i live

okay quick (useless) backstory. tl;dr my first finals start on the ninth and i've been burying myself in my revision - my desk looks awful - so i've really had to divert my attention to my studies, not the fic unfortunately.

however. that is not to say that this fic is on a blanket hiatus, what i'll likely be doing is updating every saturday when it's possible. my exams end on the 13th of next month, and with that comes a very long summer holiday. that time will be used to finish the fic as a whole (rewrites, updates, etc) and start work on the sequel. that is another story (heh) for another day, but i'll keep everyone updated. :)

right, let's just get to the story!

as always, i do not own the selection nor hetalia. these belong to kiera cass and himaruya hidekaz respectively.

"Seeing as the wound's been fixed somewhat, yes, I believe that the wedding set for Friday will be appropriate," the doctor said, smoothing out her jacket. "If you can get the Joker's assistance to help with the wound, perhaps I will not have to stitch up the wound."

"Thank you," Arthur said, squeezing a tense Erin's hand. Even though his family had been offered luxurious rooms for the night, they preferred to stay a little later with Arthur for his sake. Matthew had been helped to his room with crutches, but as fortune would have it, Arthur's artery was left intact. "Sorry for making you all worry."

"I would be calling the palace if they hadn't come for us," Allistor offered, reclining a little against the wall. "Good to see you've pulled through, Artiekins."

"Actually, I was going to ask you to come along with Erin before...well, you know," Arthur admitted, looking up at his family and shifting his legs underneath the blanket of the hospital. "Obviously, as you heard, my wedding was on Friday...but I didn't want to be prepared by any maids and not have you be part of the ceremony."

"Are you certain that they're going to let five commoners bunch up and bundle you down the aisle?" Christian joked, placing a hand on top of Allistor's left shoulder. "Just making sure that we don't celebrate our brother's wedding day in jail."

"If all five of you want to, but I was thinking you might be a bridesmaid, Chris, dress and all," Arthur teased back, wiggling his thick eyebrows back at his older brother. "And anyway. You won't be commoners any more."

"Double yikes, Art," Cormac chipped in, "I thought you were going to make me a bridesmaid...and I hope that we're not going to be constantly photographed."

"Fates knows that you're going to design the dresses, Cormac," Arthur replied. "And about the pictures-"

"Oi, you've forgotten the Deciding connoisseur here," Erin sang, folding her arms. "Of course we're going to be photographed a lot, Cormac."

"Oh no," Cormac wailed, to which Erin smirked at and continued.

"Not to mention the countless newspaper interviews, the hour of Broadcast interviews they'd probably have us do, coupled with paparazzi everywhere..."

"Fates help me," Cormac whimpered, "Artie, I'm sorry – can you pretend I'm a distant cousin in order to not embarrass you?"

"It won't be that terrible," Allistor said firmly – even though he couldn't do anything like look him in the eyes due to their almost nonexistent height, "You've cleaned up your act, Cormac. I suppose the one issue we might have is the paparazzi following around Dy."

The four of them turned to look at little Dylan, who was merrily running around the ward, his stuffed animal (courtesy of the palace) tucked in his arms.

"True," Christian echoes, banter falling from their lips as they watch the youngest member of the Kirkland clan enjoying his free time, blissfully unaware. That sort of stress could put a severe burden on an adult. But a young child? "We can't have that, surely."

"No, there's got to be something we can do," Erin said, rubbing a finger against the side of her arm. "Royal children had a protection over them until they were fifteen – essentially, they weren't allowed to be photographed until their parents let them. Surely Dy could get the same protection?"

"He is, in all senses of the word," Allistor interjected. "So I don't see why not."

"That's good," Erin said, letting her gaze linger on her smallest brother before turning back to Arthur. "Although, Artiekins, are you really going to make all of us walk down the aisle with you?"

"…um, no, I was just joking," Arthur said, rubbing the small at the back of his neck in embarrassment. "If anyone doesn't want to…"

"Okay, I'll respectfully pass," Christian said, laughing a little. "Sorry, Art. But I'll sit at the front, if you'll have me. I just don't want to be filmed clumping onto the screen on live television and embarrass myself in front of probably the whole continent."

"Not sure whether Dy would be a good fit to be walking down the aisle, the tyke. Though, I think Allistor should be the one to walk you down," Cormac said softly, rearranging his legs on the stool he was sitting down. "Since Father and Mother aren't here. It's only right."

Arthur didn't say anything, but just lifted his chin and looked into his brother's green eyes, mirroring his own.

"If you're all right with it, Allistor, would you...?"

