Devon: Hey there everyone. Sorry this update took over a month (again). I had actually promised someone that this chapter would be up yesterday if nothing came up during the weekend to prevent me from finishing it and then I had to volunteer on Saturday at a Children's Festival I had signed up to work at like a month ago and totally forgot about :P I tried to finish this on Sunday anyways but after an original character of mine named Ren as well as two nameless characters "the kid" and "the boy" showed up in the story and Berwald got changed to Berwakl as I typed half-asleep, I decided it was best I go to bed and just finish it today. A few housecleaning announcements before we continue on: (1) after really having no idea how long this story would be for the longest time, I have finally figured out it will probably be around 30 chapters give or take a few (there's like a week until the wedding, possibly a day or two after the wedding, and an epilogue as a general time line), (2) I have two "polls" to present to you readers and since this note is already getting lengthy, I will put them at the end before the Replies to Reviewers section, please do look at them for me lovelies, (3) um...oh right if I'm doing the calculations right there will probably be two...sex scenes in the story-I had thought there would be more when I started this but after the build up for the story I just don't want to screw things up and I'm already starting to freak out over if those two scenes will seem forced when they come around, but (4) I was hit with a bit of inspiration for a smutty one-shot that would take place after the timeline of the story that I already started to work on so I (a) didn't forget the idea and (b) as practice because it's been a few years since I wrote any type of smut and I feel...out of practice? so if you guys really want it/if I finish it regardless I can post that as a small apology for the lack of smut in the actual story. And now I'll shut up because this note is ridiculously long. Please enjoy.
Warning: Oh no it turned out sad. It wasn't supposed to turn out sad. Dear God what happened?
Disclaimer: I don't know why I bother even
Rating: So guyyyyysss like...three or four chapters yeah...?
Chapter 21
France (Francis) x England (Arthur)/America (Alfred) x Japan (Kiku)/Spain (Antonio) x South Italy (Lovino)/ Prussia (Gilbert) x Hungary (Elizabeta)/Prussia (Gilbert) x Canada (Matthew)/ Germany (Ludwig) x North Italy (Feliciano)/Sweden (Berwald) x Finland (Tino)/(Suggested?) Austria (Roderich) x Hungary (Elizabeta)/Why did I think adding this every time was a good idea
Arthur rolled out of bed with a quiet sigh. Yesterday was unbelievably great and he still felt the small glow of happiness left behind after the wonderful, impromptu date and late night make-out session. Francis was still snoring quietly in bed with both cats curled up on his back. Arthur smiled at the sight and left the bedroom to shower.
After finishing getting ready for the day as well as letting Alfred outside to use the restroom Arthur when back inside Francis's bedroom. Francis and the cats were all still asleep. Leaving a kiss on the top of Alice's head, Arthur left them be. Arthur had gone to bed around one in the morning and Francis had gone back to his painting so there was no telling how late the Frenchman had been up.
It almost feels surreal. Arthur thought to himself as he walked to his car. After one very crazy week he was finally getting back into his old schedule. Granted he was still staying at Francis's flat but going to Sunday mass was still a start. Arthur reached the empty car lot a few minutes later. Sliding into his car, Arthur ran his hands over the peeling leather of the steering wheel.
"It definitely feels good getting back to this." Arthur said with a quiet sigh. Turning the car on and shifting into reverse, Arthur pulled out of his parking place. Yes, things were definitely starting to feel better.
Francis awoke at nearly eleven thirty. Groaning he started to roll over, becoming aware of the two animals on his back only as they meowed their protest and jumped away from him. Francis sat up a bit in bed and peeked at the two cats now glaring at him from the floor.
"Je suis désolé, petites."
Alice turned her nose up at the apology and left the room. Françoise meowed pleasantly and trotted after her new friend. Shaking his head at the cats' behavior, Francis dropped back onto the mattress with a groan. He was exhausted. No more staying up until four for a painting. Francis sighed heavily. Thank God he didn't have to work today.
Francis glanced at the empty spot on the bed next to him, cool compared to the spot where he laid. Today was…Sunday so Arthur was at church. If Francis hadn't been so exhausted he would have liked to get up and wish Arthur good-bye like before. Arthur probably would have liked things to get as close to his "normal" schedule as possible.
Suddenly Francis sat up in bed. Speaking of things Arthur would like…Throwing back his covers Francis was out of bed in just a few seconds. He was planning a surprise for Arthur and it needed to be finished before the Englishman returned. Lancashire Hotspot was a relatively heavy English stew that took all day to cook properly. Francis wanted to surprise Arthur with it to make up for the stew he couldn't have last night. And Francis knew for a fact that he had all the particular ingredients for this recipe.
