[Secret Santa Fanfic: Can We Keep Him? (4/4) Complete]
TITLE: Can We Keep Him? (4/4)
AUTHOR: katokatsu
RECIPIENT: sanna_lan
GENRE: Romance/Humor, AU
PAIRING(S): USxUK-centric with vague suggestions of GerIta and SuFin in previous chapters
WORD COUNT: 3,013
RATINGS/WARNINGS: PG-13 for Arthur's mouth and mentions of sex; FLUFF, so much fluff; Human names with the occasional nation-nickname (Iggy, etc.); Alfred being uncharacteristically responsible? There is a little bit of angst in this chapter, but then there is much sap to make up for it, promise : )
SUMMARY: AU; Alfred and Arthur are in an established relationship, and have been living together for a long time now. One day, Alfred brings home an abandoned puppy he rescued from an alley. Now, Alfred and (mostly) Arthur must learn how to live with the newest member of their family while maintaining their sanity.
NOTES: Written for the usxuk Secret Santa Fic/Art Exchange! Thank you so much to my beta, Arie, who doesn't have a livejournal, but helped me so much with Alfred's characterization!! ♥
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Last chapter, guys!! >.
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After thanking Berwald and Tino again for their kindness, shooting a threatening glare in Peter’s direction, Arthur set off for home. However, as the violent winds had picked up and brought heavy storm clouds with it, Arthur settled for hailing a cab back to his and Alfred’s home, Hero safe in his arms.
“I’m sorry that I’ve been so hard on you, Hero.” Arthur spoke quietly as the puppy rested against his chest, “We nearly lost you back there, and I…” Arthur faltered, “I can’t even begin to describe how horrible that would have been. You’ve brought so much happiness to me and Alfred, and I’ve been so unfair to you…” Arthur was quiet for a while, watching the rain splatter against the window. “…thank you, Hero. For putting up with somebody like me.”
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“Welcome ho-Arthur!!” Alfred immediately placed his hands on Arthur’s cheeks, tilting his head up to examine his forehead worriedly. “What happened?” He demanded, alarm in his voice.
Arthur smiled, gently reaching one hand up to remove Alfred’s hands before kneeling to place Hero on the floor. “Just a bit of an accident, nothing serious, I assure you. If you’d just boil some tea for me, I’ve really got to lie down.”
“A-all right, Arthur, but I’m coming right back to put some ice on that, okay?” Arthur smiled at Alfred’s concern, watching as he hurried to the kitchen.
He sighed, reaching up to remove the scarf from around his neck, only to find nothing there. “…oh.” He spoke softly. “…it must have fallen off when I hit my head…” Arthur frowned.
Alfred had given him that scarf several Christmases ago, before they’d even started seeing each other. “I know how much you like sewing and stuff, so I um…I tried to learn how to do this crow-shay thing from Francis, and, so…yeah….s-sorry it kinda sucks, I’m not really patient, y’know, it took me like half a year to finish it. But…I, um. Here. Hope you like it.” He recalled Alfred’s stammering, remembering how much his heart had leapt upon receiving the forest green scarf from Alfred. He’d worn it every winter; regardless of how poor the craftsmanship was, it had been very precious to him because Alfred had been the one to make it.
He shook his head, realizing how foolish it was to feel a sentimental attachment to something as simple as a piece of cloth. “No matter…I suppose I’ll just have to go out and buy a new one….” He spoke quietly, the sadness in his voice not completely masked.
He was just about to turn to make his way toward the bedroom when he heard Hero whimper softly, staring up at him with his big, brown puppy-dog eyes, head cocked to the side. “Hero…” Arthur knelt down to pet the puppy, smiling weakly. “I thought for sure you’d trotted after Alfred…did you wait here for me?” he laughed quietly as Hero licked his hand. “Don’t worry about me; I’ll be much better after I get a bit of rest, I promise.” He picked Hero up, gently cradling him in his arms. “But I’ve got to ask you to stop running off so recklessly, okay? You nearly scared me to death with that stunt you pulled earlier…” Arthur put Hero down and started off toward the bedroom. “Go on and keep Alfred company, all right?” He suggested.
Upon reaching the bedroom, he closed his eyes and collapsed onto the bed, snuggling comfortably under the blankets on Alfred’s side.
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He awoke drowsily when he heard Alfred fail to enter the room quietly, stubbing his toe on the doorframe and cursing under his breath as the teacup on the tray he carried clattered against the saucer.
