here comes the obligatory 'england can't cook' scene with every hetalia fic
also - tsundere type a & b make an appearance!
EDIT: reupload since FFNet was a butt and didn't want to notify anyone. so i'm sorry :/
as always, i do not own the selection nor hetalia. these belong to kiera cass and himaruya hidekaz respectively.
Dear Erin,
How are you and the family? Since it's cooling down here in Spades, I wonder if it's any different in Hearts. Maybe the winter's not as harsh over there as it is in the palace? There have been centimeters of snow every night, and I just came back from a little walk around the gardens, as you know me. I tried to brush away as much snow as I could, but one of the gardeners got spooked and I almost ripped a blue rose petal when she shouted at me. I don't think all the apologies in the world could have rectified my mortification…
How's everyone at home? I hope Cormac's still fending off the alcohol, you told me last time he was considering going away to become a farmhand. I trust that he's all right…and how are Christian and Allistor? I hope that the money you're receiving is making sure that they're able to work less hours. Allistor's not sleeping on the sofa any more, right? It's not good for him at all, and I'm thankful you stopped him.
But how are you, Erin? I know it's a lot colder in our cottage than in the palace, and so I worry. Cormac's never been good with sickness, and Dylan's relatively young so he gets the sniffles so quickly that we all get scared…I know the little tyke will appreciate the winter break though. I know you will – I think the idea you had of not working for the kindergarten next door full time to look after Dylan is a great idea. With all the compensation, I hope you can make ends meet soon. Please remember to take a moment for yourself between maintaining the house and raising him…
Umm, it seems I'm sounding a lot more formal than you'd read without teasing me. I know, I know I'm rambling, but there's just a lot of things on my mind…you as a family first and foremost. Ever since the Hearts Deciding news that we received – of course, you must have heard about it – started their process to end it, I can't help but that our Deciding here at Spades should end soon enough. I mean, even with all this luxury, I do miss you all at home.
Thing is – Erin, please don't tell anyone else – I think Prince Alfred is going to end it soon. I'm not sure what exactly has been pinpointing me to it, but I suppose I can sense it. Yesterday he declined to spend time with us for the whole day, but something told me he was doing something more than the bills he was talking about. Perhaps there's some paperwork to complete in lieu of ending the process? Anyway, I digress.
It's been six months, almost seven. So many things have changed, but I hope I haven't. With there being a…well, rather real possibility of marriage to the crown prince, no less…there's a lot that I have to sort out. I hope I can get it down pat by the new year…
"Hey, Arthur! I thought you were just writing off some note or something!" Alfonso's cheerful voice drifted down the hallway, bringing back a hint of a smile to Arthur's serious expression he always adapted to when writing letters. "Come on, buddy! We're going to be late!"
"Unfortunately for you, I lost the draft I prepared yesterday night after dinner," Arthur called, waving him and a casually dressed Emma into his room as soon as their brown haired heads popped through the door. "I'll just be five minutes."
"No problem," Emma said, straightening out her silk pants. "Duchess, your bathroom smells great! Almost like the garden."
"There's a few scones on the table which I haven't gotten to yet…" Arthur said with a sideways glance, picking up his pen. "I suppose I'll just forget their existence if there's just one left…"
"Deal," Alfonso said, stuffing one in his mouth before sashaying over to his table. "Time's a ticking, buddy."
Arthur grinned, tapping his shoulder with his pen nib before getting back to his letter.
…but yes, other than that, there's absolutely no need to worry about me. I'm content in my palace life, and both Sir Alfonso and Lady Emma are nothing but kind to me. In fact, even after the Deciding I'll be proud to call them friends, no matter where we end up in life.
One more thing – please don't be upset for me when I arrive on our doorstep dressed in fancy clothes but no ring. Of course, the pain will definitely be there as I have, in all respects, almost unintentionally given my heart to the prince, but things will get better from there. No need to worry, I just need a few months if that happens, so please don't fret even before I come home.
The one thing I want for Christmas is that you'd just enjoy the holiday season and take a rest. We'll be celebrating it together again next year, as per usual, no matter what happens. So as Christian and Allistor love to tease me about, there's no Scrooge around the house this year.
