Hey everyone, thank you for all the sweet comments that you left on the last chapter. I hope you enjoy this one as well. Almost done now.

Warning: M rated for a lemon and some blood


A knock echoed in the silent room. Followed by another and then another.

"Yes!" Arthur snapped and the door opened quickly. A maid rushed inside, her gaze cast downwards and away from him.

"My Lord, Her Majesty is calling for you."

Arthur sucked in a deep calming breath. Of course she would call for him when he didn't have any patience left. He looked towards Antonio who was still staring at him with his jaw slacked and his eyebrows high. The brit just knew that he had said something that had utterly perplexed the other, but hell if he knew what.

"My Lord?" The maid called for his attention.

"I'm coming." Arthur said, voice heavy with exasperation. Whatever Elizabeth wanted he wanted it over with. This, here, was the conversation he should be having. Antonio's reluctance to take them to their world and that stunned objection about Arthur's feelings for his Queen were the things that needed his attention. What could she possibly want from him right now? She hadn't so much as looked at him since he had told her to kneel. He doubted she would ever forgive him for that transgression. So what now?

Arthur's eyes narrowed as he got up. "We are not done here." He informed Antonio before following the girl outside. The brunette nodded very slowly, without a single objection. That in itself was worrying Arthur. What secret had he revealed to Antonio that had robbed him from his speech? It had all been common sense.

His hands curled in fists as he followed the girl down the corridor. Antonio's words were still reverberating through his brain. They would do so for days to come. The Spaniard had never wanted to destroy him, he had just been following orders. Just like Arthur. Had they misjudged each other that badly? It had been so much easier to believe that one would backstab and betray the other than in honest love. Even now every sane part of his brain reeled against the idea. He couldn't deny it, though. Even then the thought had egged him. There was an irrational part of him that had believed Antonio. He had been hoping that his lover had just been following orders like he had. Then every feeling and hope he had held close to his heart had been trampled by how successful the marriage between Antonio and Roderich had seemed.

The throne room opened in front of him and Arthur bit the curse that he wanted to bark. Anger flared inside him at the sight of the nearly empty room. Elizabeth was sitting on her throne, splendid as always. The gaze that she levelled him was cold and firm. He returned it with one of his own. This was an ambush. Marie-France stood by his Queen's side, dressed in white silk and turquoise velvet. She was nothing, but breath taking.

"Your Majesty. My beloved wife." He greeted.

"I am so glad to see you are not hurt." Marie-France said, taking a step towards him. The words were warm enough, but her voice was void of any emotion.

"I'm sure you are." Arthur replied.

"Arthur!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Mind your tone."

"The reason I'm being summoned?" He demanded.

"That… man in your room." Elizabeth spat at him. "I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and ask you what do you intend to do with him?"

"I don't deserve such trust."

"Answer me."

"No." He lifted his hand and her mouth snapped shut. "My intentions are very simple. I plan to keep him by my side."

"You wouldn't dare do such a thing." Marie-France rushed and there was a clear threat in her voice that made his hackles rise.

"I wouldn't? Do tell me who is going to stop me. You?"

"I am stopping you." Elizabeth said, getting up from her throne. "I want him gone."

Arthur wanted Antonio to be his, but they couldn't always get what they wanted. At least not yet.

"He is staying." The blond said stubbornly.

"I am going to throw him out on the street." Elizabeth declared.

"You can do that." Arthur agreed. "Keep in mind that if you do, you are never going to see me again."

Another silence followed his words. This one more profound. It wasn't an empty threat. He had no obligations in this universe, no rules bound him. If he wanted he could take Antonio and leave. They could go to Madrid or in any other corner of the globe. This world was theirs for the taking. At least on that account Arthur had no doubt that Antonio would follow him.

"Why do you care so much about him?" Elizabeth asked, sitting back on her throne. Her voice dipped with exhaustion. "He has done nothing to deserve such loyalty. His men wounded you, his allies imprisoned you, he attacked you. He has chosen the wrong path and become your enemy. One day he is going to destroy you. By siding with him you are baring your neck for an attack. We are the ones that…"

Arthur interrupted with a harsh laughter. He shook his head. "Love me? You want to possess me. You want every beat of my heart and my every thought to belong to you." He accused his Queen and then turned sharply towards Marie-France. "I don't even know what your game is, but it sure as hell isn't to protect him or to be my dear beloved wife. Whatever you think you can win by playing this farce you are not going to get it. He is staying here and that's final."

Elizabeth's lips pressed together so firmly they turned white. This wasn't the last of it, he knew it. She wouldn't give up that easily. She could be just as stubborn as he was. He just hoped Antonio and him would be long gone before she came up with a solution to the problem.

Arthur turned on his heels and stormed out of the throne room. No one called out for him and that was for the best. He wasn't sure what he would have done. His feet quickly carried him to the one room he wanted to be in the most. The guards stood a little bit more uptight at his approach, but he ignored them. Instead he stared at the door. He sighed deeply and moved on. What had faith made of them? Maybe they were incapable of believing that anyone might care for them. Had they ever believed it in the first place?


Antonio stared at the door, his heart beating fast in his chest. He could dance to the rhythm until his feet fell off, but that wouldn't calm his wrecked nerves. His eyes kept darting to the entrance in expectation. The blond however was nowhere to be found. He got up on his feet and paced unsteadily from the bed to the door and back again. Then he did it again. What had he done?

Unconsciously he pressed his fingers against one another and they popped harshly. Antonio barely registered the sensation. What the hell had he done? He had handed Arthur the keys to his heart. He cursed under his breath. He was such a foolish excuse for a man. There wasn't a worse person he could have confessed his deepest feelings to. A soft curse escaped his lips. Arthur had done exactly nothing. After all the games and pressure he had put on Antonio he had done nothing. Why the fuck was he so disappointed then?

