~Pottertalia~ (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 33

---Present Time---

"Try speaking up a bit," Arthur instructed.

"I-I can't..." Matthew whispered.

"Pardon?"

"I-I can't!"

"Huh? Yao, can you hear what he's saying?"

"I CAN'T!"

Arthur blinked, surprised.

"That's your hockey voice, isn't it?" Yao laughed, pouring another cup of tea.

"Bloody! You can be loud when you want to, Matthew!" Arthur said, amazed.

The Canadian's ears turned a cute shade of red. "R-really?"

Arthur nodded sincerely, biting into a biscuit (for @rose23478 to laugh at) causing Matthew to beam with a bright glow of happiness.

A stir among the others began. "What up losers?" Gilbert shouted, bedhead a mess.

"Your hair," Yao chuckled, pointing at the albino's head.

"Geez, don't make fun of it, Ms. Ponytail!"

"I'm a guy!"

"Guess who doesn't care?"

"RUDE!"

"Pssh, whatever."

A song suddenly interrupted their banter.

"Marukaite chikyuu, marukaite chikyuu, marukaite chikyuu, boku hetalia..."

Who the heck was singing?

---3 years ago---

"Cookies, cookies," Alfred sang, like an eight year old.

"Biscuits," Arthur corrected him.

"Cookies," Alfred replied stubbornly.

"Cookies!" Julie interjected.

"Biscuits."

A stranger walking by said, "Biscuits."

"Woah bro, are you even American? It's cookies!"

The stranger shrugged, continuing walking down, hands on bowler hat.

Arthur smiled, containing his laughter. Alfred was disappointed. He liked Arthur's laugh. What? Hm? He didn't say anything.

"Why are you talking about biscuits?"

"Mom baked cookies. The cookies are one more block ahead," Alfred shouted happily, tugging on both his companions' arms. Julie felt electricity. Could he feel it too, she wondered? Nah, never mind. He was too busy thinking about the cookies.

"Biscuits!" Arthur could be heard protesting.

"Let's have a race. Loser has to do a forfeit!" Alfred ignored Arthur.

A forfeit. What could Julie use as a forfeit against Arthur, if she won? "I'm in," she chimed.

Alfred wrinkled his nose worriedly, in a way Julie unfortunately felt that Alfred would fall for. Yes, she was starting to think-horrifyingly-that Alfred was indeed gay. "Could you? You're wearing heels-"

"I can!" She snapped.

"I'm game. I'm sure to beat you despite my luggage," Arthur replied, gesturing to the bag on his shoulder. Alfred smiled widely.

"We'll see, Arthur. Ready? Go!" They all dashed towards the two story home Alfred pointed out, completely neck and neck. Much to Julie's dismay, Arthur won.

"Alright. Let's see, then..." Arthur moved towards the doorway, as if he had always lived there. He knocked on the door, and waited. "Alfred, does your household contain peppers?"

Alfred blanched. "Peppers?"

Arthur nodded, his face serious. "You two have to scarf down the hottest peppers in your fridge." He smiled innocently, just as Mrs. Jones opened the door.

"Who have you brought this time, Alfred?" she asked. Arthur held out his hand.

"Arthur Kirkland. Pleased to make your acquaintance." He sure could play the role of charming gentleman, but what he said couldn't be undone. Alfred had to eat peppers right after he ate cookies. How cruel was that?

They all sat at the table, awaiting the food.

"Peppers? Really?" Alfred whined, looking at Arthur. He nodded back, smiling. He rubbed Alfred's back soothingly.

"Mom? Do we have peppers at home?"

Mrs. Jones was surprised. "Jalepeños, why?"

"We lost and that's our forfeit..."

Mrs. Jones laughed. "Nice one, Alfred. Look what you've got yourself into." She disappeared back into the kitchen and brought out the peppers.

Alfred decided to eat the pepper before the cookies. He bit into it, the liquid dribbling down his chin.

Arthur sat backwards, and waited for it to sink in.

"H-h-hot!" He reached for a juice box. Arthur cracked up, and Alfred found out why. "Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot!" his mother handed him a glass of milk, which he gulped down greedily.

Julie did the same, but reached for the milk right after biting into it. The victory would not be Arthur's.

After several years *cough months cough* I am updating! I didn't forget about the other nations' summers, don't worry! Showing Alfred and Arthur's is top priority right now, though...