I wish I could write more, but as it stands, my fellow Elite and Alfred are going to celebrate Christmas Eve together tonight. I know you're anxious for some romantic news, but…this letter is getting long as it. I can't have you poring over this looking for Alfred news when Dylan's tugging at your dress and Cormac's trying to 'accidentally' add some rum to the rum balls and then scoffing the whole lot.
I hope it's without horrible Christmas songs…
All my love,
Arthur
"I think I've gotten as stale as those scones," Alfonso said dramatically, using the chair to lift himself up. "Now, come on!"
As the trio rushed off, Anna was making her way up the corridor to Arthur's room with a handful of bed sheets.
"Cooking, eh?" she muttered to herself. "Sir Arthur – you don't… cook, by chance, do you?"
As soon as they entered the dining room, now brightly decorated with Christmas lights strung around the base of the fireplace and five stockings dangling in front with the massive tree now lit up in the background, they spotted Alfred, bent over a set of books, Hero curled on top one of the largest ones.
Now that's not a sight you see every day, Arthur thought as they called to him. He saw his eyes light up – almost in relief - and Hero shaking his velvety ears as he swept the books to one side in one strong, fluid motion and jumped to his feet.
He could only watch as he strode over, clothed in a tight fitting long sleeved shirt for winter and smartly pressed pants as his pup bounced alongside him.
"Alfred!" Alfonso called excitedly, his fingers outstretched as he waved, Emma and Arthur following suit. "How are you tonight?"
"Got a lot of work to do, which sucks," Alfred remarked, but squeezed his hand, flashing his pearly white teeth. "Thank Fates I got Hero with me while I was working."
The little terrier barked in response, tail wagging, and Alfred ran a hand alongside his back before picking him up securely.
"Is he coming with us tonight?" Emma piped up. "We haven't spent much time with him recently…"
"Can't have him choking on any flour or bumping into anything – is that right, bud?" Alfred said, tickling the fur underneath his chin. "After Yao found you snacking on some of his unfinished pesto, he's gonna be stricter on you now."
All three of their expressions melted as they watched him interact with his dog. He just seemed a lot more at ease with his pet than buried in his work…
Arthur fidgeted in his shoes, watching him again. After last night, the time not spent with him seemed so wasted. Why did he have to avoid him?
"Okay, sorry," Alfred said, placing his pet back on the floor. "So, uh, which one do you want to work in? There's one larger one, but I don't want to bother the maids maybe-"
"I'll ask mine to go down," Alfonso offered. "Ella said she'd be there…Em, you know where the kitchen is exactly? She only took me there once, but…"
"Hey, I'll just come with you!" Emma said cheerfully. "Come on, Alfonso."
And just like that, Arthur and Alfred were alone together.
"Um, hello," Arthur said a little hesitantly. After what had happened yesterday, he was still a tad confused on how they stood. Yes, they had had a good day yesterday where they didn't fight, but the way Alfred looked at him the other day, those intense stares filled with an emotion he didn't know that made him flush and want to touch the other boy…
"Uh, hey, Artie!" Alfred grinned, a tinge on his cheeks. Perhaps he's thinking the same? "What's up?"
"Nothing, it's just that…" Arthur turned away once, before stepping a little closer to him subconsciously. "Was – did anything happen, yesterday?"
"Huh? Nothing special, nah," Alfred said, shaking his head in such a way that reminded him of a wet puppy. "Did something happen with you?"
"Y…you would know!" he said indignantly, but felt a little blush creep onto his cheeks. "And here I was, worrying that there was something wrong with me by the way you stared…"
"H-Huh?" he blurted, his cheeks flaming – exactly like they had yesterday! What was going on? "Did I look at you funny?"
"Yes, you idiot!" Arthur protested, biting his lip. "The way you looked at me the whole day, it was as if I had done something wrong, but…"
Alfred looked completely mortified again, but he took a step forward. In a move that had Arthur surprised, he cupped Arthur's arms against his own, bringing him closer than he had expected.
"What do you mean?" Alfred said anxiously, looking away a little. Even he seemed to be taken aback by his boldness. "Come on, you have to tell me! Don't keep your sweetheart waiting."
