USUK Mr. Ugly 28

Warning! Belarus! Fritz! Homophobic Poland! Prussia! Assertive Canada! Cussing! More OOC-ness than normal! Bad spelling!

Silence echoed throughout the room as everyone took in the news. Suddenly words started spilling from Arthur lips such as "What the bloody hell do you mean!? No one ever told Beth or myself!" & "How the bloody hell is that fair!?"

"Dad! What the fuck! How the hell can you do that to Matt! He has every fucking right to choose!" Alfred started shouting, his words mixing with Arthur's. Matthew had turned pale, tears filling his eyes, the knowledge that his right to choose, his right to fall in love & his right to be himself had been stripped from him with a single sentence. His mom & Gilbert tried to soothe & calm him, but the noise of the room started to suffacate him, to tighten around his heart.

"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!" Matthew shouted, getting the room to silence before he ran out.

"Matt!" Gilbert said, running out after him.

"You hated him, why would you keep your word on something that would hurt our son?" Willow asked before shaking her head & trailing after the two boys. Arthur gave Alfred's hand a tiny squeeze before pulling out of his & walked out of the room after giving Mr. Jones a death-glare.

"Get out." Were the only words Alfred spoke as he glowered darkly at his father. Mr. Jones righted himself to standing up straight & opened his mouth to scold his child but no words came out. Mr. Jones shut his mouth & stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Alfred let his glower slide off his face & be replaced by a weary expression. Alfred put his head in his hands and sighed, it was gonna be a long weekend.

Arthur closed the door behind him, making just enough noise to tell the occupant of his house he was there. He suddenly smelled a dish he hadn't since before Beth was born. He cautiously walked to the kitchen & peered in. He almost died of shock when he saw his mum standing at the stove, back to the doorway, cooking. Arthur could not believe that his mum was actually home when he needed her to be.

"M-mum?" Arthur choked out.

"Mm?" She glanced over her shoulder at him, her red hair falling off of her shoulder & blue eyes piercing his emeralds. "Ah, hello Arthur."

"Mum, you're home." Arthur stated, still shocked.

"Yes, I am." She replied, turning back to the stove. The scent brought back a moment long forgotten.

"Uh, Mum, did something happen today?" Arthur asked, the memory playing in his mind's eye.

"No, why do you ask?"

"Because the last time you made this dish was when our father had left for the navy after you found out you were pregnant with Beth."

"You were four, how would you remember such? I'm simply cooking tonight because your elder brothers are working. It has nothing to do with your father."

"Um, okay, there is something I need to ask you about though, Mum."

"Go on."

"Mum, is it true that Beth & Matthew Williams, Daniel Jones' eldest son, are betrothed?" Arthur asked, hesitant. His mum stiffened a bit.

"Yes, I suppose it is." Mrs. Kirkland replied.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell her?!" Arthur inquired.

"Because I wanted nothing to do with your father's decision." She said.

"Then certaintly you can tell me how to contact him." Arthur stated, straightening. His mum turned & faced her youngest son. Her eyes met his for the second time, her eyes full of sadness, hurt, anger & weariness. He was taken aback by the emotions.

"Your father is dead, Arthur, has been for years. He was captured by a pirate, murdered & thrown over-board. His body was never recovered." Mrs. Kirkland said.

"Oh..." Arthur blinked, uncertain as to why he really didn't feel much grief. "So, does that mean that Matthew & Beth's betrothal is ceased?"

"Only if Mr. Jones agrees to." She said, turning back to her cooking.

"She has a boyfriend, you know & she really misses having you around." Arthur said, getting only an indistinct noise from his mother. He sighed. "Beth loves you still though, as do I though we never get to see you anymore."

After no reply, Arthur walked off to find Beth & explain the betrothal to her. Meanwhile, Alfred was hobbling to his car with his mom, after changing into normal clothing. His brain was going in circles around what his father had done said & done. He managed to slid in the car & sighed deeply. The ride home was silent, Alfred simply staring out the window, concentrating on his thoughts.

"Stay here." Willow told him as she parked the car at their house & got out.

"'Kay." Alfred murmured. Willow walked quickly & almost silently into the house. Minutes later, she came back out, Matthew trailing after her.

"Al, do you think you can manage to get into the other car?" Willow asked.

"Yeah, why?" Alfred asked, opening his door.

"You'll see, now come on." She said, holding her arm out to him. He took it & slowly managed to get to the family car. Matthew silently sat in the back with his twin. Willow started driving & after a few hours, the boys were passed out in the backseat, gentle snores filling the otherwise silent atmosphere.

"Alfie, c'mon, wake up, honey." A kind voice broke through Alfred's sleep.

"No.... Arthur.... Nnn...." Alfred's sleepy lips murmured, the words between the distinguishable ones a garble. He slung an arm over his eyes, fighting to stay in the world of his dreams.

"Arthur, huh?" Willow's light laugh brought a now panicked Alfred from his slumber. He jolted, arm removing itself from his face as his cheeks burned.

