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?"

Prussia gave a snort and rubbed the back of his head. "Eh, West is just a bit prude, especially when it comes to bodily functions. I told him you got a bad case of explosive diarrhea and that Matt here picked you up with some medicine."

Canada was trying to contain his laughter while Alfred looked like he was going to beat the living crap out of Prussia. But before he could attempt to actually do anything to the other man, he was interrupted by a falsely sweet, accented voice.

"Hello, America!" He paused to glare at Prussia, which caused the albino to noticeably shrink back. "And I see certain people do not heed my warnings."

Seeing Prussia's state and Russia's hostility towards him, Alfred was having none of it. "I thought I told you to leave my friends alone." He stood up tall next to the Russian, trying to intimidate him.

Russia calmly ignored Alfred's menacing stature and threat. "I wish to speak alone with you."

Alfred wanted to punch Ivan and laugh at him at the same time. His lip twitched before he responded. "What makes you think I'd actually do that?! I want nothing to do with you, you big creep!"

Overseeing the fight about to break out, Canada thought this was a good time to intervene, despite his own fear of standing up to Russia.

"Ahem!"

Both Alfred and Russia were startled by the usually quiet nation. They turned to look at him. Canada proceeded, now having their attention. "Russia, maybe it would help if you explained to America what you wanted to talk about with him?"

Alfred looked like he was about to mouth off again when Russia interrupted him. "That is a great idea!"

America looked defeated when Russia spoke back to him. "America, you are shy about your bodily changes, yes?" Alfred quickly went from defeated to flustered. Despite his reaction, Russia continued. "I wanted to show you why you should not feel so bad!"

Immediately assuming that Russia meant that he wanted to have sex with him, Alfred quickly retaliated. "Like hell I'd let you show me anything! You just want to get me alone because you wanna fuck me!"

Russia started to feel himself become frustrated. "You misunderstand my intentions. There is something very important I want to show you, and it must be done in private."

Russia's attempt as reasoning with America only seemed to make him angrier. As he continued to accuse the Russian of having ulterior motives, Canada considered intervening again. However, he stopped by a pale hand on his shoulder. "Hey, bro, I think we should leave these two to 'talk it out,'" Prussia whispered next to him.

Canada turned to face him. "I can't just leave them to start a fight right in the hallway! They'll kill each other!"

With a shake of his head, Prussia reassured the other nation. "Nah, they'll be fine. Your brother knows how to take care of himself."

Canada considered the albino's words and wearily looked over to the two arguing men across from him. "I just don't want Alfred to start World War Three. But, I do need to let him make his own choices..." Perhaps he was being a bit too over protective of his brother. He almost beat the snot out of France earlier. Not to mention that his flight is going to depart in two hours, and it'd really suck if making sure America stayed out of trouble would make him miss it. "I guess Al can handle himself. Hey, Gilbert, do you need a ride to the airport?" Prussia just smiled triumphantly. They both quickly left while Alfred gave Russia an earful.

"…And that is why I can't trust a former commie like you!" America finished his long ramble and looked over his shoulder. "Am I right, fellas?" He was hoping for some support from his brother and Prussia, but there was no one there but himself and his rival. "Traitors…," Alfred mumbled dejectedly.

Russia seized this new opportunity. "It seems your friends agree that we need to talk, yes?" He approached the American from behind and leaned in close to his ear. "Now, how about we go back to my hotel? It is very quiet there and we will get all the privacy we need." Russia practically purred the last few words, which sent a shiver down Alfred's spine. The feeling wasn't all that unpleasant, not that Alfred would ever admit that, of course. Alfred made a noise of frustration.

"Ugh, fine! I guess I've got nothing else to do. I still don't trust you though."

With a pleased smile, Russia led the way for the reluctant American to his place.

England was exhausted, to say the least. He spent all day trying to research the story he found. He had called both Norway and Romania, and neither had ever heard of it or the spell that it contained. He tried Googling it, but all he came across was erotic fiction. Lord, mortals are strange…

Sitting down at his desk, he rubbed his temples in frustration. The Briton pondered over the fact that America might just be stuck like his is forever. The lad will surely get over it in time, right?

Just as England felt like he was going to throw in the towel, his cellphone buzzed, letting him know that he had received a new text message. Expelling a long sigh through his nostrils, the Brit picked up his phone and opened the text. Surprisingly, it was from Japan. Usually Japan only contacted him if it was business-related. Quirking a bushy brow, he read the text. What could it be about since the meetings had just ended?

Hello England-san. I am sorry to bother you on such short notice, but I was preoccupied with other matters due to the disturbance of this month's meetings.

I am obtaining specific research on Western magic and I believe that discussing such a subject with you is a perfect place to start. In the next few days, I will be in London for diplomatic reasons. Therefore, it would convenient for me to stop by in my free time. Please let me know if you would be available.

Thank you for your time, England-san.

Well, that was more like Japan. Professional and polite. England had of course expected Japan to contact him on behalf of politics, but he had not been expecting him to be the subject of research on magic. England perked up at that. Most of the other countries weren't interested in his love for magic and told him he was crazy. Which didn't make sense to England since Japan was one of the countries who didn't believe. Perhaps what recently happened to America convinced him otherwise.

Regardless, the Brit was happy to have another nation on his side. Maybe Japan would become his apprentice! England gave Japan a quick text that told him he would be more than happy to meet up with him in a few days, forgetting about his current duty to find a cure for America.

After Canada and Prussia turned in their rental cars, they rode a taxi together to the airport. Prussia noted that the Canadian had been antsy the whole time.

"Still worried about your brother?"

Canada stopped the furious bouncing of his knee to give the albino a quick glance. "Did you really just ask me that?"

Prussia held his hands up in mock defense at the Canadian's outburst. "Sorry, Matthew. I just don't think you should be stressing out over this."

The concern in Prussia's eyes made Canada release his irritation with a heavy exhale. "Look, I know Al can handle himself. I'm just not sure if I made the right choice leaving him alone back there. Who knows what Ivan's intentions are." At the mention of Russia's name, Prussia had to hold back a gag. "I don't know either, but I think Alfred can take whatever that behemoth throws at him. I mean, he's survived this long while they haven't been on the best terms, right?"

"I guess, but I still can't help but think of the worst. You know as good as I do that my brother has a habit of not making the best decisions." The fidgeting was back in Canada's knees. Prussia sighed at seeing his friend so stressed out.

"What if you text him before you get on your plane? That way you're giving him enough time to settle the situation while giving yourself enough time to decide if he's in trouble or not before you head back to Canada." Prussia suggested.

Canada's tension seemed to visibly dissipate at his friend's recommendation. "I suppose I could. Thanks, Gil." He gave Prussia a small smile. He was incredibly thankful for the albino's words. It was hard to think logically under stress, and Matthew had never been one to deal with it as well as his brother did.

Silence filled the taxi once again as the two men rode on to the airport. Now time could only tell how things would go soon.