At World's End -- Part 3d
anonymous
February 8 2010, 03:26:33 UTC
There was a moment of silence with only the rustling of papers filling the air. "It is almost done," Ivan corrected. Arthur glanced up at him in exasperation at what the man could possibly want that couldn't wait until the actual ceremony or at least until dinner. "We need to have a witnesses signature on the contract yet," Ivan explained as he held up the contract so Arthur could see the empty space beneath his own.
"Have Francis sign it on your way out," Arthur said with a wave of his hand hoping the implied 'you should leave now' was clear enough in his voice. From the smirk that crossed Ivan's face it was. "He heard enough through the open door to qualify as a witness."
"That will work for today," Ivan agreed. "For the ceremony we will need to be better prepared though I assume you will have Francis act again as your witness."
"He will act as Alfred's witness," Arthur said with a sigh. "I will be having my middle brother as mine. He's the least likely to cause chaos, the others don't even known about this yet."
"Eduard will act as my first witness," Ivan said and Arthur nodded not surprised that Ivan's second in command would be acting as a witness. "Berwald will be my other." Again Arthur was not surprised that Ivan had chosen his bodyguard as his second witness. The bodyguard was even more intimidating then Ivan which was something Arthur still hadn't figure out how was even possible.
"Sounds like everything is ready then," Arthur said with a frown.
"I will take the contract with me," Ivan said closing the contract and putting that to within the folds of his coat. "And I will make sure all the final arrangements are ready on my end for tomorrow before dinner...you should do the same."
"Do we really need to rush things so much, does it have to be tomorrow?" Arthur asked though he already knew the answer.
"You were the one that said we should do this while your other son is in Prussia for the Prince's engagement party. He leaves tonight before dinner..." Russia pointed out mildly.
"He'll be gone for a week..." Arthur said. "Surely we can wait another day or two..." he couldn't help but think perhaps another day might allow Alfred to cool down enough to let Francis talk to him.
"I would like to get Alfred safely across my borders as soon as possible," Ivan said countered his voice leaving little room for argument. "I would think you'd want that too..."
Arthur sighed and nodded his head. Getting Alfred to the Northern Kingdom as soon as possible was paramount. Both to keep him from danger from outside forces but also from himself. "It will give him less time to plot an escape." he mumbled.
"He won't run from me," Ivan said simply.
Arthur looked at him and wanted to laugh but instead just shook his head. Let Ivan find out for himself just how stubborn and uncaring about his own health and safety Alfred could be sometimes. It would be something that Ivan would have to learn the hard way because now that he had the Northern King's word that he would not hurt Alfred, Arthur found he was in no way willing to make his life any easier. Helping them or not Ivan had still manipulated events to an end that worked towards something he'd wanted to begin with. Since he'd wanted it he could now deal with those consequences.
Arthur sighed tiredly and turned his head towards the window that stretched along the wall behind his desk. "I have a few things of my own that I'd like to sort through before dinner..." he said once again trying to politely push Ivan out the door.
This time Ivan seemed more willing to oblige him. "I will leave you to it then," he said with a polite nod. "We will have much to discuss over dinner."
At World's End -- Part 3e
anonymous
February 8 2010, 03:29:11 UTC
To Arthur's relief Ivan finally left with purposeful strides and a soft swish of fabric. He waited a long moment and then stood and crossed over to the windows leaning against the pane of one he looked out. This window overlooked expansive private back garden that connected with Francis' rose garden. All the families chambers overlooked the gardens he figured if he waited long enough Alfred would appear. His favorite place to stomp around when he'd gotten in trouble or was just in a bad mood was under the large tree that overlooked the small pond in the center garden. He would come here to mope and if he was planning an immediate escape he could make it from the garden. Arthur frowned, he would need to inform the guards that Alfred was not allowed to leave the castle grounds but that could wait. He had a bit of time, Alfred would want to see Matthew before he tried to run.
