AN: Hello sugar bits! I'm back for Angst/Romance. This time with my OTP USUK! So as y'all may have guessed this is a continuation from 'Believe in Love', 'Do I Ever', & 'An Unforgettable Love'. You don't necessarily have to have read these others, but there maybe some throw backs. So here we go again! Enjoy! I own nothing but the tale. Constructive comments and favs help me get more chapters up.
"Love what would you like for supper?" Arthur called to Alfred from their small apartment kitchen as he rummaged through the refrigerator to see what they had. When there was no response the Brit closed the fridge and walked into the living room.
"Alfred what would you like to eat?" the sandy blonde asked a second time as he gazed at the back of the American's head. Still the younger man did not respond. All his attention completely locked into the video game he was playing. Extremely irritated the green eyed man bristled and glared daggers at his lover. The slender man cocked his narrow, khaki clad hips and crossed his bare slender arms over his t-shirt clad chest.
"Oi you sodding git! Quit ignoring me and tell me what you bloody well would care to eat!"
Again there was no response from Alfred and anger quickly consumed Arthur.
"Fine if you won't answer me then you'll just have to be happy with whatever I make," the Brit ground out between clenched teeth as he stormed back into the kitchen.
Feeling the need for some comfort food the Englishman decided that they would be dining on fish fingers and chips. He quickly filled the fryer with some peanut oil and switched it on. As the machine heated the oil the Brit pulled a bag of frozen chips and fish fingers from the freezer.
The fryer dinged once the oil was at the proper temperature and Arthur quickly submerged a basket full of chips into the amber liquid.
Meanwhile a certain oblivious blonde was getting mauled by wave after wave of zombies.
"Come on, dude. We can get out of this. Damn, damn, damn," Alfred muttered as his character met their untimely end. The continue screen came up and the American gave a heavy sigh. Just as he was about to re-enter the game a deep growl rang out from his stomach.
"Man, is it dinner time already?" the blue eyed man said as he patted his midsection. "All right buddy let's go see what's for supper,"
The blonde stood and stretched his arms above his head. The motion caused his Captain America t-shirt to ride up and expose his tan belly. It also made his Hulk pajama pants sag a bit lower on his slim hips.
'Four hours straight of gaming sure leaves you stiff and hungry,' Alfred thought as tugged his pants back up. He then casually sauntered into the kitchen and found Arthur removing the last batch of fish fingers from the fryer.
"Hey sexy what'd ya make for us to eat?" the wheat blonde queried as he wrapped his arms around the Brit's shoulders and kissed his cheek.
"Fish fingers and chips," the sandy blonde said curtly as he shrugged out of the taller man's arms. He quickly grabbed the two plates of food and made to take them to the dining table he had set earlier.
"Aw man we had that the other day. I was hoping for a burger," the American whined as he followed his boyfriend to the dining table which was just off to the side of the living room.
"Well to bloody bad! We're having fish fingers and chips. If you had bothered to answer me the THREE bloody times I asked what you would like then maybe we would be having your precious heart attacks on a bun," Arthur fumed as he set the plates on the table and quickly took his seat. Alfred looked at him curiously as he too sat at the table.
"When did all that happen?" the blue eyed man asked causing Arthur to freeze instantly with a fish finger halfway to his mouth. Emerald eyes stared incredulously into confused azure blue.
"When did…Are you bloody kidding me? I was practically screaming at you the last time I asked. There is no way you didn't hear me," the Brit raged and pointed his fish finger at the American accusingly.
"Dude, you know I don't hear anything when I'm in the zone," Alfred replied casually undaunted by the anger in his lover's voice as he picked up a French fry. He adamantly refused to call the spuds chips.
Suddenly, Arthur shot to his feet making the American flinch in surprise. The Englishman glared acidly at the younger man before he turned and made for the door of their apartment.
"Artie? Hey where are you going?" the wheat blonde man questioned as he too rose from his seat to follow the smaller man.
