Francis lay awake listening to the steady beating of the rain as it hit the roof. Arthur found it calming, but to him it was depressing; a constant reminder of life in dull, dreary, monotonous England. Years ago, when he'd thought about how his life would turn out, he had imagined a quiet life in the beautiful city of Paris, but of course he knew he would never convince Arthur to move with him. To Francis, the rain seemed to be a never ending fall of tears, a constant reminder of all that he could never have.
Sighing softly to himself he carefully sat up, trying not to disturb his husband who slept soundly by his side. He softly stroked Arthur's head, before turning his attention back to the rain outside. As quietly as he could, Francis edged himself out of bed and walked towards the window. He gently pulled back the curtain and stared out into the dark sky. He leant his head on the cold glass and closed his eyes, listening to the patter as the rain splashed down onto the window pane. All he could think of was the ominous feel the rain gave and how he would give anything to be back in France. After all the time he'd spent in England it still didn't feel like his home. He loved Arthur and he knew he belonged with him, but there was always going to be something pulling him back to Paris.
He was so absorbed in the pouring rain as it hit against the window that he didn't hear Arthur waking up until he felt his arms snaking around his neck. Francis jumped and turned around to see Arthur looking at him, with tousled hair and a tired expression.
"What are you doing?" He asked through a yawn. As Francis looked at him, he couldn't help but smile lovingly.
"Nothing, my Love." He whispered as he kissed Arthur's cheek lightly. He chuckled. "You look so cute when you're tired." Despite his fatigued state, Arthur opened one eye and gave him a dig in the ribs.
"I am not cute." He said. "And anyway, there must be something wrong with you. You look all sad," His eyes closed again, and he leant his head against Francis' neck. Francis smiled and closed his eyes. He reached up his hand and stroked Arthur's hair, a gesture he was prone to. Most of the time, it was so he could see Arthur smile. When Arthur smiled, Francis was happy. It made him feel as though all the fights and all the pain they had ever been through was worth it. Even for the sake of only a few seconds.
Right on cue, Arthur began to smile and he snuggled closer to Francis.
"What's up?" He asked once again. "Why are you out of bed?" As Francis looked down at him, his small smile grew wider. Once again, it was as if the earth had stopped turning- just for that moment. The only thing that mattered his love for Arthur.
"There's nothing wrong, my love." He whispered into Arthur's ear. "I just couldn't sleep." The rain may have depressed him, but Arthur had cheered him up. True, sometimes he was the cause of the sadness Francis felt, but even in those time he was always the one who cheered him up after. Arthur lifted his head and gave him a slow, adoring kiss. When he pulled away, he was smiling. Yawning again, he ran a hand through his messy hair.
" Right well, I don't know about you but I'm bloody knackered. Are you coming back to bed?" As Francis looked at Arthur standing in the glow of the silvery moonlight, he couldn't help but stare. He stood up and gave Arthur a quick hug.
"You are so beautiful." He said, his voice full of Love and affection. "So, so beautiful." Beside him, Arthur gave a scornful snort.
"Yes, yes. To you maybe." He returned the hug however. "Now. Bed!" Grabbing Francis' hand he pulled him towards their bed and away from the window.
As they lay down. Francis felt his eyelids beginning to droop. Like always, Arthur had made him feel better. As he lay there, the rain slowly became background sound. Instead he closed his eyes and listened to Arthur's peaceful breathing.