11/25/2012

So...as far as updates for The Wild Card, I'm almost done with the last part of Chapter 14. I swear. Here's another short story in the meantime!

This one takes place years before Alfred and Arthur ever met. I normally don't write about France- I actually don't like him most of the time- but when he's being all considerate and understanding and sweet, I love him. So this chapter is about Francis trying to make Arthur feel better, with him being in the awesome big brother kind of mood that I love.

Fun fact: in my mind, this chapter takes place on the same hill as the one where Prussia gave Alfred one of Tokyo's petals at the end of chapter 13. I know that it's kinda hard to tell that, considering I didn't give that much detail on what the hill looked liked in that chapter but, trust me, it's the same one.

I do not own Hetalia. Beta'd by waterbringer, as always.

-o0o-

Spades Castle Grounds

Francis found Arthur on top of the hill, where he always was, sitting next to the large oak tree just as the sun was brushing against the horizon. The boy- in truth, he was a teenager but Francis knew it would be years before Arthur reached the maturity to be called anything but a boy- had his legs curled up into his chest, forehead pressed against his knees and his arms wrapped around his shins. He couldn't see Arthur's face, but at the same time, he wasn't sure if he wanted to.

No one liked to see another person in pain.

Francis stopped a few steps away, waiting patiently for the other to speak. As the silence stretched on the breeze picked up, whirling around them and bending the blades of grass like an endless emerald ocean. The wind ruffled Arthur's short blond bangs against his knees and blew Francis' golden locks around his face.

Finally, Francis sighed loudly and shook his head. If Arthur wasn't going to speak, he would.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked in perfect English as he squinted at the slowly sinking sun, blue eyes narrowed against the glare.

"No," came Arthur's low murmur.

"Are you sure?" Francis spoke again. "It might make you feel better."

There was no response. Francis pursed his lips thoughtfully before coming closer and sitting down next to him. He rested back on the heels of his palms and stared up at the clouds twisting above them.

"Everyone has been searching for you," he said absentmindedly. "You really should tell someone before you go running off on your own."

"They don't care about me," Arthur said quietly.

"Of course they do," Francis said, looking at him sideways even though Arthur couldn't see him. "You're going to be the Queen, after all. They have to care about you. "

Arthur's snort was muffled. "Right. How could I forget?" he said sarcastically.

"Oh, don't be like that, my friend," Francis said, sounding almost sympathetic. "It's not so bad really, once you get used to everything."

At this, Arthur's head snapped up and he glared at the Diamond with glossy green eyes. "How would you know?" he snapped. "You're not a Queen and you are definitely not a Spade! You don't know what it's like to be in my position! You don't know anything about how I feel!"

He went back to burying his face between his knees and avoiding Francis' gaze. Francis chewed the inside of his check, trying his best not to say something he would later regret. Arthur had a unique talent of bringing out the worst of him sometimes. But now could not be one of those times; Arthur needed him, whether or not the stubborn Spade would admit it.

"I apologize," Francis said after a minute. "That was a bit harsh of me."

He could practically feel Arthur seething next to him, refusing to speak. Anger was probably only one of many emotions running through him, along with hurt and pain.

"I didn't mean what I said before," Francis continued to speak. "The people at the Castle do not worry about you because they have to; you are a good person, Arthur. People care about you because you are Arthur Kirkland, not just because you will be their Queen."

A moment of silence. Then, "You think so? Honestly?"

"I know so," Francis said firmly. "Even I like you, and you drive me crazy most of the time."

Arthur laughed shakily and raised his head to look at Francis. His eyes were red and puffy. "I'll take that as a compliment, you know. Driving you crazy is what I strive for daily."

"Of course, I wouldn't expect otherwise." He watched as Arthur furiously rubbed the corners of his eyes, feeling an inward pang of guilt. He looked away towards the sunset and tried to enjoy the feeling of the sun's rays on his skin. Arthur, now resting his chin on the tips of his knees, followed his gaze and his expression softened.

"What is it like?" Arthur asked as the sun began to disappear behind the hills of trees. "To be the King?"

"You mean, what is it like to protect thousands of people's lives at the expense of your own happiness?" Francis said, raising an eyebrow. He laughed lightly when Arthur threw him a scathing look.

"You know what I mean," Arthur said.

"Yes, I suppose I do," Francis said, quieting his chuckles. "Despite what you have heard, it's not so bad. You get everything you could ever need or want, hundreds of people waiting on your every word, and everyone's adoration without having to lift a finger."

"You still don't sound so happy about all of that," Arthur commented.

Francis shrugged. "It's an amazing life; you would have to be insane to be unappreciative for what you are given."

"But?"Arthur prompted.

"But, it is also difficult," Francis admitted. "And lonely at times. There are so many choices weighing down on your shoulders, so many decisions you must make for the good of your people. Once you become a member of the Triumvirate, your life no longer belongs to you. It belongs to the Kingdom." He could feel Arthur's gaze on his face but he refused to look away from the sky.

"Well, at least I don't have to worry about being lonely," Arthur said dryly. "I've always been alone; it won't be any different now."

Francis looked at him sharply only to find the teenager staring down at the grass, eyes hard. "Arthur," he said, his voice trailing off. He didn't know what to say.

"It's okay, you know," Arthur said gruffly. "I'm used to it by now. I- I'll be fine." He bit his bottom lip, eyes starting to gloss over again before squeezing his eyes shut.

"You won't be alone," Francis said softly.

"Oh, yes?" Arthur shook his head back and forth, and reopened his eyes to stare hopelessly at the Diamond. "How can you be so sure?"

"You'll have your Triumvirate and your Royal Deck to help you. And, of course, your King."

Arthur raised his impressive eyebrows tiredly. "My King? Please," he scoffed. "He hasn't even shown up yet."

"Or she," Francis reminded him. "But whoever your King will be, he or she will always be there for you. That's the one person who will never abandon you."

"That sounds…." Arthur's brow furrowed. "Oppressive."

Francis chuckled good-naturedly. "It may seem that way to you, but I assure you it is the most wonderful relationship I have ever had the luck to be a part of."

Arthur stared. "Really? You? And Lili? The innocent young girl with the protective older brother? I didn't think she was your type, Francis."

Francis was affronted. "No, you don't understand, Arthur! I would never date Lili; it is not like that between us."

"But you just said-"

"Yes, I know what I said, but that's not what I meant. I love Lili like a sister- more than a sister, actually- but at the same time, she is more valuable to me than any lover. She is the most important person in the world to me, but," He shook his head. "I could never kiss her, or marry her. I cannot see her like that. But know that I would die for her in a heartbeat; do not doubt my love for her."

"I don't understand you sometimes," Arthur said, pursing his lips. "But then again, you're talking about the United Bond, aren't you? I don't think I'll know what you mean about your relationship with Lili until I have a King." He looked down at his hands, twisting his fingers through the blades of grass.

"You will find your King," Francis reassured him gently, feeling a sense of fondness for the younger male. "And he or she will help you, I promise. Even your Jack, Yao Wang, will be there to help you make the difficult decisions. You won't be alone."

Arthur nodded, but Francis could tell he wasn't convinced.

"You will understand in time, Arthur," Francis said firmly. "One day you will know what it is like to live your life for people who you will never meet, and know what it means to love and truly understand someone more deeply than you could have ever thought possible. If nothing else, trust me on this."