Hetalia – Of Magic and Might
Round 12! Fight! Thank you for all the reviews posted, these help me so much and encourage me into writing more. Seeing that someone has taken the time to review really warms my heart, so thank you to all of you :) without you I wouldn't be continuing this story. Without delay, chapter 12! (Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia or its characters)
Enjoy!
Clocktower plaza, The Tea Room, Arthur Kirkland's Apartment
Alfred woke shaking in a cold sweat. Snapping his eyes open he saw the worried face of Arthur peering down upon him. It was Arthur's emerald eyes that slowed Alfred's breath and steadied his heart. Looking into Arthur's eyes was like looking into a crystal rock pool. Spring green simmering pools containing thin ore veins of emerald and gold. Gold flecks…wait a second…
Alfred without warning grabbed Arthur by his face and pulled him closer. Their eyes now centromeres apart and Alfred could feel Arthur's irregular breath on his face. Alfred stared into Arthur's jade eyes which were now widened in surprise and shock. They were definitely there. Spinning flecks of gold spiralling and tumbling endlessly. Like celestial comets streaking through the starry void. Beautiful.
"Your eyes..." Alfred muttered not noticing the rose blush that spread through Arthur's cheeks.
"Wh-what are you on about" Arthur stuttered completely bewildered by the unusual situation.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything" a silky voice purred from upstairs. A towel clad Francis leaned against the metal railing surrounding the upper level. Arthur freed himself and retreated back frantically, bumping his back against his wall of bookshelves. Francis giggled and climbed down the metal stairs, crossing to the spotless kitchen.
"Moving a little too quickly aren't we?" Francis winked as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
"What the hell are you talking about you wanker?" Arthur dismissed and straightened his shirt. "Stop trying to make something it's not!".
Upstairs Kiku had awoken to smell of bacon and pancakes. The heavenly smell made Kiku's stomach growl, which Kiku took as a positive sign. Climbing out of the feather soft bed, Kiku pushed opened the bedroom door and looked below onto the first floor. Below Alfred was shovelling an enormous stack of several pancakes into his mouth. Arthur sitting opposite him with a tea cup in hand and a plate with toast and jam in front of him. In the kitchen Francis was frying a pan of bacon along with two eggs. Kiku inhaled contently, the delicious aroma made his stomach protest loudly again. Noticing Kiku's presence Arthur waved Kiku down to join them for breakfast.
"Good Morning Kiku, how are you feeling?" Arthur asked politely as the Japanese man approached. Kiku smiled gratefully and bowed deeply.
"Much better now thank you" Kiku replied before taking a seat at the table and observed his surroundings. The apartment gave off an extremely pleasant and warming atmosphere. The new morning sun streaming through the skylight illuminated the apartment in a soft golden glow. Under the sizzling and popping emanating Francis' frying pan and Alfred's loud chomping, the distant awakening plaza could be heard. The bubbling chatter of the people could be softly heard.
"Kiku! Glad to hear your back on board" Alfred smiled, stopping half way through his stack. "Man I have so much to update you on. First off I just ate through like five stacks of pancakes! You should of seen me, I was like some kinda wild animal. Perfect pancakes with mabel syrup and butter, Matthew would love this" Half way through Alfred's speech he had resumed his attack on the fluffy towers. His words becoming muffled and unrecognisable. Kiku sighed at his friend's gluttony and jumped in surprise when Francis set down a plate of hot bacon and fried eggs in front of him.
"I'm am pleased to see you in good health Kiku. You can't stay in my bed forever you know, unless you want me to join you" Francis teased flirtatiously, earning him a elbow in the ribs from Arthur. Kiku looked down awkwardly and picked up a fork to begin eating. The bacon was mouth watering, Francis had cut the fat so that it didn't overpower the flavour of the meat.
"Ahhh. That was the stuff, Francis you're an awesome cook. One of the best meals I've had in a while" Alfred complimented generously to Francis as he set down his knife and fork. Pushing away his near sparkling empty plate.
"It is one of the reasons why he works here" Arthur stated while sipping his tea, a small smile playing in his lips.
"And here I thought it was because of my devilishly handsome good looks" Francis returned as he scooped up Alfred's and Kiku's empty plates, taking them to the kitchen to be washed.
"I'll help" Alfred jumped to his feet and joined Francis beside the copper kitchen sink. Francis began washing the dishes and handing them to Alfred to dry.
"So is this the usual for you two then?" Alfred cheerfully asked as he reached to receive another dish.
