Everything was going smoothly. As nervous as he'd been and admittedly still was, Alfred thought he was doing pretty well at this whole date thing. So far, he'd met quite a few of Arthur's coworkers. They seemed nice enough, were polite and friendly though the conversation was a little stale.

Like Arthur had described, there had been a speech about the bank—which he understood very little of, though he made sure to look like he was paying close attention—and now the party had moved into the socializing stage. Arthur had positioned them near a wall close to the snack tables, somewhere they'd be sure to be spotted by any late arrivals who wanted to talk to him. To Alfred's amusement, the Brit was showing him off with no little amount of pride.

You don't even mind, do you.

Not at all. He liked the way Arthur glanced at him every few moments, and he'd barely taken his hands off the smaller male throughout the evening. A touch on his arm, hand on his lower back or hip, they were in almost constant contact. It wasn't necessary, Al knew, but he didn't know what else to do with his hands, and the way Arthur leaned closer to him at every touch made it clear the green-eyed blond didn't mind.

Smiling as the latest couple walked away to socialize elsewhere, the American tilted his head down so he could whisper in Arthur's ear. "Getting the reactions you wanted?"

Arthur's cheeks turned a pleased shade of light red and he grinned. "Yes. I'll be the talk of the bank thanks to you." As a reward, he placed a kiss on the taller male's cheek; Alfred chuckled.

"You missed," he teased, blue eyes twinkling behind his glasses, and Arthur rolled his eyes before turning to fully face his date.

"Incorrigible lad, aren't you." His tone was playful as his hands slid up onto the bespectacled man's shoulders, one eyebrow a little higher than the other.

The taller of the two took a moment to pretend to think about that comment, then smirked and rested his forehead against Arthur's. "Naw, ya jes' got ter find tha righ'…motivation." He watched as the green in those eyes darkened and a red tinge colored the Briton's ears, could feel Arthur's body beginning to heat even through his clothes. It was perfect how his use of a Southern accent so easily affected this usually calm man, and while it wasn't fair to do so in this particular situation, he hadn't been able to help it. Not when he got to see the golden blond get all flustered like this.

"Git," Arthur growled, clearly unhappy about being teased, but Alfred just chuckled and kissed the Englishman's nose.

"Sorry. Couldn't help it." It was clear in Arthur's expression that he didn't believe the American, but Alfred wasn't worried about that. The way they were standing was too intimate for him to feel nervous, arms around each other and the rest of the world somewhere far away. All he cared about right now was the man right in front of him.

Kiss him

No, now wasn't the time. There were people all around them and it would probably embarrass Arthur, upset him even more than it did when they were in that little tea shop. Damn, though, he wanted to. He was already holding the smaller blond's waist, and their faces were so close together. It would have been easy, the difference of only a few inches.

"Arzhur!"

Startled by the loud voice, both blonds blinked and stepped back from each other, though Alfred kept his hand on Arthur's lower back as they turned to face the speaker. Alfred's mind went blank and he stared, not quite sure he was seeing right. There was no way.

"Hello, Gilbert," Arthur greeted the albino, smiling to see his coworker. There was a bored-looking brunet with him, though Gilbert looked more than happy as he strode closer to the pair.

Apprehensive and now a little suspicious, Alfred raised one eyebrow and forced a friendly grin. "Hey."

"Hallo, Alfred. How ya been?"

"Oh, I'm all right." He grinned now, unable to sense any sort of ulterior motive in Gilbert, and put his arm more firmly around his green-eyed date's waist.

Confusion radiated off Arthur. The Brit was looking back and forth between Alfred and Gilbert, clearly baffled by their casual exchange and how they obviously knew each other. "Gilbert? Ah…this is my date, Alfred, but I seem to be missing something here." His tone was slightly accusatory as he met the taller male's red-eyed gaze.

Without missing a beat, Gilbert laughed and slung his arm around his brunet date's shoulders. "I met your lover here in zhe pub zhe other night." Alfred and Arthur both looked properly embarrassed by the term "lover." "Didn't tell him who I am, zhough." He glanced at Alfred. "Entschuldigt." His attention went back to Arthur. "Not fair, but effective."

