Disclaimer: I don't own these characters...but I do love them!
A special thanks to Hidekazu-sensei, my editor Hoshiko, and the people at Coffee-Mate for giving me these delicious ideas :)
Chocolate Peppermint Cream
"So be sure to keep him busy until the time in which I told you," the thick British accent whispered into the telephone. The smell of charcoal filled his nostrils as he continued to prepare the grill.
"Of course," the receiver spoke back to him. "You can count on me."
He hung up the phone and took a deep breath. It had been so long since he had been to America. Without Alfred. He stretched, running his tired hands through his messy blond hair. It was hotter than he expected. Then again it was July.
"Are you sure you don't want me to do it?" a soft man's voice came from behind him.
Turning around he saw Nihon standing there, a small smile on his face. Dressed in swim trunks and a tank top, he scooted closer to the flaming grill, even though it was making him sweat more.
"No," Arthur smiled placing his hands on his hips. "I can do it. Besides you're a guest, you shouldn't be working."
"Heh," was all that came out of his mouth as he turned around looking at the completely decorated backyard. "I'm sure America-kun will appreciate all that you've done for him so far."
Arthur scoffed and placed the lid back on the grill. "If you want to believe that then go ahead. But as his best friend I'm sure you know just how much of a brat he can really be."
Kiku laughed and shook his head. "You give me too much credit Igirisu-san. But I must say, if anyone did this for my birthday," he said doing a 360. "I would be way more than grateful."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALFRED~!" the staff of the fancy French restaurant smiled, setting the small stack of red, white and blue cupcakes in front of him.
"I," he started and then looked down at the table through his glasses. His blue eyes finding their way to the kitchen door that burst open. "I don't know what to say."
Francis made his way over to the table carrying a bucket and a wine bottle. Dressed in his white chef's suit, he grinned scanning over the suit that he let Alfred borrow. "Say thank you of course."
Alfred laughed and picked up a cupcake twirling it in his hand. "Thank you? But why? I mean what possessed you to even do this for me?"
Francis laughed and handed him the wine bottle. "Pop the cork. We might be here for a while."
Arthur nodded and handed him the spatula. "Fine. If you want to make them that bad then I guess I have no right to stop you."
Kiku smiled and took it pushing Arthur away from the food. "Right..." He then, feeling bad, handed him the phone. "How about you make some phone calls and figure out who is bringing what. That way, if need be, we can make sure we have all of his favorites."
Arthur nodded as he took the phone and slowly made his way back to Alfred's summer home. He knew that Alfred always kept his homes stocked. So he would check to see what exactly he had to work with first. Opening the refrigerator he saw the entire grocery section.
There literally was no room to even put a pea in there. If he were to try and move anything the whole fridge would collapse or burst. He chuckled. "Figures." Looking over to the door he saw the various drinks, condiments and toppings. But one that stood out the most actually surprised him. So much so that he had even almost forgotten that day.
"Peppermint chocolate?" Alfred asked looking from the whipped cream can to Arthur. "I swear you British have the weirdest taste in food."
Arthur glanced over to him and grinned. "Well at least I don't have a diet of grease covered batter."
Alfred laughed and shook the can spraying a line of the minty green cream on Arthur's face.
"Oy! What was that for?"
Alfred smiled and leaned over licking the cream off of Arthur's cheek, enjoying not only the taste but the sudden redness that came to his cheeks. "Sorry," he said licking his lips a little and picking up his coffee mug. "I just wanted to see how it would taste on you." He could sense it. The wanting. The lust that he was throwing at him. Why else would HE of all people bring over whipped cream when he was only "visiting" for the afternoon?
Arthur refused to look at him and stared down at his tea. "W-why would you..."
Alfred shrugged and closed his eyes lifting the mug to his lips. He could play along. But he wasn't going to lie to his own desires. He wanted him too. And bad. "I just figured it would taste better on you than in coffee or tea any day," he said before opening his eyes looking directly at him. "Then again, any liquid from or on you," He scooted closer to him. "Tastes good to me."
Arthur stood up abruptly and turned quickly towards the door. "I have...to...bathroom."
Alfred knew that was a lie. For two reasons. He usually used that excuse to try to escape from him when he was feeling embarrassed. That and...he was walking in the opposite direction of the nearest bathroom. He sighed and stood up walking after him into the other room. Grabbing Arthur's arm he pulled him closer to him wrapping his arms around his waist as his chest pressed against his back. "You know," he started as he caressed his lips around his right ear. "The bathroom is the other way."
