Main Pairing: USUK

Rated T. Cardverse and Omegaverse.

I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.

Arthur met Feliciano for the first time the next morning. He had left Alfred to sleep, covering him with a blanket and resisting the temptation to kiss his forehead.

When Arthur first entered the room where Feliciano, Ludwig, and Kiku were, Feliciano didn't notice him. He was chatting Ludwig's ear off, and for once, the stoic King barely looked uncomfortable. His cheeks were a bit pink. Kiku was smiling softly at the two.

Ludwig noticed Arthur. The moment his attention shifted, Feliciano just seemed to sense it and he immediately turned to see where Ludwig was looking. His face broke into a big smile.

"You must be the King of Spades Arthur right?" He said quickly. Everything he said was fast. "I'm Feliciano but you can call me Feli because everyone does except Ludwig sometimes when he wants me to be serious but anyways -"

"Feli," Ludwig broke in with his deep voice. "Why don't you go entertain Kiku for a while? I will welcome our guest."

"Yes Luddy!" Feliciano exclaimed. He bounced right over to the Queen and started in on him.

Luddy?

"Welcome," Ludwig said, leading Arthur away from the other two royals. "May the aces find favor in you."

"And also in you," Arthur replied, but he was mildly distracted. "He looks like a child," Arthur said. "He is so young - are you sure he is up to this?"

"Yes," Ludwig said. "He is stronger than he looks."

Arthur hummed in acknowledgement.

"Now, Arthur," Ludwig said. "There is something I wish to discuss with you."

That caught Arthur's attention. "What is it? Is it urgent? Has Clubs been stirring up trouble again?"

Ludwig shook his head. "Clubs has become more reclusive as of late, but that is not what I wish to talk about. This is personal."

Arthur was stunned. Ludwig rarely talked about more than political necessities. Never personal things.

"I noticed it the moment you entered the room," Ludwig said. "Your scent has changed since last we met."

Arthur was given no time to process this. He remained in shock as a sleepy voice echoed from the doorway.

"Arthur? Are you - oh, there you are. I woke up and you were gone and I almost got lost twice on the way - oh, am I interrupting something?" he asked, looking between Ludwig and Arthur.

Arthur couldn't speak. He looked at Ludwig helplessly and Ludwig glanced between the two. He gaze hardened slightly. "King Alfred," he said. "May the aces find favor in you."

If Arthur could have frozen even more, he would have. He took in a harsh breath and held it. Arthur had never taught Alfred the greeting.

"Um..." Alfred said, glancing at Arthur.

"Aren't you going to say, 'And in you as well?'" Feliciano peeked out from behind Ludwig's broad back, a hand on his back to steady himself.

"Yes, yes, and in you as well..." Alfred said. "I'm just worried about Arthur,"

"Aww, how sweet!" Feliciano cooed. "He does look pretty pale, though, doesn't he? Maybe he needs some food!"

"Hush, Feliciano," Ludwig said. Feliciano stilled immediately, avoiding Ludwig's eyes. "Go to Kiku."

Ludwig turned back to Alfred. "You and your Queen should come with me. We need to talk."

Alfred followed Ludwig out, and after a moment, so did Arthur.

His scent had changed.

Ludwig seemed to know something about it.

What had happened?

"Ludwig -" Arthur started. They entered a study and Ludwig leaned against the edge of a desk.

"Ludwig," Arthur repeated, almost whimpering. He didn't know what else to say.

"Hush," he said. Then he turned to Alfred. "It is you, I can tell. He has bonded with you."

"What?" Alfred gasped. "But - but why?" He looked to Arthur. "Arthur, I'm so sorry! I know you never wanted this to happen, and even if I kind of wanted it to happen I was willing to not let it happen because you didn't want to... oh, God..."

"Shut up, Alfred," Arthur managed. "It's bloody fine. It wasn't your fault."

"What I do not understand is how you did not realize it was happening," Ludwig said. "You are perceptive. You knew so easily with Francis..."

"He knows about that?" Alfred asked.

"Pretty much everybody knows about that," Arthur said.

"Except me," Alfred muttered. "Right."

"I don't get it!" Arthur suddenly shouted, startling the others. "I was so careful! I thought..."

"Did you notice his scent was different?" Ludwig asked Alfred.

