[Fanfic] Why, do take my gratitude, won't you? - Oneshot
Title : Why, do take my gratitude, won't you?
Author : ME.
Pairings/Characters : Francis, Arthur
Rating : PG
Warnings : Nil
Notes : Inspired by the news in which Sarkozy shipped FrUK, and it was mentioned that Cameron totally did too. Take that, Obama. (No poiltical assaults intended, btw)
Vestiges of sunlight peeked in through the curtains of the office, betraying the loud pitter-patter of the incessant rain outside. Arthur Kirkland set his pen down as he sat back on his chair for a break, reaching for the now cooled tea on his desk.
Just as he was about to sip from the cup, he head the sound of familar footsteps coming up towards his work room. It took much for him to not roll his eyes as he set the tea cup back down again to anticipate his impromptu (though not unexpected, afterall, he did know that the French President was here in London) visitor. It was as a slight surprise to him as the footsteps came to a halt right outside his door, and he could feel the hesitation from behind it.
Arthur waited patiently, even going so far as to check the time (around 3 minutes, he counted) in which he listened to the shuffling of feet outside his room. He leaned forward, resting his face on an open palm as his fingers tapped on the table wood softly. Whatever seeming reservations his visitor had came to a stop, and his door was flung open as a smiling (shiny, even) Francis came strutting in.
“Bonjour, Mon cher! Do you miss me?” Francis said as he sat himself down on the seat before Arthur.
It took much for Arthur to bite back the smirk that fought to reveal itself (he honestly wanted so much to ask Francis what he was hesitating about), as he coolly raised the cup again to his lips.
“Not at all, you frog. What are you here for?”
“I'm just here to see my petit lapin, is that too much to ask for?” Francis' smile didn't falter as he fiddled around with the objects on Arthur's desk with seeming nonchalance.
A sigh escaped Arthur's lips. “No, really. What do you want?” He replied bluntly, watching Francis carefully. Francis' nervousness gave Arthur the current “upper hand” and he knew it, but it was making him impatient and he really wanted to know just what was on Francis' mind.
Blue cerulean eyes met green emerald ones, and Francis slowly reached into his coat and drew out a brilliantly red rose and handed it to Arthur. “For you.”
A thick eyebrow was raised as Arthur took it from him. “Thank you. But why?”
Francis stared intently at Arthur, his eyes glazed over in a maelstorm of emotions, but sincerity and gratitude stood out the most. “For protecting me.”
Arthur swore he would have choked if he was drinking, but shoved that thought to the back of his mind as he focued on the French blonde before him. “Wait- what?”
“For protecting France. From Germany. From... him. For protecting my country. For protecting our freedom. For protecting me.” Francis didn't break eye contact with Arthur as he stood up and leaned over the desk and held Arthur close to him. “Thank you should be words that come from me to you. So, thank you, Arthur. Thank you.” He whispered into the crook of Arthur's neck and his hold on Arthur became tighter.
Arthur blinked, blushing just a little, before standing up and pushing Francis away gently. “Don't... don't be like that. I mean... I have...” Arthur tried to force the words out of himself, studying his gloved palm. “I haven't been completely nice to you all these time either, didn't I?”
At Francis' questioning look, Arthur sighed, and forced a soft and clearly uncomfortable word. “Jeanne.”
Francis titled his head slighly to the side, before stepping around the desk slowly to push aside the curtains and he watched the clouds for a few moments, before turning back to Arthur.
“You did what you had to do, and while I might use to hate you for it, I never blamed you... afterall, I would have done the same... ” Francis said as he reached for Arthur's hand to pull him closer to the window. “And whether... whether that happened or not, I believe she's thankful to you too... just as I am. I always will be, Arthur. I will always be eternally grateful to you.”
Arthur's lips twitched as he stared out for a short moment. “I suppose so.” The rain slowed to a drizzle, and the clouds began to dissipate. “England and France... We're actually really close aren't we?”
Francis smiled, “Of course, mon cher. We are side by side are we not?”
Arthur shook his head, chuckling with a smirk as he reached passed Francis to pull the curtains close. “It's not just the physical distance... we're rather close emotionally too aren't we? My people seem to simply adore your people, and the French just can't deny us British. Now, what do you say, Francis,” Arthur whispered as his arms wrapped around the other blonde's waist as he whispered into his ear, “that we make our closeness even closer then before?”
This is like, my first time. (no dirty images, damnit.) I saw this and I was like, ZOMG. FrUK IRL. So, yeah. This feels awkward. I'm sorry.
I hope this works.