Arthur looked around the living room and then to the stairs that led to the top floor. "Well how do you know if I wanted to use that one? I actually quite prefer the bathroom on the second floor. It's bigger and..."
Alfred grinned pushing Arthur over the back side of the couch. "For some reason...I can't help but not believe you."
Arthur willingly allowed his body to fall to Alfred's command. He couldn't help but smile as he had wanted his attention the entire afternoon. He turned his head to look back at him as he felt Alfred's hand creep past his belt loop. "And yet...you still won't let me go?"
Alfred unbuttoned his pants with one hand and Arthur's with the other. A skill he had mastered due to practice. "Because I know," he said as he pulled not only his bottoms but Arthur's off as well. "Just what it is you need to release."
Arthur turned around practically ripping the shirt that covered the biceps he loved to touch. "And what is that? Mr. Know-It-All," he teased.
Alfred laughed a little slipping his hands under Arthur's shirt as if came off smoothly. Pressing Arthur's lips against his own, he moaned into the kiss feeling Arthur's hand slid between his legs. "Arthur," he said softly letting his own fingers slid down Arthur's back side.
"Arthur...Arthur...ENGLAND!"
Arthur shook his head, snapping back to reality and looked behind him.
There Russia was standing, holding the coat that he was about to hang up in the closet, and with a very confused look on his face. "It's not good to space out in front of the refrigerator. Wouldn't want you getting sick da?" Ivan smiled hanging his coat up in the hallway closet.
Arthur looked down at the can and quickly put it back in the door slot. He closed the door and looked down at his bare feet. How long had he been standing there?
"Ah...right? When did you get here?"
Ivan looked up at the kitchen clock and shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe ten or so minutes ago," He nodded pulling the multiple bottles of vodka from his coat pockets and set them on the counter. "I brought vodka!"
Arthur smiled nervously and looked at the stack of liquor. "Ah...great. Did you come alone?"
"Of course not. It's America's birthday da? Nee-chan, Imouto-chan and Toris were invited. So I brought them along."
Arthur looked back at the fridge. "Wonderful," he said sarcastically.
"Aiyah!" the thickly accented voice came from the back porch. "Where am I going to put all of this fried rice and egg rolls?"
Kiku pointed to the kitchen. "Igirisu-san is in there. He should know how to keep it warm and all."
Seeing the slight confusion on his face on his face, Ivan nodded and sighed. "And of course Yao is here."
Arthur slapped both of his cheeks trying to wake himself up. It was no wonder that he was spacing out everywhere. He hadn't gotten much sleep in the past week. Thanks to this buffoon that he cared so much about to throw a party for.
"Arthur doesn't care about me. If he did he would have been here by now!" Alfred glared angrily at Francis as he pushed the plate of cupcakes away from him.
Francis smiled nervously and looked to the clock. It was already two in the afternoon. How long did he need? "Listen...I'm sure whatever is keeping him is important. You just have to be a little more patient."
Alfred stood up and rolled his eyes. "I'm leaving."
"Where are you going?" Francis asked nervously. "Cause he can show up at ANY moment."
Alfred sighed. "I'm going to the bathroom," he admitted and began walking towards the back.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Francis pulled out his cell phone and quickly dialed Arthur's number.
"Nii-san! NII-SAN! Let's go swimming together!"
Arthur shook his head glad that he didn't have to deal with whatever was going on in the backyard. Hearing his phone he put his pen down and raised an eyebrow. "France?" He shook his head answering it. "Hello?"
"What the hell are you doing?" Francis asked as he kept watch on the bathroom doors.
"Sorry...I got a little distracted with something," he said looking out the back window as random Russian music began playing.
"Well you had better hurry up because he is not a very happy camper right now."
"What did you do to him? I told you to keep him entertained!"
"Well if the kid wasn't expecting you to come then..."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN EXPECTING ME! I never told you to make up a lie to him!" he yelled into the phone. "How long ago did you tell him this!"
Francis looked at his watch and laughed nervously. "About two hours ago."
Arthur hung up the phone. At this rate he would have been better off just calling Alfred and telling him to come home. Even if all the guests haven't arrived. He walked out towards the back yard and cleared his throat.