First disbelief then an exasperated annoyance appeared on Arthur's face. "You couldn't wait even three days, Gilbert?"

The albino shrugged. "I vas curious. Zhis is Roderich, by zhe vay." Grin softening into a smile, Gilbert looked at the brunet by his side and kissed the slimmer man's cheek, earning a blush and a half-hearted scowl. "Mein herz." Roderich's blush deepened and he muttered under his breath; Gilbert laughed again before he returned his attention to the blonds. "So, Alfred, are you charming zhe pants off everyvone here?"

He had to chuckle at the albino's phrasing and almost admitted that the only person whose pants he was interesting in charming off were Arthur's. Of course, Gilbert probably knew that, but saying it would get Alfred in trouble so he decided to save it for a later date. If the red-eyed man was willing to go to a pub on the off chance that he might run into someone his coworker had just so happened to meet, then there was a good chance they would be spending time together again.

"No, unfortunately. That would probably get Arthur in trouble, and he did warn me to keep it at a…how'd you phrase it, Artie?" he asked, tone innocent as the green-eyed blond became the focus of three sets of eyes. The attention made Arthur want to squirm inside his clothes and he was one word away from smacking Al's arm. It was just like the git to bring this up again, and in front of one of Arthur's coworkers, someone he'd met before, no less, because of Arthur not being able to keep his mouth shut. Typical.

"Bloody," he muttered under his breath, looking away for a moment before his smile reappeared, though it was strained now. "I was a little worried his American customs would make him a poor choice to bring as my Plus One."

It was quiet for a moment, then Gilbert laughed, so loud that a few of the other guests turned to look only to roll their eyes and look away again. "Zhat's racist, Arzhur," he scolded, red eyes bright with amusement.

"Oh, it is not!"

"Ja, it is. Alfred, how do you put up vizh him?"

Alfred chuckled, no longer nervous at all about this faculty party. The fact that Arthur had bragged about him but not enough to satisfy anyone's curiosity, and to the point that Gilbert had actively sought him out, was borderline hilarious. Little wonder the albino had kept talking to him even after Alfred made it perfectly clear that he wasn't interested in hooking up or a date or the like. And to see that he had a boyfriend—Roderich—wasn't at all surprising. The man was amiable, to say the least. Al had the feeling he was the only person who'd ever made the prim-and-proper-looking brunet actually relax for once.

"Hmmm," he hummed, looking at Arthur out of the corner of his eye as he grinned just slightly. The golden blond was staring at him, a look that clearly said he'd better come up with the right answer for Gilbert, or he was going to be in loads of trouble.

He's making this too easy for me.

"Oh, you know. He's cute."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm sure that's the only reason you tolerate my presence."

"Well, that and your sexy accent."

"Alfred!"

"What?"

They stared at each other, not noticing the deeply amused grin on Gilbert's face. Arthur was blushing, scowling at the American beside him because he felt Alfred's response was inappropriate.

"You promised to behave yourself," he muttered, low enough that the other two males wouldn't quite catch it.

"Did I?" the taller blond teased, one eyebrow quirking up.

"Yes."

"Hm. Well then, I guess you haven't found the right motivation."

Cheeky blighter.

He was doing it on purpose, he had to be. Just to embarrass Arthur as much as possible. Arse. But two could play at this game, and Arthur knew Gilbert much better than Alfred did despite the fact that they'd met without him knowing. Slowly, a grin took over his features, his eyelids lowering so that only a sliver of green showed through.

"Oh, I think I've found the right motivation," he purred, and was inwardly gleeful to see surprise on Alfred's face quickly followed by a blush, "I just haven't decided if you deserve it or not."

It was easy to see the wheels turning in Alfred's head as the bespectacled blond tried to come up with a response to Arthur's taunt. "What do I get if I behave myself?"

