The last thing Arthur expected to find on his doorstep two days before the end of Christmas break was Gilbert Beilschmidt, sniffling with eyes redder than usual, standing by two suitcases. The teen looked up at Arthur, lower lip quivering. Swiftly, he wiped his eyes.

"I'm sorry bro-It's just-I-I didn't know where I could-Francis has a sick mom. Antonio has a million and one siblings and is dealing with scheidung. Romano can't sleep in his own house. Elizaveta's house is small and Roderich would kill me if stepped on his lawn. Mattie-Aw, fuck, I've gotta tell Mattie-Sein Vater freakin' hasst mich and-and I-.Mein Gott, Arthur. I didn't know where else the fuck to go."

The Brit didn't understand a single word past Gil's hysterical crying, but he was pretty damn sure he heard German at one point. Any foreign language other than Italian and French gave him a headache when he struggled to translate, so he gave Gilbert the usual Sophomore Slump greeting ritual and took the teen's suitcases inside before he started talking again.

"Follow me,"

Gilbert nodded, blowing on his fingerless gloves before stuffing them into his jeans.

Ignoring the questioning eyes of his brothers, Arthur quickly passed the living room to reach the guest room hallway.

"You can sleep in here," He grunted, kicking open a door. "I'm sorry that it's not as artistic as your usual room, but I'm sure Mum won't mind if you hang up a poster or two. Oh, and your room is approximately two feet apart from Draco's. If there is any issue, or you hear anything strange at night, don't be a hero. Get up and run. Draco loves pulling pranks on guests. Especially mine."

Gilbert threw his arms around Artie, giving him a fast, chaste kiss.

"Vielen Dank." He breathed.

Arthur could at least understand that much.

"Keine Ursache." He said after a pause. Gilbert laughed a sorrowful, hollow sound that the blonde hoped never to hear again.

Arthur gently pried him off.

"Go in there and get settled. I'll talk to my mum."

He left before the door closed. He probably wouldn't get answers to any of his questions for a while. Gilbert wasn't the cry in public type. And judging from the wreck he looked like when he first arrived, he needed a lot of time alone to mourn.

Sighing, he entered the kitchen, where Holly was removing a tray from the oven. Brightly, the woman hugged her son as he entered.

"Splendid! I was just about to tell Draco to holler for you! Try this!"

A huge chocolate chip cookie was shoved in his face. Unfazed, he broke off a piece and chewed.

"That's a good batch. But, that's to be expected, since you're the only person in this house that can cook."

"Oh you silly little changeling! Here," She placed a majority of the warm sweets into a platter and covered it with a paper towel.

"Sneak this to Gilbert and do not let your brothers smell it."

The blonde nodded, and then did a double-take.

"How did you-?"

"Yes, Gil may stay. But tell him that the bird he's snuggling in his hoodie has to be in a cage when he's in school. Actually, run down to the basement. I should have a spare cage or two there.

To her son's confused look, Holly laughed and gave him a mischievous wink.

"Your fath-. I mean, a good friend of mine told me. Just because you lost 'The Sight' doesn't mean we all did Artie."

Rather than stay and talk to his senile mother, Arthur did as he was told. After a quick run to the musty basement, he was in front of Gilbert's door with a dusty cage and platter of chocolate chip cookies. Pushing open the door with his nose, he loudly cleared his throat before entering.

Gilbert pulled the blankets over himself, turning away with a loud sniffle.

"Don't worry. I didn't see anything. There are cookies here if you need comfort food. And Mum asked me to get you a cage for your bird."

Cautiously, Arthur looked around, afraid that a huge eagle would jump at him out of nowhere.

Knowing Gil, he probably did own a huge eagle. A carnivorous huge eagle.

He set the cage down and slowly backed out of the room, so as to not provoke anything.

"Ouch! Bugger Artie! Watch where you're going you big jerk!"

"Peter! Leave!"