Rolling up the sleeves of his newly donned shirt, Francis headed towards the kitchen. He had about an hour and a half before Arthur was home from church.
The weather was uncharacteristically pleasant after mass and so Arthur decided to stop by a small park before heading back to the apartment complex. The park was put on the spans of a small hill with pavement along the top and bottom of the hill. Arthur started on the top of the hill and did a short lap around it. The fresh air was pleasant and Arthur obviously wasn't the only one who thought so as the park began to fill up with families looking to enjoy the nice weather. When Arthur made it back up to the top of the hill for a second time, he looked down the hill at the gathering families. Along the bottom of the hill, one specific couple stuck out to him. After a moment's consideration, Arthur realized why the simple couple caught his attention.
It was his landlord Tino and his husband Berwald. Their arms were linked and Tino was talking in a very animated manner. Berwald was smiling softly at his husband, nodding occasionally but not speaking. Arthur smiled at the sight. The two of them appeared very much in love. It was nice to see.
Close to half an hour later, Arthur returned to Francis's flat. With two cats and a puppy currently in the flat, Arthur had gotten accustomed to some kind of greeting upon entering but none came. Curious as to what could keep the four other beings in the apartment occupied, Arthur went to investigate.
Thankfully he didn't have to go too far.
Francis was asleep, much like Arthur had left him, however he had moved to the couch and had gotten dressed. Alice and Françoise were curled up together at Francis's feet. And Alfred, the dog Francis was not very thrilled about welcoming into his home, was curled up on Francis's chest with one of the blond's hands resting on his back.
Before he could talk himself out of it, Arthur pulled out his cellphone and took a picture of the sight before him. The cheap phone didn't have any special abilities or a high quality camera but it was enough for a few pictures. Sliding his phone back into his pocket before he was tempted to take any more pictures, Arthur went to Francis's bed room to retrieve his book from the nightstand.
When Arthur returned to the living room Francis was starting to sit up, stretching and yawning as he did so.
"Welcome back." Francis said with a small smile when he noticed Arthur starting near the entrance of the living room. "How long have you been home?"
Arthur wasn't sure why but the sudden use of the word home but butterflies in his stomach that really shouldn't be there.
"Not very." Arthur admitted. Francis nodded sleepily.
"Sandwiches for lunch?"
"Sandwiches would be wonderful."
Francis smiled. "I'll go throw some together. You just sit and read."
The Frenchman pushed up from the couch, rubbing Alfred's head from where the puppy had laid down after being kicked off the couch. Arthur went to sit at the end of the couch with a bigger smile than he ever should have had stretching across his face.
Francis and Arthur wasted their day in the living room. Arthur read from his novel while at the other end of the couch Francis was sketching. Alice and Françoise had taken up all the space on the large arm chair and Alfred had laid on the ground between Francis and Arthur, content. It was a peaceful, lazy Sunday and it felt absolutely amazing.
Arthur was nearing the end of his novel when Francis suddenly shot up from the couch and went into the kitchen. Arthur looked up from his book curiously. What in the world was Francis doing?
Behind him someone meowed, followed by the quiet thump of something hitting the ground. Turning around Arthur saw Françoise sniffing Francis's sketchbook. Arthur bent over to pick it up, flipping it over as he did so.
The sketch was of him and Alice. The pose was familiar to Arthur, he was holding Alice out in front of him, and smiling at her while she looked rather disgruntled. Arthur had gotten into the habit when he was younger of kissing Alice's nose as he picked her up and never quite grew out of it. She never seemed particularly fond of it but she tolerated him none the less. Francis had captured the result perfectly.
"I hope you don't mind," Francis said softly from the doorway. Arthur looked up in surprise and felt his cheeks flush, embarrassed that he got caught peeking at Francis's sketchbook. "It was such a perfect moment I had to capture it."
"It's quite accurate." Arthur replied lamely. Francis smiled, moving to stand next to the couch and look at the picture over Arthur's shoulder. Absentmindedly Francis ran his fingers through Arthur's bangs and compared the picture to the real thing.
"Perhaps I need to add a little to the eyebrows…" Francis mused. Scowling, Arthur hit him with the sketchbook.
"Bugger off."
Francis laughed, leaning down to kiss Arthur's head. "I am just teasing you Arthur. You're lovely." Francis smirked against Arthur's temple. "Large eyebrows and all."
