i am very tired but watching hetamyu at 12am
as always, i do not own the selection nor hetalia. these belong to kiera cass and himaruya hidekaz respectively.
"This was such a romantic idea," Emma sighed, leaning forward in her chair. "What a lovely thought to get us away from the memory of the rebels."
"Huh? Pfft, it's just dancing," Marianne scoffed, crossing her legs. "Honestly, with the rebels doing their little tour around the countries, they'll be back eventually."
"But it's sweet all the same for Sakura to include us, I guess." Natalya said, fiddling with the little jewels sewn into the top of her dress.
"It's a nice gesture before she leaves," Arthur said quietly, looking at the happy couple. "To give us a little something before it's all over."
"Wait – she's leaving?!" Marianne blurted.
The musical troupe started to play a light tune, bolstered by soft strings and gentle harp music that soothed the whole room. Sakura and Alfred were swaying on the dance floor, her hand securely resting in his.
"Yeah, she is. Happy now?" Emma snapped, jolting up and shooting a glare at her.
"Hey, guys," Alfonso said firmly, shooting a warning glance at the two of them. "This is about Sakura's leaving, not either of you. Can we just lighten up for a little?"
The two girls exchanged glares, but settled back into their chairs and Alfonso exhaled in relief. Arthur sat quietly in his chair, waiting for him to do something, but instead he took a trip to the dining table. Arthur looked down and stared fiercely at his bandaged hand.
"I can't help but feel a little jealous though," Emma leaned over to whisper to him. She was seated at his right and Arthur was sandwiched between her and Alfonso, but Natalya and Marianne were chatting away together in the corner. "If she wasn't leaving, and if she wasn't my best friend, I would be pretty green eyed monster right now."
"You don't have to be," Arthur said. "He's obviously head over heels for you, I suppose. Just don't forget me at your wedding."
"Don't be silly, Arthur," she smiled, but one look at his hand and he knew it was more out of pity than what she knew. "I've got to say that back to you-"
"-Sorry, Em, wasn't sure what you'd like so I went with the strawberries," Alfonso called, jogging back with a plate of three pastries. Arthur and Emma exchanged glances, then as he sat down they all took one and started eating. Only Natalya took one glance at them before turning back to the couple, Marianne's attention didn't waver.
"Thank you, Alfonso," Arthur said quietly, carefully maneuvering his trembling left hand to hold the tart. He'd tried to help Anna rewrap his own hand last night, feeling like he should have learned to do it himself. She had insisted, and that night he had allowed her to find someone to watch over him when he slept, half out of gratitude and half out of the brooding feelings left over from the rebel attack.
He had lain awake for the most of the night, trying to ignore the stinging in his right hand. Then came the itching, then the squirming, then the kicking away of the blankets, the biting of bottom lips, the tugging at binds…
Subconsciously, he shook his head and focused on the sweet taste of the tart. He tried to ignore the clench in his throat at the sight of Alfred and Sakura laughing on the dance floor, swaying perfectly together in tandem. He knew that his recent absence from the Drawing Room and breakfasts had caused some gossip to run on the fray while he was gone, but he managed to avoid them as much as he could. He was practically eliminated, anyway. It was just a matter of time until Alfred bothered.
"I hope he asks me to dance next," Emma sighed, brushing a few crumbs from her cheek.
"My only problem, I guess is whether we get to choose the music or not," Alfonso said lightheartedly, waving for a maid to take their plate. "I mean, at this soft waviness I feel like falling asleep and snoring."
"Imagine you just slumping on the floor," Arthur said, half smiling. It wasn't the best idea to talk about him right now, so he'd possibly try to focus on others. Chances are, he wouldn't even get a dance.
But if he's happy tonight, that's the whole point, he thought for a moment before he pushed it deeper into his mind. He himself didn't matter at all right now.
