Admin: PLEASE DON'T HURT ME! I know I promised a double chapter update but I lied. I am drifting apart from Hetalia, and this fanfic is a chore for me to write. I only continue to write it for you guys. There are so many of you that read this, also I hate it when others are in the same situation as me and don't finish their fanfic. Therefore, I am finishing this up all for you. From now on you can expect slower updates. I am sorry for no longer being able to love Hetalia as I did when I started this, Attack on Titan has taken over my life now...
I hope you keep reading and enjoy this short chapter I managed to do.
-A week later on a Monday-
It had been a week since Arthur saw Alfred. With everything that was happening, he just couldn't afford to see him. His grandfather would watch him like a hawk, and he had even been overworking Arthur by giving him work from other branches of the company. Arthur had no say in what his grandfather could and couldn't do; therefore he had to be loyal and obey.
Sitting down at his desk, Arthur shuddered as he remembered something he really wished he could forget. Right before he left the date/engagement meeting with Francis, the other had forced a French kiss on him which, unfortunately, Arthur had no choice but to go along with to honor the deal. However, that was not what bothered him. What really worried him was the fact he had actually enjoyed the kiss.
Much to his surprise, he missed the way Francis felt and how the other would kiss him.
Arthur shook his head violently. He had to get these thoughts out of his head. When his lunch break came by, Arthur thought it would be a good idea to sneak out and go to Francis' cafe to see Alfred.
-Earlier that same day-
"Francis, thanks for the day off. I really appreciate it," Alfred chimed happily as he started to walk to the door.
"Why of course! I am feeling especially generous this week, and it is also a very special day for you."
"Well, I wouldn't say special… It's just, you know, important to me."
"If it's important to you then it is also important to moi. Would you like me to accompany you, mon ami?"
"Nah, it's okay, dude. It's only a few errands and a day to clear my thoughts, you know?"
"Of course. Well then, I will see you later." With that, Alfred went through the door and made his way to his destination. Just as he left, Arthur entered the café.
Arthur scanned the room for Alfred, disappointed when he only saw Francis.
"Ah, mon cheri, come here. It is always great to see your fiancé~!" Francis sang, inching closer as the Brit tried to move away.
"I didn't come here for you. I came here for Alfred."
"Oh, I am so sorry, but he has left. He has, how you say, important business to take care of."
"Like what?"
"I cannot tell. It would be wrong of me."
"That has to be the first time I heard those words come from your mouth."
"What?"
"Never mind. Do you have any idea where he might be?"
"Non, I do not."
"Thanks for nothing, frog!"
"Why must you say such hurtful things to me?"
"Because I hate you!"
"I'll make sure to change that. Remember, I have ways of getting what I want."
"Yes, you've told me multiple times. However, I do not see things going your way so far."
"Trust me, they will. Now, run along. You must have as much time as you can with the stupid American."
"Shut up!"
"There's no need to raise your voice. This is a café. I wouldn't want you scaring my customers."
"I don't give a damn!" Arthur shouted. He aggressively opened the door and stormed out of the café. Sighing, Arthur placed his hands in his pocket and started walking down the sidewalk, looking down at his feet. He easily ignored the commotion caused by the people in the city since he never really had time for it.
His shoulders occasionally bumped into other people, and Arthur would apologize before continuing on with his thoughts. It seemed that the only thing he wanted to do was spend as much time with Alfred as possible before the American found out about him and Francis. It pained Arthur to even think that because of his current situation, he might fall for Francis and Alfred would go to Matthew. Arthur could not even estimate how many times that scenario came to mind.
With his current situation, living seemed to be nothing more than a chore for Arthur. Every step he took felt like another step towards eternal damnation. Arthur took a minute to look at the people around him, praying none of them were the paparazzi. What he saw actually made him feel a little better, though he would never say that out loud—he thought.
Off in the distance was none other than Alfred, holding a bag of newly bought items and walking to who knew where. Judging by the smile on his face, or what seemed like one, Arthur decided he was probably going on a date. Jealously coursed through his veins, and Arthur quickly tried to follow Alfred.
Through whatever twist, turn, stop, or moment Alfred experienced, Arthur watched the man like a hawk, not paying attention to his surroundings at all. Soon Arthur found himself stood behind a tree on a grassy hill top, watching intently as Alfred kneeled down on the ground with a sigh.
My God, I've turned into a stalker, Arthur thought, shaking his head as he blushed with embarrassment. He coughed into his hand suddenly and saw a few drops of blood, but this didn't surprise him. His working conditions and the stress had taken a toll on his body.
Peering a little closer, Arthur saw the American put his hands together in a sort of prayer. Alfred closed his eyes and tilted his head towards the sky.
