Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia: Axis Powers. All rights go to their creators.

Chapter 5: Fresh Eyes

Alondra invited Arthur, Lovino, and Valeriu out to a bar in South Village to celebrate Valeriu's last night in town. An unnecessary thing to celebrate, but Arthur wouldn't judge an excuse to get absolutely smashed. There was also live entertainment by a local band Arthur's never heard of before.

He should look into playing here one day.

Arthur was nursing a scotch on the rocks while Valeriu had a long island iced tea. Alondra and Lovino were out on the dance floor. Lovino was saying something he couldn't hear, and whatever it was caused Alondra to laugh.

They were dancing awfully close. And he knew it shouldn't irritate him, but for some reason it pricked at his skin.

"So! It's been what? Six months? How are things getting along?"

Arthur shifted his gaze to Valeriu who was in mid sip of his beverage. They were sitting on bar stools, elbows resting on the bar.

Arthur shrugged, "It's getting easier to make lattes."

"Oh yeah! Lovino mentioned that you've been making designs in your lattes. I always thought those were so cute when Lili did them, I've gotta see yours."

Arthur made a hum in agreement, "I suppose." He stirred the ice around in his glass, the liquor had settled at the bottom.

"Alondra told me you were having a bit of trouble with the bread. I'm sure Berwald could whip up some for you. He did that for me when my cookies were coming out too mushy when I first started."

Arthur raised his eyebrows, "Hmm that's actually what I needed. I'll tell him about it when I come in on Monday." He muttered a quick "thanks" as he took a sip from his scotch.

"No problem!" Valeriu took another sip, "Are nose rings hard to manage?"

"Depends on where you get it. I'd say mine was like my first ear piercing." Not his third, which wasn't in his lobe at all.

Valeriu's gaze shifted to his ears presumably before flickering back to his face. "Oh, that makes sense. I always wondered if I would look good in one."

"There's not a type of person who couldn't pull it off. Anyone can get one."

"I'll get one then." Valeriu smiled at him, and Arthur returned his gaze to the dance floor.

Lovino was being hugged by a brunet, and Lovino seemed to be upset by it from all the squirming around he seemed to be doing. Alondra was talking to a blond, and after a few minutes of watching, the four of them were heading their way.

The brunet met his gaze when they approached, and he recognized him as the friend Lovino was hiding from a couple of months ago.

"Antonio, Francis, these are two more of my coworkers. Valeriu." Lovino gestured to him and he waved. And when Lovino gestured to him, Lovino grimaced, "And Arthur."

Arthur doesn't think he's ever heard Lovino say his name before, he suppressed a shiver at the foreign sound, and matched Lovino's frown. "I've already had the pleasure of meeting your friends, reluctantly because of you I might add."

"You were right about him being kind of…how you say… a bitch, Lovi." The blond who he could assume was named Francis said. Francis waved his hand with a flourish, and his eyes were judgemental as they raked over him.

Arthur stood up so fast the barstool was knocked back and onto the floor. His fists were itching to knock his teeth in, something he has yet been able to do.

"You little–!"

"I-I didn't say that! I-I said you were kind of punk!" Lovino held up his hands in an attempt to placate him.

Arthur felt a grip on his shoulder, and was looking into the green eyes of Antonio. His grip was firm, painful almost. His smile felt forced and a bit off for Arthur's tastes. He wasn't going to let Arthur lay a finger on Lovino from the look in his eyes alone.

"It was just a little misunderstanding. I'll forgive you for lying this time, ok? I know you were just helping him out." Antonio said to Arthur.

Lovino clicked his teeth, "If you could call it that. He doesn't want something for nothing."

Antonio let go of him as Valeriu righted the barstool.

Arthur sat back down, "Fine." In response Antonio gave him a grin, one that was too radiant like the sun. They all took seats at the bar, ordering drinks to sip on meanwhile.

Apparently Alondra and Antonio lived in the same neighborhood, and conversed a little in Spanish, effectively causing Arthur to tune them out.

Arthur met Francis's gaze more times than he'd liked to as Francis talked to Lovino who looked like his patience for him was running thin.

The night went on, but the energy was weird between Lovino and his friends. From Arthur's view of them anyway, he seemed hesitant to get close to them. And stood a ways from them when Francis and Antonio were dancing together.

Arthur had enough alcohol in him to dance with Valeriu and Alondra. It was harmless fun, and mostly just screaming the lyrics to a song the band played, a cover of a song he was familiar with.

