Ello, lovelies! I think you're all awesome for sticking with it this far!
Arthur was walking on air when he got home with Viktorija, positively the happiest he had ever been during his time in America, if not his entire life. Of course, his good mood wouldn't be permitted to last, as he discovered by a text from his idiot brother: francis is comin over 4 dinner srry bro.
The Brit, having checked his phone after the brunette had left the room to change back into her uniform. He told her he would leave her to her work, explaining he didn't want to be a bother and excused himself to his room. He didn't come out until he heard Alfred laughing boisterously at a joke that was most likely inappropriate.
When Arthur emerged into the living room, he found that Viktorija had left and Francis and Alfred sitting on the sofa. The Frenchman spotted him almost immediately, not giving him any time to escape.
"Bonjour, mon ami." He greeted in French, only doing so because he knew it bothered his cousin.
"Frog," Arthur replied, with notably less malice than usual, surprising both men seated on the sofa.
"Hey, you feelin' alright?" Alfred asked, seriously considering calling 911.
"Yes…" the Brit said, walking over to the other two and taking a seat next to Alfred, "Why wouldn't I be?"
"No reason, other than the civility," Francis stated, with as much concern as the American, "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, and for the last time," Arthur huffed a sigh and sunk back into the sofa. "There's just a lot on my mind."
While Arthur was in his room, the events of the day had finally caught up with him. Not only the lovely afternoon he spent with Viktorija, but what he had discovered about Ivan. What had happened to the poor, sweet Lithuanian by that Russian monster. It troubled him how he hadn't figured it out sooner, how it was happening for awhile and no one had noticed. Or if they did, hadn't taken action against it. His heart truly did feel as though it had cracked when he found the bruises on her arms.
"Well, I better go start on dinner. I haven't gotten to cook for mon cousin favori in a long time." Francis announced, standing up and heading toward the kitchen.
Alfred watched his brother, who had begun to stare off into space, for a moment before shrugging and walking around the coffee table to turn on his PlayStation. Arthur didn't even notice his brother had begun to play "Shadows of the Damned" until he heard what was possibly the worst joke he had ever heard.
"I'm a Mexi-can, not a Mexi-can't."
What was probably worse was how much Alfred laughed afterwards, being so lost in his amusement that he wasn't paying attention to the game and his character died.
"Aw, dammit," the man (boy) whined, realizing what had just happened. Arthur took that as his cue to leave.
Arthur was about to go back to his room, pausing for a moment. He then changed his course, heading into the kitchen.
"Francis," he said cautiously, "Could I…could I talk to you?"
The Frenchman looked up from his cooking, wiping his hands on a small towel. His expression was a strange mixture of surprise, concern, and amusement.
"Oui, what is it you want to talk about?"
"Well…" Arthur stalled, rubbing the back of his neck, "You know about woman and stuff, right?"
"Ohonhonhon~" Francis chuckled, stirring some kind of sauce in a shallow pan, "That is one of my areas of expertise, oui. What is it you want to know?"
"How do you know if you, you know, really…like someone?" The Englishman felt like he was having "the talk" all over again, except this was more embarrassing tenfold.
"Ah, you wish to know when you are in amor, no?" The older raised an eyebrow at his cousin before continuing. "May I ask who is the object of your affection?"
"No. Who said anything about me liking anyone?"
"Really, Arthur, I think you've realized how transparent you questions are." Francis sighed, "But considering I respect your need for confidentiality, I won't press you to tell me you are smitten with Mademoiselle Laurinaté."
When Arthur tried to sputter out an objection, Francis chuckled, reveling in the Briton's embarrassment.
"You do know she has a boyfriend, no?"
"Of course I know that."
"You also know that said boyfriend is Ivan Braginski, no?"
"I am all too aware of that, you insufferable frog." The reply was dark, his tone going completely unnoticed by the other man.
