"G-go back with you?" Arthur cried incredulously. It had been almost 3 months since Alfred had left, saying he'd had enough, and now, here he was, pleading with Arthur to not only be with him again, but to go to a whole new continent with him. "Al… I think it's been too l-"

"No!" Alfred interrupted, squeezing Arthur's hand. "Don't say it's been too long… I was stupid to let you go, it was the biggest mistake of my life. " The American released the others hand, and put down his coffee before wrapping his arms around his waist, and buried his head in the crook of his neck, inhaling the distinct, perfumed scent of Earl Grey that seemed to cling to Arthur. "I missed you, babe." A slow, trembling sigh left Arthur's lips as he too laced his arms around Alfred, resting his head on his strong shoulder.

"I missed you too, love."

Alfred's lips moved into a small, crooked smile, and Arthur shivered as they softly brushed against his bare neck as he spoke, the southern drawl he had pick up from his father seeping into his voice.

"C'mon. Let's clean up the tea and get you some more." Was Alfred purposefully putting his accent on? He knew that it made Arthur weak at the knees…

Grudgingly, Alfred pulled away from Arthur, smiling inwardly when he felt Arthur's hands were reluctant to leave him too. He picked up the shards of the cup, before soaking up the tea with a kitchen towel. Arthur watched with dull eyes as Alfred made tea, like he used to. The American could make the best coffee in the world, but when it came to tea, his skills were somewhat lacking, and although the tea was never perfect, there was something about the way he made it that made Arthur love it.

Arthur murmured a soft thanks when Alfred handed him the cup, taking a long, slow, satisfying sip. He cracked an eye open, meeting Alfred's anxious gaze.

"You've been practicing," he accused. Alfred flashed a lop-sided grin.

"Yeah, you got me," he chuckled. "I missed you, and I really wanted to come back much sooner, but with my exams, I couldn't so I figured I'd try drinking tea like you have it, just to remind myself of you." Arthur's cheeks dusted pink at the sweet gesture.

"So, you like tea now?" He asked with a small smile. Alfred shook his head violently.

"Nah, still tastes like shit," he laughed, gasping dramatically when Arthur playfully punched him in the arm.

"Idiot," he chuckled quietly, taking another thoughtful sip of tea.

A silence fell between the two men, but it wasn't an uncomfortable one. No, silence was a treasured thing, when they were together, for silence meant no snide comments from Arthur, no senseless rambling from Alfred, it meant peace.

They soon found themselves on the sofa, casually chatting about the past 3 months.

"And how is Matthew doing?" Arthur asked. He lost contact with Alfred's twin brother after they split up. Another regret.

"Who?" Alfred asked, frowning in confusion. "Another one of your imaginary friends?"

"No, you moron!" Arthur cried. "Matthew. Mattie. Your bloody twin!" Arthur couldn't help but smile as Alfred put on his 'thinking face'. It was a rare occasion, and Arthur wondered if Alfred could hear himself thing over the grating sound of the rusted gears beginning to grind together.

"Oh, Mattie!" Alfred grinned. "He's doing great! He's at NYU, so, I'll be going to university with him now! He, er… He offered to let me stay with him, but…" His fingers once again intertwined with Arthurs, as he gazed into the mossy green eyes that he adored so much. "I think I'd rather get a place with you."

Arthur swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Alfred, I-"

"But, you're already over me, huh?" Arthur looked up, his first love's sky blue eyes were pained, but the smile was still pinned onto his face. "The cake in the kitchen. It was freshly baked, you could smell it." His smile grew. "So, either you've learned to cook, or someone made it…" Arthur nodded.

"Second one," he confirmed. It almost broke his heart to see the look of devastation sweep across Alfred's face.

"So… I suppose I'm not surprised, really," Alfred smiled weakly, shrugging. "You're so amazing, anyone would be stupid to pass up an opportunity to be with you…" Arthur blushed darkly, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. Alfred had been everything he has ever wanted… and now, that man thought he was with someone else.

"Al, I-"

"So, tell me about him," the American interrupted, running a hand through his hair casually. Arthur was about to argue back, but quickly decided against it.

"His… name is Francis," he started. Though Arthur would say he was lying, Alfred saw the small smile appear when he said the man's name. "He, erm… he's Kiku's friend, again," he lied. "We've known each other for a while, and he needed a place to stay for a while… It just developed from there, I guess." He looked back to Alfred's forced smile. "But, I'm not with him. I'm single."

Hope flooded the American's eyes once more.

"Y-you are?" He asked incredulously. "So… What do you think? Do you want to get back together? I mean, you don't have to move with me right away, cause it'd be pretty awkward if you moved to America and we broke up, but we won't break up again, cause I love you, but we could go for long distance, and-"

"Alfred." It was Arthur's turn to interrupt. His hands cupped Alfred's cheeks. "I love you. I do… but I can't do this. Not again. We broke up for a reason, and it'll all descend into fighting again…" Alfred nodded slowly.

"I was afraid you'd say that… You like him, huh?" Alfred frowned when Arthur wrinkled his nose. "Stop lying about your real feelings!" He snapped at the Brit. "You say I'm an idiot, but you're too damn proud to admit you like someone. You did it with me, and you're doing it with Francis. You're hurting him, as well as yourself." Arthur was stunned. Alfred had never been so blunt, nor had he ever shown an ounce of wisdom.

"…I like him," Arthur admitted. "A lot; he's perfect for me..." Alfred didn't look upset anymore. His smile was genuine.

"Tell him, mkay?" Alfred ordered more than asking. "Don't let him slip away, or I'll be really mad." The men smiled softly at each other, as Arthur nodded. "Can I, uh, have one thing before I go?"

"Anything," Arthur smiled, grateful for the advice, and the chance to see Alfred before he left.

Before Arthur knew it, Alfred had leaned forward, pressing their lips together. After the initial shock, Arthur returned the kiss, their lips moving against each other in sync. It was so familiar, so much different from Francis. Arthur's hand moved to Alfred's neck, stroking it softly with his thumb, smiling against his lips as the American quietly mewled into the kiss. The pulse beneath Arthur's hand sped up. Francis didn't have one of those… He felt Alfred's hand exploring his chest, taking in every small dip and curve, touching just the right places. Francis didn't know them… But if Arthur didn't care about Francis, he wouldn't be thinking of him while kissing another man… Alfred…

The front door opened. They broke apart, their heads snapping to the figure in the door way.

"Hey," Alfred smiled. "You must be Francis?"

"Oui…" He confirmed quietly, his eyes locked on Arthur. "Alfred, I presume?" The American nodded his head, not sensing the stifling awkwardness.

"That's me! Artie told you about me, huh? I didn't know he liked French guys…" Francis' jaw clenched.

"Oui, he's mentioned you. Et I believe he prefers Americans…" Francis went upstairs without another word.

"He ain't too friendly, huh?" Alfred pouted. Arthur sighed, his head in his hands.

"He is usually… But after seeing that, I doubt he will be…"