Valeriu found his way over to Francis, and Valeriu bumped into Lovino, causing him to stumble forward onto Antonio, who grabbed hold of him and spun him around. No squirming on Lovino's part.

But as soon as the spinning stopped and he was put down, Lovino pushed past them and made a dash for the bathroom.

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Berwald gave him a pat on the shoulder after he explained his dilemma with baking bread. On his first overtime shift replacing Valeriu he walked into the kitchen and saw a few loaves done already. They never sold that many anyway.

So he had plenty of time to roll the cookie dough into little balls, flatten them out and shape them into clovers for St. Patrick's Day. Some were regular circular cookies too. He added sprinkles and frosting before popping them in to bake.

Then he got started on the cupcakes, he mixed up the frosting and added food colouring: orange and green and yellow.

When the cookies were done Arthur placed them on a platter and brought them out to fill the display case. The cupcakes were baking now.

"These are so cute!" Lili said.

Lovino made a grunting noise, "You say that about everything."

"I do not!"

"He's only upset because you're paying me a compliment." Arthur said, placing the cookies inside behind their name card.

"I don't know why you two can't get along." She pouted.

"Ask him, he's always trying to pick fights with me." Lovino gestured to him.

"He just has one of those faces." Arthur said, a smirk on his lips.

"See? There's no getting through to him, Lili, and that's fine by me." Lovino crossed his arms.

"Likewise." Arthur said going back into the kitchen.

The rest of the shift went smoothly after the cupcakes were done. His job was to just heat up the things in the refrigerator when a customer ordered them until they were sold out.

His next overtime shift was where he hit a snag. He'd brought out the cookies and the cupcakes, as per usual. A few customers wanted loaves of bread, but apparently he had sold out of the loaves that were pre-made, it was around the back end of the afternoon shift.

Arthur buckled down and made the loaves, pressed on time he turned up the heat, and went to the bathroom.

Arthur estimated he'd have a few minutes until it was done, and then he got a few orders for chicken sandwiches from the other student worker, Tagumpay. He was the one on his phone when Arthur first walked into the cafe.

Arthur put them in the toaster and brought them out. When he got back, and checked the oven the bread was burnt to a dark crisp. Arthur rushed to take them out, and almost wanted to throw them out the window.

Fuck! Fucking bollocks!

The door to the kitchen swung open, "What's the holdup? You make some more bread?" Lovino stalked in and glanced down at the burnt loaves on the counter.

Arthur felt a burning rage sweep over him, he picked up a loaf and crushed it in between his hands.

Lovino sucked in a breath, "Shit. If you want me to go back out there, I can say they were moldy or some shit and to wait for a new batch if they want."

"I'm cursed! These loaves are never going to turn out right in my hands." Arthur grimaced, "Just tell them we ran out. Berwald will make a new batch on my next shift."

Arthur picked up the loaves and dumped them into the rubbish bin that was sitting in the far corner of the room by the door.

Arthur felt the man's eyes on him for a moment before he went back outside.

Arthur went on with the rest of the shift, toasting what was in the refrigerator, such as doughnuts and bagels, and when it was closing time, Lovino came back in. He emptied the rubbish that was out front into the larger kitchen bin. Arthur was wiping off the counter meanwhile.

Lovino went over to the sink and washed his hands. He dried them off and came back, slapping Arthur on the back.

"Come on, try it one more time."

Arthur looked over at him, eyebrows furrowed.

"I'm giving up, I don't want to waste anymore ingredients."

Lovino grabbed a bowl, and ducked under the counter to grab the flour, yeast, oil and sugar. Then he walked over to a cupboard to grab the mixer. Then he walked over to the sink with a cup to fill it with some water.

"Don't be a little bambino, make the damn bread."

"Not with these hands."

With a frustrated huff, Lovino got behind Arthur and reached around him to grab his wrists. Arthur rolled his eyes as Lovino puppeteered his arms to do the motions of measuring the sugar, flour, and yeast before pouring them into the bowl.

Arthur used the mixer to mix the bread mixture, Lovino let go of him to pour in the oil, then stopped the mixer. The dough was pulling away from the sides like Alondra said it would.

Lovino spread flour on the wooden countertop. Then Arthur grabbed the dough and placed it on the counter to knead it, and did so gently.

But was surprised when Lovino pressed his hands down hard, "You've got to put your elbows in there! You can't do it lightly." Lovino said, chin resting on Arthur's shoulder.

