There were only so many directions the word 'it' could go. It was almost odd how nearly all players so far had the right letters to spell it. It was a daring move when Alfred spelled out 'fish'. The game changed then. Others were more daring with their word choices. Toris was the one to take the first shot.

He proudly took the shot of vodka. Seemingly unfazed by it unlike many of the others. Alfred started the next round. He took the shot leisurely, savoring the burn down his throat.

"Next person!" He grinned.

"I don't get it, what exactly is the point of this?" Arthur asked as Francis concentrated on forming the next word now that the game changed. Alfred simply shook his head, his grin staying despite the mild annoyance of Arthur asking stupid questions.

"It's a challenge, of course." Alfred answered his eyes focused on the board, his grin fading into a simple smile.

"A challenge?"

"Yeah, the challenge is not to get drunk."

"Why is that a challenge?"

"Because when you get drunk, you get a hangover the next morning, and when you get a hangover you become incredibly annoying because you're complaining about your hangover as if anyone actually cares." All but Francis and Toris looked at Alfred. The two unfazed by the nation's demeanor. Such passive-aggressive statements were normal to them. Not to mention that Francis was occupied. The others had never heard such a statement though. He looked up at them with the warmest smile he could muster. "So, if you don't want to be absolutely annoying, don't get drunk, 'kay?"

Francis finally put down three letters. He spelled out 'dare' in a space with double points to be added to a letter, earning him a shot. He took it gladly wanting to drown out the fear from knowing that look on Alfred's face. It was the same look he put on when he was reaching his limit. Looking at Toris, he knew that look as well. He wore a bored look, though. It was odd to say the least. Francis could only wonder where this was going.

All eyes moved to Arthur. The Brit didn't waste a second putting down 'pi'.

"This is actually impossible." He stated with a frown. "You're so limited on words."

"Maybe if you're a lightweight." Toris spoke up with an eye roll. "And an idiot."

"Aren't you a lightweight?" Arthur asked, ignoring the last comment.

"I do have a weak stomach but there's no other rules to the game, you know." His eyes watched Ivan with intensity. There was a noticable challenge in them.

"Ominous." Francis commented with a cheeky grin as Ivan put down a simple 'da'.

"So, that means that the game is based on language and physical ability, correct?" Kiku questioned, looking down at his letters.

"Depends on the way you look at it." Alfred shrugged. "Anyone hungry? I know I am." Nearly all shook their heads. It was Toris and Kiku to request a snack. Alfred happily got up and left for the kitchen. Something clearly changed in Toris' demeanor. He grew more rigid, his expression more serious than before. Francis could only wonder if he was going to take the chance to warn the others. Everything was perfect for him to do so. All was in place.

Except, Toris didn't do such. Instead he concentrated on his letters and moved a few. He was serious about the game now. The question of why now swirled on Francis' head as Lovino quietly put two letters down, spelling 'let'.

Alfred returned with a little tray of snacks. He carefully sat down right back in his place next to Toris. He handed Toris a bit of bread and reached over to Kiku to give him a foreign bag of chips. Alfred had only a sandwich stuffed to the brim on the tray. He picked it up and took a big bite out of it with ease. He seemingly inspected the crowd. Eyeing Toris for a longer few seconds than the others. He noticed the more interested and serious look on the nation. A muffled chuckle made its way out of his throat. He swallowed the big bite, licking his lips to clear any excess.

"The game must be getting good." He smiled. "That makes me even more excited."

"For what exactly?" Lovino questioned.

"You dumbasses making fools of yourselves."

"Harsh." Feliciano added, placing down a letter spelling 'hi'.

"It's only fair. If you get drunk, it's your fault."

"Is it really?"

"Well, of course. You're the one putting the letters of your choice down and the one responsible for staying sober no matter the means."

"And what happens if we win?" Francis found himself asking, his eyes meeting Alfred's own.

"You get a reward, of course."

"What kind of reward?"

"I don't want to spoil the surprise." It was Ludwig that ended this round with the simple word of 'ich'. He took his shot and sat there only mildy annoyed.