Arthur sighed, turning his gaze away for a heartbeat before winding his fingers into Alfred's hair, kissing him hurriedly on his lips before pulling away hastily.
"Wh-" he stammered, surprised, but Arthur effectively silenced him with a grumpy, blushing expression.
"You idiot, it made me want to do…that!" he spluttered. "You…you…don't get the wrong idea, it's not like I was worried about you or anything! Don't misunderstand me, but you're working too hard and being too hard on yourself! F-For a moment there, I was scared-!"
Duchess, he's just too cute, Alfred wailed internally as he pulled Arthur's lithe body to his, meeting his eyes with a deep stare. And he smells so sweetly of roses, meaning he washed his hair last night…
"…!" Arthur huffed indignantly, but if he did get this right, by the way his hands were resting against his chest (shit, they were soft) and the way he tried to not meet his glance in the same old Arthur way meant something good…right?
"What were you worried about?" Alfred murmured against his forehead. "Come on, Artie. It's me*."
"That…that you'd get bored of me." Arthur muttered under his breath. "I know…I know it sounds foolish of me, but after yesterday I wanted so badly to talk to you but you shut yourself away, but then you said it was work but then I thought you didn't want to see me, and-"
"Hey, whoa!" Alfred exclaimed, pulling a hand up to his cheek. A faint voice in his head nagged about Emma and Alfonso, but he couldn't when Arthur was showing signs of vulnerability. "I'm sorry if I shut you out yesterday. There are just a lot of things on my mind, as I said the other day. But I thought, tonight's Christmas and then the New Year, so I wanted to finish things up as soon as I could to spend time with you."
Arthur seemed to relax a little, mumbling something in a miffed tone under his breath, but leaned a little closer to him and lifted his hand off his cheek, pressing a kiss to it.
"You're as bloody impossible as the day I met you," Arthur said with a hint of a smile. "…idiot."
"Even though you might be scared of me leaving you like…I don't know, some person you used to be involved with, I won't. I just can't throw you away like that."
"What other person?" Arthur whispered, letting their hands fall loosely, still linked.
"There's just…a reason why you're occasionally prickly. Even as when I can see through them and it just makes you cuter in my opinion-" Arthur sputtered indignantly, a splash of red colouring his freckles, "But you shouldn't let things that happened you affect you now."
"Well, up until recently, I felt like I was in a relationship with someone completely out of my league." Arthur conceded. "Now he's reassured me, yes, but…I can't really put it out of my head."
"Huh," he said, beaming. "If I were him, then I'd just smother you in affection until you know he's not going away!"
"You do that then," Arthur teased, sidestepping elegantly around him. "Go on, take your own advice."
Alfred took in a baited breath, and it took so long that Arthur wondered what was going on. And so he asked him, of course, with a thick eyebrow arched, telling him exactly what he had to.
"No, no, it's just that…" Alfred trailed off, and Arthur could quickly see why.
"Oh. No, I understand."
"Come on, at least let me explain," Alfred said quietly, with a hint of regret in his tone. "Arthur, you know that this doesn't mean I care for you less, and them more. Even if…you know, I know I can finish this with someone, I won't do that to the other Elite. I can't."
That's – oh, Arthur realized internally as he managed to banish the thought of Alfred's warm, chapped lips moving with his, and his musky smell blotting his senses. Ack, he's really distracting today. How did he know?
"In that case, I apologise," he said. "I thought you meant something else, not Emma and Alfonso. I feel bad now, I forgot momentarily…"
"I don't want to make this uncomfortable for anyone," Alfred reasoned. "At least, if we don't have time to talk today, I guess I could take your advice later."
"I'll write something – actually, I already have. For Christmas." he said, his voice resonating with both resolve and bashfulness. "Hopefully your maids will be able to give it to you without crumpling it in your stocking."
"I'm looking forward to it," he murmured, taking Arthur's hand and brushing his lips against his knuckles. "You know I am."
I hate you for making me feel like this, Arthur grumbled in his head. However, I love you all the more for it.
Goodness, that was close, Arthur thought internally as all four of them walked downstairs to the kitchen that Emma and Alfonso had routed out, minus Hero. He hadn't been given the clearance to go into the kitchen after all.