Antonio kicked the bed. Hard. The frame screeched in protest, but that did nothing to calm down whatever was storming inside him. He was furious. Furious at himself for still harbouring feeling for that bastard after everything. Furious at Arthur for dragging them out of whatever dark recess of his heart Antonio had buried them in. Furious at what he had done. Most of all he was absolutely fucking furious for putting himself in that situation.

He loved Romano. His sweet little Romano that deserved the world. He had a boy that would surprise him with the tastiest dishes when he least expected it. That would pour him a glass of good wine after a long day. He had a boy that showered him with the sincerest love in the most tender moments.

What did Arthur ever have for him?

Fire. His subconsciousness whispered. Fire that would eat him whole. He squashed the thought with vehemence. This was a mistake and he knew it. The moment he would say yes the clock would start ticking until they both crashed and burned. That was how it had always been. They could be so much more if they weren't such complete disasters.

Antonio crumpled on the floor at the thought. His head bumped at the cold wall behind him. Ferocious thoughts raged against outrageous emotions and neither prevailed. They had never been good for each other. Yet they had never been able to resist. They shared the unique talent of finding the worst possible thing and gorging on it. It was good they weren't human, because they would have died so young.

His heart was still following the same reckless melody when the door finally opened. The sun had already set down, leaving a penetrating chill behind. Antonio shuddered when his eyes met green ones. After hours of restless pacing he had finally managed to stand still. He was sitting by the window in the chair that Arthur occupied so often and reading the book the blond had left behind. Boccaccio couldn't rival with Arthur for his attention. He found himself glancing towards the door far too often to be able to concentrate on the old English translation.

It wasn't a surprise when he lifted his eyes for the umpteenth time only to be met with a neutral green gaze. He couldn't remember a word of what he had just read. Instead he found his attention focused on the small basket in Arthur's hands. His breath hitched and his heart beat even faster with each step the blond took. When long fingers reached for him Antonio flinched, but managed to refuse the need to pull away.

Arthur stood too close. The smell of black tea and wet pine filled his nostrils, making him squirm in his seat. Gentle fingers unwrapped his bandaging, occasionally brushing against his skin. The contact made Antonio shudder, burning with every hidden desire he had ever held in his skin. The brit cupped his chin, turning his head to the side, eyes fixed on his wound. Antonio's breath hitched, lips parted.

Arthur's eyes flickered towards the Spaniard's open mouth and he swallowed at the unconscious invitation. He couldn't pull away. Antonio was looking up at him with pupils blown and nostrils flared. His parted lips were begging for a kiss and Arthur couldn't think of a single good reason not to oblige. The Spaniard had outright declared that he would rather be here, with him, than anywhere else. That was a more resounding yes than anything Arthur could have ever hoped for.

He leaned forward, burning up with the desire to feel Antonio's lips opening up for him. In his mind he could already taste the man in front of him. The Spaniard had never been anything other than naked heat and need in his hands. That was what Arthur was so desperate for. He could feel his entire being rising up to meet his lover as he leaned forward.

Antonio shuddered as he felt Arthur's breath brush against his lips. The brit hovered just a breath away from him. Too close. All he had to do was lick his own lips to taste the other. He swallowed. Rampant desire struggling against his better judgement. Could he even say no anymore? His ardour gave him a painfully clear answer. His pulse thrummed through his stomach and lower, letting him know that only this man could give him what he so desperately ached for.

Antonio took a deep breath in an attempt to reign in his body and looked away.

Arthur straightened up with smirk.

Antonio exhaled harshly when the door finally closed behind the blond and he was left alone. His fingers instinctively rubbed at the redone bandages. It was a vain attempt to chase away the sensation Arthur's fingers had left behind… or to recapture it. Antonio bolted out of the chair. He threw the book aside and it landed on the table with a heavy thud. The jug of water tilted dangerously before toppling over and clattering on the stone floor.

The door opened immediately and a guard flew in. His eyes darted from Antonio to the puddle on the ground.

"I'm sorry?" Antonio tried, but the man just grunted and left him to his own devices. Soon after two maids entered the room, followed by the same guard. In a manner of seconds, the puddle was gone and the jug replaced with a full one. No one spoke to him and only the man looked at him, one hand on his sword.

Then they left him alone with his thoughts. The silence that engulfed him almost made him wish he could smash something else. Even a temporary distraction was better than none. This wasn't right. None of this was right. He spent the night pacing restless circles around the bed. By the time the first sun rays broke into the room his feet had learned every imperfection of the stone floor. Admittedly there weren't many.

His brain had also gone through every damned argument it could come up with only to chase itself in circles. It had become clear to him that Arthur was not only an option, but a very real choice. But he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he hurt Romano so deeply. That thought didn't help him reach a decision he could easily breathe with. No matter what he chose he was screwed. He could no longer deny he craved the bastard, but he couldn't bring himself to break Romano's heart. His precious Romano that had done nothing to deserve such betrayal.

That left Antonio with no options at all.

"¡Oye!" ["Hey!"] Fingers waved in front of his eyes and he pushed them away on instinct.

"¿Qué quieres?" ["What do you want?"] Antonio snapped. Arthur was sitting on the bed besides him. The brit's shirt was open and he couldn't help but trace the sinewy muscle with his eyes.

"¿De verdad quieres saber?" ["Do you really want to know?"] The blond leaned closer, revealing more skin for Antonio to feast on. In little, but an undershirt and pants Arthur was considered practically naked. It would have been scandalous if Antonio had been a woman.

"No." He said, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Dejame en paz." ["Leave me alone."]

"Todavía no. Quiero que digas que eres mío." ["Not yet. I want you to say that you're mine."]

"¿Yo? Si recuerdo correctamente y puedes estar seguro que recuerdo fuiste tú quien confesó que eres mío." ["Me? If remember correctly, and you can be sure that I do, it was you who confessed to being mine."]

"Sí, es la verdad, soy tuyo." ["Yes. It's the truth. I'm yours."] Arthur agreed effortlessly. "¿Pero sabes que mas es verdad? Que tu no puedes dejarme y por eso es que todavía estamos aquí." ["But do you know what else is true? That you can't leave me and that is why we are still here."]

