hi everyone, the reason that this chapter's crazy early is because i'm going to japan tomorrow for a week! i don't want to delay the chapter because our wifi is blEH (and i just want to relax because today is the last day of school, and i'm not looking forward to those gcses ugh)
also, are you guys all right this week? i've only had five reviews for two chaps, and i'm usually looking at 7-8 per chapter, which is odd. is it that my chapters aren't good? is it something that i'm doing or are you guys all unavailable? even my regular reviewers aren't commenting that much...and that's why i've felt a little disheartened this week with writing. i just feel a little disappointed, but again reviewing my story isn't supposed to be tedious and if it is, i'm sorry (´～｀ヾ) but your reviews will mean the world to me for practically forever!
mailbox
lovexoxoluna-ooh yes! actually, i was going to introduce fran in the third draft, but then i realised that it would be strange for two kings to be crushing on a single boy ahaha. that's the only reason really! and yes, i love natalya and alfred's potential as a sibling-esque relationship, and i think it's sorta sad that it's not explored more!
thisistheearth-i actually wrote that in intentionally, because i think (correct me because i've never been in a relationship haha) that jealousy would definitely be involved no matter what. ((and thank you! it's getting better, your words really made me feel better ^^))
fuzzywoolsweater-hmm, i think you can actually put away your pitchfork for now...and yes, emma's actually a fun character to write! she's just a lovesick girl, and that's a fun angle to write because i can rely on her to always be an outlet where i can talk about the utter perfection that is aph america lol. (and yes, rochu feels. ooo)
guest-ask and you shall recieve! i hope it's good enough ^^
wo b-I KNOW WHO YOU ARE-lol it's so cheesy, i know. can't get rid of the sap but thanks ahaha
angeldemonprankster-kiku's going to do something...i'm not sure what, though.
spadiantimemage-you don't know how happy that makes me. it still never fails to amaze me that people actually like reading my fic (´∀｀•) i'm so humbled, thank you very much!
finally,i still don't own hetalia nor the selection. they belong to kiera cass and hidekaz himaruya respectively. disclaimer for awkwardness, a new room, and gUESS WHO'S BACK, BABY
"Matthew and I have to go on a trip to New England next week. They've been offering us a new trade deal recently, and it would be ruder than not to not go. Yao has to hold a meeting with the advisors, so that's why he's staying back. But...we won't be able to stay back for your receptions, even though they're still a while to go yet. Sorry about that."
Arthur sighed, wringing out his hands. It had been a week since their fragile reconciliation, but he had made a promise to Alfred and himself. He wasn't going to clam up any longer.
That…that definitely didn't mean him being too soft, though!
"I suppose it comes with the price of being young royals, hmm? You still haven't really grown up, and you're already being pulled away for diplomatic affairs and things."
"I guess I was born this way. Blue blood here," Alfred said goofily, waving his hand as if he were greeting an adoring audience.
"Don't take on too much work," Arthur retorted, glaring at him, "Even your tie's messier than usual! You'll end up hurting yourself," he said, straightening up his tie before turning away, glaring at Alfred's expression. "W-what are you looking at, idiot?"
"You do care! I knew it, I knew it that you-"
"It's not like that! I don't want you to pass out, because you'll be useless!" Arthur huffed, but eventually let Alfred entwine his fingers with his.
"I'll miss you when I'm gone-but don't tell the others yet. I'll make the official announcement with Matthew. I just wanted to let you know first."
"I appreciate that. But will you still be able to help with preparations?" Arthur asked, flipping the page in his book. "We could use your help, since you have hosted it before."
"It was really Matthew and Yao that did the planning and stuff. I just went around and entertained them, but I think you'll do a good job with Emma and Alfonso."
Arthur wondered if he was talking about them individually, or their efficiency of their group, but he decided to push the tinge of jealousy away.
"Well, you could help me pick out some more history books. We are in the library, after all-" Arthur started to speak, but a clap of thunder outside the arched windows made Alfred shriek in surprise.
"What was that? It's only a bit of thunder, why are you clinging to me? I thought you weren't a wuss!" Arthur huffed, but didn't make a move to shake him off.
