It's not mine! *sob*
The sun had finally decided to shine over the British city for the first time in weeks as Arthur made his way downstairs to check his tiny mailbox in the lobby of his apartment. His mood was bright to match the sky outside, he hadn't remembered how long it had been since he had last seen a clear, bright day, and it brightened his day considerably.
As he walked down the few flights of stairs, he hummed a small melody and smiled to himself. Arthur waved brightly to the few neighbors he passed, and they returned the gesture kindly. He was having such a nice day, he nearly skipped through the halls.
Passing by Seamus, he stopped for a moment to chat.
"Morning, Seamus! How are you on this fantastic day?" he asked cheerfully.
"Ay, I'm a fine sight boy, the weather is nice and warm and the sky beautiful blue! How can a lad not be great on a day like today?"
"Indeed, it is truly a wonderful day. Say, how is your wife doing?" the Brit asked, remembering his red-haired friend's kind, blonde wife named Kate that he hadn't seen in a few weeks.
Suddenly, the Irishman frowned.
"Not too good, lad. She be dealin' with a bout of ill health, now. But, the doctor says she's gonna be just fine in a week or two!" he said with another bright smile that didn't quite reach his pale green eyes.
Arthur frowned as well, disturbed by his friend's troubles for a moment, a frown that finally broke up his good mood.
"I'm very sorry to hear that, mate. I do hope she'll recover soon. Just give me a ring if you need anything for me to do, alright?" he promised with a small, reassuring grin.
"Aye, you be a great lad, Arthur." the man said sadly and clapped the short Brit on the shoulder.
With that, the two went on with their business, Arthur heading for the mailbox and Seamus to the local pharmacy to pick up some medicine for Kate.
Deciding to push all of those sad thoughts out of his mind for the time being, Arthur put a smile on his face once again and continued on with a spring in his step to the small mailboxes located by the door. Why was he so Jolly?
The Brit simply shrugged as he realized he had no idea why he was so happy, it was just a nice day. Plus, he had a feeling that something good was going to happen. Something very good.
Still humming he stuck the key into the box and opened it, smiling to himself for no reason, and pulling out the assorted envelopes and papers. Letter from his mother… Letter from his French friend… Advertisement… Bill… Letter from… Alfred Jones?
Arthur's jaw dropped in shock for a moment. Of course, he should have expected it, he had sent the letter a month ago, and it normally would take two weeks to get it there, and two weeks to get it back, from what he'd heard. Frowning worriedly, he quickly opened the letter while walking back up to his flat. A weird feeling was in the pit of his stomach, like a twisted knot. As he finally freed the letter from its envelope, his eyes scanned the paper quickly, taking in the slightly sloppy handwriting and wrinkled paper.
"Dear Arthur,
Thank you for writing to me, it means the world. Currently, we're stationed in the outskirts of Germany, preparing to advance farther into the countryside. It's tense and difficult here, now, and I appreciate someone who can take some of that strain from me.
As you know, my name is Alfred F. Jones (the 'F' is for Franklin), and I am from the US. Currently, I am eighteen years old and am originally from the state of New York. Someday, I plan on working with the US space program that they're just beginning to establish now. It'd be fantastic to work with the stars, if this war ever ends. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, though I don't think myself too good.
How is life in Britain? Are you faring well with supplies and everything? How's the weather? Here, it's been snowing a lot. I suppose that's normal for German weather, but it is kind of late in the season for constant blizzards, isn't it?
I'll be eagerly awaiting a reply,
Alfred F. Jones
Arthur frowned. Eighteen years old? That seemed a little young to be in the military. But, he supposed, they needed as many able-bodied men as they could get, no matter how young they were. He was very interested in the goals of Alfred, though. It was a very interesting career field he was interested in. A field that not many knew about.
Smiling, he sat down once again to write a reply to the man, hoping to get it out as soon as possible. For some reason, he found it much easier to write this letter, he supposed it had something to do with the fact that he knew a little more about this Alfred person, and that he knew Alfred was waiting for the letter and would appreciate it when it came.
After Arthur had finished writing the letter, he had turned to look at his other mail still sitting in a pile on the other side of the desk. Setting aside one of the letters, he quickly wrote a reply to his mum that, yes, he was doing well and, no, he hadn't yet been evacuated. Looking at the bill, he frowned deeply. Prices had gone up, once again, for electricity. How long would he be able to afford those prices with his low- wage job at the newspaper company? But, he just sighed and set that, too, aside.
Once he was finished with the other letters, he hesitantly he picked up the one from his French friend, not knowing what to expect this time and what was written inside the envelope. He ripped open the envelope somewhat carelessly and quickly read over the urgent message with a troubled scowl on his face and his large eyebrows knitted.
The man whom was writing, Francis, was a member of the Free French, a group trying to overthrow the German rule of their country. However, things weren't going well, and Francis had become a marked man and was one of the most wanted criminals of the country at the time, though he rarely did anything highly illegal, his people were wanted greatly for their continued struggle to gain independence. More than once, Arthur had made special travels to France to assist his friend there, and their relations had become complex over the years.
However, Francis had fled the country. In the letter, he described how he was on the way to Arthur's flat to lay low for a while. This wouldn't have been too much of a problem for Arthur, despite the fact that his emotions were still frayed from the last time he had seen the man over a year ago. Arthur pushed out those thoughts angrily and finished reading the letter. In it, Francis had said that, if things went as planned, he would be there on March 18th. Checking the calendar, Arthur realized with a start that that very day was March 18th.
As if on cue, there were a few short raps on the door. Three staccato knocks and then one firm knock. Their old secret knock code. Sighing, he shoved the letters into an old shoebox which he then hid behind his bookshelf, more specifically because of the one written for Alfred; as he didn't want the Frenchman getting involved in that, not after their dealings had become so strenuous and tension-filled. Then, Arthur stood and went over to answer the door.
For a moment, he stood and collected himself, trying to calm the rapid beating of his heart and calm his breathing. Though, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't keep a worried blush and rapid-beating heart calmed.
After one last deep breath, he opened the door.
"Arthur." the blonde Frenchman purred, as the Brit opened the door.
The shorter man barely had a chance to breathe before, in one movement, Francis stepped over the threshold, took Arthur into his arms, and claimed his lips in his own with a hungry look in his blue eyes.
AN: Whaaaa~? Francis? WHAT IS THIS? D:
Usually, I avoid FrUk, (I am 100% USUK!) but I needed to add something exciting! It just… happened! Anyway, It would've been boring if it was just letters back and forth! Besides, the pairing can be darn sexy ;)
Thanks for all of the reviews and alerts and favorites from the last chapter, it made me feel special :3
Thanks for reading and reviewing!
