This chapter was a bit tricky in that I wasn't sure how I would work the meetings and what not, you'll see what I mean. Thank you to all that have been reading and reviewing it means a lot!
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia.
The next day Alfred went straight to work as he usually did but was more silent then usual, he seemed more determined but would look out to the horizon to see the smokey black clouds. There was a break of open water till they would hit an island, where Arthur hoped they would finally catch Antonio, hopefully before he burned down the city. Alfred too was hoping they would meet up soon, his blood was boiling beneath the surface, there was a determined glint in his eyes wherever they happen to look. Especially when his gaze happened to fall upon the tall Russian Ivan. He stared at the man till he noticed him, Ivan looked towards Alfred with a smile. They seemed to enter an awkward silence until Alfred decided to approach him.
"Hey, we didn't exactly finish our bet so how 'bout we try to settle it with some sparing. Just for fun." Alfred said with a smirk, his eyes blazing and his muscles tensing.
"Hmm? Are you sure?" Ivan said still smiling childishly but giving off a murderous aura.
"You bet, this grunt work isn't cutting for me." Alfred said and took a step back.
"I see then, I too have been feeling cooped up lately, let's get out some of energy together, da?" Ivan said, he too taking a step back.
Yao noticed the two and walked over but kept his distance to watch their little battle, others started to take notice of the hostility in the air and turned their heads to observe. The two in question eyed each other with smirks adorned on their faces, Alfred had his fists up but Ivan let his hands lay loose by his side. Alfred was waiting for the Russian to get on guard but decided the man wasn't going to change his stance, he chuckled to himself and attacked first.
He threw the first punch but Ivan simply turned to the side and dodged it. Alfred came back around and swung again, still Ivan dodged this time his sinister smiled peaked through as he grabbed Alfred by the wrist and yanked him forward and punched him in the face. Alfred hit the ground hard but quickly jumped up despite the blood from his lip. To Ivan's surprise Alfred's speed intensified and he used both his arms to block Alfred's next punch, to his amazement he was pushed back.
Now his blood was boiling and he felt the heat of battle build up, Ivan stood and by this time brought his hands to be an guard. Alfred, attacked again his punches flying with sweat starting to bead down his neck and back. By this time most of the crew were surrounding the two making a makeshift boxing ring. After Alfred's first rampant attack finally faltered, Ivan shot out another punch, this one meaning to break bone. Alfred was able to block the punch in his hand and with his other free hand punched Ivan has hard as he could in the gut which made him lean forward. Ivan let out a gasp of shock and pain, but he was built better then that and straightened up with a wicked smirk.
Arthur had by then noticed the chanting of men coming from the deck below and he left the wheel to look on what was going on. His quirked an eyebrow as he looked on the scene before him, Ivan and Alfred swiftly swinging at each other and pacing around looking for an opening before attacking. He watched for a while and let out a sigh, he then looked over to Toris who took over the wheel for him.
"What is with them?" Arthur said and decided to put some gun powder in his pistol.
"H-He has been upset lately. Maybe trying to get out some anxiety." Toris mentioned softly.
"What does it matter?" Arthur asked looking at his pistol lazily.
"I probably shouldn't tell you this..." Toris said softly.
"What? Tell me...is he thinking of escaping?" Arthur said and walked briskly over to Toris.
"N-No! It's just that he...yesterday...he was crying." Toris said trying to sink back into his own skin, he felt bad for telling Arthur but he didn't want his captain getting the wrong idea and punishing Alfred.
"Crying? Hoo~ He's finally come to understand his situation?" Arthur said with a smirk.
"Well...I think it's been the fires that's been upsetting him, all the destruction that's happened to all the people." Toris said pipping up.
"His damn need to save everyone? That idiot, so he's letting out his aggression on my men?" Arthur then stormed over to look at the two men still brawling it out. He raised his gun but continued to watch the two, he noticed the adorned smirks on their faces and how much they seemed to enjoy their fight.
Alfred slid back from Ivan's punch and almost got hit in the face from the next swing but luckily he leaned away feeling a slight brush to his cheek. He slapped the hand away from him and charged forward to try to land a punch to his face. Ivan smiled and grabbed Alfred's hand and threw him across the deck, men had to jump out of the way so they wouldn't get hit. Alfred hit the railings hard but scrambled up to his feet to rush back at Ivan. They continued this till they could barely stand and they used each other as rest each braced against the others shoulder. They pushed each other away and stumbled back, they sat down on the deck and were breathing roughly.
Claps and cheers came from the crowd and they soon dispersed back to their work. Alfred smirked as he tried to regain his breathing, while Ivan's face rather sullen let a small smile grace his lips as he stood up. He took a step forward and looked at Alfred with a smirk.