"Qui, though not so loud. I must admit with you and Kiku here, it is certainly livelier" Francis replied with a twinkle in his forget-me-not eyes. At the round table Arthur was quietly explaining to Kiku that he and Francis knew of their mission and promised not to breathe a word. Although they felt that Kiku and Alfred best move on for all their sakes. Kiku deep in thought agreed and he and Arthur headed down into the shop. Generously Arthur had allowed them to take a map and a few supplies with them in their departure.
Downstairs Arthur was helping Kiku pack a variety of sandwiches into his rucksack. While looking through the rucksack Arthur discovered an outdated map, a water skin and a thin wallet. Motioning to ask permission to look inside the wallet, Arthur peered inside and made a hissing sound. The wallet barely had a skin it was that bare. Arthur turned to Kiku with a brow raised.
"Kiku. How are you so short on money?" Arthur inquired setting the wallet down and walking to the register. Kiku looked down embarrassed and scratched his ear sheepishly.
"I um, I assume that the route we took to the plaza was rather… Unsavoury" Kiku shamefully confessed. Arthur sighed in pity, tourists were easy targets for the pick-pockets. Punching the open drawer button on his register, Arthur retrieved several gold pieces. Ignoring Kiku's quiet protests the generous Brit shoved the pieces into the wallet.
"It's not like I'm worried about you, just not going to send you two off unprepared. Common decency and all that" Arthur shrugged nonchalantly, though Kiku could tell that he did care about him and his partner. That was part of Arthur's charm Kiku supposed, he may put up a cold front. But at his core he was very caring. Kiku respected him for what he had done when he was ill, and what he was doing for them now.
Just when the last item was packed Alfred and Francis came through the back door. Kiku slung the pack onto his back and Alfred bro-fisted Francis.
"Thanks for the food dude. See you again" Alfred said grinning ridiculously. Kiku bowed deeply once again to thank Francis and Arthur before walking to wait outside. Arthur walked Alfred to the shop door and held it open to him. Alfred stopped in the doorway when he felt pressure on his arm, Arthur.
"Just be careful alright?" Arthur muttered softly avoiding Alfred's graze. Alfred paused and debated with himself on whether he should say anything about his suspicions. Choosing to throw caution to the wind, Alfred closed the distance between him and Arthur.
"About your book…and your eyes. There's something that you don't want anyone ever to find out about right? Something that will put you and Francis in danger" Arthur's eyes widened in shock and alarm.
"What.. Are you trying to say" Arthur stuttered beginning to feel cornered. How could Alfred know, and why did he keep talking about his eyes?.
"When I went to the auction with Francis. A pair of golden eyes was sold. A set of eyes that previously belonged to a sorcerer. I guess it could be considered a telltale sign of being able to use magic" When Arthur didn't give any reaction Alfred sighed and gave up trying to be subtle.
"This morning when I woke up, I got a pretty good look in your eyes. They had fragments of gold in them" Alfred finished seriously looking Arthur dead in the eye to convey his message. Arthur blinked and let out an uneasy laugh.
"And, ha and you think I can use magic?" Arthur awkwardly laughed attempting to lean away from Alfred.
"I know you can" Alfred stated not missing a beat. Arthur looked past Alfred to Kiku and the plaza, seeing if there was anyone to overhear.
"So now what then, turn me in to the Empire? Receive wild amounts of wealth to go towards your cause? Your leader would be so proud" Arthur spat angrily. To think he'd be found out by this blockhead! Alfred shook his head in disbelief.
"You and Francis have helped us out so much. You're my friend, I would never betray you" Arthur blushed and looked down at his feet. How could Alfred, who barely knew him, put so much trust in him.
"I suppose we have a common enemy then" Arthur finally said after a minutes silence. Alfred smiled and pulled Arthur into a hug. At first Arthur stiffened but then relaxed, sinking into the hug. "Be careful Alfred" Arthur whispered, his voice muffled by Alfred's shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll see each other again" Grinning Alfred pulled away and jogged slowly towards Kiku. Turning to look back, he saw Arthur still standing in the doorway. Alfred waved back to him before running after the waiting Kiku. He would definitely see Arthur again. Little did Alfred know how soon that desire would come true.
Onward to adventure! Sorry for the long wait, school and stuff bargh :( I don't want Alfred's and Arthur's relationship to start too quickly, though I felt the hug was necessary . I mean Arthur and Alfred are holding onto each other's precious secrets. So at the minute they are friends who are placing a lot of trust in each other. Which I think will be a nice foundation to build on :) Exicted for upcoming chapters! Thank you for reading and if you are enjoying this story please take the time to leave a review and follow this story for more!
Untill next time folks!