[Fanfic] How they celebrate
Title: How they Celebrate
Author/Artist: subakai
Character(s) or Pairing(s): Alfred, Matthew, Arthur, Francis. Arthur/Francis
Rating: PG-13-ish
Warnings: Fluff, maybe? Self-beta'd.
Summary:The Franco-Anglo family - Christmas eve through New years day.
Time: December 24 8:46pm London, England
“Oi, frog, I told you to decorate the fucking tree. An hour ago,” Arthur growled as he walked in through his front door. He shook his head to get snow out of his hair as he took off his gloves and thick scarf and set them on the hall desk. His brown coat was put into the coat closet before he removed his shoes and walked into the living room.
Francis was lying against Arthur’s large black leather sofa. Ha! He had proved Alfred and Francis wrong when they said he couldn’t bring his home décor into the 21st century.
The large fireplace was hot, and just what Arthur needed after coming in from that ridiculous snow storm that decided to assault his home. He placed his hands just far enough away from the fireplace to keep from burning, but close enough to warm them. He glared at the lazing Frenchman from his warm place.
“Ah, so you replaced those lights that went out already, cher Arthur?” Francis drawled and leaned forward to pick up his steaming mug from the gift glass coffee table. Alfred’s gift came with taunting and led to his home re-decoration, though he left some rooms with a traditional theme.
“Yes, no bloody thanks to you,” Arthur hissed before bringing his hands to cup his reddened freezing nose.
“Ah, but the decorating of the tree is suppose to be a family affair,” Francis grinned before taking a sip of his cup, “Papa and Mama cannot do it with the children.” Arthur reddened as Francis pointed to himself and then him as he spoke.
“You fucking tit, Christmas is a couple of hours, and Matthew and Alfred are arriving in two! Everything is supposed to be done already,” Arthur hissed, “It figures I put too much faith in you.”
“Ah, that is too cruel, Arthur,” Francis frowned and placed the cup back on the table. He stood up and loosed his hair from it’s tie only to tie it once again more firmly. Francis smiled softly at Arthur as he walked to the Brit. Arthur reddened and snorted as he turned to leave his place by the fireplace to go to the bare tree.
Francis laughed and followed after Arthur, who moved in the opposite direction once Francis got just within arms reach. It turned into a game; Arthur smirked at Francis from the other side of the leather couch barrier. Francis would move to the right to round the couch and Arthur would to his own right.
“I noticed you have no mistletoe hung around your house,” Francis said as he feinted left, velvety soft smirk dropping a bit when Arthur refused to take the bait.
“I hardly need you taking a sprig off and following after the three of us, begging us for ‘Un baiser!’ like last year.”
“I did not have to beg, cher Arthur. Mathieu gave me one willingly,” Francis grinned and, having decided that going around the couch was not going to work, rested his knee on it and reached over to loop his arm around Arthur’s waist. Before the British man could pull against him, Francis pushed off the couch and brought Arthur forward to land on it, “You gave me quite a few and more later that night, willingly, if I remember correctly.”
Francis smiled and moved to straddle Arthur’s legs. Arthur glared at the hands placed beside his head.
“And you had done the tree when I asked you to, I recall,” Arthur murmured as he gazed up at Francis’s deep blue eyes. Francis leaned forward slightly, allowing their noses to brush lightly, looked at those dark green eyes and waited on Arthur to… yes. There it was, red blossomed across Arthur’s cheeks as his eyes darkened even more.
Francis committed the sight to memory before leaning down to brush their lips together. Arthur sighed and his warm breathe and lips pushed against Francis’, and that was all the permission he needed and would get from Arthur. Their soft kisses grew hotter and wetter and hands began to roam as Francis’ arms gave out and his body landed on Arthur.
The resulting ‘oomph’ from both of them caused them to part for air; Francis gave a breathless chuckle before moving to cup Arthur’s cheek as his mouth moved to his neck.
Arthur’s hand pushed Francis’ away and rested on his hair before the fingers began to comb through the silky strands as their mouths met again. The wandering digits stopped against the tie and began to work it loose and, “God, yes.” Arthur sighed as it fell away and Francis’ golden hair fell forward, the tips grazing Arthur’s cheeks.
“Hey, Arthur! Our plane landed early! We tried to call but no one answered,” A loud voice called from the entrance hall. Two loud slams followed, presumably the front door followed by the coat closet.
Arthur gasped as his green eyes snapped open in panic and his head shot up. Francis yelled in pain as their foreheads collided painfully and was pushed off the couch by Arthur, who hastily stood up.
“Alfred! Don’t slam the doors! Oh, Arthur! I’m sorry! I tried to stop him,” Matthew’s voice was followed by the two arrivals as they walked into the living room.