"Wh-what?! It-it's not like th-that! Ar-arthur & I are-" Alfred insisted but was cut off by a hand covering his mouth.

"Just friends." His mom grinned, "I know, Matt told me."

"Yeah." Alfred spoke into her hand, nodding. She laughed, removed her hand & kissed his forehead.

"Be patient & I'll get Mattie up." Willow grinned, moving around the car to where Matthew was snoozing. Alfred busied himself by mentally fretting about what else the Canadian could have said, not that he was gay for Arthur or anything. Not at all.

"Alright, now, before we get out of the car & have some well-deserved down-time, I need to discuss something serious with you two." Willow said, after waking Matthew, her serious expression completely waking her children. She took a deep breathe, "Up until I met him, your father & Samuel Kirkland were incredibly close friends. After they had met Gwen, now the mother of Beth Kirkland, & I, they had a sort of falling out.

"At some point, they must have patched things up because when I found out I was pregnant & Gwen was a few months pregnant herself, they agreed that our eldest son & their eldest daughter will be wed. They had another falling out when Sam announced that he was going into the British navy shortly after we found out that Gwen was pregnant with Beth. A few months after Beth was born, Sam was murdered by a pirate."

The boys stared at their mom quietly, taking in this new knowledge. They both nodded that they understood & slowly managed to exit the car. Matthew & Alfred looked around to find themselves in an old western type town. The teens gaped in awe & fasination at the town they were in.

"Mom?" They asked in sync, turning to look at her.

"Yes?" She smiled. They hugged her tightly in excitement, Alfred having a more difficult time for he was in a wheel chair. Willow laughed & hugged her boys back.

The rest of their morning, & well into the afternoon, was spent strolling along the dirt roads, looking into buildings & basically being tourists. Both boys were bought a cowboy hat of their own, Alfred's was brown -"like Indie's!" He had said- & Matthew's was white with a red band around it. At one point, Alfred had tried to sneak into the Saloon, only for Matthew to rat him out. By the time Willow was ten minutes away from the town, the teens were fast asleep.

At first, Beth took the news surprisingly well, acting more mature than any of the boys. And then she realized something. Or rather, three things  "No! No way I'm marrying Matthew! Firstly, he's in love with his ex-boyfriend, isn't he? And if we marry, then there's no legal way for you & Alfred to wed. And... Oh my g-d! Ravis!"

"Ravis? The Latvian?" Arthur asked, recieving a nod. "What about him?"

"He's my boyfriend, you dummy! And there's no way I'm going to break up with him because of our father! I don't even HAVE a father for all I'm concerned!" Beth huffed, crossing her arms.

"Mum has pictures of him & our brothers remember him well even though you & I have no memories of him." Arthur sighed.

"No. This 'Samuel' is not my father." Beth said determinedly. Arthur opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a hug, "You're my father, Artie."

"Figuratively?" Arthur asked.

"Of course, though I may as well say literally. You've always taken really good care of me." Beth replied.

"That's sort of my job as your big brother." Arthur said, hugging her back. "No, you act far more like a parent than a big brother. And far better of a brother than Nicholas, William or Scott." Beth stated & Arthur blushed, still hugging.

"Excuse me, move out of the way." Arthur said, walking through the mass of half naked boys, which normally would either have him prowling or blushing madder than a hatter. "Gay guy coming through, cover what you don't want seen."

That got the teens to give him room to walk. He continued on before spotting who he'd come to talk to. He blushed when he had to admit to himself that he had stopped & stared for a moment. Several lockers down, oblivious to the Brit's watching eye, Alfred had just slipped into his bootcut jeans, built biceps flexing as he pulled them up, USA flag boxers peeking out, muscled chest bare as if an invation to look. Arthur shook his head, stopping that thought process before it went too far. He finished his walk to Alfred quickly, trying to ignore how his hormones were squealing like thousands of fangirls.

"Oi, Alfred." Arthur said. Alfred looked over, stared for a moment before blinking & turning red.

"Ahhh! Arthur!" Alfred exclaimed, holding his shirt against his chest. Arthur couldn't help but laugh at the reaction & the fact that Alfred was the darkest shade of red he'd seen on a human.

"Modest today, aren't we~?" Arthur said as his chuckles calmed. Were it possible, Arthur would have sworn Alfred had gotten even redder.

"Sh-shut up! What is it that you wanted anyways?" Alfred asked, regaining a little of his composure.

"Well, originally, to talk to you." Arthur began before a predatorial smirk played on his lips & his eyes raked the boy in front of him. "But now, I can think of several different things~."

"W-what did you wanna talk about?" Alfred pulled his shirt on quickly, Arthur's expression unnerving & somehow arousing him, but mostly unnerving.

"Well, just an fyi, you should probably zip up your pants unless you're trying to make some sort of invitation~." Arthur said. Alfred quickly zipped up his pants, throwing his bomber jacket on.

"Stop that!" Alfred exclaimed, still blushing like an idiot.

"Okay, okay." Arthur chuckled. "Firstly, how's your ankle?"