The middle schooler stuck out his tongue, running inside. He set down a mug of milk next to the cookies, connected his thumb to his nose and wiggled his fingers, flashing a Peter Pan signal. Before Arthur could catch him, he squealed and jumped on top of Gilbert.

"Mmmf!"

"Peter!"

"Hello old chap! Oh, why are you crying?"

"Peter stop it!"

Pouting, the young one took the end of his shirt and wiped the teen's face clean.

"I say sir, even though you look a lot like one of those Twilight vampires, you are rather handsome for your age. Do you wish to hear what my Auntie Holly tells me?"

"Sure." Arthur winced at the gravel in Gil's voice.

"My Auntie Holly says that handsome men are too good for tears. A majority of the time, the matter depressing you is not worth crying for. So buck up good friend, and find the joy you're being deprived of. If all else fails, you still have you to be thankful for. Stay Strong!"

There was a long moment of silence. Gradually, Gilbert turned to Arthur, with a grin as wide as the horizon.

"This little guy should be a politician or something. That's the most motivational thing I've heard since the end of seventh grade."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "I hope I die before Pete becomes a politician for any country. Come on. Let's leave Gil alone for a bit Pete."

"But-!"

"Mum's made cookies. You should run before Draco eats them all."

At that, the boy ran out of the room, screaming bloody murder.

"He's crazy."

"I wish I had a younger brother like that."

"We're cousins."

"But you treat him like a brother."

To that Arthur had no reply. The two sat in silence for a minute. Awkwardly, the Brit looked everywhere but at his friend.

"Artie?"

"Hmm?"

"Could you put Gilbird in his cage for me?"

Within Gilbert's outstretched palm was a small tuft of yellow. As he took it, the ball chirped, raising its head to peer at Arthur curiously.

"This is your bird?"

"Mmhmm. He's helped me through a lot."

"Like what?"

"Like-!"

SLAM!

"Damn it Gil! I told you! None of that crap till Spring Break! Couldn't you have waited?"

A furious Matthew jumped in, strangling his boyfriend as tears ran down his face.

"Mon dieu! I can't believe you! You-You-You fucking…God, what the hell are we gonna do?"

If Matthew Williams was crying, cursing, and getting extremely violent, everyone knew that those within his presence were in danger of losing their lives. Urgently, Arthur coaxed Gilbird into his cage and marched right out the guest room before the Canadian could turn his fury on him.

When he returned to the kitchen, his mother was already started on her next baking project, hands covered in flour.

"So how'd it go? I thought I saw Mattie come in as well."

Arthur shoved Peter, making the boy choke on his milk-soaked cookie.

"I just don't know mum. I just don't know."

"Well, sometimes ignorance is bliss, love," The woman set a platter of cookies before him,

"Knowledge can come later, when it'll be less painful. Since I know you two are going to ask, Gilbert may stay for as long as he likes. But, if he plans on going to college, he'd better be prepared to pay a student loan or get some major scholarships. I'm only paying for half of his college fees."

Arthur chuckled, holding his mother's hand as she stroked his cheek.

"Love you mum."

"Love you too sweet tea."

"Aww, look at ickle, wittle Artie."

Draco strolled in, stealing a cookie off of both Peter and Arthur's plates and making a beeline for the fridge.

"Could you please stop mocking your brother? It's such a shame you're at each other's throats now. You two used to be so close."

It was Draco's turn to choke. Wincing, the red head spit whatever orange juice he was drinking back into the carton. (Arthur made a mental note to remind himself to mark that container.)

"In what world?"

"Before your father passed. It was so cute. Artie used to sit on your lap and watch as you played guitar. Then little Mac would come in and-."

"AHHH! Heilig Scheiße! Get it-! NO! Get it away from me! Mein gott Mattie!"

All eyes turned to face Arthur. Sighing, the boy buried his face in his hands.

"I almost don't want to check."

There was a pregnant pause, and then Draco asked the question on everyone's mind.