There was a soft clearing of a throat behind him. Arthur did not turn to look at its owner but he loosened his posture so that Francis would know that he could approach if he wished. It took his partner only a few seconds to cross the room and to wrap an arm around Arthur's shoulder pulling him into a loose, comforting hug. Arthur had a feeling he would still be yelled at over this but apparently Francis was choosing to give him some space first. He turned his head an accept the light kiss Francis pressed against his lips before breaking away with a sigh.
"He hates me," he said softly.
"He doesn't hate you," Francis insisted pulling Arthur into a tighter embrace.
"Yes he does," Arthur said painfully.
"No he doesn't" Francis repeated firmly. "He just thinks he does."
"Isn't that just as bad?" Arthur scoffed.
"Non, of course not," Francis said. He gently pulled Arthur away from the window and back towards the couch. "It means he loves you...he's just angry with you and the situation at the moment."
"Well, at least we're on the same page for once." Arthur muttered with a sigh and leaned back against the cushions. There was a moment of silence then Francis curled up next to him, Arthur shifted his position so he was leaning against Francis and Francis took the opportunity of the changed position to rub soft circles against Arthur's temples. Arthur sighed and leaned back as he felt Francis's magic seep in to combat his rising headache.
"Arthur," Francis said after a few moments of quiet. "I must ask again is this all really necessary..."
"Yes, it is," Arthur answered without hesitation. "It will keep Alfred safe."
"I still can't see why we can't just tell him about the threat," Francis said irritation slipping into his voice though he kept up the gentle movements at Arthur's temple.
"Because he won't believe me if I tell him," Arthur said shrugging out of Francis' touch to sit back up. "He'll think I'm just lying to him to get him back under this roof and under my control.
"Perhaps if I told him..." Francis suggested. "Or Matthew..."
"He'll think I manipulated you into doing it..." Arthur said with a sigh. "Even if he did believe you it wouldn't matter. He still wouldn't take the threat seriously he'd rush off to try and get them to come out of hiding so he could take care of them himself. He'd get himself killed and give them exactly what they want. You know he would do it..."
"He always has been a bit too fond of running into a situation head first without thinking," Francis agreed fondly.
"More then a bit too fond," Arthur grumbled in irritation. "I'm not going to give him the opportunity to do that here...not when the cost will be his life."
"I agree that we must keep him safe above all else, Arthur," Francis said gently. "But is forcing him to marry Ivan really the only way?"
At World's End -- Part 3f
anonymous
February 8 2010, 03:31:09 UTC
"Yes," Arthur said after a long moment. "I think it is. He won't stay here in our protection and I cannot lock him up in the dungeon to keep him safe. He'd escape or he'd hate me even more...or Matthew would. He will be protected in the Northern Kingdom. Safe behind the snow and ice and the extra layers of protection that Ivan has set up around his castle. They won't be able to touch him there."
"I do agree that sending him to the Northern Kingdom is the best option available...but the marriage...trapping him there forever with Ivan..." Francis argued with a frown.
"It is the only way it can be done," Arthur insisted as much for himself as for Francis. "He would not have gone of his own free will...and Ivan would not allow it anyway unless..."
"Unless we agreed to this marriage..." Francis finished his voice laced with anger though Arthur knew instinctively it was not directed at him.
"Yeah...unless we agree to the marriage..." Arthur said with a heavy sigh.
"He puts us in this corner, forced us to make the decision he wanted us to and you still don't think there's a possibility that Ivan set this whole thing up?" Francis asked sharply. "It was his people that supposedly overheard this conversation and intercepted this missive where the threat was made. He hasn't let us see the note, claimed it burned up on its own after a certain amount of time...maybe there was never any note to begin with. You know been looking to make an agreement between the two kingdoms since he took over from his father. He's made it quite clear that he's been after a marriage between himself and one of the twins since you made them your heirs..."
"I don't deny that he's manipulated this situation as much as he can to get exactly what he wants out of it..." Arthur said tiredly "But...I believe that the threat is very real and he is not behind it."
"But..." Francis began. "He might be..."
"He passed all the Tests of Honesty we threw at him, volunteered to go through all of them even..." Arthur reminded Francis.
"He powerful," Francis countered quickly. "Maybe powerful enough to fool the Tests...."