His friends had burst into the room no sooner had Alfred had met him in the subtlest of kisses, leaving them to spare a slight hint of embarrassment and hurt feelings.
Unfortunately, if the baking session had gone anything like their little tryst in the Drawing Room, Arthur wouldn't be standing completely mortified with flour, cinnamon and blackened crumbs staining his apron, watching only in misery as Emma pulled out yet another tray of pristinely baked gingerbread cookies.
"Can we have these for Christmas breakfast and Christmas tomorrow night?" Alfred said, dusting off his glass frames that had been stained by pink icing. "That should be the last batch, yeah?"
"Now we get to cover it with icing!" Alfonso sang, wielding a stuffed bag full of the sugary stuff. Now that was something Arthur could use to ice the bits on his makeshift scones that had gone just a little too crisp.
The lower kitchen had been completely cleared as soon as Alfred and Arthur had followed Emma and Alfonso up to the room – which made a lot of sense seeing as they had taken absolutely forever to come up – which he didn't really mind after all.
The kitchen tops were dusted, white marble gleaming like shells. It was definitely a lot more spacious than it had been at home, with large bags of flour and barrels of milk and oil stacked in the corner ready for use. Spices, vibrant and numerous, were neatly labeled on steel racks, stored in tiny vials. Utensils, so clean that you could view your own reflection in them, were ordered in pots that almost looked large flowerbeds filled with cutlery.
Unfortunately, Arthur's cooking seemed to have disrupted things. First it had been the dial, setting the temperature too high. Next it was the distinctive burning smell sending maids and cooks alike whispering and chattering. Finally, to put the cherry on top, practically the whole kitchen had dispersed when he had opened with and a huge, acrid smelling cloud had wafted out of the oven.
Of course, all three of them had jumped to comfort him by offering their own baked goods, but nothing more sent a little warmth to his heart than them valiantly trying them. Emma tried her best to keep a smile on her face after the whole ordeal while Alfonso turned a slight shade of green, weakly assuring his best friend that it was good as Arthur internally decided to pack them up and eat them himself later to not put it to waste. Even the maid taking it to his room had her eyes wide with shock as she had taken them up!
He couldn't help feeling guilty after that even as they had the other baked goods at around nine and put the traditional milk and cookies underneath the very much nontraditional tree and then bid everyone a Merry (in Arthur's case, Happy) Christmas then retired for the night.
Arthur made his own way alone to his bedroom after he had sent Alfonso to his bedroom and thanked and apologized to the both of his friends. He thought it a little bit of a shame that Alfred had disappeared after they had gotten all the Christmassy things out of the way, but…
His train of thought was spectacularly stopped in his track as he saw Alfred bent over his desk, burnt scone in one hand with an embarrassed expression.
"A-Artie?" he yelped, quickly dusting off the obvious, sooty crumbs from his face.
"Alfred? What are you – the others didn't like them at all-"
"Uh, I'm not even sure if they're safe to eat at the first place in the kitchen," Alfred teased, but continued anyway. "They're super crunchy anyway."
"But…but…" Arthur said, feeling a little steamed, "Why are you eating them?"
"I didn't want to go without trying them first. Also, uh…" Alfred paused, blushing a little as he swallowed his bite of burnt – crisp! – scone. "You looked kinda upset. And I didn't want that to happen. Also, I like teasing you."
"Y…you!" Arthur spluttered, going as red as he did. Of course the idiot teases me just for fun!
But he ate it…and doesn't seem to hate it…I suppose-
Then all of a sudden, he had snatched up the box out of his own accord and placed it squarely in Alfred's hands, folding his arms and jutting out his lip.
"F-Fine! If you want to tease me even more, take them all! If you don't eat them all, I'll get angry – but if you really can't eat them, don't…idiot."
"Hey, I didn't mean it like that!" Alfred amended quickly, tucking the box of baked goods underneath his arm anyway. "And – don't look at me like that. You know what – I'll even bring it to you tomorrow at breakfast! For proof!"
Arthur blinked rapidly, getting rid of the tears that had mysteriously built up in his eyes, and nodded once, but was still a little skeptical. Why had he agreed to eat something that had already been written off?
