Zoethian's 1oo scene challenge thread }} //Posting open

[Zoethian]

| Think I'm fallin' in love-in love with you ♥ |
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So, I decided I'd have a try at delcie & captain's 1oo scene challenge! I will be using the Hetalia characters for this as I feel more comfortable writing FanFiction! There will likely be male/male 'shipping', you have been warned.
I'm also doing the 100 one-shots challenge here with Hetalia characters, too! I also have a FanFiction Hetalia story The Great Snowfall! I like Hetalia too much

“Little by little, day by day, okay?” // “Get. Off. Right now.” // “... That’s it.”
// “So, uh, we should… probably run now.” // “You’re insane! I love it.”
“Hey, I offered to help you.” // “Who’s laughing now?” // “Would you please just be quiet?”
“Whoa, buttercup, whoa.” // "I can’t believe you talked me into this." // “Marry me?”
“Hey! I was gonna drink that!” // “You did all of this for me?” // “This isn’t over.”
“If you die, I’m gonna kill you.” // “Well, this is awkward.” // “It was you who was standing there.”
“That is the stupidest idea you’ve ever had. Of course I’m in.”// “Hey, I’m with you, okay? Always.”
“Uh, she’s gunna punch you, man.” // “BAHAHAHA- ahem.”// “I think I am concussed.”
“You have got to be kidding me.” // “This ain’t that kind of movie.” // “Is it… dead?”
“I’ll just sit here and wait for you to be finished.” // “You wound me.” // “Trust you? PAH.”
“I don’t know who you are.” // “It’s okay. I promise. I’m here.” // “Oh, this is going to be good.”
“Well, I finally got your attention.” // “Like a hole in the head.”// “I'm... okay.”
“Well, are you coming?” // “Where are your pants!?” // “Help me push it.”
“It’s almost midnight, no way!” // “Positively smashing.” // “Don’t let go, okay?”
“You can’t leave me like this.” // “Say that to my mother.” // “Sing me a lullaby, please?”
“This hurts worse than I thought it would.” // “Hah! - oh, wait, you’re serious?”
“As much as I’d enjoy that…” // -gasp- “The plague!” “No!” “YES.” // “I won’t let you do this.”
“I’ve still got it.” // “I can’t do it. I just can’t.” // "Don’t you ever do that again!"
“I thought I lost you.” // "Teach me?" // "Don’t you dare throw that snowball-"
"It could be worse." // "We’re in the middle of a thunderstorm and you wanna stop and feel the rain?"
"I’ve seen the way you look at me when you think I don’t notice." // "What are you so afraid of?”
“How did you get that scar?” // “You said WHAT?” // “Can you stop bringing that up?”
“Wait for me!” // “We’ll be dead by morning.” // “STOP TALKING.” // “I do.”
“I don’t want to.” // “What did I ever do to you?!” // “Follow me.”
-SIGH- “I can’t reach it.” // “What are you waiting for?” // “WAIT NO THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT-”
“I don’t need you.” // “You deserve better.” // “If you love something, let it go.”
“Why do I have to wear this?” // “Here goes nothing.” // “Where the heck were you?!”
“I don’t need help.” // “We’re gonna be parents…” // “I didn’t think you knew.”
“I thought those were poisonous.” // “Don’t make me go alone.” // “I’m sorry… I didn’t know.”
“I’d be lost without you.” // “Just leave me!” // “I dare you to…” // “Run!”
“How did you manage that?” // “Liar!” // “I don’t even want to be here.”
“Oh crap, we fell asleep!” // “Is this the life you wanted?” // “GIVE ME THAT.”
“Get back here!” // “Let go of me!” // “I’ll just follow you.” // “YOU DON’T SAY.”
“And yet, you love me anyway.” // “I just thought I’d have a swim.” // “Don’t cry.”

Ooh, I'm gonna have fun with this/
Edit;; The first post is a scene from The Great Snowfall and the few posts after that is a story. Some will continue with this story, and some will be one-shots!

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Characters && Hetalia (C) Hidekaz Himaruya
FanFiction (C) Zoethian
Gif (C) Owners
Stamps (C) ChickenSmoothie - Personality & Profile > Countries

[Zoethian]

Sweden > Berwald

Finland > Tino

His cold breath drifted from his mouth in puffs of white smoke, the wind's whistle blowing snowflakes against his glasses and speckling his blonde locks in dots of dandruff from the sky. The lens of his glasses fogged in the cold and rendered him unable to see through the whiteout--what little could've been seen before when only the beginnings of a storm had formed. Now, the sky was in rage. Thin, but remarkably strong arms wound tightly around his middle, hiding their face against his deep-blue overcoat. "I-I'm scared, Su-san."