Antonio had nothing to say to that. It was the simple truth as much as he didn't want to admit it. He was running out of excuses not to tell Arthur what he wanted to hear. Yet he wasn't sure if he could admit to that particular truth and live with it. He could always deceive himself to the ends of time. No sane man could blame him.

"Out. Now."

His head snapped to the door at the sound of that icy voice. Elizabeth stood at the room's entrance in her entire splendour. Her face had crunched up in fury and her fists were bawled at her side. If looks could kill Arthur would be a dead man. The rage that radiated from her almost made Antonio jump in front of the other in a meaningless gesture of protection.

Arthur stood up slowly, eyes fixed on Elizabeth. He had never expected her to come here of all places. He had supposed that the last place where she would want to be was in Antonio's presence. Here she was though. She turned around and left the room, leaving the door open for him to follow.

"Arthur…" Antonio started, but the blond interrupted him.

"I'll deal with her."

That was easier said than done. She was waiting for him alone. The guards had been relieved of duty for the moment. A lesser man would have run away at the ferocity in her gaze. He wouldn't, but he still had half a mind that she might try and strangle him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Elizabeth hissed.

"The meaning of what?"

"I am warning you, Arthur, I am done playing games. Explain yourself!"

He didn't answer. He could think of a couple of things that could enrage Elizabeth to this level. He just didn't have a suitable explanation for her. Then again he couldn't even be bothered with finding one. What did it matter if she thought him lewd or weak? The illusion in front of him had no power over him.

"I am fluent in my husband's language." Arthur shrugged. "Isn't that to be expected?"

"He is not your husband!" She spat, taking a step towards him.

"My lover then." The blond amended. "Semantics won't change anything. I speak Spanish just as fluently as he speaks English."

Her eyes narrowed sharply at that. "I am not going to tolerate this kind of behaviour or that man anymore. I am going to put an end to this."

"I'd like to see you try." Arthur tilted his chin in a challenge. The smile with which she answered him, unsettled him.

"I'll do more than try, my dear England. I am going to succeed."

He went cold at that. Had she found a way? Arthur grabbed her by the hand when she turned to leave and pulled her close. He would never allow it.

"Whatever you are scheming you better stop now. You will lose me before you tear us apart again."

"Let go." She commanded and he did so after a moment. "I am Elizabeth the First, Queen of England, your Queen and there is going to be order."

Arthur watched her go. Skirts flying and people moving out of her way with a deep bow. She had found a way. He had hoped it would take her a little longer than that. They had to leave now. This game would become rather pointless if they were separated. Where would the fun in that be?

Antonio looked up at him with a mouth slightly agape as soon as he entered. That expression again. What was it that the brunette found so incredulous about him these days?

"We need to go back to our universe." He said firmly. "Elizabeth is scheming something and if she succeeds we'll…"

He never got to finish. Next thing he knew Antonio had pulled him down. Arthur breathed in sharply when warm lips pressed against his. Fingers tugged at his hair, urging him to open his mouth. His brain short-circuited, all thoughts fleeing as a warm tongue slid against his. A growl escaped him at the taste. Antonio arched forward, teeth nipping at his lips. Heat spiked through his gut and it snapped him back to reality.

"Antonio, we need to get out of here. Elizabeth…"

"Forget about her." The brunette growled, pulling him in another kiss.

Arthur had a hard time remembering that this was definitely not the right moment. He had no idea what Elizabeth's plan was, but if she came back now and found them like that… tangled in each other, sweaty, Antonio moaning his name and arching for more…

The blond swallowed. This was not helping. Neither were the kisses the Spaniard was peppering along his jaw. Fingers tugged at his hair urging him to lean in for a taste. Arthur tried to take in a deep calming breath and pull away. This only served to draw Antonio's scent deep in his lungs. A tongue licked along the seam of his lips. Slowly, teasingly, making him succumb to his desire.

"Now is not…" Arthur tried once again, but his voice came out deep and husky.

"Bésame." Antonio rasped out against his parted mouth.

That just wasn't fair.

"Arthur, please… bésame…"

Antonio gasped as the blond finally snapped. A hand grabbed him by the back of his neck, pulling him forward in a deep kiss. Heat bubbled inside him at the eager response. He leaned backwards, dragging the blond on the bed with him. His skin prickled as warm fingers slid up his tight. Higher. Hunger growled inside him, demanding everything Arthur could give.

He was such an idiot to be reacting like that. It shouldn't have meant anything to him that Arthur was standing up to Elizabeth to keep him here. But the conversation had carried to his ears through the ajar door and it had undone him. He finally meant more than that woman. He should have learned his lesson by now. He could never escape his feelings and he could only suppress them for so long. Time and time again he had refused to acknowledge what he already knew. Yes, Arthur could tilt his world in a dangerous way. Yes, Arthur made his heart pound and threatened to eat his sanity. The truth however was that… Antonio loved it all. He loved how they could tear each other raw with sharp nails only to put each other back together with soft kisses. There was no one else who had seen how deeply rotten he was and accepted him. Perhaps cherished him. Maybe even loved him.

Antonio's eyes snapped open. Arthur was leaning on top of him. Dark eyes sliding across his skin, exploring dips and curves. Fingers gently cupped his face and the blond leaned in. Their lips pressed together, not demanding, not devouring, but simply touching. That simple act stole Antonio's breath away.

"I am kissing you." Arthur murmured, before leaning in and doing it again. That shouldn't have made his heart race. They had done so much more than that. Once upon a time they had explored every twisted corner of their desire for one another. So why did he still crave this man?

He opened his mouth, deepening the kiss. Arthur's taste exploded against his sense. His body opened up welcomed his lover.

Because he had bared everything for the blond. His darkest secrets, his broken soul and tender spots. Arthur had matched him wound for wound and accepted him. Then stabbed him and twisted the knife. So had Antonio. Yet they had never been able to let go.