"That startles me, okay? Even heroes have weaknesses," Alfred complained, but he didn't let go.
"Oh, great, now it's raining. Should we just stay in here instead of walking outside?"
"Yeah. H-hey, didn't you think it was a little too cheesy, all the times we spent together in the rain?" Alfred blurted suddenly.
"Why on earth are you asking this question?" Arthur sighed, nudging his shoulder. "For all those romances I've read, it always has to involve one soppy scene where they're both drenched-pun not intended."
"I hate it when you slip those in!" Alfred whined, knocking both of their heads together for a second. "You're jus' showing off your brain power!"
"I believe I've lost most of that by being around you, but…anyway. There's been so much happening, between the whole process and well, you know. But…I suppose I'd like to do it again."
"Do what?" Alfred said, redirecting his gaze back to him.
"Things used to be easier before, and the last time I saw you in the rain was…months ago. I'd like to see you there again, waiting for me. Cheesy, I know."
"If I were with anyone else, it would be. But you-honestly, you're the person that doesn't make it cheesy."
"Hm?"
Alfred blushed, fiddling with a scrap of his coat before he spoke.
"You're just…you're different, you know? In a good way, of course."
"Uh, good to know," Arthur said, feeling a little awkward. Alfred had been saying more of these things in the week after they'd gotten back to an uneasy start, but Arthur was starting to develop a reluctance to accept them.
"…sorry," Alfred said, noting the awkward silence. "I know you're not fully comfortable with them, but I can't stop saying them anyway. I…I'll try to cut down on the presents and stuff, okay? If only to make you feel better."
"I'd appreciate that. It isn't the fact that I don't like them, it's just the fact that you've probably repeated them to multiple other people. Even though I'm not really sure what you feel about them, what your exact relationship with them is…I'll trust you, for now."
"I'll tell you, if you find it necessary. Do you want me to do that?"
"No, you don't have to." Arthur replied slowly. "It's just that you…I don't know, I just feel like it's not right to be infringing on other people's relationships when we've suddenly started spending more time together. We might see about later, but for now it's all right. We just need to adjust to this, that's all."
"Yeah. This system is fucked up, anyway."
"Language." Arthur sniggered, nudging him.
"Yeah. Perks of being a young royal, huh? Look, after the trip to New England and when I come back, I want to show you something. I don't know if you'll be fine with this, but-"
"Prince Alfred?" a maid with frizzy auburn hair had approached the pair of them. "The Jack and Ace require your presence in the Council Hall for some final preparations for your business trip."
"Sorry, Arthur," Alfred said tipping his glasses off and turning to follow the maid. "I might check in tonight, see you then. Go say hi to the others for me, thanks!"
"I will," Arthur replied, waving before standing up and wiggling his leg.
Alfred did a mock leg wiggle to imitate him, and then he was out of the room.
Sighing, Arthur turned to his book. He'd been in the kitchen yesterday, attempting to recreate his favourite strawberry tarts, but after he had accidentally set the oven and his trousers on fire, he'd been politely asked to look over colour swatches with Alfonso. Of course, he'd acted stroppy, but when Emma came back with a taste plate and a floury nose, all the annoyance disappeared into raw appetite.
A Week Later
"I'd say that was tame for a morning brawl, but hell, Aaron, you looked scary. I don't want to be the person hurting your client when you're bought up," Oliver hummed, pulling the wooden comb across his unruly hair.
The six of them were in the small military bedroom they shared, getting dressed for the day. Marina, being the only girl, was given the bathroom to change while the five other boys were happy to change freely in the bedroom (except Leif, who blushed and stuttered through his partial nudity, that wuss).
"Well then, I've done my job!" Aaron laughed, pulling out his tattered hair tie and biting it in his mouth as he pulled his ponytail nice and high again.
"Ah, I have never really liked sales day," Leif sighed. He had a huge white shirt that he shuffled his arms around and got changed.
"But seriously, Leif, this is the day that most of us have been working for! Like, how uncool would it be if you totally stayed out the rest of your life, here?" Alexander sighed.