"The Ancients devised those tests," Arthur said with a shake of his head. "There is no one alive that should be strong enough to fool them. It for some reason Ivan was that powerful we would know about it...he could never keep that secret even hidden inside his vast kingdom."
"I know I'm just..." Francis said deflating slightly.
"You're worried about Alfred," Arthur finished.
"Of course I am," France said with a jerk of his head. "He's my son as much as he is yours..."
"Oh Francis..." Arthur said softly pulling Francis closer to him. "I wish this wasn't the only option, I wish we had more time, I wish we knew who was behind this threat and what they could possible want with Alfred. But I don't have those answers so all I can do is try to keep him safe...and Ivan...Ivan is the best person for that job right now. I don't necessarily like it but...it needs to be done."
"You really think we can trust him?" Francis asked.
"I have to..." Arthur said with a sigh. "I'm putting Alfred's life in his hands to protect. He will do everything in his power to protect him as he says he will...I know he speaks the truth on that. Besides...it's too late now, the contract is signed."
"You know that's not completely true...there's still an out if Alfred thinks he's been tricked or trapped into the marriage," Francis pointed out but there was no push in his voice. "That's especially true when the person has no magic...breaking the contract would hurt him...and we'd have to get Ivan to agree but it can be done."
Arthur thought about that possibility for a long moment wishing once again that he could grab it but knew that it really wasn't an option any longer. He shook his head. "No...what's done cannot be undone this time, it will help no one and would probably only make matters worse."
At World's End -- Part 3g
anonymous
February 8 2010, 03:33:06 UTC
"So be it," Francis agreed softly. "We will have to make this as easy on him as possible. A lot easier on him then your brothers did for us."
Arthur couldn't help but snort at the memory but there was something in Francis statement that he took hold of. "We survived an arranged marriage," he said glancing over at Francis.
"That we did," Francis agree with a slight quirk of his lips. "You didn't make it easy on me either..."
"You weren't exactly full of tender love and care yourself..." Arthur muttered good naturedly back at him. "Point is we survived and have grown to love each other..."
"We have," Francis agree reaching out to take Arthur's hand and bring it to his lips to brush a kiss against the fingers. Normally Arthur would swat him away in annoyance for making such a soppy romantic gesture even in private but this time he only squeezed Francis's hand tightly in return.
"We hated each other when we were first married," Arthur said. "They don't know each other, and Alfred isn't happy, but there is no outright animosity between them. If we could make it work then Alfred should be strong enough to do so as well."
"They certainly seem better matched then we were," Francis agreed thoughtfully.
"Maybe they won't find the love that we share," Arthur murmured. "But as strange as it sounds I get the impression that Ivan wants to make this work as an actual marriage and not just a business arrangement so if Alfred will just give it a chance...then maybe..."
"Maybe they can at least find friendship together..." Francis finished for him.
"Yeah..." Arthur breathed. "I just want Alfred to be happy and comfortable."
"Do you truly think that Ivan can give those things to him?" Francis asked.
"I do," Arthur said and he meant it.
"Then perhaps it will all work out for the best," Francis said though he still didn't sound completely convinced.
Silence descended over them. Arthur rubbed at his temple at the headache still growing steadily behind it. Ones own magic wasn't as good at getting rid of internal ailments as the magic of others. Francis leaned over and rested a hand against Arthur's forehead the coolness of his skin felt blissful against Arthur's own heated skin.
"We have a couple of hours until dinner," Francis murmured softly. "Why don't we retire to our room until it's time..."
"I don't think I'm up for anything like that right now Francis," Arthur answered letting amusement color his voice.
"My mind doesn't always head in that direction," Francis said with mock outrage.
"Sure it doesn't," Arthur teased tiredly.
"Alright so it does often head in that direction," Francis teased back. "This time I was thinking more along the lines of a nice cool bath and a massage to ease your tension. Tonight's meal will be hard enough without you suffering from a migraine."
Arthur closed his eyes and thought of spending the next few hours under Francis' expert touch. Some of the tension melted away with just the image that was produced in his head. He opened his eyes when he felt Francis stand up from the couch, his mind already made up for what would happen over the next few hours.
