[Fanfic] Beautiful 2 (USUK, PG-13)
TITLE: Beautiful
ARTIST/AUTHOR: bukku_oosa
RATING: T for some things being mentioned that aren't quite child-friendly.
WARNINGS: Spades culture being sticks in the mud, lots of verbal abuse later on, "propriety" issues, body image issues.
PAIRING/S: USUK, Alfred/Arthur (America/England)
SUMMARY: Arthur looked at him, tears rolling down his cheek. “Alfred,” he begged, “Am I beautiful to you?” Fanfiction.Net Link
“Hello, your Highness!” seven tiny voices called out to him as seven little lights-all the colours of the rainbow-flew up to him, giggling brightly in the fading light of the sunset in the horizon straight ahead. Arthur’s eye widened as a smile crossed his face, and he held out his hands. The seven little lights settled down on them carefully, the lights fading slightly to reveal to him seven little fairy girls smiling up at him, all dressed in lovely little spider-silk and leaflet-petal dresses of vibrant colour, little threads of bark fibre holding up their fragile golden angel hair into elegantly messy buns decorated with lovely small blossoms.
“Why, hello,” Arthur smiled, leaning against the windowsill, smiling down at them, “It’s wonderful to meet you all, but I’m hardly Queen as it is right now.”
“Oh, to us you’re already the Queen!” the yellow fairy cheered, and her sisters nodded, all voicing out their agreement, and Arthur chuckled gently.
“Well, thank you, love,” he said, nodding softly. “Would you mind if you would tell me your names? All of you?”
“Not a problem,” the red one said, with an air of authority. Arthur could see that she was the eldest of all of them, and she stood up, smiling at Arthur gently, like a mother caring for a child. “My name is Aoife. I am the eldest sister of us seven.”
“Innes,” the orange one said, raising her hand. “Third eldest.”
“Mùirne!” the yellow one chirped. “Second youngest!”
“I am Ambrosine,” the green one quietly said, before flying to hide behind Arthur’s thumb. The blonde chuckled and smiled at her.
“Feidelm, my Queen,” the blue one said, placing a small kiss to Arthur’s fingertip. “At your service.”
Arthur nodded at the fairy, and she gave him a low bow, before settling down next to Innes.
“I am Rohesia,” the violet fairy spoke up, “I am the second eldest, and this is Ceridwen, our youngest.” She smiled at the mauve fairy hiding behind her, and Arthur chuckled, smiling at the little fairy.
“Hello there,” he smiled, but Ceridwen hid behind her sister all the more. Arthur chuckled, before lowering his hands to the windowsill, where all seven fairies got off his hands and flew around his head. “Well, you all should probably know who I am.”
“Captain Arthur Kirkland, Pirate King and domineer of the Great Seas.” Aoife smiled, “Am I right?”
“Right you are,” Arthur chuckled, making his way to the balcony. He opened the glass double-doors and welcomed in the fresh breeze that sent his silk robe fluttering behind him. He raised an eyebrow when he heard the fairies gasp behind him, and he turned his head to look over his shoulder at them to see that they were gathered around his wings, now visible as he stood in the orange light of the sunset. “What’s this? Are you all interested in those?”
“Oh, Arthur, you have the most beautiful wings!” Mùirne gasped, smiling brightly as she ran her tiny hand down Arthur’s translucent fairy wings. “Oh, Mother Forest certainly is such a master craftsman.”
“Mother Forest?” Arthur echoed. It had been so long since he had heard of the other Great Spirits, aside from the Sea King. “How is she? Is she doing well?” he asked, despite the fact he knew that he had never even seen her before, since he had lived a great fraction of his life at sea. All he knew was that she was the Spirit that had given him his gifts, and that he was very grateful for.
“Oh, she is elated you have come home,” Feidelm replied, sitting down on Arthur’s shoulder, her sisters following suit. Arthur did his very best to keep still, to not disturb the fairies delicately perching on him. “She is very happy you have found love.” She said, and Arthur smiled.
