my beloved friend tey was the thing that made me get off my lazy arse and get to work with editing this chapter, so this one's for you! i'm back from japan and i uh totally didn't buy a shitload of stuff. yeah.
mailbox
angeldemonprankster-god yes, it's all going to hell. and for your request, how on earth did you read my mind?
livandra (welcome to the party!)-i wonder if leon will tell on him lol. that would spice things up!
hearthorse11-ohh, that's my fault then! i was deleting chapters to make individual ones longer, and it's more than fine if you have your own things to do. this fanfic's for someone to enjoy, not a commitment (´∀｀•) and the celeste person...well, i found it difficult to really villanize any of the characters, but i think there's a clear bias of who it is later, so look forward to that! p.s. it's not emma, but good guess!
pastaaddict-i'm going to lose my tether with them as well!
russia says hello-ack, please don't apologize because it's not your fault. i'm sorry for that! but i don't think kiku has completely forgotten him, however hard he's trying to. and leon'll be back, for sure (and i'll be sure to include emil next time)
regine-*cue myself, waiting at your hospital bed with a bouquet of flowers and a new chapter that i printed out* um, i hope you'll survive this new chapter _
amethystfairy (WELCOME BACK!)-your review made me want to rewatch high school musical lol. take your time, please!
lovexoxoluna-that sounds like a really interesting idea, i'll see if i can put it in without it sounding too forced. the idea of a project sounds cool, though! and there's a reason why natalya's not introduced as a love interest, one of the reasons being that i love their brother/sister dynamic so much, and well...you'll see ^^
van an-yo let's take a graduation trip after our gcses
finally,i still don't ownhetalia nor the selection. they belong tokieracass andhidekazhimaruya respectively. disclaimer for receptions, goodbye to our favourite bros for a little bit, and CHEESE
"Looks like we're starting to pull into shape," Alfonso commented as the three of them watched the band for the Andantinos play. The other reception was starting the day after tomorrow, and the four of them in the other team had been rushing around the palace walls, usually holding a stack of papers more often than not.
"I've actually been a little worried about Emma," Arthur commented in a low tone. She was exchanging words with Sakura, who had a roll of fabric under her arm. "She has recovered quickly from last week, or is that just a façade for the rest of us to read? I hope she's fine, though. She seems more tired than usual."
"…well, you are right." Alfonso said. "But again, look at her appearance. Isn't her dress a little more bold than the gauzy, flimsy things she usually wears?"
Instead of the usual green dress, Emma was clad in striking red today. Her dress swept to the ground instead of hovering around her ankles and had an intricate lace bodice instead of the simple ones she usually liked to wear.
"I guess the girls are opting to wear fancier dresses now because we're in the Elite? I think they think that it gives them an advantage. Whether that's true or not, I don't know."
"Remember when Leon used to wear a dress once every week?" he blurted. "Sorry if you don't want to talk about him, but I just wanted to remember that his fashion sense was definitely better than either one of ours."
"No, it's fine with me," Arthur said, pushing away the joy he had of seeing Leon two days ago. "I guess it's an unspoken rule not to speak about him, but as much as we can, we should. Because we can't forget him, yes? But you are right. Once he dared me to wear a dress and I found out that day in the hard way that I simply can't wear that colour of blue."
"You just ran out for three seconds then disappeared. Although the prince seemed to do a double take when you did. Hey, should I try wearing a dress soon?"
"Tch," Arthur huffed, folding his arms. "I suppose you'll look less clownish than you usually do-"
They were interrupted by Alfred and Matthew's harried entrance into the Drawing Room, with Yao looking up from his clipboard of notes.
"Hello, boys," the Jack said calmly, tilting his glasses. "Didn't you mention something about making an announcement?"
"Yep!" Alfred said perkily. "We've been called away for a week of duties in New England, and it's one of our first diplomatic trips ever!" The Elite clapped at this, and he took a mock bow before Matthew shoved him playfully and continued.
"Unfortunately, this means that my brother and I will not be able to attend your receptions, which I am sure will be fantastic. However, we will be asking the Jack about this when we return, and we are looking forward to the results. But now, we have to part for a while."