"Out," the sandy blonde barked as he quickly pulled on his forest green peacoat and slid on his tan loafers.
"Out where? Look I'm sorry I unintentionally ignored you. Please come have dinner with me and let's talk," Alfred pleaded placing a gentle hand on Arthur's shoulder. The Brit shook him off and opened the door.
"I need some air. I'll be back soon," the Englishman said as he exited the apartment.
Icy air stung Arthur's face and eyes as he wandered aimlessly down the street as the sun set and the street lights came on. His irritation and anger had long since dissipated, but now something else nagged at the back of his mind.
"Blast it! Why can't it hurry up and be spring already?" the Brit queried aloud as a particularly cold wind cut into him.
'And that would be the sign that it is time to return home,' the sandy blonde thought as he turned to go back the way he came.
Unfortunately, when he turned he ran smack into another person causing him to stumble back and land on his arse.
"Bloody Hell," Arthur grumbled as he rose to his feet and prepared to lay into the other person.
"I'm so sor...Arthur?" an all too familiar voice queried. The Englishman groaned as he looked up to find a grinning Frenchman.
"Francis," the green eyed man said warily in greeting. He did not feel like dealing with the other blonde right now.
"What 'as you out 'ere at this 'our? Did you 'ave another fight with your American?" Francis teased with a chuckle.
"My relationship is none of your business, frog," the Brit groused as he glowered at the other blonde.
"So that would be a 'yes' then," the blue eyed man said with a flip of his shoulder length hair.
"Piss off," Arthur barked and shoved past the irritating Frenchman.
"Now don't be like that mon ami. Have a drink with me and tell me what happened," Francis said as he quickly fell in step with the smaller man. Arthur thought his offer over for a moment. He really should be getting home. He had forgotten his cell phone in his haste and he didn't want to cause Alfred to worry. Yet a drink sounded lovely and it might be nice to have someone listen to his concerns.
"One drink and then I have to get home before Alfred starts to worry," the Brit said giving his companion a pointed look.
"Tres bon. Allons-y mon ami!" Francis exclaimed happily as he took hold of Arthur's arm and towed him into the closest bar.
Four rum and cokes later found Arthur spilling his guts about his relationship concerns to a slightly put out Frenchman.
"I think he's going to leave me, Francis," the Brit slurred as tears welled in his green eyes.
"What makes you think that, mon cher? The boy worships the ground you walk on," Francis said as he swirled his wine in its glass.
"He's been ignoring me and he seems more distracted than usual. I think there maybe someone else," the sandy blonde said with a pathetic sniffle.
"Nonsense, the boy 'as an over blown sense of justice. 'e is not one to ever cheat," the Frenchman retorted and took a sip of his wine.
"I knew he would tire of me one day. I mean he can do so much better than me,"
"That is a bit 'arsh, mon ami. You are wonderful and 'e is not as amazing as you make 'im out to be,"
Arthur looked at Francis as he the man had completely lost his mind.
"Are you daft man? Have you seen him? That tan skin, that spun gold blonde hair, and his eyes. Oh his eyes are the most amazing shade of blue. Like a summer sky. I've never seen such perfectly, beautiful eyes," the Englishman gushed his eyes full of stars as he stared off into space. A small smile had crept onto his face, but quickly fell. The green eyed man folded his arms onto the bar and buried his face in them.
"If he leaves me, Francis, I think I might actually die,"
Francis gave an overly dramatic sigh and set his glass on the bar. This was not how he had planned for this evening to go. He had hoped to maybe have a little 'fun' with the Brit. Not to sit and listen to him wallow in his self pity.
However, with all this information the Englishman had just shared with him he felt a plan formulating. The blue eyed blonde had desired the surly green eyed man for some time. He had lost his chance with the smaller man when that damn American had swept in and snatched his prize up. Now though the wheat blonde had given him the edge he needed to steal the Brit away.
