Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia
Chapter 7
My arm.
My arm hurts.
That was the first thing Arthur became aware of as he slowly regained consciousness.
It hurts to breathe…
Where am I?
His dull, emerald eyes slowly cracked open, trying to recognise his surroundings. He was in a hospital, if he were to take a guess.
But why am I in a hospital?
What happened?
The Englishman slowly became more conscious, and he realised he was alone in a private room. There was no clock on the wall, and instinctively he reached for his phone, only to receive a throbbing pain from his arm.
Shit, I'm right-handed and I've broken my right arm.
The door opened and a nurse came in, but she saw that he was awake and rushed from the room again, making Arthur's head spin a little as he had barely had time to focus on her. Soon, Arthur heard footsteps echo down the corridor, sounding hurried and desperate, and a moment later Francis came in, looking distraught.
"Arthur!"
Francis.
"Oh, mon dieu Arthur! You're awake!" Francis came over to the bed, hesitantly but gently reaching out and touching his cheek.
Francis.
What happened, Francis?
Arthur tried to speak but his throat felt dry as a desert and rough as sandpaper. The nurse held up a glass of water with a straw, gently putting the straw between Arthur's lips so he could drink.
Francis stepped back, his eyes glistening with tears but he allowed the nurse to make sure Arthur was okay before he had some time with him.
After a few minutes, Arthur was able to speak, though his voice was hoarse and quiet. Francis pulled up a chair close to the bed so he could hear him, and he sat down as the nurse left.
"What…time is it?" the Englishman asked softly, and Francis smiled despite his tears.
"It's eight in the evening, cher." He replied, gently taking hold of Arthur's left hand.
Arthur paused a moment, before he seemed to realise what that meant. "why aren't you performing in France?"
"I cancelled the show – "
"What?!"
Francis sighed. "Arthur, I was worried sick about you. As soon as I found out you were in hospital, I cancelled the last show."
Arthur hesitated, before groaning and trying to sit up, but his chest exploded with pain again and he laid back down instead. "you – You should have gone on with the performance."
"And leave you here to recover on your own? I couldn't have done the show anyway if I knew you were in hospital."
The agent sighed again. "You idiot. I'm supposed to further your career, not inhibit it."
"Arthur, I think you know by now that you mean more to me than my career does. There's no contest." Francis leaned over, gently placing a kiss to Arthur's forehead. The Englishman blushed but smiled a little.
"Thank you…for staying with me." He finally said, his voice even softer and meeker.
Francis smiled. "Well, I wasn't going to just abandon you. Besides….it was my fault this happened in the first place."
"It wasn't your fault, Francis – "
"Oui, it was. If I hadn't kissed you, you wouldn't have even been outside the hotel and you wouldn't have been hit by that car." At this, the singer lowered his gaze to the floor, tears welling up in his eyes again. Arthur realised Francis had been beating himself up about it, and now he felt Francis' hands tremble in his own. Francis' hands had not trembled so much since he first gave up smoking, and the realisation hit Arthur.
"Have you started smoking again?" he asked gently.
Francis froze, looking up at him as if afraid Arthur would be disappointed in him. He gave an almost imperceptible nod. "A-After you got taken to the hospital, I couldn't take it anymore. I-I needed a cigarette, and – well…the reason I wasn't here when you woke up was because I was smoking…" he looked down again. "I'm sorry…"
Arthur sighed, but smiled weakly. "It's alright, Francis. I helped you quit before, and I will help you again."
"I'm the one who should be helping you, cher." Francis protested a little, gently kissing Arthur's knuckles. "I'll be fine."
Arthur studied his face, feeling guilty that he had caused Francis so much grief and worry. "Come here, love." Francis looked up, silent tears slipping down his cheeks but he came closer, gently resting their foreheads together.
"I thought I was going to lose you, cher." Francis whispered, closing his eyes as he held Arthur's hand tightly.
The Englishman smiled, tilting his head up to peck Francis' lips gently. "It will take a lot more than a speeding car to get rid of me."
At this, Francis' beautiful smile returned, and he nodded gently. "I'm so glad." He cupped Arthur's face ever so gently, his touch light and careful as he kissed him sweetly and softly. Arthur smiled against his lips, this time not caring about the implications.