"Is he speaking German?"

"Don't be dumb Draco. Vampires only speak Italian, Latin and English.

The blonde left to check up on Gilbert, leaving Draco to hold a crying Peter in a headlock as Holly tried to diffuse the situation.

Gilbert's door was already partially open when he arrived. Un-amused, he pushed it the rest of the way, fearful of what he would find.

"Gil, I do hope that you are decent."

"Artie! Artie! Oh, thank god! Artie's here! Get these things out!"

Arthur looked around, searching for an unusual spot of color in the white room. When he caught sight of an orange yellow blur of motion, he grinned.

"Aww Taikos and Valor are playing! You two know better than to get into the guest room! I bet you were after Gilbird! Good job! You're natural instincts are kicking in just fine."

"Good job?" Gil was hysterical. He was wrapped further into his blankets, shoving himself onto the opposing wall and clutching Matthew's arm.

"They tried to kill my bird!"

"Gil, please. I'm trying to be an encouraging parent." The albino made a sound of disdain as Arthur crooned softly to the two cubs.

If they were truly going after Gilbird, then it was much too dangerous to pick them up. With Valor, he could take a chance, but Taikos would bite him for sure. Instead, he slowly levered the cage off the ground, murmuring softly to them all the while.

"Be calm. Don't spring. This one is small. It won't fill you at all."

Valor snarled, pawing at the cage.

They were agitated already. Violent due to hunger. The best method of action would be to get them out of the guest room, before they hurt anyone. He tip-toed backwards, keeping his eyes on the wildcats all the while. They followed him, eyes glued to Gilbird. After assuring his friend that he would bring the chick back alive, he lured the wildcats into the living room.

"Jon, get me their cages. Mac, get me raw meat from the outside freezer."

The two sprang into action, moving as slowly as Arthur did and not turning their backs to the cats. As calm as could be, Arthur sat on his father's armchair, breathing in the scent of leather and faint Old Spice cologne. Crossing his legs underneath him, he waved the cage above the two animals for a minute or so.

Jon returned first.

"Set them up over here. Not too close though."

Just as the brunet finished, Mac returned, two raw steaks dripping blood in his gloved hands. This drew the wildcats' attention immediately. They turned to Mac, padding forward slowly. He placed the meat inside the cages, and both he and Jon backed up, allowing the wildcats to jump into the cage and devour to their hearts content. Once they were inside, the teens locked them in confinement. Seeing Valor's amber eyes stare back at him with a streak of red across his cheek, Arthur couldn't help but feel sorrow.

"Mum!"

"Yes sweet tea?"

The teen sighed, keeping eye-contact with his first dangerous companion.

"It's really time for Valor and Taikos to go."

"Alright! I'll call the foundation first thing in the morning!"

Things would surely change when Valor left. The house would be quiet, less active.

But, then again, he should've been used to change by then. Valor leaving would be considered a minor alteration when compared to the huge life-changer about to engulf them all.

~Stay Strong~

"Explain yourself."

They sat on opposite ends of the room, both cross-legged and staring into the other's eyes apathetically.

For a moment, it was as if Arthur did not make his demand. The room was silent aside from Gilbird's incessant chirping. Something in Gilbert's eyes flashed, and Arthur saw that. The slight flinch. The way his mouth turned thin. The faint crinkles that appeared by his eyebrows.

"Never mind. Pretend I didn't say anything. Good night Gilbert."

The Brit rose and stretched, cracking a few of his joints. He scratched his bare back and wiggled his Adidas slippers back onto his socked feet.

"Wait."

He didn't need to be told twice. Calmly, he sunk back onto his chair, removing his shoes once again.

Gilbert bit his lip, swiping his eyes before he leaned onto his new bed.

"So, I got disowned today."

"That's not funny Gil."

But the look on the teen's held no mirth. He frowned at Arthur as he waited for the reality to sink in. A sharp gust escaped the Brit's mouth as he let out a breath he had held in. Running a hand through his hair, he looked around the floor as if to find an answer.