"Ja, as am I." Sweden turned in the other's grip and he bent down to conceal them in his warm embrace, pressing a feeble kiss to Finland's pale forehead. "We must go," Berwald added, standing up and turning to the storm. They had to get going--This wasn't going to be super easy, or terribly difficult, but it was going to take time and energy and the weather wasn't letting up any time soon. The Frozen Lake was awaiting them.

"What about the reindeer?" asked Finland, looking to the small set of stables where the animals would be safety tucked away in their stalls, eating their hay and drinking their hot chocolate flavoured water.

Berwald blinked, thinking. "We will send for them--Denmark will send them." His voice was hollow upon saying his brother's Nation name, a slight shiver trembling down his fingers and toes. "Come." He turned to leave, casting not even a glance at the house.

"Su-san, must-must we go, now?" Tino asked, looking back to the small house they shared with the other Nordics; Mr. Puffin was still sitting in the window, watching them go with coal-like, judgemental eyes. "We could..." England had warned them about travelling home; why hadn't they listened? They should've stayed in England--they should have stayed in England.

Now they were going back, even though they shouldn't have left and Finland and Denmark hadn't wanted to leave--and most definitely not while England went from well to sick to well, then right back to sick. America barely left his side:

"You're gonna be fine, England," America laughed as he helped England down the staircase and to the kitchen where France was cooking a limited breakfast of whatever they could get their hands on.

"Will I?" asked Arthur, huffing a greeting in reply to Scotland's half-hearted, "Mornin'."

"Of course, mon ami, you will get better once the snows begin to melt," said Francis with his signature laugh.

Arthur breathed out and accepted the cup of tea from Wales, letting his head fall back against the chair limply.

He'll be fine. He is probably all better, now. Tino remembered Francis and Canada talking one night in the hallway of Arthur's countryside manor house, and Tino had stood there while they raised their accented voices, only for Alfred to come out and ask them, with a tired tone, to quiet down and go to bed.

Tino slipped passed them to say his goodbyes to Arthur, but found the old country fast asleep in a wheezy slumber. Alfred didn't look well either, and Tino feared he too would catch the 'Country Flu' as it was quickly becoming. Though Alfred couldn't wake Arthur (and didn't want to), he agreed to tell him of Tino's farewell. The other Nordics had told him earlier that day when Norway and Iceland left to get some horses for the trip across the Frozen Lake.

But Finland still felt horrible for not staying back and wishing England a fast recovery, and a little part of him didn't want to go back and face Arthur when his goodbye had fallen on sleeping ears--what would he think?

"No."

Berwald turned and raised an eyebrow in confusion. "No? No... what?"

"I-I don't want to go back to England, Su-san. No." Tino felt the tears budding in his eyes, and felt one drop roll down his cheek; it hurt, his cheeks were cold and the hot tear melted against them and bit harshly into the frosty flesh. "I-I don't want to cross the Frozen Lake. You-you'll have to go alone."

Hurt flashed in the Swedish man's eyes. "I don't..." He used to be good with words, but not anymore and he couldn't find his English, blurting his words out in Swedish; Tino would understand, "I don't want you to leave me. Don't make me go alone."

Tino was already backing up to the door, and the other Nordics were looking out the window; Sealand's blue, curious eyes watched, even though Denmark tried to keep him away. "No. I'm staying here. I'm sorry, Su-san." He didn't mean to say his words in Finnish, but he knew Berwald would understand. Tino turned at the sound of the door opening and Iceland looked out, large winter coat tugged clumsily around his shoulders. "I'm coming, one minute." Iceland wouldn't understand, but the urgency might get through.

Tino turned back to beg with Berwald to stay, but the man was already gone.

It was only when he was staring into the blank wasteland of white did he wake up in a cold sweat with a storm thundering against the tent and Berwald keeping watching of the snow. Tino fell back against his sleeping bag and then sat up, deciding that sleep was not an option anymore.

---
Word count;; 887
Edited;; Once
In-Story Notes;; 'Ja' is Swedish for 'yes' // While I don't know how the fandom sees Denmark && Sweden, I personally see them as brothers // 'mon ami' means 'my friend' in French // This actually had nothing to do with what's to happen next; I just decided to begin it with something from The Great Snowfall
Other Notes;; I really wish there was hot chocolate flavoured water in real life.

