Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia

Side note: I'm back! And I'm sorry I haven't updated in two months but Uni has been very busy and writing is not something I have much time to do at this point, unfortunately. But I do my best, and here I am only a few days late for Christmas! So happy late Christmas everyone!~

WARNING: this chapter has a bit of sexy fun times, you have been warned~

Chapter 33

Arthur grunted with effort as he tossed another haybale into the rack for the horses to eat, panting softly and wiping the sweat from his brow. Farm work was back-breaking, and doing all the heavy-lifting was not something the English alpha was used to. But still, Arthur had promised to help Farmer Giles with the farm work so that he and his family would have a place to stay, while Francis was in heat.

Francis only had one day of heat left, and Arthur had missed his omega-mate dearly. It had been hell going past the heat room without going inside to mate with his beautiful, writhing omega, but Arthur had been resolute in respecting Francis' sober wishes and ignoring his begging in the throes of heat.

Arthur caught the scent of another alpha, and he turned to see Farmer Giles making his way up the hill to the stables. The farm spanned several acres of lush, emerald fields, and the stables were up on the hill, making the farmhouse look relatively small below them.

"How are you getting on?" the old alpha asked between wheezing breaths, not able to take the exertion of striding across his farmland as well as he used to.

Arthur gave a smile, also worn out, and he gestured to the stocked up haybales in the racks and the fresh straw on the floor of the stables, having swept and cleaned out each stall as Giles had asked him to. "Very well, I think. I've seen to the horses, pigs, cows, and I've filled the trough for the sheep. It's just the chickens left, I believe."

Giles nodded in approval. "Not bad for a suit." The farmer chuckled, referring to the alpha's more academic and business career, and how he clearly wasn't built for manual labour. "The pups have already helped me with the chickens – If I were you, I'd check that your omega is alright…He's coming out of heat soon, isn't he?"

"Yes…It should be tomorrow, or the day after at the latest." Arthur spoke of Francis with a happy glint in his eyes, as he had missed his omega-mate, and he wanted to hold him in his arms again. He hoped Francis wouldn't be too angry with him for neglecting him in his heat.

Giles nodded thoughtfully, before giving a soft hum, rubbing his chin with his calloused hand, and there was silver stubble there, causing a soft scratching sound at the movement. "I kept my omega-mate's belongings even after she passed…When your omega is better, I would like to show him her things – he's welcome to have anything he likes the look of."

"That's very kind of you. I'll let him know once he's recovered." Arthur said with a smile, having learned that this elderly farmer was rather isolated, and he had warmed to the pups in particular these last few days.

Arthur had found out that Giles had never had pups with his omega-mate, and he had always longed to see little ones running about his farm, so Alfred and Matthew were spoiled rotten by him, and it meant Arthur could focus on doing the work Giles needed him to do, without having to worry about watching the pups.

The two alphas finished up with the stables, and giving a dappled grey horse a pat on the nose affectionately, Arthur retreated back to the farmhouse with Giles beside him, walking at a slower pace so the older alpha could keep up. The farmer used a rake as a cane to aid his movements, and Arthur had to support the alpha's other arm a couple of times when the rake slipped in the mud.

"Any more rain and I won't be able to come out here…" the farmer grumbled, aware of how frail he had become, and it infuriated him. "I'm grateful you and your family are helping out with the place…It's too much for me to do at my age."

"It's no trouble. You've done more than enough for us – you've kept my family safe, and for that, I don't think I could every repay you." Arthur responded honestly, helping the old alpha in through the back door.

The backdoor lead into a low-ceilinged kitchen, with strong oak beams supporting it. It was rustic and somewhat dated, but it seemed to fit with the old farm aesthetic. Everything had a place, even the little novelty pig utensil holder that stood on the windowsill above the sink, and Arthur only hoped that Francis would be as charmed by it as he was.

Arthur excused himself whilst Giles put the kettle on the stove, and he went up the two stairs to the rest of the house, going down a narrow corridor past the lounge to the heat room. The heat room had been built by Giles as a small extension of the main farmhouse, kept a little out of the way so that the heat scent would not seep into the rest of the house, and over the years he had soundproofed it somewhat and made the door more secure.

Arthur now had the key in his hand, turning it in the lock and opening the door gently. "Francis, darling? Are you awake?"

It was dark inside the heat room, as omegas' senses were heightened in heat, and artificial light would only irritate their eyes, so the room remained darkened, the only light being cast from when Arthur opened the door and the hallway candles lit the heat room in a dim glow. It was just enough for Arthur to make out a sleeping figure in the centre of the heat room, naked and sprawled on the blankets and Arthur's coat, in the makeshift nest he had made.