“…’lfred…?” Arthur slurred drowsily, blinking his eyes blearily to make out the outline of Alfred’s head in the doorway.
“Hey…you feeling any better? Sorry I woke you up.” Alfred kneeled carefully on the bed to press a gentle kiss to Arthur’s hair. Arthur waved his hand dismissively at Alfred’s apology, giving him a feeble smile.
“So I tried to make tea!” Alfred grinned brightly, obviously proud of his accomplishment. “And I brought you some of those scones you like so much, too.”
Arthur let out a small laugh at Alfred’s enthusiasm, sitting up. “Thank you, Alfred…”
“Wait, lay back down first.” Alfred ordered, placing a hand on Arthur’s chest.
Arthur eyed Alfred warily, raising an eyebrow before complying. “I swear to God, Alfred, if you put a hamburger on my head, I’m going to-”
“No, no, it’s not that.” Alfred laughed. “That’s what you do if someone’s got a cold, Artie.”
Arthur smirked. “Ah, my mistake.”
Alfred smiled encouragingly. “Okay, now close your eyes. Relax, I’m not gonna put a hamburger on your head!” Alfred held up his hands innocently.
Arthur rolled his eyes before closing them, sighing. “All right, now what on Earth are you…” Arthur faltered as he felt Alfred push his bangs back to press a gentle kiss to his forehead, lingering for several seconds, holding one of Arthur’s hands against the pillow. He pulled back, smiling warmly as Arthur blinked his eyes open.
“What on…”
“Your fairy friends told me it’d help you feel better.” Alfred spoke brightly, reaching for the tray to pass a teacup to Arthur.
“You don’t believe they exist, you git.” Arthur smirked, taking a sip of tea.
“Believe what you want.” Alfred replied easily, taking a bite out of a burnt scone.
“Romantic little bastard, aren’t you?” Arthur smiled as he watched Alfred chew with extreme difficulty.
“You do it to me, Iggy.” Alfred replied, winking.
“So what the hell happened to you?” Alfred pointed at his own forehead indicatively.
“Ah…” Arthur began, a little embarrassed looking back on it. “Don’t you dare laugh, I’ve had to attack Peter twice now, and I won’t hesitate to punish you.”
Alfred laughed amusedly. “I promise nothi-aagh! All right, I won’t laugh, I won’t laugh!” Alfred rubbed at the spot on his shoulder where Arthur had slugged him. “So wait a second, Peter was there too? What the heck happened at the park, Arthur?”
Arthur took in a deep breath before beginning. “I…I, er…I hit my head on a pole because Hero’s gotten ridiculously strong recently and he pulled me into it when he suddenly decided to chase after Hanatamago.” Arthur let out rapidly, his face covered in a bright blush. He hesitantly turned to face Alfred, who watched him with understanding. Arthur sighed with relief before recounting the events at the park. “…I’m all right now, though, just a bit of a headache.” Arthur added upon meeting Alfred’s concerned expression.
“Anyway, where’s Hero?” Arthur inquired, taking a long sip of his tea.
“You haven’t seen him?” Arthur furrowed his brow, “I thought he was with you.” Alfred stood up purposefully, offering his hand to help Arthur out of bed.
“Hero! Where are you, boy?” Alfred called, whistling and checking under the furniture and in every room of the house. Meanwhile, Arthur checked his shoe closet and the kitchen to no avail.
“Arthur?” he heard Alfred call hesitantly, his voice coming from the front hallway.
“Did you find hi-” Arthur stared, his eyes wide as he saw Alfred standing beside the open front door.
“Oh, bloody hell.” Arthur brought a hand up to his mouth as Alfred looked at him with an anxious expression.
“Arthur…did you leave the door open when you came home?”
Arthur winced, moving his hand up to rub at his forehead. “I-I don’t remember. It’s possible…”
“We’ve gotta go after him, Arthur!” Alfred cried, grabbing his coat.
“Alfred, wait!” Arthur started towards him, reaching a hand out to stop him from shoving his boots on. “There’s no way he’s out there, he’s scared to death of thunder.”
“Well, he obviously isn’t in the house!” Alfred’s voice was nearly hysterical.
“Alfred, I’m sure he’s around here somewhere. There’s no reason why he’d leave! I explicitly ordered that he’s not to leave the house without our supervision.”
“…do you think it’s possible he ran away…?” Alfred asked quietly, his voice suddenly taking on a serious tone.
“What?” Arthur stared at Alfred incredulously, kneeling down to meet his eyes. “Alfred, what makes you think that he would run away?”