"True," Marina interjected cheerfully, emerging from the bathroom. "But again, it's almost like I invented sales day, so there!"
The four of them groaned in unison.
"You know that Petra's going to check on us in five seconds? I'd say-
"Am I interrupting something?" Anna said, opening the door. Arthur jolted from where he was reading his book and uncrossed his legs, moving to greet his maid.
"You have got to know what goes down in the sewing room. Seems like they've decided to rent out the gym so that they can build up their muscles-or was it losing weight? Anyway, it was for some reason. Maybe for the receptions?"
"Now you're speaking of a gym, I could use one," Arthur said, examining his arm. Obviously, he did have some muscle, but it wasn't enough muscle for him to be considered muscular, and it wasn't as much as he'd hoped it would be. "And anyway, doesn't the prince work out there a lot?"
"Possibly. They haven't had a basketball game, though, since…you know. If the girls manage to get the room, I could invite you over if you're free," Anna joked. "And about the prince, that kid's probably gotten more free time than he can manage with. If he chooses to lift weights and slug things around instead of faffing around with the daisies, respect there. However, I do all my lifting work from picking up your laundry."
"Does it really make your muscles more prominent?"
"That, Sir Arthur, I don't know. But I can definitely hold my own in a weightlifting test, because I haul around baskets of fabric, whatever else you need."
"Then if I help you tidy around the room, will that make me more muscular?" Arthur inquired, picking up his bathrobe from last night and attempting to toss into her laundry basket.
Anna laughed, throwing her braid over her shoulder as she effortlessly caught it with one hand. "Well, I wouldn't say I didn't want the help."
A loud knock on the door interrupted the pair of them, and Anna swung the door open to reveal a smaller maid-or was it a butler? Arthur faintly remembered seeing the boy in Natalya's room once, so it could mean that he was a maid.
"Ah, Jamie!" Anna said warmly, opening the door wider. "What brings you here?"
"M-Miss Anna, the prince wanted me to deliver this to Sir Arthur as he was stopping by Lady Natalya's room. You or Sir Arthur both weren't here, a-and I thought I would wait after I finished repairing a dress f…for her," the younger boy stuttered, thrusting out an envelope.
Repairs? Natalya's dress seemed completely fine after last night…or had something happened? He'd heard rumours about Sakura's date with Alfred two days ago, something about it being ruined because someone had deliberately managed to sabotage it. He'd thought about going to see her, but it seemed that Avie and Emma had had that covered.
And a note, out of the blue? He and Alfred had made conversation in the time that had passed since their reconciliation, but Arthur thought he had made clear that he had wanted a small break afterwards.
But did he want a break now? After all, Alfred had sounded sincere. And if they both kept on skirting around each other and saying the same things to try to get back on track, Alfred would never choose him. And Arthur knew in his heart that he, above all, didn't want that.
"Seems like you've got an appointment with the prince," Anna remarked dryly, tossing the small note to Arthur, who fumbled with it but ultimately failed to catch it.
"You think he's finally kicking me out?" he said as he bent down to scoop up the note.
"Doubt it. You see, he's asking you to meet him on the staircase leading to the first floor. Invitation to see his bedroom, probably."
Arthur took a breath of surprise, and unfolded the note.
Meet me on the staircase on the far left of the first floor. Five minutes be okay?
He was waiting on the end of the staircase when Arthur came down. He'd taken a little time to pull on a jacket and things, but nothing too excessive, not wanting the prince to think that he was going out of his way to look attractive just for him. Alfred lit up all the while, scurrying up the staircase to take his arm anyway, but something about his movement was more determined than usual as he nearly pulled the shorter boy down the staircase.
"Sorry to cut this short, Arthur," he said, digging in his shirt for a small key that bore the Spades emblem near the top. "We only have around thirty minutes for this, so in order for you to get as much time as you can, we'll make this quick."
"What are we going to do?" Arthur asked, watching as Alfred unlocked the door to the first floor and led him through the lavish rooms there.