Re: At World's End -- Part 3h
anonymous
February 8 2010, 03:34:53 UTC
"We have to see Matthew off for his trip to Prussia," he reminded Francis as he took the offered hand and got to his feet. He allowed Francis to lead him from the room out the side entrance that opened to the private corridor that lead to their chambers.
"We'll still have plenty of time," Francis said in that silky tone that always caused Arthur's heart to flip in his chest.
He loved this man more then he ever thought possible when they were growing up together hating and plotting against each other. He still wasn't sure how or when it had happened but he wouldn't have it any other way. It wasn't outside the realm of possibility that Alfred might find that sort of happiness with Ivan.
Perhaps if he was very lucky Alfred would one day thank him for this. And if not thank him at least not hate him quite so much.
* * * TBC * * * Note: Oy that was a lot of FrUk...I don't know what it is I always seem to end up writing an awful lot of them in my stories and I'm not even all that fond of them together so I'm not sure I truly do them justice... :-/ Hopefully France worked okay...I still don't know him very well yet. Note 2: More characters are starting to get mentioned so starting next chapter I'll probably start including spoiler-free Kingdom notes about who belongs where and if I can get my scanner working a map to show the basic layout of things. That will become important later on. It's not a great map but it gets the job done.
Re: At World's End -- Part 3h
anonymous
February 8 2010, 04:16:43 UTC
I really, really loved Ivan and Arthur here, and don't you worry about your Francis. Your characterization! ♥ The bits that showed the conflict between Arthur and Alfred hurt, in the good way. ): Oh, family.
Re: At World's End -- Part 3h
anonymous
February 8 2010, 08:02:03 UTC
Love Arthur's shotgun talk XD "YOU WILL TAKE CARE OF MY BABY OR ELSE" And France totally is the cool dad in the situation lol I wonder how Matthew is going to react to the whole mess... and what has Alfred done to catch Ivan's attention in the my first place? Kind of hard to believe that Ivan would want to marry Alfred just based on some heroic stories ...
Re: At World's End -- Part 3h
anonymous
February 8 2010, 09:19:38 UTC
Ah! Well that answered my question about France. On that note, poor England and France I have a feeling both their sons aren't going to be happy with them good intentions or not. What the threat to Alfred Life? Sadly one question get answer another one comes up. Also will we be seeing a chapter from Ivan's pov?(wink wink nudge nudge)
Re: At World's End -- Part 3h
anonymous
February 10 2010, 06:30:46 UTC
Anon, I think I love you. Marry me <3
Seriously, I love the way you write Alfred. Strong and angry and with that twinge of insecurity, of not-good-enough.
Ivan and his looming, powerful self, with just enough creeper in him to make him intimidating, but not malicious (or at least the readers know that! ;) )
Arthur is so concerned about Alfred's welfare. I especially love how you show that what happened between Alfred and Arthur was both of their faults and not just the result of one of them pitching a fit.
I'm really eager to find out what's up with that threat! And you mentioned that Arthur's signature didn't have the weird orange flair-up that Alfred's did, what's up with that? Does he have magic after all? I'm kind of hoping not...he doesn't need to use magic to be awesome!
Re: At World's End -- Part 3h
anonymous
February 11 2010, 01:52:39 UTC
Awww...thank you!
Yeah I need to balance him pretty particularly I don't want him to be bad but I want him to retain some of his manipulative, possessive awesomeness as well. I'm glad he comes out with the right balance.
Oh yeah the events that led to Alfred running away are very much both their faults and no bodies fault. Arthur was a bit too over protective but Alfred refused to see where he was coming from as well.
"Have Francis sign it on your way out," Arthur said with a wave of his hand hoping the implied 'you should leave now' was clear enough in his voice. From the smirk that crossed Ivan's face it was. "He heard enough through the open door to qualify as a witness."
"That will work for today," Ivan agreed. "For the ceremony we will need to be better prepared though I assume you will have Francis act again as your witness."
"He will act as Alfred's witness," Arthur said with a sigh. "I will be having my middle brother as mine. He's the least likely to cause chaos, the others don't even known about this yet."