Kiku turned his head and placed the cover down over the grill and walked over. "Igirisu-san...you look upset. Is everything okay?"
"No," Arthur said bluntly and looked over to the small Asian man. "Alfred is not happy right now because France ruined the plan. Keeping him cooped up...somewhere!"
Kiku patter his shoulder and nodded. "Look let's just calm down and think of something," he said taking a deep breath and placing his finger on his chin. "Ah. I got it. Ludwig and Veneciano are on their way. Maybe we can ask them to pick him up on their way over?"
Arthur tapped Kiku's shoulder hard and nodded before searching for his phone. "I swear you are brilliant at times."
Germany couldn't believe he actually had been bribed into going to this "party". He and Alfred weren't even friends and yet here he was making his way over to the idiot's place. He looked down at his phone answering it with a huff.
"Ludwig? Oh thank God you answered! I need you to do me a huge favor."
"That being? I mean it's bad enough that I'm wasting a perfectly good Saturday to come across the ocean just to watch that idiot stuff his face with..."
"Look. If you could just get over to France's place and pick him up? I would really appreciate it."
"France's? Why is he there? Shouldn't he be at his own party?"
"Long story. I just need someone I can trust to not screw this up."
"I hate to say this but I am already halfway there," he said a grin coming to his face. "Although Veneciano hasn't left yet. Something about needing more time to finish the perfect present. How about you call him?" he suggested and then hung up the phone laughing to himself about the many things that could now go wrong.
"What? You've got to be..." hearing the click of the phone he growled and walked back into the house. How could he entrust Italy with this job? Of all the nations? "What do I have to lose? He is my only hope now..." he said to himself before dialing the next number.
"Hello?" Alfred sighed as he continued to pace back and forth within the empty restaurant.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" a familiar Italian accent yelled cheerfully into his ear.
"Ah..." he blinked not really expecting the phone call at all but smiled and laughed. "Thank you. I wasn't expecting any phone calls at all."
"Well of course you were! It is your birthday after all. Where are you?" he asked as he continued to sculpt the spaghetti mold of Alfred.
"At France's restaurant. Don't ask me why but..." he stopped, hearing the other line beep in. "Is that you?"
"Yeah. Hold on for a second," he said as he pushed the call waiting button on his phone? "Ve?"
"Ah. So you are still alive. Please tell me you haven't left for the party yet," Arthur begged.
"I haven't left yet?" he said curiously. "Is everything okay?"
"No...I need you to do me a favor. Could you by any chance pick Alfred up and bring him here?"
"Pick him up? Oh! I'm on the other line with him right now!"
"DON'T say anything about the party! Just get him and say you want to give him his present at his summer home or something. Okay?"
"Right," he said before clicking over. "Alfred?"
"Yes? Well I have to go but thank you for calling me I greatly appreciate it."
"No problem. I'm coming to pick you up right now. So don't go anywhere!"
"You're what? Wait...hold on!" he said before sighing and hanging up the phone.
"Who was that?" Francis asked sitting up in his chair.
"Veneciano. Said something about coming to pick me up so...I guess I'll wait for him to get here."
France looked to his phone wanting to ask Arthur if this was a part of the plan. But alas he couldn't. At least not with Alfred in the room. And there was no way he could leave him alone just in case he tried to escape. "I see. Well maybe we can ask him what's going on when he gets here," he said as he at least planned on it. "In the mean time. Want to try our new peppermint chocolate tea?"
Alfred couldn't help but smile and nodded. "Yeah...I would."
Francis smiled and stood up. "Good because I wasn't going to take no for an answer."
"When have...I ever said no to you?" Arthur whispered as he felt the fingers push deep inside of him. "How could I...say no?"
Alfred smiled, letting himself slightly widen the hole for better usage later. "You couldn't. I just wanted...to hear you say it."
"Say no?" Arthur whispered biting his lower lip a little as he buried his nose into Alfred's neck as he felt the fingers quickly replaced with something thicker.
Alfred let out a sigh of, what seemed, relief as his hands clenched Arthur's side. Pushing himself deeper into him his free hand moved in between Arthur's legs playing with what called for attention. "My name."
Arthur tilted his head back as he wrapped his legs around Alfred's waist. Almost as if holding on for dear life. "A...what?"