“Damn, are you two fighting already?” Alfred deadpanned as he watched a red faced Arthur rubbing his forehead with his eyes shut tightly and Francis doing the same thing from the floor.
“Non-,” Francis began as he rose.
“Yes. This bloody git didn’t decorate the tree when I told him to, then he tried to grope me,” Arthur threw Francis a mischievous glare before turning to the American and Canadian.
“Francis,” Matthew looked at the long haired blonde disapprovingly as Alfred chimed in, “Fuck, man. I thought you calmed down during this time.”
A soft startled sound escaped from Francis as the two younger men shook their heads. Arthur grinning wickedly as he looked between them, “Well lads, go and get your luggage and I’ll show you to your rooms.”
Alfred and Matthew moved back to the hall to bring their luggage while Arthur threw one more look at Francis and said, “The tree. Get to it.” They younger men walked back to Arthur laughing and he turned to lead them up the stairs.
Francis sighed and walked to the kitchen. Dinner would not cook itself.
Time: December 25 3:09am London, England
Arthur glared blearily from his spot on the couch at Alfred who circled around the, still fucking undecorated, Christmas tree. The bloody American had instantly rounded them up at 3 on the dot and marched them all down the stairs, still half-asleep.
Francis delicately hid a yawn behind his hand and blinked away tears as he looked down at the present that landed on his lap. With a small sigh he picked it up and placed it on the ground next to his feet.
“Open them, dammit!” Alfred scolded as he picked up presents and distributed them to their owners, leaving a pile of his own near the tree.
Matthew’s eyes fluttered closed and his head nodded and almost came to rest on his sleeping bear’s head, but was jolted awake when Alfred tapped his head with a present before depositing it on Matthew’s pile.
Arthur began muttering, kind of unaware himself of what he was saying as his body lost it’s fight to stay upright and fell into Francis’ lap. Francis was too busy shifting both of them to lay on the couch to make any crude innuendos, reaching down to the floor to feel for the blanket Arthur had brought from upstairs and pull it up to cover them.
Matthew himself had pushed his gifts around to lay on the floor, using his bear as a sort of pillow.
Alfred finished his gift distribution and placed his hands on his hips to smile proudly at his ‘family’. The smile fell as he noticed them all asleep, “Oh, fuck you guys.”
He picked up all his presents and stepped over Matthew’s sprawled form to go up the stairs. Alfred made sure to kick the extra blanket on the floor over his brother.
Once Alfred had reached his own room, he opened his gifts. His excitement could not keep him awake any longer and he fell asleep leaning against the headboard.
Time: December 26 7:32pm London, England
“On the 28th we’ll meet up at the frog’s flat just outside of Paris,” Arthur growled as Francis winked at him suggestively, Alfred made a disgusted face next to him.
“Oui,” Francis smirked and made little kissing motions with his lips at Arthur. The Brit scowled as he looked at the two blue eyed blonds standing next to each other. “Oh god, I don’t know which one to leave in charge as the adult… and stop that, you look like some retarded fish.”
“Please, behave you two. Make sure,” Matthew stressed, “that you pick us up then. It was not amusing standing outside waiting for you two to show up last year. Four cars tried to pick us up for who knows what.”
“Hey, it wasn’t my fault. Francis was the one that wouldn’t leave the house until he finished by beauty ritual,” Alfred whined as he shifted his suitcase in his hands.
“And it’ll be up to you to make sure the frog bastard gets his arse out on time,” Arthur hissed as he slapped Francis’ wandering hands off his waist. Francis smiled and saw Alfred nod and mock salute Arthur before moving and getting on the train.
“Bye, be careful you two,” Matthew smiled and waved at Alfred who grinned and nodded toward Arthur. “And you make sure Arthur doesn’t cook, you might not make it on time for New Years if you’re stuck in the hospital.”
“You fucking little twit, I swear I’ll-” Francis cut Arthur off by finally grabbing his waist and pulling him forward. Their lips collided and Arthur froze in his arms, but his mouth moved automatically against Francis’.
“Oh, ewwwwww. You guys did that before we cam-got here,” Alfred moaned and reached forward to pull Francis back. Reluctantly the Frenchman let go and stepped back onto the train.
Arthur’s face flushed scarlet and he opened his mouth to yell, but the doors whooshed closed and the two on the train began to wave and the train moved forward. Matthew yelped as he jumped forward and grabbed Arthur’s arm, keeping the Briton from furiously chasing after the train.
Time: December 27 10:53am London, England
“Thank you for that gift Arthur, and for inviting me,” Matthew smiled as he carefully placed the delicate glass ornaments (that were not fucking used this year) into padded boxes.
