Hello, fellow fanfiction readers and writers!

Welcome to our story. My sister and I have decided to collaborate on this AU for Hetalia. We count this chapter as the prologue, which is why it's on the short side. It's mainly inspired by Beauty and the Beast. Yes, we know it's been done before, but we've added a few twists and turns. ;) This is predominately a RussiaxAmerica fiction but there will be more pairings as we go along~ Anyways, we'll just go ahead and set the rating to M for the later chapters. We hope you enjoy! Reviews would be greatly appreciated because we love constructive criticism.

-Bee [xkuroikittiex] & Jay [credulousdame].

It was a cool, crisp Wednesday morning in England, where Arthur Kirkland was sitting at his kitchen table, enjoying his famous green tea while reading the paper. The other day, an old colleague of his had mentioned something interesting in Russia. No questions asked. Arthur was eager to go exploring. He had already booked the tickets for him and his son the previous night. Now, all he had to do was break the news to Alfred.

I wonder how he'll take the news... When we visited America last, he gave a fight when it came time to leave…

Placing his tea cup in the sink, Arthur made his way out of the kitchen and up the stairs towards Al's room. Arthur knocked lightly on the door and briefly waited before entering the room. Looking in, he saw his son lying on the bed, drawing comics. Alfred hadn't heard him knocking because he was listening to music with his favorite Captain America headphones. Arthur loved how creative and passionate Al was about what he loved. Inching forward, Arthur stood behind him while peeking over his shoulder to see the artwork. After a few minutes Arthur lightly tapped Al on the shoulder. The teenager let out a little breath of surprise and then turned to face his dad.

"Shit! Dad what're you doing?" He asked twisting around with a look of slight horror. He tried to calm his heart that seemed to thud unnaturally harsh within his chest.

He sat up on the bed and gazed at the bright blond with bushy eyebrows and couldn't help but feel a small smile slip onto his lips. Pausing his iPod and sliding his headphones so they rested at his neck he waited for the answer.

"Alfred Jones! I'll have no vulgarity in my house!" He said pointing an accusing finger at his son and trying to give a disapproving glare. But even as he said he started to smile to himself. They both knew he couldn't really be mad at his little Alfred. "Well, never mind that mouth of yours. I have news for you!" Alfred smirked as listened to the routine mini-lecture his dad always gave him when he did something ungentlemanly. "News?" He asked almost to himself. Maybe they were getting a puppy like he had always wanted.

"Starting the day after tomorrow, we will be venturing into the outskirts of Russia in search of historical treasures!" But Arthur always went on and on about how dogs drool and didn't travel well and-Did Arthur just say Russia?

"Russia? Russia? The commie place? You want...To go...To Russia? Dad what the hell? We just moved here a few months ago! C'mon that's not even right! Egypt? Okay. Africa? A little risky but fine. But Russia? Where its cold as shit the whole year and they write in symbols? I'm not going!" He yelled, glaring at the man in front of him.

Arthur let out a long sigh. Something told him his son was going to give him trouble about this. "Oh stop your nonsense. You used to love going everywhere when you were younger. It didn't even matter where we went…you loved travelling with me. And what is so bad about Russia? Sure it's a little on the chilly side but so was Scotland…and as I recall…you rather enjoyed our stay there! And what's this senseless prattle about moving, Alfred? No one said we were moving, don't be such a little prat. I swear…sometimes you are insufferable. No isn't an option, Alfred. We. Are. Going. It's finalized. Get your bags packed and ready. You should have enough things tucked away for three weeks at the least. Now get ready."

Arthur hating being so cruel with his little Al, but this was one of those times that called for him to step up and be a father. Just because his son was nearing his eighteenth birthday didn't mean he could tell talk to him in such a manner. As he started out of the room, he glanced over his shoulder, hoping he hadn't hurt his son's feelings too much.

Alfred felt his lip quiver and his eyes mist in anger and frustration. This always happened. It would start out a trip and then it'd end up with packing their stuff up and moving to wherever. "Whatever." He practically spat at his father. Once Arthur left the room Alfred grabbed one of his many suitcases and opened it up. He began to shovel his warmer clothes into it, having one case for daily clothes, another for night, and a final for miscellaneous (mainly games and comics). They had been doing this since he was a kid so he knew how to pack right.

After he was finished he was glaring at the wall, headphones blaring music with loud guitars and an even louder singer. With a grunt he flopped onto his pillow and clutched it closely. He already missed his home and he hadn't stepped out of it yet. This wasn't fair, it was never fair. He never had a say in this kind of stuff. He wasn't hungry like he usually would be around this time. Instead he curled into his covers and whined pathetically to himself.

Unknowingly, Arthur stayed outside of Alfred's door, listening to his son throw a fit in the room. He thought this would be a great life for the both of them. Getting to see the world, learn about different cultures, and have fun doing it. Just him and his little boy. He knew now that Alfred didn't feel the same way. Maybe this life wasn't the best he could have chosen. Thinking a little harder on the situation, Arthur made up his mind that this trip would be the last. After this, he and Alfred would permanently settle down wherever Alfred chose. Making up his mind, Arthur tried opening the door only to find it locked. Feeling hurt, Arthur spoke through the door, not knowing he couldn't be heard.

"Alfred…I... I assumed you thought highly of this lifestyle, as I do. It seems that I was wrong. I never meant to disappoint you. This will be the last time, okay? I love you, Alfred….never forget that." Arthur turned away from the door and headed to his own room to get ready for what he thought was going to be a fun adventure with his son.

Fun my arse…