Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia

Warning: This chapter contains the good stuff (smut) XD

Chapter 12

A few weeks had passed, with Arthur slowly recovering. He was still bed-ridden, and Francis had thrown a fit when Arthur had tried to get out of bed on his own one time, so to save his lover a heart attack, the Englishman decided to just do as he was told for once.

Francis spent his time juggling looking after Arthur and raising Matthew, the tavern staying closed as the Frenchman simply did not have the time to add a third responsibility to his list right now. He barely slept, hardly leaving Arthur's side for more than two hours before returning to him.

Arthur repaid him by helping to teach Matthew English, and Francis found out that Arthur spoke a lot of French, although his pronunciation was awful. Francis was grateful to him, but when Arthur freed up his time, the Frenchman would insist on doing cooking or cleaning, keeping himself rushed off his feet.

One day, Arthur was teaching Matthew English, smiling as the boy picked it up so quickly, and the two of them had become rather close. Francis had just finished cleaning the whole tavern, and he was more than exhausted, but now he stood in the doorway, watching the two with a smile.

Arthur looked up, seeing Francis and he was concerned as the Frenchman was clearly tired, but he smiled and gently patted the bed. Francis smiled, coming over and sitting down on the edge of the bed quietly as Matthew continued reading from the English book. His French accent was very thick, but he was only eight years old, and Francis knew that the more he practiced, the easier it would become for him.

Arthur had a hand gently on the Frenchman, rubbing small circles into the small of his back, and Francis found himself lying down with his head on Arthur's shoulder, cuddling him as Matthew and Arthur continued their lesson.

After a few minutes, the Englishman glanced at Francis, to see that he had fallen asleep, and he smiled softly, gently closing the book and whispering to Matthew.

"What do you say we continue this tomorrow, my boy? Your Papa could do with some rest…"

Matthew nodded, gathering his books and hopping down off the bed. He knew enough to know that his Papa should not be cuddling up to another man, but he saw how happy Arthur made Francis, and so he said nothing to anyone, just going to his room and continuing to study on his own, determined to master English soon.

Arthur watched him leave, before slowly wrapping his arms around Francis, kissing the top of his head. The Frenchman had not come so close to Arthur in the few weeks he had been there, as if afraid that he would break the Captain. But now, Arthur felt happy to hold his lover in his arms, stroking his silky blonde hair gently as Francis slept deeply against Arthur's chest.

In this moment of peace, Arthur took the time to appreciate Francis. There were a few fine wrinkles on the handsome man's features, no doubt caused by the stress of raising Matthew and running the tavern all on his own, and although Francis looked older than he had done when Arthur first fell in love with him, the English Captain found himself admiring every wrinkle and imperfection of the Frenchman as much as the utter perfection that he was. He gently traced the burn on Francis' arm, concealed under the sleeve of his shirt, but Arthur knew it was there nonetheless. The Frenchman was the most beautiful person still, even when he had been through so much turmoil, and if it were possible, Arthur could have sworn he was only falling more in love with him.

Smiling softly, Arthur placed feather-light kisses along Francis' jaw, careful not to wake him as he appreciated his beauty. The Frenchman stirred in his sleep, nuzzling against Arthur's shoulder a little, and Arthur closed his eyes, soon falling asleep far more easily now that he held his lover in his arms.

XxX

After two months of pampering and constant fussing and attention from Francis, Arthur had recovered rather well. He could not strain himself, and he could not lift anything too heavy or stay on his feet for an excessive amount of time, but when Francis wasn't in the room, he would get out of bed and walk around the room for a bit, feeling his strength returning to him with every passing day.

Now, he stood by the open window, breathing in the fresh air and staring out to sea. He craved the feeling of being back on the water, but he had not said anything to Francis, especially since he knew Francis was really happy having him stay here. But it was not in his nature, and even if he wanted to, he was a wanted man, and he refused to put Francis and Matthew in more danger. So, one he was fully recovered, he would sail the seas, but he would hopefully return to Calais far more frequently than he used to.

A gasp brought him out of his thoughts, as Francis stood in the doorway holding a jug of water to replace the old one on Arthur's bedside table. "What are you doing out of bed?"

Worry flooded him as he quickly put the jug down, rushing over in case Arthur suddenly fell, but the Englishman only smiled. "I'm fine, love." He turned to him, taking his slender hands in his own rough ones, and kissed his knuckles charmingly, before pulling him closer.

"In fact, I'm feeling wonderful~" he purred, using his best seductive voice, and Francis blushed. They had not made love in nine years, and because Arthur was injured, they hadn't been able to in the past two months. But Arthur had been going stir-crazy watching his beautiful Frenchman swan in and out of the room, only to know he could not have him.

"Arthur, you need to regain your strength – " Francis began, but Arthur placed a finger against his soft lips with a smirk.

