Warning: Obviously, if you have made it this far into my fanfiction, you know the reasons for it's rating.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia, nor do I want to. I'd be too lazy to run this franchise.

A/N: Ahhhh so I'm in a terrible mood. It seems to perpetuate when I'm surrounded by people I hate and incredibly stupid people at the same time. I'm so filled with rage I honestly almost made Arthur beat Alfred to a bloody pulp in this chapter. But I refrained myself and saved that for a latter chapter. 3

Anyway, enjoy. Review. Thanks.

The war soon ended, the whole ordeal forgotten. Or at least in my mind it was. France was still sore about the whole thing, but I was sure he'd get over it. I mean, he shot me. I was sure he would call it even in no time.

Arthur never quite got over it either. He was always huffing and puffing about things I didn't understand...didn't really care about. Because Arthur always said it was okay.

And if Arthur said it, it HAD to be true.

They were trivial things he always said, little things, here and there. Little clauses he'd have to add to the colonial peoples' lives.

Just little things here and there.

Nothing big.

That's what they were, nothing of any real importance.

Arthur decided to stay with me a while, said he wanted to make sure I didn't do anything to embarrass him while his men were staying. I wasn't sure why the soldiers were still here. The war was over. The British troops were unnecessary. But still, Arthur was always right, so they had to be there for a reason.

That Sunday I went into town. Rather upset I had nothing in my house for breakfast-except tea and scones. (but that wasn't really...food...or edible.) I went to the market, the usual townspeople greeting me.

"My, how big you've gotten!"

"How you've grown!"

"Is that little Alfie?"

Those old women. Their voices ringed in my head. I had no idea why they insisted on mentioning my size every time I walked into town. I was not that large, still several inches shorter than Arthur- but he was a small man...At least compared to the others I had seen. I still had a lot of growing.

They must have noted it because Arthur had been getting the groceries for the last couple of weeks- he had not trusted me to get what he needed.

"Ouch!" My basket fell from my hands, my now skinned knee stinging as I glared up at the man who bumped into me. He was clad in his military uniform, his status in the British army proudly pronounced. He payed me no mind and walked away, apparently having nothing further to say to me. I picked up the spilled content of my basket, listening to the whispers and gossips from those old women.

"Did you see how he pushed poor Alfie down!"

"THIS is why we can't have those troops here!"

"Mine's eating me out of house and home!"

"I don't know how long I can afford this!"

I retrieved all of my items, hastily walking back home. I had come to a realization. I was wrong. The soldiers weren't unnecessary...they were unwanted.

I nearly threw the basket onto the kitchen table, running to see my beloved Arthur. Surely he would understand and withdraw the troops!

"Arthur, Arthur!" I practically shouted, eager to speak to the older man about this, to prove I could be just like him and take care of my people too.

I ran into the living room, where Arthur always was- reading a book...some boring, old book about something or other. I happily trotted to his chair, both hands on the armrest of the plush furniture as I pushed myself to my tip-toes, looming of Arthur's book as he read it.

"Arthur I found something out, and I HAVE to tell you."

Knuckles connected with my jaw- a rather familiar feeling. I giggled as i fell back, even though my jaw was throbbing in pain. I knew it was against the rules to run in the house. And to shout. And to bother Arthur while he was reading. But this was just so important!

He sighed- exasperated, annoyed. He closed his book with nimble fingers, book marking the page and placing the awful thing on the small table beside him.

"What is it lad?"

I felt myself smile. the ladies were wrong, I wasn't all that big. Arthur still called me lad. Still called me by a name filled with affection, something wonderful. That only I was allowed to have.

I kneeled on the ground and shot him a lopsided grin. "The ladies in town were talking."

He raised an eyebrow.

"A-and they said that it was really bad having troops in their houses! Because they're hard to take care of, a-and they can't afford it be...because of um" I scrunched my eyebrows in thought. Damn, I was so used to drowning out their voices, I nearly forgot. "B-because of taxes!" I smiled up at him, so proud that I had remembered. I was sure he'd be proud too.

Something connected with my jaw again, something much harder than a punch. As I fell back, I realized with a dull ache, that it was the sole of his shoe that hit me.

I felt myself wretch as I was kicked again, a much harder blow delivered to my stomach. Another kick.

Suddenly he was crouching over me, hair being yanked with enough force to tear some strands loose. "Alfred, you WILL NOT speak to me that way." My head was dropped with a thump as I watched the older man.

His thick eyebrows furrowed in annoyance and his eyes had a fire to them. His entire body seemed to tense with anger and suddenly his shoe met with my stomach again, the blow both swift and harsh.

"You will follow orders, and the colonists will do the same. Am I understood? I did not raise a spoiled brat! I told you it was necessary and what I say damn-well goes!"

I shifted so I was kneeling before him, nodding at him with wide eyes. His foot met my stomach again and I toppled forward, my hands on the ground to support my crumbling upper half.

I saw him lift his foot again and I cringed, expecting another blow.

Instead he went for my hand, pressing down on it as I keened in pain. Something audibly cracked and he seemed satisfied, lifting his foot and grumbling something about tea.

There was a kiss to the top of my head and suddenly he was gone, into the kitchen to drink his tea.

I cradled my injured hand and stood, stumbling awkwardly to the porch. I needed a cigarette.

Phew, a normal length chapter. Haha took a bit, but I got it down. 3

Reviews make me smile :)