Arthur chuckled and patted the taller man's cheek in a deliberately patronizing fashion. "Well, I wouldn't want to give away the surprise, would I? Gilbert," he turned to face the albino, ignoring the sly grin he was being given, "what do you say we head out for a few after this?"

Grinning, the white-haired male gave a sharp nod. "I say hell ja."

"Gilbert," Roderich whined, speaking up for the first time, "I don't vant to go to zhe bar." He gave the taller male a beseeching look, and it was obvious to Alfred and Arthur that the albino started to crumble almost immediately under that brown-eyed gaze.

"We'd be delighted to have you along, Roderich," Alfred interrupted before Gilbert could collapse completely. The brunet looked at him, clearly surprised he'd been addressed. "A man of such fine taste as yourself would be sorely missed."

Brown eyes blinked; Roderich blushed. "V-vell I…I don't know…"

"Please." With the sincerest look he could imagine, the blue-eyed American took one of Roderich's hands and held it in both of his own. "It won't be the same without you."

The other three were silent as Roderich stuttered and sputtered in the attempt to formulate a decent response. Gilbert looked particularly impressed that someone had managed to flatter his boyfriend so quickly, especially during their first encounter. Arthur was amused and little else since he wasn't at all surprised that Alfred's charms were so effective against the brunet.

Alfred, meanwhile, kept that same almost-pleading expression in place and didn't let go of Roderich's hand, stared directly into the polished man's eyes. As long as he maintained that contact, he could feed just the tiniest bit of heat into Roderich's body, enough to make him feel warm and flustered even if he normally wouldn't have been, enough to make him relaxed and easily excited, to make him want to go out for a drink with his lover and friends. Of course, his compliments alone may well have done the trick of convincing Roderich to join them, but why leave it to chance? Arthur wanted to go out for a drink and Alfred wasn't going to let anything stop that from happening, not when the Brit had given him that sultry look. The bar seemed like a very good idea.

"I…vell, I suppose it von't hurt anyzhing," Roderich eventually conceded, gaze lowering as he flashed an embarrassed glance at Gilbert.

"Das ist der Geist, Roddy," he murmured, squeezing his arm around the brunet's shoulders encouragingly.

"It's settled, then." Arthur only barely managed to conceal how smug he felt at the moment. "We'll go to the Green Dragon after the party."

"Green Dragon?" Alfred repeated, the name catching his attention—he was sure he'd heard it somewhere before, though he wasn't quite sure where or in what context.

"Yes, and yes, it's named after the Green Dragon in The Lord of the Rings," the Brit confirmed, grinning slightly as recognition brightened Alfred's eyes.

"Cool!"

His excitement earned a chuckle from Arthur and Gilbert; Roderich was still too embarrassed about having been complimented to offer much of a reaction.

"Hey, vhy don't ve just go now?" Gilbert suggested, red eyes glancing towards the clock on the wall. "Zhe party's just going to be boring small talk now. Zhere's no point in staying."

"I'm up for that," Alfred responded, his usual move star grin appearing as he looked down at Arthur. "Artie?"

Ignoring the snigger that was Gilbert's reaction to the nickname, Arthur smiled and nodded. "All right. We'll meet the two of you there, then."

"Don't get distracted," the albino teased before he led Roderich away, the two making a round of farewells.

"Come on," Al whispered, slipping his hand over Arthur's and leading the smaller male towards the door.

"I should say goodbye—"

"To who? You didn't seem like you enjoyed talking to any of them the first time. Why would you want to talk to them again?"

Arthur stared for a moment before he sighed—it was almost annoying how easily Alfred could read him. "Fine."

The American grinned and sped up slightly, leading the golden blond out of the hotel and down the sidewalk to where they'd left the bike. "Helmet." He held it out to Arthur and he took it, though he held it to his chest rather than putting it on.

"Oi."

"Hm?" Alfred was distracted by the task of finding his key. He knew he'd put it in one of these pockets—

"Alfred." The Englishman's tone was sharper this time, catching Alfred's attention.

"What?" Shit, Arthur looked upset. What did he do? He must have said something or done something—was it wrong of him to not want to say goodbye to the people he was probably never going to see again? He hadn't thought so…and Arthur hadn't argued…but maybe he should have realized…?