“Yes, well,” he sighed, lowering his head, “I love Alfred very much, but I highly doubt I am fitting enough to be this country’s Queen.” He looked towards the horizon, where the orange sun was now whispering goodbye as nothing but a sliver of molten gold was left in the distance. “I don’t think I’m… proper enough.”
“Oh, nonsense!” Rohesia clicked her tongue. “You are the best candidate for Queen, and besides, Alfred loves you very much! He won’t let you down!”
“I have to train first, to become Queen,” Arthur reasoned, “I can’t afford to disappoint his kingdom.”
“I don’t think you’ve disappointed anyone at all,” Ambrosine spoke up quietly. “Have you seen the people’s reactions the moment you and Alfred reached the port? You’re trying very hard, and I think that’s all that matters.”
Arthur’s eye widened. Had the fairies seen that?
---
Not long after Jackson had announced their arrival at the Spades’ port, Arthur and Alfred stood together behind the door to the deck, looking at each other, their hands in each other’s, Alfred’s covering Arthur’s gently, warmly, comfortingly as Arthur’s hands shook in Alfred’s grip.
“Alfred, what if they don’t like me?” Arthur asked, “Wh-what if they know I’m a pirate, and what if they’ll end up hating you too?”
“Artie, babe,” Alfred laughed, planting a soft kiss on his fiancé’s forehead, before pressing his against Arthur’s. “They’re going to love you.” He grinned. “They’re going to have to love you. You’ll be their Queen.” Arthur opened his mouth to speak, but Alfred shook his head, “And, as far as I know, the feared Captain Kirkland is currently out at sea, with his loyal little brother and crew, wild and free, and happy.” Arthur’s expression melted and a smile crossed his face. “And, as far as I know, Arthur Kirkland, the most beautiful man I have ever seen in my entire life,” Arthur blushed, and Alfred chuckled. “Is currently standing in the presence of the awesome King of Spades, about to be introduced to the people that love the both of them to the end of the world and back.”
“Oh, Alfred,” Arthur sighed, smiling, giving his fiancé a kiss. “What would I do without you?”
“Not a lot of things, actually.” Alfred grinned. “Want to go meet the people now?”
“Oh, alright,” Arthur laughed, “If you insist.”
Alfred grinned brightly and opened the door for Arthur, gesturing for him to step outside first.
Arthur stepped outside into the bright sunlight, and he shut his eye to get used to the sudden change in brightness-when he heard cheering from the docks. He jolted slightly at the sound and he opened his eye to see a huge crowd gathered at the docks, waving the flag of the Kingdom of Spades and cheering loudly, chanting, “Long live the King and his Queen!”
Arthur felt tears prickle his eye, and suddenly he felt arms wrap around him.
“What’d I tell you? They’ll love you, I know it.”
Arthur smiled and he turned to face Alfred-
When he felt Alfred’s arms shift, and the next thing he knew, he was being carried bridal-style by his fiancé. At the docks, the people of Spades cheered loudly at the affection their King was showering on their soon-to-be Queen.
“H-hey! Wait! P-put me down, you git!” Arthur spluttered, but Alfred merely laughed him off, giving him a kiss on his cheek instead.
“No can do, babe! I’m going to carry you over the threshold to my kingdom!”
“You idiot! We aren’t even married yet!” Arthur yelled his cheeks bright red with embarrassment, and Alfred only laughed.
“I love you,” he replied, kissing Arthur soundly (earning them loud cheers from the crowd watching them) before pulling away, grinning brightly.
“I love you too, you daft man,” Arthur chuckled.
“Awesome.” Alfred breathed, before looking at all his subjects. “Well then. Come on, your kingdom waits.”
---
Arthur smiled, and nodded. “Well, thank you.” He gently said, “Thank you, all of you.”
Aoife flew up from Arthur’s shoulder to face him, smiling proudly like a mother to her child, and gave Arthur a small kiss on his nose.
“We’ll always be here to be with you all the way. You’re not alone, alright?” she asked, as her sisters followed after her and took to the air. “Don’t ever forget, you have us, your kingdom,” she patted Arthur’s cheek with her tiny hand. “And most of all, you have your Alfred, who loves you more than any of us could.”