"I…of course, Artie," Allistor replied, smiling a little. "For our parents."

"Aww, Allistor," Erin cooed at her older brother. "I mean, I'd love to be your bridesmaid still, Artie. Unless you have a bevy of photographic ones ready to go?"

"Fates, Erin, I know I can be a bit of a bitch sometimes, but hopefully not like that," Arthur laughed. "Of course. I wouldn't know anyone better for it."

"I knew you wouldn't let me down!" Erin exclaimed, hugging her brother tightly and muffling his protests with her embrace. "Oh, thank you, little tyke. I'll do my best."

"What, were you planning to do anything other than that? I know you'll do more than that, Erin," Arthur said, taking her hand into his own. "I couldn't ask for a better family."

"Are you sure about that?"
"Cormac!"

"Hey, it was just a joke – Christian, stop laughing – Erin, don't – oi!"

Matthew turned the spine of his book around in his hands, tracing the carefully printed letters with a light fingertip. Another book completed.

Thankfully, he'd been dismissed from royal formalities for the next two days. Even though his injury had been turned to something a lot less life threatening, it still stung like hell hath no fury once he put an atom of pressure on it – so going to the bathroom was an absolute ball.

Although it was quite lonely – he only wanted his maid to be there for emergencies, and it would be embarrassing to have Yao around all the time, as if he were a child again. Not only that, but Yao seemed rather busy as he was planning for the Queen of Hearts' confirmed internship. Alfred was busy with Arthur and the PR machine, as well as trying to appear mature (ha) in front of the other royals, and Carlos was giving testimony to the investigators that had been employed by the palace. Francis was obviously trying to flirt with the tablecloths at dinner, so Matthew didn't want to ruin his fun. Perhaps he'd ask him and Lili for dinner in his room later.

That left…

Ha ha, Matthew muttered to himself internally, placing down the book with a resounding thump on his bedside table, he's probably going to be the busiest person in Cards tonight. Even having his magical energy dangerously altered for a time won't keep him down.

Fates, even if they had spent some time together after he had jolted awake, it had been far from the intimacy they were used to. With Francis in the room, as well as - gosh, nine other royals? – there was just a touch of pressure. There wasn't even a kiss…

Using his free arm, he gingerly positioned his leg to the left so that he'd be able to shift off the covers. Sticking out his tongue and keeping his gaze steady, he used both hands to secure his thigh so there wouldn't be too much of a pang as his feet tickled the light violet carpet of his room. With a slightly triumphant huff, he fingered the Iron Cross, hoping that the charm still worked.

After ten minutes, Matthew gave up and rang for his maid, who took a message and also delivered him the daily paper he had requested. To keep gossip on the low within the palace, he kept it simple:

My limbs hate me, sorry. Please meet me at the usual place.

While waiting for the reply, Matthew was convinced it had been the worst hour of his life, with Kuma almost sitting on top of his injured thigh when he lumbered back from his daily walk.

At least, until the next one came over.

Gilbert took a moment from shoveling creamy pasta into his mouth to breathe, and then kept on going. They felt like little soft seashells that were stuffed with rare (?) mushrooms and thick cream that melted in his mouth and Fates, he was hungry.

That, and his awesomeness dearly missed Matthew.

It sucked that they couldn't even kiss! After everything they'd done…though, Francis would murder him for 'defiling' his little liege…and hell, he didn't want to give Rod and Liz the satisfaction…

"Goodness, Gil, do you ever chew?" Elizabeta said at almost the perfect time, jolting Gilbert from his thoughts. "Please let your boorish mouth swallow for once."

"Blech, is that all you can think about now, Liz?" Gilbert retorted, and made a face – even if she was mature (which Gilbert would never admit to associating the term with her) and was the mother of two daughters, it seemed that old habits didn't die hard. "Please, we're eating dinner."

Ludwig slowly turned around from where he was discussing a reduction in trade taxes with Ivan, took a single look at Gilbert, and groaned.

God, he couldn't help but crack a loose grin – it almost felt like the old days, before everything stopped at the New Year's. Playfully bickering with his friends, relishing in his royal status (the sheer taste of the pasta, lord), but…

"Your Highness?" a maid said all of a sudden, tapping Gilbert's shoulder and causing his spoon to almost fall out of his bowl. "There's a note for you here."

"…oh, uh, sorry," Gilbert stammered, getting up from his seat with a nasty clang of his chair. "Who's it from?"

She didn't reply to him but merely handed him the note with a bow, her lips tightly pursued before leaving the dining hall.

"Well?" Francis asked, eyeing the note. "What does it say?"

