Toris was driving again, his face still tinged an embarrassed, indignant pink as he navigated the busy roads. Beside him in the front passenger seat, Feliks kept his expression blank and aloof, carefully smooth. Arthur had yet to say anything, having mutely cleaned up after the tea and locked his apartment as they left. Out of the four of them, Alfred was the only one who seemed entirely at ease. He lounged in the backseat, one arm draped around Arthur's shoulders, lazily watching out his window.

"So, Fe, what sort of grand opening are we going to?"

The question interrupted several minutes of relatively silent driving, far too relaxed for the lingering tension.

"It's a new clothing and accessories front," the blond in the front seat answered coolly, with none of his customary enthusiasm.

"What's it called?"

"Monaciello," Feliks replied, his usual accent suddenly replaced by an Italian one. "It's supposed to be incredible fashion at affordable prices."

Alfred scoffed. "Affordable by whose standards?"

"Don't say that like you're bitter and poor, Al. None of us are falling for it."

"I know how it feels to be poor, Fe."

"So do I."

The nymph was clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation, so Alfred let it go. It wasn't unusual for him to challenge what the fashion industry considered "affordable," and he usually bantered and bickered with Feliks about it. They'd debate price versus value on nearly everything the American modeled for his fashionable friend. Alfred was particularly fond of arguing the gap between wages and the ever-rising cost of living. He'd been alive too long to think things were fair these days. But Feliks wasn't in the mood for debating commercial prices today, so he didn't say anything else. His comment about Toris had driven the smaller blond to ignoring him, and he knew it—but he still didn't feel bad for saying it.

Served Feliks right for teasing Arthur.

Instead, the bespectacled blond turned his attention to Arthur and kissed the Briton's cheek. "You don't have to look so nervous," he assured quietly, tightening his arm around his boyfriend's shoulders to comfort him. "He'll be back to normal soon, don't worry."

Arthur nodded, a bit stiff, but he did start to relax, and by the time Toris was parking the car, most of the tension had faded.

They stepped out into the quiet Sunday morning, unnoticed by the streets' leisurely shoppers.

"It's just up there." His hand already slipping into Toris', Feliks started off along the sidewalk with his lover in tow.

Unhurried, Alfred shut the car door with a snap and looked across the roof at Arthur. "Ready?"

The other blond nodded, and they met by the front of the car. Easily, Alfred draped his arm around Arthur's shoulders again as they followed Feliks and Toris towards the store.

It was more crowded than he'd expected. Not a single parking space near the storefront was vacant, and the sidewalk was so full the people hardly seemed able to move without spilling into the street and between the parked cars. Many shoppers appeared to be stopping to investigate the commotion.

"Fe, who did you say this shop belongs to?" In the crowd, Alfred was almost afraid to lose track of his shorter companions, and kept his arm around Arthur out of protection rather than affection. "Why's it so packed?"

"The Vargas brothers, from Italy. They're very popular designers."

"Yeah, no kidding." Alfred held a bit closer to Arthur, starting to notice people were looking at him. Staring, really, but he was used to that.

Tucked into the American's side, Arthur kept hold of Alfred's hand, looking towards Feliks. "Vargas?"

"Yes. Their store in Italy gained a lot of attention recently—part of why they decided to expand. There was an article about it in Wonderland." The nymph was on his toes, peering over the heads of the other people in the store and using Toris to steady himself. "I really want to talk to them."

There was a woman nearby, a reporter, probably, who seemed to be having trouble taking her eyes off Alfred despite the camera worker speaking to her. He pretended not to notice. "What do they look like?"

"Oh, you'll know them when you see them."

"Ciao, ciao! Benvenuto!"

"Grazie tante, è bello!"

The general noise began to die down, a pair of voices drawing the crowd's attention towards the store's front counter, and the two brunets standing there.

Ah.

Well, he knew them when he saw them. That explained it.

Standing side-by-side, each with a hand on the other's mid-back, the Vargas brothers smiled charmingly at their new shop's first visitors. They were nearly identical, almost as though they might be twins, but one was a little taller and darker, and felt older.