“Thank you.” Arthur breathed, and the fairies giggled, before each of them placed a tiny kiss on Arthur’s cheek.
“Stay strong, my Queen,” Rohesia bade, waving at him, before she and her sisters flew away into the sunset, as the sun’s last rays disappeared behind the green earth.
Arthur watched them leave with a small smile on his face, and suddenly there was a knock on the door.
“Lord Kirkland?” a maid’s voice called out from behind the door. Arthur made a face. It felt odd being called such a title. “It is almost suppertime. I’ve been called to wake you up and help you get ready.”
“Coming,” Arthur spoke up as he walked over to the door. He opened it to see a black-haired young woman standing at the door, smiling at him gently. In her arms was a basket covered with a cloth, and sung over one arm was a set of dark navy clothes, where perched precariously on top was a small hat of the same colour. “Hello,” he greeted politely, nodding his head slightly, and the maid nodded.
“Good evening,” she replied, and Arthur stepped aside to let her in. “I’ve brought with me a new set of clothes for you to change in, sire.”
“Thank you,” Arthur nodded, “May I ask, what is your name?”
“Me, sir?” the woman asked, “My name is Sakura Honda.”
“Sakura,” Arthur repeated, nodding. “Alright. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“It is an honour to meet you, my Lord.” She smiled, before putting the clothes she had in her arms down on Arthur’s bed. “Now, it is time to get you dressed.” She smiled, “Shall we?”
---
Already dressed in his Royal attire-a long blue coat over a white polo and blue vest. He had not bothered to change his pants, keeping the black trousers he had since the ship on, and his necktie was still undone, Alfred paced restlessly in his room. What utter nonsense! Why wasn’t he allowed to see his Queen-to-be? He deserved every right to be there by Arthur’s side! If only Yao had any idea on what he went through to even so much as bring Arthur to Spades, he’d…
The door opened, and Alfred opened his mouth to yell at whomever he thought was coming through the door-only to keep silent to see it was Captain Jackson standing at the door, a surprised look on his face.
“Your Majesty?” the man asked, and Alfred calmed down, sighing, before slumping into the nearby armchair. “Whatever is the matter?”
“It’s just that…” Alfred clicked his tongue. “I’m not allowed to go see Arthur unless it’s dinner or something.”
The elder man smiled, before walking up to stand next to his King, a knowing smile on his face.
“Well, Your Majesty, you know…” Alfred looked up at him, eyebrow raised. “If there is a will, then there is almost always a way.”
For a moment, Alfred looked blankly at the naval captain, and Jackson merely smiled back, until realisation dawned on the young King’s face and his expression lightened up into a grin.
“Jackson?” he asked, and the man nodded. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re probably the best subject in this kingdom, ever?”
“I don’t think so, my King.” Jackson chuckled, and Alfred grinned at him, getting up from his seat.
“Well, you are.” He grinned, before boldly striding out of the room. “Come on, then! It’s time for dinner! We shouldn’t be late!”
Jackson chuckled to himself, and followed after his King.
---
“You have a very beautiful face,” Sakura commented, as she delicately brushed Arthur’s sandy blonde hair. The two of them were facing the small vanity at the corner of the room, where Arthur sat (with his back completely straight, thanks to the corset Sakura had put on him. Thankfully she understood his position and opted to not tighten it too much) down to let Sakura put the finishing touches on him.
She had given him a new shirt to wear underneath an aquamarine corset, with a matching white silk ribbon around his neck, tied neatly into a bow under his chin. He had changed into a pair of brown trousers, and Sakura had provided him with a new boot, shiny brown leather that was luxurious to the feel. On top of it all was a mauve trench coat that was warm and comfortable to wear.
“These clothes are lovely, Sakura.” He commented, turning his head to the side to allow the maid to brush his hair on the other side. “They have a very nice fit.”
“I’m glad you like them,” Sakura replied, “Forgive us, but these were just spares we had found in the closet.”