The group of seven rushed to talk with the brothers, Emma sharing a laugh with Matthew and Alfonso nodding at Alfred's remark, but Arthur hung back until Marianne had left a kiss on Matthew's cheek as a greeting.
"Good luck with the diplomats,"
"I'll need it, last time when they were introducing me they forgot my name and they nearly left it at His Royal Highness Prince…who?"
Arthur burst out laughing, quickly covering his mouth as he realized. "I'm sorry, that must be terribly rude of me-"
"No, no, it's quite all right," Matthew amended quickly. "Me and Alfred still have a good laugh about it once in a while. But yeah, I hope that doesn't happen again. Uh, Arthur," he said, shooting a quick glance at a certain frustrated honey blond. "Sorry to cut this short, but…I think my brother wants a word with you before he leaves. Good luck with your project, and I'll see you next week."
"Have a safe trip, Your Highness," Arthur said, feeling relieved that all talks of the affair had died this time, as Matthew walked away from him. He had used to think that their communication was just because of his forbidden relationship between him and Gilbert, but he was relieved that their connection was based on something not so dangerous.
Arthur's eyes searched for Alfred, but he found him pretty quickly. He was chatting lightly with Emma and Sakura.
"Be careful out there, Your Highness," Sakura said softly. "Also, I must thank you for your English ressons that you have been providing me. I wirl look forward to them when you come back."
Alfred nodded eagerly, which made her laugh, then he kissed her hand and moved on to Emma.
"Don't do anything rash, okay? We don't want anything like that whipping cream accident last week," he laughed.
"Shush, that never happened," she replied, but her voice sounded choked. "You'll be all right, yeah?"
"I'll be great if I know you weren't worrying about me. I'll be all right, my dear," Alfred said soothingly, cupping her elbow and kissing her cheek. "Please say hello to the Court for me, specifically Lady Francine. She promised me last time that she would give me archery lessons after I nearly shot down a tree. Do take those lessons in my absence."
"I will, Alfie," Emma whispered, her eyes welling up. "Just come home."
They shared a tender gaze before Alfred gave her a mock salute and let her go, to which she smiled and gave his hands a final squeeze before letting him go.
Every one of the Elite's gazes was fixed on the two of them, including Arthur. If this wasn't clear cut enough, the both of them had a very honest and sweet relationship. The proof of Emma's lingering gaze and Alfred's reluctance to completely leave her touch was as defined as they could get. As Arthur watched the prince approach him, he looked for any sign that set him and Emma apart: how Alfred looked at him, how he approached him-
"You okay?" his voice jolted Arthur out of his reverie, and he nodded quickly. "I'll be back home right after you close your eyes and open them again-if that takes a week or two for you to blink!"
"Are you really joking around at a time like this?" Arthur sighed, shaking his head, fighting a laugh. "You won't be any danger, right? Stop asking after everyone else, it's you that I'm worried about."
"No need to worry, princess. I'll just be in a room of high strung diplomats and I'll be eating twice my weight in boredom," Alfred teased. "I'd rather spend it here, but you know. The perks of being young and royal."
Arthur did laugh, then, but something wanted to make him pull Alfred into a room and tell him everything, instead of a rushed goodbye in front of the rest of the Elite. He bit his lip, and by the way Alfred looked at him, he could tell that he could get the message. For once.
"I'm jetting off tomorrow morning. What about nine, that room on the end of your floor? It's just you and Alfonso now, and he's on the other side."
"I would like that…Your Highness," Arthur said softly, fighting back the urge to turn back and look at him.
He nodded, giving him a smile, before walking back to Matthew and patting his shoulder.
"Good luck with your receptions the day after tomorrow and the day after that! We'll come back soon," Alfred said, waving as the Elite clapped.
"I hope he'll be fine," Emma sniffled as Sakura patted her back.
Alfonso and Arthur exchanged a glance, then went to console their friend as well.
"Alfred?" Arthur said slowly, peeking through the door. It was nine on the dot. Arthur usually was earlier fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled time, but he had decided that he'd at least change and make an effort before going to see him.
"Arthur!" the voice was the only audible warning before he felt a pair of strong arms wrap around his midsection and squeeze, knocking the wind out of him.