This motion had him pressed against the counter. He had never been so close to Lovino before. And Arthur felt something stir in his chest, heartburn or indigestion more likely.

His neck felt warm and for a moment he couldn't even think to move.

Lovino was still moving his hands to knead the dough when Arthur choked out, "Alright, Alright, back up will you?"

Lovino did just that, and by then the bread was thoroughly kneaded. Arthur placed it on the tray and into the oven.

"That wasn't so hard, was it bastard?"

"It's not finished yet." Lovino waved him off, and Arthur started cleaning off the counter space again. "You could help, you know?"

"I am, by watching the bread." Lovino pulled out his phone.

Arthur rolled his eyes, and placed all of the items back in the spaces where they came from. He rinsed out the bowl, and then put it up.

Lovino had already grabbed the tray with rag covered fingers, the bread was golden brown, some twenty or so minutes later.

"Look at that, it came out ok, and your hands touched the entire thing."

Technically he didn't make the bread, but Lovino looked so fucking smug about it that he couldn't be arsed to correct him.

"Fine, whatever, you were right."

"Don't think this means we're on friendly terms or no shit like that. I didn't want to have to do any overtime just because you can't bake fucking bread."

"Of course not. What do I owe you?"

"I don't have anything that I need now. But just remember I have a favor to cash in from you for later." Arthur didn't like the sound of that, nor did Arthur like the look in his eyes when he said it.

Arthur wrapped up the bread and placed it in the refrigerator. Then they were finished for the day. Berwald locked up the cafe and they went their separate ways.

Arthur lit a fag on his walk home, cheeks warm with blush, despite the chilly night air, cursing the fucking stars. His hands were still tingling from where Lovino's touched them, and the feeling of having Lovino pressed against him was not lost on Arthur either.

Arthur wasn't even sure if Lovino was even into guys, and from the way he acted, he made sure Lovino thought he hated him enough for Lovino to have disdain for Arthur himself.

Was he that touch starved that a little hand holding and close proximity meant he should probably fuck the little bastard?

No, it didn't, and he didn't find Lovino attractive at all, it was just a reaction to being startled. It would pass as quickly as it happened.

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A couple of months went by and it was the middle of spring. The school year for the college students was coming to an end. Arthur was out in Times Square when he spotted Lili with Michelle, Drifa, and another girl Arthur didn't recognize.

They had shopping bags from various stores. Michelle spotted him, they made eye contact and soon she was dragging them over to see him.

"Ah! I caught you out in the wild! It's your lucky day, you might get four new fans." Michelle said, flicking what looked like a quarter into his guitar case.

"I didn't know you were a musician!" Lili's expression changed from genuine shock to offended pretty quickly.

"If all I'm getting is a quarter, don't hold your breath."

"We don't know if you're terrible yet, silly." Michelle waved him off, holding out an arm to stop Lili from advancing to drop in some more change.

Arthur rolled his eyes, and made sure his guitar was tuned before he picked a song from his set list that was softer in tone. The one he'd written about the changing of the seasons seemed like a good fit.

He got a round of applause from his small audience of four. Lili was then let go of and free to throw in a few dollars for him. He got loose change from the rest.

Michelle shook Lili, "Did she tell you that she's performing in a ballet?"

"Michelle!"

"Come on, it's the last performance of the year! You wouldn't want everyone there to support you?"

"I'm not even the lead, Hein is. I have a small part, I wouldn't want to get everyone's hopes up." Lili readjusted her bags on her arm.

"Nonsense! They don't care about that. Arthur you'll come won't you?" Michelle said as Drifa took a few of Michelle's bags from her.

"It all depends on when it is and if I'm available then." Arthur pursed his lips, taking his guitar from around his neck.

"It's Thursday night 7' o'clock sharp in the Austria Center for Performing Arts on campus." Michelle said.

"Don't count on it."

Michelle gave him a sour look, eyes narrowed, lips puckered, and Lili reassured her that it was fine. Then ushered them on, not to get in the way of Arthur's time performing in the square.

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Arthur found himself on the HetaU campus Thursday night. Hopefully he could slip in unnoticed. Arthur had a soft spot for the theatre, and ballet was an art form he admired. Plus he wanted to support Lili, although if asked he would deny doing so.

When he walked in, groups of students, and presumably family members were meandering around, talking, before the doors were to be opened in the main hallway. He went to the ticket counter to purchase one for the ballet, and there were a few seats in the last row left.

