Francis didn't realize he was staring till he got some weird looks.
"Hey dude, you okay?" asked Alfred.
"hmm?" asked Francis pleasantly.
"Are you okay?" repeated Alfred.
"Yez of courze, why wouldn't I be?" laughed Francis.
"Well you were just staring at Arthur," said Alfred.
"You were like that for last twenty minute," Yao added.
"Frog," commented Arthur, adding his dark magic glare.
"I am fine mon amis," blushed Francis, which was very unlike him.
As the meeting continued Francis realized he was watching Arthur more and more closely. He seemed to notice, for the first time in thousands of years, how green Arthur's eyes were, and how handsome he looked in his uniform. How odd, he thought. Arthur looks very handsome. I've never felt theez way before. I wonder what theez feeling eez. "Damn it. I am Francis Bonnefoy and I am not in love!" Too late Francis realized he had said the last part out loud.
"Dude there's definitely something wrong with you," Alfred said.
"I walk you home, if you like. Then you can become one with mother Russia," offered Ivan staring at Francis evilly.
"Umm no thanks," Francis declined. "Perhaps all I need eez some fresh air no?"
"Yah why don't you go for walk," said Yao, "we don't need you here at moment."
Francis pushed back his chair and went outside. Even though he had left the company of the allies all he could think of was Arthur. The way he petted the air, pretending there was something there. The way his eyebrows would go up in alarm, or shock. And most definitely the way he smiled, Zat eez ze best of all, he thought dreamily. He continued to walk around the gardens. Lost in his own thoughts he began to realize something. Zese feelings are so new, what are zey? I wonder...non it cannot be...eez it? Has the mighty France finally fallen in love? Non that cannot...perhaps it eez true. Perhaps I have finally fallen in love. Eez love always so..so hopeful? Does it always feel like you're walking on air? Perhaps Arthur will know, after all he eez soo wise. Maybe he could...non I am going crazy. There eez no way I haf fallen in love.
Francis hadn't realized how late it had gotten. Finally when he returned to the conference room he heard voices.
"Arthur," addressed America. "I- I don't know how to say this but dude I think I love you."
There was silence. Francis felt his heart beat rise.
"Finally you stupid American," exclaimed Arthur.
"Huh?"
Arthur laughed. "I have loved you for awhile now. I just can't believe you feel the same way."
Francis didn't need to hear anymore. His heart fell. He ran away from the door. He was crying now, although he still didn't know why. He kept running all the way into the garden maze. He finally sat down. Why am I crying, zis is crazy. Do I actually have feelings for zat Brit? Perhaps I did, but it can never be, he...he loves America, no surprise zere. After all he eez bigger zan me, and so much more heroic...even if I had told zat sexy, sexy Brit he would haf said no. Perhaps I was in love, but now I swear I will never fall in love again. After all I am Francis Bonnefoy and I do Not fall in love.
~From then on Francis kept his promise. He never felt those feelings for anyone ever again. He even tried to be strong, although for the first few weeks after what happened he found himself crying himself to sleep. Even after that he was never really happy, but he didn't want to make Arthur unhappy so he kept his pain to himself. He hid it the best he could with flirting and meaningless sex. He did his best to forget, but he never truly did.~
the end