Skidding to a halt in front of light blue doors, they finally came to a halt.
"Okay, before we start, I'll remind you that we can't let anyone know what happened. Thirty-twenty five minutes now, okay?"
"...you're not trying anything funny, right, Your Highness?" Arthur ventured quietly. Only the two of them, in the first floor, where they wouldn't be disturbed…it made his mind cast back to the first night where they first met. Even now he would be all right with kneeing him, if it was necessary.
Alfred stood there, completely confused for a second before bursting into laughter, leaning against the door. Taking a moment to recompose himself, he shook his head, chuckling slowly to himself.
"I'm a prince, Arthur. Ain't thinking of takin' advantage of ya, especially what you did the first night you came here. Okay, let's jus' go in…"
The room was bright and spacious, with wide windows stretching from the top of the ceiling and the floor, and a balcony resembling the one in Arthur's room, but it was a lot larger. A large four poster bed rested in the corner, with a walk in closet, a large table and chairs for a workspace, and a smaller, blue table with two chairs and a lounge in front of the bed, but other than that the room was not furnished. Nothing hanging on the walls, a simple light hanging on the ceiling, no decorations, and the walls were stripped bare. There seemed to be another archway leading into another room on the left, but other than that the walls and the flooring were completely untouched.
"Well, this is the princess's suite! I know it's a lil bare," Alfred said softly, closing the door behind them. "But it's what we have until we find the new princess…well, until we get a coronation, they'll, uh, live here. When my mom moved to the queen's room, they cleared it out. That's why it's a lil plain right now."
Arthur's eyes widened as he took in the sight. Generations of royalty had lived here.
"Ya want me to take you around? O-only if you want to, of course." Alfred asked, inclining his glance towards Arthur.
"I would like that."
"Okay, so this is the balcony. It's sorta secured just in case someone wants to hurt the princess, but other than that it's the perfect view of the gardens. I sometimes sneak in to take a sniff," Alfred admitted, leading Arthur over. "And the next room goes into a spare room. Some people have used it as a study before, some others have used it as a room to practise their magic, but my mom decided to make it into a library. The bookcases are still there, I think? And here," he gestured to the archway, "It leads to my pad."
"Pad?" Arthur said, raising a thick eyebrow.
"Yeah, that's my room. We're not supposed to have the princess too far off, because, you know."
He blushed with the thought, the possibility of having Alfred so close to him if he ever came to live here.
"Finally, here's where we access the safe room lock. It's located near the far left of the wardrobe," he said, closing his eyes and quickly muttering a handful of words, revealing a latch. A section of the wardrobe hollowed out, revealing a space. "Give me a sec," he patted Arthur's shoulder, squeezing into the entrance. "Sorry for the little delay."
"I don't really, like, mind it," came the familiar voice.
Arthur's eyes widened, and he stepped back a little, feeling his breath hitch. No way in the Fates did that voice, that verbal tick come from the person who he desperately hoped it was.
Alfred and Leon emerged from the staircase, the latter wearing a simple shirt with overflowing sleeves and black pants.
"Leon?" he said quietly, almost in disbelief.
"It's me, Arthur," the brown haired boy laughed, wrapping him into a hug. That seemed to jolt him out of his shock, and he hugged back, asking him over and over again how on earth he was still alive.
"Twenty minutes, Leon. You can go back the way you came, because that's easier. Tell Emil to take it easy," Alfred said before ducking under the archway and closing the glass door.
"I've missed you so much," Arthur cried, for once not caring about his tears. "What happened? How did you and Emil make it out?"
"Aah, look at the two of us, sobbing like total babies," Leon said, hugging his friend tighter. "It was all thanks to Alfred. He…he got us out after the caning, we were, like supposed to be deported somewhere. But something happened, and that's why we've been, like, working downstairs. I've been helping down in the kitchens, and Emil's been limping for a while now, but he'll be totally fine soon."
"Is he doing better?" he blurted. So many questions collided in his mind, but that was the one that seemed the most polite to start off with.