"I thought ya wouldn't come," Alfred said huskily as Arthur detached from him, half-heartedly punching his shoulder in retaliation. "I thought ya wouldn't want ta say goodbye…"
"At times like these, I think that you don't even know me at all," Arthur bit back, and decided to reach for the light switch in retaliation, turning off the light.
"Hey! Why did you turn it off!" Alfred complained. "Now I can't see you!"
"You don't need to see someone to talk with them, you idiot. Anyway, can't you use a spell for a small source of light?"
"Oh, right!" came the sudden reply. A murmur of words later, a dim light illuminated Alfred's face, and Arthur edged closer to him.
"…I was being sarcastic about the magic, but all right."
"I thought you had learned that spell in lessons, but…come sit down with me," he chided, and with a huff, Arthur curled up next to him on the tiled floor.
"You'll have to teach me that spell later."
"That's fine! So what was so secretive that you couldn't say it in front of the others?"
"You know me, I'm a private person. There's…well, how do I say it…a good thing as to why you're going away."
"…do you really not want to see me that much?"
"No, no, it's not that," Arthur said quickly, looking at his expression in the dimming light (it was like that of an adorably disappointed puppy.) "Don't you think we need some time apart that doesn't involve me getting worried that you're starting to hate me, or a meeting that doesn't involve us fighting? I mean, it's taken me two weeks to accept affectionate touches in private, and I'm still sometime uneasy on your compliments and things. If it happens again, I'm not sure I can…you know, handle it."
"I don't want to fight, but I guess we can't help it, right? But again, I don't think we're the kind of couple with a relationship that doesn't exclude fighting. I guess, well, we both have to try, then?"
"What do you think I'm doing?" Arthur grouched. "Do use your idiotic mind for a moment."
"I prefer it when you're a grump sometimes. Reminds me that you're still you. But honestly, will you miss me?"
"…of course not," Arthur huffed. Catching Alfred's surprised expression, he flushed and shoved the prince. "Who do you take me for? I might…idiot."
At least, I won't say it out loud. But I will miss you, in the end.
"...but Arthur, why didn't you yell at me when I hugged you from behind?" Alfred asked uncertainly. "It usually involves you calling me an idiot over and over again…"
"Is-it is it a problem when I want to show you just a little affection? Not like I enjoy them or anything, it's just that you wanted them. You did say that we both had to try, so I think this is me trying, I guess," he said, unclasping his hands and subconsciously revealing his palms. 2
"Does that mean I can shower you in gifts and compliments then?" Alfred perked up.
"Alfred…" Arthur shot him a sarcastic glance, but the prince persisted.
"Aww, Artie, please, you know you want to hear something sweet, sugar…"
"S-shut up, you idiot!" Arthur grumped. "Fine, only one, but that's all! You'll have to pay me back for that later."
"Okay, I've got a bunch! Stealing your heart would be my second crowning achievement!"
The other boy opened his mouth to protest, but Alfred wouldn't give him the chance, simply crushing him to his chest in a cheerful gesture.
"Call the doctors, I'm getting a sugar overdose by being around you! Hey, wonder what's my suit made out of? No, not the best material in all of the kingdoms, because that's you! I'll tell you now-my suit's made out of boyfriend material! Is that why the garden's lost most of their colour today, is it because your eyes are full of the-"
"I'm going to have to ask you to hush there! That was way too many, and I said one, not five." Arthur huffed, but when the corners of Alfred's mouth quirked up into a smile, he couldn't resist.
No doubt about it, they had their problems, but was it worth stolen time together, half an hour curled up next to him? It wasn't the power that came with the crown that really attracted him, but rather the fact that he was, well, Alfred.
Of course I'm scared, you dork, Arthur thought as he gingerly shuffled closer towards him, resting his head against his shoulder. He felt Alfred's surprised breath and exhale against his hair, but he decided to concentrate on the dim light cupped in his palms.
Of course I'm scared, because someone as perfect as you could be stolen away from me in a heartbeat. And I know that you love me-no, I don't know that. But you damn act like you do.
"Artie? What are you thinking about, sugar?"
"You," he blurted, and Alfred could see his blush darkening in the fluttering speck of light that was still left. He craned his neck to nuzzle into Arthur's messy hair, and he shuffled closer.