"I have regained my strength, darling~" he slipped an arm around Francis' waist, aware that the Frenchman was having a very hard time resisting.

"But – "

Arthur cut him off this time with a kiss, moving their lips together heatedly as he pulled him closer still. Francis gasped slightly into the kiss, melting into his embrace though as Arthur flicked his tongue past his lips effortlessly.

Francis wound his arms around Arthur's neck, pulling him closer as they deepened the kiss, and Arthur backed him up against the wall, pinning him there as their tongues battled for dominance. Arthur was somewhat surprised by this, as he thought it was clear by now that he would be the dominant one, and he smirked as Francis finally gave in and let him do as he pleased with a soft moan.

The English Captain smirked as he slipped a hand under Francis' shirt, tracing his fingers over the Frenchman's still well-toned torso. This secretly pleased him, as he would have loved him no matter what, but the fact that Francis was still as damn sexy as he had been nine years ago made Arthur very happy indeed.

Francis sighed into the kiss, surrendering himself entirely to Arthur, and he felt his worries slip away. He forgot all his responsibilities, and for the moment all that mattered was Arthur's roaming hands and searing kisses. The Frenchman began unbuttoning Arthur's shirt, slipping it off his shoulders slowly, as this was different to the heat and passion of the nights they had shared before. This time they could be slow, and gentle, and take the time to appreciate each other.

Arthur let his shirt fall to the floor, before doing the same with Francis' shirt, kissing over his neck and his now exposed chest gently. The Frenchman's eyes fluttered closed as Arthur's touch was so soft and yet still amazing, and he gasped, letting out a soft moan as Arthur lightly sucked on the sweet spot he remembered Francis had.

Arthur smirked slightly at the fact that he was still able to make Francis melt into his arms like wax, and he coaxed him over to the bed, lying him down gently and crawling over him, before claiming his lips lovingly again. The Frenchman followed his lead, kissing him back and caressing the back of his neck gently with his thumb.

Breaking the kiss gently, Arthur moved down, kissing his way down Francis' chest as his hands worked on sliding down his breeches. His arousal was obvious, and Arthur smiled as he slowly sucked on his own fingers, seeing the Frenchman shiver in anticipation of what was to come.

Slipping one finger into his entrance, Arthur could tell that Francis had not been made love to by another man since the last time Arthur did, and it was evident by the tightness of his entrance, and the harsh gasp that Francis emitted at the intrusion.

Arthur kissed his collarbone in apology, gently stretching his Frenchman until he was ready to bear Arthur's girth, but as he pulled out his fingers, he looked up at Francis' flushed face, feeling his heart skip a beat.

"May I?" he asked softly, whispering against his ear, and Francis nodded gently.

"Oui, mon amour…~" he breathed, his accent heavier and Arthur kissed him, unable to resist.

Then he pulled back, slowly pushing himself into Francis. The Frenchman let out a loud moan, tensing around him slightly as he entered, but as Arthur kissed over his chest, he slowly relaxed.

When the Captain was sure that Francis had adjusted properly, he slowly started to move. He built up a slow but deep and steady pace, making love to the Frenchman and appreciating every moan that tumbled past his lips.

"A-Arthur~" Francis breathed, his gaze half-lidded as he arched into Arthur's thrusts, his whole body electrically charged from the pirate's actions.

"Yes, my love?" Arthur panted softly, keeping the steady pace slow and gentle despite wanting to pound ruthlessly into him.

"Je t'aime~" he whispered, and the Captain felt his heart almost burst with affection, for it was the first time he could recall Francis actually saying it to him.

He smiled, hitting Francis' prostate and making him scream in pleasure as he kissed along his jaw, keeping as close to him as possible, relishing in the heat radiating off him.

Francis widened his eyes, gripping Arthur's shoulders firmly as waves of pleasure built up within him, and he felt ready to explode. "A-Arthur, I – "

"Let it go, darling~" Arthur purred, struggling to keep his voice level as he was close as well, and when Francis released hard over their chests, tensing around Arthur, the Englishman couldn't help letting himself go inside his lover.

The Frenchman fell back against the bed, still shuddering from the effects of his orgasm, and Arthur fell on top of him, kissing every inch of Francis' exposed skin between pants.

Eventually, the Captain pulled out, settling down beside his lover on the bed. His wound hurt from the exertion, but he could live with it. He wasn't about to tell Francis it hurt, because the Frenchman would not let him make love to him again if he knew.

He smiled as Francis cuddled up against his chest, tracing his slender fingers over Arthur's torso gently, and he kissed his forehead before both men fell victim to slumber, curled up in their lover's embrace.

A/N: So he does live! But only because you were all pleading for it XD I even gave you a cute sexy chapter to make up for all the heartache because I'm nice~

Please review and let me know what you preferred though, do you prefer Arthur being rough with Francis or more gentle?

And what did you think of Arthur teaching lil Matthew English?~

Love you all x