Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

EngEgy: Run and Hide

Arthur sighed in relief, leaning back against the headrest of his car. He finally managed to get away.

He winced as he pressed a bit too hard against the back of his head, and he quickly checked to make sure that it wasn't bleeding. It wasn't wet, it wasn't warm, and it wasn't sticky. Good. There also wasn't anything flaking off.

He should have done this a long time ago. He felt nauseous, and he suspected that he needed to go to the hospital to check for a concussion, at the very least. It might not have been a good idea to drive while he was feeling like this, but he had a lot of distance to cover.

He needed to get as far away as possible, before he found him.

He shuddered, before starting the car again. He knew that he would most likely need to find a motel soon. He just hoped that he didn't find him before he managed to get a comfortable distance away. He didn't want to go back to that hell.

Arthur had been working on this for the last few days. He'd unfrozen his account, and made sure to get as much cash as possible. He needed to get a job soon, and hoped that he could find one with a boss that would understand what he had been going through.

With the hope that life would be a bit better for him going forward, he drove into the night.

…

"That'll be fifty," Arthur said.

He'd found a job at a bookstore seven hours' drive away from his previous life. It had been three months, and he was starting to relax a little. Still, he needed to remain vigilant. He knew Alfred, and knew that he wouldn't be happy with him leaving.

The customer smiled and left with his purchase. And standing behind that customer was a face that Arthur knew well.

Gupta smiled at him, and Arthur could feel as his heart skipped a beat. He found the Egyptian man to be attractive, especially with his mint green eyes. Until Arthur met him, he was the owner of the assumption that people from the Middle Eastern nations only had dark eyes. Arthur was glad that he was mistaken, for he truly loved Gupta's eyes.

Gupta came by almost every day to make a new purchase, and Arthur couldn't help but wonder if he actually read those books. Surely, Gupta didn't come for the sole purpose of seeing Arthur. That would be a foolish assumption. Arthur wasn't attractive, and his personality wasn't one that invited companionship.

The Egyptian handed over his books, and Arthur quickly rang them up. It was as he was ringing them up that he noticed a small card between them.

"My number," Gupta explained. "If you're ever interested in doing something together outside the store."

Arthur blushed as he realised what Gupta was suggesting.

"Why?" he asked. "Why me?"

"Why not?" Gupta countered. "Or are you not interested in men?"

"N-no, that's not… I'm just… Thank you."

Gupta smiled, before taking his books. Arthur watched him leave, his mind and heart racing.

…

Arthur was pacing nervously, the card in his hand. He was still deciding whether or not to call. He couldn't think of a single reason why Gupta would have given him his number. He was also thinking about Alfred. He was remembering how Alfred would act. How some of the nastier bruises were still lingering, though they were a lot paler now. The words Alfred would throw at him. How Arthur would often curl up in bed, crying while Alfred took a shower. Jumping for every small sound.

Would Gupta be the same?

Even if Gupta wasn't the same as Alfred, there was also something else that Arthur was afraid of: The possibility of Alfred finding him. The day after escaping, he had been forced to buy a new phone and sim card. The number of times Alfred had called him alone made him realise that he wouldn't let him go, and the messages that he'd sent… If Alfred actually managed to find him… And if Gupta got hurt because of him…

No! Arthur should try to think positive. Perhaps Gupta genuinely liked him. Perhaps this was the universe's way of telling him that it was time to move on. To try and find happiness. That Alfred no longer had an influence in his life.

Nodding his head, he grabbed his cell phone and dialled the number.

…

"You look tense," Gupta observed.

Arthur jumped in surprise, before averting his eyes.

"Sorry," he muttered.

Gupta frowned. He had been thrilled when Arthur called him the previous day, and they had arranged to eat lunch. However, he had the feeling that Arthur's mind was somewhere else.

"Don't you want to be here with me?" Gupta asked.

"I do!" Arthur said quickly, looking back at Gupta. "I was very happy when you asked me out. It's just…"

Arthur fell silent, and Gupta frowned.

"Just what?" he asked.

"I'm afraid," Arthur whispered. "It's been three months, and…"

"Three months since what?"

Arthur didn't answer immediately, and eventually he closed his eyes.

"Three months since I escaped my abusive ex," he muttered.

Gupta froze.

"Is… Is this the first date you've been on since then?" he asked.

Arthur nodded his head.

"…I see," Gupta said. "So… I guess lunch was a safe choice, then."

Arthur looked at him, and Gupta was reminded of a kicked puppy.

"…What are you thinking?" Gupta asked gently. "What are you feeling?"

"I… I don't even know," Arthur whispered. "I'm just…"

"Did you call me because you felt pressured to do so?"

Arthur was silent for a moment.

"No," he said at last. "I am attracted to you, but for the life of me, I can't think of a reason why you would have wanted this date with me."

"Because I'm attracted to you as well," Gupta said. "And if you ever want to do this again, I'll be happy. If you feel that you're not ready, I'll wait. If you feel that this is moving too fast, tell me, and I'll slow down."