“Can you honestly blame him? You’re giving him so many rules and restrictions, maybe he felt like you were suffocating him!” Alfred snapped, causing Arthur to flinch, “Maybe he didn’t feel like he had any other choice. Maybe he wanted a little freedom.”
Arthur stood up, taken aback. “…are we still discussing Hero, Alfred…?” Arthur asked, his voice somber.
“You said so yourself, he’s just like me, isn’t he?” Alfred stood to face Arthur, his hands curled into fists at his side. “Sure, every once and a while you sit down and play with him, but you always go back to your study and lock him out! You’re always shouting at him for making small mistakes and you make him follow all these rules just because you can’t deal with the fact that he’s not exactly the way you want him to be! And I can’t say that I don’t understand what he’s going through. You were bossy back then, too.” Alfred spoke darkly.
“Don’t you dare bring your bloody Revolution into this, Alfred.” Arthur warned.
But it was too late. He knew better than anyone that rainy days like today inevitably brought out feelings from 1776.
“What are you gonna do about it, Arthur? Try to keep me on a leash?” Alfred’s voice was cold. “Shut yourself out like a coward, become a lonely old man for another hundred years?”
And that was it.
Arthur shoved past Alfred out into the unrelenting storm. “A-Arthur, where are you-”
“I’m going after Hero.” Arthur spoke through gritted teeth.
“What the hell, Arthur! You can’t keep avoiding this!” Alfred grabbed Arthur’s arm and pulled him back to the doorstep roughly. “Why won’t you ever just face it and talk to me about it? Arthur, it’s been eating you alive for over two hundred years now!”
Alfred carefully wrapped his arms around Arthur’s shuddering frame gently. “I…I know it hurts, but…we really need to talk about this if we want to be together. I’m sorry that you don’t like it when I bring it up, but I hate what it’s doing to you and I just wanna help…” he spoke quietly.
Slowly, Arthur moved his arms to push at his chest gently. “We’re wasting time, he could be anywhere.” He spoke dismissively, turning to head back into the storm.
“I’m going with you.” Alfred asserted, meeting Arthur’s stern expression. “Look, I’m sorry that I overreacted, I just…”
“It’s fine, Alfred.” Arthur replied curtly.
He knew he was lying, and he cursed himself for it. But he knew that he couldn’t deal with it right now. Regardless of what anyone else said, the wound was still fresh to him. The pain of having the first person he’d opened his heart to betray him wasn’t something he was ready to face. He’d suppressed it, and there was no sense in bringing it back now. Because he knew it would make him scared. Make him reconsider his decision to open his heart to Alfred again.
He didn’t know if his heart could handle being alone again.
The wind howled, the biting cold stinging Arthur’s face as he fought to keep his eyes squinted open enough to search for the lost puppy. He could barely make out Alfred’s voice, calling out for Hero desperately against the loud crashing of thunder. In his rush into the storm, he had neglected to put on his coat, forcing him to wrap his arms around himself, shuddering against the rain and cold. And he cursed himself. For causing Hero to run away, forcing him into this unforgiving cold. For being so short-tempered and controlling. For being unwilling to face the truth and let Alfred help his wounds heal.
And he hated himself for still being the kind of person that others want to abandon.
While Arthur knew that he had gotten a bit better, he realized that Alfred’s words were true. Alfred had risked so much, and he knew deep in his heart that he had Alfred’s full trust. But what had Arthur given in return? His heart was fractured by his unwillingness to heal old scars. And yet here was Alfred, giving him his heart in its entirety, and Arthur was letting history stop him from doing the same.
And it wasn’t fair at all.
If Alfred was brave enough to trust Arthur with his heart, then Arthur should be strong enough to trust Alfred completely.
Arthur took a cautious step towards Alfred, reaching a hand out to touch his arm gently.
And, suddenly, Arthur heard a faint, excited bark.
He felt Alfred tense beside him, his voice faltering as he called out Hero’s name.
And Arthur felt his heart swell as the little puppy scampered towards them, jumping into Alfred’s open arms. Arthur gave a little cry of relief and started towards them, but froze as soon as something in Hero’s mouth caught his eye.
Hero wiggled out of Alfred’s grasp after letting the man squeeze him tightly and attempt to warm him with his jacket. He approached Arthur and stared up at him with his big, brown eyes, Arthur’s scarf held securely in his mouth.
Arthur let out a string of choked apologies, scooping Hero up and holding him tightly in his arms.
“Hero, y-you…” Arthur started, burying his face in Hero’s wet fur. “You didn’t run away, you…you only wanted to bring my scarf back, I can’t believe…Hero…” Arthur blubbered as Hero let out an excited bark.
Arthur smiled weakly, wrapping Hero in the warm scarf before turning to face Alfred, who watched him with concern. “Alfred, look, I…” Arthur started, locking his green eyes with Alfred’s azure blue. “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry that I’ve been so afraid. I’m always thinking of myself, thinking that I have to put up with so much, but you…you’ve got to put up with somebody like me. And I…I want to be strong for you, Alfred. I…I love you so much.”
Alfred closed the gap between them in two strides, enveloping Arthur and Hero in a warm hug. “Arthur.” Alfred spoke into Arthur’s hair. “I love you, too.”
They pulled apart slowly, Alfred giving Arthur a bright smile before his eyes widened in sudden realization. “Oh, jeez, Arthur. I’m so sorry about what I said earlier, I don’t know what I was thinking, I was just so worried about Hero, I mean, I know you’re getting better at understanding him, but I got all unreasonable and upset, I swear I didn’t really mean any of it like that, I-”
Arthur cut off Alfred’s frantic babbling with a gentle kiss.
“It’s fine, Alfred.” he pulled away, giving Alfred a reassuring smile.
And he was being completely honest this time.
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And so, after hurrying home, the rain having soaked all three of them to the bone, Arthur and Alfred collapsed together on the sofa as Hero shook himself dry. Arthur suggested that they change before they catch cold, but all hope was lost as Alfred drew Arthur close to him stubbornly.
“So why do you care about that scarf so much, it’s hideous.” Alfred laughed, cuddling with a shivering Arthur on the sofa as Hero rested by the fireplace.
“Because you made it for me, you dolt.” Arthur wrapped his arms tightly around Alfred’s torso.
Alfred gave him a look of shock, his eyebrows rising high on his forehead as a faint blush began to cover his cheeks. “You kept it?”
Arthur nodded in affirmative, fingers toying with the fabric on Alfred’s hoodie. “You’re absolutely right in saying that it’s hideous-your craftsmanship really is dreadful, and you learned how to do it from that wine bastard, but-”
Arthur was cut off as Alfred pulled away to stare directly into Arthur’s eyes. “You kept it?” he repeated incredulously.
“Yes, are you so surprised by the fact that I would keep a gift from you, Alfred?” Arthur replied flatly, bringing a hand up to muss Alfred’s wet hair.
“I dunno, I always thought you burned it or used your magic to send it to some alternate dimension or something. I mean, when I gave it to you, you gave me this look like you were about to throw up and then you just kinda ran off.”
“That’s because I was in love with you, silly git.” Arthur smiled as Alfred laughed, pulling Arthur into another warm hug.
After a few moments of listening to the fire crackle, Alfred rubbing Arthur’s back and shoulders gently to stop him from shivering, Arthur spoke up, his voice barely a whisper. “So do you…want to discuss what happened…in 1776…” he asked cautiously.
Alfred gave him a warm smile, running a hand through his own messy hair. “Nah.” He spoke dismissively, gently removing himself from Arthur’s grasp and easing the shorter man onto his back. “Just knowing that you’ll be ready to talk about it someday soon is good enough for me. For now…” Alfred removed his rain-speckled glasses and placed them on a nearby table. “You still haven’t stopped shivering, and I’d really like to warm you up.” Alfred spoke in a low voice, leaning over his lover and slipping a hand under his shirt.
Arthur gave a small noise of protest, shouting something along the lines of “Alfred, Hero is right there! I can’t do it with you with Hero right…ohh…”
They were interrupted, however, when Alfred haphazardly flung Arthur’s wet shirt in a random direction, as it landed right next to Hero, startling the puppy awake and causing Arthur to let out a string of angry curses at a laughing Alfred.
And yet, he mused, smiling affectionately as Alfred moved the sleepy puppy to his kennel, he knew that things were finally, truly going to be okay.
And that simple realization was enough to make him feel warm again.
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End. ♥
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A/N
Aaaaahhhh!!! I honestly can't believe that this is the last chapter!! : (
Really, I am just so grateful for all the support I've gotten for this fic, you've all been so wonderful, and I can't thank you enough for taking the time to read my first fic. Thank you all so much.
Especially the awesome sanna_lan for giving me such a sweet prompt. ♥ I really hope you enjoyed this fic!!
And a very special thank you to the mods at usxuk who made this whole fic/art exchange possible!! These guys are really incredible.