At that moment, Alfred opened his eyes again. Tears had filled his eyes, making the twin orbs appear as if they were part of the ocean's waves. Arthur wondered what could have made Alfred react in such a way. All Arthur wanted to do was hold Alfred close to him, to touch him, to talk to him, but it was impossible.
Having his eyes wander around, Arthur now realized where they were and gasped. He almost felt tears form in his own eyes as he put two-and-two together.
Graves. There were graves everywhere, and Arthur now knew where Alfred was sitting. This was where Alfred had told him about his past.
As if to prove he was correct, Arthur heard the sound of Alfred's somewhat shaky voice.
"Hey, mom and dad. W-wow, it's officially been seven years now... I-I wish someone was here to help me honor your death anniversary... I-It just seems like it's getting harder each and every y-year... E-every year, I'm r-reminded I can no longer be with you, and that you're in paradise. I know I'm supposed to be the hero and all, but what's a hero without his teachers?"
Directing his attention to the bag, Alfred brought out a bouquet of sunflowers and, oddly, a hot dog.
"I-I brought you your favorite things. S-sun flowers for the both of you, and for mom, you get your favorite food in the whole world. I-I couldn't get you vodka, dad, since I'm not old enough. Sorry. Y-you know, I-I don't know how many times I-I've prayed to God to have you guys back here, with me, but it's impossible. It always will be."
Arthur could clearly feel his heart break. He bit his lip to stop himself from crying for Alfred. He knew how hard death anniversaries were, and they usually weren't exactly happy if you had not managed to move on. Alfred was an example of this. Arthur had managed to let go rather quickly, but Alfred was still somewhat a child at heart.
He needed someone to make him into a man, and it was then that Arthur finally understood Alfred's words from a few days ago. Fighting the urge to join Alfred, Arthur decided to simply watch until the perfect moment came.
Yet again, Alfred was now hugging the gravestones and having a grand old conversation with them, though this time it was more tear-filled. Alfred looked up at the blue sky and smiled once more. As the sunrays beamed down onto him, Alfred remembered how he would imagine it was actually his parents embracing him, but it was never enough.
Alfred yearned for the perfect balance in temperature his parents gave him when he was small, his father being cold and his mother being warm.
"E-even though I can't see you anymore, I'll always love you guys. Y-you left me too early, and I don't think I can ever forget you. I know I'm being childish, and I should grow up, but you two saved me from what would have been a horrible life if you hadn't adopted me.F-for that, I-I'm very grateful. But fear not, my dear parents; I think I may be able to join you soon!"
For a second, Arthur stopped breathing. What did Alfred mean by 'join you soon'? Was Alfred going to kill himself? No, Arthur couldn't let that happen. Just as he was about to run to Alfred and tell him not to do it, Alfred spoke once again.
"I received this letter the other day…" Alfred began. "It says that when I least expect it, the Braginski-Jones indirect bloodline will fall since I saw their faces. I-I think those people who killed you a-are after me now.
I-I was s-scared a-at first, b-but now I-I'm finally okay with dying! In the beginning, I only wanted the lawyer job because I thought I could find them and bring them to justice, but since I've resigned it's impossible now. C-can you believe it?! I-I CAN BE WITH YOU AGAIN!"
"B-but Alfred, is that what you really want?" A voice from behind him that was quickly drawing closer spoke up. Alfred froze. He wiped away his tears. He didn't want anyone to see him crying.
There was a lump in his throat and Alfred tried to swallow it down. The wind picked up, leaves from the trees blowing past Alfred.
"I repeat, is that what you really want, Mr Jones?" Alfred could now see Arthur, who was giving him a sad look.
"Wh-why are you here?! H-how did you hear me?! WERE YOU STALKING ME?!"
For a second, Arthur panicked and gave off a creepy smiled. He waved his arms dismissively as he blushed. "A-as if I would stalk someone like you."
"Dude, you've already told me you like me. I have a reason to be scared."
"W-well, you're wrong. I am not like that. I-I was here to visit my mother when I stumbled upon you."
"Oh, w-well, I mean, I guess..."
"A-anyway, please answer my question. Do you really want to die? Oh, I almost forgot." Arthur turned to the gravestones and gave them a smile. "It is very nice to see you again."
"Wh-what did you hear?"
"Everything, sadly. Now, I was not stalking you. I just happened to hear you since it was very quiet and I was only a few feet away. You simply failed to notice."
"Oh, well, y-yeah."
Arthur sat down next to Alfred. His heartstrings were not playing the usual melody that would start when the American was around. They now sounded with a dread that fit the mood far better.
"Alfred, what is this about a death threat? Why are you excited about it?"
"I-I... I-it's none of your business... Y-you're my boss, why should I tell you?"
