The ringing of a telephone interrupts a particular Englishman's afternoon reading, though not much could be accomplished, what with the thunderous storm raging just outside his house's walls. A sigh is drawn from his lips as he places his book down to answer the ringing device. He wasn't particularly keen on talking to anyone at the moment. Plus, who knows who was on the other end?
Click.
"Hello?"
"Bonjour Anglettere~"
A scowl is the immediate response to the Frenchman's voice.
"Oh, it's you Francis..."
"Oui, it is moi."
"And why are you calling?"
"So quick to cut to the chase... I was hoping for a little more enthusiasm from mon petit chaton~"
"When have I ever been enthusiastic when it comes to you? ... And don't call me kitten!"
"But it suits you so well,"
A short pause.
"That's not the point! Now, why are you calling?"
"Do I really need a reason?"
"If you don't want me to hang up on you, yes."
"Alright, alright... I thought you might be lonely, so I called you to try and change that."
"And why do you suddenly care? I'm used to being alone and you very well know that."
Small pause on France's end.
"Oui, but do you like it that way..?"
"What does it matter?! Stop trying to evaluate my emotions, Francis..."
"There's no evaluating that needs to go on to see you're unhappy... It's as obvious as your love for books."
Silence on Arthur's end.
"I'm hanging up."
"Non, non! I'll stop..."
"Fine then."
A heavy silence settles over the two as it seems they've run out of things to say.
"Francis..?"
"Oui?"
"I thought you hung up..."
"Oh, non... I wouldn't do that,"
"Why?"
"Because."
"That's not an answer."
"I thought we wern't asking questions,"
"That's not fair! It only applies to you, frog."
"And how is that fair?"
The Frenchman's words inadvertantly bring a smile to Arthur's face.
"It just is. Don't question it."
Very soon after the Englishman spoke, lightning pierced the sky, followed by rumbling thunder loud enough to make him jump a little.
"Sounds like the storm is bad at your place... It's not nearly as horrid over here."
"And..?"
"Maybe I should come and keep you company, make sure you aren't scared or anything."
"No fucking way!"
Francis smirked - Arthur was cleary blushing. He could tell even over the phone. Oh how he was blushing.
"It must be depressing, having so much rain all the time..."
"I like the rain."
"... Do you really..?"
"Francis."
"Desolé, desolé..."
Silence between them.
"Yes..."
"Yes what?"
"I do like the rain."
"Oh... Is there a certain reason?"
"Mhm... I-"
Another bout of thunder brings a whimper from Arthur's throat before he could finish his response; this storm was definietly a bad one.
"Are you alright, Arthur?"
"I'm ok..."
"I can come over if you'd like,"
A hot blush covers Arther's cheeks as his emerald eyes avert downward despite the Frenchman not even being present in the room.
"N-no, it's fine! ... And why would I want you over? All you'd try to do is touch me the whole time."
"But if you need me-"
"I'll be fine, Francis..."
"If you're sure..."
"I am."
A small pause from the Frenchman.
"... I understand."
"Good."
Long period of silence.
"I guess I have to go now...
"Yes, as do I..."
"Au revoir, Angleterre..."
"Goodbye Francis."
Silence as the two wait for one another to hang up.
"Francis..?"
"Oui?"
"Why haven't you hung up yet?"
"I could ask you the same thing..."
"Well I was waiting for you to..."
"I... I know..."
"Is there something you forgot to say?"
"Oui... There is."
"Well, what is it?"
"... Je t'aime."
Long period of silence.
"Angleterre..?"
"Yeah..?"
"Oh... I thought you hung up..."
"No... I wouldn't do that,"
"Why?"
"Because."
"Because..?"
"I love you too, frog."