As the three looked up, the music ended with a flourish and the couple in the middle of the ballroom stood perfectly still, keeping up their guise for a few moments before they both burst into laughter and clapped. The Elite followed suit, Emma letting out a wolf whistle, and the musicians dropping their bows and freeing their hands from their instruments to join in too. It was one of the best atmospheres all competition. True, it had been tame enough in his knowledge, but now the group was so small it seemed to be a nice change.
Arthur watched as Alfred guided her to a chair and kissed her hand lightly, and tore his stare away before he could notice. He'd be asking Emma to dance next. It was pretty obvious, anyway-
"Alfonso?" As Arthur looked to his right, his friend was already taking the prince's hand as the rest of the Elite watched in astonishment. "Can I have this opportunity?"
"Were you expecting me to say no?" he grinned, clasping his hand with his. "Come on, let's go!"
The music evolved into a fast, smooth tune, and as they just reached the front they moved together within minutes at an energetic pace.
"What?" Emma muttered under her breath. She had a teasing smile, but her eyebrow was arched and her eyes seemed troubled. "My, my, what's been going on in the little world of Alfonso's?"
"I suppose there's a perk to not telling everyone else where you're at with the prince," Marianne said sourly, her mouth pressed in a thin line. "He's obviously been doing a lot of work on him recently."
"Alfred isn't a project! Don't talk about this like that," Emma said sourly, folding her arms over her strapless dress. "If you even-"
"Knock it off," Natalya said harshly, gritting her teeth, her ice blue eyes glinting in warning. "We don't need any more damn fighting tonight."
Arthur just shut his eyes and turned away from the three of them. He didn't want this stupid drama; he didn't want to watch Alfred and Alfonso dance on the floor looking hopelessly in love.
Is this even a good idea? What are the rest of us supposed to do when one of us is dancing with him? Swap insults?
"Oh, Sakura, you're back!" Emma exclaimed, putting on her best smile and turning her back pointedly to a hissing Marianne. "Did you have fun?"
"Yes, it was rovely," she said in response, but her tone had taken on a stint. "I am sorry, Em, but can I speak to Marianne? Alone?"
"Sure," she said, getting off from her chair and brushing some invisible dust from her vibrant purple gown. "Outside, then."
Natalya and Arthur exchanged a glance as they both walked away. Emma had settled herself back into her armchair, sighing as she watched Alfonso and Alfred again. The sight was simply too striking to miss.
Alfonso had never been so public with his relationship with the prince up to this point. Arthur never had a reason to doubt his friend, but he'd been even quieter than him about coming clean. They'd obviously interacted a few times romantically, after the time they had talked about the kisses shared between the few of them left. But seeing his eyes shine under the lights and Alfred's pressed shoes tapping around the marble floor left absolutely no doubt. It just wasn't Emma steamrolling past all of them; Alfonso had suddenly shot forward and effortlessly played hooky of all of them. Even the maids and butlers, who were rapidly growing by number as the night grew colder, were surrounding them and clapping and cheering.
Before Arthur could look up from his hands, Alfonso was already back at his seat, breathless and flushed as he adjusted his tie and swept his coat underneath him. Everything about him, with his shaking legs and his nervous lip biting screamed love-struck.
"Well, well, well," Arthur said teasingly, letting a smile slip past his pale expression. "Looks like someone's had a good time."
"Yeah, I did! Dunno how he managed to do that spin for the last time, he seemed kind of tired but it was so fun. Heck, it was really good," Alfonso said, his voice sounding almost as dazed as Emma's after a good date. "He was really good. We both were, together."
"If he loves you as well, I'm happy for you two." Arthur said, trying his best to sound cheery. "That was a lot more up-"
"Hey, Hero, ya want to go outside, bud? Sure, just be careful!"
He could hear the cooing of the others as the little terrier jumped off Alfred's seat, but it was like Arthur was stuck in time.
"Em, my dear, ya ready to dance now?"
