AN: Hello everyone! I want to thank everyone who has reviewed, favorite or followed. I appreciate it. Here's the new chapter. I hope you enjoy!
Short thing on Viva la Vida: I'm not exactly sure what the meaning is or if its been given by Coldplay, but I've heard from various people that it has to do with the French Revolution.
I think Francis and Arthur might take it that way even if its not the actual meaning/if there is none.
Arthur fingered the phone in his pocket wondering if he should go ahead with his plan. He had thought about it the day before and, at the time, it had seemed like a wonderful idea. After all, he loved the song he had chosen, the headphone was already in his ear and it wouldn't be long but… In front of everyone in the meeting room? Really?
"Thinking about giving us a musical, Angleterre?"
The Englishman jumped slightly, eyes flitting towards the Frenchman sitting next to him. How he had been given the seat next to him Arthur had no idea. His eyebrows furrowed in annoyance as he replied in a hushed voice, sarcasm abound, "Yes, I hope you enjoy it frog."
Francis smiled as he usually did. There was a curiosity shining in his eyes. "What song?" He whispered.
"I'm not telling you."
"Oh, it's not like I'll tell anyone."
"You're going to find out in a few minutes anyway. What does it matter?"
"Well, I'm just curious as to what song Mon petit frère has chosen."
Arthur blinked a moment before his eyes narrowed, his cheeks coloring slightly. "I am not your-"
"Ahem."
Both European nations looked up to see Ludwig giving them an exasperated expression. He sighed and gave Arthur what was now becoming a signature gesture of 'continue, get it over with'.
Taking his earphones out, the brit quickly pulled out of the song as he realized he hadn't even started the music. As he pressed play his foot tapped to the beat he knew would be there. He knew the song by heart. After a few seconds, he started to sing slowly.
"I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own"
He saw many nations look up, already knowing the song he was singing. Francis was giving him an odd look with an expression he couldn't quite place. He supposed it was warranted, as the song did have to do with one of his… well, yes fine, one of his brother's revolutions. After the short instrumental, he continued.
"I used to roll the dice, feel the fear in my enemies eyes-" The Englishman started to get a far off look in his eyes as he remembered when he was a pirate scouring the seven seas, feeling the ocean all around him. It was like there was nothing he couldn't do…. That had been fun.
"-Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!""
Francis caught his eye and the odd look was gone, replaced by an almost… pleading? A question.
Arthur wasn't sure what that question was so he kept singing, pretending he hadn't seen it. He just looked down at his phone.
"One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand."
In the split second of pause he understood what Francis was asking. He wanted to sing the chorus with him. Arthur gave a brief nod, crossing his arms, and saw the Frenchman smile ever so slightly in thanks. Together, and many were shocked to hear how well their voices blended, they sang,
"I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world…"
Francis dropped out and allowed Arthur to sing by himself again, though he did want to come in for the other repeats. Arthur nodded again, wondering slightly why the Frenchman was bothering to ask permission. Yes, it was his song, but it was the others history.
"It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become-" He paused and prepared himself for the next line. Despite himself, he still flinched as he sang, "Revolutionaries wait for my head on a silver plate, just a puppet on a lonely string… oh who would ever wanna be king?"
Francis joined again. For a moment, Arthur could have sworn his voice was sympathetic. "I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing,
"Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know saint peter won't call my name." The two glanced at each other, remembering all the times they had, and still, fought. All the times they had lied to each other back then. "Never an honest word, but that was when I ruled the world."
There was another short pause and Arthur sang the first, "Woahaha oh."
Francis sang the next one after a short pause. "Woahaha oh."
Neither was sure what made them do it, but it seemed natural to switch off. They kept doing it until the last repeat of the chorus came.
Then they both sang, a little stronger this time, "I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing,
"Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world…"
The music slowed and finally came to a stop. Both looked up to see many nations staring, probably wondering how they had managed to get through one song together without one exploding at the other.
Ludwig leaned backward in his chair, asking tiredly, "May we go on with the meeting please?"
Both of them nodded, sharing a final glance before the meeting started back up. Maybe they could get along for a while… at least until the meeting was over anyway. Then they would be back to driving each other mad.
AN: Thanks for reading! If you want, tell me what you thought. The next chapter is going have Gilbert and the rest of the BTT.
Also, if you read Lest We Forget the next chapter should be up soon.
Translations:
Angleterre- England(French)
Mon petit frère-My little brother(French)