Arthur was on his knees, tears falling from his face, rifle on the ground as he wept…
He couldn't do it, he couldn't pull the trigger, not on Alfred, he never thought that one day his rifle would be pointed at the one person he cared about in the world.
Footsteps could be heard, trekking through the mud until a shadow loomed over him from behind, the blond turned his and saw the face of an indifferent Antonio, over time his indifference turned into a face of sympathy and understanding.
"Do you understand now amado?" the Spaniard knelt down, extending a gentle hand towards the fallen soldier.
Words from their previous encounters echoed through Arthur's mind, a certain moment in time had Arthur questioning why Antonio was so obsessed with a kid like Romano?
Where the man could only reply:
"One day you too will know"
Such irony…
"The love we feel for family"
Arthur found his hand slowly, hesitantly reaching for the brunette's until Antonio grabbed it, bringing the brit into his arms, Arthur couldn't help but fall apart in the embrace
"He's alive amado…"
Antonio held Arthur until morning broke out
"Thank the lord he's alive…"
"You know, you're a bit of a brat, nino"
He never thought much about those words at the time but now that Alfred was a bit older, the young American thinks he might have an idea as to why Antonio said those words to him.
That night where everyone went out for a drink after a meeting.
A night of fun, a night where everyone could unwind and chat, the Spanish representative seemed to be in a state of melancholy, probably thinking of days in the past.
Alfred admitted, he was slightly curious; he wanted to know what Spain was like when the latter is in a drunken stupor.
"Hey Spanish dude, you okay?" the only response that Alfred got was Antonio slowly turning his head towards the blond, looking at the Yank from head to toe before giving Al a rather unusual smile, not a smile of joy but rather one of menace.
"How did bushy eyebrows come to like a nino like you eh?" for a while, Al was at a loss, who could Antonio could have meant?
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Eh? Do I have to spell it out for you nino?" a finger pointing in the direction of the drunken group that laughed over moments in their past, his finger directed to a very giggly Arthur teasing Francis over their childhood.
Antonio took his glass and swirled the contents, listening to the ice cubes clinking together before taking a sip
"Amado was a lot different before he met you, sure we fought, we battled but I wouldn't trade it for the world" the Spaniard looked at the blond, a look of envy lit those green eyes "Sure Romano's my whole world but whenever I saw him relaying orders to his ships I thought, wow, that guy took my breath away"
Alfred stared at Antonio, the latter giving him the coldest of stares, the yank's heart thumped like a drum, the tempo increased when the next words fell from Spain's lips, similar to a bullet being fired, slicing through the air and it stung through Al's whole being.
"I want him to be mine"
"Damn it! Can't you be a little more careful Alfred?" Alfred felt his eyes roll from those words, another day of Arthur nagging his ears off.
Arthur furrowed his brows, shooting the younger country a glare
"Honestly, what kind of gentleman enters someone's home by bringing the door off its hinges?"
Alfred felt his cheeks heat up, maybe he was just a little bit anxious to come over and see Arthur, it was after the meeting and Al just really wanted to see Arthur he couldn't stop himself from coming over.
"Not my fault your door was rotting…" a sudden pain surged from his head, Arthur just hit him with a newspaper "I just got that door installed last weekend, bloody yank"
Ding Dong
The brit turned his attention from his former charge towards the door "Who would that be?"
Arthur began to make his way to where the door once was.
Was Arthur expecting someone? From the way the bushy eyebrow's was reacting, it didn't seem like Arthur was expecting anyone?
"Did I come at a bad time amado? What happened to your door?"
An uneasy feeling began to fill Al, his stomach churned from the sound of the voice, Alfred knew the owner, he still recalled their last conversation all those years ago.
Why was Antonio here?
"Alfred ripped the door off its hinges"
What did the Spaniard want?
"Oh?" mild surprise was heard from Antonio's voice "Is Jones here?"