"Eduard will act as my first witness," Ivan said and Arthur nodded not surprised that Ivan's second in command would be acting as a witness. "Berwald will be my other." Again Arthur was not surprised that Ivan had chosen his bodyguard as his second witness. The bodyguard was even more intimidating then Ivan which was something Arthur still hadn't figure out how was even possible.
"Sounds like everything is ready then," Arthur said with a frown.
"I will take the contract with me," Ivan said closing the contract and putting that to within the folds of his coat. "And I will make sure all the final arrangements are ready on my end for tomorrow before dinner...you should do the same."
"Do we really need to rush things so much, does it have to be tomorrow?" Arthur asked though he already knew the answer.
"You were the one that said we should do this while your other son is in Prussia for the Prince's engagement party. He leaves tonight before dinner..." Russia pointed out mildly.
"He'll be gone for a week..." Arthur said. "Surely we can wait another day or two..." he couldn't help but think perhaps another day might allow Alfred to cool down enough to let Francis talk to him.
"I would like to get Alfred safely across my borders as soon as possible," Ivan said countered his voice leaving little room for argument. "I would think you'd want that too..."
Arthur sighed and nodded his head. Getting Alfred to the Northern Kingdom as soon as possible was paramount. Both to keep him from danger from outside forces but also from himself. "It will give him less time to plot an escape." he mumbled.
"He won't run from me," Ivan said simply.
Arthur looked at him and wanted to laugh but instead just shook his head. Let Ivan find out for himself just how stubborn and uncaring about his own health and safety Alfred could be sometimes. It would be something that Ivan would have to learn the hard way because now that he had the Northern King's word that he would not hurt Alfred, Arthur found he was in no way willing to make his life any easier. Helping them or not Ivan had still manipulated events to an end that worked towards something he'd wanted to begin with. Since he'd wanted it he could now deal with those consequences.
Arthur sighed tiredly and turned his head towards the window that stretched along the wall behind his desk. "I have a few things of my own that I'd like to sort through before dinner..." he said once again trying to politely push Ivan out the door.
This time Ivan seemed more willing to oblige him. "I will leave you to it then," he said with a polite nod. "We will have much to discuss over dinner."
"Of course," Arthur agreed with a dismissive nod.
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There was a soft clearing of a throat behind him. Arthur did not turn to look at its owner but he loosened his posture so that Francis would know that he could approach if he wished. It took his partner only a few seconds to cross the room and to wrap an arm around Arthur's shoulder pulling him into a loose, comforting hug. Arthur had a feeling he would still be yelled at over this but apparently Francis was choosing to give him some space first. He turned his head an accept the light kiss Francis pressed against his lips before breaking away with a sigh.
"He hates me," he said softly.
"He doesn't hate you," Francis insisted pulling Arthur into a tighter embrace.
"Yes he does," Arthur said painfully.
"No he doesn't" Francis repeated firmly. "He just thinks he does."
"Isn't that just as bad?" Arthur scoffed.
"Non, of course not," Francis said. He gently pulled Arthur away from the window and back towards the couch. "It means he loves you...he's just angry with you and the situation at the moment."
"Well, at least we're on the same page for once." Arthur muttered with a sigh and leaned back against the cushions. There was a moment of silence then Francis curled up next to him, Arthur shifted his position so he was leaning against Francis and Francis took the opportunity of the changed position to rub soft circles against Arthur's temples. Arthur sighed and leaned back as he felt Francis's magic seep in to combat his rising headache.
"Arthur," Francis said after a few moments of quiet. "I must ask again is this all really necessary..."
"Yes, it is," Arthur answered without hesitation. "It will keep Alfred safe."
"I still can't see why we can't just tell him about the threat," Francis said irritation slipping into his voice though he kept up the gentle movements at Arthur's temple.
"Because he won't believe me if I tell him," Arthur said shrugging out of Francis' touch to sit back up. "He'll think I'm just lying to him to get him back under this roof and under my control.
"Perhaps if I told him..." Francis suggested. "Or Matthew..."