"Well, you're constantly on my thoughts." Alfred said quietly.
For good or for worse, I'm thinking about you. And even though I think I'm starting to read you better, there are so many moments where I hesitate when you say something. There is so much I want to show you, so much that I want to tell you, but you'll run. And I'm scared that this time I can't catch you. And I can't apologize. And I'll lose my chance to tell you what I really feel for good.
This is the closest we've been in months, Arthur panicked as Alfred tilted his gaze closer. Is he…will he kiss me? If he does, should I let him? It's been a month and a half…what would it feel like? He hasn't been on a date with anyone, and even if he has and hasn't told me, he says he only kisses other people on special occasions…but again he said that he wouldn't be kissing anyone soon anyway. Should I trust him again? Is every first love this stressful? Does this mean we're getting closer again? Does he still love me? Does this kiss mean more than just a kiss? Am I questioning far too many things? What is Alfred thinking right now?
I wanna kiss you I wanna kiss I wanna kiss you I wanna kiss you I wanna kiss you I wanna kiss you I wanna kiss you, Alfred thought.
"Lemme kiss you. Please," he mumbled, looking away and blushing as fiercely as the other was.
"You idiot," Arthur hummed, shuffling closer, "All you had to do was ask."
He closed the distance as the last of the lights flickered out.
"…ow, my cheek! You don't have to jam your nose into it!"
"Not my fault I couldn't see!" Alfred yelped, pulling back. "Let's just do this again-"
Arthur didn't give him a chance as he yanked on his tie, but it only managed to make them topple over another with a small mmph of surprise.
"Not that violently," he complained, but didn't seem too bothered nonetheless. "My chin's sore now!"
"Well, not my fault I can't see as well!" Arthur protested, shooting him a glare. "Should we just stop-"
"No," Alfred said, his tone steadier than it had been before. "I really do want to kiss you, and it's been months."
Arthur's gaze followed him as he went over to the curtains and pulled them aside, allowing the moonlight to stream into the darkened room.
"This is getting more cliché by the second," Arthur laughed as Alfred nuzzled back into his hair and wrapped his arms around his waist again, pulling him onto his lap.
"Well, I guess you could say it's one of my flaws. Told you I wasn't perfect, after all," he joked into his ashy blond hair, feeling his heartbeat start to calm down as Arthur gradually stopped squirming.
"Oh? I thought the precious golden boy was completely flawless," he taunted in retaliation, "What else are you completely awful at?"
"Well, sometimes I can't understand the atmosphere-at least, that's what Mattie told me once. We went to King Ludwig's coronation party, after he finished his Deciding with Jack Feliciano, right? An' I made this witty joke about something, and I kept on making them until Ludwig told-well, begged me to stop."
"Why did you do that? I'm assuming the whole bloody ballroom went silent."
"Uh, Feliciano was laughing up a storm," the prince said sheepishly. "But it took me awhile to realize that no one else was. I don't really even remember what I said. So I think that's one of my weak points-not being able to read the atmosphere, or at least I just don't want to."
"Well, I think that one can avoid most of the world's cruelty by choosing to ignore it," the sandy blond began to muse, but Alfred buried his nose in the soft spot where Arthur's right collarbone and his shoulder joined.
"Don't be so cynical," Alfred chided. "I'll tell you more if you let us stay in our own little world."
"You're too optimistic sometimes," Arthur replied. "I guess that's one of your flaws, or is it because I'm too much of a pessimist?"
"Let's just say it's the last option. S'good and all."
"Shut up, you idiot. Very well, I've given you one of my flaws, can you tell me another? Let me guess, you're completely awful at the lessons you get."
"How did you know? Well, you're, for the most part right. If Yao teaches me, he usually gives up after half an hour. My tutors definitely have a difficult time with me, but they don't nag as much as my advisors. All the way back after the first elimination? One of them tried to tutor me in History, insisting that I still needed lessons even though I had more important things on my mind, and I decided to sneak out with one of the Chosen instead. He never found me," Alfred laughed, and Arthur knocked their heads together in half hearted disapproval.
"Isn't there any sort of subject that you like at all?"
