Arthur woke up next to something warm.
Instinctively he curled up around it.
A low laugh greeted him and he opened his eyes.
"Bon matin, cher."
Arthur blinked a few times until his eyes focused on a man with wavy blind hair, a scuffy beard, and a huge smile.
Francis.
Arthur hugged him tightly.
"Francis!"
The man laughed again.
"I'm not going anywhere cher. Don't worry."
Arthur refused to let go of him.
"Unfortunately, neither of us brought a bag with us so we don't have a change of clothes, but we couldn't stay in zose wet clothes."
Arthur closed his eyes.
"Wait…so you mean…WE'RE NAKED?"
Francis nodded.
"Oui."
Arthur shot across the bed away from him and pulled the covers over his blushing face.
Francis grabbed the sheet and tried to pull it back but Arthur wouldn't let go.
"Oh come on cher. Zere's nozing I haven't already seen."
The tips of Arthur's ears turned pink.
"You know…zose were good times." He leaned close to a now scarlet ear. "And we're perfectly dressed for it. Want to have some fun?"
"Don't you dare," Arthur muttered.
"But cher!" Francis whined. "We still have une demi heure before ze clothes are done!"
Arthur grumbled something under his breath.
"What was zat cher?"
"I said fine. But only if you make it fast."
Francis grinned.
"D'accord. Merci."
Arthur was lying comfortably in Francis's arms when he realized something.
"What are you washing?"
"Hmm?" Francis opened an eye to look at him. "Oh. Our clothes of course. We need clean, dry clothes so we can go home."
"How did you get to a washing machine? Surely you didn't walk around town like that."
"Non. Zere are robes in ze bathroom." He pointed to a fluffy, white robe hanging off the back of a nearby chair. "I simply borrowed one."
"Where is the machine?"
"Inside the hotel. I was quick so I could make sure you were okay and avoid any people."
Arthur blushed.
He was about to say something when they heard a loud beep.
"Our clothes are done," Francis announced and slipped out of the bed.
"Don't go," Arthur begged as he grabbed Francis's arm. "You only just came back."
Arthur felt a little childish, but he didn't want to risk losing Francis again.
Francis laughed.
"I'll just be a moment, cher. And zen I'll be right back."
Arthur slowly let go of Francis's arm and put his hands in his lap.
He watched Francis put the robe back on and turn to him.
"Stay here," he ordered.
Arthur nodded and sat in the middle of the big bed.
"I'll be waiting," he whispered as Francis reached the door.
Francis smiled at him before walking out.
The pair decided to take the EuroStar back to England instead of flying.
They had been apart for so long that they wanted time to just be together.
Not only that, but they also got to pass through the countrysides of both their nations.
At one point, the tracks actually ran through some land Francis owned which always amused him.
They headed for their train and Francis helped him climb on board.
Arthur blushed and followed him to their seats.
Francis led him into the Premium section and gestured for him to sit down.
There were two seats across from each other with a table in the middle.
Francis knew how sick Arthur got when he traveled backwards and made him sit in the forward facing seat.
"Thank you Francis."
Francis smiled and nodded sitting across from him.
He reached under the table and took Arthur's hand.
Arthur blushed again and covered it up by looking out the window until it passed.
He was grateful that Francis held his hand under the table so no one would notice the two males showing affection.
When Arthur and Francis walked through the door, Alfred and Matthew ran down the stairs to see who was there.
Arthur had called Antonio from the train to say that they would be home soon and that he could leave.
"Daddy! Papa!" the boys yelled happily.
They jumped around at the men's feet in excitement.
"Daddy! You brought Papa home! Does that mean you're not fighting with him anymore?"
Arthur nodded.
"We've made up. And he's not going to leave again."
"Yay!"
Francis kneeled down and pulled the boys into his arms.
"Bonjour les garçons. J'ai manqué vous."
"We've missed you too Papa! Daddy was so sad without you!"
Francis turned to look at Arthur who was blushing.
"Is zis true Arthur?"
He smirked.
Arthur blushed darker.
"Of course not. Kids say the darndest things."
Francis laughed and turned back to the boys.
"I have a surprise for you, but we can't see it until tomorrow."
Alfred and Matthew's eyes widened.
"Really Papa? What is it?"
Francis shook his head.
"I can't tell you. You'll have to wait."
The boys pouted.
"Aww man."
Francis stood up with the boys in his arms.
"Shall we go play?"
The boys nodded.
Francis turned to Arthur.
"Is it okay if I play with zem outside?"
He waited to see if Arthur would give him permission or not.
Arthur nodded.
"Go ahead. Just make sure that no one gets hurt."
"D'accord."
Francis carried the boys outside and the three started to play tag.
He purposely let himself get caught and chased the boys around while they screamed and laughed.
Arthur stood in the doorway and watched them like a mother, smiling the whole time.
They stayed outside until it got dark.
"It's time for bed!" Arthur called.
Francis turned to him and smiled to show that he had heard.
While he was distracted, the boys tackled him to the ground.
Francis laughed in surprise then genuine happiness.
The boys climbed on top of him and pinned him down.
"Look Daddy!" Alfred yelled. "We caught the bad guy!"
Arthur laughed and walked over to him.
"He's been very bad. How should we punish him?"
"We could tie him up so he can never leave us again," Matthew said quietly with a frown.
Francis and Arthur stared at Matthew.
"Yeah! Like they do to the bad guys in the movies!" Alfred added.
"Well it's time for bed," Arthur said quickly. "Why don't you two go get changed?"
"Okay Daddy."
They walked into the house and Arthur waited for them to go upstairs before turning to Francis.
"See? They missed you so much. How would I have been able to explain your death to them? They love you."
Francis looked at the ground.
"I know zat cher. But I couldn't handle not being able to see zem. I love zem also."
Arthur sighed and held a hand out.
Francis took it and instead of letting him pull him up, he pulled the smaller man down on top of him.
Arthur turned scarlet.
"F-Francis!" he stuttered.
"I can't help it, cher."
He kissed Arthur.
"Eww!" Alfred yelled from an upstairs window. "I thought you guys were gonna tuck us in! Not kiss!"
Arthur hid his face in Francis's chest.
Francis laughed.
"Don't worry mon fils! We'll be zere soon!"
"Okay! But hurry up!"
Alfred pouted for a moment before shutting the window.
Francis pet the top of Arthur's head.
"Shall we go in?"
Arthur nodded.
"We should say goodnight."
Francis smiled and kissed him one last time before standing up and pulling Arthur inside.
AN: Yay! Francis is back and the boys are so happy to see him! And Arthur loves him so much!
Did you like the implication? XD Arthur loves Francis (and feels so bad) enough to do it in a hotel.
Only one chapter left! And it''s most likely going to be a short one. Just an epilogue basically.
Anyway! See ya soon!