"Mon cher I think you 'ave 'ad enough to drink. Let's get you 'ome and in bed," Francis said with a wicked gleam in his deep blue eyes. Poor drink addled Arthur saw none of this and simply nodded his consent.
Francis placed a supportive arm around the Englishman's waist and quickly led him out of the bar. Once outside they turned right and started down the street.
"Wait, frog, my apartment is the other way," the sandy blonde protested as he tried to stop the taller blonde.
"Oui, I know, but my apartment is closer. You can sleep this off on my couch," the Frenchman said as he tugged the green eyed blonde along.
"But I need to go home. Alfred will worry," Arthur continued to struggle which only made the Frenchman tighten his grip.
"I will call 'im and let 'im know where you are," the blue eyed Frenchman offered in order to pacify the other man so he would be more compliant. His plan worked as the Brit stopped his struggles.
"Alright, as long as he knows I'm safe," the emerald eyed man consented and allowed himself to be led to the other man's home.
"'ere we are. 'ome sweet 'ome," Francis said cheerily as he opened the door of his apartment and flipped on the lights. It was a rather large apartment and decorated with things that were the height of fashion.
Feeling exceptionally tired suddenly Arthur spotted the plush couch and stumbled over to it. He unceremoniously flopped onto the cushions face first and kicked off his loafers. The Frenchman chuckled and leisurely sauntered over to the couch as well.
"Roll on to your side, cher. I do not wish for you to accidently smother yourself in my couch," the light blonde said as he pulled a French flag throw blanket off of the back of the couch. The Englishman grumbled into the couch, but complied with the blue eyed man's request.
Francis draped the blanket over his guest and then took a seat beside the Brit. He lifted the sandy blonde's head gently and settled it onto his lap as he casually carded his hand in the soft locks.
"Hm. That feels nice," the emerald eyed man said softly as he snuggled into the throw blanket. Francis grinned devilishly and trailed his hand down to Arthur's ear. His index finger casually traced the shell of the ear and worked its way down to his jaw. The lack of response emboldened the Frenchman and he clasped the smaller man's chin. With slight pressure he coaxed the sandy blonde to turn his head so that his face was upturned toward the taller man. Francis quickly leaned forward intent on capturing Arthur's lips with his own.
Even in his drunken state the Brit realized what the Frenchman's intent was and quickly rolled off of the couch to escape the other blonde.
"Mon cher?" Francis asked casually as he quirked a well manicured brow skyward.
"What the bloody Hell did you think you were doing?" Arthur queried angrily as he glared up at the other man from the floor.
"I was simply going to give you a goodnight kiss," the light blonde answered nonchalantly as he picked a piece of non-existent lent from his shirt.
"Bollocks," the Englishman scoffed as he rose to his feet. "I'm going to freshen up. Call Alfred and let him know where I am. Then we will be going to bed separately,"
Spinning on his heels the sandy blonde quickly made his way down the apartment hall toward the bathroom. With an aggravated sigh Francis pulled out his cell phone and in a spark of inspiration he dialed Arthur's number. It rang twice and then went to voicemail.
"Alfred it's Francis. I wanted to let you know that Arthur and I 'ad a few drinks so 'e is staying the night at my place. 'e will see you tomorrow,"
The Frenchman ended the call and rose to his feet. He meandered down the hall and tapped on the bathroom door.
"What?" a muffled bark came from the other side.
"I called your American. It went to voicemail so I left a message," the blue eyed man said his aggravation evident.
"Thank you. Goodnight frog," Arthur responded curtly his voice conveying that he was done with the evening. Francis rolled his eyes and walked toward his bedroom. Once inside he smiled a wicked little smile.
'The seeds of doubt have been sown,' he thought as he began to undress for bed.
So how is it so far? I know EVERYONE makes Francis the bad guy, but I needed drama. Who better to use then the king of drama himself? Arthur is exceptionally seme in this for some reason. I plan to fix that cause I likes me some strong Iggy. Poor thing is just scared. Don't worry, baby, I'm not THAT hateful. Until next chapter sugar bits!