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

Chapter 8: Complications

Christmas dinner was looming again. The entire Christmas season seemed specifically designed to make him miserable, more so than usual.

Giggling children, hands held tightly by Mothers and Fathers. Young couples holding large quantities of shopping bags. Old couples debating on which store to go in to get the most gift cards. Arthur saw them all go past him while he was performing at Times Square.

Perusing past shop window displays that promised sales for clothing made specifically for families, and others the shiniest new toys, did not make the lump that had settled in his stomach go away. If he was an uncle who actually cared, he would've bought something for his nephew. Alistair had a son that was almost three now. But it wasn't like his other brothers weren't showering the little bundle of joy with affection in his absence.

And Alistair would probably just be berating him the entire dinner anyway because he hadn't "sorted himself out yet." What was his plan? Was he staying? Was he coming back?

"Musician? Really Artie, what a load of bullshite."

"How's the book writing going? How's publishing? You didn't quit that, did ya?"

"Have ya got someone yet? Or are you and João on a break or in one of those situation things the young people do nowadays?"

Arthur shook his head and hiked his guitar higher on his shoulder, he'd been out there all day, and he wanted to go home. So he continued on.

Arthur wanted to make a Victoria Sponge cake.

His mother used to make them on certain special occasions such as his father's birthday, or when guests were coming over. Maybe if he could get it right he could forget about all this holiday nonsense.

And well…he'd baked a bit, mostly cookies and cupcakes at the cafe, so it was time to try something on his own.

After scrolling through his phone for a recipe for a good ten minutes, Arthur furrowed his eyebrows. He didn't have shite for this recipe so he'd have to go to the store.

00000

He went straight for the baking aisle, but passed the card aisle, seeing the bright red and green envelopes he decided he'd at least give Lili, Michelle, Berwald and Alondra a card for having given him the same last year. Which he backtracked to. He picked out the most generic sounding cards at modest prices. Not too wordy and overly affectionate, they cut right to the case.

Dropping them in his basket he went over to the baking aisle grabbing flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and sugar. He felt a few stares from a pair of elderly ladies but ignored it anyway. Then he went to the spices for vanilla extract, but upon seeing how expensive it was, put it back. He wrinkled his nose at buying sour cream and bought whipped cream instead.

Arthur then went to the produce section and perused the aisle for strawberries. There was a short raven haired man standing near them. Although the section was big enough for the both of them to stand where they wouldn't bump into each other, he went to pick up a box and bumped hands with the man anyway.

Arthur pulled back and the man said in a quiet voice, "Gomenasai."

Whatever that means. 'Sorry' probably.

The man hurriedly grabbed the box of strawberries and dropped them into his basket before scurrying off to another section. Luckily they weren't the ones Arthur had been eyeing. Arthur checked to see if the strawberries in the box he picked up had any mold on it before he placed them in his own basket.

After waiting in line, entirely too long in his opinion, he paid for his items and made his way back to his block of flats. He pulled that hat Lili had given him down on his head to fight off the chill.

Arthur got to work making the cake as soon as he entered his flat, dumping all of the grocery bags onto the counter.

He first washed off the strawberries and set them aside. He preheated the oven and greased the two cake pans he had with butter.

He cracked in the eggs, eyeballed the rest of the ingredients and put them into a large bowl. He hadn't invested in a mixer so he had to mix everything by hand. It was quite a bit of work, mixing all that…it was smooth enough. Arthur should purchase an electric mixer for Christmas.

He poured in the mixture and popped them into the oven. Arthur wiped sweat off of his brow and got to work cleaning up the mess he'd made on the counter.

It was 25 minutes later and the moment of truth arrived. Arthur bit his lip and he grabbed his oven mitts to take out the hot pans. He pulled them out and….

"Bloody fucking hell!"

The cakes sank in the middle, and were dry in texture. He'd done something wrong. Even after waiting for them to cool it tasted fucking horrible. So all in all he had to throw them out. But at the very least he could sulk while eating strawberries.

00000

Arthur was working the evening shift as a bit of overtime. Berwald was hosting an open mic night at the cafe. Well technically Lovino was the M.C. for the event, and Berwald was in the bakery making his famous apple cake.

So Arthur was the barista and Valeriu was the cashier for tonight. They had added little table cloths and candles to each of the tables to get into the poetic atmosphere. Arthur just served a free cake slice to a young brown skinned woman who had finished reciting a poem. The room had snapped in place of applause.

Lovino announced the next performer, Antonio. There was light applause as he approached the makeshift stage with his acoustic guitar. Lovino adjusted the mic to his height.

"Of course he plays guitar." Arthur muttered.