"Let's do this again, comrade." Ivan said before turning away.
Alfred still tired decided to collapse and stare up at clear blue skies, finally he saw clear blue, the sun off to the side warming his body. He felt content something he hasn't felt for a while, so content he didn't hear the clunk of certain man's boots coming his way not till he was nudged in the side by said boots did his eyes widen in realization.
"Get off the floor and stop fooling around." Came Arthurs cool reply.
Alfred looked to see the outline of his captain and his overly fluffy hat. He sat up and scratched his head with a smile.
"Hey sorry cap'n just having some fun!" He jumped upon his feet and wrapped his arm around the smaller man's shoulder. Arthur stiffened greatly and couldn't help a blush sweep over his cheeks. The bright blue eyed man was far too close, he was sweaty and smiling brightly that forced Arthur to look away.
"Don't touch your captain!" Arthur said not looking at the man.
Alfred laughed and shook him a bit. "Hey come on loosen up! It's a good day! The wind is good the skies are clear, the waves are nice too!"
"Yes it's a beautiful day, but seriously you stink like a pig! Get off me!" Arthur hissed noticing the stench of sweat and man oder.
" Ohh? Yeah it's been a while since I got to bathe." Alfred said smelling himself a bit.
"Ugh!" Arthur said repulsed. "Okay, here come with me." Arthur got loose from Alfred and walked down below to the cell area.
"Uhh...Artie, what's going on?" Alfred asked confused obviously not liking the idea of being near a cell, thankfully it was still broken.
Arthur grabbed a bucket of water and a cloth, he handed the two to Alfred. "This is all you get, do it well and come see me." Arthur said with a huff and quickly walked away, he was climbing up the stairs when he looked back to see Alfred take off his shirt, his back had grown wider and bigger with muscles, still he could see the few scars from where he whipped him. A feeling a guilt knotted up his stomach but he pushed it away and continued to climb the stairs.
After Alfred cleaned himself as best he could he went straight to Arthurs room, once he took a step inside his face was covered with a white material. He took it off and noticed it was a shirt.
"Wear that, your other shirt should be burned." Arthur said an sat down at his chair.
"Uhh, okay thanks, I guess."Alfred said and changed shirts.
"Alfred..." Arthur started and took a sip of tea.
"Yes, Artie?" Alfred asked blinking curiously.
Arthur cringed at the name. "Right, what do you think of the fires?"
"I hate them! I want to take down that pirate as soon as possible!" Alfred yelled his eyes becoming serious and his voice in a scary low Arthur has never heard.
"I see then...we will be confronting them. I need some payment for the cities he's destroyed." Arthur said and took another sip of tea.
Alfred rushed and put his hands on Arthur's shoulders and stared intensely into those green orbs. "Let me help you."
"I'll think about it but for now I still want you to stay with Toris when we finally make port." Arthur said pushing the offending hands from him.
"You will let me help right?" Alfred said giving a pleading look that Arthur couldn't quite help but cough at.
"If we need it." Arthur lied with a smirk.
"Awesome you're the best captain!" Alfred said that grabbed Arthur taking him in a big embrace.
Arthur struggled in his grasp and tried to yell at the bigger man but only let out random noises.
"Huh? What's wrong? Do I still smell bad?" Alfred asked letting Arthur free still keeping both hands on the smaller man's shoulder, he was looking down at him with a concerned and soft smile.
"No but you nearly crushed me, anyway you can leave now get ready for tomorrow, we should be on his ship by then." Arthur said with a smirk as he saw Alfred's face light up at the prospect that he could finally deliver justice to the offending pirate.
"Right! I'll finish up my work! See you tomorrow!" Alfred said smiling giving another bone crushing hug before leaving out the door in a hurry.
"Right, tomorrow." Arthur sat back down in his chair and smirked. "As if...I wont be fooled." He scowled.
Arthur waited a few moments and finished his tea, Toris soon knocked on his door and entered.
"Toris great timing, I need you to help me with something." Arthur said with a smirk, while Toris seemed to sweat a bit in apprehension.
Alfred felt his body being carried early in the morning, the moon and stars were still out but the dawn was quickly forcing it's way through. His eyes groggy, he tried to understand what was happening and lazily tried to jerk his hand away from a tight grip. He shook his head and looked to where is arms were, stretched above his head being carried by none other then his roommate Toris.
"What's going on-?" He tried to asked but soon a cloth covered his mouth and nose and he soon fell back into a sound slumber. Arthur took the rag back and stuffed it in his coat pocket and continued to carry Alfred to the mast. They stood him up and let his front lean against the mast, they brought his arms up and around the mast, there Toris placed thick shackles on his wrists.