"Yes... I didn't really think about it, though." Alfred said sheepishly.

"I have a theory," Ludwig said slowly. "Not only has your scent been affected so much, but his has changed a small bit as well. It is blatantly obvious that you two are mixed. Perhaps the reason you did not detect it, Arthur, was because it was so natural for you two to bond."

"Natural?" Arthur asked.

"Yes. If two people have a close relationship, or if they simply work together better than other couples do, they will bond more quickly and naturally."

"How do you know so much about this?" Arthur asked.

"I know many things," Ludwig said.

Arthur rubbed his eyes. "It's too early for this," he said.

"In case you were wondering, it is a mental bond," Ludwig said, clearly wrapping up the conversation. "And if my suspicions are correct, an emotional one is not far behind."

"Oh," Alfred said.

"Thank you, Ludwig." Arthur said. The tall man nodded and left.

"I think that's the most I've ever heard him talk," Alfred said.

"He talks plenty if it's all business. Personal things, not so much."

"He's kind of intimidating."

Arthur nodded. "The first time I met him, the masculinity radiating off of him was so strong that I nearly broke down. He is one of the most alpha alphas I have ever met. Even now, I can still feel it in my gut. I am surprised that Feliciano is doing so well in his presence."

"Oh," Alfred said. "Arthur, I really am sorry though -"

"There's nothing you can or could have done," Arthur said, only half believing it himself.

"Still..."

"Just let it go, Alfie, please," Arthur said. The nickname slipped out accidentally, but Arthur didn't bother correcting it.

After a moment, Alfred spoke again. "So I guess that's a no to sleeping all day, huh?"

Arthur let out a laugh - more of a syllable, an acknowledgement of his comment. "Probably not."

"Is there anything I need to know about... this? Us?"

Arthur took a deep breath. His stomach felt fluttery. Us.

"If you neglect me, I'll get sick," Arthur said. "That's mostly it. I'm guessing the bond began forming because of the extensive time we spent learning together."

"And we're getting an emotional bond too?"

"Apparently. It might not happen for a while, but it's bound to eventually."

"Are you okay?"

"Do I have to be?"

"No."

"I'm okay."

That night, as Arthur slipped into his nightshirt, he paused and turned to Alfred. He simply watched for a few moments as Alfred slipped into his own night wear - a shirt and shorts that he called 'pajamas.' Arthur smiled despite himself.

Alfred laid out his blanket on the ground - but Arthur spoke up. "Alfred?"

"Mmm?" came the response.

"Let's not sleep on the floor." Arthur said, unsure how to phrase what he wanted.

Fortunately, Alfred seemed to understand. "If you really want to."

And as Arthur fell asleep, he touched his pinky finger to Alfred's.

Feliciano was fairly subdued on the morning of the celebration. His bright smile kept breaking out every once in a while but Ludwig kept him polite and formal. Kiku had confided to Arthur that Feliciano had woken him before the sun rose, too impatient to go back to sleep.

Arthur himself felt slightly groggy. He took a bath, relaxing and preparing himself for the day. As he left to find Alfred, he ran into Lili Zwingli of Diamonds.

The people started filtering out into the courtyards for the celebration. As Arthur and Alfred entered, they nearly ran into a pair of other men. The smaller one was trying to convince his friend to go the other way - Arthur started. He looked nearly identical to Feliciano.

"Lovi, I do not understand -"

"You idiot bastard, let's just go! I don't want to be here, there is no point."

"Lovino -"

"Pleeease," Lovino begged.

The taller one sighed. "Fine, let's go."

"Excuse me," he said with a smiling face as the two passed Arthur and Alfred.

The two burst into a fresh round of bickering as they walked away. Arthur smiled. Their scents were so wrapped up in each others'.

Alfred and Arthur were seated at a long table covered in a pale pink tablecloth with some others. The crowd here was considerably smaller than at Alfred's coronation, made up of mostly Hearts residents. Only one representative had arrived from Clubs, and she looked quite nervous. It seemed that Ludwig had been right: Clubs was practically hermit-like. Arthur wondered what new happening had caused the change.

"Excuse me," Kiku's soft voice rose above the chatter. "Welcome. May the aces find favor in you."