"Don't you also play a guitar?" Valeriu asked.

Arthur crossed his arms, "This is different. It's acoustic, and they're going to swoon because he has so much Latin charm."

Lovino shushed him as he joined them by the counter, elbow leaning against it as he faced the stage.

"This goes out to a very special someone in the audience."

Lovino started fidgeting and Arthur raised an eyebrow.

Antonio sang in Spanish, his voice was smooth as silk and unsurprisingly pleasant to Arthur's ears. He could assume it was a love song, upon recognising the phrase "mi amore," throughout the song.

And when he finished strumming, he grabbed the microphone, and walked over toward the crowd of tables. He then got down on one knee in front of someone who was at a table with two other people.

"Francis Bonnefoy, my boyfriend of five wonderful years, in front of everyone here, will you marry me?" Antonio brought out a little velvet box.

Everyone in the cafe gasped before going silent.

Francis, who was sitting at a table with who he could assume were Gilbert and Feliciano, took the box. His expression was one of shock.

And then it morphed into the pitiable one, the one where he was going to give some bad news. He knew what that was first hand from João.

"Antonio, I can't, I-I'm sorry." He pushed the box back into Antonio's hands.

And Antonio still had that idiotic smile on his face, although it was faltering behind sad eyes, as he was given the box back. He placed the microphone back. He clutched the box tight to his chest before he made a clumsy yet speedy exit out of the door.

"Antonio, come back!" Feliciano yelled, before he and Gilbert scrambled out of their seats, knocking them over in the process as they made their way out of the door.

Lovino walked up to the empty stage, more stiff and rigid than he had been all night. "Well we're going to take a five minute break," he said before rejoining them at the counter.

Lovino frowned, slamming a fist onto the counter. "I told that idiota that this wasn't a good idea. He doesn't fucking listen to me!"

"Why don't you go comfort your friend Lovino? We could finish up here."

"We? Don't volunteer me, Valeriu!"

Valeriu proceeded to grab Arthur and cover his mouth. Arthur grabbed at his wrist. Valeriu held him steady, and strong-armed him into not flailing around.

"Eh Feli and that German bastard are already with him anyway." Lovino waved him off although his gaze was still on the door.

"He needs all the friends he can get right now." Arthur started clawing at Valeriu's arms to get him to let him go but the man would not let up.

"I guess. If it gets me out of work." He muttered. And with that Lovino stalked out of the door.

Valeriu let Arthur go then, and he slumped forward onto the counter to catch his breath. "Don't you ever do that again." To which Arthur punched Valeriu in the arm, but not hard enough to cause any bruising.

Valeriu nodded and flashed him a thumbs up, "I'll be the M.C. and you can man the counter."

And so that was what they agreed on. Valeriu was more cheerful and bubbly than Lovino was, who had the charm and energy of a used car salesman.

Francis asked Arthur if the free cake was for customers, having sauntered up to the counter shortly after.

"Only performers can get a free slice. Although you could still purchase one."

Francis decided to purchase a slice. Arthur reached down into the display case for one on a plate.

"Five years down the drain, yeah?" Arthur boxed it up for him.

Francis raised his eyebrows before he wilted, shoulder's drooping, mouth in a deep frown.

"This entire public display makes me seem unkind," he said as Arthur slid him the boxed-up slice.

"Mmm."

"I'm not, really. I just got bored with everything. I was going to break it off and then this happened."

Arthur shrugged, "It matters very little to me what kind of person you are. Antonio isn't my friend and I've only been working here a year."

Francis continued to look at him, he felt exposed under the man's gaze somehow. As though he were looking through him.

"I'll keep that in mind." And with that he was out the door, as though he hadn't caused a scene.

Arthur had a little more work taking orders. A rather short man of East Asian descent had apparently ordered a cinnamon bun with his lemon tea that Arthur hadn't gotten around to giving him yet. The man was polite when he apologised for the delay in getting him the pastry.

After a man recited spoken word poetry about poverty, it was over and they were tasked with cleaning up. Valeriu filled Berwald in on why Lovino left early.

Berwald gave a nod.

And Arthur was left to wonder that if someone as charming as Antonio was turned down for a marriage proposal, what hope was there for him at all?

000000

"Is there a problem?" Arthur asked, he placed a hand on his hip.

Francis had come into the cafe every day during the morning shift this week, just late enough to miss Michelle and early enough to miss both Lili and Lovino. He'd order black coffee and a muffin before perching himself at a table in direct view of the counter but near the window. He'd preen himself, and cast Arthur various glances, before pretending as though he hadn't been looking at him at all. Arthur never said anything, just tried to ignore him because he'd just broken up with Antonio three weeks ago and Arthur decided he had quite a bit of self respect when it came to getting in the middle of other people's relationship drama.

