Disclaimer: We don't own Hetalia, unfortunately. It belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya. Also, expect yaoi in later chapters. Don't like it, don't read it.
Note: Hey, guys! Sorry about the wait. MTAC is in a few days and I've been scrambling to get everything ready. I will try to post the next chapter before we leave on Thursday. I hope you guys can forgive us in advance for what we're about to do in this chapter...

Roughly ten minutes after the American had fallen asleep, a knock sounded at the dorm's door. Alfred didn't hear it nor did he wake. The door was opened tentatively by none other than Zach. The medic looked around for a moment, confused when he saw Alfred's empty bed.

"What the bloody hell...?" he thought out loud, then saw Alfred snoring delicately under Arthur's duvet.

Zach left his umbrella by the door and walked over to the boy's sleeping form. He looked peaceful enough, snuggling into the pillow. The medic noted quickly that the braces Alfred had been wearing weren't on his wrists. He sighed and started looking for them. Zach wasn't sure what to think when he found the braces next to an open box of condoms and an assortment of other... items. Perhaps he should have worded his request to the prissy punk a bit differently. He grabbed the braces, and then returned to Alfred's side. It amazed him that the boy hadn't woken up and remained asleep as he fitted the braces into place.

After making sure that the boy was otherwise alright, Zach stepped away and pulled out his phone. Amber had given him Arthur's phone number just in case. He dialed, waiting for the prissy punk to pick up.

"Well.." Arthur paused afterwards.

What should he say now? Francis clearly knew about their fights and it had gotten to a whole new level of awkwardness. He sipped his tea, sighing.

"Well, we had few fights, but it was Alfred's own fault.. He was so loud and just because i couldn't remember his name he-" he felt his phone vibrate, paused and dug it out of his pocket. It was from Alfred. A smile sneaked upon his face as he saw the text, 'I miss you'. Arthur texted him back, 'I miss you too, Alfred. I will be home as fast as possible.' Arthur then sighed. He had forgotten what he just had talked about and a silence took over the conversation.

Soon he felt his phone vibrate once again; it was an unknown number, yet he answered it. What if it was important?

"Excuse me…" he said to the Frenchman and walked off to the door and walked outside, standing in the rain, "Yes?"

Francis listened intently and ate his croissant without really tasting it. The French student had no idea what to make of the emotions flitting across Arthur's face. It made him wonder what all had happened, considering Zach had told him very little. The medic said that, despite the fact that they were in the same fraternity, it was against confidentiality codes to reveal too much. What irritated him was the smile on Arthur's face when he started texting. Who on Earth could have been talking to? Then, the punk's phone had gone off. He'd never been this popular when they were roommates. What all had changed during the summer?

Zach waited until he heard Arthur's voice before speaking, "Hey. It's Zach… I thought I told you to keep an eye on Alfred."

Arthur sighed softly.

"I am sorry, but I do think he can take care of himself. In fact, I will be home soon," he growled.

God, he hated Zach. He was so annoying. Though, he was better than Arthur. He was just sick... and popular. Arthur couldn't help but wonder why. The punk was completely soaked by now; his hair, clothes, everything and it was really cold.

"Geez, why are you like that? It's just his wrists. He is feeling better and I bet he is just listening to some music or relaxing anyway," Arthur snarled.

"What? Worried about the two of you…? How long have you been gone?" Zach snapped back, "He was asleep when I got here. Why don't you two lock the door?"

The medic was getting tired of Arthur's attitude. While he waited for the punk to answer, he noted the quiet music playing in the room. The soft melody the guitar provided was remarkable, but he was stunned by the voice that accompanied it. There was no way… was that Arthur singing? Zach looked incredulously at the CD player. It couldn't be, but it was.

Francis watched out the window and tried to make sense of what was happening. Arthur looked like he wanted to murder the person on the other line. It worried him that his punk was standing in the rain looking like that.

Arthur sighed.

"Listen, Alfred was awake when I left. He could also have locked the door, okay? I can't be responsible for everything just because you hate me," he growled, "No. Sorry, I will get home now. Just give me a moment."

Arthur then hung up and walked back to Francis. He picked up his coat and got it on.

"We have to get back, now," was all he said, staring at Francis seriously for a moment before leaving off to the car. 'Zach is such an idiot, really,' he thought bitterly.

