"Have a fun time hunting, Antonio! Make sure to catch some rabbit, then the cooks will make us stew." Francis said to his friend, watching as the Spaniard finished putting a loaf of bread into his shoulder sack.
"Don't worry, I will!" Antonio promised. "I'll see you both later!"
With that, the Spanish nation walked past Francis and Arthur, who had still barely grown despite being under Roman Empires care for almost two years. After Antonio left, Francis smiled down at the toddler and ruffled his hair.
"Where he go?"
The French nation inwardly smiled with pride at Arthur's words. It had taken him forever to coax Arthur into speaking their language. After a few months of taking care of him it was clear that the tot understood when others were saying. He was just stubborn, and wouldn't speak whenever Francis prompted him. Arthur would instead just point to something he wanted, or fuss when he was irritated.
Just recently though, he had started communicating verbally. Francis was had been extremely pleased when Arthur had first spoke (calling him a frog of all things) and considered it his greatest accomplishment yet. Arthur's sentences were still iffy and he didn't speak all the time, but it was a great improvement.
"Antonio went hunting. He will explore the forest for food." Francis explained, petting Arthur's head in reward for speaking. Antonio honestly didn't need to hunt since the Roman palace already had much food, he just enjoyed it since it improved his weapon skills.
Arthur contemplated the older nation's words. Antonio was going into the forest? He really missed the forest, and that was where the fairies and unicorns were, along with his brothers! But...Francis never allowed him to be by himself unless he was just in the front yard of their home, and never was he permitted to play in the forest. According to Francis, forests were 'full of wild dangerous beasts.' Still, he could always push his luck.
"I go too?" He asked, looking up eagerly.
"No, you're not going. You and I will stay here, and have some lunch." Francis told him, taking Arthur's small hand into his own as he led him into the dining room.
Of course now Arthur was in an irritated mood. It wasn't fair that he was never allowed to go anywhere outside their home. Francis never took him into town for anything, because if they needed something then a servant or slave would just go get it. Now too mad to talk, Arthur gave a low whine when Francis offered him some fruit.
"Use your words Arthur. You say no thank you." Francis scolded lightly. After all, it was barbaric to make animal noises, and Arthur was now to be a good little civilized country who did as he was told. Even though it had been a couple of years, Roman Empire was still having some trouble going after Arthur's wild older brothers.
Arthur only whined again, shoving Francis's hand that held the fruit away. Francis gently tapped Arthur's hand and scolded him for shoving. The toddler only responded by slapping at him instead. Two whole years and Francis still hadn't tamed his hitting. At least he didn't bite anymore...
"You do not hit! Apologize right now, or you can skip lunch and dinner and spend the rest of the day in your room." Francis said sternly, firmly grabbing Arthur's hand and pulling it back to his side. Arthur squirmed a bit, looking down and kicking at his chair.
"Sorry," He finally muttered.
"That's alright," Francis said, his gaze softening. "Now finish your meal."
After eating, Francis kept Arthur occupied by giving him some wooden toys to play with. A few days ago Roman Empire had dropped by to see how things were, and he had also given Francis a box of toys for Arthur to play with. The toys had used to belong to Rome's two grandsons, but apparently they didn't play with them much anymore. Arthur had instantly fell in love with the toys though, especially the newly crafted toy animals. They had been hand carved, and painted delicately.
Francis relaxed back into a chair by the fire, a drink in his hand. It was always exhausting to look after Arthur. The child was just like a rabbit now that he thought about it. Very adorable, but very fast and good at getting into trouble. 'He's my little rabbit' Francis thought to himself. Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by Arthur toddled over to him, grasping a fistful of Francis's tunic.
"What is it Arthur?" He asked patiently.
"I want the forest," Arthur told him with a pout.
"The forest is too dangerous to go into at your age. Why do you want to go back so bad?" Francis asked him.
"Brothers," Arthur told him in one word. Francis instantly felt a bit of jealously rising up inside. He wanted to go back to his brothers? How could they even be called that? They obviously hadn't taken good care of Arthur. It was he who made sure the child was warm and well fed!
"Those brutes will not be staying in the forest for long. Besides, I am your brother!" Francis told him quickly. Arthur blinked with wide eyes.
"You are my brother?"
"Yes, yes I am." Francis answered, scooping Arthur up into his lap. The toddler fidgeted for a moment before relaxing. He decided that maybe this wasn't so bad.
a/n: Sorry for the long wait! I hope this was okay!