"Fine, doc's gonna look at it tomorrow." The American muttered.

"Good, don't put too much pressure on it."

"I know that, Artie."

"Just saying."

"The second thing you wanted to talk about?"

"The fact that Beth & Matt are betrothed to one another."

"Yeah, it sucks, what can we do about it?"

"Somehow get your father to break it up."

"But it was the last thing he promised to your dad, meaning that it was your dad's dying wish."

"Meaning your father will honor it."

"Probably to death."

"Fuck."

"Whoa, thought you were a gentleman, Artie." Alfred chuckled.

"Really? I thought earlier in this conversation would have made you think otherwise." Arthur said, a little surprised.

"I already knew you were a pervert, so." Alfred shrugged.

"I am not!" Arthur blushed. Alfred chuckled some more, recieving a glare. "You are so lucky your ankle is injuried."

"Are you threatening me, Princess~?" The American asked.

"I believe I am." Arthur smirked, sitting to the right of Alfred.

"You also responded to 'princess', Artie." Alfred chuckled, leaning over a little.

"Oh hush you." The Brit said, stretching ever so slightly.

"As you wish~." Alfred whispered, breathe brushing against Arthur's lips. Arthur's hands rested on Alfred's shoulders & their lips were a centimeter apart. The bell rang, causing them to jump & once again ruined their moment. "I really am beginning to hate that bell."

"Mm-hm, me too." Arthur chuckled. Alfred's eyes suddenly widened & he put a hand to his mouth. Arthur's brows furrowed in concern & confusion. "What? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I think I figured out how to get my dad to get Matt out of the betrothal to Beth." Alfred stated, eyes sparking as he moved to his wheelchair.

"How?" Arthur rose. Alfred shook his head.

"I'll tell you if it works." Alfred said, starting to wheel out of the locker room.

"Wait! Al!" Arthur raced after the speeding American. Suddenly he bumped into the wheelchair, causing his stomach some minor pain. "Bloody hell, Alfred."

"Sorry, I just realized I can't go home yet & even if I did my dad wouldn't be there."

"Okay then." Arthur said, pushing the chair a little bit forward.

"Ah, like there you guys totally are!" Feliks said, starting towards them dressed in... Was that a skirt? The other two teen boys stared at the Polish one blankly. "So, uh, like, I'd like to, um, totally appologize like Arthur. I totally know that like a single 'I'm sorry' isn't like totally acceptable but like I was totally like wrong & like I totally want to like make it like totally up to you."

"It took a cross-dressing pagent & Toris to get you to realise that, huh?" Arthur asked.

"Um, like, mostly, yeah." Feliks blushed & laughed sheepishly.

"Thank you for having the balls to admit it & your appology is accepted." Arthur smiled.

"Really? Like awesome!" Feliks grinned. Toris walked over at that moment.

"Hey guys." Toris smiled.

"Hi Toris." Alfred said at the same time Arthur said, "Hello, Toris."

"So, like, we totally like need to get to like class & stuff. Like bye!" Feliks said, taking Toris' hand & starting to drag him away. The other two mouthed "Good luck" to Toris, whom laughed, nodded & waved before being completely dragged off. After they had gone, Alfred & Arthur remained silent for a minute.

"Now I understand why Toris was afraid of him." Alfred stated.

"Toris was afraid of Feliks?" Arthur asked, having never beem around Feliks much after their falling out.

"Yeah, guess it makes sense though. Toris liked him but Feliks was such a violent homophobe..."

"Huh, I suppose that makes sense."

Soon enough they were headed to lunch, the day flying by. Arthur pushed Alfred in the chair, lost in thought.

"Yo! Arthur! Wall!" Alfred's shout ripped into his thoughts. Arthur blinked & swerved away from the impending impact.

"Sorry!" Arthur blushed, feeling bad for almost hurting the American. Alfred leaned back, looking up at the Brit.

"You okay, Artie?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I was just wondering why it seems that Ravis has been avoiding me. I mean, yes, I'm Beth's brother but I wasn't gonna rip into him for dating her like I probably would in different circumstances." Arthur sighed.

"Maybe its cuz of your shadow?" Alfred suggested. Arthur stopped & stared at the boy before him.

"Pardon?"

"Look behind you." Alfred shrugged. Arthur did, only to jump a foot in the air upon spotting the lurking teen.

"I need help, Arthur." Ivan said simply. Arthur straightened his shoulders.

"For the last time, I have no intention of 'becoming one' with you." Arthur said.

"No, I meant about my sister." Ivan replied, a brow rising.

"Please mean Kat." Arthur sighed.

"I mean Natalia. I need to get her to leave me & Wang Yao alone. She & his younger brother." Ivan nodded.

"I honestly haven't the slightest. Perhaps set her up with someone?"

"That never works, even when she dated Toris."

"I apologize, but I don't have any idea, Ivan." Arthur said. The taller, creepier boy sighed just as Natalia & Im Yong Soo passed. The couple was arguing but holding hands & walked right past the three teens. Ivan grinned, said thank you & walked happily off.