“That’s alright,” Arthur replied, wincing slightly as Sakura straightened out a knot, “As long as it fits me, right?”
“Yes,” the maid chuckled, before walking around Arthur to put the hairbrush down on the vanity’s table and reach for a small round container.
“What is that?” Arthur asked, as Sakura opened the container to reveal a fuffy white thing inside.
“It’s power, my Lord.” She replied, “I’m just going to freshen you up a little.”
“D-does that involve me talking this off?” Arthur asked, getting nervous, offhandedly gesturing to his eye patch, and Sakura nodded. “W-wait, a-are you sure?”
“It’s alright,” the girl tenderly said, gently undoing the knot behind Arthur’s head and letting the eye patch fall loose. “I’ve seen my fair share of wounds.”
Arthur’s eye widened as his scarred eye was revealed to the girl-still the same, he saw in the mirror-still so frightening, crudely healed flesh, a result of crude medical attention following immediately after the attack. Arthur could still remember it so vividly.
Fish breath, hoarse words speaking of dirty promises, unwelcome hands attempting feebly to touch what must not be touched-
A single word, ‘no’, had cut a precariously thin string.
Knives flew, and Arthur’s left eye was to see no more.
“Oh, what a wound this must have been,” Sakura sighed, running soft fingers along Arthur’s scar, causing the man to jolt and move back instinctively. “Oh, I am so sorry,” she gasped, and Arthur shook his head.
“N-no, I’m sorry, I was just…” he sighed, “You surprised me.”
Sakura smiled sadly and nodded. “I am sorry,” she apologised, “But if I may say so, you are one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen.”
Arthur looked up at her, eyebrow raised.
“Yes, even with your missing eye.” She smiled, “In a way, you’ve become more beautiful in my eyes,” she said, before gently dabbing powder on Arthur’s cheeks. “You’re both so beautiful, and yet at the same time, so frightening. So perfect, yet marred beyond recognition.” She gently brushed across Arthur’s cheekbones. “Both beauty and beast. You are enthralling.”
Arthur smiled shyly at the woman’s words, and wrung his hands together. “Impossible. People must only be one, right? Be either beauty or beast.”
“Why be one when you can be both?” Sakura asked, smiling, before taking away the powder to smear trace amounts of rouge on Arthur’s cheeks, before reaching for a small bottle. Unscrewing the lid revealed that the lid was actually a brush, dripping with a deep red substance. “Your lips, please, my Lord.”
Arthur parted them, as instructed, and Sakura gently painted his full lips red, before the maid pulled away and smiled at him.
“And now, for the last part,” she smiled, handing him the small hat. Smiling back at her, Arthur took it from her and put it on, before reaching for his eye patch-
“My Lord, please, let me.” Sakura spoke up, and Arthur nodded delicately, to not disturb the hat on his head. The maid stood behind him and tied the eye patch back onto Arthur’s head, before resting her hands on Arthur’s shoulders.
“My beauty is a beast, Sakura,” Arthur spoke up after a moment. “It has brought many misfortunes,” the maid’s eyes widened, but Arthur continued, smiling gently. “But it has brought me my greatest fortune yet-Alfred. I cannot deny my utter thankfulness to this beast of a fortune.”
“And so, the beast became a beauty,” Sakura nodded, gently stroking Arthur’s hair, before turning away. “Come now, my Lord, let us head to dinner. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
“Starved,” Arthur replied, before getting up to follow after her.
So, um. To me, this feels very, very filler-y, but what do you guys think?
Also, more names! Some, you guys have already encountered, but here they are again, if you forgot:
Red - Aoife
Orange - Innes
Yellow - Mùirne (MOORN a)
Green - Ambrosine
Blue - Feidelm
Mauve - Ceridwen
Violet - Rohesia
Sakura and Arthur are quoting a very famous story that came from the Kingdom of Diamonds, but I'm pretty sure here on Earth, we've already heard this one before. Hm!
The next update might not come as fast as this one did, since my exams are right around the corner, but I'll do my best to get it up soon~
Until next time!