[Zoethian]

Arthur - England

Alfred - America

Matthew - Canada

The cat's dainty paws padded across the wood towards the man in his lawn chair, letting out a mew to tell them he was there. "Oh, hello." Arthur Kirkland looked up, taking off his sunglasses and resting them on the table. "Come for your food, have you?" he asked, wiping the sleep from his eyes.

The cat purred, pressing his pelt against the man's legs, ears pricked and listening to the following laughter. "Well, all right--Let me get your bowl." Arthur scratched the cat behind the ear, got up and then wandered through his door and into the modestly sized kitchen. He grabbed the English flag-printed food bowl and the cat food Heracles had dropped off earlier as the cat poked his head around the door, its nose twitching. "Here, kitty." He bounced in and over to the food, sitting down to eat.

Arthur grunted and slipped back out on to the terrace to collect his sunglasses and cup, folding the chair up and laying it down. "Have you finished, Harry?" he asked when coming back in, checking the bowl to find it empty and the cat curled up on a kitchen chair. Arthur smiled, then quickly shut the door; he really needed to buy a cat flap for the little guy, he pondered while stroking the cat's soft, gingery pelt.

A knock at the door stopped Arthur's thoughts from wandering much further and the cat awoke at the sound. Arthur hushed him like the tom-cat was his child, venturing into his hallway and to the front door, pulling it open. "Oh, hello Alfred."

Alfred F. Jones's grin was wide as he threw his arms around Arthur and pulled him into a tight embrace. "Arthur!" he laughed, ruffling the older man's hair. "And how's my favourite person in the whole world?"
"What do you want?" Arthur asked as Alfred let himself in, walking down to the kitchen and taking the seat across from where the cat was sleeping, luckily. At least he didn't sit on him this time, Arthur thought as he followed and switched on the kettle and coffeemaker. Either Alfred was avoiding the topic, or he hadn't heard Arthur's sarcasm. "Alfred, what do you want?"

"Why've I gotta want something?" the American asked with a big, cheesy grin to the Englishman. "I mean, can't I just come and see my most favourite person in the whole wide world?"

"Well, when you talk like that..." Arthur brushed his hair back, green eyes flicking from Alfred to his cat. The kettle boiled. "Tea, or coffee?"

"Coffee, please," said Alfred in his most soft of voice, tapping his fingers across the kitchen table. "Uh, well... There is something..."

Here we go... thought Arthur.

Alfred coughed out a laugh. "Uh, yeah... I-I just... I just, kinda, maybe, possibly got some really bad news."

Oh. Well. This wasn't what Arthur thought; he figured Alfred needed some money, but by the downward expression Alfred was now sporting, Arthur could see that wasn't the case. He made himself a cup of tea and turned off the coffeemaker, pouring the dark liquid into the cup Alfred used whenever he was here; it had the American flag on it. Alfred brought it back from one of his trips to the States before 'retiring' as he put it, to a house a few down from Arthur's. "What's wrong, dear?" asked Arthur as he grabbed the milk and let the refrigerator door close on its own.

"My-my..."

"Your...?"

"My brother's just gotten married."

Arthur finally let out his breath and blew the stem from his tea, shoulders relaxing and a sweat breaking out across his forehead. "My word, Alfred--you scared me, then! I thought someone died!"

"You always think that," Alfred said, but there was no teasing or happiness in his tone, and that made Arthur a little uneasy. "It's not that, Arthur--he's my little brother! And I wasn't invited! I-I haven't even met the guy he married! And-and-"

"Alfred, you're getting yourself worked up over nothing. I'm sure Matthew just wanted a nice quiet wedding; most people do. You remember when Elizabeta and Roderich got married and only invited their family and the street?"

Alfred huffed, rolling his eyes. "And we all know how well that turned out. But, I-I... I just... I haven't met him, and Mattie only told me last night and he's coming over here and-"

"Well, there you go."

"What?"

"He's coming here. Maybe he just wanted to get married and then have you approve? You said he has some anxieties, right?"

Alfred sighed and looked deeply into his coffee, then towards the slight mew from Arthur's cat. "It's... it's not that, Arthur."
Curious, if not a little frightened by Alfred's quiet, depressed mood, Arthur leant against the table, his cat sitting up to brush his head against Arthur's wrist, licking the exposed flesh. "What is it, then?" The Englishman stroked his cat, then took his tea for a drink to nurse his growing headache. "Can you say it outright? I need to start dinner soon."

"Oh! Can I stay-"

"Alfred, stop tiptoeing," Arthur scolded, breathing out and shaking his head. "Whatever the problem is, it's going to be OK. I promise. I'm here for you. But you must tell me so I can help."

