Arthur: Reunion (Part 1)

A/N

First of all, my excuses for being several days late. We lost our internet connection, then I became ill, then we had a blackout. I'm sorry.

Back when the Philippines was under Spain, England had the bright idea to attempt to conquer the archipelago, or more specifically, its capital, Manila, and some of its ports. It occupied the city for three years, tormenting the Spanish by disrupting trade. Finally, after three years, Spain and England came to an agreement, and Manila was returned to Spain. In those three years, Manileños started to learn English.

This chapter takes place when America introduces the Philippines to the world, not as a colony, but as its own country. Sorry this was so short. I was sleepy.

Two figures were standing outside the world conference hall. One was male, tall, blond, and had blue eyes while the other was quite the opposite, a female sporting a petite frame and brown hair and skin.

"Are you ready, Phil?"

"Of course I am."

Alfred held her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes, blue eyes met brown. "Are you sure, Maria?" He only used her real name when he was serious.

"No." Maria answered honestly, breaking herself from Alfred's gaze, "But I'm going to go through with this anyway. I'm already a country, after all. I can't keep relying on you to get me out of trouble."

Alfred smiled and ruffled her hair. He pushed the large, wooden double doors open, and the two were greeted by the sight of several people of various nationalities, a few Maria recognized, most she had never even heard of. She had met Kyle Kirkland and Matthew Williams during WWII when they helped her out in the Pacific War, so there was no need for introductions. They waved at her and she waved back at the Australian and Canadian. She could also see her Tiyo Francis Bonnefoy, a close friend of her Papa Antonio; his back was to her and it seemed he was arguing with a rather foul-mouthed person, but she could not see who it was as the Frenchman blocked her view. She continued to observe the people in the room. Some of them were even her adoptive brothers and sisters, but she was not so close to them as she was to –

While Alfred went off to take his seat at the head of the table, Maria's thoughts were interrupted when spotted a very familiar face she had longed to and had not seen in years, "Kuya Jandro?"

The Mexican, who was talking to a Panamanian, turned to see his adoptive little sister, all grown up but still running to his arms, looking like she did after he returned from the fields when they were growing up together, "Maria? Hermana? Is it really you?" Alejandro, still being significantly taller than Maria, picked up his little sister and swung her around as they did when they were young. Maria just cried and laughed with joy; Kuya Jandro was here! Her struggle for independence all those years was worth this single moment of seeing her big brother again!

When Alejandro finally put her down, Maria wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in the crook of his neck. The Mexican patted her on the back, trying to calm down the sobbing Filipina. They were making a scene, especially gaining the attention of their other adoptive brothers and sisters under Spain, but it did not matter to both of them.

"Kuya 'Jandro! I missed you so! I – " Maria was cut off when her Tiyo Francis' trademark laugh pierced the air. The Filipina turned to see a very familiar character talking to her Papa's friend – pale skin, fair hair, thick brows knitted together in annoyance, and flashing emerald green eyes. She could not be mistaken, it was Arthur! He may have traded the pirate outfit for a gentlemanly suit and tie, but she could recognize that scowl anywhere… And yet, it was impossible. The man she met centuries ago should have been dead by now, unless…

Alejandro heard his sister gasp and realized that she had seen the Englander. She still did not know Arthur was a country. He instinctively stepped forward to shield Maria; Jandro had never fully forgiven the Englishman for abandoning his sister when he had the chance to free her from the rule of Spain.

"Bloody hell! Alfred, get this slimy frog off my face before I hex him out of that flamboyantly gaudy tablecloth he calls a uniform!" Arthur threatened.

The whole room was filled with noise, mostly from people who were minding their own business, and yet Maria had eyes only for Arthur, and her Kuya Jandro did not like it one bit. Nevertheless, he didn't stop Maria when she attempted to walk around him and towards Arthur, who was still busy arguing with Francis. She approached the Englander from behind; her Tiyo Francis, who knew the history between the two countries mostly from accounts from Antonio Carriedo, saw her coming and excused himself rather pertly.

"That Francis, honestly…" Arthur rubbed his temples in exasperation. He hated noise, and the room was full of it. The Frenchman only made it worse. He had seen Alfred arrive and he wondered who it was that Alfred wanted to join. All Arthur knew what that this person was the Philippines. Whoever this person was, he or she may be able to give him an idea of what happened to that girl he met there.

He could remember every single detail; the way her dark hair shone despite the baking tropical sun, the way her eyes lit up when he would do something as simple as getting her her favorite flowers, the way her voice rang as clear as her crystal beaches when she sang. Maria would be dead by now, that was certain. He had met her centuries ago, but if he could meet this persona of the Philippines, maybe he could find out what had happened to her after he left…

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when he heard his name, "Arthur?" The Englishman gasped and turned around in shock to find the very same eyes staring up at him, the very same shy smile greeting him, the very same voice saying his name as it had countless times before, the very same person that filled his mind all these years, standing before him with such unveiled emotions of hope and fear.

As the moments passed, Maria started to feel uncomfortable. Arthur, or at least, the man she thought could be Arthur, was just standing there and staring at her. She was about to make some lame excuse to get herself out of the situation when the man, despite still being quite dumbfounded, found his tongue, "Maria?"

It felt like eternity as the two realized they were both countries, both immortal, bound to the duty of representing their nations… each with an unshakeable bond with the other, further strengthened by the realization that they could be happy together.