A/N: 1. Yay chapter 1 WOOT.

2. I'm not going to lie to you guys, this being a Frankenstein like story... there's a good chance it's NOT going to end well. But that doesn't mean it's all bad! I have a thing for bittersweet endings. :)

3. There are some notes at the end about the time period and connections to the actual book, so look there if you're interested!

4. The Italics are the present day conversation between Arthur and Lukas. Regular font is Arthur flashbacking.

5. I'd love to hear your feedback, so tell me even if you don't like it!

Disclaimer: Hetalia belongs to the amazing Himaruya and Frankenstein belongs to the terrifying Mary Shelly. Both of which are not me. Just making sure you knew.

More than Brothers

Chapter 1

Leaning back in his bed, Arthur said, "I had a wonderful childhood."

Lukas snorted. "I'm not exactly as thrilled about your childhood as you are."

"It's important. Just shut up and listen will you?"

Lukas rolled his eyes, but settled into his chair. Arthur nodded. "It really was beautiful, you know. I can still see the ocean..."

...000...0000...000...

At the humble age of eight years old, Arthur Kirkland looked out toward the calm ocean with bright eyes. The small boy shook his shaggy blond hair, impatient with excitement, and gripped the letter tightly. He'd already read it at least twenty times, he could see the words inside his head.

Dearest Arthur,

You know how sorry we were to leave you behind. But if it makes you feel any better, I doubt you would have liked America. Despite the out pour of industry and goods from the country, or perhaps because of it, there is a large degree of poverty in here. Your father and I have been quite disturbed by this, and have been helping as much as we can.

Which brings me to my next point. By the time this letter reaches you we should be nearly home, and ready to begin our real life as a family. And...

I have a present for you.

I won't spoil what it is, but I'm sure you'll love it!

With love,

Your Mother

His parents had constantly been traveling since the day they were married, Arthur himself was born in Italy. As a result Arthur rarely got to see his "official" home in England, being as he went with them everywhere they went. Well, almost everywhere. He was left sick in England while his parents traveled to America, the one place they wanted to see before they finally settled down.

No sooner had he reread the letter then a call came from downstairs.

"Arthur!"

Arthur nearly tripped down the spiral staircase and into the arms of his mother.

"Welcome back," he said with a smile. And it was then he noticed the silhouette of a young boy peeking in from behind the front door. Arthur's mother followed his eyes and smiled.

"Ah," she said softly. "Your present. Come on Alfred. No need to be shy, we're family now remember?"

Alfred shuffled closer, still looking very shy and nervous. Arthur's father appeared in the doorway, accompanied by many large bags.

"We found him on the side of the street. All alone and chewing on moldy bread. Can you believe it? But anyway." He looked down at Alfred. "Alfred, this is Arthur, your new big brother."

Green eyes met blinding blue and a smile the likes Arthur had never seen broke out across Alfred's face. His dirty blond hair shown in the setting sun and suddenly Arthur knew. In his childish innocence he couldn't name what he knew, but immediately decided that Alfred, given to him as a gift, would be forever his.

...000...0000...000...

"Wait. Your parents gave you a person as a present?."

Arthur scoffed and pulled his blankets up to shelter from the cold. "Not literally. I was eight. I just interpreted it that way."

"It still seems a bit strange, feeling that way about your brother."

Arthur closed his eyes. "There are no words for what Alfred was to me. No expression to describe it. He was ... my more than brother; since he was to be mine until death."

...000...0000...000...

Years passed and Alfred became even closer to Arthur. His childhood really was the ideal, and he believed it would never end, until his fourteenth birthday.

"Look carefully Alfred. If we're lucky we might spot a fairy."

Alfred snickered. "You're silly, Artie. Fairies aren't real."

"What kind of bloody ten year old are you? And even if you weren't, they do exist. Look, there's one now!"

Alfred looked and shook his head. "Still nothing. Father would be mad at you if he knew you made a... a..." His face turned red as if he were holding something in. "Fairy garden". Alfred fell to the ground in a fit of laughter. Arthur rolled his eyes, the boy was hopeless.