"Yeah?" Oh Fates, he had said it out loud?!
"Look, I'll tell you why," Alfred offered, leaning on his heels. "I want to do it. F…for you. I mean, you tried so hard, and so why should I just leave it like that. Heh, if I'm not gonna tear up at your bad cooking, then the hero can handle anything that comes my way!"
Underneath that layer of teasing, though, Arthur could feel his affection. Maybe we're not as different as I like to think.
However, naturally to Arthur's character, he punched Alfred in the face then threw his arms around him once he had recovered.
Alfred had been a little shocked to say the least.
And so here he was, sending Alfred off in the same way that they both liked – Alfred leaning a little over him, taking advantage of their slight height range, and Arthur's hands – well, hand – stuffed into his jacket pocket.
"Goodnight, Arthur," Alfred croaked out, rubbing at the bruise on his (stupidly perfect, Arthur bitched) cheekbone, composing himself for the next sentence. "And Merry Christmas."
"Goodnight, Alfred." Arthur said as curtly as possible, but couldn't fight the smile worming its way to his mouth. "And…Happy Christmas to you too."
"Hey, I know there's no mistletoe," Alfred said slowly, blushing. "But would it bad for me to ask for a kiss-mmph!"
Arthur delivered, leaning on his tiptoes and lacing his arms around Alfred's waist. He could hear the sound of the prince placing down the box of crisp scones on the floor and sweetly reciprocating, calloused hands cupping both sides of his cheeks and bringing Arthur as close as humanly possible as he parted his mouth and allowed Alfred entrance, all the while twining his fingers in his hair.
After a while, Alfred's taste of gingerbread and apples invaded Arthur's mouth until it did blur out the sensation of cold that were his glasses pressing against the bridge of his nose. Alfred even overwhelmed the warmth of his own hand moving to cup his back to support him as Arthur was dipped a little to deepen the kiss. Only then did they have the common sense to part, breathing a little deeper.
"Damn," Alfred said, his voice a little husky. Perfect. Just to make me melt again, Your Highness? Idiot.
"Happy – well, the foolish way you say it – Merry Christmas to you, love." Arthur breathed, his eyes sparkling with mirth.
That was when Alfred decided that romantic as hell kissing was the best part of Christmas. Screw presents, Arthur's lips against his own were way sweeter.
*omitted from the chapter was the phrase 'it'sa me, Mario.'
hello everyone. short A/N, but since the last chapter was suggestive in content i'd like to make a quick statement.
at first i was thinking of perhaps posting some sort of an nsfw omake depending on how the story panned out. it's not 100% set in stone, but if there is, i'm not going to be posting it here. per FFNet's rules, explicit sex scenes aren't allowed. i do not want to disrespect the site's rules in any way and additionally, risk this story's removal. i have been working on this fic for more than two years now (wow. get a life me) and i would be devastated if it happened.
so what if i do go ahead with this smutty omake? well, it'll be on AO3 since it is within the rules. but that's only when the story's ended or close to it's last chapters. i'll post a link/my username, so please stay tuned for this!
finally - when this story is completed, i might consider deleting replies. but again, if i ever finish this i'll decide orz
replies
pastaaddict - i'm tempted to give him a time out ;D
vivadragnire - have this microphone. i can sponsor your debut album anytime! /yes
n kukurichan - haha don't worry! i was utterly mortified when i wrote that scene too...and that's amazing! i'd just like a video of you holding your phone and doing some sort of jig with people joining in. that sounds absolutely spectacular lololol. but i think he doesn't have a single idea what he's getting himself into .-. yao just has that parent/guardian's intuition in my mind. and yes - i'm v seriously considering one now - and thanks for the clarification! since it's going to be a royal wedding, it'll be a very big deal. (i worry about your brother a lot honestly...)
mi-chan kizanami - lmao it was really funny to explore this side of alfred...even though i was super embarrassed and googled a lot of it to help me write oTL
hearthorse11 - good question lmao. they're a wanky person and alfonso's #1 hater so i guess that counts for something? and i DON'T, i swear. i end up waking up at 2am to write...maybe because i've been doing this for so long. lmao
reviews, favourites and follows are what will keep me writing, so please go ahead and leave them!