"Oh, he's doing a lot better," Leon sighed, his eyes turning a little glassy and dreamy at the mention of Emil. "The maids have helped fashion him a cane, so he limps around downstairs, and sometimes helps with the laundry. It's totally cute. He can't do any sort of heavy work, though, so I've been, like, helping him a lot. Even so, we've had loads of help. I mean, my hands have totally healed, minus a few scars."
He held out his palms, and Arthur gingerly touched them with his fingertips. They definitely weren't the most attractive to look at, but Leon seemed completely at ease with it. The surface felt unnatural to the touch, but he was completely fine, and that was what mattered.
"Wait, you've been in the palace the whole time, right? Where have you been living for now?"
"There was a spare room we got to use downstairs. Of course, I had to, like, haul all the furniture and the bed and stuff, but Emil got to make the bedspread and he's used my old shirt for his puffin's nest. He's not very good with the patchwork stuff though."
"Hold on-the two of you share a room? And by extension, a bed?"
"Well, yeah," Leon laughed, blushing a little. "We've gotten…well, like, a lot more serious as you can see. A week after the caning, Emil asked if he could, like, contact his family."
Arthur's mind cast back to Matthias. It must have been him and his partner at the caning. He couldn't even imagine how terrified they must have been if they weren't told that Emil was safe.
"It took forever, but last Monday they managed to come to the palace and see him. I've been trying to contact Austen since, but, like, he's on an artisan tour or something. I managed to talk with him once, and he was confused but he was, like, so relieved. But he did say something about keeping contact to a minimum because he doesn't, like, want to get caught. Austen's very loyal to the law, but he has a good moral compass. But his colleagues don't," Leon spat, suddenly looking angry. "If they even try anything against him, I'm totally beating up all of them."
"But yet...Tino, one of Emil's uncles, gave him a ring. It's totally beautiful," he said quickly, noting Arthur's intrigued expression. "It's a ruby, I think. Maybe Emil said something about the fact that I liked the colour red. I'm trying to save up for a ring, but I've collected a little bit of blue fabric for now. It's a bunch and his puffin likes to nip at it and it's totally not cute, but I…I'll provide better for him. Lukas, Emil's…well, he raised Emil but he's like, his mom or something, offered to hold a wedding reception in his bar, but I don't think he's ready to make it ring on ring official. I mean, we're like, eighteen, right?"
"Whoever wins this thing will have to marry at this age anyway, right?" Arthur laughed, but his brown eyes met his green in confusion.
"What do you mean 'whoever'? Aren't you and Alfred totally a thing? I thought you two were, like, endgame."
His smile faded, and he shook his head, wringing out his hands.
"It's…it's just not the same anymore. It's not that simple. I mean, some things happened after your caning. Apparently, I manipulated time."
"No way," Leon exhaled sharply. "I thought that ability was, like, limited to the Primary Suit and a handful of other people who have taken magic?"
"Apparently not…but basically what happened is that the Jack told me that magic is largely controlled by emotions." Noting Leon's interested expression, he decided to go on. "And you know…there's a risk of my feelings and my magic being amplified by Alfred. And so basically, we had a huge fight, and we-I managed to blow it out of proportion by saying some stupid things. We tried making up, but it only grew worse."
"…have you guys made up yet?"
"Not in the sense. I mean, we have talked it out and we've reached a peace, but it's nothing like what we were before. I think I…I've ruined it," Arthur said quietly, biting his lip. "And now, I'm not sure at all whether he'll choose me, in the end. Also…he's had something with Emma now."
"Wait-Emma? I mean, they were close before, but-what has, like, happened since I was gone?" his expression turned disbelieving, and the sandy blond nodded in response, clearing his throat.
"Basically, something happened-I don't know what it was, specifically-and they really got close after your caning, while I've just been…drifting farther and farther away. I'm sorry, Leon, about not running up to get you. I was just worried that it would make me in trouble with the law, and afterwards, with the whole magic thing…"
"No, no, it's all right, Arthur. After all, that wouldn't have, like, done anything. I just hope Emma hasn't been hurt."
