Roses and Lavenders
AN: The song used in this chapter is "Fado Português" by Amália Rodrigues. Portuguese music is wonderful and I highly recommend searching about it if you like this song ^^
Lavenders...
(England x fem!Portugal)
...
Arthur took a deep breath and adjusted his tie for the tenth time while walking along the streets of Lisbon, searching for a certain familiar house on his way. He gulped as soon as his feet reached the front porch and raised a hand hesitantly to knock on the door. It wasn't like him to get nervous over such a simple visit, but just thinking about the one who would be opening the door already sent his heart in a maddened race.
Arthur stopped with his hand still raised in the air when a soft melody reached his ears, and he recognized it as a voice he already knew by heart. Such a captivating voice could belong to just only one person. A smile made its way to the Englishman's lips as he glanced at the purple flowers he was holding, the ones who held a special and deep meaning to him. Being careful not make any sound, Arthur walked around the house and sneaked into the flowery garden, feeling his heart missing a beat when his eyes caught sight of a beautiful cascade of brown hair that fell over the Portuguese's back. Maria had always been a strong and determined woman, and in his eyes she was also the most beautiful of all.
"O Fado nasceu um dia,
quando o vento mal bulia
e o céu o mar prolongava,
na amurada dum veleiro,
no peito dum marinheiro
que, estando triste, cantava,
que, estando triste, cantava."
Arthur smiled in a silly way as he leaned against the nearest wall, listening as the Portuguese woman sang while tending to her flowers. They had spent many years together, and still her voice succeeded to make his heart melt like butter whenever he heard it.
"Ai, que lindeza tamanha,
meu chão , meu monte, meu vale,
de folhas, flores, frutas de oiro,
vê se vês terras de Espanha,
areias de Portugal,
olhar ceguinho de choro."
Arthur stepped forward carefully in the hope to surprise his lady, but yelped when his foot got caught in a small stone and he fell on the ground in the least graceful way expected for a gentleman. He cursed under his breath and pushed himself up on his knees to regain some balance, and hopefully a bit of his dignity, feeling the heat rising to his cheeks when he saw a pair of legs standing right in front of him.
Maria chuckled in amusement when she noticed the faint blush covering the Englishman's cheeks and held out a hand to help him standing, "You have always been found of unexpected entrances, haven't you?"
Arthur averted his eyes to the side out of embarrassment and held the hand that was offered to him, making the blush spread to his ears when Maria's warm skin touched his own. He stood up with her help and brushed the dust from his trousers, raising his head to look at the Portuguese. The butterflies flying inside his stomach seemed to get more agitated when he saw the warm smile on her sweet lips, which always made his heart flutter. That woman... always making him turn into a mess of embarrassed words even when he was still known as a fearful pirate.
"I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to interrupt you."
Maria chuckled and shook her head when she noticed the embarrassed look on Arthur's face. That was one of the things she loved about Arthur, how his actions would always express his feelings if you knew how to read him right, and after so many years being together, she was already an expert in that art. She raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms in a playful way after realizing that the Englishman had a hand hidden behind his back.
"What are you hiding there, Arthur?"
"Uh... I... these are f-for you..." Arthur said as he held out the bouquet, scratching the back of his head when he realized that the paper wrapped around the flowers was slightly crumpled, "I think they got a bit damaged when I fell though..."
"Oh, you brought lavenders," Maria smiled brightly when she picked the bouquet, not being able to stop a small blush from rising to her cheeks as she gazed at the purple flowers, "They're beautiful..."
"They remind me of you..." Arthur whispered without thinking, widening his eyes when he realized what he had just said. He just hoped that it hadn't sounded too cheesy or he would dig a hole and bury himself for eternity.
Maria chuckled after hearing that and stood on her tip toes to press a warm kiss on Arthur's right cheek, "Always a gentleman," she said, holding one of the Englishman's hands before starting to pull him toward the house, "Come inside, I'll make some tea..."
Arthur nodded and stared at their joined hands with longing, letting himself be pulled by the Portuguese as they walked toward the house. If only he could lean forward and steal a quick kiss from those lips he loved so much... bloody hell, how he had missed staying so close to his love.
Maria pushed the back door open and led Arthur toward the kitchen, letting go of his hand to be able to open the cupboard, "So.. which tea would you l-", she widened her eyes in surprise when a pair of warm lips suddenly covered her own while Arthur's fingers cupped her chin in a loving way. The Portuguese smiled into the kiss and placed a hand over Arthur's shoulder to pull him closer, always loving how he was full of surprises when it came to the little things of their life together.
"Y-you choose today..." Arthur whispered, pulling away slowly and looking at the side to hide his blushing face.
"A-alright, Earl Grey then..." Maria said as she started filling a kettle with water, noticing the excited gleam on Arthur's green eyes after she had mentioned his favourite tea. She loved that man so much. No matter how many years passed, or how many obstacles life put in their way, she knew their love was one of a lifetime and it would never change.
...~...*...~...
I'll leave this story as complete for now, but if I get more ideas for quick stories about Portugal and England I'll be using this once again :)
