Authors Note: Hello faithful readers and newcomers! I hope all of you are doing well and I hope you're excited to read the newest chapter! However, before you go and do that, you should check out the latest edition to my fanfiction family: Candy House! It's an interactive fanfic and if all goes well for it, then I may make a FrUS interactive fanfic! It would be great if you helped me with testing this out! So go check out Candy House for me, would you? And enjoy this new chapter!

"Francis." Alfred would say, trying to hide the faint blush forming along his cheeks. His hands would instantly jam into his pockets and the American blond would let his blue eyes advert to the side. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Oui. It has." The Frenchman said, his own blue eyes looking at the male before him. It had been a very long time since they last saw each other. "I'm surprised to see you here in France and of all places, this one." He motioned around. Annecy was a sight to behold. It was one of those places that wasn't over glorified, not like Paris, but it wasn't off the beaten path. It was just… well… Annecy.

"Well, I needed to get some fresh air. What better place than here?" Alfred would put on a smile, though it was a fake one. He wasn't depressed or anything. No. He just wasn't ready to face Francis yet.

"Oui. Annecy is a beautiful place. Of course, this was where I first told you, was it not?" Francis had a playful smile lit up across his own face, gently nudging the American who let out the fakest of laughs.

"Hmm. I guess it was!" Alfred would smile brighter, wishing Francis would go. He needed to go. Yes, Alfred remembered this place. It was special to him. Very special to his heart and maybe, just maybe, that is why he came here. To revisit those youthful memories but he didn't want Francis here with him. He wanted to enjoy these memories alone.

"Well, since you're here and I'm here, maybe we can catch up?" Francis would ask, though he was inviting himself. Normally, he wasn't this pushy but he wanted to talk to Alfred. They needed to speak to each other.

"Well, yeah, I guess we could." Alfred would keep his smile there, though inside he was screaming. No! No! No! I can't talk to you yet!

"How about I treat you to lunch?" Food was always the way to Alfred's heart. Well, not exactly, but it was a good start.

"I guess I am a little hungry…" As if on cue, Alfred's stomach would let out a small rumble. This caused a chuckle to come from the Frenchman.

"Let's go. I know the perfect place." Francis would lead the way, Alfred following behind. They ended up going to a small café. It was nice, hardly any wait for service. The two would order their food and drinks, watching the waiter leave with their order in hands.

"So…" Alfred began to speak, "What do you want to talk about?" He was no longer smiling. His face had plain features all across it as he waited for Francis to just talk.

"Well, Alfred, I want to what you've been up to. After all, it's been what, almost thirty years since you've come to France."

"Thirty years? It doesn't seem like that long ago."

"Are you still upset?" Francis would ask, blue eyes focusing on the now glum features of the American. He took that as a yes. "I'm surprised that you haven't moved on already."

Alfred wouldn't speak.

"I promise you, Alfred, I will cherish you in my heart forever."

Yeah. Right. He was lying then. After all, Alfred had walked in on him. Francis was with another man! He saw it with his own eyes! And of all people, it was Arthur! How could Francis betray him like that?

"Do you like breaking hearts?" Alfred would snap at the Frenchman, tears filling up in his eyes as he watched the other male shoot up from the covers, naked with another man in bed with him. It was Arthur. Of all the people he could have betrayed him with, it had to be Arthur.

"Look, Alfred, I know that you'll never forgive me. You need to move on. Arthur has."

'I don't want to talk about that!" Alfred snapped at the other male, standing up. Francis had risen as well, trying to calm the other.

"Alfred, I know I hurt you. I'm a shitty person, I know! I'm not asking for a second chance, how could I after what you saw? I just want you to hear me out. Just listen. After that, if you never want to speak to me again, I understand."

This was enough to make the American freeze. He would look at the other male, malice across his face. "Francis, you broke my heart. You better explain everything to me now because it's going to be your only chance." He would sit back down, the look of hatred never leaving his face.

That gift… I couldn't believe he gave me that… The statue that stood so proud and high. It symbolized freedom and liberty. Francis knew me too well and I couldn't help but smile every time I saw that golden statue. She was tall and proud. I loved waking up and looking at her.

Now, I can't even bear to see that dull green thing outside my window. She was a gift, yes, I could never get rid of her, but when I saw her, it reminded me of how I was used. Yes. To others she stood for freedom. For me, she was a prison, making sure I was reminded every single day of the man I once loved.

"I'll start from the beginning." Francis said, looking gravely at the American male across the table from him. "When you were little, just that little child running in the fields, I knew I wanted to take care of you. After all, you were as precious as the sun. You would light up my life and I knew that. Of course, there were others who wanted you as well. You had to choose. Originally, you came to me. I don't think you understand how delighted I was to take you into my arms. But then, you had a change of heart. You always did prefer the Brit. Especially when he put on that façade. Well, as the years had gone by, I was lonely. Of course, I had my own child to take care of. Matthew, your brother, had decided to stay with me. He was a sweet child, he still is." The Frenchman paused, looking over to examine Alfred's facial expression. It hadn't changed. "So the both of you grew up, separate. I knew eventually the two of you would want your independence. Of course, Arthur wouldn't give you yours. So I helped you. You had grown into a strapping young man, to my surprise. I was almost jealous of Arthur. Almost. But when I helped you, something had changed. We became good friends. And then, well, my people, they wanted to give you a gift and so we gave you Lady Liberty. She was a beauty. And when we showed you the plans for making her, in all of her prowess, the way your eyes lit up, I knew then that I loved you more than anything."

"Stop." Alfred would interrupt. He didn't want to hear any more of this bullshit! "Just tell my why you did that! Why did you betray me?"

"Alfred, I never wanted to betray you like that. It is a complicated matter. You know my boss at the time; he didn't quite recognize our bond. He wanted for me to become closer to Arthur. Of course, that would never happen but, well, then you walked in on that. I needed help at the time. I was falling apart and the only way I could get help is if I did that with Arthur. It was only business. I have no feelings for him in the way that I do for you. I still care for you."

Alfred scoffed, standing. He handed some money to cover the food he wouldn't eat and turned to leave. He didn't want to talk to Francis. Not now. He needed to cool off and so the American began to walk. Fast. He needed to calm down. Tomorrow. Tomorrow he would talk to Francis. He had to, anyways.

Authors Note: Sorry! This chapter was a little rushed! The next chapter will begin to tie everything together! R&R F&F And have a nice day!