"Well, I like astronomy and archaeology. You know, stars and bones?"
"I would put that in a more refined way," Arthur said dryly, "But yes, stars and bones. I've always liked the stars, but I was surprised to find out that they were instead circular in shape rather than the five pointed things I crayoned in my childhood."
"I was crushed when I found out…but yeah, they're actually different colours, not just pastel yellow. Some red, some yellow, some blue. They come in so many different shades, but I've always liked the blue stars. Sometimes they're like the wallpaper in my bedroom, sometimes they're as pale as my formal suit, sometimes they even look green. Honestly, that was one of my first thoughts as I saw your eyes that night." Alfred admitted bashfully. "Remember that night we first met? There weren't a lot of stars then, but I thought about your eyes in comparison. I think I've finally realized your stars are prettier than those in the skies."
"S-stop being so cheesy, you git," Arthur blushed, half-heartedly swatting at him.
"I think that's one of my flaws as well. You just make me act as cheesy as actual cheese,"
"That's another one-the inability to crack decent jokes. Very well, I'll give you one of my own-I simply can't cook. For some reason, the stove loathes me."
"That time you almost burnt your trousers off served as enough proof for me," Alfred snickered.
"You little-!"
"Hey, that hurts! I know you like my shoulders an' all, but-"
"Idiot, idiot, idiot! You'll pay for that! " Arthur yelled, pummelling his shoulders with his fists. He wasn't putting in all the effort, but still…
"I'm amazing at cooking, I'll show you one day!"
"I'm just teasing, sugar-hey! We'll see about that."
Arthur grumbled at him, but allowed Alfred to wrap a secure arm around his waist and angle him so that they were facing each other.
"Well, you still seem perfect most of the time. So how do I know that you're not?"
"We're coming back to this, huh? Well…there is this one thing that's been nagging me recently. It really makes me question my own perfection."
"Tch. But do tell."
"There's been this person these past four months that's been distracting me a lot. I can't get him out of my head, and when he comes around, he makes me feel like mush all the time. But I don't think I can stay away from him. He has blond hair, and the prettiest green eyes I've seen, and he's called Arthur Kirkland. Any tips?"
Arthur snorted. Or giggled. Duchess, Alfred was making him doubt his own bloody laugh. "Have you even tried to distance yourself from him? Have you even made an active effort?"
Alfred placed his hand on his chin, pretending to think. After a few moments, he shook his head energetically, his honey blond hair all over the place.
"After some intense thought, I really haven't. Should I, like, start now?"
"Do you think he would like that you're cutting ties?" he asked.
"I don't want to break his heart, you know. And I think I couldn't bear if I left him for too long, so don't expect me to start distancing myself from him any time soon." Alfred murmured, leaning close.
He's going to kiss me, isn't he? He still wants to, after everything that's happened. And I want him to kiss me, after everything that's passed between us. But I'm not fearless enough in this moment to-
His thoughts were cut off by Alfred's warm mouth pressing against his. He could feel the flutter of his eyelashes, the grip around his waist, his calloused thumb running over his cheekbones.
Shifting slightly to accommodate him, they kissed again in what felt like an eternity. He could feel the warmth that was Alfred, his taste of toffee, and as they broke apart, he could hear the prince's irregular breathing.
"You know, we've kissed a few times, but that felt different. Like we haven't done it before."
"Well, you're the kind of romantic fool to say that if we had kissed half an hour ago."
"Even if it's half an hour, I'd miss you. I'd miss your touch, your presence, the whole package."
"Shut up, golden boy," Arthur teased. "Stop being so perfect. I'll practically be choking on perfection at this point."
"Yeah, well…there's such a thing as too perfect, Arthur. If our relationship was completely free of fighting and troubles, I don't think we would have been at the same point, in the end. If we keep on hiding our flaws, the other won't grow to love them. But really…would ya love me even if I wasn't flawless?"
"If you were flawless, well…let's just say that there would be less to love. I'll love your flaws, because they're a part of you." Arthur whispered, staring down and gingerly resting his head against Alfred's chest. He could feel the other boy's breath as the atmosphere quietened.