He was definitely not letting go now. His fingers gripped tighter at blond locks. One of his legs came up to press them closer, even closer. It wasn't enough. Antonio bit down sharply and Arthur gasped, hot moist breath mingling with his. The brit's heartbeat thundering against his. Not enough. He tugged at Arthur's shirt, pulling it free of his pants. There had always been that spark between them. Vicious and hungry. It had never taken much for the flames to engulf them. But this was different.

It took him one hard push to topple the blond onto the mattress. Antonio stared in dark green eyes. He pulled Arthur's head backwards, exposing the warm curve of his neck. He slid the tip of his tongue up and Arthur's breath escaped him in a hot rush. The brunette sucked hard at the sensitive skin where jaw met neck. The man beneath him moaned and arched. Strong hands grasped at his shoulders. This was different.

He had been with many and there had been a few he hadn't been able to keep his hands off of. But there had never been anyone else he had wanted to shred to pieces with pain and pleasure. No one else in whose arms he had wanted to crawl when the night was the darkest and the bombs had kept falling. Certainly not Romano who had always needed him to be strong.

Arthur arched up against him, hips finding Antonio's. He gasped. Heat licked up his spine at the sudden contact. His fingers clenched into soft hair. A hand tilted his face forward and he groaned in that delicious mouth. Arthur rolled his body against his and Antonio had to pull away. A growl escaped him and he reciprocated, creating more of that friction they both so desperately craved. Hands slid down his body and grabbed a hold of his hips, pulling him down harder.

"Fuck."

There was too much between them. Arthur wanted them both naked, one inside the other and it really didn't matter which way it went. All he could feel was the all-consuming need that pounded through him. It demanded for him to be as deeply connected to the man in front of him as possible. Someone help him, he was desperate for the heat of Antonio.

"Off." It came out more as a growl, but it didn't matter, because for once the Spaniard was doing as he was told. "Off." Arthur repeated as soon as Antonio was on his feet in front of him. He tugged at the nightgown the other was wearing. As easy it is to reach underneath the garment he couldn't stand even the thought of something between them. The gown was gone in an instant, leaving behind nothing, but tempting flesh.

"Gorgeous" Arthur breathed, taking one long at Antonio. From his eyes that had gone dark with lust to his hard cock to his strong legs the brunette was nothing but gorgeous. He leaned in, desperate for a taste.

"You've always liked my body." Antonio commented, his voice coming out in soft pants.

Arthur hummed in agreement, lips sliding up a warm stomach. Strong muscles quivered under his attention. "I adore your body, love. I also love making you moan." Just like that he flicked his tongue against the head of Antonio's hard cock. He tasted the precum and he couldn't help himself. He wrapped his lips around the tip and sucked. The brunette's entire body tensed and he moaned. The sound made Arthur squirm on the soft mattress. He was drowning in the smell of Antonio's warm skin and sex. It pushed him forward and he took the whole length in his mouth and swallowed. His lover's breath hitched and a hand tugged at his hair. The light sting of pain made him aware of just how painfully hard he was. He could probably come just like that. Without even being touched.

Antonio could feel the tension building at the pit of his stomach with each swipe of Arthur's tongue. His world was quickly narrowing down to the wet heat around him and those soft moans the blond kept making at the back of his throat. They drove Antonio out of his head with lust and he'd be damned if he came like that. He pulled hard at the blond locks. He was not prepared for the view that greeted him. Arthur's eyes had gone dark and heavy with heat, his lips swollen and wet. Antonio cursed gently and climbed into the blond's lap and pressed their mouths together. Their tongues slid against one another and he shuddered. He was so close and nowhere near close enough.

Hands slid down his back and Antonio whimpered when he felt a gentle pressure against his entrance.

"¡Sí!" He groaned, the heat inside him pulling taunt in his gut. Arthur pressed just the tip of one finger inside him and Antonio was ready. He was beyond ready. Every inch of him screamed for more. Demanded it right now. His nails dug hard in Arthur's skin when his cock gave a warning shudder. He didn't want to come. Not yet. Not until Arthur was so deep inside him he could feel every twitch and shudder the blond made. Not until Arthur could barely contain himself and was a shaking mess on top of him.

"Breathe, love." Arthur cupped Antonio's face and pressed a small peck on his lips. He pulled away quickly when the other's mouth opened, demanding more. "Breathe." He placed another gentle kiss on a warm cheek and reached for the bedside table. He couldn't wait either. Antonio panting and ready to burst in his lap was more than his restraint could handle. They had never had inhibitions about acting on their attraction for one another, but it did his heart wonders to see Antonio like that. Eager and demanding and not in a way that could be considered a conquest.

Arthur pulled out a small flask of oil out of the cupboard. For a moment he considered how long it had been there, but then Antonio was pulling at his shirt and it didn't matter. Sharp teeth bit at his exposed skin and Arthur dropped the cap. It clattered on the floor, rolling away, but he had already forgotten about it. Antonio's tongue slid over the bitten skin to chase away a non-existent pain. Arthur needed out of his pants and inside his eager tease of a lover. He tipped the flask over his fingers not even caring if he was spilling all of it.

Antonio huffed in protest when he was pushed on the bed and away from Arthur. His annoyance didn't last long, though. The blond was quick to settle between his legs, pulling one on his shoulder and pushing the other aside, so he would have full access. Antonio's heart lurched in anticipation and he moaned loudly when a single slick finger pressed all the way inside of him. Arthur leaned over, dark eyes fixed on his face. That made the heart beat faster. The new angle left him open and exposed. He arched, hand flying to his mouth when a second finger joined the first.

"No." The blond said, grabbing his hand and pressing it into the mattress. "I want to hear you, love."