Arthur started and blinked as he looked from the tea tray to Matthew. The unusually cheery blonde was sitting on the floor, warm afghan draped across his lap, as he reached around him for the tree ornaments and packaged them.
“You’re welcome,” Arthur mumbled softly, his cheeks turning a light pink, “You needn’t thank me for the invitation. You don’t need an invitation to come here, Matthew. You are part of this… oh, nevermind.” Arthur hesitated and gave an awkward lopsided grin as he placed the tray on the glass coffee table.
“This family, Arthur. We are a family. Fun in dysfunctional, eh?” Matthew smiled up at Arthur.
“Plenty of emphasis on dysfunctional,” Arthur sighed and picked up a tea cup to give to Matthew, “just one sugar, correct?”
Matthew’s eyes widened as he stared impassively at Arthur’s face. Arthur blushed and Matthew grinned even wider than before, “Yeah.”
Time: December 28 7:04pm Paris, France
“I really hope the edible lube was just a gag gift, Francis. And that you still haven’t given me my real one.”
“I am afraid to admit this, but it was a mistake. It was actually for mon cher Arthur, but I labelled it incorrectly. You can have it though.”
“Oh, that’s fucking gross.”
“Actually, it’s quite delicious,” Francis leered and waggled his eyebrows suggestively, “It is Arthur’s favourite flavour.”
Alfred turned green at the thought and looked away from Francis. The Frenchman looked up from the sauce pan and grinned.
“Dinner will be ready soon.”
Time: December 29 10:10pm London, England
“Right, you have all of your bags?” Arthur frowned as he looked around the living room. His mind went over a list of things that needed to have been done before they left.
All the Christmas decorations had been put away. He’d made sure to put up security spells in case some tossers decided his house warranted a rob. He’d fed the faeries that lived in his house and…
“Yes, Arthur,” Matthew paused and looked at the other man harder, “Arthur, where’s your suitcase?”
Arthur blanched and looked around him, seeing his small carry on bag, but no suitcase, “Well, fuck.”
“I think you left it on your bed,” Matthew called out as Arthur jogged up the stairs. There was a loud thump and then Arthur appeared at the top of the stairs. Matthew blinked before something else came to mind, “Do you have your cell?”
Arthur chuckled and reached into his pocket, “Of course I-Bloody hell!” Arthur hissed as he turned back to his room. Matthew smiled slightly, “And don’t forget the charger!”
Later, Arthur stood slightly red faced and panting, all of his forgotten items now in their proper place.
They walked out to the taxi Matthew flagged down and began to place their luggage in the back. Matthew tilted his head and reached out to touch Arthur’s shoulder. Arthur looked at him, raising one thick eyebrow in question, “Yes?”
“Um, do you have the house keys?”
“… Bugger.”
Time: December 30 12:55am Paris, France
“I bet you Arthur forgot his house keys?” Alfred turned to grin at Francis and held out his hand. His blue eyes glinted happily behind his glasses. He was balanced on the balls of his feet, jumping up and down slightly for warmth.
“I do not make losing bets, Alfred,” Francis sighed as he rubbed his leather gloved hands together.
The station was empty save for the few people that were arriving late.
“Heh, so even you think he’s that scatterbrained.” Alfred laughed and stuck his hands in his bomber jacket.
Francis smiled slightly and shook his head, amused, before looking up at the station clock. Arthur and Matthew should be arriving soon.
Alfred yawned beside him and gave a series of quick hops to keep him awake. Alfred sighed and then leaned his head on Francis’ shoulder, “I think I wanna go wait in the car.”
“Ah, no need. There they are,” Francis grinned and watched as Arthur and Matthew appeared. Matthew leaned slightly against Arthur, yawning widely. Arthur gave a tiny smile and manoeuvred the sleepy man from running into something.
Francis’ mind went back centuries to a time when Alfred and Matthew were tiny little things. Arthur would always march those two half asleep boys up to their beds after they started nodding off in his office, sometimes carrying them himself if it was too late. And sometimes, if England and France had good relations at the time, Francis would be there to help Arthur.
“Just a little more, lad,” Arthur’s soft voice reached them as he spoke to Matthew, “just a bit more to the car. You can go to sleep there.”
“Hello papa, Alfred,” Matthew muttered sleepily when they reached the other two men. Francis smiled at Arthur and nodded head towards his own sleepy man. Arthur raised one thick eyebrow as he smiled at Alfred.
“Bonjour, mon cher Arthur,” Francis smiled as he leaned forward and placed a kiss to Arthur’s lips. To his surprise, Arthur did not react violently and pushed into the kiss lightly.
“You guys are exhibitionists,” Alfred muttered into Francis’ shoulder. The two older men chuckled and began herding Alfred and Matthew out.