Arthur slipped inside, closing the door softly behind him before pausing to let his eyes adjust. It didn't take long, and the alpha approached the sleeping omega, stroking his hair gently. The heat scent was no longer overpowering, and although Arthur could smell it on Francis' skin and the nest, Francis was no longer secreting it. He would be out of heat by this evening, or tomorrow morning, perhaps.

The sleeping omega stirred as he sensed Arthur's presence beside him, and he curled into Arthur a little, dragging his sleepy cerulean eyes open.

"Hmm….Arthur…?" Francis asked, still very groggy and his vision was hazy, but he recognised his alpha's scent and cuddled into him, pressing his nose gently into the crook of Arthur's neck and inhaling shakily. "I missed you…"

His voice was a soft, sleepy purr, and Arthur smiled as he held him against his chest, knowing that if Francis tried to seduce him to mate with him, the alpha was strong enough to resist…for a day at least.

"I missed you too, darling. How are you feeling?" he asked softly, stroking Francis' hair and despite Francis still being in the clutches of heat, he was more coherent and just seemed drowsy and clingy more than anything. Arthur still relished his beautiful omega's affection, especially after being deprived for so long, and he felt his body begin to react on its own.

He shifted a little though, not wanting to give away that he desired Francis, for if the omega was still in heat he would be easily aroused, and mating him would then be impossible to avoid.

"Hmm…I ache…" Francis mumbled, feeling neglected and it was almost painful for an omega to spend so much time craving their alpha, only not being able to have them.

"I'm sorry, my love. I felt like I would be taking advantage of you if I mated you…" Arthur explained softly, but Francis didn't seem angry, just very tired, and he was more than content to snuggle against Arthur's chest, inhaling his intoxicating scent, made stronger by Arthur's physical labour.

"You smell good~" Francis mumbled, moving closer and breathing in his scent more, and he leaned up to kiss him.

Arthur couldn't help giving in a little, and he connected their lips in a slow but deep kiss, tasting his lovely omega and letting his hands wander over Francis' naked body a little as he did so.

Francis let out a whine of longing into the kiss, wrapping his arms around his neck and moving to straddle him, but Arthur soon realised that this was exactly what he had been wanting to avoid, and he pulled back, only for Francis to lunge after his lips again, claiming them hastily and hungrily.

"Take me…Take me, Arthur~" he purred. "I need you – oh dieu~" Francis' breathing was ragged with excitement and his member ached for Arthur, but the English alpha didn't want to get Francis pregnant again…not so soon after what they had lost.

"Francis – " Arthur began, but it was hard to concentrate with a highly attractive and highly aroused omega climbing on top of him. He had to satisfy Francis, but he couldn't risk making love to him properly.

Gently, Arthur held Francis waist and laid him down in the nest, making sure he was comfortable, before using his fingers to pleasure Francis' entrance, and he listened to the mewls and whines that slipped past Francis' lips at the pleasure that he had been missing. He didn't even seem to notice it wasn't Arthur's member, but he arched his back into Arthur, panting and writhing as Arthur slid his fingers in and out of Francis' entrance, finding the movement easy from the large amount of slick that Francis was producing, that acted as lubrication.

"Arthur!~ Oh~" Francis moaned out, reaching up for him and kissing him passionately, almost making Arthur's resolve snap as the alpha was exercising great restraint not to make love to this beautiful writhing omega who was moaning for him.

"That's it, love." Arthur whispered shakily. "That's my omega~" his tone was affectionate as he watched Francis' expression of pleasure and his sweat-glistened body craving his every touch.

"A-Arthur! Arthur!~" Francis lost all form of coherent thought, only able to say the name of his beloved alpha, and only able to focus on the wonderful sensation of his alpha moving inside him. In his hazy state, he thought Arthur's fingers were his member, but it still managed to make him begin trembling with arousal.

"Ahh – Ahh!~" the omega's moans became louder and shorter, interspersed with gasps of bliss and ecstasy.

Arthur watched as Francis released beautifully over his chest, feeling the hot, sticky substance on his skin and he loved it. He had missed being so close and intimate with his omega, and even though it was not the full action it could have been, Arthur had satisfied his omega.

The alpha pulled his omega into his arms, cuddling him like a precious jewel as Francis fell back asleep against his alpha's strong chest, lulled by his scent and the exhaustion that followed his arousal.

Arthur stroked his hair gently, willing his own arousal to go away as he slipped into sleep too, dreaming of making love to his beautiful omega, kissing every inch of his skin and making him scream in bliss.

XxX

Francis sat at the kitchen table, having bathed and dressed in some old clothes of Farmer Giles', feeling tired but relieved that his heat was over. Arthur was making some tea, whilst Giles sat across from Francis with a smile.

"Your alpha-mate has been helping me out a lot these past few days." Giles filled Francis in on what had been happening during the time he was locked away in a heat-induced fervour.

"I see – I never imagined Arthur would be doing farmwork~" Francis replied with a soft smile, glancing over at his mate though with adoration.

"Aye, he's a real provider though, that's for sure." Giles praised, speaking proudly as if Arthur were his own son. "And he's done well to snatch such a pretty omega for himself."

Francis blushed but smiled.

Arthur chuckled. "I have indeed, I couldn't ask for a better mate~" he brought the tea over, rubbing Francis' shoulder gently before sitting next to him, putting a possessive arm around his waist as if he could be snatches away at any moment.

Francis rested his head on Arthur's shoulder, still feeling very affectionate from the night before. "If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."

Giles regarded them a moment and gave a chuckle, nodding. "You have a beautiful family – I would be honoured if you would stay awhile….I'm not much one for taking care of myself – haven't had a decent meal in years!~"

Francis beamed. "Well I'll cook for you all~ I don't mind, I haven't been able to cook properly in a long time!"

Seeing his omega so excited by the prospect, Arthur smiled too. "That sounds wonderful. As long as we're not intruding too much on your home, sir."

His polite address made Giles chuckle. "You don't have to call me 'sir', Arthur – I've already told you. I've never been much of a 'sir'."

Francis smiled and rubbed Arthur's shoulder comfortingly. "Arthur was just raised to be respectful to other alphas~"

Arthur glanced at Francis a moment, but smiled and held him close. "Yes, I apologise. I'm not used to being on equal footing with other alphas."

Giles regarded him a moment, as if curious, but he said nothing. He was not a man who pried, and it was not his business why this family turned up at his door. So he stood and clapped Arthur on the back.

"Well then, we have a farm to tend to."

As Arthur stood too, so did Francis. "I can help~"

Giles smiled at Francis, and his heart panged a little as Francis' caring nature reminded him so much of his late omega-mate. "You just…get your rest…" he said slowly, his eyes showing pain for a brief moment, before he smiled and grabbed his rake, using it as a cane again and he and Arthur went out to tend to the farm again.

XxX

"Bon nuit, mes petits~" Francis said softly, kissing Alfred and then Matthew on the head as he tucked them into the large double bed in the spare room, watching as their eyelids drooped closed and they both fell asleep. They had both had a long day of helping Arthur and Giles tend to the animals, and now they were so tired they were already asleep before Francis even straightened up.

The omega smiled softly, feeling so much love for his pups as he watched them for a few moments, before slowly leaving the room, leaving the door ajar behind him to let a little light in from the hallway.

As he turned to go to his and Arthur's room, he jumped, seeing Giles standing there.

"Oh – Giles…" Francis gasped, letting out a chuckle.

"I'm sorry, dear. I didn't mean to startle you – " Giles began, fumbling with something in his pocket and he held it out with a trembling hand, his fingers liver-spotted with age. "I just wanted to give you something."

Francis blinked and held Giles' hand, letting the old alpha release a delicate ring into his palm. "What is this…?"

Giles smiled a little wobbly, his eyes filled with the sadness of a painful memory. "I gave this ring to my omega-mate when we fell in love. She wore it every day until she…passed. We were very happy – I wish the same happiness for you and Arthur."

Francis' expression softened and he smiled, seeing how the beautiful golden ring glinted in the candlelight, and the red rubies in it sparkled. It was a very expensive ring for a farmer to own, and Giles seemed to read his mind.

"I saved up for three years to buy her that ring…Rubies were her favourite." He explained. "I just don't want to see it gathering dust in an old box…"

Francis took the ring gently, giving Giles a careful hug. "Merci, Giles. It's beautiful~"

Giles smiled, and Francis could see how happy he had made the old alpha. "Goodnight, my dear."

The old alpha moved slowly down the hallway, and Francis watched him go, before staring down at the ring in his hand. He only hoped that he was worthy of such a sentimental trinket.

A/N: Happy late Christmas! Thank you so much for reading~ I managed to finish my essay for Uni this morning, and so I spent the rest of the day writing instead of revising for my exams XD (Guess I have my priorites slightly mixed up, but oh well~)

So, what do you think of our Farmer Giles now? Good? Not good? Im curious as to what you think will happen.

And how about domestic Francis and Farmer Arthur? Do you think all this trauma has softened them a bit?

And ultimately, what do you think of Arthur's choice not to mate Francis but to still satisfy him? Sweet or teasing?

Please review and let me know! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas* (*or other holidays that you ay celebrate instead~)

Love you all x