Antonio moaned even louder. Arthur was working him quickly and mercilessly. His fingers moving inside of him and teasing his prostate every so often, winding him up, blinding him to any pain with pure pleasure. Not that Antonio needed it. He would have taken the blond dry without any preparation. This was too much. He was far too close. His heel dug in the mattress, trying to slow down the inevitable. Not yet. Just not jet. He mentally pleaded with his body. But thinking was becoming harder and harder. Then Arthur pressed a third finger inside him and he thought he was going to explode.

"Such fools…" Arthur rasped and Antonio's eyes flew open. He saw the ends of a small sad smile that quickly spread into a lustful green. "I'll make sure we make up it."

Just like that the fingers were gone and there was the rustling of fabric as the blond struggled to push his pants low enough. Then there was sweet pressure as Arthur pressed his cock against his entrance. Antonio wanted to sob with relief. His skin flushed hot with barely contained desire. Then with one slick thrust the blond was deep inside him.

Arthur crumbled on top of him with a groan. The blond buried his head in Antonio's neck, hips jerking inside him. The Spaniard groaned as heat clawed at his insides. His arms flew around the other, pressing him closer. He could feel the other's frantic heartbeat against his own, could feel the strain in his muscles as he tried to get a grip.

Arthur moaned, trying to control his body that demanded he took Antonio hard and fast. The tight heat around him did nothing to help. His lover moaned and groaned with each slide, making fire lick up Arthur's spine. He lifted his head, finding Antonio's eyes. The brunette was flushed and panting, so close Arthur wanted to see him come. Wanted to see him come for him. His hips instinctively slammed harder and Antonio threw his head back, whimpering at the back of his throat. Arthur was unable to slow down. Not when the heat pounding inside of him demanded he give Antonio everything he needed.

It didn't take much until Antonio's grip on him tightened, body going rigid with the orgasm. Arthur could feel warmth spilling on his chest, but he couldn't care less. What mattered was that broken utterance of his name that fell from Antonio's lips. That's all it took for his body to spasm and try to bury itself even deeper inside his lover.

The orgasm left him a panting mess on top of Antonio. With all the tension drained out of his system he couldn't find the will to move. Not that he wanted to. He could lose himself in his lover's tight embrace. He closed his eyes listening to Antonio's harsh breaths and wild hard.

"Arthur…" The brunette winced, giving him a soft nudge to get off.

Begrudgingly he did so, but Antonio followed him, not even letting go, just pressing harder against his side. A soft smile pulled at Arthur's lips. He looked down at where his lover was still clinging to him. He had done this to Antonio. He had made him come so hard that he was left open and vulnerable. It was the kind of need that only the heat of a lover's body could fulfil. He had done this.

Arthur's fingers tangled in brown locks and he pulled the other towards himself. His entire being was aching for Antonio's closeness. He pressed sloppy kisses on swollen lips through harsh breaths. They were making even more of a mess of each other, but there was something raw inside them that wouldn't be satiated. They had been as physically close as possible and yet…

Antonio took a deep breath and rested his forehead against Arthur's collarbone. His body slowly relaxed, but his hands couldn't stand still. They slid slowly over hard muscle, reacquainting themselves with the feel of Arthur's body. He placed a lazy kiss on a pale shoulder and a smile tugged at his lips. There was bone deep satisfaction weighing down his limbs. He felt light as a feather and so good it should hurt. There was desire buzzing somewhere underneath his skin, but he ignored it for now. He was sure Arthur wouldn't refuse him a second or a third round. A small laugh escaped him.

"I think that's the most normal sex we've had."

"Hmm?" Arthur opened an eye to look at the other. He kicked off his pants and settled down against his lover. His fingers found a soft ear to play with. "You used to make love to me."

"We made love?" Antonio asked, his voice lilting at the last word.

"We did." The blond said firmly, ignoring the jibe. "Back when… well, before." They both knew before when. There was no need to say it out loud. He didn't want to ruin this. He wanted to prolong it as much as possible.

"Ahhh!" Antonio sighed theatrically. "How could have I not made sweet tender love to you? You looked just like a doll. With those big green eyes and porcelain skin. I thought you might break if I push you too hard. But nooow…" The brunette licked his lips, his eyes sliding down Arthur's body.

"You didn't seem to mind breaking me just a few months ago."

"You didn't seem to mind me doing so."

"As a matter of fact I think I rather enjoyed it." Arthur had more than enjoyed it if he had to be honest. He wouldn't mind a repeat performance, just without Antonio shattering him to pieces afterwards.

"Is that so?" The Spaniard slid a hand down his side and something dark and heavy slipped behind his eyes. It made Arthur's cock twitch with interest. "I think I might have a few ideas in mind."

"No." The word was out of his mouth before he even had the chance to consider it. However, it was the truth. He wanted this. He wanted Antonio warm and smiling, pressed to his side. There was a time and a place for ropes and gags and it was not now. "I swear, Antonio, if you even think about flipping on me I'll personally put a bullet in your head."

Antonio tugged at the dressing wrapped around his head. He didn't know what to make of the quiver in Arthur's voice. Scratch that, he knew perfectly well what it was. He just couldn't wrap his head around it. Once upon a time he would have known what to do. He would have had leaned in and kissed the fear away. But Arthur was no longer a child, he had become the monster that made kids shake. What had become of them?

"I'm not that person anymore." He whispered. Maybe life had broken them and put them back together one too many times. Was he even the same person he was when he met Arthur for the first time? He liked to believe that there was an essence called Spain that the aeons would never wash away from him.

"I miss him sometimes." Arthur admitted more softly. No, not the cruelty or hatred, but the danger Antonio had been. The thought of it sent a thrill through his blood. There had been a reckless freedom to those times that they had both gotten high on.

"Then you might want to reconsider this."

The words left Arthur cold to the core. He felt Antonio close up to him and he couldn't afford this. Not now. He grabbed his lover's jaw and forced him to look at him.

"You're making me wear down the words, but I'm going to keep saying them until you can't doubt them anymore than your own existence. I want you. You. Antonio Fernández Carriedo. Reino de España. I am going to take everything and not give anything back. Your heart. Your body. Your soul. Your sins. Your virtues. Your every thought."