"He'll think I manipulated you into doing it..." Arthur said with a sigh. "Even if he did believe you it wouldn't matter. He still wouldn't take the threat seriously he'd rush off to try and get them to come out of hiding so he could take care of them himself. He'd get himself killed and give them exactly what they want. You know he would do it..."
"He always has been a bit too fond of running into a situation head first without thinking," Francis agreed fondly.
"More then a bit too fond," Arthur grumbled in irritation. "I'm not going to give him the opportunity to do that here...not when the cost will be his life."
"I agree that we must keep him safe above all else, Arthur," Francis said gently. "But is forcing him to marry Ivan really the only way?"
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"I do agree that sending him to the Northern Kingdom is the best option available...but the marriage...trapping him there forever with Ivan..." Francis argued with a frown.
"It is the only way it can be done," Arthur insisted as much for himself as for Francis. "He would not have gone of his own free will...and Ivan would not allow it anyway unless..."
"Unless we agreed to this marriage..." Francis finished his voice laced with anger though Arthur knew instinctively it was not directed at him.
"Yeah...unless we agree to the marriage..." Arthur said with a heavy sigh.
"He puts us in this corner, forced us to make the decision he wanted us to and you still don't think there's a possibility that Ivan set this whole thing up?" Francis asked sharply. "It was his people that supposedly overheard this conversation and intercepted this missive where the threat was made. He hasn't let us see the note, claimed it burned up on its own after a certain amount of time...maybe there was never any note to begin with. You know been looking to make an agreement between the two kingdoms since he took over from his father. He's made it quite clear that he's been after a marriage between himself and one of the twins since you made them your heirs..."
"I don't deny that he's manipulated this situation as much as he can to get exactly what he wants out of it..." Arthur said tiredly "But...I believe that the threat is very real and he is not behind it."
"But..." Francis began. "He might be..."
"He passed all the Tests of Honesty we threw at him, volunteered to go through all of them even..." Arthur reminded Francis.
"He powerful," Francis countered quickly. "Maybe powerful enough to fool the Tests...."
"The Ancients devised those tests," Arthur said with a shake of his head. "There is no one alive that should be strong enough to fool them. It for some reason Ivan was that powerful we would know about it...he could never keep that secret even hidden inside his vast kingdom."
"I know I'm just..." Francis said deflating slightly.
"You're worried about Alfred," Arthur finished.
"Of course I am," France said with a jerk of his head. "He's my son as much as he is yours..."
"Oh Francis..." Arthur said softly pulling Francis closer to him. "I wish this wasn't the only option, I wish we had more time, I wish we knew who was behind this threat and what they could possible want with Alfred. But I don't have those answers so all I can do is try to keep him safe...and Ivan...Ivan is the best person for that job right now. I don't necessarily like it but...it needs to be done."
"You really think we can trust him?" Francis asked.
"I have to..." Arthur said with a sigh. "I'm putting Alfred's life in his hands to protect. He will do everything in his power to protect him as he says he will...I know he speaks the truth on that. Besides...it's too late now, the contract is signed."
"You know that's not completely true...there's still an out if Alfred thinks he's been tricked or trapped into the marriage," Francis pointed out but there was no push in his voice. "That's especially true when the person has no magic...breaking the contract would hurt him...and we'd have to get Ivan to agree but it can be done."
Arthur thought about that possibility for a long moment wishing once again that he could grab it but knew that it really wasn't an option any longer. He shook his head. "No...what's done cannot be undone this time, it will help no one and would probably only make matters worse."
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Arthur couldn't help but snort at the memory but there was something in Francis statement that he took hold of. "We survived an arranged marriage," he said glancing over at Francis.
"That we did," Francis agree with a slight quirk of his lips. "You didn't make it easy on me either..."
"You weren't exactly full of tender love and care yourself..." Arthur muttered good naturedly back at him. "Point is we survived and have grown to love each other..."
"We have," Francis agree reaching out to take Arthur's hand and bring it to his lips to brush a kiss against the fingers. Normally Arthur would swat him away in annoyance for making such a soppy romantic gesture even in private but this time he only squeezed Francis's hand tightly in return.