"Yeah he's staying the weekend, which brings the question what are you doing here Antonio? Our bosses don't meet for another week"
"Did you not get my text Arthur?" Antonio's voice giggled "I'm here on personal business and I had some spare time so I thought I'd come and visit but if you already have company-"
"Oh no, it's no trouble at all and also would you stop calling me that"
Arthur came back with Antonio in tow, a puzzled look rose on Antonio's brow, fixated on Arthur with questioning eyes.
"Stop calling you what?" a hue of crimson arose on the blond's cheeks, Alfred was at a loss for words, the face that his former guardian was making could only be described as adorable.
Arthur's lips grumbled a reply "A-Amado"
Antonio gave a mischievous grin "Nope"
"Why on earth not! We're not on the seas anymore!" Antonio took a step closer to Arthur, hand of shoulder, lips a breath away from the other man's ear.
"You'll always be mi amado"
What was that word? Alfred wondered, the young country curious to why that particular word caused Arthur some discomfort.
'Mi amado'
When translated to English, the words mean, My Beloved
'Beloved'
Means dearly loved
Why was Antonio calling Arthur that?
Alfred didn't really know why this bothered him so much, no, he knows why this bothered him.
Alfred knew why such a phrase bothered him, did the two have some history that the young American did not know about?
What happened between the two?
There was only one person he knew that could answer such a question…
"Ah, I see you're fed up with that terrible Arthur's cooking and want to eat mine instead? Big brother is so proud of you!"
Francis was unusually chipper today, the French blond was jumping for joy to see the young yank at his humble abode.
"Let big brother make you some crepes! I just got over another strike!"
"Yeah, yeah, look Francis I know your excited and all bro but I want to ask you something"
Francis chuckled, placing an arm around Alfred's shoulder "Oh, is this about a woman? Oh Alfred you naughty little teddy bear, give me all the details and don't skip out on the saucy details! Hohoho!"
Alfred groaned, why is Francis' head always in the gutter…
"No it's got nothing to do with me, it's Arthur"
After a couple of minutes of discussions, along with a cup of tea, Francis sat beside Alfred by the table, his earlier excitement turning into awkward uneasiness.
"Ah, so you want to know about them?" Alfred could see how uncomfortable this was making the older country, was it really such an awkward thing to ask about?
"Yeah, I mean Antonio keeps calling Arthur mi amado, why does he call Arthur that?"
Francis stared at Alfred for a moment before closing his eyes, wondering if he should tell the young man.
"Are you sure you really want to know?" the answer he got was a reaffirming nod, Alfred needed to know about this, he felt like he wanted to know.
"You remember when you were a child and England left for the seas?" Alfred recalled those times, those days where he begged Arthur not to leave, to stay and not leave him alone.
"Well I guess it all started even before that, they were enemies at first, the first time they met was at the time of Spanish Succession…"
'It was a different time back then…'
The last Hasburg king of Spain, Charles II, died without an heir to his thrown, on his deathbed he handed the crown and Spanish inheritance over to Philip, duke of Anjou and second eldest grandson to the king of France.
Francis was just after dispatching some enemy soldiers on the battlefield, a cold, uncomfortable feeling swelled within him.
War is never a good thing; it was something Francis didn't want to wish on anyone.
The blond was worried for his comrade; he looked around to see if he could find Antonio among the men fighting, it was then did he see them…
That was probably when they first met, on the battlefield, they stared each other down, both men stood on top of a hill of mud and dirt, rain drizzling down from the heavens, the angels must be weeping for the fallen soldiers…
Arthur pointing his flintlock pistol at Antonio, the latter on the ground, trying to get his blade.
"Who are you?" Antonio asked.
"I am the British Empire, I am England" was all that Antonio got.
Antonio's brow furrowed "I'm not asking for your country name!"
The only reply he got was the click of a pistol however before the gun could be fired, the battle cry of a Spanish soldier charged behind Arthur, Arthur turned round and shot the man with a bullet.
"No!" Antonio took the opportunity and charged at the Englishman, tackling the blond to the ground.
"You bastard!" Antonio swung a fist and hit Arthur in the face "How dare you kill one of my own!"
Arthur returned the punch with a kick in the guy, tossing Antonio off him "That's my line! How dare you kill my men! I'll crush you!"
That was the moment when the sound for retreat was heard.
Francis grabbed Antonio and they ran with their remaining troops, when they were at a safe distance, Francis looked at his comrade and seen a look that the Frenchman had never seen before.
It was the look of someone that found his prey…
"Maybe I can get him to give me his name next time eh, Francis?"
After that, many battles between the two raged, there were victors, there were losers but it always seemed to be a game of cat and mouse with the two.
Whenever Antonio approached, Arthur retracted…
Francis admitted, he was a bit jealous but at the same time, relief in knowing that he's not that crazy.
The War of Austrian Succession
The powers of Europe questioning Maria Theresa's succession to the realms involving the house of Habsburg,
"Your army has lost Spain! Leave and take your army with you!"
Spain had his own motives for getting involved in the war, wanting to take over Britain's colonies and trade, entering the war to re-establish his influence in Northern Italy.
"Amado, how many times must we cross blades before you call me Antonio?"
Their battle lasted for hours, clanking and swishing of blades, Francis recalled the battle, it was like they were alone and the world meant nothing, two partners engaged in a passionate dance.
"Don't you dare call me that! Why? Why would you side with Prussia?! Why would you side with Francis!"
Antonio swished his sword, relieving Arthur of his blade pushing the blond to the ground
"You want to know why Amado? Because I want to one day rule over Europe and maybe…"
He tipped his blade on Arthur's chin, tilting it upwards "Because I want you amado?"
Arthur grabbed his blade, forcing Antonio to move back
"Don't touch me!"
The action seemed to have amused Antonio some, the brunette found a warm feeling rise within
"Oh amado why do you tease me with such a look?"
"You use to be stronger…" the brunette groaned, restless eyes looking up at his captor, Arthur returned the gesture, Antonio found himself chained in one of Great Britain's many ships, the look that the other country gave the Spanish conquistador was one of disappointment.
"Why do you protect such a brat? If you hadn't spent so much time and effort on him then things might've been different…"
The Spaniard scoffed at such a notion
"Amado, one day you too will know the love we feel for family" in a way, Antonio could only feel pity towards Arthur, how many years did the man go through life not knowing the love of a real family, sure he had older brothers but they never gave Arthur the love and kindness that Antonio gave to Romano.
"Romano is precious to me, I would do it all again if it's just to keep him safe"
There was silence, a defying silence before Arthur's gaze tore from his prisoner's form, as if the mere sight of him was blinding.
"I don't get you…"
The tomato lover gave the blond a gentle, sorrowful smile "You will, maybe one day we won't be fighting each other anymore…"
"Ridiculous, however if there is such a day" Arthur turned his gaze to Antonio "Arthur"
"Hm?"
"My name is Arthur Kirkland"
"I guess you could say their relationship is a bit mysterious" Alfred sat there, trying to take all the information in "but I wouldn't go confronting them about it Alfred, trust big brother on that…"
Francis rose from his chair, running his hand through the younger man's hair "Especially Antonio, what was that saying Kiku told me once, never wake up a sleeping serpent?"
Alfred recalled that night, that night where Antonio was drunk, did he blame Al for breaking Arthur's heart?
"You know, you're a bit of a brat, nino"
That would defiantly explain it, did Antonio try to make advances on Arthur and the latter reject him?
What happened those years when Al left Arthur, what happened between the two when he wasn't there?
"Where the devil did you go off to? Don't just up an leave when someone is making dinner!"
When Alfred returned to England, he got scolded by Arthur, his lectures could put years on a person "Amado, Alfred isn't a nino anymore" Antonio chimed in.
"Oh really and I suppose you would be okay if Romano left your house before dinner?"
"What, n-no, Romano would never do such a thing! Not my sweet little angel!"
Alfred found his heart skipping a beat, his eyes wide open in shock, he could see a red mark on the older country's neck that mark wasn't there before…
Arthur gave out a lengthy sigh "Really and you go on about me being overprotective" The Britain turned his attention back to his former younger brother "Luckily I saved you some dinner"
Alfred felt his heart clench "Not hungry, who wants to eat that slop you call food?"
