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Chapter Four: A Not-So Successful Party, pt. 1

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Feliciano opened the door as soon as Matthew had knocked. "Ciao, bella~ Ciao, Alfie!"

"Hello, Feliciano… how've you been?" Alfred asked as he received a kiss on both cheeks before the small Italian boy moved on to the Canadian boy.

"Ve~ Things are going fine… I just put the pasta in the water… would you like anything to drink?" the Italian boy asked.

"Water, please," Alfred said, proceeding to look around the house. He saw it was as messy as it had ever been, despite the fact that Ludwig was there, picking up some books and trying to put them away in the bookshelf. He held up some socks and sighed, about ready to give up.

"Ludwig," Alfred said curtly.

"Alfred," Ludwig replied.

You could cut the tension with a knife. Or with Feliciano dragging Ludwig into the kitchen. Matthew went into the kitchen as well, leaving Alfred to sit on the couch and think… or whatever Alfred did with his head these days.

"Ve~ any progress with getting his mind off Arty, bella?" Feliciano asked, pouring regular tap water into a blown glass cup he had probably made himself. He and his brother had gone to a rather… art-centered school growing up, leaving Mattie to go to public school. At least the Canadian had met (and fallen in love with) Alfred…

"Well… he tried to undress me today, eh?" Matthew joked.

Ludwig face-palmed and Feliciano's eyebrows raised, "That man bounces back fast," Feliciano commented.

"I hope you vere joking, Matt…" Ludwig said.

"I vas—I mean, I was, Ludwig. I really hope that Alfred hasn't suddenly become Francis or, God forbid, Gilbert, eh. Uh, no offense, Ludwig…" Matthew replied, laughing, and then becoming silent.

"None taken, belief me…" Ludwig replied, smiling only slightly.

"But… he did try to take off my shirt, eh," Matthew said softly.

Ludwig and Feliciano paused in their dinner preparations, waiting for Matthew to continue. "It was hot, and we were working in the garden. I was being stubborn, and the shirt I was wearing was… similar to this one," he pulled at the long-sleeved, button-down shirt he was wearing, "He saw I was… uh, overheating, and tried to take off my shirt…"

"Aww~" the Italian boy cooed, hugging Matthew, "I must admit that you are cute when you're stubborn, bella… keep that up, and Alfie will be yours in a heartbeat!"

Uhh… Francis? I zink we should clear out… hee zeems to bee listening more to hees angel… Shoulder Ivan said.

Give it time, mon ami… he will have to succumb to our ways with all of Alfred's "It hurts!" nonsense! Shoulder Francis shouted back. Matthew sighed as Feliciano gave him the glass.

"Will you give Alfie this, Mattie?"

"Uhh… okay, eh," Matthew replied.

For extra protection, Ludwig followed him. Ludwig too? How many people has Alfred got on his bad side?! Matthew thought.

Alfred and Ludwig stared at him. As Matthew set down Alfred's water, he came to realize that he had said his thought out loud. Feliciano heard it too, and sighed, knowing that the comment was supposed to stay inside his head.

"How many people do I have on my bad side, Mattie?" Alfred asked.

"Uhh… three?" Matthew replied.

"And Ludwig is one of them?" Alfred asked, his question aimed at the German. Ludwig nodded after a few seconds.

"What did I ever do to you, Ludwig?" the American almost whined.

"Uhh… you… you broke my heart, you American ass-hat," Ludwig cursed.

Feliciano and Mattie were sharing a giant armchair, watching the events unfold like Japanese fan-girls.

"When did you two go out, eh?" Matthew asked.

"Let's see… this was… before Antonio?" Alfred replied.

"Before the Belgian girl," Ludwig said shortly after Alfred.

Feli and Mattie looked at each other and sang, "Don't say it isn't awesome… because I'm AWESOME!" before turning back to their unrequited loves. The two older blondes chuckled before Alfred turned to Ludwig.

"I'm sorry, Ludwig. You were still my first. That has to account for something, right?" Alfred asked.

"You're first sexual relation, ja. Francis was your first kiss, and Ivan was your first love, ja?"

Matthew looked at Feliciano and both of their looks said, THAT'S why Alfred doesn't like Ivan and Francis!

"Well, what about you two, huh?" Alfred asked. Both men trained their eyes on the two giggling boys.

"E-e-e-eh? Feli and I p-p-promised each other we would stay abstinent…" Matthew tried to add more, but he was blushing and stuttering like mad.

"… Ve~ At least until we found our Mr. Right…" Feliciano said, a slight blush creeping over his nose, "I-I-I-I think the pasta salad is just about chilled!" he yelled, running back to the kitchen. Matthew ran after him to set the table.

~*~

Aah, the truth comes out, non?

More /interesting/ dinner party antics to come, from making desserts (a.k.a Matthew would STILL make a good housewife) to Feliciano's choice of after-eating music (You have the Italian belle right after the Canadian belle? Really, Feli, really?)

Please, please, PLEASE review, mon belle ami(s)! Mucho grazie!

~Ana~