"That wasn't very nice, you know."

Shit.

"Uh…what wasn't?"

Arthur stepped forward, putting himself right on the edge of the sidewalk, his toes sticking out over the drop of the curb. He twitched a finger, gesturing for Alfred to come closer, which the American did without hesitation so that he wouldn't upset the Brit any further. Slowly, Arthur slid his arms around the bespectacled male's neck, the helmet dangling from one hand.

"Teasing me with that bloody accent, you attractive git."

Oh. Oh.

Relieved, Alfred chuckled and set his hands on the Briton's waist. "Sorry about that. You're reaction's just so cute—I really couldn't resist."

"Then I guess it's a good thing one of us is capable of controlling himself," Arthur replied, meaning the fact that he hadn't pulled Alfred into a kiss like he'd wanted to do, and that he'd kept his flirtations to a minimum for the duration of the party.

"Well, that depends who you ask," the taller pointed out, his voice lowering in a manner that was almost seductive. Arthur didn't respond right away, too distracted by those blue eyes that almost seemed to be glowing, how perfect Alfred's teeth were, the way his glasses slid down his nose just a little.

"Yeah," he breathed, blinking slowly, mouth open just a little.

"Artie."

"Yes?"

"I might kiss you."

A shiver of anticipation ran through his body and Arthur tightened his arms around the American's neck. "Please do."

The beginnings of a grin twitched up the corners of Alfred's mouth and he circled Arthur's waist with his arms, bringing the smaller male forward enough that their chests were pressed together. "I really do think your accent is sexy," he whispered before tilting his head and moving just enough that his lips pressed to Arthur's. Immediately, green eyes fell closed and fingers tangled in the hair at the nape of his neck, drawing him closer as the Brit's mouth opened just enough that their breaths mingled.

"Arthur," the name left him on a sigh just as Alfred let his eyes close as well, and he accepted the smaller male's invitation without hesitance. That already-familiar taste greeted him, along with a playful flick of the Brit's tongue that made him grin even as the kiss continued.

The sound of a loud wolf whistle startled the two blonds enough that they drew apart, Arthur instantly blushing even as he looked around for the source of the sound. To his dismay, Gilbert and Roderich were just down the sidewalk, the brunet sliding into their car as the albino held his door open for him.

"You two sure you vant to go to zhe Dragon?" Gilbert called, smirking. "Or vould you razher just go to Arzhur's apartment?"

Embarrassed on Arthur's behalf, Alfred laughed nervously. "And miss out on an evening of drinking with you? The apartment can wait!"

"Alfred!" Arthur hissed, jabbing his elbow into the American's ribs. It wasn't a hard enough blow to hurt, but it got across that he didn't approve of the bespectacled man's response.

"I was kidding, Artie," Alfred assured him as Gilbert got into his car and started its engine. "Come on, you know I don't expect to go to your apartment."

"But Gilbert doesn't know that," the Brit pointed out, and Alfred smiled gently before taking the green-eyed blond's face in his hands and kissing him softly.

"Who cares what Gilbert thinks? He can believe whatever he wants—don't let him get to you. I know you'll invite me over when you're ready, and I won't pressure you into doing it too soon. Okay?"

His heart had been beating fast after their initial kiss, fluttered at that small one, and now was on the verge of melting. Really, could this blue-eyed man get any more perfect.

"Okay," Arthur agreed quietly, a nervous smile appearing on his face.

"Good." Alfred kissed his nose then grinned. "All right, put that helmet on. We don't want to keep Gilbert and Roderich waiting."

"Right, right." Still flustered, Arthur donned the helmet then climbed onto the motorcycle, settling in his usual spot behind Alfred, arms around the larger male's ribcage. Heat radiated off the American, making him snuggle just a bit closer.

"Just tell me where to go." The engine roared to life and within moments they were off down the street, following the direction Gilbert's car had gone.

TRANSLATIONS:

Das ist der Geist.

German: That's the spirit.