"Honestly? She…she's been doing better than any of us. Last week, the Joker rebels attacked, and she ran off into the woods. She seemed fine except for a few cuts and her feet being tired, but Alfred…took it hard. You should have seen them, then." Arthur tried to muster up a smile, but it only came out tired.
"…let me guess. You want to let go of him, but you're still totally in love with him, right?"
"W-well, it's just that it's getting obvious I won't be chosen. So should I let him go before he breaks my heart agai-"
"Let me stop you right there," Leon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I can't believe you're still totally in denial. Arthur, he's showing you the freaking princess's suite. If that doesn't say 'you're not going any time soon' the only way that's more obvious is that if he says it outright. Hasn't he, like, said he loves you?"
The sandy blond swallowed once.
"He hasn't said those three words exactly, no. But after what happened in the Halloween party, I'm not sure what to think."
"That seems like an age ago," Leon echoed. "But I think he still loves you. After all the crap that's, like, happened. So what if he loves Ems? I think he totally loves you more."
"But how do I know that? He…I know it's part of the process, but I just feel worried. It's like there's a minefield, and every time I manage to hurt his feelings more we get farther and farther apart. And who knows if I'll hurt him with my magic? I also don't want to hurt Emma. She…I know she's in love with him, and he is with her. What kind of monster would I be to destroy their relationship?"
"First of all, you're not a monster. It's totally instinct to fight for the guy you love," Leon said, patting his shoulder. "And if you feel threatened by Emma or someone else, then I guess it's, like, instinct as well. I'm not a love expert on love triangles, because…well. I've found the one I love and the person who I totally want to spend the rest of my days with, so I'm happy."
"How do you know you love Emil? Un…unconditionally?"
"I would do anything for him," Leon said simply. "I treat him as he's, like, the most precious person in the world-which he is, totally. I was happy to take that caning if it meant that I could be with him. Even though he's a little quiet sometimes, and my hands aren't, like, as smooth or as pretty as they used to be, I would still do it anyway. And I won't find it a problem…well, later when we come out of hiding, I definitely won't, like, hesitate to tell everyone I love him."
"I'm jealous, honestly," Arthur said. "You two have such an easy romance. I mean, overseeing the whole caning thing, the both of you fell in love within two months even though you two barely saw each other. It's been four-no, five months now and Alfred and I have so many problems that I sometimes think we can't ever solve."
Leon giggled once, and ran a hand through his hair.
"It's not really as easy as you totally think. Emil's…always been detached, like, even from his family. It took me like forever for him to start talking to me, but I want to provide for him better. Because you know, I have, like, so many cousins and a huge family. I just, like, want him to feel welcome. But really…there are no words for how much I love him."
"The two of you make it look so easy."
"I honestly don't know how it was, like, so easy, really. I've always prepared myself to fight to the tooth for a boy's heart, but I ended up totally not having to fight at all. That, and I got a cutie silver haired guard instead of a blond prince. But…I'm happy, Arthur. And whether that is with Alfred or, like, by your own, I'll still be your friend. I promise."
", Leon. Thank you," he said, giving him a hug. He really didn't know how else to show his gratitude in that moment, so that physical action seemed to be the best course of action.
"Hey. If it's okay, can I, like, ask you another a question?"
"…sure."
"Do you love Alfred? And be honest."
Arthur's breath caught. He'd been preparing for this question, but not from Leon's mouth, but from Alfred's. But in a way, this question was for himself. Did he really love the prince, or was this just an infatuation that had already died away, after the fight and after the caning?
He swallowed once, meeting his best friend's level brown gaze.
"I…I do," he said in a rush of breath. He could hear Leon's relieved grin and a mutter of 'I knew it,' but that moment seemed to mean more to himself than anyone else-the fact that he could finally acknowledge that he was utterly, hopelessly in love with Prince Alfred.
"I love him," he whispered again, feeling his cheeks flame and his heart pound so fast that it threatened to jump out of his chest.
i've missed writing him honestly! he'll be back B))
also goodbye england, why did you leave the eu fam
reviews, favourites and follows are what will keep me writing, so please go ahead and leave them!