Antonio took a shuddering breath. He couldn't say no anymore. Not after what he had done. Not only had he been unable to leave. He had then pulled Arthur towards him, knowing full well what that meant. He couldn't say yes either. They couldn't wash away six centuries of hurt and hatred just like that. It didn't matter how good the sex was. Nothing had ever been able to compare to that.

"Don't say it." Arthur rasped, pulling him closer. "I don't want to hear it."

Antonio's throat tightened, realising he had remained silent for too long. The blond was taking it the wrong way and he just couldn't let him do that to himself.

"I wasn't going to say no." He admittedly softly. Wide green eyes snapped to his face in shock and disbelief. Antonio would have laughed in a different situation. Wasn't that exactly what Arthur had been fighting for all this time? "I wasn't going to say yes either, but it's not a no."

It was Arthur who laughed. A strange mix of relief and disappointment bubbled in his chest. Only Antonio could be so dense about his own feelings. However, his lover had never had this much hang ups over them. Even when them involved sliced skin, blood covered lips and sharp teeth. He knew what happened. It was all in the history books. At least most of it. The books tended to leave out their smashed hearts and disillusioned lives. There had been a single spark of hope in all of it.

"How did we fuck it up so badly?" He croaked, unable to keep his thoughts to himself. His gaze slid away from Antonio. For a split second they seemed to have it all. Then it had all been yanked from under their feet.

"Hey." Antonio cupped his cheek and leaned forward. "I'm starting to think that maybe it wasn't our fault. We were misled, set against each other."

"I should have seen it." Arthur's voice came out choked and vehement. He had always taken pride in his ability to predict five moves ahead of everyone, but he had failed. They were countries. They were selfish creatures by nature. Regardless of this tentative peace they had built, it was in their very essence to destroy for their own personal gain. It had been so much easier to believe that Antonio had finally plunged the knife in his heart than that what they had shared might had been real. Foolish hope had said otherwise. They didn't survive on hope. They survived on cutting their losses and licking their wounds in the dark.

"Then what? Rebel against Queen Elizabeth the first?" Arthur felt a lump get stuck in his throat at the words. No, he would have never done that back then. "Warn me to stop an entire Armada sailing to London?"

Arthur's lips stretched in a bitter smile that mirrored Antonio's own. No, there probably hadn't been anything they could do back then. Hindsight was often wiser. But he shouldn't have been so fast to throw his lover overboard. He shouldn't have been so quick to discard what they had. It had been something. Antonio had been the first one to treat him with care and respect. All the others before him had taken him and plundered his land without sparing him a single thought. By the time he had met Antonio he had been little more than a shell of a person. Used by manipulative kings for their own schemes, and taken as a battle reward he had been almost broken. He had been so very young, still just a child by their standards. There was no place for innocence in their word.

"Hey." Antonio pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "Stop it."

"What?"

"Thinking. It's not good for you."

A sound came out of Arthur's throat that might have been a laugh. "Maybe you should try it more often, love. It's not as bad as you think."

"Smartass." The brunette murmured and placed another soft kiss on his lips.

"Even if I'm thinking about you?"

"I'm right here." Antonio said softly and kissed him again. Just to prove his own solid presence.

Would you stay though? Arthur swallowed the words. He was being pathetic again. But Antonio had tossed him around so much his heart was completely wrung out. He was drained and those soft kisses and touches were doing wonders for his soul.

"I'm sorry." His voice came out in a hoarse whisper. Arthur almost choked on it. He had been like a wounded animal. He had lashed out with the sole intent of hurting and breaking. The only way he could have imagined dealing with that almost consuming pain had been destroying the cause. Annihilating this man and everything he stood for.

Antonio pulled back and stared at him. A deep frown settled on his face at what he saw. "For what?" He said slowly and Arthur didn't know where to begin. There was so much to apologise for. He had inflicted so much pain on this man. But Antonio's attack on London had cut him deep and the hatred that had welled up from the wound had been vicious and all consuming. Fuelled only by his love that ran even deeper.

Arthur closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to set his thoughts straight and grab a hold of his emotions that were running rampant. Where did he even begin? For the past six centuries he had done everything in his power to hurt Antonio just as deeply. He had assumed that the other hadn't cared. How fucking wrong he had been. If he could he would erase it all. He would take back every petty lie, every war, everything. But he couldn't. That left them here, in this bed, with him desperately trying to win back Antonio's heart. He couldn't blame the other for his reluctance. He could finally see why Romano or even Roderich were better options than him. His pride stung a little at the admission, but he knew cold logic was right. It wasn't in his power to change the past, no matter how much he wished for it. He could only fight for the future.

Another kiss was pressed to his hair. It didn't feel like forgiveness, but like something that made his chest ache with hope.


It didn't take many of those sweet kisses and gentle caresses for Arthur to forget his worries. When nothing happened the following few days, he let himself go. It was hard not to with Antonio right beside him, warm and smiling. There were servants ready to bring in food and wine whenever they needed them and a bath for them to share. There were books laying around them that they never got to read. They had so much to talk about. Battles they regretted, missed opportunities, politics, economics and those small moments when they had cracked with the ache to hold each other. Once they had allowed themselves to talk they hadn't been able to stop. When they did manage it was because they couldn't get a word through the kisses they were sharing. They simply couldn't stay away from each other. From a simple brush of skin against skin to random kisses they couldn't stop touching. He couldn't complain. Not one bit.

He was about to complain however when an uncalled for knock came at the door. It had been more than two weeks since someone had dared to disturb them uninvited. Arthur lifted his eyes from the book he was entertaining himself with while Antonio slept at his side. The Spaniard had buried his nose in Arthur's hip, hiding from the light, and thrown a hand over his lap. The blond was not in the mood to be interrupted.

"Come in." He called. His lover stirred at his side, but gave no indication of waking up.

