Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. Sadly.
Alfred had to admit—Arthur Kirkland was beautiful while sleeping. Well, it wasn't like he wasn't beautiful out of sleep, but it was at times like these that Alfred was able to actually appreciate it, without getting hit or yelled at of course.
The younger nation watched quietly in the guest room's doorway—which Arthur had forgotten to lock—probably to tired to remember to.
Arthur's chest would rise and fall, then he would turn over slightly to mumble something incoherent through those soft lips. Alfred would shiver at the sound of the other's voice, and smile. The gentle, peaceful look on the older nation's face was something Alfred hadn't seen in a very long time.
His heart was stabbed repeatedly by memories.
----
"Iggy, Iggy, please don't leave! You barely just got here!" a young voice choked through tears. It was Alfred. Or, at least the younger form of him, when he was barely a colony.
Tearful blue eyes met green.
The man faltered.
"Alfred, I," Arthur began, not sure what to say as he kneeled down to look the child in the eyes. "I have to go. I have a duty. I cannot stay here forever."
I'm sorry. I'm sorry for whatever I did to make you mad.
Alfred glared at the ground, his small hands balled into fists. It wasn't fair.
Don't go. Don't leave me alone again. I couldn't stand it.
He had so many things to say to Arthur. And even if he had said them, he would never be taken seriously in his eyes. He was merely a child to him. That's all he would ever be.
I can't handle living without you somewhere in my life. I love you. More than anything. More than anyone.
Tears began to pour down Alfred's tender cheeks like waterfalls. It was amazing how Arthur knew him better than anyone, yet still couldn't understand the pain he was going through,
I love you.
Small arms wrapped tightly around Arthur's neck. Alfred could feel Arthur hesitate before returning the embrace.
"Alf—"
"Just wait, Arthur," Alfred smiled through his tears. "When I get older, you'll 'want' to stay with me forever. I promise."
----
By this time, Alfred hadn't noticed that Arthur was awake, changed into fresh clothes and was now standing in front of him.
When the memory had faded, he glanced down to find green eyes glaring up at him.
"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Arthur spat bitterly at the younger nation.
Oh. I must've dazed out. "Nothing, I was just…just going to wake you up so we could get some breakfast, or something…"
"So you decided—instead of actually waking me up—to stand in my doorway, waiting?"
Alfred only stared down at him in silence. His mind was still replaying that memory in his head over and over. Arthur continued to drone on about how much of an idiot he was so Alfred didn't say anything. All he could see was the younger Arthur. The Arthur that wouldn't mind waking up to find him at his doorway. The Arthur that would happily comply with whatever Alfred wanted to do. The Arthur that would hold him tightly in his arms. The Arthur that loved him.
"See! You're not even listening to me at all! Bollocks to this, I—"
Before even having the chance to continue on, Alfred grabbed a hold of Arthur's chin and firmly covered his mouth with his own.
Alfred smiled against the other's lips.
"Are you gonna shut up now so we can get somethin' to eat?" Alfred asked with a smirk, pulling away from Arthur's now bright beet red face.
I'm older now. I promised to you, I'd make you want to stay with me forever.
And that's a promise I intend to keep.
