Diet Coke and Digestives (USUK) - 6
anonymous
November 16 2011, 22:40:39 UTC
“Have some,” Alfred offered. “It’s got caffeine and you could use some.”
“Oh,” Arthur said, picking up the beverage. He took a swig, winced, and swallowed, glancing at the label.
“I’ve never liked this swill,” he murmured. “But I’ll take caffeine to get me through the rest of today.”
“What, I thought a meeting with your Queen was a pick-me-up?” Alfred asked. Arthur sighed.
“I have to go back to Downing afterwards,” he said, pinching his forehead. “Not for long, but long enough that it’s a hassle.”
“Oh,” Alfred responded, and his mood seemed to dampen. He’d imagined a wonderful long mid-day high tea with the Queen, his president and Arthur’s prime minister, and then taking a long walk through the rain back to Kensington where they’d take a long bath and cuddle into the cold November evening. Arthur gave Alfred a weary smile as Alfred pouted into the air.
“It won’t be long, I promise,” he said. “Just a few housekeeping things.”
“Why can’t you get that done tomorrow? Or have someone email it to you or something?” Alfred asked impatiently. “I’m only here for two more days, Arthur!”
“I know, I know, I’m sorry,” Arthur said, holding up his hands in defense. “Maybe I’ll ask my boss if some things can be left to the wayside (because I know they can be) but some of the other things are more important.”
“Is there anything immediately for tomorrow?” Alfred pressed. Arthur frowned.
“Alfred-”
“Alright, alright,” Alfred relented, leaning back and pouting more. “But afterwards I get you all to myself, because we’re not meeting with anyone else, right?”
“No one at all,” Arthur said, snatching the Diet Coke and taking another sip.
Yaaaaaaaay USUK. I wanted to get this finished all in one go but it started getting reeeeeeally long, so here's this portion for now. I feel like I've been having problems with characters being OOC lately but, that could just be me. Some things in case people don't know them: Pret-A-Manger is a fast food chain all over England. There are literally a million of them in London. (Approximately.) There are two, maybe three around Trafalgar Square. One time I ate in all three on the same day. Ahem. The lions at Trafalgar Square flank the monument to the Battle of Trafalgar during the Napoleonic Wars, and people take pictures on them, and they're high up, so you normally need some help. Um, I also don't know if the Queen ever has tea with anyone I made that up.
Re: Diet Coke and Digestives (USUK) - 6
anonymous
November 16 2011, 23:08:07 UTC
This was adorable. I think they were very IC, so you don't have to worry. I really like Arthur's I hate everything and Alfred telling him he wasn't looking at the girls in a creepy way, LOL. Arthur being spacey was wonderful.
One detail, though, I hope you don't take offence: the Queen is referred as Her Majesty; Her Royal Highness is a style that belongs to princess (or princes, being His Royal Highness) but not to the Queen (or King, when there's one). Just a little thing that doesn't detract from this great fic at all.
Re: Diet Coke and Digestives (USUK) - 6
anonymous
November 16 2011, 23:46:37 UTC
No, thank you very much, kind anon, for pointing that out! As someone who was raised in the United States and is currently living in London, I don't know these things. I will keep that in mind for the rest of the fill :) And thank you for the comment and the article!
Re: Diet Coke and Digestives (USUK) - 6
anonymous
November 17 2011, 07:59:41 UTC
This was very cute. The little kids and their clothes really stick in my mind. Also, I have a fondness for citizens being referred to as their Nation's children. Diet coke is icky, tho. XP
And lol at a French food chain invading London.
(Regarding HRH, for a minute, I thought Alfred was meeting with the princesses, ha.)
Re: Diet Coke and Digestives (USUK) - 6
anonymous
November 17 2011, 10:54:27 UTC
I have the stupidest, biggest smile on my face and I feel a bit dizzy because this was just - too good. I love the realistic details, Arthur's full schedule and Alfred with the kids (djkfskdf loved all the little girls with little blazers). And I really appreciate how they for once aren't both "ew, coke" and "ew, tea", because with time, couples start to accept the other's choices, right?
Great fill, good atmosphere, the love is ever-present but it's not too sweet. I'm sure the continuation will be just as good.
“Oh,” Arthur said, picking up the beverage. He took a swig, winced, and swallowed, glancing at the label.
“I’ve never liked this swill,” he murmured. “But I’ll take caffeine to get me through the rest of today.”
“What, I thought a meeting with your Queen was a pick-me-up?” Alfred asked. Arthur sighed.
“I have to go back to Downing afterwards,” he said, pinching his forehead. “Not for long, but long enough that it’s a hassle.”
“Oh,” Alfred responded, and his mood seemed to dampen. He’d imagined a wonderful long mid-day high tea with the Queen, his president and Arthur’s prime minister, and then taking a long walk through the rain back to Kensington where they’d take a long bath and cuddle into the cold November evening. Arthur gave Alfred a weary smile as Alfred pouted into the air.
“It won’t be long, I promise,” he said. “Just a few housekeeping things.”
“Why can’t you get that done tomorrow? Or have someone email it to you or something?” Alfred asked impatiently. “I’m only here for two more days, Arthur!”
“I know, I know, I’m sorry,” Arthur said, holding up his hands in defense. “Maybe I’ll ask my boss if some things can be left to the wayside (because I know they can be) but some of the other things are more important.”
“Is there anything immediately for tomorrow?” Alfred pressed. Arthur frowned.
“Alfred-”
“Alright, alright,” Alfred relented, leaning back and pouting more. “But afterwards I get you all to myself, because we’re not meeting with anyone else, right?”
“No one at all,” Arthur said, snatching the Diet Coke and taking another sip.
Yaaaaaaaay USUK. I wanted to get this finished all in one go but it started getting reeeeeeally long, so here's this portion for now. I feel like I've been having problems with characters being OOC lately but, that could just be me. Some things in case people don't know them:
Pret-A-Manger is a fast food chain all over England. There are literally a million of them in London. (Approximately.) There are two, maybe three around Trafalgar Square. One time I ate in all three on the same day. Ahem. The lions at Trafalgar Square flank the monument to the Battle of Trafalgar during the Napoleonic Wars, and people take pictures on them, and they're high up, so you normally need some help. Um, I also don't know if the Queen ever has tea with anyone I made that up.
Reply
The Queen does have tea with people. In fact, there's a yearly ceremony in which she has tea with some of her subjects (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2010-08/05/content_11098897.htm). Here's a nice article, from the BBC, on how to conduct oneself in her presence: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/389418.stm
One detail, though, I hope you don't take offence: the Queen is referred as Her Majesty; Her Royal Highness is a style that belongs to princess (or princes, being His Royal Highness) but not to the Queen (or King, when there's one). Just a little thing that doesn't detract from this great fic at all.
Reply
Reply
Reply
And lol at a French food chain invading London.
(Regarding HRH, for a minute, I thought Alfred was meeting with the princesses, ha.)
Reply
Great fill, good atmosphere, the love is ever-present but it's not too sweet. I'm sure the continuation will be just as good.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment