They had known it would be hard, to continue in this way while their countries were at war. But they were determined to try.
Right from the start it was difficult. The chevauchées of the Black Prince, so popular amongst the people of England, were slowly gnawing away at France's strength. England grew to hate the feeling of his country celebrating, because it was a sure sign that France was being hurt.
He began to pray that the tide of victory would turn, that the French soldiers would defeat his people. And the constant feeling of guilt persisted throughout, the feeling that he was betraying his people by loving France.
By the Battle of Crécy, he no longer cared whether he was being disloyal. He just wanted this war to end.
'Angleterre, mon petit, ne t'inquiètes pas.'
'I'm not worried,' England replied defensively, disentangling his fingers from where they had been twined loosely in France's fine hair.
France coughed weakly and brought a hand up to gently tap England's forehead. 'Je le vois bien. Tu fronces les sourcils.'
England sighed and caught France's hand, lacing their fingers together and brushing his lips against the other nation's knuckles. 'It's bad enough to have to watch you in pain, but to know that it's my people who are doing this to you?'
'Ton peuple. Pas toi.'
'Still…'
'Je t'aime, mon cher. Ne jamais oublier ça.'
'I love you too.'
Beside him France closed his eyes tightly. His hand gripped England's as he shook under the weight of another wave of pain.
England buried his face in France's neck and pressed a kiss to his collarbone. 'Si je pourrais, je prendrais la peine moi-même,' he breathed.
'Dieu merci, c'est pas possible.'
I'm sorry, it's all in French XD
'Ne t'inquiètes pas.' - Stop worrying.
'Je le vois bien. Tu fronces les sourcils.' - I can tell. You're frowning. (lit. gather the eyebrows)
'Ton peuple. Pas toi.' - Your people. Not you.
'Je t'aime, mon cher. Ne jamais oublier ça.' - (You really should know this one) I love you. Never forget that.
'Si je pourrais, je prendrais la peine moi-même.' - If I could, I would take the pain for myself.
'Dieu merci, c'est pas possible.' - Thank God that it's not possible.