Hetalia – Of Magic and Might
Chapter 23 rolling into the station! Choo choo! Thank you to everyone for your continued support and reviews. Welcome new followers! I'm so happy that you're enjoying this story. Without further ado, I present the next chapter!
Enjoy :)
Whale-Tail Island, The Resistance Headquarters, A paved road leading away from the Training Yard.
"I don't like this Arthur. Go to the manor without you? It does not sit right with me" Francis Boonefoy said with concern to Arthur, his fair blonde brows frowned. Arthur sighed exhausted and rubbed the back of his neck worriedly. He and Francis were standing at the edge of the training yard where a departing convey was organised, preparing to leave at dusk. A large horse-drawn carriage was being loaded with supplies by men, among them Arthur could see Alfred and Matthew. This was the mission Arthur had agreed to embark on, though he was surprised that it was taking place so soon. In regards of Francis, Arthur had bantered his freedom and arrangements for him to be transported to Lord Antonio's manor. Ludwig had not been eager but not wanting to risk the chance of Arthur dropping the mission, had allowed Arthur's conditions. Francis of course had not been happy when he heard the news.
"Please Francis. It'd settle my mind if I knew you were safe. I mean, if you've going to have to spend the night somewhere. Why not spend it in luxury, it'd be better then being given a mouldy bunk here no?" Arthur argued to the Frenchman. "Not only that, but Antonio would become worried and probably send a search party out for us. It would keep both of us safe this way"
Francis shook his head slowly and looked at Arthur in the eye. Spring green meeting midnight violet. Stepping forward, Francis reached for Arthur and pulled him into a strong embrace. Arthur immediately relaxed into the warm hug.
Francis' breath tickled Arthur's ear as he whispered "Don't let them take you away. Just promise you'll come back to me safe" Arthur pulled away a little to look at Francis again.
"I will" Arthur replied with sincerity. Francis sadly smiled and gently pulled Arthur's head close, bringing their foreheads together so they rested against each other.
"You are my brother, Arthur" Francis breathed as he pulled away, keeping his hand to Arthur's face for a moment before giving him a small playful slap. "Go, they're waiting for you"
Arthur smiled and began to walk towards the convey "I'll write to you when I get back!" Arthur called behind him, waving frantically back to Francis. Francis returning with a flourishing wave as he walked back to the manor. Arthur turned his sights back towards the bustling convey as he due nearer. Alfred and Matthew were casually leaning against the horse-drawn carriage, quietly conversing under their breaths. As Arthur approached them, Alfred punched Matthew in the arm to get him to shut up and smiled a toothy grin as Arthur came closer.
"Ready to go?" Alfred asked, acting as Arthur didn't see the not so subtle punch. Arthur raising his thick eyebrow nodded, not knowing what to make of the situation. "Matt, could you explain the details of this mission?" Alfred continued with enthusiasm.
Matthew nodded once "Sure. I just have a question first. Arthur, Alfred has told me otherwise and I know it's not my business. But are you really not together with Francis?" Arthur blushed bright crimson and spluttered in embarrassment.
"Yes we aren't together!" Arthur resounded looking very taken back "We've been friends for a very long time, that's all and that's all there ever will be" Matthew shrugged and nonchalantly motioned for Arthur and Alfred to follow him to the back of the carriage. At the back Matthew pulled out three dark green cloaks and threw two to Arthur and Alfred before putting on his own. Looking further into the weapons supply, Matthew leaned back to call to Arthur.
"Regulation requires that everyone always carry a close and long range weapon, what would you prefer?" Arthur's answer came almost immediately.
"A bow and hunting knife" Matthew rummaged around some more until he found the requested items, handing them to Arthur as he jumped off the carriage. Arthur tested the bow string and examined the knife and quiver before appearing satisfied and donning the weapons on his person. As he adjusted his bow so it sat on his shoulder, Arthur noticed Alfred only carried a simple pistol. No close range weapons.
"You aren't taking any knifes?" Arthur asked gesturing to the lone pistol on Alfred's hip. Alfred laughed and clapped his hand on Arthur's shoulder painfully hard.
"Dude, when you see me in a real fight you'll understand" Alfred replied before jogging over to help fellow agent finish loading the last supply crate. Arthur turned to Matthew with a dumbfounded expression, hoping he'll explain where his brother should of.
"I suppose that you already know of Alfred's immerse strength" Matthew explained as he walked alongside the slowly moving convey, Arthur walking alongside him.
"I've seen him in a fight, but never anything overly abnormal happened" Arthur mused as the horse-drawn carriage picked up its pace.
"Well that is coming from the man who can defy the laws of physics. Alfred has been scowled in the past by Ludwig by revealing too much of his strength in battle. I think Ludwig considers him one of his 'aces'" Matthew commented as they made their way further into the forrest. "I worry about him".
"You're not alone" Arthur complied nudging Matthew with his elbow, earning him a gentle smile from Matthew. "Now would you please tell me what we are doing?".
"Eh? Oh right, the mission. It's a simple delivery, we take our supplies into town and we exchange stock under the guise of merchants. We'll set up camp a distance away from the town and enter periodically in small groups to avoid attention from Empire soldiers" Matthew outlined authoritatively before looking at Arthur's bow inquisitively "Say, what led you to choose the bow. It's quite a old fashioned weapon you know"
Arthur reached behind him to feel the smooth polished surface of his wooden bow. "It might be old fashioned but I'm actually quite nifty with it. I was in the hunting business with my brothers as a child you see" Matthew perked up at the mention of brothers. Finally something he could relate to!.
"So where are your brothers now then?" Matthew asked innocently, his curiosity dying when he saw grief glaze over Arthur's eyes.
"I don't know" Arthur murmured with his eyes cast down. Matthew bit his bottom lip in annoyance at himself. Alfred had said that he wanted Matthew to become friends with Arthur, to which Matthew had heartily agreed. However right now it felt like he was moving further and further away from Alfred's wish. Matthew's thought process was interrupted when he heard the noise of the convey stopping, the carriage and walking men halting their march.
"We'll stop here! The town is roughly a mile away. You three! Start building the camp fire. Everyone else, start pitching your tents up!" Alfred directed loudly at the head of convey, men dispersing at his command. Matthew and Arthur walked up to Alfred who had just been handed a axe. "Yo! You two can help me catch dinner!" Alfred called as they drew nearer, both of them realising just how hungry they were as their stomachs growled loudly.
"Sure brother. I'm in the mood for food. Ready to put that bow back to good use Arthur?" Matthew said turning to Arthur who slung his bow off his bow with a flourish, wearing a confident grin
"I think it's time to put meat back on the menu boys"
Woo! (Dads on a) Hunting Trip! Shameless Lord of the Rings reference! So this chapter is mainly building relationships and slight plot development as we move into the second mini arc.
So Arthur and Francis' relationship is intriguing. There's two sides to this story. Arthur and Francis met when Arthur saved Francis from an unfortunate incident. For Francis, it was love. Not so much for Arthur, who saw it as purely platonic. Despite the not so subtle flirtetous hints from Francis. While Francis' feelings have died down, there are still embers.
When we first saw Arthur and Francis together in this story, their relationship is very much a bond between brothers. They have so much history between them and they are so close that people do misunderstand. Yes Francis still harbours slight feelings, he's knows it not appropriate. It's sad but he's resigned himself, understanding that he and Arthur won't be together. He knows the best he can do is want the best for Arthur for him to be happy and safe.
Thank you reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you liked this chapter and want to see more, be sure to leave a review to let me know what you think of this story so far. Once again thank you for reading!
Until next time folks!