Merry Christmas!!
♥ katokatsu
AUTHOR: katokatsu
RECIPIENT: sanna_lan
GENRE: Romance/Humor, AU
PAIRING(S): USxUK-centric with vague suggestions of GerIta and SuFin in previous chapters
WORD COUNT: 3,013
RATINGS/WARNINGS: PG-13 for Arthur's mouth and mentions of sex; FLUFF, so much fluff; Human names with the occasional nation-nickname (Iggy, etc.); Alfred being uncharacteristically responsible? There is a little bit of angst in this chapter, but then there is much sap to make up for it, promise : )
SUMMARY: AU; Alfred and Arthur are in an established relationship, and have been living together for a long time now. One day, Alfred brings home an abandoned puppy he rescued from an alley. Now, Alfred and (mostly) Arthur must learn how to live with the newest member of their family while maintaining their sanity.
NOTES: Written for the usxuk Secret Santa Fic/Art Exchange! Thank you so much to my beta, Arie, who doesn't have a livejournal, but helped me so much with Alfred's characterization!! ♥
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Last chapter, guys!! >.
-----------------
After thanking Berwald and Tino again for their kindness, shooting a threatening glare in Peter’s direction, Arthur set off for home. However, as the violent winds had picked up and brought heavy storm clouds with it, Arthur settled for hailing a cab back to his and Alfred’s home, Hero safe in his arms.
“I’m sorry that I’ve been so hard on you, Hero.” Arthur spoke quietly as the puppy rested against his chest, “We nearly lost you back there, and I…” Arthur faltered, “I can’t even begin to describe how horrible that would have been. You’ve brought so much happiness to me and Alfred, and I’ve been so unfair to you…” Arthur was quiet for a while, watching the rain splatter against the window. “…thank you, Hero. For putting up with somebody like me.”
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“Welcome ho-Arthur!!” Alfred immediately placed his hands on Arthur’s cheeks, tilting his head up to examine his forehead worriedly. “What happened?” He demanded, alarm in his voice.
Arthur smiled, gently reaching one hand up to remove Alfred’s hands before kneeling to place Hero on the floor. “Just a bit of an accident, nothing serious, I assure you. If you’d just boil some tea for me, I’ve really got to lie down.”
“A-all right, Arthur, but I’m coming right back to put some ice on that, okay?” Arthur smiled at Alfred’s concern, watching as he hurried to the kitchen.
He sighed, reaching up to remove the scarf from around his neck, only to find nothing there. “…oh.” He spoke softly. “…it must have fallen off when I hit my head…” Arthur frowned.
Alfred had given him that scarf several Christmases ago, before they’d even started seeing each other. “I know how much you like sewing and stuff, so I um…I tried to learn how to do this crow-shay thing from Francis, and, so…yeah….s-sorry it kinda sucks, I’m not really patient, y’know, it took me like half a year to finish it. But…I, um. Here. Hope you like it.” He recalled Alfred’s stammering, remembering how much his heart had leapt upon receiving the forest green scarf from Alfred. He’d worn it every winter; regardless of how poor the craftsmanship was, it had been very precious to him because Alfred had been the one to make it.
He shook his head, realizing how foolish it was to feel a sentimental attachment to something as simple as a piece of cloth. “No matter…I suppose I’ll just have to go out and buy a new one….” He spoke quietly, the sadness in his voice not completely masked.
He was just about to turn to make his way toward the bedroom when he heard Hero whimper softly, staring up at him with his big, brown puppy-dog eyes, head cocked to the side. “Hero…” Arthur knelt down to pet the puppy, smiling weakly. “I thought for sure you’d trotted after Alfred…did you wait here for me?” he laughed quietly as Hero licked his hand. “Don’t worry about me; I’ll be much better after I get a bit of rest, I promise.” He picked Hero up, gently cradling him in his arms. “But I’ve got to ask you to stop running off so recklessly, okay? You nearly scared me to death with that stunt you pulled earlier…” Arthur put Hero down and started off toward the bedroom. “Go on and keep Alfred company, all right?” He suggested.
Upon reaching the bedroom, he closed his eyes and collapsed onto the bed, snuggling comfortably under the blankets on Alfred’s side.
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He awoke drowsily when he heard Alfred fail to enter the room quietly, stubbing his toe on the doorframe and cursing under his breath as the teacup on the tray he carried clattered against the saucer.
“…’lfred…?” Arthur slurred drowsily, blinking his eyes blearily to make out the outline of Alfred’s head in the doorway.