“Exhibitionists,” Arthur snorted and looked at Francis slyly, “They have no idea…”
Time: December 31 11:50pm Paris, France
“Non, non, non,, Alfred, please!” Francis moaned as he reached to take the champagne bottle from the American’s hands. Alfred childishly stuck his tongue out and pulled it farther away.
“Al, give it to him. You’re going to break it instead of opening it, Francis knows how to open it better,” Matthew said, trying to coax his brother into giving up the bottle.
“Oi, you bastards, not you Matthew,” Arthur sent an apologetic smile at the Canadian, “give me the fucking bottle. I’ll open it.”
“Like hell, old man. You’ll drink it all yourself and start bitching about my revolution, and your empire’s end,” Alfred deadpanned. Arthur turned a furious red and rose from his chair. Matthew groaned as he covered his face with his hands and sank into the cream coloured loveseat. Francis just sighed.
The only sound, save the occupants breathing came from the lit television. It showed images of fireworks from around the world. Taiwan and Australia had shot them off, illuminating their dark skies.
The screen was replaced with images of the London Eye and the Eiffel Tower, and the fireworks went off.
“Fuck you, you bloody twat.”
Alfred scoffed and sneered.
Arthur glared at Alfred before reaching out to grab Francis’ collar and pulling him up. Their lips smashed together and Alfred let out an outraged scream at the sight.
“Happy New Year,” Matthew sighed, his cheeks red as he shook his head at the sight of his ‘parents’ heated kiss.
Time: January 1 8:46pm Paris, France
“And what was your new year’s resolution, mon petit lapin,” Francis asked as he watched Arthur begin to pack his clothing. Arthur paused and dark green eyes looked up from the stiff white shirt he was folding. Francis felt the odd sensation of his cheeks heating up as Arthur’s eyes trailed across his body.
“It’s none of your bloody business, frog,” Arthur smirked and went back to his shirt. A stifled whine escaped Francis’ throat as Arthur then ignored him.
“Well, I’ll tell you mine.” Francis smirked and moved off his room’s settee to the bed. As he sat on it he pulled the folded shirt out of Arthur’s hands, ignoring the Brit’s protest about having just folded it. Francis’ legs parted and his arms pulled the man between them. Arthur frowned as he placed his hands on the other’s shoulders and looked down at his bright, bright (loving) blue eyes.
Francis smiled and tightened his arms around the other man’s waist, “I am going to show you just how much I love you. Everyday. Every time you forget it, I will always remind you of how beautiful you are. All year long. And the next year, and the next, and the next,” Francis continued to whisper as he rested his face on Arthur’s chest, chuckling when the scratchy wool of the sweater vest tickled his cheek.
Arthur made a soft choked gasp, “ That’s unfair, Francis…”
“Hmm?”
Arthur leaned down to kiss the golden hair, “My resolution was simply to fuck you more often…”
Francis chuckled, “I do not find myself too disappointed, though if you changed the wording…”
Arthur moved his hands to nudge up Francis’ face and leaned in smiling softly, so uncharacteristically soft, “Well then, for the next year, I am going to make love to you more often. I’ll show you… you are not the only one in love.”
Francis sighed as their lips met and his heart warmed. Arthur’s lips were perfectly warm and soft and his calloused thumbs were lightly running across his cheeks. They parted and looked at each other, smiling softly, and these moments were so rare, much too rare, and Francis’ eyes filled with tears at the thought of them being more like this, more often.
Arthur’s dark, thick, adorable eyebrows furrowed, “What? No, no, no.”
He smiled through his tears and captured Arthur’s lips again as those soft thumbs brushed away what tears fell.
There was a knock on the door and Matthew’s voice came through the wood, “Francis, Arthur, Alfred and I are going out to buy some stuff.”
Lazily they pulled apart, panting lightly, “Oui mon fils.”
The door opened slightly and something was thrown in. Arthur cried out and hunched forward, hands moving away from Francis to clutch at the back of his head. Whatever hit Arthur plopped on the ground and began rolling back towards him. It came to a stop against Francis’ foot, he looked down at it, and grinned. ForPlay - French Vanilla.
“Ah, thank you Alfred, we’ll put it to good use,” Francis called out and his smirk fell a bit when a door was slammed harder than it really needed to be.
“Well,” Francis released Arthur’s waist and went up to the man’s head, using his fingers to weave under the others and rub the area softly, “How would you like to start now?”
“Owwww,” Arthur whined and finally lifted his face from Francis’ shoulder to look down at what had hit him. His green eyes widened and his pain was forgotten was he caught sight of the lubricant.
Francis was pushed back against the bed and then Arthur kneeled, deliberately placing his hand on Francis’ crotch as he leaned to get the small bottle, “Smashing idea.”