Francis caught Arthur's arm as he started to walk away from the table and stood quickly. He'd caught his limit with the punk. Too many of his questions were being dodged and Francis was out of patience.

"What happened? Who called you?" the French student demanded, more out of jealousy and anger than true concern.

Zach smirked as he heard the line disconnect. He hung up and dropped his phone into his pocket, snorting at part of what Arthur had said. He didn't hate the punk at all. On the contrary, he was moderately fond of the foul-mouthed sophomore.

Arthur groaned, "Alfred is my boyfriend. We had a fight and Alfred is hurt, so I have to get home and talk with the doctor-nurse-guy... alright?"

The punk just told him everything right away. He and Francis had once been best friends. While Arthur did trust him, he was just afraid that Alfred might have wanted it to be a secret.

Francis went from being moderately pale to the tips of his ears turning red; rage, embarrassment and envy coursed through him. He kept his hold on Arthur's wrist and dragged the punk to the car. It was all he could do just to get in the car without saying a word or punching the Brit for what he'd said.

Arthur shut his eyes, struggling slightly but not too much. Soon he was in the car, his arm hurt a bit.

"Francis?- What's wrong? I don't understand," he mumbled with a little frown and a confused face expression.

"Shut up," Francis snapped.

The French student drove back to the dorm in complete silence, parking in front of the building. He didn't want to bother with the stupid American of the heart throb Brit for a while. Yet, there was a burning desire to go to their room and beat Alfred senseless.

Arthur narrowed his eyes, glared at him.

"I thought you were over me," he growled before opening the door and made his way to their dorm, their room. Arthur walked in. Alfred was still sleeping. And... he was listening to the song. A smile formed Arthur's lips before he noticed Zach.

Zach had taken a seat at the table while he waited for Arthur to get back. He'd been listening to the CD and watching Alfred sleep. When Arthur came through the door, he'd been prepared to make some sort of crack about how he hadn't expected the punk to be able to sing. Something about Arthur's expression made him swallow the humor; now wasn't the time.

"Hey there, sunshine," he smirked.

Arthur blinked twice. Oh dear god, him… wait. Sunshine? Why would he call him that? …Idiot. Arthur walked to Alfred, looked at his face. Yeah, he was sleeping as a rock. Gently he sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at Zach.

"Hello, Zach," he just greeted before looking down.

The punk knew this was going to be fucked; Zach would pick on him for not taking care of Alfred.

Alfred stirred slightly, but was soon snoring quietly again with a faint smile on his face.

Zach snickered, "I put his braces back on his wrists and he so much as flinch. It makes me wonder if it'd take an atomic bomb to wake this kid up."

The medic tried to keep things light hearted. He didn't want to end up having a yelling match between himself and the punk just yet.

Arthur let out a little soft laugh.

"If that was the case, I am scared he would never wake up again," he said, looking at Zach.

Well, he was actually really… sexy? No! He didn't just think that… did he? Argh… he rubbed his neck.

"So, yeah…"

How awkward wasn't it? He just sat there, not knowing what to talk about.

"Are you alright, Arthur?" he asked, concerned.

Zach wasn't sure why he was so worried about the punk. Arthur's demeanor had changed so much since the last time the two of them had talked, it was somewhat shocking. It made the medic wonder what all had happened.

"Huh? Well, yeah," Arthur blinked.

Why wouldn't he be okay? After all, Arthur never changed, but when they meet, Arthur was so conflicted between being mad at Alfred, being slightly sad and suddenly someone was commanding him. But now… it was fine.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm worried about you two; Alfred for his physical injuries and you… because you seem emotionally torn," Zach came clean about his thoughts, hoping he wouldn't piss the punk off.

It wasn't really like him to try to keep tabs on people in this fashion. Still, it didn't stop him from worrying. Zach's heart was saying something slightly different than what his head was, however. Was he really just concerned for Arthur… or was it something more?

"E-Emotionally torn?" Arthur asked, slightly scared, afraid and sad.

"Don't think I can't see it," the medic said quietly.

Arthur knew he was kind of right. Even when he was happy, he was torn. It was just a part of being a teenager, being homosexual and an outsider, right?

"Please don't worry about me, Zach. I am fine." Arthur then offered a kind, kind smile

Zach saw straight through the punk, reading the emotions in those green eyes and the faint quaking in his voice. Why was he so afraid? Honeyed words through the iron bars of Arthur's fear lost their potency. The playful edge the medic had tried to keep slipped away and a crease formed between his brows.