A petite blond opened the door slowly. Arthur recognised her as one of Elizabeth's new ladies in waiting and his mood went sour in an instant. She did a quick curtsy, not looking at him once. Her eyes darted around the room uneasily.

"Yes?" Arthur questioned.

"Her Majesty…" The girl started and stopped. Her fingers were unconsciously picking on the bundle of clothes she was carrying in her hands. She was pressing it close to her chest as if it could shield her. Which one of them did Elizabeth want to punish? All of them if she had the opportunity.

"Her Majesty?" He prodded and the girl took a deep breath, trying to gather herself. He was willing to bet that wherever this was headed he wouldn't enjoy it.

"Her Majesty… is calling for you."

"And?"

"Her Majesty is also calling for…" Here she paused and finally chanced a quick glance in their direction. "Earl Fernández."

Arthur's eyes narrowed. This phrasing didn't sit well with him. If Elizabeth had really addressed Antonio formally then they were really screwed. His Queen had no reason to reign her insults in the Spaniard's direction. He was supposed to be their prisoner after all. Arthur silently cursed himself for ignoring the blatant threat she had made not that long ago. Time had made him soft.

"I brought some clothes for the Earl to change." The girl rushed out, catching his attention.

"Leave them on the bed and leave us." She did so at an alarming speed. The door closed behind her in a manner of seconds.

Arthur looked towards his lover to see green eyes frowning back at him. They didn't need to say a word. Elizabeth had made her intentions perfectly clear from the very beginning. She had never intended to tolerate Antonio's presence in the castle or anywhere near Arthur for that matter. The fact that they been left undisturbed for this long was a small gift they had fully taken advantage of. Now they had to face reality.

Antonio buried his face in Arthur's side for a brief moment. The blond felt the grip on him tighten. He reached down to caress his lover, but the Spaniard was already getting up. Arthur watched with somber eyes as Antonio started putting clothes on without uttering a single word. At least Elizabeth had the good sense of not sending troops to throw out the Spanish Empire on the steer like a common rat. No, what she had in store for them was probably worse and Arthur had done absolutely nothing to prepare for it. All of his attention had been diverted elsewhere.

"Let's go." Antonio said with a flat voice. The smile that had shone in Arthur's face for the past few weeks was gone. It was replaced by a deep frown that probably didn't bode well for anyone.

"Antonio…"

"It's fine." The man interrupted him and then his face twisted in one of those fake smiles Arthur had seen countless times during the centuries. He wanted to argue that point. He wanted to say that Antonio didn't know Elizabeth like he did, that fine was the last thing it would be. He wanted to offer comfort and replace Antonio's act with something real and genuine.

In the end he said nothing. He trusted his lover to stand against his Queen with him. Antonio deserved more than empty platitudes.

Arthur nodded and followed Antonio out of the room.

The trip to the throne room was a short one. Arthur's eyes narrowed as soon as they neared it. The fact that Elizabeth had summoned them didn't mean that she was going to welcome them as it turned out. The door was firmly closed. He heard Antonio take a deep breath beside him as soon as his hand pressed against the heavy wood.

"¡Antonio!" A voice echoed off the stone walls. Arthur's eyes fixed on the dark figure that was quickly approaching them. "¡Estás vivo! ¡Gracias a Díos!"

Philip.

The man threw himself at Antonio, kissing his cheeks reverently before hugging him tightly. The smile slipped off of his lover's face and he stood frozen in place, not returning the warm greeting.

"When the ships returned without you I feared the worse. I am so relieved to see you alive and…" The King paused taking in the state his country was in. The white dressing immediately stood out against Antonio's dark hair. Arthur had left it even though his lover seemed to have almost recovered. There was still the occasional bout of fatigue and lack of coordination, but once the wound had been taken care of Arthur hadn't been sure what to do. So he had left the dressing on. Now Philip was looking at it as if he himself, had been wounded. "You've been hurt."

Arthur looked away from the scene besides him and towards his Queen. Elizabeth sat at her throne. Her face was stone cold, her mouth pressed in a sharp line. Their eyes met and he wanted to growl at her. Her gaze was dripping with self-satisfaction. She was so deeply convinced she had won she wasn't even going to bother stating it. It took all of his self-control not to spit at her. What kind of victory was that when she had turned to her enemy, the person who had tried to overtake her kingdom, for help? But he guessed even pride wasn't too big of a price for her to pay if it meant getting rid of Antonio.

"No." His lover cut through the air around them. That single word held such finality that it made Arthur's attention snap back to them. Philip was staring at Antonio with his eyes wide open and his mouth slightly agape. His hands had gone slack on the brunette's shoulders. "I am not leaving."

Silence reverberated around the throne room. Antonio's words echoed around them as if repeated a thousand times and each time stronger. Arthur thought his eyes were going to pop out of his skull at that simple statement.

"Antonio…" Philip said softly and paused. It took him a moment to find his voice. "It seems like you've hurt your head badly. You are rambling. Once we get back home I'll call for the best doctors to…"

"I'm not going anywhere without Arthur."

The blond's heart nearly combusted in his chest. The ferocity in Antonio's voice set it ablaze. It slammed against his ribcage eager to eat up anything else the brunette would say. His brain tried to tentatively disagree, but Antonio's hard grip on his wrist put an end to any doubts he might have been having. His lover had meant every word exactly as he had said it. Arthur couldn't stop the smile that tugged at his lips.

"What?!" Elizabeth exclaimed. Her fist slammed at the wooden arm rest of her throne. She leaned forward, face twisting in anger. Arthur could feel his face splitting into a grin at the red blotches of choked anger that coloured her face. She had really believed she could do with Antonio as she pleased. If his lover had been that easy to manipulate he would have never fallen so hard.

Arthur twisted his wrist into the other's grip and intertwined their fingers.

"That is… Antonio, now is not the time. You are being unreasonable and I think some sun and rest would help clear your mind." Philip pressed, trying to reign in his rebellious Empire.

"Then Arthur is going to come with me."