Alfred licked his way up Arthur's chest to his neck before nibbling on his ear. "Say it," he said before thrusting into him again. "My name."
Arthur felt a shiver go up his spine as he arched his back feeling the double pleasure that Alfred was giving him. "And why...why should I...give you the satisfaction?"
"Because," he whispered licking around his earlobe. "You love to say it. And I," he said before picking up the pace on his hand feeling the warm liquid begin to seep out. "Love hearing you say it."
Arthur couldn't control himself as he felt Alfred's pace quicken. He pulled Alfred as close to him as he could before passionately kissing him on the lips; loving the feel of his tongue rubbing against his own. "Alfred," he whispered into the kiss. "Alfred," he said louder as he tilted his head back again. "Alfred!" he yelled into the large living room space, hoping it would echo.
"ALFRED!"
The loud voice in his ear shocked him back to reality as the smell of mint chocolate filled his nostrils. He looked down from the table and then up at the concerned, red headed Italian that was staring him in the face.
"Did you fall asleep with your eyes open?" he asked laughing a little as he sat down next to him.
"Ah...yeah I guess I fell asleep there for a minute."
"No worries. I figured you must have been tired. I mean what with your birthday par-"
Francis quickly covered his mouth and laughed. "Anyways. You had better drink that before it gets cold."
Alfred nodded. "Yeah..." he said getting the cup and taking a small sip. "So...what are you doing here anyways?"
"Me?" Veneciano asked pointing to himself. "Well Arthur told me to come get you."
Francis and Alfred turned to look at him in shock.
"WHAT?"
Veneciano nodded and smiled. "Yep. Something about you opening your present in your summer home? I..."
Alfred was already up and running towards the door. Whipping out his cell phone he hurriedly dialed Arthur's number wanting an explanation for all of this.
RING! RING!
Kiku looked over at the cell phone that was buzzing on the kitchen counter. He hesitated seeing that it was Alfred's number on the screen. Suddenly the ringing stopped. One missed call appeared on the phone. He let out a sigh of relief. Just as he was turning away to walk back outside the phone rang again.
"Moshi? Moshi?" He said slightly nervously though trying to stay calm.
"Kiku? Is that you? What are you doing answering Arthur's phone?" Alfred asked ignoring the fact that France and Italy were still following him.
"Ah...well you see. I..." Kiku started but shook his head realizing who he was talking to.
"Never mind, that doesn't matter. Where's Arthur?" he demanded to know.
"I don't think I am at liberty to tell you that. But I will tell you..."
"Where is Arthur?" he asked again except this time more directly. Kiku sighed seeing the dilemma rising before him. He couldn't tell him for fear of ruining the surprise and upsetting Arthur, among other people at the party. But he didn't want to lie to him either. "Hold one moment please," he said before walking out of the kitchen and towards the living room.
Turning around Arthur felt the presence behind him and raised an eyebrow. Seeing his arm outstretched he grabbed the phone and looked at the number with a sigh. "Yes?"
"Where the hell have you been all day? And what have you been doing? Do you KNOW what day it is?" Alfred yelled even though he was glad to just hear his voice, even if over the phone.
"It's about time you called me. I was starting to worry. And what the bloody hell are you screaming for?" Arthur answered coolly.
"Like I said where have you been? I've been waiting around for hours and yet this is the first time I've heard from you...ALL DAY! What do you have to say to that?"
"Happy Birthday," he said softly and leaned against the back of the couch noticing that Kiku had gone back to tending to his duties outside.
Alfred was speechless for the moment. He was definitely angry at him and yet...there was something in his heart that was telling him to get there. And be with him. Fast. "Where are you?"
"You're house. Didn't Veneciano tell you? I've been waiting here for you all day."
"WHAT! Francis told me that you were going to meet me there! At his restaurant!"
"And you didn't think to call me to confirm this?" he said grinning a little, loving the feeling of being in control.
"No...I..." he sighed. "I guess I didn't. But...why didn't YOU call me?"
"I figured you would call me eventually. That or...you would come home." he said honestly.
"I'm on my way. Don't...don't leave." he said hanging up the phone. 'Though after wards he realized that Arthur wasn't the only one at his house. Was there...no...it couldn't be.
Arthur hung up the phone and sighed glad that he had gotten himself out of that one. Walking into the kitchen he bumped into someone, almost knocking the phone into the "vodka punch" bowl.