We're…it's just the two of us now, Alfred. If you tell me, if you confess that you love me right now, I'll say it back. I…I actually have, but you weren't there. If you asked me to marry you right now, I…I would hesitate, but if nothing else happens between us I'll say yes. Of course, I would ask you to push it back quite a bit, but I still will. Alfred, I'm not confident enough to say that I love you, but…when we both are fearless, when we both don't doubt so much of each other anymore…I swear, I'll say it to you then.
"H-hey, Arthur? You okay there? It's getting late…do you want me to take you back to your room?"
Kiss me, Arthur begged in his mind, locking the thoughts away for no one but his own. Kiss me like you used to, that night where you told me you wanted me. Tell me that you still…that you love me, tell me that you're not afraid of anything, of anyone coming between us. Kiss me, like how it was when your words were like love letters to me, that night you pulled me out into the rain and told me I was the most beautiful thing then.
"It's nothing," he said quickly, detaching himself from the prince. All those words were jarring into his mind, and he wasn't sure whether he liked them or not. A tone of panic wormed its way into his mind-what if Alfred broke his heart again? He was sure that he would never recover.
"…what's wrong? Hey, your face…tell me about it, princess." Alfred said quickly, pulling Arthur back onto his lap and securing him into his touch again. He could feel the other boy's quickening heartbeat against his chest.
"I-I'm still scared. About what might happen between us," Arthur admitted. "That we're both hesitant, that I might feel that we're too unpredictable, how you could seem so perfect one moment and break my heart the next. And the Deciding-what if you choose someone else other than me?"
"Uh, I don't really think we'll ever have such a large argument as we did last time. I mean, if we could have recovered from that, I think there's not much another fight could do to get worse. And about choosing someone else…you know that it has to be this way. I can't spend all of my time with one person without it getting too suspicious."
"True. But again…wasn't there a part of the selection process that needed the Fates to approve of the newly chosen Queen by anointing the mark of the Spade somewhere on the body?"
"You've been doing your research, princess. And that's true. After the official announcement, we'll go to the prayer room-yanno, the one located at the top wing of the palace? And if it works, the mark will be visible-for the Queens, it appears between the shoulder blades. For the Jacks, it's on the wrist, for the Aces it's on the top part of their right shoulders, and for the Kings-" he said, hastily unfastening a handful of buttons off his waistcoat and yanking his shirt to the side, "It's on our chests. Come on, take a look."
"Wouldn't that be, er, indecent?"
"Nah, I'm chill with it," Alfred laughed. "It's actually a little fancier than the Queen and Jack's mark. Actually, the Ace's design is the exact same one to the King's because they're usually related, but it's smaller in size."
Arthur slowly touched it with a finger, feeling the small bumps of the mark and the swirls fanning out against the surface. It was royal blue in colour, and around the size of his palm, if not a little larger.
"But what if the person you choose doesn't receive the queen's mark?"
"Then I haven't followed my heart, simple as that." Alfred said simply. "You know, I spent around a year apprenticing with Ludwig over in Hearts when I was fifteen. He was still the Prince of Hearts then, and he was planning his own Deciding by then, since his own brother had been turned into a Joker following their last birthday. He was two years older than me, but he was seriously more mature! He told me that there was this superstition of a soul mate that was spread around generation to generation in Hearts, that there is this one person that you are bound to fall in love with sometime in your life. He wasn't very happy that he had to go through with a Deciding, because he thought that the concept of soul mates were just a myth and he wanted to marry the person that would be most beneficial to his kingdom, but he found Feliciano. And if those two aren't soul mates, I'm not sure what they are. But again, when I finally had to plan out my own, he told me to not to just look at the candidates just because of where their holding facilities were located in Cards, he told me to follow my gut. But even in the end, I had to ask so many people, including him, Yao and Matthew. Matt actually helped me with choosing you, actually."
"…do you think you might find your 'soul mate' here?"
"Honestly? I don't really know. There seems to be moments where I'm sure that it's, uh, someone, but then I think it's someone else, but then others that convince me that someone is better off for me, more suited for Spades. But I went into this not knowing how feeling for a soul mate would be like. I've asked Ludwig so many times, and he just says that it's different for everyone. I understand that, but…I just want a general outline. Is there a different way one acts around their soul mate?"