"And in you as well," came the response from all corners of the courtyard. The words echoed off of the stones. All attention turned to Kiku, who was standing at a smaller table with Ludwig and Feliciano.

Kiku nodded and took a breath, but before he could say a word, the single representative from Clubs stood.

"I am sorry to interrupt," she said. "Truly. But I have brought news that all here need to know. It has to do with why I am the only one from Clubs here today."

"Has something happened?" a voice called. The woman took a shaky breath.

"I am here to report what is happening, no more." she said. "And so I will report. This very moment, while you all sit and celebrate an ancient rite, my King Ivan Braginsky is not home. Today, Clubs officially declares war on Diamonds."

Immediately shocked dialogue filled the air. It all hushed abruptly as Francis Bonnefoy stood, his chair crashing back.

"What is the meaning of this!" he shouted. "You play dirty tricks, girl! Waiting until Diamonds is unprotected by me and my court - and attacking only then? You cowards!" Vasch had to hold him back. After a moment, Francis gave up and turned to Vasch and Lili, speaking with them desperately. Chaos broke out. The woman from Clubs was seized by guards and dragged away.

Eventually, Arthur had enough. He stood on top of the table before him and screamed at the top of his lungs. "Enough!"

Everyone quieted down fairly quickly.

"Now," he said. "If you could all keep your heads."

Kiku took it from there. "We will resume our celebration later today. Right now, this time will be given to the Diamonds community gathered here today. You can decide your plan of action. Is that good for you?" Kiku asked, searching the crowd of yellow and orange for their King Francis.

"He has left," Lili announced, pushing her way to the front, Vasch close behind. Protective. "He will return to his city of gold to make what preparations he can. He told me that he will return late tonight and fill us in. We will make further decisions then.

Kiku nodded. "I am sorry."

"Arthur?" Alfred asked. Arthur turned to him.

"Are we leaving?"

Suddenly, Vasch appeared at Arthur's side. "I need to speak with you. It is urgent."

He dragged them into the large corridor. "My King Francis specifically asked me to speak with you. He told me that you must not leave before he returns. He has a package of utmost importance that he is bringing back with him from Diamonds that must be kept safe. He wishes to secretly place this package on one of your ships before you leave to ensure that no living soul knows of it's location but us. He also asked that I not reveal the package's content, as he will be sending further information to you."

"What?" Arthur hissed. "I don't want to be involved in this war, I don't-"

"If all occurs as it should, no one will know of your involvement," Vasch said impatiently. "And it is in your interest, specifically," he said to Alfred. "That you accept."

"Mine?" Alfred said quietly, surprised.

"Indeed. I am afraid I cannot reveal more. His Highness should return within eight hours, if he manages to find a good horse in Hearts' stables."

And then, Vasch was melting back into the crowd.

"Eight hours," Arthur said. "He won't be back until seven at night. Maybe even later. It should be alright. We were planning on staying until tomorrow. But I don't like the thought of becoming involved in this war..."

Alfred remained uncharacteristically quiet. His crown was crooked on his head. Arthur resisted the urge to reach up and straighten it.

"Alfred?" Arthur asked. "Come on, you're my King. Don't space out on me now."

Alfred pursed his lips. "No, Arthur."

He turned away. "This crown? It's made of paper. It doesn't mean a single thing. So I'm the King of Spades? So what! I don't do anything important. I don't help anyone. And when I finally find a way to get back home I'll leave destruction in my wake."

Arthur was speechless for a moment. Then he spoke up.

"You have to stop thinking about that," he said. "You never asked to come here. It wasn't your choice. You were forced into this position. So just bear with the paper crowns a little longer, okay?" Arthur encouraged Alfred while his own heart broke. "And when you leave, we'll all remember you. You've already changed our world."

Alfred signed in frustration. "I just... just. I want to go home. But I met you and Yao and even if he doesn't like me very much I like both of you so much. You more probably. Definitely. And that makes me not want to leave."

Arthur looked up at him. "Really?"

Alfred's gaze was steady. "Really."

Arthur looked down. "I kind of want to kiss you right now."

"Then why not?" Alfred said.

"I don't want to bond physically with anyone. Not yet," Arthur said. "Two bonds is more than enough for me. Especially when I didn't ever want any in the first place. I just thought you might like to know. If I was ever going to kiss you, it would've been right then."