My limbs hate me, sorry…

"Oh," Gilbert said, now eating his meal with ten times more gusto then he had before, "Sorry! I gotta go but I can't waste this food…"

Francis subconsciously dabbed at the corners of his own mouth for his friend's sake, coughed once, and then returned to serenely spooning rich pumpkin soup in his mouth.

Ah, love. Weird.

[…] so obviously, it is a very pleasant surprise to see that the future king and queen are well. Unfortunately, the coup had a more severe effect on the ace, who reportedly took a life threatening wound to a major artery, to which we are pleased to report has recovered and thus we dearly hope that the Ace Matthew will be able to attend the royal wedding, still scheduled for Friday.

Primary Suits continues on page 5, Deciding coverage continues on page 6.

"So, apparently, I'm some sort of martyr," Matthew muttered to Kuma, running his hand over the bear's soft fur. "Makes me sound as if I ran around taking bullets for them."

Kuma lifted his snout, huffed at him once to say 'as if,' then clambered out of the bed to most probably the kitchen for one of his several daily snacks.

"Well then," Matthew conceded, falling back to his bed and newspaper with a huff before thumbing it open again, "Have fun with all four of your lovely working limbs."

Pictures of almost all the members of the Primary Suit dominated page four. It was a typical spread in a newspaper, with small captions printed neatly with photographer credit and a description of what exactly was happening. The pictures ranged from a stiff image of Roderich and Yao shaking hands, to Francis and Gilbert with their arms slung over each other's necks, smiles on their faces.

Friends without borders, the caption gushed. Ever since the tumultuous war between their nations that forced them together, these two and the commander of the military branch of Hearts, General Antonio, have been almost inseparable in summits and Meetings.

First meeting was the caption underneath a picture of the Queen of Hearts – Queen Kiku – greeting Jack Vash with a formal bow. Queen Kiku is new blood in a field of blue blood players – despite their different upbringings, the Queen of Hearts is determined to be versatile to his new circumstances.

White first love. After the chaotic and eventful months of the Deciding, combined with the coup, Prince Alfred and Sir Arthur have finally been seen together in an exclusive photo. Here, they are captured in a quiet moment together, solidifying their bonds for the future they are sure to share.

"Aww," Matthew said to himself, folding down the corner of the newspaper to fax over to his brother and Arthur later – the picture, although taken in Arthur's hospital room and simply showing their hands interlaced with each other, was very cute. "That's a sweet picture."

"Not as sweet as you," a voice came from the door, and Matthew almost forgot his stupid wound as he choked, abandoning the paper and simply letting his bed sheets sag over his dark blue pajama bottoms as he hobbled to the door, where Gilbert had already flown in (not literally) and gave him a hug.

He…also tried to scoop his arms underneath Matthew's legs, but unfortunately, that didn't work out in the least. But what did Matthew care? He was breathing and smiling and kissing his cheekbones, his hair, and lips lingering against freckles and eyelashes as Matthew pretended to try to fend him off.

"God, Matthew, you don't know how long I've waited to do that without fear," Gilbert said, cracking a grin. "Matthew, Mattie, liebling…"

"I believe you forgot 'Birdie'," Matthew replied in tandem, brushing his nose against the Joker's. "And you were terribly fond of calling me it, too."

"Nah, there was something I was even fonder to call you," Gilbert said, cupping Matthew's elbows with his hands as he helped him back to his bed. "Wanna guess what it is?"

"Not a pick up line from Francis?" Matthew said hopefully, but stopped to admire the sensation of Gilbert's eyelids fluttering shut against his thumbs in pure joy as the two of them sat against Matthew's headboard.

"No, no! I was the fondest of calling you mine,"

"Oh Fates, that's awful," Matthew snorted, scrunching up his nose in embarrassment, "I knew you'd say something like that."

"It's still true, though, liebling."

"That's a touch more refined," he conceded, but paused to tilt his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He almost couldn't believe that his Joker was alive and kicking – only a few days ago, he had been crumpled over in a hospital bed with only their hands keeping them linked.

"Sorry I didn't visit, you know with my recovery and every-" Gilbert began, but Matthew only wanted to hold him – no more apologies, no more words about their lost time, no more regrets, no more moments vanished.

"Don't be sorry," Matthew murmured, cupping Gilbert's cheeks in his shaking hands. "The two of us should be happy that we're still here."

"No thanks to me, eh? Though, as they said, you did all the work." Gilbert grinned, that same cheesy yet snarky expression that made Matthew's eyes soften in the exact way they had done all those years ago in the lip of the well.