"Promise you-you won't be mad?" Alfred asked like a child. "I-I really do need your help, actually."


Arthur opened his mouth to reply, then shut it again and reached across the table to lay his palm over Alfred's, smiling at the younger man. "Yes, I promise."

"I kinda, sorta, maybe, yes-I-did told him I'm married, too. To you."

---
Word count;; 945
Edited;; Once
In-Story Notes;; Arthur's cat is named Harry
Other Notes;; I don't know where this is going right now, but I kinda like it; it won't be calm for long, though

[Zoethian]

Arthur - England

Alfred - America

Matthew - Canada

Toris - Lithuania

"You said WHAT?"

"I'm sorry! I-I know I shouldn't have! I-I just..." Alfred gripped his coffee until his knuckles turned white, carding a hand through his sweating, blonde hair. "I was trying to one-up him! Like-like we did as kids..."

Arthur's hands became fists on the table, breathing coming out fast and livid. "But, we're not married! We-we're not even dating, Alfred! Why on earth was I the first person you thought of?" It could have been anyone. It could have been Elizabeta or Ivan, or Emil, or Feliks or-or... Why did it have to be him?

"We had tea that afternoon!" replied Alfred, loudly. "Like, I was still thinking about it and you were the first person I kinda thought of!" His grip on the coffee cup faltered and he finally let go to spread his fingers across the table, leaning his head against the wood and sighing like it would take the weight from his shoulders. It didn't. "I'm sorry, Arthur - I-I'll give Mattie a call and tell-" A hand clapped his mouth shut.

"No." Arthur took a deep breath and bit down on his lip, removing his hand to pick up his tea and pour a little into Harry's bowl, politely placing it on the table for his cat. "I promised to help you, and I will." The feline dipped his head into the tea, lapping at the drink. "A promise is a promise, after all."

Alfred leapt to his feet, chair clattering back against the wooden floorboards. He hurried around the table and pulled Arthur into the tightest hug the Englishman had ever been given. "Thank you! Arthur! Thank you!" He let out a breath into the other man's neck, loosening his grip but still keeping the man in his arms. "I would've never lived this down."

"We still might never live this down," said Arthur, peeling himself away from Alfred's embrace and letting his lungs take in the much needed air they so craved. "We have neighbours. We'll have to tell them."

Alfred's eyes widened. "I hadn't even thought about the neighbours! They-they won't believe my lie!"

"No, no. We'll tell them the truth."

"But... That's no fun?"

Arthur narrowed his eyes, his jaw going taut. "This won't be fun anyway. There's so much we need to do if you hope to pull this off--We'll need matching rings and some photos, and you'll probably have to move in with me." His cat had moved on to drinking Alfred's coffee right from the cup.

Alfred blinked once, twice. "Why... Why can't you move in with me?"

"Because I'm older."

With a shrug, the American waved him off. "Yeah, but my family's richer and my house is bigger, and Mattie's seen pictures of my house..." Alfred really didn't like the idea of moving out of his home and into Arthur's smaller one; they looked pretty much the same anyway, though Alfred had painted his. "We've only got a week, Arthur."

Alfred was surprised to see Arthur now clenching a pipe. Bubbles were slowly floating around the kitchen from said pipe. "A week?" Arthur asked, his eyes focused on the wall. "We have to come up with a story in a week? Well, at least it isn't tomorrow like in the movies, I guess."

"Yeah." Alfred paused. "I'm good at something, ha-ha. Oh, and my house's got three guestrooms, too. Yours' got, what, one? I ain't sleeping on a sofa."

Arthur, displeased, finally nodded. "Okay, okay. I'll move into your house for however long they're here." They still had a lot to do, but Arthur moving in would only take a few hours tops. He wanted to laugh; Alfred moving in would have been a nightmare, anyway; he had too much stuff. "How long are they going to be here?" He was agreeing to this, and everything in his gut was telling him it was a bad idea. "And, Alfred, won't... Won't Matthew know we're not married if he charms us?"

Suddenly, the American went quiet and still and if eyes could tremble, Arthur was sure that was what Alfred's eyes were doing. "I... didn't think of that. Mattie didn't say how long they'd be staying."

Arthur tapped his foot against the boards, taking in his surroundings in exchange for dismissing his worrisome thoughts. "Well, we could try a protective charm to ward off any charms he might use on us?"

"Isn't there a counter?" Alfred asked. "Mattie's really smart, Arthur."