Hope Everyone had/has a Happy New Year~
Author/Artist: subakai
Character(s) or Pairing(s): Alfred, Matthew, Arthur, Francis. Arthur/Francis
Rating: PG-13-ish
Warnings: Fluff, maybe? Self-beta'd.
Summary:The Franco-Anglo family - Christmas eve through New years day.
Time: December 24 8:46pm London, England
“Oi, frog, I told you to decorate the fucking tree. An hour ago,” Arthur growled as he walked in through his front door. He shook his head to get snow out of his hair as he took off his gloves and thick scarf and set them on the hall desk. His brown coat was put into the coat closet before he removed his shoes and walked into the living room.
Francis was lying against Arthur’s large black leather sofa. Ha! He had proved Alfred and Francis wrong when they said he couldn’t bring his home décor into the 21st century.
The large fireplace was hot, and just what Arthur needed after coming in from that ridiculous snow storm that decided to assault his home. He placed his hands just far enough away from the fireplace to keep from burning, but close enough to warm them. He glared at the lazing Frenchman from his warm place.
“Ah, so you replaced those lights that went out already, cher Arthur?” Francis drawled and leaned forward to pick up his steaming mug from the gift glass coffee table. Alfred’s gift came with taunting and led to his home re-decoration, though he left some rooms with a traditional theme.
“Yes, no bloody thanks to you,” Arthur hissed before bringing his hands to cup his reddened freezing nose.
“Ah, but the decorating of the tree is suppose to be a family affair,” Francis grinned before taking a sip of his cup, “Papa and Mama cannot do it with the children.” Arthur reddened as Francis pointed to himself and then him as he spoke.
“You fucking tit, Christmas is a couple of hours, and Matthew and Alfred are arriving in two! Everything is supposed to be done already,” Arthur hissed, “It figures I put too much faith in you.”
“Ah, that is too cruel, Arthur,” Francis frowned and placed the cup back on the table. He stood up and loosed his hair from it’s tie only to tie it once again more firmly. Francis smiled softly at Arthur as he walked to the Brit. Arthur reddened and snorted as he turned to leave his place by the fireplace to go to the bare tree.
Francis laughed and followed after Arthur, who moved in the opposite direction once Francis got just within arms reach. It turned into a game; Arthur smirked at Francis from the other side of the leather couch barrier. Francis would move to the right to round the couch and Arthur would to his own right.
“I noticed you have no mistletoe hung around your house,” Francis said as he feinted left, velvety soft smirk dropping a bit when Arthur refused to take the bait.
“I hardly need you taking a sprig off and following after the three of us, begging us for ‘Un baiser!’ like last year.”
“I did not have to beg, cher Arthur. Mathieu gave me one willingly,” Francis grinned and, having decided that going around the couch was not going to work, rested his knee on it and reached over to loop his arm around Arthur’s waist. Before the British man could pull against him, Francis pushed off the couch and brought Arthur forward to land on it, “You gave me quite a few and more later that night, willingly, if I remember correctly.”
Francis smiled and moved to straddle Arthur’s legs. Arthur glared at the hands placed beside his head.
“And you had done the tree when I asked you to, I recall,” Arthur murmured as he gazed up at Francis’s deep blue eyes. Francis leaned forward slightly, allowing their noses to brush lightly, looked at those dark green eyes and waited on Arthur to… yes. There it was, red blossomed across Arthur’s cheeks as his eyes darkened even more.
Francis committed the sight to memory before leaning down to brush their lips together. Arthur sighed and his warm breathe and lips pushed against Francis’, and that was all the permission he needed and would get from Arthur. Their soft kisses grew hotter and wetter and hands began to roam as Francis’ arms gave out and his body landed on Arthur.
The resulting ‘oomph’ from both of them caused them to part for air; Francis gave a breathless chuckle before moving to cup Arthur’s cheek as his mouth moved to his neck.
Arthur’s hand pushed Francis’ away and rested on his hair before the fingers began to comb through the silky strands as their mouths met again. The wandering digits stopped against the tie and began to work it loose and, “God, yes.” Arthur sighed as it fell away and Francis’ golden hair fell forward, the tips grazing Arthur’s cheeks.
“Hey, Arthur! Our plane landed early! We tried to call but no one answered,” A loud voice called from the entrance hall. Two loud slams followed, presumably the front door followed by the coat closet.
Arthur gasped as his green eyes snapped open in panic and his head shot up. Francis yelled in pain as their foreheads collided painfully and was pushed off the couch by Arthur, who hastily stood up.
“Alfred! Don’t slam the doors! Oh, Arthur! I’m sorry! I tried to stop him,” Matthew’s voice was followed by the two arrivals as they walked into the living room.