"D-Do we really have to do this?" Toris asked concerned.
"Knowing that idiot, he would rush into Antonio and all his men without thinking. It's better this way." Arthur said softly.
"I see..." Toris said with a lowered gaze then returned his eyes to Alfred's sleeping face.
Arthur eyed the notion and looked at his first mate with a scrutinizing gaze. "You've grown rather found of the boy haven't you?"
"H-Huh? Well...I suppose, he's a good guy." Toris said sheepishly.
"I..." Arthur caught himself and cursed mentally, why would he think 'I don't like it'? He coughed into his hand a bit. "I see, well we should be seeing Antonio's ship soon and if we're lucky he will be making port. We can catch him before he does anymore damage." With that Arthur turned and left Toris who let out a sigh as he watched his captains retreating figure.
Alfred awoke moments later, he looked around tried to bring his hands to his side but was surprised by the sound of metal clinking and his arms securely around the mast.
"W-What? Arthur! Toris!" He screeched out as loud as possible.
There was only a silence except for the fluttering of the sail, Alfred let out a sigh and leaned his head against the mast in contemplation. He gritted his teeth coming to the realization he was lied to and he would be taking no part in taking the pirate down. He tried to calm the growing distress in his stomach and the disappointment flooding over his body. He kicked the mast roughly and he let out a growl.
"Arthur! Arthur Kirkland!" He yelled in complete fury.
My my, my whole name... you must have really wanted to face off with those pirates Alfred." Came Arthurs cool reply as he stood behind the man, Alfred could tell he was smirking.
"Of course I do! With all the destruction they cause, I want to punch their faces in!" Alfred said trying to turn and face the green eyed captain.
"Then what? Leave, run away and call for help?" Arthur asked scrunchy together his big eyebrows.
"What? I never even thought about that! I promise as a man, if you let me fight with you I'll come back on your ship with out fail!" Alfred said trying to bargain with the other man who stood proudly before his captive.
"No, Alfred you're staying here, you can watch though." Arthur said and turned away.
"Artie! Artie come on! Artie! You don't have to worry about losing me! I wont leave you!" To Alfred those words meant he wouldn't leave the ship, he wouldn't leave his post as being the man's prisoner at least not for now but to Arthur it hit a different cord.
Arthur turned, his eyes glassy with an emotion Alfred couldn't quite place, Arthur's lips seemed to tremble and pink rose to his cheeks. He closed his eyes and turned his head back to walk away. He muttered under his breathe casually the word 'liar' and went up to steer the boat forward. He looked out at the open sea, his eyes lost in thought almost not noticing the growing land mass in the horizon, for some reason he was also able to block out Alfred's yelling. Alfred despite his tortures didn't lose his fighting spirt and was trying to find a way to escape the cuffs.
"At least let me eeeaaaatttt~" He whined as his stomach grumbled.
He was met by more cold silence and huffed in frustration like a child and went back to seeing if he could get his hands free, but found his efforts in vain.
"Sir! Sir! Antonio's ship! It's just now docking up!" A man yelled out, which snapped Arthur back to reality as he noticed then closing in on the other ship.
"Ha! Seems like luck is on my side!" Arthur said and led his ship in so that it was docked parallel to his.
Arthur then quickly grabbed his sword and made his way off his ship, there on the dock he met face to face with Antonio.
"Captain Arthur? Hola! What brings you here?" Antonio said with a small smile.
Alfred tried to listen in on the conversation but found it difficult. He could hear some Spanish being tossed around but couldn't exactly make out what he was saying, despite his original thoughts, the man had a rather upbeat and cheerful voice.
"You've been burning down my cities, I need to be payed for damages and goods." Arthur said glaring rather coldly.
"Ah, sorry m'amigo I can't deal with this right now, I have more important matters to attend to." The Spaniard said, his voice growing lower in tone.
"Nothing you say is more important then me getting what you owe me. Those were my cities, you better have a lot-" Arthur was cut off with a sword shoved in front of his face the blade mere centimeters from his nose. He stared stoically at the Spaniard who had a rather dark gaze.
"You can have your precious money and whatever, but if you think Lovino is not as important as your trash cities, I'll have to cut your head off." He eyed the man before him darkly, not putting down his sword. Their greens eyes stared into each other for a moment before Arthur lifted his hand and softly pushed the blade away.
" Is that brat really so important, though all he does is yell and complain?" Arthur asked.
"You have no right to talk about him that way." Antonio seethed thrusting his sword back into place.
" You know, I was going to go into town earlier to get a new gun but I still have my old one." Arthur said and simply lifted out to the side his blood red coat to show the pistol hanging at his side.
Antonio didn't waver and he stood firm. "Move, I need to go find Lovino, he might be here."