"Ah," said Arthur, looking down and blowing a few more bubbles. "Well, then I guess we aren't married." A cat-like smile formed on his face. "We're engaged, Alfred--love. Now... That cat of yours isn't going to hurt Harry, is he?" Arthur looked to his gingery cat and beckoned him. "I can only guess your carrier eagle won't harm him either, correct?"

"James wouldn't hurt a fly - besides, he's too lazy." Alfred waved him off and went back to fetch his cup, taking a long sip of the coffee Arthur's cat had been lapping. "Shall we move ya in, and then we can figure everything out?"

Arthur sighed and nodded. "Okay. But give Matthew a call so you don't look too dishonest." Impossible. He picked up his cat, holding him firmly in his arms. "Give me your keys and I'll go settle Harry in."

"Toris is there; he'll open the door for you." Alfred was already taking out his phone, tapping the screen. "Oh, yeah!" He looked up, glasses almost slipped off his nose. "Toris is my housekeeper, but he already knows - he has a dog, too--Mattie? Hey! Sorry, did I wake you?"

Arthur let out a breath and rolled his eyes, shaking his head and grumbling insults under his breath. Then he looked up, feeling smug. "Hello, Matthew!" he called, smirking when he saw Alfred's posture straighten and the American turn around to gape at him. Arthur grabbed his wand from its perch and shouted a last, "I simply can't wait to be your brother-in-law!"

---
Word count;; 1,004
Edited;; Once
In-Story Notes;;
Other Notes;;

[Zoethian]

Arthur - England

Alfred - America

Matthew - Canada

Toris - Lithuania

He shut the door with the faintest click and, with Harry in his arms, padded down his pathway and towards the street. The gate opened automatically and shut after he wandered out. Arthur turned sharply on his heel and tapped Harry on the nose, who became positively weightless and floated out of his arms to stand in mid-air while Arthur fiddled with the gate's self-locking system. "Right, Alfred shouldn't be locked in." The thought of how he got through the gate in the first place still lingered on the outskirts of the Englishman's mind. "Come, Harry." The cat flopped back into his arms. Arthur pouted at not remembering to take the cat's wizard hat; he'd fetch it later, with the rest of his stuff.

Arthur, on his heel, turned to the road and raised his wand to himself, tapping one shoulder and then the other; a cape bloomed from his casualwear, flowing out like the wind had taken sail. "Perfect." The Englishman straightened his posture and then started down the street, waving to his neighbours sitting on their balcony. "Good evening Ludwig, Gilbert."

"Good evening," the brothers replied together. "Though for us, Arthur, the day is still quite young."

"Messing with the times again, lads?"

"Something like that," laughed Gilbert, patting the little bird on his shoulder. "Just in our garden, though. Ludwig was up late."

"Ah - say hello to Feliciano for me," said Arthur, continuing on his walk to Alfred's house. He came to the gate and was surprised to find it wasn't charmed or asking for its landowner when Arthur gave the wood the most gentle of taps with his wand. Toris is here, though. I guess that's why. But he'd still have a contract with Alfred to be on the land while he wasn't here, surely? Why was it just letting Arthur through? Maybe he's listed my name and presence. Probably.

Arthur gently patted Harry on the head as he approached the door and raised his knuckles against the name burnt into the mahogany wood. It was opened slowly by a man in an apron holding a broomstick; sweat dripped down his forehead and through fringe of his lengthy hair--so lengthy that it was done up in a ponytail. Much like Arthur's own, his eyes were green and lively and full of magic from the undergrowth.

Without saying a word, he stepped aside and it was only when Arthur had rested Harry on the first step of the stairs and tapped him with his wand between the ears, that the housekeeper spoke, "You must be Arthur."

"Arthur Kirkland, yes--you're Toris I am to guess." Arthur gestured to the man's attire and the housekeeper laughed good-heartedly, straightening his apron and wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Your guessing is correct, England."

"Oh, don't be so formal, Lithuania," said Arthur. "I didn't realise you'd taken the job as Alfred's housekeeper again?"

"It pays some bills." The man smiled, brushing a stray lock behind his ear. "And it means I can practice my magic, too." From the doorway to what Arthur remembered as Alfred's living space, strode a small brown-furred dog. It came to sit beside Toris, raising its head high and greeting Arthur and Harry with a bark. Arthur was snapped from his thoughts by Toris speaking once again, "I thought Alfred had to, uh, talk you into something?"

"He did. And he talked me into, too," Arthur replied, furrowing his brow. "So, I'll be living here until his brother leaves, I guess."