The Frenchman jumped out of the way before Arthur could hit him again, laughing all the while. Arthur considered tossing the sketchbook at him.
"Are you hungry?" Francis interrupted Arthur's inner thoughts before the Englishman could make a move.
"Hm? Oh I suppose a little. It has been a while since lunch, hasn't it?"
"Oh good." Francis offered a hand to help Arthur off the couch. "I made dinner."
Arthur looked up at Francis in surprise. "When did you have time for that?"
Francis urged Arthur to his feet and pushed him towards the kitchen, ignoring his questions.
When they reached the kitchen the scent hit Arthur squarely.
"Is that…Lancashire?" Arthur asked, turning around to look at Francis who, surprisingly enough looked a bit embarrassed.
"I know you wanted some stew yesterday but that plan didn't really work out and I had time to put this together this morning." Francis shrugged. "I thought it would be a nice surprise."
Before he could convince himself not to, Arthur kissed Francis. "Thank you."
"Am I forgiven then?"
"I suppose."
Arthur sat back in his chair after dinner with a satisfied smile softening his features.
"That really was delicious Francis, thank you. I haven't had Lancashire in years. And I never thought I would say it but I think that might have been better than my mother's."
Francis laughed, taking a small sip of his wine. "Was your mother a good cook?"
"The best I ever knew. She could make anything."
Francis studied the nostalgic expression on Arthur's face. "So you must take after your father…?" Francis teased. Arthur glared at him half-heartedly.
"I don't really know." Arthur admitted after a moment. "My father died shortly after we came to the States. I remember his face but other than remembering him as a large, loud man who brought the food home and smoked cigars there's not much I remember about him."
"You don't talk about your family much." Francis said quietly.
The peaceful expression the Englishman wore disappeared. "There's not much to talk about."
"I'm sure three brothers gives you a lot to talk about." Francis argued.
Arthur made a face. "We were close in age but that's all. We were never close to each other and I haven't spoken to them in years."
Francis was surprised. As an only child he had just assumed siblings were close. And after practically adopting Mathieu as a younger brother the two of them stayed in contact quite frequently.
"What about your mother?"
Arthur actually paled. "She was a small, pinched woman." Arthur opened his mouth to say something else but after a second's consideration he stayed quiet. Francis watched him curiously as Arthur ran a hand over his face, trying to decide what to say. "The only really kind thing I can say about her is that she was a wonderful cook."
"What?"
Absentmindedly Arthur rubbed his shoulder as if some phantom pain was suddenly troubling him. "My mother wasn't a very kind woman. She was shrewd actually, short tempered and after my father died she was a drinker."
"Arthur-"
"How did you know how to make that stew?" Arthur interrupted.
"…I found the recipe online actually." Francis admitted after a minute.
Arthur nodded silently. He wouldn't meet Francis's gaze.
Francis wanted to kick himself for pushing Arthur to talk about his family. He knew as soon as Arthur had told him about his family that he didn't have the most pleasant memories associated with them, he should have just left the subject alone. Now there wasn't the slightest bit of Arthur's content expression left from before.
Alice wandered out onto the balcony where Francis and Arthur sat, stopping dead in her tracks as she saw them. Arthur's shoulders were hunched forward and a dark look cast a shadow over his eyes. Francis looked a mix between worried and ashamed.
Alice knew instantly what had happened. It had been a long time since Arthur looked like that. He only ever looked so distraught when talking about the humans he had shared a home with when he and Alice first found each other. He called them his family but Alice thought such a name was ridiculous. He also told Alice that the two of them were family and Arthur never made Alice feel as bad as he looked when he thought of his first family.
Meowing to announce her presence Alice jumped to sit on Arthur's lap, nuzzling close to him until he started to pet her. From her new perch she studied Francis from across the table. She wanted to dislike this new human who had been causing her nothing but trouble but Francis did not look smug like other humans who had brought out this response from Arthur. He looked upset. Like he did not mean to hurt him.
Alice wasn't sure what to think of Francis and she didn't like it one bit.
Devon: Anyone ever heard of "Every Day" by Magic Man?
Okay so those "polls" I was talking about:
1) I've been saying for a while that after Every Day was finished, I wanted to keep working with this verse with a story about Alfred and Kiku but I ended up putting way more attention on Matthew and Gilbert than I ever thought I would throughout Every Day and, being totally honest, I actually have more of a story line planned out for them than Alfred and Kiku so I would like to pose the question, since at the end of the day, I truly am writing this for you all and I really want you to enjoy and continue to enjoy this verse as much as I enjoy writing in it: Which story would you like to see next?