ARTIST/AUTHOR: bukku_oosa
RATING: T for some things being mentioned that aren't quite child-friendly.
WARNINGS: Spades culture being sticks in the mud, lots of verbal abuse later on, "propriety" issues, body image issues.
PAIRING/S: USUK, Alfred/Arthur (America/England)
SUMMARY: Arthur looked at him, tears rolling down his cheek. “Alfred,” he begged, “Am I beautiful to you?” Fanfiction.Net Link
“Hello, your Highness!” seven tiny voices called out to him as seven little lights-all the colours of the rainbow-flew up to him, giggling brightly in the fading light of the sunset in the horizon straight ahead. Arthur’s eye widened as a smile crossed his face, and he held out his hands. The seven little lights settled down on them carefully, the lights fading slightly to reveal to him seven little fairy girls smiling up at him, all dressed in lovely little spider-silk and leaflet-petal dresses of vibrant colour, little threads of bark fibre holding up their fragile golden angel hair into elegantly messy buns decorated with lovely small blossoms.
“Why, hello,” Arthur smiled, leaning against the windowsill, smiling down at them, “It’s wonderful to meet you all, but I’m hardly Queen as it is right now.”
“Oh, to us you’re already the Queen!” the yellow fairy cheered, and her sisters nodded, all voicing out their agreement, and Arthur chuckled gently.
“Well, thank you, love,” he said, nodding softly. “Would you mind if you would tell me your names? All of you?”
“Not a problem,” the red one said, with an air of authority. Arthur could see that she was the eldest of all of them, and she stood up, smiling at Arthur gently, like a mother caring for a child. “My name is Aoife. I am the eldest sister of us seven.”
“Innes,” the orange one said, raising her hand. “Third eldest.”
“Mùirne!” the yellow one chirped. “Second youngest!”
“I am Ambrosine,” the green one quietly said, before flying to hide behind Arthur’s thumb. The blonde chuckled and smiled at her.
“Feidelm, my Queen,” the blue one said, placing a small kiss to Arthur’s fingertip. “At your service.”
Arthur nodded at the fairy, and she gave him a low bow, before settling down next to Innes.
“I am Rohesia,” the violet fairy spoke up, “I am the second eldest, and this is Ceridwen, our youngest.” She smiled at the mauve fairy hiding behind her, and Arthur chuckled, smiling at the little fairy.
“Hello there,” he smiled, but Ceridwen hid behind her sister all the more. Arthur chuckled, before lowering his hands to the windowsill, where all seven fairies got off his hands and flew around his head. “Well, you all should probably know who I am.”
“Captain Arthur Kirkland, Pirate King and domineer of the Great Seas.” Aoife smiled, “Am I right?”
“Right you are,” Arthur chuckled, making his way to the balcony. He opened the glass double-doors and welcomed in the fresh breeze that sent his silk robe fluttering behind him. He raised an eyebrow when he heard the fairies gasp behind him, and he turned his head to look over his shoulder at them to see that they were gathered around his wings, now visible as he stood in the orange light of the sunset. “What’s this? Are you all interested in those?”
“Oh, Arthur, you have the most beautiful wings!” Mùirne gasped, smiling brightly as she ran her tiny hand down Arthur’s translucent fairy wings. “Oh, Mother Forest certainly is such a master craftsman.”
“Mother Forest?” Arthur echoed. It had been so long since he had heard of the other Great Spirits, aside from the Sea King. “How is she? Is she doing well?” he asked, despite the fact he knew that he had never even seen her before, since he had lived a great fraction of his life at sea. All he knew was that she was the Spirit that had given him his gifts, and that he was very grateful for.
“Oh, she is elated you have come home,” Feidelm replied, sitting down on Arthur’s shoulder, her sisters following suit. Arthur did his very best to keep still, to not disturb the fairies delicately perching on him. “She is very happy you have found love.” She said, and Arthur smiled.