Toris nodded, tapping the tip of his broomstick. It came to life suddenly, floating up and turning sides so he could rest his arms against it without curling his back too far. "I'll enjoy cooking you both breakfast--America already told me everything."

"We aren't married," warned Arthur, eyeing Harry sitting on the stair. "We're engaged because Matthew's..."

"His charms are very strong." Toris tapped his temple, smiling. "I know. I lived with two similar to him."

"Ah," said Arthur. "Russia and... Latvia? Correct?"

"Mhm - Ivan and Raivis," said Toris, gripping his broomstick and turning it, tapping the tip and letting it fall limp against his chest. "Did you need me to carry anything inside?" he asked.

Arthur raised a hand and shook his head. "I didn't bring anything but Harry to settle him in. Alfred's just calling Matthew to clear it up and say we're actually engaged and not married--yet." He faltered slightly, and Toris reached out to grasp the other's shoulder. "Do you have any tea?"

"Of course--just bought some." Toris gestured for Arthur to follow him, then stopped. "Oh, yeah... Uh..." A blush suddenly lit the man's cheeks and he breathed out. "We can't really use the kitchen right now."

Arthur's face fell, then he frowned and breathed an annoyed sigh. "Alfred broke something, didn't he?"

Sweat was collecting on Toris's brow again and Arthur realised, with a smile appearing, that Alfred hadn't done anything. He laughed, "Practicing your magic, you said?"

"It wasn't my fault the cupboard got in the way!" Toris's face was redder then beetroot. He beckoned Arthur closer. "Help me push it and I'll make you some tea."

"Deal."

---
Word count;; 866
Edited;; Once
In-Story Notes;;
Other Notes;; In the last few hours I've come up with a slight plot, woo

[Zoethian]

Arthur - England

Alfred - America

Matthew - Canada

Toris - Lithuania

Francis - France

Ludwig - Germany

Gilbert - Prussia

Feliciano - Italy

Alfred heard the door shut. "He totally fell for it, Mattie."

The phone buzzed in laughter from Alfred's brother. "With it being England and all, that doesn't sound easy--How'd you get to his front door, anyway? I would've thought he charmed it."

Alfred leant against the kitchen table, smirking smugly to himself. "Yeah, but a few weeks ago I charmed him and had him list my name and stuff, so I could just walk in." The American looked around the kitchen, opening the refrigerator to take Arthur's leftovers out and open the packet, grabbing a knife and fork to eat the tasteless stew. "It was actually really easy."

"I can't believe you talked me into this," said Matthew as he folded shirts to lay down in the suitcase; the phone hovered just beside his ear. "If he finds out, Alfie..."

"He won't Mattie! He was surprised-" Alfred took a bite of the stew, "-but he agreed really quickly... Like, he pitied me, I think." Alfred munched the chewy meat, swallowing it down with a happy sigh. "This'll work, Mattie. I know it will."

Matthew sat down on the bed and brushed his hair back, adjusting his glasses and goggles. "Well, if it makes you feel better, Francis likes the idea, too."

Alfred nodded while licking the bowl and putting it by the sink. "I knew he would!" he laughed. "He had a brilliant taste in a best man--even though I was his second choice."

"Don't be silly! You were his first choice until Spain showed up!" the Canadian replied, laughing.

Alfred snorted and glanced to the clock. "Look, I should get going Mattie--Can't wait to see you and Francis next week."

"Bye!"

Alfred turned off the phone and shrugged his bomber jacket on to his shoulders; he'd almost forgotten he'd taken it off, the familiar material burdening his lean shoulders. He wandered into the hall and down to the door, opening it and wandering down the pathway with a graceless leap over the gate, checking it was charmed and locked before continuing down the street.

"Hey, Prussia! Hi, Germany!" Alfred called to the two men sitting on their balcony, chattering. "Where's Italy?"

"Went to buy a new tie," said Ludwig, nodding in greetings to the American and taking off his reading glasses. "For the next World Conference in a few weeks."

Alfred rested his hands on his hips. "You don't need to tell the hero." He pointed to them, nose in the air. "And by then I'm not gonna be single either!"

"Ooh, who's the lucky guy?" asked Gilbert, leaning forwards on his chair. "The awesome me is, of course, taken, so it can't be me."

"Arthur." Alfred smiled. "We're already engaged!"

Gilbert and Ludwig shared a glance between them. "Already engaged?" Ludwig glanced at his own wedding ring.

"Yeah! Well, not totally." Alfred shrugged and then turned back to the pathway. "I should get going--he's settling in to my house."

"Good luck," said Gilbert, waving. "We'll see you soon, Alfred--you, Arthur and Toris should come to dinner at some point!"