A) One Day - Ameripan
or
B) Until Our Last Day - PruCan
Because I am happy to write either one next.
2) As you might remember, I also post stories on Archive of Our Own (ao3) and some stories I post only on ao3 and not on fanfiction, including a Attack on Titan/Shingeki no Kyojin oneshot Therapy or Slow it Down (Eremika) and a Homestuck oneshot Presents With Multiple Uses (johndave). I have gotten multiple requests for me to expand these two stories into longer, multi-chapter but as you, my loyal readers, know-I don't have the free time to just write all the fanfiction I want. Now I never intended to expand these stories but since I love both of them so much and they got such a good response, I have no issue putting the effort into doing it if people actually want me to so if any of you are interesting in either or both fandoms/pairings and would be willing to read the stories and tell me if I should work on:
A) Therapy (or Slow it Down) - Eremika
or
B) Presents With Multiple Uses - johndave
I would be eternally grateful.
Sorry that took up so much space and thank you for being so patient with me my lovelies.
Replies to the reviewers:
First of all, thank you all for reviewing:
Now then.
Katoryu: Aha I made it! Last month... xP Haha it was just after writing about Arthur seeing a picture of Francis and Jeanne dancing and then he and Francis dancing in the same chapter I was like "Hm...that was a little too close timing for my own comfort..." so I thought I should reassure anyone who might worry about that that everyone would live through this story. ^_^ And maaaaaybe its a little bad but I'm so touched that you like it so much I'm going to pretend its not. Haha well if you look to the poll above you'll see that I certainly cannot judge you in anyway for liking Homestuck ^/^
ragsox: uwu Ah thank you. I'm always so afraid I'm going to write a character wrong when I have no prior experience working with that kind of character or disability that the character has. Ahhh thank you thank you darling. These reviews make my day so much better even if I've read your review a hundred times already by the time I get along to adding them to the next chapter ^/^
Sora Resi: Yeah...I always think that kind of behavior is rather...ridiculous? I mean it could just be me, despite how giddy I always am when writing authors notes and replying to you guys, I tend to be much less...emotional in person so when people overreact like that I always find it cheesy and unrealistic. So I'm glad you prefer my portrayal of Arthur!
Adriana Emerald: Yes I know, finally. Gross, its terrible. I can't go anywhere without that mix-up (though going to the movies is cheaper for me than others since everyone insists on giving me children's tickets so...) Oh no no sweetheart don't worry I didn't think you were implying that. I'm just so so touched that my writing is so appreciated I wish I could do that for you guys. Haha that sounds like a good place to find one, maybe I'll have to start looking up in the branches as well. :P Oh that's good and yeah, taking some time away from that person is probably the best course of action. I like to totally clear my self of the person I was last involved with (delete numbers, un-friend on social media, whatever it takes) because I think it's important to really clear yourself of them. They were your past and your future deserves a clean slate...though I haven't been on a date in two years so that's probably easier said than done... Oh no I am a babysitter. Though there are a few girls out there my age with kids, I'm definitely waiting until I'm older with a more stable life style and everything else before I start thinking about having a family of my own ^_^
OodleNoodle: Aww *sniffles* You're gonna make me tear up. Its still bizarre to me that so many people can enjoy my work this much. Ahh I'm both very excited and very nervous for the wedding I want it to be amazing but I'm also afraid of ruining it by trying too hard to make it perfect...dear God that sounds like an actual bride's worries. x3 By the way, Congratulations *throws confetti* This was my 200th review~
slashingfruit101: I'm glad things turned out well :3 Ahaha yeah we should probably just hope Francis hides that box in a better place next time ^_^ Haha I had actually considered revealing Francis's painting this chapter after the sketch (and a friend of mine suggested it should be followed up with, I believe the term she used was "kinky thank you sex") but the story, as always, has a mind of its own and went down a different path. The painting will have to wait until another day.
ClassyAnimeNerd: I'm sorry your day was crappy but I'm also glad I could do a little bit to help brighten it. That sounds like a wonderful relationship to have (and I'm sure Arthur is quite adorable :3). Thank you very much :)
Satoshi Amakane: uwu I'm touched. It takes true dedication to follow my work from the very beginning and I'm glad you liked it so much to keep up with it. I'm quite attached to this AU myself, more than I ever thought I would be, so I hope I can continue to do it justice for a long while! :)