He hid behind a pillar upon noticing Michelle, Lovino, Alondra , and Valeriu all gathered around talking, excitedly buzzing about the upcoming ballet. The girl Michelle was with when they were out shopping was present as well.

Lovino was all over this girl, and no one seemed to care, least of all Michelle who was supposedly friends with her. Wouldn't it be awkward between them if things went south?

The light touches to her shoulders, fingertips lightly grazing down her arms, moving her hair out of her eyes, and the incessant giggling.

It got on his nerves.

"Arthur."

Arthur jumped out of his skin as he turned to face Berwald who held a mixed bouquet full of what looked like red and pink roses, orange daisies, and coronations.

His heart was beating so fast, and he felt like it had lodged itself in his throat before he swallowed. "Oi! You can't just do that mate."

Berwald just continued to stare at him.

Arthur gestured over to his fellow co-workers, "The others are over there if you want to go join them."

Berwald looked over at them before returning his gaze to Arthur and then back again.

"Me? I'm trying to keep a low profile, so I'd rather not go over there."

Berwald stared at him for a few more seconds before he gave him a nod and walked over to join the rest of the group. They greeted him with various exclamations of "Ber!" Or "Berwald!"

He could assume they were then talking about the bouquet, and soon the doors were opened and they were let into the auditorium.

Arthur had the misfortune of being next to a couple who were sucking each other's faces off for the majority of the ballet, until during the intermission where Arthur sat in-between them and dared the boyfriend to move him, even cracking his knuckles for emphasis.

He received a glare in response, but at least they were quiet from then on. He could assume Lili was one of the companion swans, although the swan princess, who got to dance with the prince, was presumably Hien, a girl of Southeast Asian descent.

Lili was the smallest, but she moved in step with the rest of the swans, gracefully leaping, and twirling right along with them.

When it was over, they all took a bow to the roaring applause of the theatre. Arthur slipped out the way he came and tried to beat the crowd. Although he still got caught up in the mass of people exiting the theatre.

"Arthur?" Arthur turned to see Lili still in her swan costume: a feather clad tutu, with a beak mask pulled back on top of her head. Her hair was in a bun. She didn't have the bouquet so she hadn't run into the others yet. "You came?"

"My schedule became clear, and I had nothing else better to do."

"I hope you enjoyed it although I didn't do very much." She pushed her fingers together, gaze downward.

Just beyond her, he could see Hein surrounded by the rest of the cast, and presumably her family. They had given her a few bouquets of roses. She was the star after all.

"You were magnificent, I wouldn't say that if it wasn't true." He rested his hands on her shoulders.

She looked up at him, eyes wide.

"Besides, a swan can't be a princess without other swans to preside over. You're a-a cog… i-in the wheel."

He wasn't sure if that was the exact phrase or not.

"I guess you're right." She gave him a nod.

"And the others are here too to congratulate you."

"Oh Michelle! She's so embarrassing sometimes." Lili covered her face in her hands.

Arthur looked around to see if they had found them yet, and they hadn't so Arthur still had time to leave before they saw him.

"Well I've got to get going. Don't tell the others you saw me."

"Why not?" She looked up at him, eyebrows furrowed.

"Lili!" A chorus of voices said from behind him.

Arthur flinched, muttering bollocks under his breath. There was no time to get out of sight.

They surrounded Lili like a flock of geese, and Arthur stepped back. Berwald presented Lili with the bouquet, and she received hugs and praises from everyone in their little circle.

Arthur took that as his que to slip out unnoticed, but was halted by a grip on his arm.

"Oh no Arturo you're not going anywhere." He turned to see Alondra. She had a knowing grin on her lips.

"I missed the entire show and came at the end. Lili couldn't tell the difference anyhow."

"Sure, except Berwald said he saw you before the doors opened to the auditorium." She let go of him and crossed her arms.

Right.

"Can you blame me for not wanting you lot to know my business? You're all insufferable."

"Lili just has that something that makes you want to protect her. She's got room for all of us, you know? But I think she likes you the most."

Arthur waved her off, "That's ludicrous, she hasn't known me for long."

Alondra shrugged, "So what?"

"I could be pretending just for appearances. I could be the worst person she's ever met, a wolf in sheep's clothing."

He gave Alondra a snarl before he turned on his heels and made his way out of the theatre.

Arthur wasn't a role model by any means, and he didn't need them to see him any differently. He leaned against the bus stop stop sign, bumming a fag as he waited for the bus to come to take him back to his apartment.

A/N: Thank you for reading!