"Fuck-Why? You didn't do anything wrong!"

"They found out about the fight at school and then…"

A pregnant pause.

"We just started arguing Artie. We were all just screaming and shit and then they brought up Mattie and I fucking lost it. So I got pissed off and they got pissed off and my Dad just shoved me out…Fuck. Dude, I'm sorry to impose on you guys like this but I seriously had nowhere else to go. Francis's mom is sick so he has his hands full taking care of her. Antonio's siblings are like an army. They did-."

Arthur held up a hand.

"Save it Gil. It's not like I would want to reject you. Hell isn't that against the Sophomore Slump rules or…something."

Gil managed to crack a small grin.

"Yeah. Yeah it is. Thanks Arthur."

"Does someone need a hug?"

The question brought out a full laugh from the teen as he threw a pillow at the blonde.

Arthur, quick to retaliate, tossed the item back and jumped to get more ammo before Gil could recover.

A full out pillow fight erupted from the chaos, bringing up moods and burying pain deep. Arthur had a feeling that there was something missing from Gil's story, but he didn't press for answers Gil wasn't ready to give.

He had a new brother. That was all that mattered.

~Stay Strong~

"So, you two are staying in the same house?"

Arthur took a forkful of Romano's pasta and gave Francis both his cookies.

"Yeah," he said to answer Antonio's question.

The Spaniard looked at Gilbert, who shrugged and continued to work with his PSP.

'Show me the true power of SOLDIER!'

"You know, I've never stayed at your house before." Romano commented stiffly. The Brit shrugged it off.

"You can come anytime you like. Mum wouldn't really mind."

"So how is it, living with this idiot?"

"I resent that nickname cow-tits."

As Elizaveta proceeded to smack Gilbert around, Arthur thought back to the days that had passed.

Contrary to their beliefs, it wasn't terrible. It was actually a hell of a lot of fun, like having a twin brother to fool around with. Between making pillow forts and tutoring each other with troublesome subjects, they had a really productive, epic winter break. Something Arthur didn't really expect since-well-it was Gilbert.

"Living with Gil is…pretty bloody awesome."

The albino, now sporting a bloody nose, stopped yanking on Elizaveta's hair to beam at the Brit.

"Arthur! We are fucking brothers you hear me? Brothers!"

"Hell yes! Fucking ace brothers!"

"The Awesome Beiland duo!"

"Simply brill bros!"

The two housemates fist-bumped, sharing the same grin as those around them laughed.

"…Fuck this. I'm gonna go sit with Lina and Vash. Don't wait up for me bastards."

Slightly confused, green eyes followed the Italian as he abruptly got up. Gilbert's hair soon obscured his vision, preventing him from speaking about the matter immediately. He would talk to Romano later.

"Group hug!" The albino yelled. This got the freshman to whirl back around. (He still wouldn't look at Arthur in the eyes, which was worrisome.)

Gilbert rushes in to intercept Elizaveta's and Arthur's hug, dragging Matthew with him. Francis, not liking the thought of his baby cousin and Gil standing so close, shoves Antonio in between the two. Romano gets between Gil and the Spaniard for reasons he refuses to admit aloud and Francis joins the hug for a chance to grab Arthur's waist. Roderich sneaks in to hug Elizaveta, ignoring Gil's smirk and loud "Yea boy! Get some!"

They all form a big, tangled group hug that draws attention from all corners of the lunchroom. Arthur is only faintly aware of Feliks, and Toris joining in with hordes of others. Only one of his eyes can see Alfred with Tino at the jock table. The two are seriously discussing something, before Tino makes a remark, causing Alfred to laugh. Arthur smiles at the sight of the chuckling blonde.

'I can't have you, but I can at least allow you your happiness.'