“Damn, are you two fighting already?” Alfred deadpanned as he watched a red faced Arthur rubbing his forehead with his eyes shut tightly and Francis doing the same thing from the floor.
“Non-,” Francis began as he rose.
“Yes. This bloody git didn’t decorate the tree when I told him to, then he tried to grope me,” Arthur threw Francis a mischievous glare before turning to the American and Canadian.
“Francis,” Matthew looked at the long haired blonde disapprovingly as Alfred chimed in, “Fuck, man. I thought you calmed down during this time.”
A soft startled sound escaped from Francis as the two younger men shook their heads. Arthur grinning wickedly as he looked between them, “Well lads, go and get your luggage and I’ll show you to your rooms.”
Alfred and Matthew moved back to the hall to bring their luggage while Arthur threw one more look at Francis and said, “The tree. Get to it.” They younger men walked back to Arthur laughing and he turned to lead them up the stairs.
Francis sighed and walked to the kitchen. Dinner would not cook itself.
Time: December 25 3:09am London, England
Arthur glared blearily from his spot on the couch at Alfred who circled around the, still fucking undecorated, Christmas tree. The bloody American had instantly rounded them up at 3 on the dot and marched them all down the stairs, still half-asleep.
Francis delicately hid a yawn behind his hand and blinked away tears as he looked down at the present that landed on his lap. With a small sigh he picked it up and placed it on the ground next to his feet.
“Open them, dammit!” Alfred scolded as he picked up presents and distributed them to their owners, leaving a pile of his own near the tree.
Matthew’s eyes fluttered closed and his head nodded and almost came to rest on his sleeping bear’s head, but was jolted awake when Alfred tapped his head with a present before depositing it on Matthew’s pile.
Arthur began muttering, kind of unaware himself of what he was saying as his body lost it’s fight to stay upright and fell into Francis’ lap. Francis was too busy shifting both of them to lay on the couch to make any crude innuendos, reaching down to the floor to feel for the blanket Arthur had brought from upstairs and pull it up to cover them.
Matthew himself had pushed his gifts around to lay on the floor, using his bear as a sort of pillow.
Alfred finished his gift distribution and placed his hands on his hips to smile proudly at his ‘family’. The smile fell as he noticed them all asleep, “Oh, fuck you guys.”
He picked up all his presents and stepped over Matthew’s sprawled form to go up the stairs. Alfred made sure to kick the extra blanket on the floor over his brother.
Once Alfred had reached his own room, he opened his gifts. His excitement could not keep him awake any longer and he fell asleep leaning against the headboard.
Time: December 26 7:32pm London, England
“On the 28th we’ll meet up at the frog’s flat just outside of Paris,” Arthur growled as Francis winked at him suggestively, Alfred made a disgusted face next to him.
“Oui,” Francis smirked and made little kissing motions with his lips at Arthur. The Brit scowled as he looked at the two blue eyed blonds standing next to each other. “Oh god, I don’t know which one to leave in charge as the adult… and stop that, you look like some retarded fish.”
“Please, behave you two. Make sure,” Matthew stressed, “that you pick us up then. It was not amusing standing outside waiting for you two to show up last year. Four cars tried to pick us up for who knows what.”
“Hey, it wasn’t my fault. Francis was the one that wouldn’t leave the house until he finished by beauty ritual,” Alfred whined as he shifted his suitcase in his hands.
“And it’ll be up to you to make sure the frog bastard gets his arse out on time,” Arthur hissed as he slapped Francis’ wandering hands off his waist. Francis smiled and saw Alfred nod and mock salute Arthur before moving and getting on the train.
“Bye, be careful you two,” Matthew smiled and waved at Alfred who grinned and nodded toward Arthur. “And you make sure Arthur doesn’t cook, you might not make it on time for New Years if you’re stuck in the hospital.”
“You fucking little twit, I swear I’ll-” Francis cut Arthur off by finally grabbing his waist and pulling him forward. Their lips collided and Arthur froze in his arms, but his mouth moved automatically against Francis’.
“Oh, ewwwwww. You guys did that before we cam-got here,” Alfred moaned and reached forward to pull Francis back. Reluctantly the Frenchman let go and stepped back onto the train.
Arthur’s face flushed scarlet and he opened his mouth to yell, but the doors whooshed closed and the two on the train began to wave and the train moved forward. Matthew yelped as he jumped forward and grabbed Arthur’s arm, keeping the Briton from furiously chasing after the train.
Time: December 27 10:53am London, England
“Thank you for that gift Arthur, and for inviting me,” Matthew smiled as he carefully placed the delicate glass ornaments (that were not fucking used this year) into padded boxes.
Arthur started and blinked as he looked from the tea tray to Matthew. The unusually cheery blonde was sitting on the floor, warm afghan draped across his lap, as he reached around him for the tree ornaments and packaged them.