Arthur looked shocked to hear that, but then he gave a soft smile.

"Thank you," he whispered.

…

Arthur was in high spirits as he worked. He and Gupta had been dating for two months now, and he was really starting to relax. Thoughts of Alfred almost never plagued him anymore, and he was starting to believe that he truly was free from the American's grip.

"Hey, I was wondering if you have this book…"

Arthur froze when he heard that voice, and he turned to face the speaker. Alfred was standing on the other side of the counter, his eyes narrowed.

"The book is titled 'How to punish my useless boyfriend for running away'," Alfred continued.

"H-how did you find me?" Arthur stuttered, taking a nervous step back.

"I'll admit, it was hard. I'm actually surprised. But then I saw a photo of you on this blog…"

Arthur mentally kicked himself. A week ago, a blogger had done an exposé on the bookstore. The blogger gained journalistic experience, and the store got free advertising. It was a win-win. But… out of all the blogs that Alfred could have read, he decided on that one?

"W-what do you want?" Arthur asked.

"I'm here to take you back," Alfred said. "You should be grateful that I'm allowing trash like you to have a second chance. If you come with me willingly, then your punishment for running away wouldn't be as harsh."

Arthur shuddered when he heard that. He had no doubt that Alfred would punish him. Would hurt him. But he didn't want to go with him. There was still the counter between them, and if Arthur managed to get in the backroom, he might be able to delay him long enough while he called the police.

"So, you're the ex I've heard so much about?"

Arthur's stomach fell when he heard the other voice. Gupta. Without either of them noticing, the Egyptian had approached, and it was clear that he was aware of the situation.

Alfred whipped around, glaring at Gupta.

"Why don't you mind your own business?" he demanded.

"When someone is threatening my boyfriend, then it becomes my business," Gupta said calmly. "You are not wanted. Now, leave."

"Boyfriend?!" Alfred repeated, looking between Gupta and Arthur. "Oh, I see. The little whore is cheating on me."

Arthur flinched when he heard that. Gupta narrowed his eyes.

"He left you," he said. "So he can't cheat on you. And don't you ever call him that again."

"Or what?" Alfred asked. "You're gonna bomb me?"

Arthur felt absolutely horrified when Alfred said that. He knew that the American could be a racist at times, but…

Gupta narrowed his eyes.

"If you really believe me to be a terrorist," Gupta said, "then I'm sure you realise how stupid you're being. Or does your life really mean so little to you?"

Alfred tensed, and Arthur could see him clench his fists. He wanted to yell at Gupta to get out of there. He knew what was coming, and didn't want to see his new boyfriend hurt.

He shouldn't have started seeing Gupta. Because of him, Alfred would…

"Arthur," a quiet voice said next to his ear.

Arthur jumped in surprise and spun around. Standing behind him was Ludwig, his boss. The German looked at him with pity, before turning his attention to Alfred.

"Is this him?" he asked quietly. "The one you told me about?"

Arthur nodded his head, and he saw the German's face harden. He was afraid that Ludwig was angry at him for being the cause of this drama, but…

Instead, Ludwig made his way towards Alfred. He grabbed his shoulder, and the American spun around, ready to fight. But Ludwig easily caught the fist sent his way.

"Sir, I would have to ask you to leave my store," Ludwig said. "You are threatening my employee and scaring my customers."

Arthur looked around. Indeed, several customers were watching the scene, and it was clear that they didn't know whether or not to try to help.

"Fuck you!" Alfred shouted, trying to hit Ludwig with the other fist.

It was in a flash. Arthur's eyes widened when Ludwig had Alfred in a headlock, the other unable to escape.

"Let me make this very clear to you," Ludwig growled. "If I ever see you in this store again, I will call the police. And if I ever hear that you harassed Arthur again, then the police will have a hard time identifying you. Understood?"

Alfred continued to struggle, and Ludwig tightened his hold.

"I asked if it's understood," Ludwig repeated.

"Yes!" Alfred cried out.

Ludwig released him, and Alfred threw Arthur one last glare before running out of the store. Arthur merely stared, but he was snapped out of it when the customers all started to clap.

Ludwig shrugged, levelling a calm look on Arthur.

"I used to be in the military," he said. "Are you okay?"

Arthur nodded, and he only vaguely noticed that Gupta had made his way towards him.

"Take the rest of the day off," Ludwig ordered, before turning to Gupta. "Take good care of him."

"Of course," Gupta said, going behind the counter and wrapping Arthur in a hug.

Arthur clung to the Egyptian. He was trembling harshly, and Gupta rubbed soothing circles on his back.

…

Arthur was walking back home, Gupta's hand in his. It had been two weeks since the incident with Alfred, and Gupta always made sure to walk with him to and from work. The Egyptian was worried that Alfred might attack him outside the store.

Arthur was still afraid, but it was better. He now had people that cared for him, and the opportunity to obtain happiness again.

The prompt is: 'Character A is in hiding from a violent ex. S/he starts to fall in love with Character B but is afraid of putting him/her in danger if his/her ex tracks him/her down.'