Arthur sighed. "Francis?" The Frenchman's eyes locked onto his, emerald gazing worriedly into cerulean. He was over thinking things again and they never came without consequences.
"Yes?" came Francis' reply; the blonde had his right index finger squished in between two pages in his latest cook book so he wouldn't lose his page. "What is it, dear?"
Arthur twiddled his thumbs and unconsciously fiddled with the hem of his baggy grey jumper. Francis' grey jumper, actually. "I-I know I'm being silly…" He blushed, the pink rising in his cheeks and making his faint freckles stand out. "B-but… Now, you won't take the mick out of me, will you?" Arthur asked, glancing his forest green eyes up for a split second. Once he'd seen his other half's uneasy nod, he continued. "I… Francis, do you love me?"
Francis paled slightly due to the question, what had brought this on?
"Why? Is something wrong, sweetheart?"
"No! Nothing's wrong, you bloody idiot!" Arthur fumed, his face now glowing. "Just- just answer my question, will you?" He continued to mess with the jumper, it insulated him rather well and he could feel the warmth. It just made him want to snuggle up with Francis! "Please? I just want to know…"
Noting Arthur's downcast eyes, the Frenchman smiled softly and placed down his book. Delia Smith could wait.
He took his lover's slender yet pale hands within his own, marveling over how smooth and soft they were. "Arthur, my dear," he started, his right thumb stroking the back of Arthur's hand lightly, "you know that I love you. There is nothing else in this world that could stop me from loving you! No greater force, nothing. Even if I had to give everything up just to be with you, I would. No matter what, Arthur. Even if it were just to spend my last five minutes with you, I would do it. Do you know why?" he asked. Arthur's beautiful eyes were full to the brim with tears, and Francis fought back the urge to just squeeze him right there and then. Francis exhaled and gently picked up Arthur, he didn't weigh that much anyway, before placing him on his lap. He ran a hand through the Brit's slightly messy golden hair and kissed his temple as he pulled him closer. He didn't mind that Arthur's skinny hip was digging into his stomach slightly, he just wanted to be a little closer to him. He wanted to be able to smell the shampoo Arthur used; to be able to smell the Lynx that he'd sprayed all over himself; to smell the lingering taste of cherry scones on his breath. The Englishman shook his head, signalling no. "Why?" he managed to choke out, "Why would you do it?"
Francis chuckled lightly and kissed Arthur's rosy pink lips, "Because I love you, silly."