"Not a chance," he spoke sincerely.

"I am just alone," Arthur shrugged, "Because I am not like anyone else. I am not the strongest, the fastest, the more handsome or the sexiest. I don't have the best voice and besides that, I am gay. So, what can I expect?" he mumbled slightly sadly "I also had a boyfriend who cheated on before, if that's what you mean. Why are you suddenly bringing that up?"

Zach hadn't see to care before, so why now?

"We all have our share of faults," Zach said once Arthur finished, "but it's how you chose to live that makes the difference. So what if you're gay? Half of my fraternity, myself included, are as straight as a circle and we get along just fine."

He paused to walk over and kneel in front of Arthur, looking up at the Brit. The medic wasn't about to tell him about his past dating experiences, but there was something else that bugged him.

"And I refuse to believe that you don't have killer vocals," he said with a slight smirk, "There are pros that don't sound half as good as you."

Arthur's cheeks flushed red and he looked embarrassed away.

"I-I... Well, I…" he then laughed, not knowing what to say, "Nah, I am not that good. I just try my best. The only thing that's really bugging me is how I look. I am too fat," he mumbled. Arthur was underweight, so that a load of crap, "And my eyebrows are thick."

Zach sat back against the A/C unit and laughed quietly, "I've seen twigs bigger than you, Arthur."

He looked over at the punk, noticing the blush. He hadn't meant to flirt with Arthur… oh well. The medic understood what he meant about the eyebrows. It looked like they had a life of their own, which was a bit disturbing.

Arthur covered his face as he noticed he was staring at his brows, "Fine! I will go shave them off!"

Arthur got up, trailed off to the bathroom, pouting. He wasn't even kidding, though would they probably grow out again in few days. Of course, he would be wrong, but still… They were so damn big, he had often wondered how he didn't have a unibrow.

Zach got up and ran after Arthur, "C'mon, dude... you know that's not what I meant!"

He would have said something else, but a high pitched yell rang out from down the hall. Whoever it was sounded like they were in absolute agony. The medic ran out of the room towards the source of the noise. Where the hell were the Resident Advisors in this dorm!?

Alfred sat up quickly, startled out of a sound sleep by the scream. He nearly fell back into unconsciousness due to the throbbing pain in his head, but managed to stay awake.

'Mattie!'

Arthur blinked when hearing the scream and ran as well. It was just a scream. And yet, it was… unbelievable. Arthur had never heard a scream like that before. He followed Zach, but slowly stopped since it was too hard to run.

Alfred got up and without a second thought to his own health, ran after the brunette who'd just left the room. He was certain that it had been Mattie... he'd only heard his brother scream once, but there was no mistaking it. What on earth had happened?

Zach barged into one of the rooms just down the hall to find Francis holding a bloodied knife, standing over a pale kid who looked a lot like Alfred. The kid was clutching his shoulder, but the medic saw the blood staining his hoodie. Zach pounced on Francis, knocking his now former friend to the floor and wrestled the blade out of his hands.

Arthur finally arrived to the room and saw Francis, then Matthew. He narrowed his eyes. Why would he do that? Why?! Arthur walked to Francis, grabbed him by his shirt and pushed him against the wall, staring into his eyes.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Arthur asked and punched him several times.

Alfred skidded into the room and didn't so much as see Francis. He rushed to Mattie, kneeling next to him. His brother was crying with blood splattered on his face from his wounded shoulder. Mattie was hyperventilating and it scared Alfred horridly.

"Mattie.. Mattie, talk to me," he begged.

Matthew buried his face in Alfred's shoulder and sobbed. He hadn't known why Francis had been so upset when the French student had walked in. All Matthew had done was say hi and Francis had attacked him. ...what had he done to deserve this?

Zach got up from the floor and pulled Arthur away from Francis, shoving the punk a few steps back. Francis was a real pushover... a few punches and the snob was out cold. The medic lowered the French student to the floor and pulled out his phone, calling campus police. While the phone rang, he turned on Arthur.

"Don't touch him again," Zach snapped, "I left my kit in your room. Take Alfred and... Mattie, was it? Take them to your room and take care of them. I'll deal with this."

It was bad enough that Francis had attacked Matthew. Zach didn't think Alfred could take seeing Arthur being taken away on assault charges as well.

