Arthur: Reunion (Part 3)

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A/N

So I've been repairing my the first few chapters of this fic since I noticed I could definitely have done better. I'm currently working on chapter 3, but I might leave the majority of that as it is since it's a sort of headcanon for me. There will be delays in my updates since classes start August 9, but I'll still update whenever I can for whoever wants to read this.

*Anong pinaglalaban mo? is a phrase often used by Filipinos when we have roundabout argument. It literally translates to, "What are you fighting for?"

Also, this has a nod to one of the latter episodes of Once Upon a Time.

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"I already said I'm sorry!" Maria exclaimed, her explanations barely reaching the ears the irate Englishman sitting in front of her. Arthur was, with the exception of his pride, mostly unharmed from the encounter. This however, explained why he was still cross about being buried under the Filipina's purchases in an undignified manner. She had invited him to dinner in apology, which was why they now found themselves seated across each other in a seaside fusion cuisine restaurant.

"You certainly got Alfred's grace…" Arthur commented dryly as he gazed out the window overlooking the bay area. He never blamed her in the first place, but seeing her flustered and watching her struggle with embarrassment made him decide to play victim.

Maria gasped indignantly at Arthur's comment, "That was low. Besides, you're not hurt at all. You're just pretending to be."

"How do you know? I could have broken ribs for all you know!"

"You'd be writhing with pain if you had broken ribs!"

"Either way, it was your fault." Arthur replied stubbornly, bringing his fist to the table and completely ignoring the meal set before him.

"And I said I'm sorry! Anong pinaglalaban mo?!" Maria knitted her brows; she was starting to raise her voice.

"What the hell does that even mean?"

Maria opened her mouth to reply but Arthur cut her off, saying, "You know what, never mind. Let's just eat." He knew she had more to say; he saw it in the way her eyes flashed. She always wanted to have the last word, so it was a surprise to Arthur when she decided to keep quiet.

Arthur had started to eat dinner in silence when Maria suddenly asked, "Arthur? Why did you leave without saying goodbye? I kept my promise." Maria laughed dryly and bitterly added, "You obviously didn't."

Maria saw Arthur drop his fork and watched as it clattered onto the plate beneath it. She had to ask. After all these years, it still hurt.

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The shore was peaceful that night as the pirate and the pearl of the orient seas walked under the light of the stars side by side. Maria could feel her heart beating; she feared it was loud enough for her companion to hear. His hand grazed hers lightly before their hands entwined naturally.

"Maria?"

"What is it, Arthur?"

"Promise me you won't ever forget me. Promise that you'll always remember how I made you smile, and please forgive me for everything I've done to hurt or disappoint you…" He suddenly clasped her hand in both of his as emerald clashed with brown eyes. He pushed a lock of hair from her face behind her ear and continued, "Promise me you'll always remember me as I am at this very moment."

Maria frowned, worried, "What's wrong, Arthur? Are you in trouble? Maybe I can – "

He surprised her by letting go of her hand and taking her into his arms. She felt him quivering slightly as he pressed her closer to him. 'Papa Antonio and Kuya Alejandro would kill them both if they saw this right now,' Maria thought to herself.

"Just – just promise me," She could feel Arthur's lips as they grazed her hair lightly. This was highly inappropriate, though Maria found herself unable to tear herself away. The desperation in Arthur's voice only made Maria worry even more. She could feel his shaky breaths, "promise you'll always remember me as I am before you right now. Whatever people tell you about me, remember me this way."

"Alright, but promise me the same thing. And that if I helped bring down your walls, even if it's just a little, promise you won't put them back up. I know this is the real you, Arthur, and I will always remember you this way." Maria replied as she looked up at him and beamed. She stood rooted to the ground as Arthur sighed and brought their foreheads together. He pulled away and kissed her brow lightly, murmuring, "Thank you, Maria."

He walked her home, and everything seemed back to the way it was. Maria awoke the next day to find her Papa Antonio and Kuya Alejandro had returned, but no trace was left of the young Englishman who had so captivated our young Filipina.

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"All these years I worked hard. I cooperated with Kuya Alfred, just to see you. Only to find that you had entered far deeper into your shell than you ever had before. I don't mind if you forget me, I'm sort of used to that by now. But it saddens me that you continue to isolate yourself to this day." Maria continued, watching Arthur's reactions. He couldn't meet her eyes, head turned towards the nearest window overlooking the docks and hands gripping the side of the table.

Maria felt ignored. It was just like him, she thought, to avoid talking about these things. She sighed, excused herself, and stood up to leave the restaurant. Arthur, confused as to whether of not he should follow, hesitated for a while, stood up, left cash for the food and quickly left in pursuit of Maria.

Maria, who had held back tears of frustration and sadness back in the restaurant, let go of all restraints as soon as she felt the spray of the sea on her face. It reminded her of home so much. It reminded her of that night she promised, that night she realized he was as fond of her as she of him. It broke her heart now to see that not only had he forgotten her, but had also –

What was that? The sound of hurried footsteps in pavement took her back centuries ago, when the sound of two pairs of feet echoing as they hit the cobbled streets of Manila was a nightly occurrence, when the lights of gas lamps dimly illuminated her constant companion's emerald green eyes, when –

"Maria!"

Yes, that voice sounded like it fit in with the memory, except for the fact that it was actually real. A hand grabbed her wrist and another spun her around. She found herself face to face with an obviously exhausted Arthur Kirkland.

"I have thought of you every day since I left, and my walls are up because only you could ever bring them down."

Maria's breath caught in her throat as she slowly processed what Arthur told her ever so earnestly. Then, reality caught up with her. "Even so, you probably have someone now, so I won't bother you anymore."

The expression on Maria's face before she once again turned around to leave broke Arthur's heart. He caught up to her and blocked her way. "Don't you understand, you idiot? It's just you! It's only ever been and ever will be you!"

Maria stared up at him for a few seconds, letting his words sink in. She opened her mouth as is to say something, but hesitated.

"Maria? What is it?"

"If I make you promise not to ever forget what you told me right now, would you actually do it this time?" Maria asked, laughing as tears welled up in her eyes. Arthur enveloped her in his arms as he did centuries ago and replied, "I told you I never broke my promise, but if that's what it takes for you to believe me, then yes."

Arthur kissed Maria on the brow, exactly as he had done before, and they walked back to their hotels hand in hand as if their long night walks had never been interrupted by wars and invaders.