Alfred nodded, his steps already carrying on towards his house. "Cool! Give me a call whenever and we'll work something out!"
A minute or so later and Alfred was standing at his front door, opening it to discover James waiting for him, licking his paw and twitching his whiskers. The lazy cat looked up, blinking in greetings to his owner. "Hey, James!" He grabbed the cat in his embrace and looked up at the sound of another mew, discovering Arthur's cat, Harry, sitting on the bottom step of the staircase. "Hey, Harry--where's Arthur and Toris?" He looked around, then towards the kitchen. "Are they having tea in the garden?" Probably. He collected his bearings and placed James down, wandering towards the kitchen. "Toris? Arthur?"

The kitchen looked normal. Alfred blinked once, grabbing his wand from its perch and venturing into the room he used for entertaining guests; the large windows let in the red, white and blue light the panes were coloured and as Alfred stepped through the shine he looked out into his garden and its portal to his other house, the large country house in America he used when going back for important meetings or just a visit.

He stopped by the piano and let his fingers linger on the keys, a tune stammering out and the shuffling sound of shoes coming from above. Alfred, confused, turned back and went through his kitchen, passing the cats and into the upper levels of his home; he'd bought the largest house on the street, and it was a lot bigger then Germany's and England's--even the Nordics' house was small compared to his.

"England? Lithuania? Are you here? Hello?" Alfred wrinkled his nose and shoved the door to his bedroom open, fleetingly looking in but seeing nothing out of place. He stuck his head in Toris's room next, not seeing anything out of the usual.
Put off, Alfred checked each of the guestrooms, noticing a different air to the one he guessed Arthur had picked. He was slightly surprised it happened to be the smallest of the guestrooms; the only one without an on-suite bathroom.

"America, sir?" Alfred turned and found his housekeeper standing there holding a mug of coffee; the cup was printed with the American flag.

"Toris," said Alfred with a wide smile. "I've been trying to find you and Arthur for ages."

"England and I are out in the garden drinking tea. He thought he heard you and said I should come back in and make you some coffee." Toris handed the mug to Alfred. "Are you going to join us?"

Alfred sipped the coffee and nodded. "Sure." He followed Toris back to the staircase and down, stopping to beckon James to follow him and pick up Harry. "Can't have the familiars left alone in the house, right?"

Toris nodded, calling his dog, and wandering into the garden. "Arthur, we're back!"

---
Word count;; 1,001
Edited;; Once
In-Story Notes;;
Other Notes;;

[Zoethian]

STOP

This has mentions of a car crash!

Arthur - England

Alfred - America

Gilbert - Prussia

Allistor - Scotland

The horse beneath him moved with eager hooves, pounding the earth and sending shocks up the man's spine. He wasn't as used to riding as he'd once been, and being on a 'real' horse as America put it, was setting him on edge. Elisabeth wouldn't be happy about him riding the strong gelding; she'd probably ignore him for a while, too.

Why wasn't he allowed to ride his unicorn?

"Because you look like you are riding on thin air," Prussia chortled from up ahead, and a little part of England couldn't believe he'd said those words aloud. "We will stop now, anyway."

"Thank you," Arthur sighed, pulling sharply on the reins. "Whoa, Buttercup, whoa."

The three came to a halt near a clearing and walked with their mounts through the bushes and into the clover patch of a glade, a stream gently flowing towards the right and a few fallen logs pushed into the left. "Wow," said Arthur, large eyebrows raised. "I didn't realise this was here."

"Wales found it a month or so ago," said Gilbert, gesturing to the glade and straightening his posture. "He showed us."

"Was that when I had a meeting in London?" asked Arthur, confused as to why he hadn't already been to this glade of glory. Then again, Wales and he weren't on the best of terms, nor were he and Scotland. "I would guess?"

"You guess right, dude!" America, Alfred replied, slapping Arthur on the back.

"Brilliant," said Arthur, glaring the Prussian and American down. "Shall we start our picnic?"

"Don't see why not," laughed Alfred, undoing the saddlebags and plonking them on a few chaste flowers; Arthur inwardly sighed, eyes frowning at the sight of a stray petal to die too early in its short life. Poor flowers... It made his heart hurt. Someone must have crashed in London, badly, for that to happen and for the petals to send him into a flinch of pain; poor dears. He couldn't normally handle it, as it happened quite often, but today he was already tired and those poor flowers...

Then Gilbert laughed, snapping the Englishman from his pain and thoughts. "Arthur, you have the blanket, ja?"

