GerUk/GerEng Collection

Winding Down

Prompt: End of a Long Day

It had been a long day, but that was a given with any meeting day. Nothing ever got done at best and at worst, multiple fights broke out. What was the point of meetings nowadays? Arthur had joked many times in the past Afonso that it was more like a daycare for nations than a professional meeting, but in recent times that was becoming less of a joke. And poor Ludwig worked tirelessly to try to get something out of it, only to lose his temper at everyone's immaturity and adjourn the meeting, barely having covered the topics that needed to be discussed.

This particular meeting had taken an even worse toll on the German. He had already been working himself to the bone with paperwork and other tasks for his boss on top of prepping for the meeting. And of course, the other nations did not make Ludwig's job as host any easier and he ended up cutting the meeting short because he had barely any energy to keep everyone in check. In the aftermath of it all, Arthur was left with an exhausted and miserable lover.

They walked hand-in-hand down the hallway that seemed to go on for miles, Arthur watching for their room number. As soon as they found it and got inside, Ludwig beelined it to the bed, collapse onto it. Letting out a light chuckle, Arthur made his way over to the sink, filling up the room's kettle with water to make some tea for himself and Ludwig. He joined his partner in bed, two styrofoam cups in hand. Without a word, Ludwig heaved himself up, settled into Arthur's side, and took his cup. "Danke," he murmured, taking his first sip.

Arthur gave him a smile, his hand moving to Ludwig's hair to comb through it. "You're welcome, love." They drank their tea in silence, content just to be laying together with the worries of the day behind them. Arthur continued to run his fingers through Ludwig's hair, messing up the meticulously gelled back. His hand eventually traveled lower, reaching the German's neck finding the area incredibly stiff and knotted. "Oh darling you're so tense," Arthur exclaimed, "Maybe you should take a bath or something."

Ludwig only shook his head, hiding his face in Arthur's side. "I'll be fine," he mumbled.

"Okay...But after we finish up here I propose we go on holiday out of the country. You desperately need one. Maybe Italy or something." As he spoke, he began massaging Ludwig's neck almost absentmindedly, his tea now off to the side. "See the Colosseum, have some quality wine-"

"Leave it to you to think about the alcohol," Ludwig laughed lowly.

"Hey!" Arthur gave him a playful slap on the shoulder. "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted. Go sightseeing, eat gelato, we could even visit Feliciano. Or we could always go to Japan even. Get off the continent." Arthur went on, listing off all the possible destinations and things they could do, making Ludwig's smile grow with each one.

"On your stomach," Arthur demanded about halfway through. Although he didn't want Arthur fretting over him, he found himself complying, not having the energy to argue (plus, his back was a little achy). His hands trailed across the German's back, noting areas of the most tension, then getting to work on those areas. As he worked, Arthur resumed their previous conversation "Then there is Australia, but that's a bit far don't you think? Maybe Canada would be better and I'm sure Matthew and Al wouldn't mind us borrowing their cottage for a week."

"The one we went to last summer?" Ludwig asked though it broke out into a pleased hum as Arthur dug his fingers deeper into his shoulders.

"Yes."

"Mmm. I think that one sounds the nicest."

"Then it's decided. I'll talk to Matthew about it tomorrow." With that sorted out, Arthur could now focus solely on massaging, kneading into the skin until the muscles below loosened. As Arthur continued to work, Ludwig let out pleased noises while allowing his body to melt into the mattress. Arthur may have denied the fact, but he was skilled with his hands. By the time Arthur was finished, Ludwig felt much lighter and more relaxed, it was just what he needed.

"Now with that out of the way, how about some dinner?" the Englishman offered, leaning back on the headboard.

"Can we eat in?"

"Of course love." Arthur reached over to the nightstand, grabbing hold of a room service menu, and placed it in between them so they could look over it. Ludwig sat up to get a better look. Once they had picked out what they wanted, Arthur dialed the number while Ludwig settled down into the pillows once more.

"I know it's early, but maybe we should change into our pajamas," Arthur suggested, going over to his suitcase and pulling out his pajama bottoms and a t-shirt. While over there, he got some pajamas for Ludwig as well and laid them out on the bed before changing into his own.

Ludwig begrudgingly sat up once more, his eyes lingering on his lover as he slipped the t-shirt on. The shirt itself was quite familiar. "Is that my shirt?"

Arthur turned back to him, a sheepish grin on his face. "M-Maybe."

Ludwig rolled his eyes, though there was a smile on his face. Although he was tired and hated putting PJs on this early, he followed Arthur's suggestion.

Dressed in their PJs and the food on its way, they propped up the pillows and leaned back, and flipped through the movies they could rent. In the end, they picked Labyrinth. Actually, it was more like Arthur got this longing look in his eyes, hesitating for a minute before moving on.

"If you want to watch it, you can watch it," Ludwig said with a chuckle.

Arthur turned to his boyfriend, brows furrowing. "But this is for you. Are you sure?"

"Ja. Right now I don't really care."

With a kiss on the forehead and a soft 'okay' Arthur flipped back to the movie and selected it. Not long after there was a knock at the door, signaling the arrival of their dinner.

Arthur ended up paying for both dinner and movie despite Ludwig's protests. "Consider it a gift from me to you for all the shit you put up with," Arthur had said as he set out the food on their table. Ludwig couldn't help but feel giddy at the reasoning, any argument soon fell away, and instead, he took a seat at the table with a 'thank you.'

They ate in comfortable silence, making small talk occasionally such as asking how the meal was. Arthur had spoiled them, getting each of them a cheesecake for dessert. Not necessarily Ludwig's first choice, but cheesecake was good and this particular one was delicious.

Bellies full, the two lovers returned to the bed and hit play on the film they had set up prior. They took a similar position as when they first got here, Ludwig nestled into Arthur's side with Arthur combing his hand through the other man's hair (and they wouldn't have it any other way).

"Have you seen this one before?" Ludwig asked, his voice tired.

"Yes. I mainly like it because of David Bowie."

Ludwig shook his head, laughing softly to himself. "You and David Bowie."

"Shhh, it's starting."

Not even fifteen minutes in, Ludwig was fast asleep, arms wrapped around Arthur's waist as if he was a teddy bear. A warm smile spread across the Brit's face as he leaned down to place a goodnight kiss on his lover's head before returning to his movie.