Arthur glared at the medic. Right when he started to think that Zach was nice, it all proved to be wrong. Arthur motioned to his roommate. Alfred picked the crying Canadian up and carried him to their room. What was wrong with Zach and his mood swings? Regardless, they got Matthew to Arthurs bed and Arthur found the kit.

"Uh... What do I do?" Arthur asked uncertainly.

Alfred ended up being forced to sit down next to Mattie; his brother had latched his arms around him the moment he'd been sat down. The American scooted back on the bed and pulled him into his lap. This was so wrong... so cruel. No one deserved this, especially not his soft spoken sibling. Stroking Mattie's hair, he looked up at Arthur. Worry, pain, confusion and uncertainty danced in his eyes.

"C-could you get a wet washcloth? I want to try to get some of the blood off," Alfred was trying to keep his voice from shaking like he knew his hands were, "Arthur, do… do you know why..?"

The American couldn't bring himself to finish the question. Arthur had flown off the handle back there. There was something he knew that he wasn't saying and it involved his brother... who looked like he could have been Alfred's twin.

Arthur got everything he thought they would need and carried it to Alfred. Then, Arthur retreated to the bathroom and smoked a cigarette. He couldn't answer Alfred, not right now. He wanted to be alone with him. He ended up sitting there, crying. So much had happened in, what..? Two days?

Zach waited in the room with Francis until security got there and told them what had happened. His thought kept drifting back to the punk; mainly, back to how angry he'd been. The medic sort of understood what had happened. At least, he thought he did. Arthur had gotten into a fight with Francis over Alfred and taken it out on someone who looked exactly like the one the French student blamed. The campus cops had him attempt to explain everything, and then one of their officers escorted Zach to Arthur's room. The woman seemed nice enough and was clearly worried about the little Canadian.

Alfred wiped away the blood and tears from Mattie's face, trying not to break down. He could hear Arthur crying in the bathroom. It broke his heart that he couldn't do anything just yet. He was about to help his brother out of the bloody hoodie when Zach and a female officer walked into the room. Zach looked around the room and frowned; he sat down at the table, looking like he was about ready to murder someone. The officer walked straight over to him and Mattie.

"Hello, guys," she smiled at them, "I'm Liz. Zach told me a bit about what happened... can I help you two out?"

Mattie looked up at Alfred; the tears had slowed, but he still looked scared.

"It's alright," Alfred said more to Matthew than to the officer.

Liz helped Matthew to the table and gently pulled the hoodie off of the frightened youth. While she took care of the shallow wound, Alfred slipped into the bathroom. The blonde hugged his angel close, wishing he knew how to help.

Arthur pushed the other away, staring down.

"Don't touch me," he said with a shaky voice.

Alfred stumbled back, confusion and hurt lingering on his face, "W-what did I do?"

The punk had almost had sex with Alfred. Now, the American was his boyfriend. They hadn't even had their first lesson yet and so much had happened… Arthur couldn't cope it. He sobbed softly, walked to their room, looking at all the people in there before continuing walking away.

He walked down the hallway, outside and to the gym. There was a pool inside and he could take a swim or something. He got inside and it was empty, all lights were turned off. It looked like something from a horror movie, but he walked in anyway.

He jumped into the water, fully dressed as he tried to think of something else. He kicked his clothes off, until he was wearing boxers.

The American's eyes misted over as Arthur left and sank to the floor. It seemed that he had a talent for fucking things up.

A few minutes passed without his notice. Zach walked into the bathroom, looking worried. The medic was about at the end of his rope with Arthur's bullshit. He knelt next to Alfred, placing a hand on the blonde's shoulder.

"We're going to take Mattie down to the clinic, then go to housing for a bit. He's agreed to crash with me for the semester. Try not to let this get you down, Alfred," he said quietly, then left with the others.

The water was cool and relaxing and he could be alone. Well, it had been until a janitor came and told him that the gym was about to close. He walked into his room and everyone was gone, except Alfred. He looked down, only standing in a pair of wet boxers and holding his other clothes.

Arthur murmured, "I am sorry."

Alfred kept his head down, even when he heard Arthur's voice nearby. He didn't want the punk to realize how much he'd been agonizing over this. Wrapping his arms around his knees, he tried to stop the tears from falling.

"What do you want?" the American mumbled, his voice thick with emotion.

"Sorry," his tone was still low.

The punk knew he shouldn't have left, but Arthur had never been the type who could cope a lot and this was too much.

