Cursed

Chapter 8

It had been an awkward car ride back to the conference building. Neither wanting to bring up what had just transpired back at that hotel. Matthew kept his gaze focused on the road and Alfred refused to look anywhere other than outside the passenger window. It was until after they parked and headed inside when Canada tried to break the ice. "So, what are you going to tell the rest of them why you were so late? It's going to look pretty suspicious that you left with France."

It didn't take long for his brother to respond. "Eh, you left with Prussia, right? It totally won't look suspicious. Didn't you have him cover us anyway?" Alfred's lack if taking the situation seriously made Canada roll his eyes.

"Touché. Just try your best to go along with his cover. To which, I don't know what. He hasn't texted me back so I'm assuming Germany is watching him like a hawk."

"Please, Mattie. I'm the master at improv." Alfred gestured towards himself.

Canada scoffed. "I certainly hope most of those presentations of yours were improv, and not things you actually take seriously."

Alfred gave his brother a playful pat on the back. "Hey, I make those stuffy meetings fun, don't I?"

Canada wisely chose not to press the issue further.

They continued down the hall and opened the double doors of the meeting room, prompting all eyes present to gaze at them with either interest or annoyance.

Immediately, Germany took notice of their presence and barked at them to sit down and stay there with the little time that they had left. Both brothers were pretty surprised with the lack of lecturing from the German nation. What exactly had Prussia told him?

The meeting quickly fell back into schedule with both of the brothers now in attendance. However, a gaze settled across the room onto the Southern North American. Russia had been suspicious when America hadn't come back from the break on time and both France's and Prussia's seats had been empty. But, he was relieved when he saw Alfred walk in with his brother. Perhaps Alfred's admirers had taken his advice after all. Russia really wasn't looking forward to washing blood off his pipe today.

The lunch with Belarus had worn him out. While spending the break sitting in a café and having a pleasant chat was nice, Russia had still been expecting his sister to go into one of her "marry me" tirades and so he refused to put his guard down.

---

The meeting had finally ended, and most of the nations were more than eager to leave the stuffy room, Alfred included. As he was about to exit with Canada in to, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

He turned around to face a flustered-looking Germany. "Excuse me, America. I would like to have a moment with you." He quickly looked away and waited for the American's response.

America raised a brow and gestured to Canada that he needed a minute. As soon as the two were alone, the German cleared his throat and tried to get out what he wanted to say. "Gilbert told me what happened to you after the break, and while I am sorry to hear about your.." the German seemed as if he struggled with the words he was going to say next, "..predicament, you should still take the responsibility to let the rest of us know so we can start without you or not."

Before Germany left outside to join a waiting Italy, he uttered once more, with a deepening blush, "Feel better."

Alfred was left to gather his thoughts before rejoining his friends. "That was weird.."

Outside the doors, Prussia and Canada were having a polite conversation when Alfred caught up with them. He turned towards Prussia. "Dude, your bro is bizarre. He talked to me as if he just went through my porn collection. Just what the hell did you tell him?"