“Hey…you feeling any better? Sorry I woke you up.” Alfred kneeled carefully on the bed to press a gentle kiss to Arthur’s hair. Arthur waved his hand dismissively at Alfred’s apology, giving him a feeble smile.
“So I tried to make tea!” Alfred grinned brightly, obviously proud of his accomplishment. “And I brought you some of those scones you like so much, too.”
Arthur let out a small laugh at Alfred’s enthusiasm, sitting up. “Thank you, Alfred…”
“Wait, lay back down first.” Alfred ordered, placing a hand on Arthur’s chest.
Arthur eyed Alfred warily, raising an eyebrow before complying. “I swear to God, Alfred, if you put a hamburger on my head, I’m going to-”
“No, no, it’s not that.” Alfred laughed. “That’s what you do if someone’s got a cold, Artie.”
Arthur smirked. “Ah, my mistake.”
Alfred smiled encouragingly. “Okay, now close your eyes. Relax, I’m not gonna put a hamburger on your head!” Alfred held up his hands innocently.
Arthur rolled his eyes before closing them, sighing. “All right, now what on Earth are you…” Arthur faltered as he felt Alfred push his bangs back to press a gentle kiss to his forehead, lingering for several seconds, holding one of Arthur’s hands against the pillow. He pulled back, smiling warmly as Arthur blinked his eyes open.
“What on…”
“Your fairy friends told me it’d help you feel better.” Alfred spoke brightly, reaching for the tray to pass a teacup to Arthur.
“You don’t believe they exist, you git.” Arthur smirked, taking a sip of tea.
“Believe what you want.” Alfred replied easily, taking a bite out of a burnt scone.
“Romantic little bastard, aren’t you?” Arthur smiled as he watched Alfred chew with extreme difficulty.
“You do it to me, Iggy.” Alfred replied, winking.
“So what the hell happened to you?” Alfred pointed at his own forehead indicatively.
“Ah…” Arthur began, a little embarrassed looking back on it. “Don’t you dare laugh, I’ve had to attack Peter twice now, and I won’t hesitate to punish you.”
Alfred laughed amusedly. “I promise nothi-aagh! All right, I won’t laugh, I won’t laugh!” Alfred rubbed at the spot on his shoulder where Arthur had slugged him. “So wait a second, Peter was there too? What the heck happened at the park, Arthur?”
Arthur took in a deep breath before beginning. “I…I, er…I hit my head on a pole because Hero’s gotten ridiculously strong recently and he pulled me into it when he suddenly decided to chase after Hanatamago.” Arthur let out rapidly, his face covered in a bright blush. He hesitantly turned to face Alfred, who watched him with understanding. Arthur sighed with relief before recounting the events at the park. “…I’m all right now, though, just a bit of a headache.” Arthur added upon meeting Alfred’s concerned expression.
“Anyway, where’s Hero?” Arthur inquired, taking a long sip of his tea.
“You haven’t seen him?” Arthur furrowed his brow, “I thought he was with you.” Alfred stood up purposefully, offering his hand to help Arthur out of bed.
“Hero! Where are you, boy?” Alfred called, whistling and checking under the furniture and in every room of the house. Meanwhile, Arthur checked his shoe closet and the kitchen to no avail.
“Arthur?” he heard Alfred call hesitantly, his voice coming from the front hallway.
“Did you find hi-” Arthur stared, his eyes wide as he saw Alfred standing beside the open front door.
“Oh, bloody hell.” Arthur brought a hand up to his mouth as Alfred looked at him with an anxious expression.
“Arthur…did you leave the door open when you came home?”
Arthur winced, moving his hand up to rub at his forehead. “I-I don’t remember. It’s possible…”
“We’ve gotta go after him, Arthur!” Alfred cried, grabbing his coat.
“Alfred, wait!” Arthur started towards him, reaching a hand out to stop him from shoving his boots on. “There’s no way he’s out there, he’s scared to death of thunder.”
“Well, he obviously isn’t in the house!” Alfred’s voice was nearly hysterical.
“Alfred, I’m sure he’s around here somewhere. There’s no reason why he’d leave! I explicitly ordered that he’s not to leave the house without our supervision.”
“…do you think it’s possible he ran away…?” Alfred asked quietly, his voice suddenly taking on a serious tone.
“What?” Arthur stared at Alfred incredulously, kneeling down to meet his eyes. “Alfred, what makes you think that he would run away?”