The Englishman looked on a bit hurt "Hey that was a little uncalled for-"
"Mm, you know what, I think I'm a bit hungry Arthur~" Antonio took a step towards Alfred "If nino doesn't want it could I have it instead?"
"Oh, sure just one second I'll just go heat it up"
Arthur had no clue, he had no clue what look the other men were giving each other. When the former left, Antonio just gave Alfred a smile but his smile seemed slightly off.
"Nino,"
The gaze that met Al's, was a cold one, the air became tense "Don't be so mean to amado, he may not look it but he's sensitive"
"Why, why do you call Arthur amado? What is he to you?"
Antonio drew in breath before he replied "Nino, your still a bit young to be challenging me, especially when it comes to matters of the heart" Alfred felt Antonio's hand on his shoulder
"Arthur is mi amado, what other reason would I call him such a thing if I didn't love him?"
The American Revolution was the place where the symphony of a man crying over his broken heart echoed through the hard pounding rain.
"Do you understand now amado?" the Spaniard knelt down, extending a gentle hand towards the fallen soldier.
Arthur found his hand slowly, hesitantly reaching for the brunette's until Antonio grabbed it, bringing the brit into his arms, Arthur couldn't help but fall apart in the embrace
"I-" Antonio ran a hand through Arthur's wet blond hair "I-I couldn't do it!" Arthur wailed, gripping tightly on to the Spaniard's coat.
"How could I shoot my little brother! I-I C-Couldn't do it, Antonio I couldn't kill my little brother! What kind of monster am I to point my weapon at-"
Antonio gasped; this was the first time that Arthur called him by his name and not 'Spain' but inside, he felt strangely empty…
"He's alive amado, thank the lord he's alive…"
"In a way I suppose I should be grateful that amado met you but back then, if not for you, Arthur would never have known the love one can get when their in a family but…"
Antonio's features became sorrowful "After the American Revolution, you have no idea what you did to him…"
The man was making himself very clear, Alfred knew what he was doing back then, he no longer wanted to be viewed as Arthur's little brother.
"When you left who did you think would pick up the pieces nino? Pain like that doesn't disappear over night"
Alfred found his fists tighten, he held this in for so long, Al was well aware of what he was sacrificing but he wanted Arthur to see him as someone who could stand beside him.
"What do you know? You have no idea why I decided to leave Arthur, you know nothing-"
"I know that you fell in love with him"
Al stood there, shock written all over his face, what did Antonio just say?
How?
"You think I didn't notice?" Antonio folded his arms
Why?
"Nino, I know the look of a man that shows desire towards mi amado, who do you think protected him from unwanted suitors?"
Why does Antonio know about these feelings that he uttered to no one? Who is this guy? Just who is Antonio Fernandez Carriedo?
"Let me make something perfectly clear" Antonio placed a hand on Alfred's shoulder; the younger man could feel the tomato lover's breath hovering over his ear
"I'm not handing Arthur to you" Alfred could hardly breath, the words that were spoken felt like knives "I'm sorry but it's just the way it is, I've loved him the moment I met him"
Francis was right…
"Antonio I've just heated everything for you-" Arthur's head peeked around the corner "Is everything alright?"
Antonio gave Arthur a gentle smile "Of course, we were just having a little discussion, mm that smells lovely"
Don't wake up a sleeping serpent…
AUTHORS NOTE
Phew feels like a long time since I wrote Hetalia fan fiction, I was inspired by a Spain x Romano doujinshi would you believe it?
I kind of always wondered why Spain was portrayed as the uke when paired with England, I kind of see England as being more of an uke as Spain.
Then again I guess I love tsundere ukes but I kind of like manly uke's too but I could never seem to write a manly guy well…
This was kind of tricky to write, I use to write America and England fan fiction but I like writing unusual pairings too, throw my hat in the ring with characters that might not have a lot of screen time together but still have some history, heck there have been many battles between England and Spain, not as much as France I think but still some history.
I'll be honest this was actually going to be a US X UK and one sided Spain x UK but along the road it turned into this, I just like thinking that Spain could be a little yandere, not intense but just a little…