"Well, that's one way to talk to someone you should be grateful to." Francis said with faux indignation. "Perhaps I'll just leave you to your own devices."
"Alright, fine. I'm sorry," the younger grumbled.
"Qoui? I Didn't quite catch that."
"I'm sorry, okay?!"
"Ah, that was lovely to hear from you." The Frenchman looked very pleased with himself. "Now, back to your lady love. You must ask yourself a series of important questions." He paused as he added a few things to the saucepan that Arthur didn't care to pay attention to. "Do you think about her often?"
"Constantly." Arthur blurted out.
"Ohonhon~ What a lovesick little boy you are. Next, does your heart beat faster when you see or even think about her?"
"A bit."
"Now, your thoughts about her. Do you have any fantasies starring this woman?"
"You're a pervert," Arthur shot back, narrowing his eyes at the other man.
"I could not help myself, mon ami. But most importantly, what would you give for her? Your body, mind, and soul, give up all of this for her eternal bliss?"
Arthur let this question sink in. Would he give those things up for Viktorija? He ruminated for a moment longer before answering. "I think I would, if she'd let me."
"There you have it," Francis said simply, "You are completely, hopelessly in love. I would tell you to go to her, but I wouldn't even send my worst enemy, who, coincidently is you, to the death that Braginski would surely deliver."
Arthur got up to leave, stopping for a moment in the doorway. "Thank you…frog." His tone was almost affectionate.
Francis looked up at him with a smirk, more friendly than his usual cruel or suggestive ones directed towards his cousin. "Think nothing of it, mon petit mouton noir."
Viktorija had enjoyed her afternoon with Arthur. They ended up in a restaurant with an outdoor café, the sunshine chasing away the bite of autumn in the air. They ended up talking a lot, which was impressive, considering how shy she usually was. The pair had walked around the city for a while, the Lithuanian showing him where various shops and buildings were, the Englishman holding her hand the entire time. She was almost sad that she had to finish up her work. Of course, Arthur had insisted to finish her chores up later, but he had been too kind already. Unfortunately, he excused himself and went to his room after discovering his cousin was going to be joining them for dinner.
The brunette was lost in her thoughts looking back on the day, a small grin on her lips as she walked off the elevator in the building's lobby. She wasn't paying attention as to where she was going, and bumped into a rather large figure.
"I'm sorry," she automatically blurted out.
"Viktorija," a familiar voice said, making the woman's blood run cold, "I haven't seen you in a while, da?"
Looking up, she could feel all color drain from her face as she began to tremble as she took in the cold violet eyes that had found her once again. They were as cold and unfeeling as ever. Viktorija swallowed hard as she took a step back from the dark, dangerous figure looming over hers.
"I-Ivan," she stuttered, casting her eyes toward the floor, "I…um…"
"You can tell me all about why I haven't seen you in a week upstairs."
The Russian grabbed her arm and towed her with him back into the elevator. The man's grip on her arm tightened the closer they got to Ivan's floor, fresh tears springing to her eyes. Viktorija knew what was going to happen once they got to his apartment. And she was completely terrified.
Translations
Bonjour mon ami {French}- Hello my friend
Mon cousin favori {French}- My favorite cousin
Oui {French}- Yes
Amor {French}- Love
Mademoiselle {French}- Miss
Qoui? {French}- What?
Mon petit mouton noir {French}- My little black sheep
DUNDUNDUN! Yeah, that was stupid…. Anyway~ I hope you guys are enjoying the story, even though I practically beg for reviews at the end of every chapter(which doesn't seem to be working). My author notes are kinda strange too….This fic may be nearly over, perhaps three or four chapters left. ;~; On the bright side, it'll mean I've actually finished a story…EVER! I kinda promised you all France awhile ago and never delivered, so I hope this make up for that. Wow, long A/N today. Thank you all for reading, please continue to do so! 'KAY I LOVE YOU BUH-BYE! (Props to whoever knows what video game Alfred's playing!)