“Can you honestly blame him? You’re giving him so many rules and restrictions, maybe he felt like you were suffocating him!” Alfred snapped, causing Arthur to flinch, “Maybe he didn’t feel like he had any other choice. Maybe he wanted a little freedom.”
Arthur stood up, taken aback. “…are we still discussing Hero, Alfred…?” Arthur asked, his voice somber.
“You said so yourself, he’s just like me, isn’t he?” Alfred stood to face Arthur, his hands curled into fists at his side. “Sure, every once and a while you sit down and play with him, but you always go back to your study and lock him out! You’re always shouting at him for making small mistakes and you make him follow all these rules just because you can’t deal with the fact that he’s not exactly the way you want him to be! And I can’t say that I don’t understand what he’s going through. You were bossy back then, too.” Alfred spoke darkly.
“Don’t you dare bring your bloody Revolution into this, Alfred.” Arthur warned.
But it was too late. He knew better than anyone that rainy days like today inevitably brought out feelings from 1776.
“What are you gonna do about it, Arthur? Try to keep me on a leash?” Alfred’s voice was cold. “Shut yourself out like a coward, become a lonely old man for another hundred years?”
And that was it.
Arthur shoved past Alfred out into the unrelenting storm. “A-Arthur, where are you-”
“I’m going after Hero.” Arthur spoke through gritted teeth.
“What the hell, Arthur! You can’t keep avoiding this!” Alfred grabbed Arthur’s arm and pulled him back to the doorstep roughly. “Why won’t you ever just face it and talk to me about it? Arthur, it’s been eating you alive for over two hundred years now!”
Alfred carefully wrapped his arms around Arthur’s shuddering frame gently. “I…I know it hurts, but…we really need to talk about this if we want to be together. I’m sorry that you don’t like it when I bring it up, but I hate what it’s doing to you and I just wanna help…” he spoke quietly.
Slowly, Arthur moved his arms to push at his chest gently. “We’re wasting time, he could be anywhere.” He spoke dismissively, turning to head back into the storm.
“I’m going with you.” Alfred asserted, meeting Arthur’s stern expression. “Look, I’m sorry that I overreacted, I just…”
“It’s fine, Alfred.” Arthur replied curtly.
He knew he was lying, and he cursed himself for it. But he knew that he couldn’t deal with it right now. Regardless of what anyone else said, the wound was still fresh to him. The pain of having the first person he’d opened his heart to betray him wasn’t something he was ready to face. He’d suppressed it, and there was no sense in bringing it back now. Because he knew it would make him scared. Make him reconsider his decision to open his heart to Alfred again.
He didn’t know if his heart could handle being alone again.
The wind howled, the biting cold stinging Arthur’s face as he fought to keep his eyes squinted open enough to search for the lost puppy. He could barely make out Alfred’s voice, calling out for Hero desperately against the loud crashing of thunder. In his rush into the storm, he had neglected to put on his coat, forcing him to wrap his arms around himself, shuddering against the rain and cold. And he cursed himself. For causing Hero to run away, forcing him into this unforgiving cold. For being so short-tempered and controlling. For being unwilling to face the truth and let Alfred help his wounds heal.
And he hated himself for still being the kind of person that others want to abandon.
While Arthur knew that he had gotten a bit better, he realized that Alfred’s words were true. Alfred had risked so much, and he knew deep in his heart that he had Alfred’s full trust. But what had Arthur given in return? His heart was fractured by his unwillingness to heal old scars. And yet here was Alfred, giving him his heart in its entirety, and Arthur was letting history stop him from doing the same.
And it wasn’t fair at all.
If Alfred was brave enough to trust Arthur with his heart, then Arthur should be strong enough to trust Alfred completely.
Arthur took a cautious step towards Alfred, reaching a hand out to touch his arm gently.
And, suddenly, Arthur heard a faint, excited bark.
He felt Alfred tense beside him, his voice faltering as he called out Hero’s name.
And Arthur felt his heart swell as the little puppy scampered towards them, jumping into Alfred’s open arms. Arthur gave a little cry of relief and started towards them, but froze as soon as something in Hero’s mouth caught his eye.
Hero wiggled out of Alfred’s grasp after letting the man squeeze him tightly and attempt to warm him with his jacket. He approached Arthur and stared up at him with his big, brown eyes, Arthur’s scarf held securely in his mouth.
Arthur let out a string of choked apologies, scooping Hero up and holding him tightly in his arms.
“Hero, y-you…” Arthur started, burying his face in Hero’s wet fur. “You didn’t run away, you…you only wanted to bring my scarf back, I can’t believe…Hero…” Arthur blubbered as Hero let out an excited bark.