It took Philip another moment to gather himself.

"I don't presume to know what happened here, but if this is about… that… then you should banish the thought out of your head. Recent events prove just how wrong you are on that account."

A smile slid on the brunette's face at that. Arthur felt chills go down his spine. He knew that smile. It was the one he had taught his crew to run away from. Even if death was their only option it was better than what they would live through in Antonio's hands.

"That?" The brunette questioned.

"That." Philip waved a hand around the throne room. "You should see reason and realise that it simply cannot be true."

"I've seen reason and I know for a fact that Arthur is mine." The possessive growl made Arthur's insides churn. He wanted to add something, but he didn't get to open his mouth.

"I forbid you from speaking such disgusting lies!" Elizabeth yelled, bolting on her feet. All three of them turned towards her. Arthur couldn't help the satisfaction that he felt at that moment. Her pale ivory face had gone as red as her ginger hair. Her eyes were flashing with scathing hatred that promised an agonising death. "How dare you insult my kingdom in front of me!"

"It's the truth." Antonio squeezed his fingers. "But the one who is insulting him is you. You sneak in your biggest enemy inside the castle and plan to destroy the happiness Arthur has worked so hard to achieve. Do you think he would forgive you? That he would just forget about it and love you instead? You can't have him. He is mine."

"Guards!"

There was a soft clank and Arthur reacted before she even had the chance to finish her word. His body twisted and he stepped away. Two soldiers stood right where he had been, glancing around in confusion. The blond quickly found his lover standing not that far away from him. Antonio had managed to snatch both men's weapons.

"Detain them." Elizabeth's voice had become a barely audible grow, but they all heard it.

One guard shouted for back up and the other stalked towards Arthur. The blond glanced around the room, his heart thrumming painfully. He hated fighting his own people. He could count the times he had needed to do it on the fingers of one of his hand. Each time was etched with painful clarity in his memory. He had to swallow and remind himself that none of this real. Not the man in front of him. Not this room. Not even Elizabeth. The only real thing was Antonio.

"Mind if you pass me one of those swords, love?"

"Anything for you, corazón."

A blade flew through the air towards him and he almost missed it. The old endearment made him lose his balance more than anything else ever could. He hadn't expected it. Then again he hadn't expected Antonio to defy both Philip and Elizabeth just to be with him.

A grin split his face from side to side and the soldier in front of him recoiled, uncertain. Armour and weapons clattered as a dozen guards tumbled inside the room. They didn't need orders to attack the misbehaving earl and his hated prisoner. Such good dogs.

Arthur parried the first hit and twisted to the side, evading a second blow. His body sung with the sudden rush of adrenaline. He side stepped and attacked. The guards fell down easily. They had perfect technique and zero experience. They lacked the fights needed to sharpen them into worthy opponents. Antonio swore from the other side of the room and someone roared in pain. The blond could see blood splatter from the corner of his eye. Everything inside him went cold. It couldn't be Antonio's.

He engaged his nearest opponent and twisted his weapon towards him. The man stepped backwards, tripping on another guard, and dragging down two more. Arthur didn't look, he rushed towards Antonio.

A hand grabbed him hand and he swung around. Blade out for blood.

"Arthur." Elizabeth's face had gone pale and cold again. "Don't do this."

"It's about time one of us does, my Queen. This time I choose me."

He didn't wait for her reply. He turned on his heels and headed towards Antonio.

His lover was very much alive and kicking. More guards had swarmed the brunette during Arthur's short scuffle. The Spaniard had no inhibition about spilling blood. Several men lay on the floor with their eyes open and unseeing. Arthur looked away quickly. Just in time to block an oncoming attack. His sword slid against the guard's and metal screeched in protest. He flipped the blade and hit the man with the blunt side. His opponent's eyes rolled up and he slid on the ground without a sound.

"Need a hand, love?"

"There are too many of them!" Antonio shouted, fighting against three guards that attacked him relentlessly. Arthur took a fourth one that was trying to approach the group silently. There were. These men might be painfully lacking in experience, but they had a sheer number on their side. With Antonio bed ridden for months and Arthur refusing to kill they didn't stand a good chance.

"The window?" Antonio shouted and Arthur's brain scrambled for escape routes. There were none. If they wanted to escape they had to fight their way through the castle. He gripped his sword tighter, mentally preparing himself. That was their only option. Defeat was unacceptable.

Antonio gripped his waist and pressed their bodies together.

More than a dozen blades turned in their direction, glinting and ready for blood. However, no one dared move. They knew better than to harm the Queen's favourite Earl. He could feel Antonio's sword press against the back of his neck and instantly knew why the air around them had gone completely still. No one dared even breath without Elizabeth's orders.

Antonio's grin shone in his face. His mouth panted soft breaths, warm and inviting. The brunette grabbed a hold of his hair and kissed him hard. Heat roared up from the pit of his belly and burned him whole. He pressed his heels in the ground and pushed his body even more firmly in Antonio's. His hand found his lover's neck and he held on. He needed to. Otherwise he would have been lost.

Antonio pulled away far too quickly in his opinion. Their foreheads pressed together, breath mingling.

"This is really pointless without you, corazón." Green eyes looked at him. "I refuse to do it."

Then Antonio let go. Arthur scowled deeply as his lover stepped away from him. The Spaniard spread his hands and his weapon fell to the ground. Suddenly the whole world was moving. Soldiers were rushing towards them. Steel scraped against stone, but Arthur couldn't quite process it. His vision had narrowed to the smirk on Antonio's lips. They were moving, saying words that he couldn't hear over the noise around. But every anxious beat of his heart repeated them.

"Oh, wonderful moment come to a halt."

The ground was yanked from underneath his feet.


Yeah, sorry that I had to leave things unresolved, but otherwise the main plot would have dragged. I just couldn't compromise pacing. But that's what I get for trying to complete an abandoned fic without any memory of the original plot.

Hope you enjoyed and let me know what you think.