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heroescutiesTitle: The Adventure of the Famous Fiddler (5/6) [FF.net] [Previous Chapters]
Fandom: Axis Powers Hetalia
Genre: Adventure/Mystery/Romance
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairing: America/England
Word Count: 1,456
Summary: When a famous friend of America's mysteriously disappears, England puts his detective skills to the test. Helping America through his grief while unraveling clues, the two must work together to find out what has become of the missing fiddler. [England POV]
Notes: So...after saying it would be five chapters, the last part got to be longer than expected. SO. Now it's looking to be 6 parts, even if the 6th chapter is more like an epilogue.
“Can you check under another name? What about Fletcher O’Bray?”
Both mine and America’s heads snapped up at this query; and even exchanging a questioning look with him seemed to bring no recognition on his part of this name. It was then that I realized that this must have been the stage name Robert had mentioned Alexander taking on when they first moved to America, being as that was the only logical recourse.
This expanse of time waiting seemed to trudge by even slower than the first. Our last shot, before we were left without any more clues and no idea where to look next. When the receptionist let out a little ‘Ah’, America and I both edged closer.
“Yes, we do have a Mr. Fletcher O’Bray staying in one of our suites. Would you like me to patch you through to his room?”
“Yes, thank you,” Robert managed after a moment. He turned then and gave us the first smile I’d yet seen grace his face.
“Hello?”
All I needed to see was America’s vibrant smile surfacing on his face, like sunlight after a storm, to know that this voice was none other than Alexander Chafley’s. A quick glimpse at Robert only confirmed this.
“You know, brother, I really don’t think you’re quite washed up enough for Branson,” he teased.
“R-Robert?” Alexander asked, “How did you…”
“You never told me your fiddling student Alfred also meddled in detective work. He and his partner helped me track you down.”
At this, Alexander laughed, warm and bright and full of the vigor that America had long praised him for. “Alfred’s an intelligent boy, one of the faster learners I’ve ever seen. Knowing him, he went knocking round some famous detective’s door until they caved in and offered to mentor him. That’s how I ended up meeting him after all.”
“No, I didn’t need to do that, Mr. Chafley,” America spoke up, unable to keep quiet anymore. He was positively radiating happiness.
“Alfred…”
“Luckily Arthur’s got a few detective skills up his sleeves.”
Alexander chuckled, “Ah, your dear Arthur. I would have loved to have met him after how well you spoke of him.”
I flushed at this, and turned to see America quite as red in the face as I believe I might have been.
“I must say, Sir, that I can hardly do but say the same of you,” I interjected. “Being as I’ve heard nothing but good things about you from Alfred.”
“I see everyone’s having a party at the house after I’ve left,” he joked. “But I suppose it serves me right. Robert, I was quite rude with you and my temper got the best of me. I was afraid, brother, that if you knew where I was headed you’d try and stop me.”
Robert snorted, “Like I could ever stop you from doing whatever you wanted, Alex. I’m just glad you’re safe and…hopefully happy?”
“Very happy,” the smile was evident in his voice. “I’ll be working a gig here on the main strip. The Famous Fiddling of Fletcher O’Bray has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
“It suits you well,” Robert said with a shake of his head. “You always preferred the flashier route than I.”
Alexander laughed again at that, before pausing abruptly. “Yes well, I am sorry Robert. I do hope you can forgive me.”
“I expect backstage passes to your show, then perhaps…” Robert teased back, and although I didn’t know either of them well, you could simply feel that things between the brothers had been set right.
“Ah, that’s just the thing then! Since I had to abandon poor Alfred, perhaps I could invite you all down here as my guests? I would love to know at least three people will applaud me on opening night.”
“That would be awesome!” America called out.
“It would be my proper apology to you both. Perhaps Robert, you’ll even forgive my new look.”
Robert frowned at this, and I had a feeling that he would at least taunt his brother about whatever this ‘new look’ was. “Don’t get your hopes too up, Alex.”
He laughed again. “I must, even as my guests, ask one favor of you two though.”
“What?”
“Okay!”
Alexander cleared his throat, “Just, please bring your fiddles along with you and have them ready to play.”
They both looked a bit surprised by the request, but neither refused it. It was then that the kind voice over the phone directed itself at me.
“Arthur, I hope you won’t mind an old man’s whim, but I think it only right that you’re allowed to see the piece Alfred’s been working on in a proper setting. I can promise to have a good English tea served for you. My brother and I were born in Great Britain after all, so we do appreciate our afternoon tea.”
I chuckled, “Thank you. I would very much appreciate a nice tea and the chance to see this secret project Alfred’s been keeping from me for awhile now. I trust you think he’ll live up to expectations?”
America’s eyes widened at this, clearly waiting for his mentor to say what he thought of his talent.
“He’ll blow all expectations right out of the water. Let it be said that Alfred Jones can play a mean fiddle when he puts his mind to it.”
