Main Pairing: USUK
Rated T. Cardverse and Omegaverse.
I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.
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This is a little oneshot that occurs sometime after the end of Paper Crowns, maybe a few months? Thanks for reading! And thanks to the reviewers that suggested I post oneshots here!
ALSO: If you have any requests/suggestions for oneshots from this universe, or even in a different universe, please let me know in a review or private message! Thanks once more!
"Alright, Arthur, you take care of boiling the water, okay? I'm going to cook the bread this time."
Arthur huffed, turning to the pot on the stove. Alfred smiled at his back, turning to catch eyes with Carlos, the head cook in the kitchens, and Matthew, who was visiting with Francis. The three shared a silent chuckle as Arthur pouted over his pot.
"Alright, you two, to the meat and vegetables it is, I want this stew to be perfect." Alfred authoritatively. "After all, we are serving it to the Royal Court of Diamonds, and you know how they are about cuisine," he winked.
"Thanks, Alfred," Matthew said, gathering up the vegetables and a knife. "You know how much this means to me."
Alfred grit his teeth. "Yes, well." Keep it together, Alfred. Abruptly, he turned to the ovens. Placing the dough on the pallet, he carefully opened the door and began shifting it inside. A wave of heat came from the open hatch. Finally getting it far enough in to be able to close the door, Alfred did so and brushed his hands together briskly, sending a cloud of flour into the air. From across the room, Matthew sneezed. Arthur made a small noise of what Alfred believed to be surprised amusement. Only after the fact, looking back on the memory, did he realize it was panic.
Carlos was the one who first realized something was wrong. He crinkled his nose, sniffing the air. "Does something smell like smoke?"
Alfred scanned the room. When he turned to Arthur's direction, his mouth dropped in shock.
Arthur was desperately trying to contain a rather large fire that had erupted from the stovetop.
Alfred's protective instincts kicked in. "Arthur, get back!" he shouted, vaulting across the room to push him away from the fire. "Mattie, get some water, quick!"
"I'm sorry," Arthur gasped thickly. "I do not know what happened!" His eyes were watering from a mix of smoke and pain. "I burned my hands," he said.
"Come here," Alfred said. He led Arthur to the water pump, dragging a stool over for Arthur to sit at. His hands were pink and raw.
Alfred started pumping the handle. It took a few tries for the water to begin flowing. "Let the water flow over your hands," he instructed.
"I know how to take care of a burn, Alfie," Arthur said softly, but he complied. Alfred glanced over to Matthew and Carlos, who had nearly doused the whole fire out. When they finished the job, they looked at each other and burst out in laughter born from stress and relief. Alfred let out a little chuckle of his own.
"How do your hands feel?" Alfred asked, pausing a moment. He knelt down beside Arthur.
"They sting, but they are alright," Arthur said, inspecting them. "I think they will heal. They are not so deep."
Alfred very gently took Arthur's hands, trying not to hurt him, and kissed the burns as lightly as he could. When he looked up, Arthur was blushing and looking away.
"D - don't do something so sappy," he said, but a small smile was leaking through.
Alfred grinned widely and scooped Arthur up easily in his arms, pressing kisses to every inch of skin he could find. Finally, when Arthur couldn't breathe for laughter, he pressed one firmly to his lips.
"My Artie," he said when they pulled apart. "I can't believe that you set water on fire."
"Shut up!" Arthur cried indignantly. "And set me down!"
"Will do," Alfred said, still smiling. "Well, so much for this great stew. I bet the bread's burnt now too."
"No, it's fine," said Matthew, who was checking the oven. Carlos was snickering behind his hand.
"I am going to go read," Arthur said, as dignified as he could. "Please notify me when the lunch is ready."
"Bye, Artie," Alfred called as his lover ascended the little stairs before the door. Arthur glanced back at him, and Alfred blew him a kiss before he disappeared beyond the door.
IMPORTANT
So, I have been told that I am not allowed to have both the original version and the rewrite up at the same time because that is considered as having two copies of the same story published separately, which goes against the website's guidelines. I don't understand this, though. They are not the exact same story? I have made changes. But... oh well. I'm not willing to delete the original version because I want people who like it to have access to it while I make the changes and write the new version. So, I guess what I'm saying is... bye, . You can find my stuff on A03 from now on.