Alfred smiled. "Well, it's good to know that my cheesy one-liners work on you so well. And here I thought you were such a grouch."

Arthur scowled. "Oh... whatever."

Alfred turned to look into the courtyard. "Looks like things are calming down in there," he noted.

"Finally," Arthur said. "There isn't much anyone can do. We'll resume the party and then go home and make preparations against Clubs in case they attack."

"Do we have to go back? Out there, I mean."

"Yes," Arthur said. "Yes, we do."

"Ugh."

Just then, a boy rounded the corner and froze at the sight of them. Arthur recognized him as Lovino, the one from before.

He didn't say anything, he just looked down and snuck past them into the courtyard. A moment later, his friend poked his head out from around the corner. When he spotted Arthur and Alfred, he grinned and came the rest of the way.

"Hello, amigos," he said. "My name is Antonio. I believe we met once before. Do you know where little Lovi went?"

"In there," Alfred said, nodding his head towards the courtyard.

Antonio grimaced. "I was afraid of that. He has done his best to keep me out of there all day, and I want to know why."

"I think he went to the left, if you want to avoid him," Alfred offered.

"Thank you," Antonio said, beaming. "I think I'll go in and visit his brother now - of all the time he's been here, I haven't managed to run into him yet."

"His brother?" Arthur found himself asking.

"Yes, Feliciano. I met the two when we were younger. Hearts sent me as an ambassador to find a new servant for them, a suitable one, and I came across the Vargas family. I took Lovino back with me. He is the older one."

"Ah," Arthur said. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Antonio."

"Yes." he said, smiling brightly. He went off to find Feliciano.

Only a few minutes later, a loud cry was heard from the courtyard, starling Arthur. He watched through a gap in the people as Feliciano discovered Antonio.

"Antonio, you're here, I'm so happy!" Feliciano cried. "I was wondering where you and Lovi were but I could never find you and I was so sad but Ludwig promised that I would see you eventually and -"

Suddenly Lovino broke through the crowd, horror in his eyes.

"Lovino!" Feliciano cooed happily. He hugged his brother tightly, Lovino looking uncomfortable.

"Let go, you bastard," Lovino said. "You're crushing my ribs."

Feliciano laughed and released his brother. "Just like you, Lovi! Sorry," he said. "I missed you so much, and so did Grandpa Roma!"

"Come on, Antonio, let's go," Lovino said, tugging at Antonio's arm. Arthur watched curiously. Feliciano's face fell immediately.

"You - you're leaving?" he asked, somewhat more quietly than before. "But I just found you!"

"Lovi, relax," Antonio said soothingly. "What's wrong?"

Lovino screwed up his face. "Nothing's wrong!" he shouted. "Bastard," he added, just before running off.

"What do you think he's so upset about?" Alfred asked quietly. Arthur was startled to find the King so close to his side. Once again, he nearly reached up to fix his crooked crown.

"I do not know," Arthur said. "But maybe... maybe, if Lovino was trying so hard to keep Antonio away from the celebration, maybe he didn't want Antonio to meet Feliciano."

Alfred pondered that for a moment. "Why?" he asked.

Arthur sighed. "I don't bloody know." he said. How could Alfred expect him to know what was going on in another person's head?

Later, as dusk was slowly coming and the lightning bugs appeared, filling the air with a beautiful gold light, Arthur and Alfred sat together. The mood had become more calm and peaceful over the afternoon and into the evening, and a little while ago, Alfred had tentatively taken Arthur's small finger and hooked it with his own. Their hands hung together loosely. Arthur pretended he didn't notice, but his head was filled with Alfred's scent and it was making him a bit dizzy.

"Alfred?" he said softly.

"Mmm," came the reply.

"You do know that you won't be able to go back home until this war is over?"

Alfred didn't respond, so Arthur continued. "The door was in Hearts before you came. Then when you got here, obviously it was in Spades. And then M... the mystery person came through. So that means it's either in Clubs or Diamonds now, and Clubs has declared war..." Arthur looked at Alfred, pleading.

Alfred wouldn't meet his eyes.

"I know."

Lili reappeared an hour later, as Arthur and Alfred headed back to their rooms, checking to make sure they hadn't left anything behind. Their fingers were still hooked together.