"It's just… I came this school because everything at home is messed up. And now this… it's so confusing. I realize I am gay and," he sighed before he looked at Alfred, "I know Matthew will be all right."

Alfred shoved himself to his feet, pulling his hair down to cover his face. He walked over to his bed and fell face first into the pillow. He didn't feel like talking about anything, especially not Mattie or their relationship. It'd all been too much too soon.

Arthur noticed that. He grabbed his chin before running the hand to his own neck, the tugged his hair. How should he tell Alfred? Well, he just had to.

"Al, uh… I know you don't want to talk, but I would still let you know that… I'm leaving" he said, sighing softly.

Alfred lifted his head long enough to pull his glasses off and glance at Arthur through his hair. He hoped the pillow had removed the evidence of his momentary lapse in emotional control. This was getting out of hand... He face planted back into the pillow and tried to calm down. It made him curious, though. What was Arthur saying? The American rolled over so that his back was against the wall and looked up at his angel.

"What do you mean?"

Arthur was quiet for a bit, sitting down on his bed, resting his head in his hands as he was trying to find words. He then looked towards Alfred.

"I don't even know you and we almost had sex. It was my fault that Francis stabbed Matthew and it's just.. If it's going to be like this the rest of the school year, I will end up committing suicide." he said with a rather harsh voice, "I was forced to go here so I could have some time alone, see? When I am away from my brother, I mess up. He always knew what I should do.."

"W-what..?" Alfred bit back the words as his emotions seeped into them.

The American couldn't help the hurt expression on his face as his hair shifted away from his red-rimmed eyes. It sounded like Arthur thought of him as a mistake. The thought made him feel hollow, save for the overwhelming, soul crushing waves of depression. Alfred didn't understand much of what the punk had said. How was it Arthur's fault that Mattie had been attacked? The American wanted to reach out to him, touch him... but the fear of being shoved away again twisted his stomach into knots.

"I love you," Arthur said with a soft voice, "I do love you, but I don't want all this drama. Just going to this school was sick.. I don't need it to get worse. You are the only good thing that has happened…" Arthur stared down, "I want to be held by you, kissed, hugged, touched, pleased by you… but Francis would get jealous or Matthew wouldn't think i was good for you. Then one of us will get sick or something. Something bad always happen to me."

Alfred couldn't stop the tear that streaked down his face as he stared, stunned, at the punk. He knew that his brother would never be judgmental of his choices and that Francis... he would likely be a problem for the rest of the American's life. Lyrics from one of his favorite songs ran through his head. There's a burning in my pride, a nervous bleeding in my brain. He didn't want this to happen; to fall apart in front of Arthur. Yet, he couldn't stop the tears from falling or the lost look on his face. An ounce of peace is all I want for you. It was all he wanted for both of them. Just a chance, really, to make everything okay again. He couldn't bring himself to say a word. Emotion choked off every attempt, burying his heart further with anxiety. Will you never call again?

Arthur noticed the tears and moved from his own bed to Alfred's. He moved beside him, nuzzling close.

"Do you really want me to stay?" he asked with a low voice.

The punk wanted to, but then the drama had to stop and he wouldn't give it another chance to start again.

Alfred tried to wipe away the tears and moved into the other's touch, "I.. I lost a piece of me in you. I think I left it in your arms. Of course I want you to stay."

The American wasn't sure if he could take the pressure either, but the thought of being with Arthur... it was worth the effort, even if he was discarded in the end. He sniffled, trying to put that last bit of his thoughts far from his mind.

Arthur wrapped his arms around him or a moment before cupping his cheeks, staring into those stunning ocean eyes, "Then I will stay, but only for you."

Arthur felt as though he had to, in fact. He didn't know where Alfred lived. What if it was far away?

Alfred wrapped his arms around his angel's waist, "It's all I can ask for..."

His head fell against Arthur's shoulder. Despite sleeping for a bit, he was tired both physically and emotionally. All the American really wanted at the moment was to cuddle up with his angel and go to sleep. 'But now I know my wounds are sewn because of who you are,' he thought with a faint smile.

Arthur kissed Alfred's lips and closed his eyes. He was tired and he knew Alfred was as well, and they had a long school day tomorrow as well.

Afterward: By the way, I'm going to be taking up another story in the near future. The poll for it has been up for about a month and no one's really paid it much mind... think we could fix this? Thanks to everyone who's read and reviewed!