“Yes, well,” he sighed, lowering his head, “I love Alfred very much, but I highly doubt I am fitting enough to be this country’s Queen.” He looked towards the horizon, where the orange sun was now whispering goodbye as nothing but a sliver of molten gold was left in the distance. “I don’t think I’m… proper enough.”
“Oh, nonsense!” Rohesia clicked her tongue. “You are the best candidate for Queen, and besides, Alfred loves you very much! He won’t let you down!”
“I have to train first, to become Queen,” Arthur reasoned, “I can’t afford to disappoint his kingdom.”
“I don’t think you’ve disappointed anyone at all,” Ambrosine spoke up quietly. “Have you seen the people’s reactions the moment you and Alfred reached the port? You’re trying very hard, and I think that’s all that matters.”
Arthur’s eye widened. Had the fairies seen that?
---
Not long after Jackson had announced their arrival at the Spades’ port, Arthur and Alfred stood together behind the door to the deck, looking at each other, their hands in each other’s, Alfred’s covering Arthur’s gently, warmly, comfortingly as Arthur’s hands shook in Alfred’s grip.
“Alfred, what if they don’t like me?” Arthur asked, “Wh-what if they know I’m a pirate, and what if they’ll end up hating you too?”
“Artie, babe,” Alfred laughed, planting a soft kiss on his fiancé’s forehead, before pressing his against Arthur’s. “They’re going to love you.” He grinned. “They’re going to have to love you. You’ll be their Queen.” Arthur opened his mouth to speak, but Alfred shook his head, “And, as far as I know, the feared Captain Kirkland is currently out at sea, with his loyal little brother and crew, wild and free, and happy.” Arthur’s expression melted and a smile crossed his face. “And, as far as I know, Arthur Kirkland, the most beautiful man I have ever seen in my entire life,” Arthur blushed, and Alfred chuckled. “Is currently standing in the presence of the awesome King of Spades, about to be introduced to the people that love the both of them to the end of the world and back.”
“Oh, Alfred,” Arthur sighed, smiling, giving his fiancé a kiss. “What would I do without you?”
“Not a lot of things, actually.” Alfred grinned. “Want to go meet the people now?”
“Oh, alright,” Arthur laughed, “If you insist.”
Alfred grinned brightly and opened the door for Arthur, gesturing for him to step outside first.
Arthur stepped outside into the bright sunlight, and he shut his eye to get used to the sudden change in brightness-when he heard cheering from the docks. He jolted slightly at the sound and he opened his eye to see a huge crowd gathered at the docks, waving the flag of the Kingdom of Spades and cheering loudly, chanting, “Long live the King and his Queen!”
Arthur felt tears prickle his eye, and suddenly he felt arms wrap around him.
“What’d I tell you? They’ll love you, I know it.”
Arthur smiled and he turned to face Alfred-
When he felt Alfred’s arms shift, and the next thing he knew, he was being carried bridal-style by his fiancé. At the docks, the people of Spades cheered loudly at the affection their King was showering on their soon-to-be Queen.
“H-hey! Wait! P-put me down, you git!” Arthur spluttered, but Alfred merely laughed him off, giving him a kiss on his cheek instead.
“No can do, babe! I’m going to carry you over the threshold to my kingdom!”
“You idiot! We aren’t even married yet!” Arthur yelled his cheeks bright red with embarrassment, and Alfred only laughed.
“I love you,” he replied, kissing Arthur soundly (earning them loud cheers from the crowd watching them) before pulling away, grinning brightly.
“I love you too, you daft man,” Arthur chuckled.
“Awesome.” Alfred breathed, before looking at all his subjects. “Well then. Come on, your kingdom waits.”
---
Arthur smiled, and nodded. “Well, thank you.” He gently said, “Thank you, all of you.”
Aoife flew up from Arthur’s shoulder to face him, smiling proudly like a mother to her child, and gave Arthur a small kiss on his nose.
“We’ll always be here to be with you all the way. You’re not alone, alright?” she asked, as her sisters followed after her and took to the air. “Don’t ever forget, you have us, your kingdom,” she patted Arthur’s cheek with her tiny hand. “And most of all, you have your Alfred, who loves you more than any of us could.”