Arthur heard him, loud and clear. And he tried his best to push it away. But it hurt. It almost ached, the feeling that he had tried to push down since their fight had happened. Alfred's grin, his sky blue eyes, those wheat locks that were moments from his touch, just a few moments ago.
Why couldn't he let him go? Why was this love still here?
"Excuse me," Arthur said hurriedly, nodding once to a confused Alfonso before staggering quickly out of that interaction. Not like this. "I'll be back soon. Please save my chair for me."
He didn't even know what was coming out of his mouth anymore as he pulled the pearls sewn on his coat up to his chest. Even in the palace, the cold from outside was biting enough. Coming back? How could he stand to stay in the same room with the person who held his heart? Where could he go? Where someone couldn't find him there?
The gardens are too cold, he thought quickly to himself. He'll find me there. I can't let that happen. I can't bear the feeling of seeing him again like that.
Arthur could sense multiple gazes following him as he left the room. He tried to brush them off his worries as best as he could, but as soon as he knew he was safely outside and a lilting tune poured out of the open doors, he took off into a run, covering his mouth and swallowing back the lump in his throat, making sure he was alone.
I'm sorry, Sakura. I shouldn't be letting you down just because I'm too afraid. I just can't fight this feeling. Not like this.
Arthur's hand felt distinctly empty as he climbed up the steps to a refuge that only he thought he knew.
I just wish I got to dance with him for the last time.
Alfred barely managed to keep his expression steady as he watched Arthur leave the room, but his hands were shaking as they clasped Emma's in his. He tried his best not to let his gaze follow his back, but he couldn't pull his blue eyes away.
He was still upset about the fight. How could he not? It had quickly spiraled out of control, yeah, but he hadn't been expecting this much sadness between them. He had thought he would have been furious, angry, ready to dismiss him, but there was just upset, sadness, an emptiness in his system.
I had wanted to dance with him tonight, even if it's the last time we'll get to do it together. Feel that perfect weight against me.
Alfred thought, pulling back his bangs and waiting as Emma scurried up to the music stage and asked for a song she liked. Alfred had thought Arthur was going to leave as soon as that had happened, but it had been so quiet between them in the three days that had followed.
Meanwhile, everything around them had just gotten louder. He and Yao had been talking again about how they would have to complete the process in as fast as a month if he wanted to be so hurried with his Deciding. They had started planning the trials in a southern part of Spades, near and secluded so that the overdose of power would not affect other magic users in the area. Alfred had originally tried to design it with him in mind, but the way things were going he'd be gone-
Don't think about that, Alfred! he berated himself harshly as he watched Emma bound back to him, her beaming expression not failing to light up the room. He tried to give her his best smile, but felt his mouth falter.
"Come on, let's go!" she said excitedly, and with a swish of her bare shoulders they were slowly spinning around the room. His feet stepped where hers were moments before, blue shoes filling red heels. Her lips were lined with red lipstick, a daring touch, but Alfred found himself thinking of soft mouths meeting his own, teasing smiles, slightly crooked teeth instead. As the music picked up he found her much closer than before, the faint smell of strawberries tangled in her hair as she nestled herself closer and he allowed her to. He felt her touch against his skin, feel their heartbeats together as he spun her around and she followed, her feet moving quickly in tandem with his.
Dark green met blue in a breathless moment, and Alfred took a step back instinctively, his fingers lost in scarlet fabric as she stumbled and held onto his clothed arm. Emma laughed and so did he, pressing his nose against her hair, but something was missing. What it was, he just didn't know, but it was something. There was also the fierce flame that he had found in those eyes - before it simmered into a tiny ember as she tipped her head to one side in concern.
"Freddie, is something wrong?" Emma asked, her other hand moving up to his shoulders to press herself higher. "You look upset."
"No, uh, it's nothing," he said shakily, but all confident steps and smiles were lost in that heartbeat before the music swelled up again.
Is it just me, or am I going to be alone again? I thought they cared-
His shoulders tensed as his steps became a little slower and he felt her slow down to match him, but a pang of fear still was there in his mind.