"What?" Arthur looked up, surprised. "No? I gave it to you before we left. Don't tell me you..."

The Prussian searched through his saddlebag, chucking a flashlight away and almost knocking it into Alfred's head - Arthur was actually happy to see Gilbert brought it; who knew when they'd get back? And with Alfred sometimes getting scared for no reason, who knew when they'd need it.

"Yeah, I cannot find it," said Gilbert, looking up with a bemused smile of sorts. "I... think we left it behind."

"Well, that's just great!" Arthur huffed, undoing Buttercup's saddlebags and dropping them on the ground, raising his chin as the horse whinnied and snorted in annoyance. "Oh, shush." Arthur tapped the horse's snout. He turned back to his companions. "What do we do then?"

Alfred looked up from where he was already getting the food out. "Just eat without a blanket--like in the wild."

"But-but we're not animals!" Arthur stamped his boot against the ground, chin in the air - crossing his arms. "I refuse to sit on the ground without a blanket!"

Gilbert sighed. "Arthur, we sit on the ground or we go back to the stables - pick."

Arthur opened his mouth to reply, then stopped and sighed, eyeing the Prussian's disapproving glare (for once, he wasn't smiling) and Alfred's hopeful but sad eyes, wide and (dare I say it? thought Arthur) Anime-like. The Englishman's arms slowly dropped to his side.

"Fine. We'll... eat our picnic on the ground... like animals." England couldn't help but let his lips slowly twist at the sight of America suddenly jumping for joy, leaping to his feet and embracing the older country. Prussia laughed, grabbed the soft drinks and the flag-printed mugs and placed them on the log. "Besides," said Arthur, slightly happier. "We have those logs."

They sat down, with Arthur taking a place on the log - on some moss, great. They got a few minutes into their picnic when the nearing sound of hooves sent thunder through the ground and knocked Alfred's cup over, spilling the too-sweet drink inside. "What's that?" Alfred asked with a mouthful of pasta salad Italy packed them.

The hooves came closer and their horses looked up, ears flicking back and forth. Gilbert stood and Arthur followed, and into the clearing cantered a horse with a saddleblanket printed with the flag of-

"Scotland!" Arthur's hands clenched, fists, eyes ablaze of green fire--fire from a dragon, an annoyed, enraged dragon. His brother hauled his horse to a stop ("Whoa, Mary!") and sat up, tall and proud on his mount as the horse's nostrils flared, breathing out and flank shivering with sweat. Scotland leapt from the saddle and held up his hand to wait, tugging his horse over to the stream where he left her, tacked up and sweating.

"England," Scotland finally greeted, acknowledging his brother with a grin; his earring was misplaced, probably in fear of it coming loose. "I think ya forgot somethin', wee brother." From his horse's saddlebag appeared the red, white and blue picnic blanket England himself had made--the Union Jack was, of course, its pattern. "Wales said Ah should come give it ta ya lot."

Arthur took the blanket from his brother with a glare. "Thank you, Allistor," he spat, opening the blanket to check for anything amiss or changed or stained or broken. He laid it across the earth, covering a few patches of flowers by mistake. Not that he cared right now.

"Would you like to stay?" asked Gilbert, looking up from his cold toast. "We have plenty-"

"No!" shouted Arthur, butting in.

"Well, if ya don't mind," Allistor said loudly, grin softening to a subtle smile. He dismissed his brother's glare, and then glanced back. "Where's Buttercup?"

Arthur had been far too busy to see his horse had broken loose and was now trotting away into the forest. He stared in disbelief as Buttercup disappeared. I really wish I'd brought my unicorn...

Allistor threw an arm around his younger brother's shoulders. "We'll find 'im tagather, wee brother! After lunch, yeah?" He held up his mug, the Scottish flag printed across it. "Where's the ginger, lads?"

And Arthur stood there, stunned. "You... planned this."

"A' course Ah did, wee brother." A grin. Arthur fumed.

---
Word count;; 1,077
Edited;; Once
In-Story Notes;; Scotland's horse is named after 'Mary, Queen of Scots', yes // London is the heart of England, and while I don't know/follow a lot of headcanons, I thought it would seem right that if there's some sort of crash (in this case, a car crash) it might send a bolt of pain into England's heart; he would have probably gotten used to it by now, though - creative license is awesome // 'Ja' is German for 'yes'
Other Notes;; This is a one-shot // I'm pretty sure I started this in a school-type setting?? // Then it became a farmhouse setting like in the one-shots thread // What are themes, man // I've just started reading Percy Jackson so I almost made them become (Demi)Gods, wut