At that, America looked downright giddy; a strange mixture of pride and embarrassment over the flattery he’d just received. Reaching up to rub at the back of his neck, he cocked his head in my direction and quirked a smile.
I smiled back, reaching back over and giving America’s hand a squeeze. “I’ll look forward to that then.”
-------------------------------------------------
After making the final arrangements with Alexander Chafley, who insisted that we must now call him Fletcher O’Bray, we caught our flight to Branson. And as for America, his happiness at hearing his mentor alive was nothing in comparison to seeing him alive and well. It seems almost silly to note, but America’s smile was back to its usual brilliance, all hope and optimism and joy like it should be.
Robert wasn’t too keen on his brother’s new look, which included a younger ‘hip’ haircut and dyed strawberry blonde hair. He’d also acquired a pair of glasses, which he assured us all were purely cosmetic.
“If it works for Superman to hide his true identity, I’m certain it’ll work for me,” he’d joked. America thoroughly agreed, while Robert and I shook our heads. It was obvious to see why America and Alexander had gotten along so well, as he was definitely the quirkier of the two brothers.
But as for why he’d asked the two of them to bring their fiddles along, that was to be another matter entirely...
“Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, as a special treat today for my opening performance I would like to bring to the stage two of my dearest friends and fellow fiddlers. First off, a name I’m certain you have heard off before. One of the best fiddlers this world has ever heard, I give you: Robert Chafley!”
From backstage, I could see Robert taking the stage to a standing ovation. It was clear now, even with Alexander’s changed hair and looks, that the two were twins at their core. Thankfully, I don’t think anyone would have noticed had they not been looking for it, but as I watched them start up a good-spirited fiddling duel that had the audience cheering and clapping along, it was clear that these two men not only cared deeply about their music but about their brother as well.
Because even though there were many times one could have easily outplayed the other, they both held steady, neither one wanting to upstage the other at any point during the song. It was impressive to see two men so in tune with each other that even the strokes of their bows across the strings hit in tandem. They were twins in all they did, had lived a shared life under one name, and now under the brilliant stage lights, they were putting on an amazing spectacle of fiddling talent. I found myself quite honored to be there, even if the real performer I was aching to see had yet to set foot onstage.
We had found the answer to the mystery and helped reunite two brothers in the process. My foray into detective work being a genuine success, along with America’s quick thinking and help. But honestly, I needed no payment outside the gift I received next. For America’s surprise, despite my original confusion at how a fiddle playing could be a romantic gift, was simply priceless in value.
Fandom: Axis Powers Hetalia
Genre: Adventure/Mystery/Romance
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairing: America/England
Word Count: 1,456
Summary: When a famous friend of America's mysteriously disappears, England puts his detective skills to the test. Helping America through his grief while unraveling clues, the two must work together to find out what has become of the missing fiddler. [England POV]
Notes: So...after saying it would be five chapters, the last part got to be longer than expected. SO. Now it's looking to be 6 parts, even if the 6th chapter is more like an epilogue.
“Can you check under another name? What about Fletcher O’Bray?”
Both mine and America’s heads snapped up at this query; and even exchanging a questioning look with him seemed to bring no recognition on his part of this name. It was then that I realized that this must have been the stage name Robert had mentioned Alexander taking on when they first moved to America, being as that was the only logical recourse.
This expanse of time waiting seemed to trudge by even slower than the first. Our last shot, before we were left without any more clues and no idea where to look next. When the receptionist let out a little ‘Ah’, America and I both edged closer.
“Yes, we do have a Mr. Fletcher O’Bray staying in one of our suites. Would you like me to patch you through to his room?”
“Yes, thank you,” Robert managed after a moment. He turned then and gave us the first smile I’d yet seen grace his face.
“Hello?”
All I needed to see was America’s vibrant smile surfacing on his face, like sunlight after a storm, to know that this voice was none other than Alexander Chafley’s. A quick glimpse at Robert only confirmed this.
“You know, brother, I really don’t think you’re quite washed up enough for Branson,” he teased.
“R-Robert?” Alexander asked, “How did you…”
“You never told me your fiddling student Alfred also meddled in detective work. He and his partner helped me track you down.”
At this, Alexander laughed, warm and bright and full of the vigor that America had long praised him for. “Alfred’s an intelligent boy, one of the faster learners I’ve ever seen. Knowing him, he went knocking round some famous detective’s door until they caved in and offered to mentor him. That’s how I ended up meeting him after all.”
“No, I didn’t need to do that, Mr. Chafley,” America spoke up, unable to keep quiet anymore. He was positively radiating happiness.
“Alfred…”
“Luckily Arthur’s got a few detective skills up his sleeves.”
Alexander chuckled, “Ah, your dear Arthur. I would have loved to have met him after how well you spoke of him.”
I flushed at this, and turned to see America quite as red in the face as I believe I might have been.
