GerUk/GerEng Collection

Third Time's a Charm

GerEng Week 2021 Day 6: Infatuation

Additional Relationships: Past one-sided Fruk, past PortEng

Arthur had always said love was 'frivolous' and a waste of time. But this was only a front. Deep down the British nation had always longed for that deep connection. But over the years he had accepted that he was cursed to be alone for eternity and became hostile to the idea of love.

The first time he had fallen in love was when he was just a child. Back then it seemed simple and very possible. It was Francis, his closest friend, and the one who looked out for him the most despite being a constant thorn in Arthur's side. For the longest time, Arthur tried to deny his feelings, claiming Francis was his enemy. That was, until one day, he had asked Francis about kissing only for it to end with the young Brit pressing his lips against Francis'. Francis had excused himself awkwardly and after a week of ignoring Arthur, the French boy turned him down. Arthur had been crushed, but being young he was able to bounce back, and his and Francis' relationship went on as if nothing happened.

In his teenage years, he had fallen in love once more. This time it was with his new ally Afonso, the representation Portugal. At this point, Arthur was already quite jaded, but the laid-back and cheerful Portuguese boy managed to weasel his way into Arthur's heart fairly easily. Things seemed to be going well and the two were happily in love until a particular falling out tied to politics. They were lucky to walk away from it as friends, but their romantic relationship seemed damaged beyond repair.

After that, Arthur had sworn off love, his heart unable to take another break. Being alone wasn't so bad, Arthur had reasoned. But for every claim that he was happier alone, the empty feeling in his heart only seemed to grow. He still had friends and family though, through the years they, all had distanced themselves from him (or in some cases, Arthur had distanced himself from them). Through it all, Arthur carried on, keeping his heart and true feelings heavily guarded. That was until a certain blond nation waltzed into his life.

When he first met Ludwig, the German nation was young, inexperienced, and not of particular interest to Arthur. But after going through two wars and getting to know Ludwig as a person, the two had become unlikely friends, finding comfort in each other after the horrors of war. And slowly, Arthur's walls around his heart began to crumble.

As he looked upon Ludwig's sleeping face and his heart fluttered at the sight, there was no denying that he had fallen for Ludwig. Worst of all, it had moved past simple infatuation and onto something true and after a drunken stupor, Arthur had revealed his feelings. Which is why he now laid in Ludwig's bed, the German's arm wrapped loosely around his waist.

The intimacy of it all made Arthur scared as well as giddy. Ludwig had returned his feelings, but Arthur's insecurity and poor experiences with love still left some doubtful and untrusting of Ludwig's confession. As he laid there, part of Arthur wanted to run. His heart was already fragile and broken as it was, and to go through another heartbreak was something he wanted to avoid at all cost. But at the same time, Ludwig was honest and sincere to a fault. He may have not been the best communicator, but he showed how much he cared in his own special ways. And, in a way, Ludwig was much like Arthur himself, having his own reluctance towards love. Perhaps that was what made Arthur stay.

"Arthur?" Ludwig asked, voice laced with sleep. He slowly opened his bright blue eyes, pushing back all of Arthur's insecurities.

Arthur let a small smile spread across his face before leaning down and placing a 'good morning' kiss on the top of his lover's head. "Good morning love." Ludwig turned towards the clock, his brows furrowing. "Why did you let me sleep in?"

"Because you never sleep properly. Not to mention you look cute when you sleep."

Ludwig threw him a look that could only be described as a pout. Arthur couldn't help but laugh at the uncharacteristic expression. That only earned him a death glare from Ludwig which shut him up. "Fine, you look handsome," Arthur conceded, "it's nice to see you relaxed for once."

Ludwig's hard gaze softened slightly at those words. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips against Arthur's. Then he moved to Arthur's neck, placed a kiss on his collarbone before burying his nose in the Brit's neck. "I need to go make breakfast," Ludwig mumbled against Arthur's skin.

Not wanting to lose the warmth of Ludwig beside him, Arthur instead proposed: "Why don't we order in?"

Ludwig pulled away to face Arthur. "I don't know. We have food here and-" "Well...I-I wanted to...I mean...it's...I kind of wanted to just...stay like...this a little while longer. I-It's not like we have anything to do today."

Arthur felt his cheeks heat up with each word. He wasn't used to being this honest and right now he just wanted to hide. But when he looked towards Ludwig once more and saw the German's cheeks dusted pink, his embarrassment began to subside.

"I-I-I suppose I can't argue with that," Ludwig stuttered out before resuming his position in Arthur's neck.

Arthur reached over for his cell phone and called the local bakery to get something delivered for breakfast. After that was settled, he turned his attention back to Ludwig who appeared to have fallen back asleep. With a smile on his face, Arthur placed a kiss on the top of Ludwig's head.

For all his doubts, Arthur couldn't help but also feel some hope as he held onto the man in his arms. This time, maybe this time things would work out. After all, third time's a charm they say.