Francis loves me. That's all that matters.
XxX
Arthur had been in hospital in Milan for a few weeks, but he was slowly recovering. Francis visited him every day, much to Arthur's protest, but Francis always brightened Arthur's mood.
Now, Arthur was sat up in bed, watching Francis' music videos on the television on the facing wall. He loved Francis' music and he would settle for recorded performances when he couldn't see him live. Francis himself knocked on the door, before coming in and pulling a face at the television.
"Why are you watching that shit?" he teased gently, kissing his cheek as he sat down.
Arthur smiled. "Because I want to. It makes me feel like I'm working."
Francis chuckled, for once not turning off the television as he saw it made Arthur happy. "You're recovering, you're allowed to not work."
Arthur hummed in response, torn between looking at Francis and Francis' music video. The Frenchman noticed this and laughed in amusement. "Do I have to compete with myself for your attention?" he teased again, before cupping his face gently. "You're being discharged today. We'll fly back to Paris and then I can look after you in my own home. How does that sound?"
Arthur pouted slightly. "Will I be able to watch your music videos?"
Francis rolled his eyes but nodded, grinning. "Anything for you, cher. I'll even give you your own personal concert if you wanted."
Arthur laughed at this, and it hurt his chest but he didn't care. He didn't want to worry Francis, and he didn't want Francis looking after him all the time either. "Sounds like a wonderful idea~"
XxX
Francis had fussed over Arthur all the way back to France, being hyper alert if he showed any signs of discomfort. They had flown back to Paris on a private plane, so Arthur could have more space and comfort, and now they had arrived at Francis' mansion. The Frenchman helped Arthur inside to one of the downstairs bedrooms, so he wouldn't have to face climbing stairs just yet.
"Francis, you don't have to go to so much trouble for me, you know." Arthur protested, as Francis had made up the spare bedroom with roses on the bedside table and a large television so that Arthur could watch Francis' music videos.
Francis only smiled. "Oh shush and enjoy it. Once you're fully recovered you won't get any more special treatment." He teased, kissing his cheek gently as he helped Arthur into the bed, supporting him with comfy pillows. "There. Are you comfortable?"
The bed was so soft that Arthur felt like he was on a cloud, and he smiled. "Very."
Francis chuckled. "Bien. Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat~" Arthur looked up at him, smiling to himself. He found it sweet that Francis was so concerned with accommodating him, but he shook his head.
"I'm alright, actually."
Arthur didn't miss the slightly disheartened expression on the Frenchman's face, but he soon recovered it with a smile. "Well, if you need anything, just give me a shout."
"I will…" Arthur smiled, as Francis had put a jug of water on the bedside table, as well as the television remote and his phone. Francis smiled, gently and almost shyly kissing his cheek, before leaving the room.
Arthur sighed, before turning on the television and watching Francis' music videos again. He loved them, but he found himself missing the company of the Frenchman. This house was huge, and even though Francis was nearby, he felt miles away to Arthur.
XxX
Several weeks passed with Arthur making a slow but steady recovery, and soon he was able to get up and move about without too much protest from his chest and broken arm. After the first week of Francis fluttering around him like a nervous moth, Arthur had insisted that he go and do some work instead. Since then, Francis had been working on a new single, but he wouldn't let Arthur come with him to the recording studio and he wouldn't even talk to Arthur about how it was going. But Arthur just figured Francis was trying to reduce his worry and stress by leaving him out of the loop while he recovered, so Arthur didn't press for information.
Now, it was rather late and Arthur was wandering around the house trying to find the Frenchman, but when he began sensing the delicious odour of dinner, he quickly made his way to the large, shiny kitchen. Francis was there, humming to himself and cooking dinner for two, having got home an hour ago. Arthur had never been much of a cook, but he smiled to himself as he realised just how talented Francis really was. His fans never saw the domestic side of the Frenchman, but this was a side that Arthur loved more than anything.
He stood in the doorway, leaning against his left shoulder as his right arm was still in the sling. "I didn't hear you come home."
Francis started at Arthur's voice, glancing over his shoulder but he smiled and shrugged. "I thought that you were resting so I didn't want to disturb you, cher."
