Author's Notes: Happy Holidays! Okay, before I say anything let me just say I am so sorry for not updating! I get sick really easily now. (I'm even allergic to my family room as well as one of my classrooms...) That also explains the horrible, HORRIBLE quality of the ending. Sorry about that. So awful. Urg. I might end up rewriting it anyways. Thank you for staying with this story despite all of my absences! I do not really have that much to say...merry X-mas, happy Hanukkah and have a wonderful Kwanzaa!
Warnings: Strong language and a horrible ending :/
Disclaimer: I do not own hetalia or cardverse.
"Oh Yao" Iain practically crooned in a detestable inflection. He was settled casually on the King's throne – feet propped up on the armrests and all – with a gold crown glued to his fiery tresses. A leer curled his thin lips when the clicking of Yao's heels became more prominent.
Yao dragged himself into the throne room, unwillingly, in an utterly ridiculous outfit. His once fine garments were distinctively substituted with inflated pants and a cotton shirt in mismatched colors of purple and yellow. What made matters worst of all was the jester's hat entangled in the former Jack's raven black hair. "You called, aru?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"Is that any way to address us?" Connor asked with a raised eyebrow, provocatively.
"You called, your highness," he spat sourly in an almost mocking tone.
"That's better," the Queen said with a sinister smile. "We are dreadfully bored and were hoping ye could perform a dance for us."
Yao snorted and overlapped his arms across his torso, crossly. "What in the right mind makes you believe I would do that?"
"Still stubborn I see," Iain's vile voice said and shifted in his throne into an erect position.
"Unwilling to give in to those who abuse their power, aru," Yao corrected with a low growl.
William shook his head dissatisfied. "Poor Yao, are ye still expecting our brother to come and rescue you, hmm?"
"They will return; of that I am certain!? Yao retorted with a scowl.
"And why…?" Iain inquired. "Because you controlled them exactly as we to ye? Like a marionette on strings?"
"No," Yao said hastily and adverted his gaze to the cobblestone floor.
"Then why?" Connor probed further. "Ye are free from the burden of your tedious tasks. Free from the burden of the Kingdom on ye's shoulders, yet ye lust for more."
"They will return," Yao said firmly.
Iain sniggered and hoisted himself up from the gold plated chair. His heavy footsteps echoed off the high ceiling as he stalked close to the form Jack of Spades. His hands caressed the contours of Yao's slender cheek. "Oh, Yao. Ever a dreamer? I would not advise wasting your valuable time on such petty manners." The red head leaned in closer and whispered "not when you have other things to do."
The former Jack's eyes widened as he was handed a small piece of parchment.
"Send this to the Jokers."
"If I refuse, what will be my punishment?" the black haired man asked twirling the page between his fingers as if it were a paltry game.
William barked "this is not a matter in which ye have a choice in!"
"Oh but there is always a choice, am I wrong? I am just wondering what it may be," he replied smugly.
"If ye are expecting death; don't," Connor growled.
"But you have still failed to answer my smile question, aru. What are the repercussions?"
"Enough with this fool; he is just playing with us," Iain exclaimed. The eldest grasped something metallic from his trouser pocket and held it out in front of Yao's face. "Do you know what this is?"
Yao's slender eyebrows knitted together as his copper eyes scrutinized inquisitively at the item. It was small – roughly the size of one's hand – yet made of a fusion of metals foreign to the ex-Jack's extensive knowledge. "No, I have no idea."
Iain flashed a crooked smile while his hands were preoccupied with loading two cylinders into the back compartment. "Well…how about I give ye a demonstration?" Iain pointed the barrel at Yao whilst his finger pulled a small red trigger. The bullet soared passed Yao - along with a strong gust of wind - only centimeters short of striking Yao, instead leaving a dent in the wall behind him and the parchment to glide to the ground.
"What are you trying to pull?" Yao asked flabbergasted.
"Nothing, I assure you," Iain said and restocked the weapon with another cylinder.
"Where did you get something like that?" Yao inquired skeptically.
"You could say it was a present from the Joker Kingdom," Connor said with a grimace morphing his stoic pale features.
Yao's eyes widened. "You didn't…"
"Oh, but we have, haven't we?" Iain asked taking the parchment and placing it back into Yao's palms. "But let me tell you this, if you ever disobey us," he began and leaned in closer to his new jester. "You will wish you were dead."
"I already do."
Arthur felt the sun beat down on his tear tainted cheeks running farther through the hues of the green forest. The sound of his heart pounding quicker against his torso prevailed over the serene sounds of the forest. His eyes never faltered from the black hands of the pocket watch.
Why was I so idiotic? Arthur repeated mutely. He has to be around here somewhere, he assured himself before tripping over something large, warm and…snoring?
The ex-Queen adjusted his emerald eyes and gawked at what he saw. Alfred looked worse than Arthur ever remember, even when they had first met more than six months ago. The former King's body frame was malnourished and his skin had an overall pasty complexion. Enveloping his once lively eyes were dark circles and his hair wilted limp over his forehead. Arthur's eyes wavered on the young man, contemplating whether to wake him up or let him rest. He sighed heavily and leaned against the tree alongside his partner and tangled his hand into Alfred's.
The honey-blond stirred in his sleep before fluttering his dulled, bloodshot eyes open. "Artie?"
"Yes, love?" the elder responded, ignoring the fact that he referred to him as Artie rather than Arthur, a quirk he acquired for some odd reason.
"I'm sorry. I promise I won't-" the ex-King's words were cut off by Arthur's chapped, pink lips pressing against his own and their sweaty hands entwining together.
As they pulled away, Arthur started "I am dearly sorry for lying to you."
The younger turned towards Arthur and embraced him firmly; his tears falling gracelessly on the shirt's ripped fabric. "No, you shouldn't be," he choked out to say through his sniffles. "I understand now. It was for protection. I was so blinded I forgot how much I love you."
Arthur was so awestruck with finding his love safely he paused for several minutes, embracing his crying King. When they drew apart, he stated rationally "we should not be out here. Not like this, at least."
His bottom lip pursed out and he wiped the last of his tears away with a hiccup. "I suppose you're right."
Arthur began to stand up but Alfred pulled his slender wrist back. "What do you think you're doing? We are going to get caught!" the former Queen gritted through his teeth.
He placed a finger on Arthur's thin lips. "Shh, you need some rest."
Arthur rolled his green irises but did not argue. His rested his head on Alfred's broad shoulder and smiled.
"I love you, my Queen."
"As do I," Arthur replied with a yawn.
Within minutes the couple descended into an unfathomable slumber out of pure exhaustion.
However, their dreams to return to their fantasies halted at the faint sound of a twig crackling under heavy boots.
The faint sound of a twig crackling under heavy boots made Alfred jolt awake. "Arthur," he whispered and shook the elder.
Arthur stirred and mumbled quite sleepily "what?"
"I think there's someone here," Alfred said. He grasped Arthur's arm, cutting off his blood circulation which turned his hands ashen white.
"There's no one," Arthur assured him, albeit still half asleep. "Go back to sleep."
"But what if there is a ghost!"
"There are no ghosts."
Alfred glared at the ruffling bushes and a figure appeared. "Hey come over here!" he called. "I found the King and Queen of Spades."
To Be Continued...