"But Alfred, you know what happens to little boys who laugh at fairies, don't you?" Alfred stopped laughing and shook his head. The older boy came very close and said with a solemn face, "They get... tickled to death!" He attacked the younger boy's stomach and under arms and the two went rolling down the hill where the fairy garden was placed, Alfred screaming with delight the entire way. When they finally tumbled to the bottom the two laid side by side catching their breath. They stared up at the leafy green trees, where water drops still clung from previous April showers. And, in Arthur's case, the small silhouette of the creatures know as fairies. They were laying in unusual silence (Alfred almost never shut up) when it was predictably broken.

"Arthur?"

He sighed and closed his eyes. "Yes Alfred?"

A hand quickly enveloped his own as an answer. Green eyes snapped open in surprise to see the American staring intently at the sky, a small blush coloring his cheeks.

"Alfred! Arthur! What have you been doing your clothes are filthy!" The boys sat up at the sound of their mother's voice. "Dear lord! Get inside and clean up right away! We have important guests!"

The brothers took off running towards the house, Arthur leading the way, trying to keep from smiling at the pleasant tingling in his left hand. He had only just ran through the front door when he was forced to a stop, Alfred slamming into the back of him.

"Hey why'd ya stop?"

"Hello miss," said Arthur, completely ignoring Alfred in favor of the young girl about his age in his living room. She was definitely one of the prettiest girls he'd ever seen, blond hair neatly braided on each side of head, dark pink dress swaying softly as air rushed through the open door. At first she looked surprised, but just as quickly she smiled a soft but sweet smile.

"Good morning. You must be Arthur."

Arthur, not being the most sociable boy in the world, was at a loss for what to say. Luckily, Alfred had no such issue.

"I'm Alfred and red's my favorite color!"

How he did it Arthur would never know.

Just then, their father walked in with another stranger. After scolding him for his clothing, he introduced the girl and the other stranger, who was her brother. As he heard the story about the girl and her brother who had come from Switzerland, it was like he was watching himself from out side of his body. Watching himself and Alfred become friends with her. Watching his father and her brother smile and talk quietly to one another while watching them. Watching himself realize for the first time that he and Alfred would never really belong only to each other. That the tingling in his left palm was suddenly much more painful.

Because Arthur wasn't stupid, he knew why she was here. Even though he liked the girl more than he cared to admit, he hated that she was the source of his revelation.

Lily Zwingli was his betrothed. And Alfred could only ever be his brother.

...000...0000...000...

"What the bloody hell is your problem?"

Lukas coughed to extinguish his momentary lapse in composure. "I'm sorry, I'm still trying to get over the fact that you had a fairy garden."

Arthur scowled. "Is that really all you got from that?"

"I don't see what else there was to get. You just seem to be rambling on about your childhood, like I expected. It doesn't really have anything to do with how you ended up on my ship."

The Brit's face grew red hot and angry. "It has everything to do with why I'm here. In fact, it's the most important thing! The fact that you can't recognize it gives me even more reason to continue."

Lukas snorted. "Then by all means."

Yay! So here are some historical and textual notes.

1. Frankenstein (and this story) take place in the 1700's. This was a time that was really chaotic, industrial revolution starting up, everyone making discoveries. It should give some context when Arthur goes to college.

2. If anyone is familiar with the characters of Frankenstein, this is for you. I really really wanted Alfred to be Clerval (Victor's best friend) because, I kid you not, this was his description paragraph. "He was deeply read in books of chivalry and romance. He composed heroic songs and began to write many a tale of enchantment and knightly adventure... the virtues of heros were his theme, and his hope and dream was to become one among those whose names are recorded in history as the gallant and adventurous benefactors of our species." How is that NOT America? But I wanted him to be in the story more, so he is a mix of Elizabeth and Clerval, just like Lily is.

A/N: Okay, so I just have to say, that the line. "He was my more than brother, (or more than sister in the book), is the most romantic thing ever. Of course, my friends disagree and just think it's creepy. What do you think?

-Mya