Arthur smiled, as over the past few weeks of living with the Frenchman but barely seeing him had made Arthur cherish these little moments. He came over, wrapping his left arm around Francis' slim waist and half-hugging him. It was the best he could manage, but Francis got the message as he turned and embraced the Englishman gently, as if he were the most precious thing in the world.
"I missed you…" Arthur mumbled, nuzzling against Francis' strong chest. He wasn't too good with giving affection, but Francis loved it when he tried.
"You did?" The singer smiled brightly and his eyes sparkled at the thought of Arthur missing him. "That's so sweet~"
Arthur blushed, biting back a comment resembling 'shut it' or 'fuck off', and instead leaning against Francis, savouring his embrace and charming smile.
Francis chuckled at this, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you would tell me to shut up." He probed slightly, pulling back just enough to meet Arthur's gaze, but instead of giving him an answer, the Englishman only leaned up and kissed him softly.
They hadn't shown too much affection since Arthur's accident, and Francis had been too scared that he would hurt him if he tried. But now, those thoughts flew from his mind as he held Arthur close against his chest, kissing him back with all the love he could muster.
Arthur smiled, reaching up and tangling his hand in Frances silky hair, allowing Francis to eagerly deepen the kiss.
The two were so consumed by love for the other, that the dinner cooked away in the oven, and when they finally remembered it, the meal was considerably blackened.
XxX
Arthur woke up to the dull throbbing in his right arm that he had now grown to expect. The minute he began feeling comfortable, his body felt obligated to remind him of his broken limb. He sighed to himself, groping the bedside table for some painkillers. When he couldn't find any, he rolled over to ask Francis where they were, but his side of the bed was empty. Arthur blinked in surprise, glancing at the clock. It was three in the morning, and he and Francis had shared a bed for a few weeks now.
Where is he?
Arthur let out a groan as he tried to shrug the fatigue off his mind, getting out of bed and trudging downstairs to get some painkillers and a glass of water. Once he had pacified the throbbing in his arm, a soft melody floated to him from across the mansion. Arthur knew Francis had a music room where he would go to just spend time by himself practicing or writing new songs, and Arthur's curiosity got the better of him. He hadn't heard Francis sing for ages, and his heart craved it as much as his ears.
The tired Englishman followed the soft melody, and as he got closer he could distinguish the soft, angelic voice of the singer and the soft strumming of his beloved guitar. He crept closer, pushing the door ajar and thankfully it didn't make a telltale creak. He smiled to himself as he saw Francis, sitting with his guitar resting on his lap, strumming it with the grace and care that he always did. He was singing a song that Arthur didn't recognise, but his silky, beautiful voice washed over Arthur, more effective than any painkillers in taking his mind off his injury.
He moved a little closer, but accidentally nudged the door with his foot, and the movement caught Francis' eye. The Frenchman stopped singing suddenly, widening his eyes slightly for a moment but he sighed in relief, smiling. "Arthur – are you trying to make a habit of sneaking up on me?" He teased softly, putting his guitar to the side as he stood up.
Arthur chuckled. "Sorry, love. I didn't want to interrupt your wonderful singing. What song was that?" He asked casually, though he was inwardly dying to know as he adored it.
A rare blush dusted Francis' cheeks as he looked down a little. "Ah – nothing. Just a little something I've been working on….it's just scribbles and idle strumming right now…."
Arthur seemed to think otherwise thought as he came over, sitting next to him. "Well, I thought it was mesmerising."
Francis blinked but smiled at the compliment, as even though Arthur loved him, flattery from the Englishman was still as rare as a blush from the Frenchman. Yet here they were.
After a few moments, Arthur smiled, gently taking Francis' hand. "Come back to bed. You have a busy day tomorrow."
Francis pouted slightly, but he interlinked their fingers as he allowed Arthur to lead him upstairs. "Oui, alright."
His pout soon disappeared once they were in the bedroom, as Arthur pulled him close, capturing his lips in a sudden but passionate kiss. Francis was a little caught off guard, but he smiled against his lips, kissing him back with as much passion as he had put into the songs he sang.
He and Arthur both shared a melody that night, though this would be one for their ears only.
A/N: so Arthur's okay! And I thought after the wait, you guys deserved a fluffy chapter, so voila!~
Please review!