"Of all the times you want to be modest, this is the one you chose? You delude yourself, lover boy," Matthew chuckled, and this time he didn't resist out of fear as Gilbert enveloped him in his arms. Even though his glasses were cold against Gilbert's face and Gilbert is holding him a touch too tight…it didn't matter. As long as he could have his beloved at his side, nothing else did.

I won't let anyone or anything harm a silver hair on your head any more, Matthew swore to himself, caught up in the emotion of being loved so fiercely by someone.

Stay with me, Gilbert. For as long as you can.

"So, you'll come to our room tomorrow?"

"Unless it's trashed, yes," Arthur nodded, pulling down his shirt a little lower so it skimmed his knees as he faced his sister. Well, even though it was Alfred's - he'd had a bad habit of pinching his lover's shirts for sleepwear recently, something he couldn't (and didn't want to) shake. R-Regardless, they were large and comfortable for his frame, n-not like he liked their smell or anything! "In that case, I'd rather you call Management and bolt."

"There isn't…a Management here, surely? It's not an office building…" Erin said anxiously, looking side to side, legs kicking slightly. "To be fair, Arthur, how do you even function here?"

"Umm…" Arthur opened his mouth to answer, but whipped around when he heard two knocks on his door. "Erin, I'll get it-"

"Oh my GOD," Erin, who had already hightailed it to the door, shrieked, and Arthur scrambled out of the couch to see what was wrong. "Holy s-"

"Is it some sort of b-" Arthur began, but stopped short when he took in Alfred's slightly shocked expression. Oh. Oh, boy.

The prince was dressed formally, but it held his usual boyish charm – his light blue dress shirt was unbuttoned, exposing his undershirt, contrasting with his belt and pressed work pants. He was missing his tie, although in its place his chest was emblazoned with his dog tags. In addition, he was wearing his glasses – even if Arthur found him devastatingly attractive when he put on contacts, he managed to look just a little cuter.

"I'm so sorry for screaming in your face, Your Highness!" Erin babbled, her face stricken. "I didn't…"

"N-No, it's nothing, I'm…I've had a lot worse, Miss Erin," Alfred said, awkwardly reaching out to pat her on the shoulder with an embarrassed beam. "I'm sorry, are you and Sir Arthur currently busy? I want to talk with him."

"Oh, umm, of course not," Erin blushed, and Arthur bit back a laugh. Alfred never acted so formally; he was turning up the charm indeed. "Arthur, I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Don't get into trouble, Erin," Arthur teased, kissing her on the side of her cheek. "See you."

"Don't get into trouble either, wee bairn," Erin said right back, winking at him, stealing another glance of the prince before taking her leave with a quick squeeze of his right hand.

"Sorry," Arthur said after she had left to Alfred's bemused expression. "She's…always been a fan of you."

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about," Alfred grinned, giving her a little wave as she left the room. "It's good to see you back, Arthur."

"You saw me back when they did that pseudo photo shoot." Arthur replied, but interlaced his fingers with Alfred's warm ones. "I've been back for a while now."

"Yeah, but it was in the hospital room, not your suite," Alfred said, and lifted their joined hands to his lips, running his mouth against Arthur's knuckles, eliciting a laugh. "Is it bad for a man to want some one on one time with his sweetheart?"

"All right, I'll let you indulge me," Arthur breathed, shivering a little at the sensation of his lips against his skin. "…As much as you want."

"Be careful what you wish for, darlin'," Alfred said, and that was the only warning Arthur had before being pressed against the wall and feverishly embraced, all the way from the top of his forehead, down to his eyelids, cheekbones, freckles, cheeks, the bridge of his nose. He drifted closer, leaving a trail against the shell of his left ear; words against his right ear that made him shiver again. Even as Alfred gently held his left hand in his own and tucked his hair behind his ears for more places to kiss, he wanted more. "I might not be able to hold myself back as well as I did before."

Beneath all the breaths that the two of them were sharing in the tight space of Arthur's bedroom wall, Alfred was leaving a necklace of kisses against his collarbone, mouth blazing against each patch he'd scorched in his wake. "W-What are you doing down there?"

"Hm? What do you mean?" Alfred said, sticking out his tongue – that made Arthur flush indignantly. He was avoiding a kiss on bloody purpose! Winking, grinning, stupidly attractive idiot…

"Kiss me," Arthur said simply, and fisted his hand in his shirt, pulling him in. The sensation of his lips against his own eliminated the sound of Alfred's palm sliding onto his wall or the shift of his well-pressed work shoes on his floor, nor the fogging up of his glasses. Every other sensation of Alfred's touch on his skin, from the flutter of his thumb running against his cheekbone and the interlacing of their legs, seemed to amplify tenfold. "I…I missed you…"

"You have no idea how much I've been struggling to restrain myself," Alfred murmured, withdrawing for a moment and sharing eye contact before dipping back in. "Let me hold you a little longer."

