It was silent. France could feel his heart beating away like a mad thing in his chest and could hear his shallow sketchy breathing as he tried desperately not to hyperventilate, or worse, pass out. Alfred's look of masked horror at Francis' supposed forced kiss had slowly faded away and now the American looked almost sickeningly eager to see his partner's response to the sordid happening that had taken place. France noted that America was clenching his shaking fists up in anticipation and he swallowed back the bile that had risen to his throat.
The first sign of life from the Englishman: he laughed. Of all the reactions Francis had been coun