"Welcome to Monaciello! Thank you for coming!" The younger, lighter brother babbled to the crowd, clearly more excitable than his sibling. "It is very….very…" he seemed to struggle on the word, "eccitante!"

"Exciting," his brother provided indulgently, and the crowd laughed, won over.

"Grazie, fratello."

Alfred stopped listening as the two brothers continued on with welcoming their guests and describing how glad they were to be opening a new store there, instead letting his attention shift around the room.

They were the only ones, it seemed. Maybe no one else had noticed it besides Feliks, or they hadn't felt it was worth investigating. Maybe there would be a second party, later, for them.

Leaning closer to his companions, the American kept his voice low. "Fe, why are we the only ones here?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know what they are. Why are we the only ones here right now?"

"I wanted to come see the store."

"Couldn't it have waited until we weren't the only ones?"

Mischievous green eyes finally turned towards him. "Where's the fun in that?"

Alfred's expression sank into an annoyed frown. "I hate you."

"Do not." Feliks turned back to watch the brothers again.

Sighing, Alfred rolled his eyes and settled in to wait for the brothers to finish their speech. It was all just camera-ready smiles and easily quotable nonsense for the press, anyway; he'd heard it before. Feliks had talked him into modelling at more than one grand opening over the years, and these things were only so exciting the first time. By now, it was barely worth showing up.

"Alfred." Arthur squeezed his hand.

"Hm?" He'd spaced out. "What."

Arthur nodded towards the brothers as they began to mingle with the crowd. "They're done."

"Finally." Hopefully, Feliks wouldn't linger to talk to them for long, and they'd find somewhere less crowded for lunch.

"Scusami!" The blond waved over the heads of the people surrounding them. "Una parola?"

"He speaks Italian?" Arthur whispered.

Alfred nodded. "He speaks a lot languages." He didn't mention that he did, too.

The younger of the two brothers noticed Feliks first, and nudged the older, whispering to him. Alfred recognized the look in their eyes as they spotted him standing behind Feliks and Toris, and then Arthur beside him. Immediately, a growl built in his throat that he swallowed with some difficulty. Now was not the time to pick a fight, not in front of a bunch of humans, especially Arthur. Besides, it wouldn't have been much of a fight—they weren't powerful.

"Ciao." The younger brother had reached them, and smiled politely; his eyes darted from Feliks to Alfred and back.

"Ciao, Feliciano, you have a lovely shop," Feliks complimented.

Feliciano's smile relaxed slightly. "Grazie."

"This is Toris, Alfred, and Arthur." He gestured at them each in turn. "I'm Feliks Łukasiewicz."

Recognition brightened Feliciano's brown eyes. "The designer?"

Obviously pleased, Feliks smiled. "Si."

The Italian turned and waved to his brother. "Romano, this is Feliks, the designer!" He faced their group again, taking Feliks' hand into both of his own. "Thank you very much for coming!"

Romano approached with a tight smile, his gaze locked on Alfred. "Si, thank you. We're honored."

Alfred clenched his jaw, maintaining eye contact with the older brunet.

"I read the review of your shop in Italy in Wonderland, I'm delighted to be here!" Feliks flattered to draw Romano's attention, his smile perfectly charming. "Your designs are completely lovely."

"But we'd be delighted to host some of your designs!" Feliciano smiled at his brother. "Wouldn't we, Romano? Feliks' has a many beautiful pieces."

A delicate blush colored Feliks' cheeks. "Thank you very much."

"We can look over next month's inventory and see if we have room," Romano consented, much to Feliciano's delight.

"Perfezionare!"

"Why don't we discuss it over dinner tonight?" Feliks suggested. "I've been working on some new deisgns—I'd love to reveal them in your shop."

Feliciano looked at his older brother. "Do we have dinner plans already, fratello?"

"No, our evening is free, once the shop closes at five."

"Dinner it is!" Feliciano smiled widely. "And perhaps drinks, after? There is a bar not far from here, we would be very comfortable."

"Sounds lovely."