“I must say, Sir, that I can hardly do but say the same of you,” I interjected. “Being as I’ve heard nothing but good things about you from Alfred.”
“I see everyone’s having a party at the house after I’ve left,” he joked. “But I suppose it serves me right. Robert, I was quite rude with you and my temper got the best of me. I was afraid, brother, that if you knew where I was headed you’d try and stop me.”
Robert snorted, “Like I could ever stop you from doing whatever you wanted, Alex. I’m just glad you’re safe and…hopefully happy?”
“Very happy,” the smile was evident in his voice. “I’ll be working a gig here on the main strip. The Famous Fiddling of Fletcher O’Bray has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
“It suits you well,” Robert said with a shake of his head. “You always preferred the flashier route than I.”
Alexander laughed again at that, before pausing abruptly. “Yes well, I am sorry Robert. I do hope you can forgive me.”
“I expect backstage passes to your show, then perhaps…” Robert teased back, and although I didn’t know either of them well, you could simply feel that things between the brothers had been set right.
“Ah, that’s just the thing then! Since I had to abandon poor Alfred, perhaps I could invite you all down here as my guests? I would love to know at least three people will applaud me on opening night.”
“That would be awesome!” America called out.
“It would be my proper apology to you both. Perhaps Robert, you’ll even forgive my new look.”
Robert frowned at this, and I had a feeling that he would at least taunt his brother about whatever this ‘new look’ was. “Don’t get your hopes too up, Alex.”
He laughed again. “I must, even as my guests, ask one favor of you two though.”
“What?”
“Okay!”
Alexander cleared his throat, “Just, please bring your fiddles along with you and have them ready to play.”
They both looked a bit surprised by the request, but neither refused it. It was then that the kind voice over the phone directed itself at me.
“Arthur, I hope you won’t mind an old man’s whim, but I think it only right that you’re allowed to see the piece Alfred’s been working on in a proper setting. I can promise to have a good English tea served for you. My brother and I were born in Great Britain after all, so we do appreciate our afternoon tea.”
I chuckled, “Thank you. I would very much appreciate a nice tea and the chance to see this secret project Alfred’s been keeping from me for awhile now. I trust you think he’ll live up to expectations?”
America’s eyes widened at this, clearly waiting for his mentor to say what he thought of his talent.
“He’ll blow all expectations right out of the water. Let it be said that Alfred Jones can play a mean fiddle when he puts his mind to it.”
At that, America looked downright giddy; a strange mixture of pride and embarrassment over the flattery he’d just received. Reaching up to rub at the back of his neck, he cocked his head in my direction and quirked a smile.
I smiled back, reaching back over and giving America’s hand a squeeze. “I’ll look forward to that then.”
-------------------------------------------------
After making the final arrangements with Alexander Chafley, who insisted that we must now call him Fletcher O’Bray, we caught our flight to Branson. And as for America, his happiness at hearing his mentor alive was nothing in comparison to seeing him alive and well. It seems almost silly to note, but America’s smile was back to its usual brilliance, all hope and optimism and joy like it should be.
Robert wasn’t too keen on his brother’s new look, which included a younger ‘hip’ haircut and dyed strawberry blonde hair. He’d also acquired a pair of glasses, which he assured us all were purely cosmetic.
“If it works for Superman to hide his true identity, I’m certain it’ll work for me,” he’d joked. America thoroughly agreed, while Robert and I shook our heads. It was obvious to see why America and Alexander had gotten along so well, as he was definitely the quirkier of the two brothers.
But as for why he’d asked the two of them to bring their fiddles along, that was to be another matter entirely...
“Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, as a special treat today for my opening performance I would like to bring to the stage two of my dearest friends and fellow fiddlers. First off, a name I’m certain you have heard off before. One of the best fiddlers this world has ever heard, I give you: Robert Chafley!”
From backstage, I could see Robert taking the stage to a standing ovation. It was clear now, even with Alexander’s changed hair and looks, that the two were twins at their core. Thankfully, I don’t think anyone would have noticed had they not been looking for it, but as I watched them start up a good-spirited fiddling duel that had the audience cheering and clapping along, it was clear that these two men not only cared deeply about their music but about their brother as well.
Because even though there were many times one could have easily outplayed the other, they both held steady, neither one wanting to upstage the other at any point during the song. It was impressive to see two men so in tune with each other that even the strokes of their bows across the strings hit in tandem. They were twins in all they did, had lived a shared life under one name, and now under the brilliant stage lights, they were putting on an amazing spectacle of fiddling talent. I found myself quite honored to be there, even if the real performer I was aching to see had yet to set foot onstage.
We had found the answer to the mystery and helped reunite two brothers in the process. My foray into detective work being a genuine success, along with America’s quick thinking and help. But honestly, I needed no payment outside the gift I received next. For America’s surprise, despite my original confusion at how a fiddle playing could be a romantic gift, was simply priceless in value.
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