Am I going to have to finish this with someone who doesn't love me like I love them?
Alfred cursed himself internally for not falling in love before the Deciding. If he did, he knew his father would approve. His mother would need some convincing, but it definitely wouldn't leave so many hearts broken, right? Everything he did felt like cheating on someone.
"What is it?" Marianne bit out as soon as they had left the room. "What else do you have to say to me?"
"You know," Sakura said darkly, taking a step forward. "You know everything from the beginning. This is why I am leaving, to make sure I do not encounter one of your rittle schemes any longer."
"Get rid of that accent and that bitch before coming back here to try again – oh wait, you can't because you're a pathetic excuse of a twenty year old," Marianne shot back. "Alfred will find out that she's one of them soon enough."
"Don't bring Emma into this!" she snarled, clenching her fists. It wasn't much material, but at least it was something for her nails to dig into. "I am done being quiet. You are worse enough!"
"At least I can speak Engrish, little missy," Marianne taunted, yanking on the other's chin to pull her up to face her. "You just couldn't handle the stress of loving the prince enough, so you ran like a coward, little rich girl."
"At least I do not spread my legs to get something that I want," Sakura shot back, breaking free of her grip with a forceful push to her shoulder. "Or lie and use my friends to get my dirty plans to work!"
"It's called a girl has more than one way to get what she wants," Marianne growled. "What she needs. If you don't know how to fight dirty, you're not a girl. And I know how to use that to my favour."
"I have seen the way you boss Natalya around! She trusted you, and so did that brown haired girl before she left. I hate it." Sakura hissed, stepping a closer so they were practically chin-to-chin. "Leave her, and everyone else, alone!"
"What, so you're such an angel that you're going to leave tomorrow? God, good riddance." Marianne snorted. "Run away all you want. You'll never get what you want."
"Leave. Them. Alone." Sakura said coldly, her hand that had been on the other's girl's shoulder had tightened.
"What? They'll all lose in the end, anyway. This is where your pathetic little love story ends, and theirs will end soon enough. They don't know how to really romance someone-"
Before Marianne could continue, Sakura pulled back her grip on her shoulder and slapped her clean on the cheek, leaving a mark on her face. Marianne recoiled, but she quickly recovered. Her mouth curled in fury and she lunged for the other girl, but Sakura had already started to stalk back to the ballroom.
"I will be eager to hear from Emma's letters when you have gone," she spat. "We girls do not need to fight dirty to get what we want! Alfred deserves someone so much better than you - anyone does. He deserves someone that will love him to the end of time, someone who knows how to treat him right, not use him."
Marianne sputtered furiously on the spot for a few moments, then the sound of a shoe hitting the marble floor resonated throughout the castle. She angrily strapped it on before stomping back to her room.
Behind the pillar, covered by blue curtains, Natalya cupped her mouth with her hand and tried to hide her sputters of laughter.
Damn straight, Sakura. Thanks.
appears from mailbox hello everyone
sorry i haven't been doing replies for a bit it's just that general reads/reviews are plummeting so i haven't been as motivated
but i've done them today so um if that counts
mailbox
lovexoxoluna - hi, it's been a while! i'm happy that you still enjoy it haha. i'll look forward to your reviews again 3
pastaaddict - i wanted to show more of his sweet side for once, i haven't writ it for awhile actually!
hearthorse11 - mmm yeS IT'S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. also thank you very much! the other day i found myself writing 800 words of rambling dialogue and i deleted all of it because simply put, it was awful. so internal dilemma there...
russia says hello -aaa your really kind words mean so much to me!i'm not planning on taking a break yet,i might see if there's anythingi have up forchristmas but for nowi'll thinki'll continue.i'm happy thatlast chapter was a little calmer compared to the usual drama!
reviews, favourites and follows are what will keep me writing, so please go ahead and leave them.