Alfred cleared his throat, drawing the attentenion of his companions and the Italian brothers. "Arthur rode with us, and has work in the morning, so I don't think we'll come to the bar."

"I can have a drink or two," Arthur spoke up for the first time, a bit shy. "I don't mind. I'd like to get to know you two, I think." He nodded at Romano and Feliciano. "You're the Vargas brothers, right?"

"Si."

"Are you the same Vargas brothers that opened an account at Lloyd's Bank earlier this year?"

Romano nodded. "Si, we did."

The confirmation eased some of the tension in Arthur's shoulders, and he smiled. "I thought you might be. I'm Arthur Kirkland—I'm a clerk there, I recognized your name from our intake paperwork. You have several set-asides for charities, I believe."

"We do. It is ill-done to repay success with greed," Romano was somber, and Feliciano stilled as his brother spoke. "We like to give back to the people who treat us well."

"That's very noble of you," Arthur complimented. "It would be nice if more business owners shared your views."

"Si, but we can do plenty of good." Feliciano's smile returned, and he looked around the shop as if anxious. "Romano, we should tend to our other guests, or they'll think us rude."

"Shall we meet you for dinner at six?" Feliks pulled his phone from his pocket and began tapping the screen, his thumbs a blur of movement. "There's a restaurant called Ole & Steen that we've been meaning to visit."

"We will see you there." Romano gave Alfred one last glance, his hand on his brother's elbow. "Come, Feliciano. There are some reporters waiting for us."

The younger Italian waved as the pair walked away. "Addio, Feliks! We will see you tonight!"

"Addio!" Feliks waved, smiling, then turned to his companions with a self-satisfied sigh. "Nothing like making new business connections and new friends all at once!"

Toris kissed his lover's cheek. "They seem very friendly."

"Definitely the sort to give to charity," Arthur agreed, then looked up at Alfred. "You didn't say anything to the, Alfred. Are you all right?"

Forcing a smile, Alfred nodded and squeezed the Brit's hand. "I'm fine, I've just been to so many of these things, it's hard to be really interested. Feliks drags me to shop openings all the time."

"Well, if I didn't, you'd be out of a job, you know," the smaller blond retorted, leading the way out of the shop and towards the car.

"What, you'd stop designing clothes if I refused to come to an opening with you?" Alfred asked, raising an amused eyebrow.

"No, I'd just stop designing clothes for you to model."

"Oh, now that's cold, Fe."

"You asked."

Alfred chuckled, then opened the car door for Arthur once Toris unlocked it. "After you."

"Such a gentleman," the Brit teased, sliding in and over so Alfred could sit beside him.

"Of course." The American kissed his cheek before settling against the seat, finally relaxed. "Lunch?"

"And shopping!" Feliks clicked his seatbelt into place and smiled at them over his shoulder. "Canary wharf is like, the best business district in London. You picked a good place to find a boyfriend."

Arthur blushed a little as Alfred grinned and took his hand, lacing their fingers.

"I found a great boyfriend."

"Oh!" The flustered Brit smacked at his shoulder with his free hand, and Alfred laughed.

"What? It's true—you're great."

Slumping down in his seat, Arthur covered his face as best he could. "Git."

With a fond smile, Alfred lifted their joined hands and kissed Arthur's fingers. He was cute when he was embarrassed.

"There's a shopping center ahead." Pointing, Feliks guided Toris into changing lanes to enter the parking ramp. "Should be a good place to shop and get some lunch. Have you ever been here, Arthur?"

The Brit's head sank a little and he gave Alfred a nervous glance. "No, I'm...not overly fond of malls. A bit too noisy for me."

"Oh, well, we can drop you over somewhere else if you want," Feliks offered.

"No, that's all right. I'll be fine." He put on a brave face. "I'm sure it'll be much nicer to shop with you lot than it was to go alone."

Immediately, Feliks' face brightened. "Of course it will! I'm tons of fun to shop with. Ask Alfred," he smirked at the American over his shoulder, "he's gone shopping with me lots of times."

"Enough to last a lifetime," Alfred agreed good-naturedly.

Both Toris and Feliks laughed as the brunet navigated the garage, searching for an empty space.