"Queen Arthur," Lili said, panting. "My King Francis has secured the package on one of your ships. You do not have to worry about it at all, he told me to inform you that you don't have to worry about getting it off of the ship either."

"What?"

"I'm sorry," Lili gasped. "I cannot tell you any more. Please, I must leave - only moments after the package was secured, Ivan captured my King! He had followed us back from Diamonds. Now His Highness is held captive in his own home. Vasch is with the others - we must set out as soon as possible. I advise you to do the same, before the package is found."

Lili ran off again.

Arthur looked at Alfred. Their eyes met - green to clear blue. "We need to go." Arthur said.

"Yeah," Alfred agreed. They broke into a run, dodging Diamonds' representatives running about and preparing to leave. They ran through the stone halls, their shoes clicking like hands on a clock and echoing around them. What a perfect metaphor, Arthur thought. It's like we're running out of time. Literally.

They reached the docks as the crew was preparing the ship. One of the workers shouted down at the two.

"We're nearly ready to set off, your Highnesses!" he called. "Come aboard and we'll be off!"

Arthur looked up at Alfred's face, pale in the moonlight. "Are you ready?"

The transcriber's note: An apology is due. This segment of the story has been cut out. The client has refused to give me the information as to what occurred no matter how hard I pleaded. His amused partner mentioned something about "a giant squid" and "screaming like a baby," but also refused to spill the beans. The journey home to Spades remains, for now, a mystery. Please enjoy my version of elevator music, Something I Need by Onerepublic, as an apology.

"Do we really not have to worry about this package?" Alfred asked as they unsteadily walked away from the ship. The sun had risen a few hours ago. Around them, workers unloaded the stocks and passed them off to other servants that brought them up to the castle.

"If Lili told us not to do anything, I'm sure they planted someone with the package to go undercover in Spades. Or at the very least, informed one of our own servants about the urgency that it is kept safe." Arthur replied.

Alfred's head hung. "I just feel weird about it. Like... like it's important. And I mean, I know it's important, but like I need to find it and keep it safe. It's almost like I feel a connection to it."

"Vasch did mention that it was in your specific interest to take the package. I do not know what it could be, however."

Alfred remained troubled all the way back up to the castle. When they got back to their rooms, Alfred immediately flopped down on his bed and sighed. Arthur left him reluctantly to check on Yao.

Yao was not much better than before. His cough came less often, but now he was wracked with great temperature swings. He was now under the constant care of Li Xiao.

"Yao..." Arthur said. "How is he?"

"Faint," Li Xiao replied. "But he is doing fairly well. Some days are worse than others. His particular sickness seems to be progressing faster than the average speed. Yesterday we went for a walk around the halls. I believe he would like to do so again today."

"I can take him," Arthur said. "You have done so much."

"It is my job," Li Xiao said, bowing. He retreated as Arthur approached his friend.

"Hello Yao," he said. Yao smiled softly.

"Arthur. You are back."

"Yes. Li Xiao told me that you want to go out for a walk?"

Yao nodded. "I feel a bit shaky. Maybe just a short one. Could we stop by my study? I would like a book to read, or some sort of entertainment."

"Are you terribly lonely?"

"Yes."

"Oh, Yao," Arthur said, his heart breaking. "I'm so sorry."

"Li Xiao has been helping," Yao said. "But it is not enough. At least I have not mated. If that had happened, I would eventually die."

Arthur nodded. "Perhaps I can help as well. You and I are fairly close."

Yao nodded. He slowly pushed back his blankets and got to his feet. Arthur walked beside him as they left the room.

"Your legs are doing well," Arthur commented. "I was worried that you would not be able to stand."

"I am not so weak yet," Yao said, a steely determination entering his eyes. "But Arthur - has your scent changed?"

Arthur looked to the side. "Yes, though not willingly," he mumbled. "I thought I was being careful not to let it happen. Somehow it snuck up on me."

"I am sorry," Yao said. "Does the one you have bonded with remain with you?"

"Yes, thankfully," Arthur said. "But he will leave eventually."

Yao was quiet for a moment.

"It was Alfred, wasn't it."

"Yes."

"I told you he would be trouble."

"Yes."

"You did not listen."

"No."