“Thank you.” Arthur breathed, and the fairies giggled, before each of them placed a tiny kiss on Arthur’s cheek.
“Stay strong, my Queen,” Rohesia bade, waving at him, before she and her sisters flew away into the sunset, as the sun’s last rays disappeared behind the green earth.
Arthur watched them leave with a small smile on his face, and suddenly there was a knock on the door.
“Lord Kirkland?” a maid’s voice called out from behind the door. Arthur made a face. It felt odd being called such a title. “It is almost suppertime. I’ve been called to wake you up and help you get ready.”
“Coming,” Arthur spoke up as he walked over to the door. He opened it to see a black-haired young woman standing at the door, smiling at him gently. In her arms was a basket covered with a cloth, and sung over one arm was a set of dark navy clothes, where perched precariously on top was a small hat of the same colour. “Hello,” he greeted politely, nodding his head slightly, and the maid nodded.
“Good evening,” she replied, and Arthur stepped aside to let her in. “I’ve brought with me a new set of clothes for you to change in, sire.”
“Thank you,” Arthur nodded, “May I ask, what is your name?”
“Me, sir?” the woman asked, “My name is Sakura Honda.”
“Sakura,” Arthur repeated, nodding. “Alright. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“It is an honour to meet you, my Lord.” She smiled, before putting the clothes she had in her arms down on Arthur’s bed. “Now, it is time to get you dressed.” She smiled, “Shall we?”
---
Already dressed in his Royal attire-a long blue coat over a white polo and blue vest. He had not bothered to change his pants, keeping the black trousers he had since the ship on, and his necktie was still undone, Alfred paced restlessly in his room. What utter nonsense! Why wasn’t he allowed to see his Queen-to-be? He deserved every right to be there by Arthur’s side! If only Yao had any idea on what he went through to even so much as bring Arthur to Spades, he’d…
The door opened, and Alfred opened his mouth to yell at whomever he thought was coming through the door-only to keep silent to see it was Captain Jackson standing at the door, a surprised look on his face.
“Your Majesty?” the man asked, and Alfred calmed down, sighing, before slumping into the nearby armchair. “Whatever is the matter?”
“It’s just that…” Alfred clicked his tongue. “I’m not allowed to go see Arthur unless it’s dinner or something.”
The elder man smiled, before walking up to stand next to his King, a knowing smile on his face.
“Well, Your Majesty, you know…” Alfred looked up at him, eyebrow raised. “If there is a will, then there is almost always a way.”
For a moment, Alfred looked blankly at the naval captain, and Jackson merely smiled back, until realisation dawned on the young King’s face and his expression lightened up into a grin.
“Jackson?” he asked, and the man nodded. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re probably the best subject in this kingdom, ever?”
“I don’t think so, my King.” Jackson chuckled, and Alfred grinned at him, getting up from his seat.
“Well, you are.” He grinned, before boldly striding out of the room. “Come on, then! It’s time for dinner! We shouldn’t be late!”
Jackson chuckled to himself, and followed after his King.
---
“You have a very beautiful face,” Sakura commented, as she delicately brushed Arthur’s sandy blonde hair. The two of them were facing the small vanity at the corner of the room, where Arthur sat (with his back completely straight, thanks to the corset Sakura had put on him. Thankfully she understood his position and opted to not tighten it too much) down to let Sakura put the finishing touches on him.
She had given him a new shirt to wear underneath an aquamarine corset, with a matching white silk ribbon around his neck, tied neatly into a bow under his chin. He had changed into a pair of brown trousers, and Sakura had provided him with a new boot, shiny brown leather that was luxurious to the feel. On top of it all was a mauve trench coat that was warm and comfortable to wear.
“These clothes are lovely, Sakura.” He commented, turning his head to the side to allow the maid to brush his hair on the other side. “They have a very nice fit.”
“I’m glad you like them,” Sakura replied, “Forgive us, but these were just spares we had found in the closet.”