"Correction—I am no longer your boss and, like it or not, I am still in this scandal with you. What would people say if I didn't know why you were crying today? If they found out I didn't comfort you? If it makes you feel any better, I am nothing more than a shoulder to cry on. How does that sound?"
"I-I guess..."
"Good. Now, will you answer my question? And please start from the beginning," Arthur said smoothly, wrapping his arm around Alfred's shoulder.
"W-well, I told you how my parents died and everything, right? S-so I got a letter a few days ago saying that I'm going to join them next, saying that I need to d-die. I saw their faces; they don't want me to find them or tell someone if I ever see them in public.
I-it's only logical to think these people know where I am, maybe even where I work. A-at first, you know, I was scared. Then I thought about my parents, about how I wanted to see them again...
I-I really want to join them, President. I really do. More than anything, I think they would be doing me a favor. I-I just want m-my mommy and d-daddy back..." Alfred cried, curling into himself and hiding his face in his knees. Arthur immediately pulled the other into an awkward hug.
"Shh… Shh… It's okay," he said, stroking Alfred's soft blond hair. "Mr Jones, though you are still so very young, you should know your parents would not want this. Think back to that day, the day they gave their lives for you. Do you really want that to go to waste?
"N-no... I guess not."
"No, you know not. Now, tell me more about these people."
"I don't know much. I-I just know they want me dead." Alfred dug into his bag and took out a letter. He put it in Arthur's hand.
Arthur's eyes widened. It was a simple note, but what it said definitely made him fear for Alfred's life.
The letter read:
Alfred, dear Alfred, it's time for you to join your parents. We have been tracking you, and now you've been found.
"M-Mr Jones, why haven't you told the pol—..." Arthur stopped, watching as Alfred started crying even more. He needed to take matters into his own hands. Arthur put the note in his pocket, trying to think of a plan to cheer Alfred up. Then it came to him.
Smiling, Arthur turned to the two graves and put his hands together, as if he was praying. Once Arthur was finished with this, he let his arms drop to his sides and leaned against the graves.
"Well, Mr and Mrs Braginski-Jones, what is it like in paradise?!" Arthur asked, sounding a little louder than he thought he was. Alfred blinked and looked at Arthur through his foggy glasses.
"I bet you're having a delightful time. Have you seen my mother yet? I'm sure you'll be best friends once you meet her." Patting Alfred's shoulder and bringing him closer, Arthur was pretty sure he was going to die of embarrassment.
"Your son really loves you, you know, and he hates that you're gone! He even says he wants to join you, but you wouldn't want that, would you? Oh, Alfred, do you hear that?" Arthur turned to Alfred, who was looking at him awkwardly.
"Wh-what?"
"Oh, come on, now. You're younger than me; your hearing shouldn't have given out already." Arthur ruffled Alfred's hair, letting out a playful laugh. Alfred also laughed. He was kind of enjoying this big brother act. In a way, Alfred found it comforting and somewhat attractive.
"H-hey, dude... What did your wack-job ears hear?"
"I heard your mother. She sounded so worried. I can still hear her. Alfred, Alfred, Alfred~!" Arthur tried to make his voice sound like a woman's, but it only sounded silly. Alfred pushed Arthur away, laughing.
"You're so messed up."
"Ah, what do we have here? A smile? I cannot believe it!"
"Y-yeah, I guess so..."
Arthur forced Alfred up to his feet. He gave Alfred a slightly creepy but wholehearted smile and shut his eyes.
"Alfred really, really loves you!" Arthur called loud enough for the world to hear. Eventually, the Brit tried to repeat this but ended up making a heart shape with his arms and hands.
Watching, Alfred couldn't help but smile and laugh. He knew the other was trying to cheer him up, and it was working.
"Mom, dad, I REALLY, REALLY, INFINITY TIMES REALLY LOVE YOU!" Alfred shouted, creating his own heart shape. He soon found himself making half a heart with Arthur, both forming a perfect heart.
-Click-
"Now, Mr Jones, you know your parents want you to stay alive. You have to keep living so that their legacy will live on."
"Yes, I will! Thank you, President Kirkland!"
"Y-you know, you can call me Arthur..." Arthur rubbed the back of his neck, blushing and looking to the side.
"Well, okay then. Thank you for helping me, Arthur!"
"I-it was nothing, really. I just really hate seeing people cry, especially over things like this. I know what it's like."
"Well, to thank you for what you just did, I'll buy us lunch."
"Very well, then. I shall agree."
"Then come on, Artie. What are ya waiting for?" Alfred grabbed Arthur's arm and pulled him forward.
"I'm coming! Don't force me, git."
"Darn, you're back to normal!"
"Shut it!"
Admin: I am so terribly sorry if you hate me for writing this chapter. The next one things pick up again I swear. I thought fluff would be okay for now...
Please review if you want.