Ludwig turned around and sighed looked down at Arthur with a slightly annoyed face. "There you are. Where do I put these?" he asked holding up the cans of beer and the sausage dip.
"So you did decide to bring something after all. I knew you weren't a total ass," Arthur laughed and looked over at him pointing to the empty kitchen counter.
"Yeah. So did you talk to Veneciano?" he asked trying to keep his laugh from coming out.
"I did," Arthur said calmly. "And he's coming with France and Alfred. Thanks for the suggestion," he said patting his shoulder before walking back over to the fridge. "So no worries. You can go to the back yard and enjoy yourself."
Germany turned around raising an eyebrow at him and growled under his breath mumbling.
Arthur couldn't help but feel a little proud of himself for how all of this was turning out. Walking out to the back of the house he walked over to the snack table and picked up a handful of chips, aka french fries, and began eating them.
"I assume everything is going according to plan?" a deep voice came from behind him.
Turning around quickly he looked up to see the tall Russian behind him. "Oh. Um yeah it is. Are you enjoying yourself?" He said looking him up and down slowly. He was shirtless and dripping wet.
Ivan smiled and nodded placing a firm hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Da. I have to admit you know how to through a party. It's only a shame that the birthday boy isn't here yet. I sure hope...nothing happened To HiM."
Arthur looked up at Ivan nervously and smiled. "Heh...heh...of course not. He's on his way now. As a matter of fact, let me go stand by the door and..." He then walked away and towards the front of the house.
"How was I supposed to know? I was only going by what HE told me!" Francis said to Alfred trying to explain himself. "Please Alfred you have to believe me..."
Alfred smiled and looked back at him. "Fine. But only because you were able to get us here so quickly," he said seeing his house coming into view. Running up to the door he reached out to open the door when it opened for him.
Arthur looked up to see Alfred standing there in front of him. He smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Well," he started. "About time you got here."
Alfred smiled and hugged him tightly. "You big jerk. How come you didn't just tell me you were here?"
Arthur grabbed his hand and pulled him through the living room and the party supplied and food stocked kitchen.
Alfred looked around the kitchen as he was being dragged towards the backyard. "Wha-where did all of that come from?"
Arthur continued to drag him and opened the back door. Pushing him to the front, he smiled when he walked around him to look at his face.
"SURPRISE!" everyone yelled as they looked over to see him appear on the back porch.
Alfred couldn't even blink. Speak. Anything. He smiled and looked over to the crowd nodding. "Thank you...all of you for...for doing this."
Kiku then walked over to him and shook his head. "No. This was all Igirisu-san's idea. We just came along to make it better is all."
Alfred couldn't help but laugh. This whole time he had thought that everyone had forgotten his birthday. But they were all here waiting to surprise him. He couldn't be happier.
Arthur walked back into the kitchen to get the rest of the food when he felt arms wrap around his waist. He turned his head to see that Alfred had begun to hug him.
"Thank you."
Arthur smiled and shook his head. "No need to thank me. Look just..." He then looked to the fridge and opened it up after slipping out of his grasp. "Let me." He said pulling out the whipped cream can from earlier.
Alfred looked at it and then looked to Arthur. "Let you...let you what?"
Arthur smiled and walked over to him shaking the can, squirting a line on his cheek. "See what it's like," he started and reached up licking it off of his cheek. "On you."
Alfred grinned and took the can sticking it in his back pocket. "If you say so," he said picking up Arthur and walking towards the stairs leading to the second floor.
"But...what about the party? They are all here for you," Arthur pointed it out.
Alfred looked over to him and shrugged. "It's my party. And I will do whatever or whoever I want. Besides. We'll be back in time for the fireworks. I'm sure they won't even notice we're gone." He said continuing up the stairs.
Germany walked into the kitchen to get a beer and bent down seeing the trail of whipped cream squirts leading up the stairs. "Wha- why is there," he scooped up a dab and smelled it. "Peppermint chocolate?"
Francis, leaning against the door frame, grinned and thought back to earlier that day. "Trust me Ludwig. It's just best not to follow it." He said patting his shoulder. "As for the alcohol. I think we'll all be needing a few tonight." He said grabbing a bin and walking with him back outside.
Thanks for reading! Please review! Look out for chapter two! Entitled Sweet Cocoa Tiramisu. Coming Soon!