“That’s alright,” Arthur replied, wincing slightly as Sakura straightened out a knot, “As long as it fits me, right?”
“Yes,” the maid chuckled, before walking around Arthur to put the hairbrush down on the vanity’s table and reach for a small round container.
“What is that?” Arthur asked, as Sakura opened the container to reveal a fuffy white thing inside.
“It’s power, my Lord.” She replied, “I’m just going to freshen you up a little.”
“D-does that involve me talking this off?” Arthur asked, getting nervous, offhandedly gesturing to his eye patch, and Sakura nodded. “W-wait, a-are you sure?”
“It’s alright,” the girl tenderly said, gently undoing the knot behind Arthur’s head and letting the eye patch fall loose. “I’ve seen my fair share of wounds.”
Arthur’s eye widened as his scarred eye was revealed to the girl-still the same, he saw in the mirror-still so frightening, crudely healed flesh, a result of crude medical attention following immediately after the attack. Arthur could still remember it so vividly.
Fish breath, hoarse words speaking of dirty promises, unwelcome hands attempting feebly to touch what must not be touched-
A single word, ‘no’, had cut a precariously thin string.
Knives flew, and Arthur’s left eye was to see no more.
“Oh, what a wound this must have been,” Sakura sighed, running soft fingers along Arthur’s scar, causing the man to jolt and move back instinctively. “Oh, I am so sorry,” she gasped, and Arthur shook his head.
“N-no, I’m sorry, I was just…” he sighed, “You surprised me.”
Sakura smiled sadly and nodded. “I am sorry,” she apologised, “But if I may say so, you are one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen.”
Arthur looked up at her, eyebrow raised.
“Yes, even with your missing eye.” She smiled, “In a way, you’ve become more beautiful in my eyes,” she said, before gently dabbing powder on Arthur’s cheeks. “You’re both so beautiful, and yet at the same time, so frightening. So perfect, yet marred beyond recognition.” She gently brushed across Arthur’s cheekbones. “Both beauty and beast. You are enthralling.”
Arthur smiled shyly at the woman’s words, and wrung his hands together. “Impossible. People must only be one, right? Be either beauty or beast.”
“Why be one when you can be both?” Sakura asked, smiling, before taking away the powder to smear trace amounts of rouge on Arthur’s cheeks, before reaching for a small bottle. Unscrewing the lid revealed that the lid was actually a brush, dripping with a deep red substance. “Your lips, please, my Lord.”
Arthur parted them, as instructed, and Sakura gently painted his full lips red, before the maid pulled away and smiled at him.
“And now, for the last part,” she smiled, handing him the small hat. Smiling back at her, Arthur took it from her and put it on, before reaching for his eye patch-
“My Lord, please, let me.” Sakura spoke up, and Arthur nodded delicately, to not disturb the hat on his head. The maid stood behind him and tied the eye patch back onto Arthur’s head, before resting her hands on Arthur’s shoulders.
“My beauty is a beast, Sakura,” Arthur spoke up after a moment. “It has brought many misfortunes,” the maid’s eyes widened, but Arthur continued, smiling gently. “But it has brought me my greatest fortune yet-Alfred. I cannot deny my utter thankfulness to this beast of a fortune.”
“And so, the beast became a beauty,” Sakura nodded, gently stroking Arthur’s hair, before turning away. “Come now, my Lord, let us head to dinner. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
“Starved,” Arthur replied, before getting up to follow after her.
So, um. To me, this feels very, very filler-y, but what do you guys think?
Also, more names! Some, you guys have already encountered, but here they are again, if you forgot:
Red - Aoife
Orange - Innes
Yellow - Mùirne (MOORN a)
Green - Ambrosine
Blue - Feidelm
Mauve - Ceridwen
Violet - Rohesia
Sakura and Arthur are quoting a very famous story that came from the Kingdom of Diamonds, but I'm pretty sure here on Earth, we've already heard this one before. Hm!
The next update might not come as fast as this one did, since my exams are right around the corner, but I'll do my best to get it up soon~
Until next time!