glancing back up at the child on my shoulders, the ashen blond continued to gently scold him. "Since Alfred had no idea you were following him, he would not have thought to check on you to see if you were with him. During that time, a random person could come up and snatch you away from us. We wouldn't want that, now, would we?" Peter shook his head causing the Brit to smile. "If you had told myself or even Helen you were going after Alfred, we would have watched you to be sure you made it over to him. You also could have shouted to him."
"I-I know that!" The Sealander spoke up again. "I'm not stupid! I knew that!" His small hands clenched my hair, though. I knew he was troubled with what he had done.
"I think he gets it now, Arthur." My eyes landed on the man before me and he nodded. "Also, I have an hour to kill before going to the contest, so I can help look after these guys with you." Arthur sighed, looking relieved. I smiled. "So, down we go Peter."
"Aw, but I liked being on your shoulders!" He pouted once his feet touched the ground once more. "I could see the entire crowd from up there! Pick me up again!" He tried to climb up my body to get to my shoulders.
"Peter, leave Alfred alone." Helen sighed. "He needs his rest and relaxation before the contest."
"I want to see him win!" Peter exclaimed, smile back on his face. The other kids nodded as well and I chuckled. "You're definitely going to win! Win the big prize!"
"Yeah, yeah." I ruffled his hair up. "Okay, let's go put you all on some rides."
Judging Hero
The hour flew by fast as the kids went on plenty of rides and played a few games. Daniel had won a small red cat for Calvary, Peter won a sailor cap for a young boy, Taylor shot some hoops at the basketball stand and won a blow up hammer and Helen threw darts at balloons, earning two different prizes for Daniel and herself. I didn't know she knew how to throw darts so well. She impressed me.
Now came for my time to shine. Arthur convinced the kids to stay together and watch me participate in the contest. I could tell he didn't want to watch it since it was a "stupid" contest to him.
"All right everybody! May I have all the contestants take their seats on stage?" Phil wielded a mic, speaking into it so everyone could hear him. As he asked for us to come up, four men and myself moved forward and took our seats on the stage. "Now, as we know, in this contest, whoever eats the most hamburgers and lasts through the entire time wins the prize." Some cheers were heard, families and friends rooting for the other guys beside me. I merely grinned, knowing I'd win no problem. Peter's voice also cheered saying that no one could beat me. Phil chuckled. "We also have a famous contestant today. Alfred Jones, the reigning champion of all food eating contests." The kids whooped for me as I rose a hand up in recognition. I noticed Arthur stood, arms akimbo, not pleased one bit. "He might be the one to take home...one thousand dollars." My eyes widened at the amount. That was a first for me. "Or, he might finally be dethroned by the other contestants. Would you all like to see who will win?" A cheer. "Then let's get ready!"
Plates with a mound of hamburgers appeared in front of us. We all looked to Phil, waiting for the cue to begin eating. When he gave it, I instantly went for the food. It didn't take long for me to wolf down the first plate of hamburgers and a second replaced it. Slowing down a bit, I glanced out into the crowd, seeing the kids cheer for me. I smiled, inhaling more of the tasty treats as I gazed at Arthur. He seemed sickly watching the show, but I also noticed a hint of interest and hope. Chuckling to myself, I continued eating, not deterred at all.
By the time I finished the second plate, there was only one man besides me. He was catching up fast but I knew that would be his downfall. Scanning him over, I could tell that within three more hamburgers, he'd lose all the food he ate. I kept eating as a third plate appeared, albeit slowly. My eyes glanced away since I knew that he wouldn't hold his food soon, taking my last hamburger before sound from him came. The crowd split apart before any of the regurgitation hit them. A shiver ran down my spine as I held it together.
"And that's it folks!" Phil announced. "Our winner, and still reigning champion, is Alfred!" He came over to me, handing me an envelope with the check. "Congrats, Al." He patted my should as I stood up and smiled. "You should learn to let other people once."
I laughed. "Yeah right. This money is important to me." I held up the envelope. "Like always, this money will go to the orphanage."
"That's very nice and all," I heard Arthur speak as he came close to the stage, "but I think we should regroup with Matthew."
Sighing, I jumped off the stage. "Thanks, Phil! See ya later!" I waved at him before getting attacked by Peter.
"I knew you could win!" He laughed happily. "No one can beat you! You're impenetrable! Undefeated!"
Helen soon took him away from me as she told him to calm down. "Thanks, kids." I ruffled Peter's hair. "Glad I could give you a good show." Arthur cleared his throat and I sighed. "Right. Let's go meet up with Mattie. He probably wants you all to get back so we can have dinner."
They instantly clung to each other as they walked ahead of me and walked towards the exit. A smile came to my face once more as they chatted happily about what they enjoyed at the fair. "Alfred?" I turned once I heard Arthur call to me. He walked next to me, seeming a bit bashful. "I was just wondering... You join in those contests to support the orphanage?"
I smiled, nodding. "Yeah. It's how I repay Marie for taking care of my brother and I." He blinked. "Oh, yeah." I chuckled, massaging my neck. "Mattie and I were left at the orphanage by our parents, like Helen, but the difference is that we don't know them like she does." I glanced ahead to keep and eye on the kids. "Marie raised us in the orphanage and kept us until we got jobs and moved out. Though, she didn't let anyone else touch our rooms. That's why I have my own bedroom to sleep in there."
"Oh." Glancing at him, I noticed how he went into thought. "Well, that's nice. That you do this for the orphanage I mean! Not that your parents- Oh, bloody hell." I chuckled and he blushed. "Well, anyway. You did well, for a gross display of competing." He turned his head away from me. "Congratulations."
"Thanks." I laughed and quickly picked my pace up as I saw Marie and Mattie at the exit. "Yo! Did you guys have fun?" The other kids shouted in glee, showing me their toys they won, or another one had won for them. "That's great! And guess what?" Their eyes landed on me and I grinned. "I won the orphanage another thousand dollars!"
"Alfred!" Matthew, wide eyed, gasped in surprise. Marie merely shook her head in amusement. "Don't tell me you found another eating contest and won?!" I posed heroically. He sighed. "Alfred, you're going to die from eating food one of these days..."
"No I won't!" I exclaimed. He shouldn't have said that in front of the kids. I didn't want the to worry over me and how much I eat. "I'll be fine. I don't do the contests all the time. I only do them every other month. I eat healthy and I work out, too. I'll be fine."
"If you say so." Matthew sighed, smiling. "Let's go home and eat some dinner." The kids instantly followed him and Marie back to the orphanage.
Walking behind the entire group, Arthur stuck to my side. We didn't speak during the trek back and I didn't mind. I felt comfortable around this guy. I knew I could trust him with the kids and he would be great help with Matthew. The way he took care of Peter's sudden disappearance was good, too. He didn't lash out too angrily. He showed concern for the boy, which Peter needs. He needs to know that people do care about him and worry about his brash actions.
Smiling, I lightly bumped into Arthur's side and he narrowed his eyes at me. When he saw my smile, a light blush came to his face before smiling back.
Note: I really don't like writing in 1st person anymore. :/ I have to keep to it though since that's how I started writing some of these stories. I turned it to a passive tone this chapter though, which might bother me since the first two were mostly present tense. Oh well. At least I'm continuing the story. That's what counts.
I hope you enjoyed the update! This chapter isn't beta-ed so there might be mistakes. R&R if you'd like.