Hetalia is owned by Hidekaz Himaruya, this fanfiction is owned by me.
Antonio anxiously curls his fingers around a fold in the bedsheets as he waits for his husband, his mind bombarded by thoughts that he wishes weren't there.
Staring down at the ring decorating his finger, he is reminded of the promise he made to Arthur...Was it nearing nine years ago now? Yeah, almost nine years ago, he'd stood up at the altar opposite Arthur, in front of all his friends and family, and pledged to love Arthur and stay by his side forever. A pledge that was as beautiful as it was terrifying, a pledge that let the whole world know just how he felt about Arthur.
But recently, he's been wondering if his feelings for Arthur have changed. He remembers the first few years that they were together, how excited he was at being called, Arthur's husband. And the emotions that went with the title, oh, how brilliant they were. Antonio remembers how his heart used to leap in his chest whenever Arthur was nearby. How his cheeks would flush a deep scarlet when Arthur told him he was cute, which only made his face burn up even more. And when they kissed? Antonio felt like he could fly, as butterflies went wild in his stomach, and a strange mixture of happiness, passion and fear took over his body.
That just didn't happen anymore. The anxious euphoria that Antonio once had whenever he was with Arthur...What happened to it? What had happened in his nine years of marriage to Arthur that made those exciting, bittersweet feelings go away?
Of course he loves his husband, there's no denying that. Antonio just thinks that, perhaps he's not in love with him anymore. Perhaps there's just no fun in their relationship anymore...
"Are you alright, love?"
Antonio jumps as he notices Arthur sat on the edge of the bed, his bushy eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"It's nothing," Antonio blurts quickly, his eyes snapping wide open.
Arthur resets his face to its natural state, and stares deep into his husband's pupils, as if he is attempting to see deep inside Antonio's head. "You seem to have something on your mind. Whatever it is, you can tell me," he assures, placing a porcelain hand on his husband's forehead.
"It's really nothing," Antonio insists, oddly relaxed by Arthur's touch.
"If you insist," Arthur says dryly, sliding himself under the covers, taking his place next to Antonio.
As Arthur gently takes Antonio into his arms, Antonio realises once and for all that his love for Arthur has taken a new form. It's not exciting, or scary. The gentle affection that Arthur shares with him...It's warm, fuzzy and comforting. It reminds him that he's loved, deeply and truly.
The delicate kiss Arthur places on his forehead, as he whispers, "Goodnight, dear," is just one of the many precious moments that Arthur and Antonio share, not because of romantic attraction, but because of love.
And neither of them would trade it for the world.