Arthur smiled weakly, wrapping Hero in the warm scarf before turning to face Alfred, who watched him with concern. “Alfred, look, I…” Arthur started, locking his green eyes with Alfred’s azure blue. “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry that I’ve been so afraid. I’m always thinking of myself, thinking that I have to put up with so much, but you…you’ve got to put up with somebody like me. And I…I want to be strong for you, Alfred. I…I love you so much.”
Alfred closed the gap between them in two strides, enveloping Arthur and Hero in a warm hug. “Arthur.” Alfred spoke into Arthur’s hair. “I love you, too.”
They pulled apart slowly, Alfred giving Arthur a bright smile before his eyes widened in sudden realization. “Oh, jeez, Arthur. I’m so sorry about what I said earlier, I don’t know what I was thinking, I was just so worried about Hero, I mean, I know you’re getting better at understanding him, but I got all unreasonable and upset, I swear I didn’t really mean any of it like that, I-”
Arthur cut off Alfred’s frantic babbling with a gentle kiss.
“It’s fine, Alfred.” he pulled away, giving Alfred a reassuring smile.
And he was being completely honest this time.
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And so, after hurrying home, the rain having soaked all three of them to the bone, Arthur and Alfred collapsed together on the sofa as Hero shook himself dry. Arthur suggested that they change before they catch cold, but all hope was lost as Alfred drew Arthur close to him stubbornly.
“So why do you care about that scarf so much, it’s hideous.” Alfred laughed, cuddling with a shivering Arthur on the sofa as Hero rested by the fireplace.
“Because you made it for me, you dolt.” Arthur wrapped his arms tightly around Alfred’s torso.
Alfred gave him a look of shock, his eyebrows rising high on his forehead as a faint blush began to cover his cheeks. “You kept it?”
Arthur nodded in affirmative, fingers toying with the fabric on Alfred’s hoodie. “You’re absolutely right in saying that it’s hideous-your craftsmanship really is dreadful, and you learned how to do it from that wine bastard, but-”
Arthur was cut off as Alfred pulled away to stare directly into Arthur’s eyes. “You kept it?” he repeated incredulously.
“Yes, are you so surprised by the fact that I would keep a gift from you, Alfred?” Arthur replied flatly, bringing a hand up to muss Alfred’s wet hair.
“I dunno, I always thought you burned it or used your magic to send it to some alternate dimension or something. I mean, when I gave it to you, you gave me this look like you were about to throw up and then you just kinda ran off.”
“That’s because I was in love with you, silly git.” Arthur smiled as Alfred laughed, pulling Arthur into another warm hug.
After a few moments of listening to the fire crackle, Alfred rubbing Arthur’s back and shoulders gently to stop him from shivering, Arthur spoke up, his voice barely a whisper. “So do you…want to discuss what happened…in 1776…” he asked cautiously.
Alfred gave him a warm smile, running a hand through his own messy hair. “Nah.” He spoke dismissively, gently removing himself from Arthur’s grasp and easing the shorter man onto his back. “Just knowing that you’ll be ready to talk about it someday soon is good enough for me. For now…” Alfred removed his rain-speckled glasses and placed them on a nearby table. “You still haven’t stopped shivering, and I’d really like to warm you up.” Alfred spoke in a low voice, leaning over his lover and slipping a hand under his shirt.
Arthur gave a small noise of protest, shouting something along the lines of “Alfred, Hero is right there! I can’t do it with you with Hero right…ohh…”
They were interrupted, however, when Alfred haphazardly flung Arthur’s wet shirt in a random direction, as it landed right next to Hero, startling the puppy awake and causing Arthur to let out a string of angry curses at a laughing Alfred.
And yet, he mused, smiling affectionately as Alfred moved the sleepy puppy to his kennel, he knew that things were finally, truly going to be okay.
And that simple realization was enough to make him feel warm again.
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End. ♥
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A/N
Aaaaahhhh!!! I honestly can't believe that this is the last chapter!! : (
Really, I am just so grateful for all the support I've gotten for this fic, you've all been so wonderful, and I can't thank you enough for taking the time to read my first fic. Thank you all so much.
Especially the awesome sanna_lan for giving me such a sweet prompt. ♥ I really hope you enjoyed this fic!!
And a very special thank you to the mods at usxuk who made this whole fic/art exchange possible!! These guys are really incredible.
Merry Christmas!!
♥ katokatsu