“You’re welcome,” Arthur mumbled softly, his cheeks turning a light pink, “You needn’t thank me for the invitation. You don’t need an invitation to come here, Matthew. You are part of this… oh, nevermind.” Arthur hesitated and gave an awkward lopsided grin as he placed the tray on the glass coffee table.
“This family, Arthur. We are a family. Fun in dysfunctional, eh?” Matthew smiled up at Arthur.
“Plenty of emphasis on dysfunctional,” Arthur sighed and picked up a tea cup to give to Matthew, “just one sugar, correct?”
Matthew’s eyes widened as he stared impassively at Arthur’s face. Arthur blushed and Matthew grinned even wider than before, “Yeah.”
Time: December 28 7:04pm Paris, France
“I really hope the edible lube was just a gag gift, Francis. And that you still haven’t given me my real one.”
“I am afraid to admit this, but it was a mistake. It was actually for mon cher Arthur, but I labelled it incorrectly. You can have it though.”
“Oh, that’s fucking gross.”
“Actually, it’s quite delicious,” Francis leered and waggled his eyebrows suggestively, “It is Arthur’s favourite flavour.”
Alfred turned green at the thought and looked away from Francis. The Frenchman looked up from the sauce pan and grinned.
“Dinner will be ready soon.”
Time: December 29 10:10pm London, England
“Right, you have all of your bags?” Arthur frowned as he looked around the living room. His mind went over a list of things that needed to have been done before they left.
All the Christmas decorations had been put away. He’d made sure to put up security spells in case some tossers decided his house warranted a rob. He’d fed the faeries that lived in his house and…
“Yes, Arthur,” Matthew paused and looked at the other man harder, “Arthur, where’s your suitcase?”
Arthur blanched and looked around him, seeing his small carry on bag, but no suitcase, “Well, fuck.”
“I think you left it on your bed,” Matthew called out as Arthur jogged up the stairs. There was a loud thump and then Arthur appeared at the top of the stairs. Matthew blinked before something else came to mind, “Do you have your cell?”
Arthur chuckled and reached into his pocket, “Of course I-Bloody hell!” Arthur hissed as he turned back to his room. Matthew smiled slightly, “And don’t forget the charger!”
Later, Arthur stood slightly red faced and panting, all of his forgotten items now in their proper place.
They walked out to the taxi Matthew flagged down and began to place their luggage in the back. Matthew tilted his head and reached out to touch Arthur’s shoulder. Arthur looked at him, raising one thick eyebrow in question, “Yes?”
“Um, do you have the house keys?”
“… Bugger.”
Time: December 30 12:55am Paris, France
“I bet you Arthur forgot his house keys?” Alfred turned to grin at Francis and held out his hand. His blue eyes glinted happily behind his glasses. He was balanced on the balls of his feet, jumping up and down slightly for warmth.
“I do not make losing bets, Alfred,” Francis sighed as he rubbed his leather gloved hands together.
The station was empty save for the few people that were arriving late.
“Heh, so even you think he’s that scatterbrained.” Alfred laughed and stuck his hands in his bomber jacket.
Francis smiled slightly and shook his head, amused, before looking up at the station clock. Arthur and Matthew should be arriving soon.
Alfred yawned beside him and gave a series of quick hops to keep him awake. Alfred sighed and then leaned his head on Francis’ shoulder, “I think I wanna go wait in the car.”
“Ah, no need. There they are,” Francis grinned and watched as Arthur and Matthew appeared. Matthew leaned slightly against Arthur, yawning widely. Arthur gave a tiny smile and manoeuvred the sleepy man from running into something.
Francis’ mind went back centuries to a time when Alfred and Matthew were tiny little things. Arthur would always march those two half asleep boys up to their beds after they started nodding off in his office, sometimes carrying them himself if it was too late. And sometimes, if England and France had good relations at the time, Francis would be there to help Arthur.
“Just a little more, lad,” Arthur’s soft voice reached them as he spoke to Matthew, “just a bit more to the car. You can go to sleep there.”
“Hello papa, Alfred,” Matthew muttered sleepily when they reached the other two men. Francis smiled at Arthur and nodded head towards his own sleepy man. Arthur raised one thick eyebrow as he smiled at Alfred.
“Bonjour, mon cher Arthur,” Francis smiled as he leaned forward and placed a kiss to Arthur’s lips. To his surprise, Arthur did not react violently and pushed into the kiss lightly.
“You guys are exhibitionists,” Alfred muttered into Francis’ shoulder. The two older men chuckled and began herding Alfred and Matthew out.