"Not against a wall, though," Arthur said, biting his lip as he desperately thought of how exactly to convey what he wanted to say as soon as they parted. "I know it's been a while, b-but…could you stay, tonight?"

"I…" Alfred stammered, pink dusting his cheeks. "Arthur, are you sure?"

"Stay," Arthur pleaded, heart pounding in his chest as he blushed and looked down, hands shifting to rest on his chest. "N-No matter what happens tonight, stay. I need you, Alfred. I…I love you."

Alfred's eyes softened. Even if that phrase coming from Arthur's rosy mouth always made him crumble, the cute way Arthur was tugging down one of his own shirts, soft, creamy thighs exposed, lips rosy from kissing, cheeks flushed, irresistible eyes looking away, hair rumpled...to him, it wasn't a mystery why Alfred couldn't ever keep his hands off his fiancé for too long.

"I love you, too," Alfred whispered, taking his hands in his own again. "Your wish is my command then, princess."

He scooped Arthur up into his arms almost effortlessly and walked in the direction of his sprawling bed. Arthur's left hand had recovered sufficiently that wouldn't cause him pain, but Alfred carefully placed it inbetween his thighs to keep it out of harm's way. He pushed the door closed with his foot, feeling for the lights of the room as Arthur cupped his face with his free hand and craned his neck up to meet him again, the soft sound of kissing becoming their only conversation.

The sound of a belt falling to the floor was the one thing that broke their silence.

l-lewd

have to confess tho...i went over this chapter like five times because i was so nervous abt it

replies

CFAA - gosh i love planet earth politics but it's probably for the best

amberwolf2377 - that's a relief, thanks! as a younger sibling i'd think he'd do something of the sort.

russia says hello - idk, part of that is what makes 'worldbuilding' fun. to the first point, yes, that's correct. the first decree was against the joker 'people', as they were their own separate country - the difference between the rebels and the jokers are that the jokers are allowed/and are appointed by the fates' blessing to be on the island of cards. their role is to essentially have another royal/another pair of hands to help out if needed, and be a neutral standpoint if needed - and as an effort to keep that neutrality they shift hands every few years (around four).

don't worry about the questions, they're really fun to answer! worldbuilding is something i sorely need to work on, so they're welcomed. :D

vivadragnire - everything's so complicated rip;; it's always like this hence the obnoxious length lmao. and aww, thank you! it's been so long since we chatted (exams kms) so i hope this tides you over.

n kukuri chan - elli: i must confess...i love writing [next week on CNN: a difficult story] ahah jokes aside, wait hold up there's even more jokes in the front! maybe you should publish some work about your life, put it on wattpad or something and it'll probably win the wattpad awards (wattys?) or even better yet, change the names and publish it. life pro tip 10/10. and with this chapter i suppose it gives some clarification, but the evasive person i am i won't say anything explicitly ;0

hmm, for these sorts of situations you should be able to carry a whole vat of holy water for your every day use (or at least, before you read the next update of castle, haha.) honestly last thursday to celebrate the last day before sixth form, a group of my friends and i went to see IW and the gasps of surprise should have been able to power the pacific northwest, i feel like. i won't spill any more because i can't risk spoilers, but still. let me talk to u about DeValier (tm). i've seen eliza/lili a lot recently but i also enjoy their friendship dynamic ("lili, aren't these sweets lovely?" "miss eliza...i've eaten so many of them already..." "nonsense! a growing girl can always eat more sweets.")

desperation tactics for her eh? she's doubly cornered so she'd want to lash out however she could. i think i did mention this topic beforehand, but yes, lili's birth was traumatic + as well as her mother not holding any magical potential, which was odd for a queen, but that's a very brief tl;dr. and i wish we could do the wedding asap (lmao in this chapter idk if you can tell but i'm pushing things) and oh man, it was a while but it's always good to be back with them! (p.s. how did you know blueberry was my favourite type of muffin? you're psychic i swear...)

hearthorse11 - hey there! and no problem, i've been there too many times (#asianparents) so i completely understand. it's great to see you're getting help though, keep at it ;v; and i hope you have a nice day as well, although belated!

reviews, favourites and follows are what will keep me writing, so please go ahead and leave them!