The game progressed fairly smooth. Toris had the highest amount of points after about ten rounds. It was really starting to show. He grew slower and more sick looking with each round. His words were longer than most other words that were being put down. This caused him to gain double and triple points more frequently. The question of why he was doing this in the first place lingered within the minds of all that were there.

His chosen words were seemingly random to anyone who wasn't looking at the words for too long. Sometimes they were, but other times, he was spelling out some kind of sentence. Except there were some occasional words that truly were random. It was Kiku to notice this pattern. He could only guess that this pattern was to throw Alfred off. There was no doubt that some of the words truly mean something more. He was quick to put down 'care' and 'full'. It didn't take Kiku long to figure out what that could mean. Not many rounds later he put down 'with' and 'him'.

The pattern was clear. Two rounds to add to the message and three random rounds. What it meant was beyond Kiku but there was no doubt what it said.

'Careful with him.' It was a matter of who to be careful with. Kiku had hear yelling earlier but he ignored it. Perhaps he was to be careful with Arthur who got whacked in the head. Maybe he had a concussion. Those were fairly common with the nations since they kept whacking each other. Perhaps it was Alfred. It was an easy fact that Alfred was strong. He wouldn't be a top nation if he wasn't. He seemed like to the type to never hurt a fly unless provoked.

Kiku frequently glanced at Toris, enough to get his attention. Toris saw the question and confusion on Kiku and flicked his eyes to Alfred currently thinking deeply on his next move. The message was quite clear.

It was a warning. It wasn't entirely needed. Not to Kiku, anyway. It wasn't hard not to provoke Alfred. It was definitely harder for others though. After hearing Alfred yelling earlier, it was easy to cause a problem. It was almost maddening how fast Arthur had managed to break one of the rules. Alfred could have his privacy and they should respect it. As a result, Toris has to needlessly worry over what Alfred would do.

In that sense, it gives the warning a different significance. It gives it a somber tone. That Alfred was sensitive with these things. One of his 238 weaknesses. Kiku understood this and would respect it despite his growing curiosity. His curiosity grew more for Toris and Alfred's relationship. They were clearly close but how close was the mystery.

"Well," Alfred started, gaining the attention of those who were both barely sober and near drunk. "I think it's getting really late."

"Does that mean that the game is over?" Feliciano half-slurred.

"Yep, and Toris won." A few miscellaneous claps sounded from the drunk Arthur in the corner. "Go to bed, losers, we've got a long day ahead of us."

Kiku assisted in the clean up while others disbanded in all directions to their rooms, some helping others. He only stayed behind to watch Alfred and Toris out of the corner of his eye.

Alfred leaned over to Toris to whisper to him. Toris lightly smiled and nodded his head. The brunet then stood and aided in the clean up, albeit slower than Kiku was getting it done.

"Thanks for the help." Toris said with a smile, as he picked up the letters on the nearly filled board. "But you can go to bed, I can take it from here."

"Are you sure?" Kiku raised a brow. "You're looking sick."

"I'm fine, it's just my weak stomach." He gave a weak smile.

"Alright. Be careful."

"I will." He gave a final smile as Kiku went up the stairs.

Toris focused on getting the pieces in the little sack. Alfred bustled around the room, picking up all the trash left behind. The vodka was starting to obstruct his functions.

"You're clearly not fine." Alfred said, straightening himself from picking up an empty chip bag.

"I am." Toris finished stuffing the letters in and tightened the sack closed. "I might have to vomit a bit later but that's normal.

"You didn't have to play, you know."

"But I wanted to."

"I'm pretty sure that counts as self harm."

"So? It was fun."

"I guess it was fine since you had fun." Alfred dropped the trash bag on a couch and grasped at Toris' hands. The brunette quickly dropped the sack on the table due to the sudden action. He found Alfred's eyes boring into him, almost bombarding him with care. "You can go to bed I'll finish up here, okay?" That look in Alfred's eyes was a sure way to get Toris to agree. It was worried puppy stare with the added benefit that he could go to bed. His stomach ached badly so he just couldn't refuse the offer.

"Okay." He near whispered with a light nod.

"Good." Alfred brought Toris' hands to his lips and gave his knuckles a small peck. "I'll see you in a bit."