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Bonus Chapter
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
-Helen Keller
Arthur slumped into the apartment, throwing his book-bag down on the ground on his way to the living room. It was another dismal, rainy day in England, and he could hear it splashing loudly against the windows around him. College was fun, and he loved it here, but bloody hell there was just so much work. He hadn't gotten a proper night's sleep in days.
"Arthur? How was school?" A voice called from the kitchen. Arthur groaned loudly and flopped face first onto the couch. A chuckle floated to his ears. "Now darling, it couldn't have been that bad," The voice remarked. Arthur hugged a pillow and scowled, closing his eyes and wishing for a blissful release from reality with sleep.
"'M just bloody tired. That's all," He said. He heard the noise of the refrigerator opening and something being set on the counter. Arthur wanted to get up, but he was too tired and settled for letting his head drop onto the pillow and allowing his eyes to flutter shut.
Alfred walked into the living room, not surprised to see the scrawny British man positively out cold on the sofa. He smiled slightly and lifted Arthur into his arms (he didn't weigh much), starting to carry him back to their bedroom. Arthur sighed in his slumber and curled into Alfred, trying to regain the heat he'd lost after being out in the rain. Alfred didn't mind, in fact, he rather enjoyed these few and far between moments where Arthur was actually affectionate (even if it was while he was sleeping).
He carried him down the hall which was littered with photographs, some in frames, others tacked or taped haphazardly to the wall. One is a picture of the two of them on a sandy beach, Arthur in a ridiculously large sun hat, glaring up at the camera and Alfred grinning and throwing up a peace sign like a 'typical American' as Arthur would so very often say.
Another is at Francis and Seychelles' wedding. It was taken while they weren't paying attention; Arthur is smiling with a dressed-in-white Seychelles who is holding hands with Francis. Alfred has his chin on Arthur's shoulder, half listening to the others conversation, half listening to the British man's breathing. Alfred remembered how good Arthur had looked in that tailored suit.
Then there is a photo of them with Antonio and Lovino at Disney World. Antonio and Alfred are grinning next to a person in a Mickey Mouse suit while Lovino and Arthur looked mortified to even be inside 'The Happiest Place on Earth', let alone be taking a picture with their trademark mouse mascot. Arthur had wanted to ride Pirates of the Caribbean; they went on it six times the first day.
There is one picture; however, that Alfred likes the most. It's just Arthur, they were at a castle somewhere in the English countryside, Alfred always forgot which one. Arthur is standing just inside the old rusted gates, they're covered in vines and bright green moss and small red roses. He is staring up at the sky, eyes shut in content and happiness. Under a brick that is holding up the gate there are (and if you don't look closely you'll always miss it) tiny painted black letters that say Strawberry Fields Forever. Alfred can stand in the hall for hours and hours, just staring at that picture.
He notices new things every time he looks at it. The tiny, barely visible scar across Arthur's left cheek from when they got in that accident, the way Arthur's fingers are splayed out as if to catch the sunshine, the leaves that are still on the ground from fall. Alfred always wishes he could remember where it was so they could go visit it again.
"Are you staring at the photo again?" A tiny, tired mumble reached Alfred's ears. The American boy realized that he'd stopped in the hall to look at the picture. He smiled down at Arthur.
"It's my favourite," he said, using the pads of his fingers to brush a strand of hair across Arthur's forehead.
"I know," Arthur said, smiling sleepily. He looked like he was fighting off sleep every second.
"Go back to sleep love, it's been a long day," Alfred said, carrying Arthur all the way to their bedroom this time and lowering him onto the bed. Arthur wrapped his arms around Alfred's neck and tugged him down onto the bed.
"I know you haven't been sleeping either, so come to bed, git," Arthur grumbled, slinking his arms around Alfred's waist. Alfred just smiled and pressed a kiss to the crown of Arthur's head. "I love you," Arthur said quietly, almost hoping that Alfred didn't hear.
But Alfred did. "I love you too, Arthur darling."
They drifted off to sleep, both of them dreaming about that beautiful castle and strawberry fields and the feel of each other's hands intertwined with their own.
Really Seriously the End This Time
….
Don't own.
By Elizabethsickkk
Okay I didn't want to bother you guys with an author's note until the end so, HERRO! It's my first Hetalia fanfiction so I know it's not perfect but, I tried. I just wanted to say thanks so much for reading, and I hope you all liked it! Please review.