"We hated each other when we were first married," Arthur said. "They don't know each other, and Alfred isn't happy, but there is no outright animosity between them. If we could make it work then Alfred should be strong enough to do so as well."
"They certainly seem better matched then we were," Francis agreed thoughtfully.
"Maybe they won't find the love that we share," Arthur murmured. "But as strange as it sounds I get the impression that Ivan wants to make this work as an actual marriage and not just a business arrangement so if Alfred will just give it a chance...then maybe..."
"Maybe they can at least find friendship together..." Francis finished for him.
"Yeah..." Arthur breathed. "I just want Alfred to be happy and comfortable."
"Do you truly think that Ivan can give those things to him?" Francis asked.
"I do," Arthur said and he meant it.
"Then perhaps it will all work out for the best," Francis said though he still didn't sound completely convinced.
Silence descended over them. Arthur rubbed at his temple at the headache still growing steadily behind it. Ones own magic wasn't as good at getting rid of internal ailments as the magic of others. Francis leaned over and rested a hand against Arthur's forehead the coolness of his skin felt blissful against Arthur's own heated skin.
"We have a couple of hours until dinner," Francis murmured softly. "Why don't we retire to our room until it's time..."
"I don't think I'm up for anything like that right now Francis," Arthur answered letting amusement color his voice.
"My mind doesn't always head in that direction," Francis said with mock outrage.
"Sure it doesn't," Arthur teased tiredly.
"Alright so it does often head in that direction," Francis teased back. "This time I was thinking more along the lines of a nice cool bath and a massage to ease your tension. Tonight's meal will be hard enough without you suffering from a migraine."
Arthur closed his eyes and thought of spending the next few hours under Francis' expert touch. Some of the tension melted away with just the image that was produced in his head. He opened his eyes when he felt Francis stand up from the couch, his mind already made up for what would happen over the next few hours.
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"We'll still have plenty of time," Francis said in that silky tone that always caused Arthur's heart to flip in his chest.
He loved this man more then he ever thought possible when they were growing up together hating and plotting against each other. He still wasn't sure how or when it had happened but he wouldn't have it any other way. It wasn't outside the realm of possibility that Alfred might find that sort of happiness with Ivan.
Perhaps if he was very lucky Alfred would one day thank him for this. And if not thank him at least not hate him quite so much.
* * *
TBC
* * *
Note: Oy that was a lot of FrUk...I don't know what it is I always seem to end up writing an awful lot of them in my stories and I'm not even all that fond of them together so I'm not sure I truly do them justice... :-/ Hopefully France worked okay...I still don't know him very well yet.
Note 2: More characters are starting to get mentioned so starting next chapter I'll probably start including spoiler-free Kingdom notes about who belongs where and if I can get my scanner working a map to show the basic layout of things. That will become important later on. It's not a great map but it gets the job done.
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Great chapter! Can't wait until the next. (:
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I wonder how Matthew is going to react to the whole mess... and what has Alfred done to catch Ivan's attention in the my first place? Kind of hard to believe that Ivan would want to marry Alfred just based on some heroic stories ...
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Seriously, I love the way you write Alfred. Strong and angry and with that twinge of insecurity, of not-good-enough.
Ivan and his looming, powerful self, with just enough creeper in him to make him intimidating, but not malicious (or at least the readers know that! ;) )
Arthur is so concerned about Alfred's welfare. I especially love how you show that what happened between Alfred and Arthur was both of their faults and not just the result of one of them pitching a fit.
I'm really eager to find out what's up with that threat! And you mentioned that Arthur's signature didn't have the weird orange flair-up that Alfred's did, what's up with that? Does he have magic after all? I'm kind of hoping not...he doesn't need to use magic to be awesome!
I can't wait to read more!
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Yeah I need to balance him pretty particularly I don't want him to be bad but I want him to retain some of his manipulative, possessive awesomeness as well. I'm glad he comes out with the right balance.
Oh yeah the events that led to Alfred running away are very much both their faults and no bodies fault. Arthur was a bit too over protective but Alfred refused to see where he was coming from as well.
More hopefully soon!
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