"I'm not sure, but I think it's different around every person. But there's a general vibe from the books I've been reading in the library about-this person changes your whole perception. It might be about the world, about everyone and anyone around you, but most importantly they change you. If-if you're always the kind to not get involved in wars and prefer to say neutral and talk it out instead of going to war, you'll fight in a heartbeat to save them. It's…it's like seeing them and realizing all you to do for them is to make them smile. Even if you can't love yourself, you know that you can love them."
Alfred tilted his head to get a better look at him. Even though they had moved away, he could still see Arthur. The faint moonlight added emphasis to his faint freckles and his half smile, his green eyes sparkling as he spoke.
Is this…what true love feels like? Does falling in love look like this?
"So, it's like they're perfect in every way?"
"No, no!" Arthur laughed. "Of course, they're not. Everyone has their flaws."
Suddenly, Alfred's chest felt heavier and his face heated up as the sandy blond snorted behind his hand.
If it doesn't look anything like this, then…
"As I said before, it's the flaws that make up part of the person. So even if you can appreciate the good things about them, you have to love the bad parts as well. If you can learn to love the bad aspects as well as the good, well...I think that's true love. It doesn't matter if they look like an angel or not, because appearance is only a part of it. And anyway, they'll look like the most beautiful person you've ever seen."
Yeah, that's true. And I'm probably looking at them right now.
"And I remember what you said…something about all couples having their fight. If you and your soul mate can survive those, argue sometimes, get along the rest of the time-that's good. If you keep up the guise of perfection, nothing's going to work that way. And well…having the occasional disagreement is obviously beneficial, because you're both looking from different viewpoints."
"But again," Arthur said softly, "Sometimes it's just fate. Sometimes you plan and plan for a perfect ending, but it comes more abruptly than you can have ever expected. But for this Deciding…if they can survive the palace life for a few months and still be in love with you, I think that's a good enough test for the both of you."
"You're right. I mean, after all the crap that we've been through, well…I'm surprised neither of you Elite have started an uprising just yet," Alfred chuckled.
"Might I take that as an opportunity to start one?"
"We'll see about that, darlin'. For now," he said, pulling Arthur to his feet, let's put this rebellion to bed."
"It is getting late. It's all right if you don't want to escort me to my room, it's only a few metres away-"
"Don't be silly! Everyone is always in need of a hero," Alfred laughed, tugging him out of the room.
Once they got to the end of the corridor, Arthur strode back into his room. He was relieved to see that Anna had retired back to her quarters, and his and Alfred's time wouldn't be stopped until the very end.
"So…I guess this counts as a date?"
"A very talkative date, I must say. Sorry if I rambled on for too long, especially towards the end."
"Huh? No, Artie, it was completely fine! I loved hearing what you had to say." Alfred amended quickly.
It was like the more Arthur spoke, the more Alfred fell in love with him. His words were like spun sugar, sweet and light to his composure.
"Well…I do hope you found it helpful. However, you are jetting off tomorrow to New England, right? I think it would be best for you to kip off before you collapse on your feet."
"Oh crap, you're right," the honey blond hissed, fishing into his pocket for his watch. "I'm sorry to have to cut this short."
"No, it's all right. But one more thing…umm, c-can I have a goodnight kiss?"
Alfred's eyes widened, and he turned his gaze to Arthur's bright red face. "N-not like I especially want one, you idiot, it's just that-"
Not giving him a chance, he tangled his fingers into the shorter teen's hair. Hearing his gasp of surprise as he kissed Arthur, the sandy blond determinedly pulled at his tie before letting go.
Giving Arthur a wink and a grin of approval as his cheeks turned burning scarlet, he closed the door and turned to go.
"Goodnight, Arthur," he whispered against the door as he felt his heart threaten to jump out of his chest.
"Goodnight, Alfred." Arthur breathed, pressing one finger to his trembling lips.
lol did you think i was going to let these two kiss without something dorky america is such a huge dork no way that wouldn't happen no sir
also happy birthday to the love of my life aph america
reviews, favourites and follows are what will keep me writing, so please go ahead and leave them! if you do i'll give you cookies pFFT