But honestly he'd rather him just say what he wanted instead of whatever this ridiculous stunt was.

"Non, I just find you very attractive." Francis sauntered up to the counter.

Berwald had gone to the bathroom so therefore he couldn't witness the absolute baffling words Francis decided to let tumble out of his stupid mouth.

"You didn't turn down a marriage proposal for me did you?" Arthur crossed his arms, giving him a sneer. Because that would be just ludicrous if that were true. Although Arthur wouldn't be opposed…it's the dramatics of it all.

"Don't flatter yourself, I am only looking for a good time. I just wanted to gauge if you were up for it." He raised an eyebrow, and Arthur pursed his lips."Come find me if you need a place to stay for the night." He said with cerulean blue eyes dark almost like the midnight sky.

Arthur continued to stare at him in disbelief as a slip of paper was slid toward him. Francis winked at him before he left the cafe without another word and Arthur couldn't really dwell on it for longer.

He'd pocketed the slip of paper with Francis's phone number on it, unsure if he was going to ever use it. For one the man had just turned down an engagement, and two his proximity to Lovino was not lost on him.

If it had got around to Lovino then…he'd probably be appalled…well only if Arthur took the offer this soon. Besides he didn't find Francis attractive in the slightest, that smug, pompous air he had to him.

And the nerve of him to treat me like some sort of on-call escort.

Arthur had standards, he just…they were…he had morals…they were…

Oh for fuck's sake!

Was Arthur going to consider it? Maybe. Antonio wasn't his friend, he barely knew either of them, and bold confidence was kind of hot actually.

00000

Arthur was in front of a condominium, he had taken the subway to get there. He walked into a small area just beyond the front door. There was a screen with a buzzer and a keypad. Arthur typed in Francis's apartment number and waited for the man to pick up.

He'd called Francis about a week after he'd come to the cafe. Arthur decided that was enough breathing room. Not for Francis, but for himself, and it wasn't like they were ever going to do it again anyway.

If he waited any longer he might've lost his nerve.

Francis buzzed him up, he walked through the now unlocked door and onto the elevator. Once on Francis's floor and having checked the apartment number again, he knocked quite timidly. He shouldn't be feeling ashamed, this was meaningless sex after all, and he didn't know Antonio well. Why should he care if Antonio's ex wanted to sleep with him or not?

He knocked louder this time.

Francis answered the door, dressed in a red silk robe, and a wine glass in hand. "Bonjour, bienvenue." To which he stepped aside and let Arthur in. "I hope you didn't have any trouble getting here."

"N-no." Arthur's voice came out in a strangled squeak, and he cleared his throat, "Not at all."

Francis gripped his coat and coaxed him to shrug it off. The kitchen was what greeted him. Francis took his coat and led him through the kitchen and into the living room.

The white leather couch, polar bear skinned rug and roaring fireplace in the living room immediately caught his attention.

"Would you like something to drink? Wine perhaps?"

He didn't particularly like wine but when a host gives a suggestion it usually behooves one to take it.

"Sure, that's fine."

Arthur sat on the far end of the couch, and twiddled his thumbs. Arthur wasn't sure why he was nervous. Francis returned, setting a glass on the glass coffee table in front of him. Francis sat in the middle of the couch.

Arthur took the glass with an appreciative nod. He took a few sips, as Francis glanced at him.

Once he set the glass down Francis slid next to him.

"So how did you want to do this?" Arthur asked.

"We don't have to do much talking, except if you're uncomfortable."

The man's lips were millimeters from his, and Francis placed a hand on his cheek.

"Alright." Arthur said before the man gave him a quick chaste kiss.

And then another, before it turned into something more heated. And Arthur was soon leaving kisses just under Francis's jaw, where his full beard tickled Arthur's nose. He left a trail of kisses all the way down to his collarbone.

Arthur unfastened his robe with shaky hands, and guided him back against the seat of the couch. Now he was in between the man's legs. Arthur was surprised at how hairy the man's chest was, and took a moment to run his fingers through the strands, feeling the texture under his slightly perspiring hands. Feeling the slight tending of his abdomen as his fingers rolled over them.

He flickered his gaze up to Francis's now flushed face, and he met cobalt blue eyes. Arthur's ears felt warm.

"S-sorry." He switched gears, his hand made its way to his thigh, toward the waistband of Francis's silk boxers as he peppered more kisses down his stomach.

And suddenly he was halted, hands gripping his shoulders, "Arrêt!" Arthur looked up. Francis looked like he was holding back tears,"S-stop."

Damn am I really bad at this?

"Are you alright?"