Alfred F. Jones was depressed. Why? Because his friend just dumped him for some bat-shit crazy German and a perverted French bastard. Shoulders slumping, he glared at the threesome. Gilbert Beilschmidt and Francis Bonnefoy were right next to Arthur Kirkland, his (Is it former now?) best friend. He and Arthur had practically been brothers since they were in preschool. He spent much more time at the Kirkland's than he did at his own home. (Their pets were much more interesting after all.) He knew all about British logo. Arthur had been drilling into his head for the past 15 years of his life. (He admits that he occasionally pretends to forget just to be able to sit with Arthur for another 45 minutes.) They knew each other so well. Until their Sophomore year. This is when everything begins to change.

Alfred's main problem started over the summer. He had spent most of his summer months at the Kirkland summer house, enjoying life with best-est friend in the entire world. It was when he caught sight of Arthur asleep in the forest that the cramps began to start.

The blonde was sprawled before a little pond, a book brushing the tips of his fingers. Peter Pan by J.M Barrie, if you simply must know. Alfred's stomach began to perform somersaults when he saw the faint pink on the other's lips and cheeks. He looked so...serene and kind of...pretty? No, dash that. He was only Arthur.

Well, he used to think that he was only Arthur. Over the summer, the somersaults turned into back flips. And the back flips morphed into handstands until his stomach was full of an entire circus of performers. Of course, this phenomenon only occurs when Arthur's around.

It took both Vash and Feliks to convince him that he had a crush. And whenever Vash admitted such facts, the matter was serious. Soon, his entire circle of friends but Arthur knew about his little attraction. Suggestive comments were made every single minute of the day. Alfred was only thankful for the fact that Arthur was too oblivious to realize the hidden meaning behind the words.

He refused to act on the emotions, much to his friend's chagrin. He didn't want to wreck his most treasured friendship. It was only when Tino slapped him and gave him a well-thought out plan did Alfred finally agreed to pursuing the Brit.

The original plan was to manipulate Arthur's emotions. Alfred and Tino would pretend to date so that Arthur would get jealous and attempt to capture Alfred. It was a dirty plan, but it seemed to be effective at first. Arthur would get a bit testy whenever Tino was mentioned. The way he blushed and scowled at that one soccer game made Alfred grin.

But, in the end, Arthur was driven away.

"How do you feel?" Tino asked as Alfred sat at their lunch table.

"Terrible." Soothingly, the Finnish boy rubbed circles in his friend's back.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I think we scared him away instead of pull him closer."

"Oh, that's not good. We'll have to rope him back in then. We-. Where are you two going?"

Feliks turned to Tino with a wicked grin, Toris sheepishly smiling behind him.

"There's, like, a group hug thing over at Lizzy's table! We're going to jump into that. Come on Tori!"

Alfred, Vash and Tino gave the two an odd look. The blonde jock let his eyes shift over to where Arthur was getting smothered by Gilbert and Elizaveta, and then made his gaze drop.

"I used to be able to hug him out of nowhere.

"You used to. Now you can't."

"Thanks Vash. I feel so much better."

"Yo man. Haters gotta hate. It's all part of the game."

Disbelieving, Alfred looks up at Tino.

"Are you trying to be gangster?"

Tino wore his sunglasses then struck a pose, downward V-signs out in front of him.

"Homeboy, please. I ain't gotta try. I am. Come at me bro!"

Alfred and Vash were speechless for a moment, before the jock burst out laughing. Red-faced, Vash excused himself before he was seen doing something as unsightly as laughing.

"Oh Tino. You make me laugh so hard."

"On a serious note, we'll have to do something about Artie. We'll have to catch his attention."

"How do we do that?" Alfred's spirit was brighter. Laughter always managed to perk the boy up. Tino pointed at the green haired Brit.

"He's into a new style. Judging by his hair, he's either a scene kid or a punk rocker. We'll have to make you one of those to get him back. And-"

He turned to Alfred, an expression of contrite painting his face.

"I-I'm sorry Al but I need to tell you something."

