Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia

Chapter 6

The soft rays of sun slipped through the gap in the curtains, falling upon Francis' sleeping features. As he sensed the disturbance, he stirred, slowly awakening. The white bedsheets were draped over his lower half, exposing his bare back and the Frenchman shivered as the morning was somewhat cool compared to the heat of last night. Beautiful blue eyes opened sleepily as Francis shifted again, his heart sinking as he did not feel a warm body next to him. Instead the bed felt cold and lonely, and Francis closed his eyes again, almost wishing that it was only a dream, and that he would wake up with Arthur holding him.

He curled up under the covers, hugging himself. Unbeknownst to him, the movement made a certain Englishman sat in the chair that faced Francis' back smirk.

"Good morning, love."

Francis froze, his eyes snapping open and he sat up so suddenly that his vision blacked out for a split second. When it cleared, he saw Arthur sat with one leg crossed over the other, dressed only in his shirt and breeches. His coat and hat were still discarded on the floor, and he smiled as he saw Francis' shocked expression.

The tavern owner stared wide-eyed at the Captain for a few moments, not sure if it was really him, or if he really was dreaming after all. Arthur's smile grew slightly as he saw Francis' hair tousled from sleep, and he was struck by how utterly gorgeous the Frenchman looked in the morning light.

"Arthur…you stayed?" Francis' accent was thick from sleep, and Arthur was unable to fight his urge to hold him. He stood, perching on the bed beside Francis and touching his cheek gently.

"I did, just until you woke up…" the English Captain murmured, captivated by Francis' sea-blue eyes.

His eyes saddened as he realised the implication; Arthur was still leaving. But he smiled as Arthur's lips met his, kissing him back softly and sweetly. It was such a contrast from the rough treatment the pirate had inflicted upon him the night before, but Francis loved it all the same. Soon though, Arthur delved his tongue past the Frenchman's lips, invading his mouth and eliciting a soft moan from his lover. Francis laid back on the bed slightly as Arthur leaned over him more, deepening the kiss.

All too quickly, the Captain pulled back to catch his breath, panting softly. Francis locked eyes with him, a soft smile dancing over his features, even though he knew Arthur would leave.

"You're so beautiful…" the pirate whispered against Francis' lips, closing is eyes briefly as he appreciated the moment, before drawing back and standing again.

Francis watched him, sitting up again too. "Will you return sooner this time?"

The English Captain hesitated, but there was no denying those beautiful blue eyes.

"I will do my best, love." He promised, touching the Frenchman's cheek affectionately.

Francis smiled brightly at this, before slipping out of bed and fetching Arthur's coat and boots for him. Arthur watched him unabashedly, not ashamed of staring at his lover's naked form with such a hungry stare.

The Captain smiled as he let Francis dress him, humming softly as his lover's slender fingers deftly slipped Arthur's scarlet coat over his shoulders, straightening it with an almost maternal affection. When he was done, Francis glanced back up at Arthur, his eyes as deep as the sea and Arthur found himself drowning in them.

"Promise me you will be careful…I-If anything were to happen to you…- "

Arthur was touched by the concern in the Frenchman's soft words, and he kissed his forehead gently. "Nothing will happen to me, darling. I will return to you no matter how long it takes."

This vow reassured Francis, and when Arthur pulled him into his arms, he snuggled against the pirate's strong chest, relishing in his embrace for a few moments.

Raucous, joyful shouts and jeers could be heard from the dock, the sounds faintly floating into the tavern room. Arthur sighed, reluctantly pulling back as his crew could well leave without him if their Captain was not present.

"I have to go now…" he murmured, and Francis nodded, more accepting of this fact because his lover had promised to return.

Arthur fished in his pocket, pulling out a swollen purse, and placed it into Francis' unexpecting hand. "This is to make sure the tavern will still be here when I return. How can I visit you if your delightful business goes under?~"

The Frenchman smiled at this, not daring to think about where the Captain 'earned' the money, but he could not deny that his tavern definitely needed the supplement.

"Merci, mon cher. I will be here, waiting for you~" he promised, pecking Arthur's lips gently, but the simple contact sealed the deal of Arthur's return.

The Captain gave a small sigh, his heart begging him not to leave the beautiful man before him, but his mind reiterated how his crew would leave without him. Making up his mind, he grabbed his weapons and hat, placing it atop his unruly blonde hair and giving the very smirk that made Francis feel weak at the knees.

"I will see you soon, my love."

Francis nodded, stepping aside for him. "Au revoir, mon amour~"

It was very difficult for Arthur to force his legs into motion, but he stubbornly succeeded, winking at his lover before leaving the small bedroom, going down the rickety stairs and leaving the tavern, trying to ignore the screaming of his heart.

Francis smiled as he watched him go, before scooping up the bedsheets, wrapping them around his waist to make himself somewhat decent. Once he deemed himself to be, he went out onto the tiny balcony of the room, able to spot Arthur making his way towards his awaiting ship.

Arthur felt the urge to look back, and as he did, he saw his lover out on the balcony, watching him leave. With a smirk, Arthur turned to him, taking off his hat and sweeping it under him in a flamboyant, swooping bow.

Francis grinned as he saw this, feeling his heart flutter.

Satisfied that he had entertained the Frenchman, Arthur straightened up, returning his hat to his head, before boarding his ship. Instantly, he donned his fearsome, ruthless Captain persona once more, barking orders without hesitation. But Francis was still in the back of his mind, even as Arthur went about his business on deck.

Francis watched as The Bloody Rose slowly left the harbour, keeping his eyes firmly on the vessel until it disappeared beyond the horizon. Smiling softly, the Frenchman turned back, returning to the bedroom. He failed to notice the suspiciously tanned vagabond on the street below him.

The vagabond had observed the interactions between Francis and Arthur, and when both men had left, he gathered his things, returning to the tiny boat he had concealed on the deserted part of the dock, before returning to the Spanish ship he had been sent from.

A/N: I apologize for the short chapter but this week is busy for me and I'm not feeling well at all, but I wanted to give you guys something as I know it's been a bit longer than usual since I last updated.

Please review and let me know what you thought of Arthur staying until Francis woke up. Also what about the strange vagabond at the end? I wonder what his purpose is…XD

Love you all x