“Exhibitionists,” Arthur snorted and looked at Francis slyly, “They have no idea…”
Time: December 31 11:50pm Paris, France
“Non, non, non,, Alfred, please!” Francis moaned as he reached to take the champagne bottle from the American’s hands. Alfred childishly stuck his tongue out and pulled it farther away.
“Al, give it to him. You’re going to break it instead of opening it, Francis knows how to open it better,” Matthew said, trying to coax his brother into giving up the bottle.
“Oi, you bastards, not you Matthew,” Arthur sent an apologetic smile at the Canadian, “give me the fucking bottle. I’ll open it.”
“Like hell, old man. You’ll drink it all yourself and start bitching about my revolution, and your empire’s end,” Alfred deadpanned. Arthur turned a furious red and rose from his chair. Matthew groaned as he covered his face with his hands and sank into the cream coloured loveseat. Francis just sighed.
The only sound, save the occupants breathing came from the lit television. It showed images of fireworks from around the world. Taiwan and Australia had shot them off, illuminating their dark skies.
The screen was replaced with images of the London Eye and the Eiffel Tower, and the fireworks went off.
“Fuck you, you bloody twat.”
Alfred scoffed and sneered.
Arthur glared at Alfred before reaching out to grab Francis’ collar and pulling him up. Their lips smashed together and Alfred let out an outraged scream at the sight.
“Happy New Year,” Matthew sighed, his cheeks red as he shook his head at the sight of his ‘parents’ heated kiss.
Time: January 1 8:46pm Paris, France
“And what was your new year’s resolution, mon petit lapin,” Francis asked as he watched Arthur begin to pack his clothing. Arthur paused and dark green eyes looked up from the stiff white shirt he was folding. Francis felt the odd sensation of his cheeks heating up as Arthur’s eyes trailed across his body.
“It’s none of your bloody business, frog,” Arthur smirked and went back to his shirt. A stifled whine escaped Francis’ throat as Arthur then ignored him.
“Well, I’ll tell you mine.” Francis smirked and moved off his room’s settee to the bed. As he sat on it he pulled the folded shirt out of Arthur’s hands, ignoring the Brit’s protest about having just folded it. Francis’ legs parted and his arms pulled the man between them. Arthur frowned as he placed his hands on the other’s shoulders and looked down at his bright, bright (loving) blue eyes.
Francis smiled and tightened his arms around the other man’s waist, “I am going to show you just how much I love you. Everyday. Every time you forget it, I will always remind you of how beautiful you are. All year long. And the next year, and the next, and the next,” Francis continued to whisper as he rested his face on Arthur’s chest, chuckling when the scratchy wool of the sweater vest tickled his cheek.
Arthur made a soft choked gasp, “ That’s unfair, Francis…”
“Hmm?”
Arthur leaned down to kiss the golden hair, “My resolution was simply to fuck you more often…”
Francis chuckled, “I do not find myself too disappointed, though if you changed the wording…”
Arthur moved his hands to nudge up Francis’ face and leaned in smiling softly, so uncharacteristically soft, “Well then, for the next year, I am going to make love to you more often. I’ll show you… you are not the only one in love.”
Francis sighed as their lips met and his heart warmed. Arthur’s lips were perfectly warm and soft and his calloused thumbs were lightly running across his cheeks. They parted and looked at each other, smiling softly, and these moments were so rare, much too rare, and Francis’ eyes filled with tears at the thought of them being more like this, more often.
Arthur’s dark, thick, adorable eyebrows furrowed, “What? No, no, no.”
He smiled through his tears and captured Arthur’s lips again as those soft thumbs brushed away what tears fell.
There was a knock on the door and Matthew’s voice came through the wood, “Francis, Arthur, Alfred and I are going out to buy some stuff.”
Lazily they pulled apart, panting lightly, “Oui mon fils.”
The door opened slightly and something was thrown in. Arthur cried out and hunched forward, hands moving away from Francis to clutch at the back of his head. Whatever hit Arthur plopped on the ground and began rolling back towards him. It came to a stop against Francis’ foot, he looked down at it, and grinned. ForPlay - French Vanilla.
“Ah, thank you Alfred, we’ll put it to good use,” Francis called out and his smirk fell a bit when a door was slammed harder than it really needed to be.
“Well,” Francis released Arthur’s waist and went up to the man’s head, using his fingers to weave under the others and rub the area softly, “How would you like to start now?”
“Owwww,” Arthur whined and finally lifted his face from Francis’ shoulder to look down at what had hit him. His green eyes widened and his pain was forgotten was he caught sight of the lubricant.
Francis was pushed back against the bed and then Arthur kneeled, deliberately placing his hand on Francis’ crotch as he leaned to get the small bottle, “Smashing idea.”
Hope Everyone had/has a Happy New Year~