"Might be? So you have no idea? Really Antonio I thought you were better then that." Arthur said cocking his head to the side and continued to stare back with a piercing gaze.
"My little tomato disappeared a few nights ago and I swore to find him no matter what. Even If I have to cut you down to do it." Antonio said fixing his eyes on the other just as vehemently.
"Are you sure he just didn't escape? Or maybe he already drow-" Arthur was cut off with Antonio's rash swing and looked to the side to see a piece of one of his feathers has been cut off, he watched it slowly drift down to the ground before taking out his sword in a flash and crossing it with Antonio's.
"Don't you ever say that again, next time I wont be so careless." Antonio said, his accent thick his eyes clouded with determination and rage.
"You already have been too careless, you and your ship are now mine." Arthur said pushing back with his sword, Antonio took a step back but held his ground.
"Like I said! You can have it! I just need Lovino back!" Antonio pushed forward, surprising Arthur, usually the Spaniard wouldn't fight back like this, he was tough man but Arthur never saw him like this, it seems more and more people have been changing around him, first Francis now Antonio?
"R-really now? Does your crew know about this? Do you really like the little prat so much?" Arthur said continuing their high intensity stalemate.
"The crew? Does it matter, we have hidden treasure around the world the stuff on my boat is nothing but pocket change." Antonio smiled a soft but dominating smile, he pushed Arthur back another step. "Like? I love him, would destroy every dock, city, person even, in the world to get him back. Do you not understand? Lovino is important to me, you act as if you've never had that type of person in you're life." Antonio said suddenly letting a wave a pity wash over his face.
"I don't care! I've never had that kind of person in my life and I don't intend to!" Arthur rushed forward and swiftly and elegantly knocked the sword out of Antonio's hand who looked at his sword in shock and held onto his wrist that was now pulsing. He then looked to Arthur who was adorning a sadistic smirk, he then placed his blade mere centimeters from Spaniard's face.
"Now my men are going to clean out your shi-"
"Hey! Artie! What's going on!" Came the booming voice of Alfred who after only hearing the clink of swords and decided to ask what was exactly happening. He didn't care if he was interrupting something, actually he hoped for it.
Arthur stayed silent the cold cocky demeanor he wore earlier made way for depressive annoyed look.
"Artie? You there? Artie! Hey come on! You can't ignore me!" Alfred's voice let out forcefully into the air hoping to reach Arthur's ears wherever he maybe.
Of course he heard it, Antonio did too who was trying not to laugh but couldn't help let out a chuckle that slipped Arthur over the edge. He turned towards his ship and was scowling by this time.
"You bloody fool! Would you just keep quiet!" He roared back in annoyance.
"...But what's going on? Did you kick that other pirate's ass?" Alfred yelled back clearly not comprehending the annoyance in the other's voice.
Arthur stared dumbfounded and Antonio let out a laugh that echoed through the whole port. Arthur blushed more embarrassed then anything, and tried to stop himself from smack his forehead.
"So you do have that person!" Antonio cheered.
"I do-"
"Artie! Hello! Answer me!" Alfred yelled he was obviously bored where he was and was waiting for his answer.
"Yes, Artie~ Answer him." Antonio teased with pure delight on his face.
"Oh Shut it! Alfred! Shut your mouth before I gag you!" Arthur yelled, his embarrassment growing, he then whistled and his men came out from his ship and lined up behind him. "Go! Take everything in sight! Kill anyone that gets in your way!" Arthur ordered while pointing to Antonio's ship. His men complied and quickly went to work with out a word, Antonio did nothing to stop them.
"You were lying amigo!" Antonio said with a smirk.
"What? I-I" Arthur began to blush but was soon distracted by a ship fast approaching.
Antonio, noticed and followed his gaze to meet the ship, his eyes widened for a moment and watched the ship sail into port and dock right beside Arthur's vessle.
"Kesesese~ What do we have hear?" Came a grating voice, Alfred turned his head and looked at the new ship he hadn't realized come in. He could see standing proudly was a man with silver hair and red eyes, his foot was up resting on a barrel as he looked down at the pirates on the dock. His smirk was full of deadly delight.
This chapter was difficult, for me I have these scenes in my head I want to have but sometimes it's hard for me to get there without being random. I mean I thought of having Arthur confronting Antonio on his ship first, them fighting it out on the deck but I needed Alfred to not be able to see them or hear them accurately. I had one idea where Arthur stay's on his own ship and they talk...all these things, but I think this one works the best.
Yes, Prussia is here to be awesome and copy a Captain Morgan stance, cause he's awesome. Obviously Spain is a lover not a fighter, but he's still a bad ass when he's serious.
Please review!