"I think you shop enough for quite a few lifetimes, Liks," Toris teased him, and Feliks huffed playfully.

"Well, someone has to dress the two of you. If it weren't for me, you'd both still be wearing the rags I found you in."

"Rags?" Arthur repeated, thick eyebrows drawing together.

"He's exaggerating," Al assured him. "Feliks thinks anything that isn't the height of fashion is the same as wearing garbage."

The blond in the front seat sniffed and put his nose up at a pretentious angle while his companions laughed at his expense.

Eventually, they managed to find a vacant parking spot and abandoned the car. They walked towards the nearest mall entrance in pairs, Feliks leading the way. It was much warmer inside, the cool, wet weather of the morning left behind.

"Should we find something to eat first?" Toris was already looking for a map or signs to tell him where to go.

Feliks opened his mouth to respond, but Alfred beat him to it. "We'd better. Otherwise Feliks will keep us in some clothing store for hours and we'll all die of starvation."

The designer gave him a dirty look, but didn't argue.

It wasn't long before they found their way to the food court, just in time for the beginning of the lunch rush. Several fast food restaraunts flaunted meal deals and discounts, all trying to outdo each other.

"What're you hungry for, Artie?" Alfred was already eyeing a place that offered burgers and fries.

"Chips. Fish and chips."

"Any spot in particular?"

Arthur pointed; Alfred was relieved to see that the menu listed multiple options.

"Guys," he caught Feliks and Toris' attention, "we're going there—where d'you want to meet to sit?"

All four of them paused for a moment, scanning the food court for an empty table they could meet at to eat.

"There's one." Toris pointed, his attention already shifting to Feliks. "You can go save it—I'll bring the food."

"How do you know what I want?" Feliks' expression was skeptical, but his green eyes glinted playfully.

"I know what you like."

Feliks smiled and kissed the brunet's cheek. "True." He left them, heading off to the table, and Toris went back to judging his options.

Gently, Alfred tugged on Arthur's hand. "Come on." Together, they got in line at the restaraunt Arthur had chosen. True to his word, the Brit ordered his fish and chips, and a glass of water, and Alfred eventually settled on one of the more extravagant burgers available.

"Don't you want chips?"

"What?"

"The meal, don't you want chips with your burger?"

"Oh, yeah, make it a meal, please."

The cashier adjusted their order and Alfred handed over a couple of bills to pay for them both, already starting to step aside so the next person in line could order; he barely waited long enough to take his change.

"So," Alfred began as the pair stood to the side, waiting for their order to be called, "you have work tomorrow, right?"

"Yes."

"I'll make sure Toris remembers that we have to take you home before those Vargas brothers drag us out to the bar."

"Oh, I thought they wanted me to come along?"

Alfred tried to ignore the plaintive look on Arthur's face. "They probably did, but you shouldn't be out late on a Sunday night."

"I'm perfectly capable of making that decision for myself, Alfred."

He was straying into dangerous territory, now. Arthur didn't sound happy.

"I know," he spoke slowly, carefully, "but Feliks tends to get carried away, and I don't want you to have a rough morning tomorrow." Though he didn't continue, his tone implied that he was also worried that Arthur would get carried away, too. Like last time hung silent between them, unspoken but obvious.

Though still clearly unhappy at being excluded, Arthur sighed and leaned into Alfred, prompting the taller man to drape an arm over his shoulders. "All right, I'll go home after dinner."

"Thanks, sugar." Alfred placed a kiss on the top of Arthur's head, earning a smile and a slight blush.

"Don't you dare use that bloody accent while we're out in public," Arthur muttered, suspicious of the petname, but not drawing away.

"Naw, wouldn't dream of it." The American dropped his head, grinning, to put his mouth closer to Arthur's ear. "I'll save it for our next date."

Arthur very nearly shivered; he could feel goosebumps popping up all over his arms and back. "Is that a promise?"

"Mhm." Alfred kissed the other blond's cheek before he pulled away, stepping up to the counter to take their food, then followed Arthur to where Feliks and Toris already sat.