Francis shook his head, and Arthur sat back on his heels. Francis wrapped his robe around himself, and sat up.

"I don't know what has come over me. Before we were "officially" together, I used to sleep around. Sometimes we were off and on, so it's not like I didn't do this while seeing him." Francis sniffled and dropped his gaze to his lap.

Arthur could assume he was talking about Antonio.

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows, "Maybe you're not the same person you were before."

"Or maybe you're just a horrible sexual partner and your anxiousness transferred to moi." Francis pouted and crossed his arms.

"Well can you blame me? You just got out of a five year relationship, and I saw how it ended! Do you know this makes me look like a tool?"

Francis raised an eyebrow, "You said it didn't matter. You're just Lovino's co-worker…" And then Francis stared at him.

It looked like the wheels were turning in his head. And then he smirked. "You desire to be with Lovino don't you?"

Arthur wrinkled his nose, "No!" He sat back and swiveled his legs around to plant his boots on the floor.

"Oh come on, a little amore is good once in a while. He's cute, non?"

"Before you get into my feelings, why don't you get your shite together so you could fuck someone else!" Arthur moved to get up from the couch, grabbing the wine glass and downing it in a few hurried gulps.

"Your eyes, they have a lot of care in them, despite how affronted you appear to be. And I wasn't ready for that so soon…again."

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows, "You really are a therapist aren't you? I'm going to get out of here before you start telling me I wanted to fuck my mother as an infant."

Francis let out a little chuckle and got up as well, "Let me grab your coat."

As Francis left the room, Arthur crossed his arms. On one hand he was disappointed he wouldn't be shagging anyone, but on the other hand he was sort of relieved that Francis wasn't a heartless monster…and to a lesser extent Arthur didn't come off as one either.

Francis returned with his coat and Arthur shrugged it on. "I hope you figure out what you want whether it be what you had or something else." Arthur said, giving Francis one last look before giving him a nod and leaving out the way he came.

00000

Alondra thanked him for the card and Michelle had done so as well before ultimately each of them gave him a card of their own. So ultimately they'd be in a perpetual cycle of card giving and receiving hell, forever.

Berwald gave a nod in thanks, and gave him a slice of cake he'd made over the holidays, called princess cake, which Arthur tried not to show how ecstatic he was about it by schooling his expression and giving Berwald a curt nod. Although a slight twitch in his lips might have given him away, it was hard to tell from Berwald's lack of expression.

Lili thanked him as she gave him a smile before giving him another gift.

Lili held out another gift box, wrapped with a giant blue bow on top. It seemed a bit heavy from the feel of it.

"Lili you really didn't have to, again."

"I wanted to. Especially since you spent Christmas alone again."

She pouted and Arthur was torn between wanting to throttle her for pitting him, and wanting to hug her for being so concerned. But ultimately did neither, opting to glare at her instead.

"I told you not to worry about that. I'm fine with spending Christmas alone. Don't look at me like that–"

Her expression having gone from pitiful to determined by a slight furrowing of her eyebrows, she said, "It'll be different next Christmas, I promise."

"It's not your responsibility."

"I know. I'm just letting you know ahead of time."

Arthur sighed and thanked her for the gift. Then he went to his locker just as Lovino walked in holding a few gift bags.

Lili brought out another gift box wrapped in a red bow.

Arthur went to get his amp and his guitar from his locker as well as shrug on his wool trench coat.

Alondra said goodbye to him, and as Arthur struggled slightly to slot the gift box under his arm while holding the amp, he made his way to the door. As the doorbell above the shop rang he said goodbye to Lili, and Lovino.

"Hey Azzurro, I got something for you."

Arthur stopped, fully prepared for this to be some type of joke. Because why on Earth would Lovino bring a gift for him?

He turned back only to be presented with a red envelope. He took it with "Blue Haired Bastard" scribbled in ugly scrawl on the front. Arthur wasn't sure if Lovino actually remembered his name or not but whatever.

"I'm speechless."

"It doesn't have any money in it or no shit like that, so don't have a stroke." Lovino waved him off before he averted his gaze. "Lili said you're by yourself on the fucking holidays. And that's so pathetic, I actually felt bad for you. So there."

Arthur crumpled up the card in his fist. He could physically feel himself shaking, but Lovino had decided not to stick around and went back into the cafe directly after saying what he'd said, so Arthur couldn't strangle him even if he wanted to.

But after lighting up a fag to smoke, he calmed down, and realised that any other explanation would've felt wrong.

Arthur pocketed the crumpled card before going toward his flat.

A/N: Thank you for reading!

Translations:

Bonjour, bienvenue. -- hello, welcome.

Arrêt-- stop.