"No Tino, please. I can change."

"No! Don't speak! It must be done. Alfred, we must part! It's not me! It's you! You've been looking at other men! I cannot take it anymore!"

"I can change my ways! I won't go to anymore cabarets! I swear-."

"What the hell is wrong with you two?"

Sadiq appeared, looking all too weirded out by their performance. Alfred grinned and tossed the Turk his milk.

"We felt the need to end our relationship dramatically. You know how we Americans are. We must end things with a big crash. Like some dramatic episode of Degrassi."

"Don't tell me you're going to shoot all of us." Sadiq said lowly, finished with the chocolate fluid.

"Nah. I don't shoot. I only aim and fire."

"That's the same never mind."

Feliks, returning from the hug session, entered the conversation, a scowl playing at his features.

"So, like, if you two break up, how's Al going to get Arthur?"

"We're giving him a makeover. We need to know whether or not Arthur's interested in scene kids or punk guys first though."

"Oh that's easy. Punk all the way."

All attention turns to Feliks.

"How do you know?"

The teen responded through sticks of Polski, sending bits flying.

"I…I know Elizaveta really well. Yeah, let's go with that. I know her so well that…I know that she would never let someone wear scene kid attire. She would never risk getting someone beaten up. Our school doesn't respond to scene kids well. It's, like, a shame too. I would have loved to see Arthur and Alfred in raccoon tails. It'd be, like, hilarious."

The blonde finished in a rush, looking everywhere but at the teens in front of him.

For his own sake, Alfred doesn't question what the Polish teen means by 'raccoon tails' and sketches up a new battle plan with Tino. By the end of the lunch period, they have more than a faint idea about what they're going to do.

"So we'll make our break up public in two weeks. Then you'll actively pursue him and I can hang out with Berwald again. I'll get Norge and Jesper to put in a good word for you too. Seeing as how Arthur's with that kind of crowd now, I'm sure he'll take some advice from them."

Alfred hugged Tino, giving him a firm pat on the back.

"Thanks dude."

"No problem Al. Anything for my favorite cousin...Eww,"

"What?"

Tino wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"I just dated my cousin."

"It was pretend."

"It was still dating. Ugh, I probably have your germs all over me. I have to find Berwald. Maybe he knows how to get the Alfredness off my clothes."

"I'm sure he'll get more than my germs off you."

Alfred wiggled his eyebrows suggestively while Tino turned a deep red.

"I-I'm leaving."

As the Finnish boy sped away, Alfred looks back at Arthur. The Brit was now laughing and eating some of Matthew's rolled up pancakes. He let the corners of his own mouth curl up as Arthur smiled at Roderich.

No matter what, Alfred was going to win Arthur back. No matter how many secret plans he had to go through.

~S.S.C.O.T.Y~

A bit complicated huh? I'll try and break this down for you guys.

On the Sophomore Slump Warfront: Arthur is no longer actively pursuing Al as he had been before. He's come to terms with his feelings for Al, but his friends are more important that a relationship right now, especially with Gilbert's new status. Elizaveta's in some shady dealings with some Flighter guy.

With the Monarchy: Alfred and Tino only pretended to date to make Arthur jealous. Seeing as how it wasn't working, they just broke it off this chapter. Not all of the Monarchy knows that Alfred and Tino are cousins. It's really only Sadiq, Toris, Feliks, Vash and the two in question. Everyone else is oblivious. Feliks is currently serving as a double agent. He knows everything that's going on, but will not interfere unless absolutely necessary for the ending he desires.

In General: Everyone's trying to trick each other because they think that they're oh-so smart and that their lives should be like fricken Degrassi or Gossip Girl. High School guys. Isn't it fun?

Next Chapter: The Slumps go to Sector 3, a beloved hangout spot for teenagers with an indie/bohemian vibe. There, Arthur meets Flighter and a new complicated relationship if formed. The Slumps also find out that there's more to Gilbert below his happy exterior.