Loved by the Island, Smitten by the Boot

Ch 3

An entire day had passed. One full meeting came and went and Arthur spent it ogling Feli again.

This is embarrassing, Arthur thought, he's a bloody country and a former badass pirate. He has to own his feelings! He, Arthur Kirkland, has a massive crush on Feliciano Vargas. And he has to do something about it or else he'd suffer with it forever! But what? This was a work event for gods sake! Arthur wasn't here for leisure or pleasure, he was here to hear the stupid long presentations on his fellow nation's economy and culture and society and whatever the fuck else. Wait a minute. This was a work event. The host country always set up fun things in their home for their guests and Feliciano happened to have museums. Sure it was probably something the Italian had done a billion times considering how close he lived to them, but it'd still be fun for him right? And it'd be a great way for the two of them to hang out, alone-ish. But when? How would he even get Feliciano on board?

Oh god. Arthur had his phone number.

He waited until it was the next morning, just as he was heading out to the conference building for meeting number four out of ten. As he waited for his chauffeur to pull around he typed in the perfectly worded message he had been anxiously writing and rewriting all night long. With one last read over and a quick prayer for luck, he sent the text.

ARTHUR: Buongiorno Feliciano. I was wondering if you'd indulge me with a trip to your favorite museum.

Short and sweet. Perfect. He even slipped in the tiniest bit of Italian so hopefully that earned the bloke a couple brownie points. Arthur was a master wordsman.

Not even three minutes later, when Arthur was finally in his car, did Feli reply.

FELICIANO: sure id love to go to a museum!!
ARTHUR: Splendid. Perhaps after we finish up with these dreadfully dull presentations.
FELICIANO: yeah yeah maybe!! let me ask Ludwig and Kiku what they think!

...Ludwig and Kiku...

Arthur felt like he got stabbed. Stabbed then lemon juice was poured into the wound and salt was rubbed in. Now did he have to explain he wanted it to be just the two of them? God that'd be so awkward, but what if he was doing this on purpose? Maybe Feli didn't want to be alone with Arthur? Could it be he's still afraid of him, even after all this time had passed? Surely setting aside their differences and becoming allies must've meant something to him.

FELICIANO: wait sorry I forgot they have plans today!!! It'll just be the two of us!!

A sigh of relief escaped him. Arthur was just being paranoid is all. He just wasn't used socializing with others, especially not romantically, is all. At least that's what he kept telling himself.

ARTHUR: That's fine old chap. You and I can have loads of fun on our own.

Amazing. Pat yourself on the back, Arthur Kirkland, you just made yourself a date. Sort of. Not really. You got to hang out with him and that's a real great first step! Grinning to himself he shoved his phone back into his pocket. Today was going to be a wonderful day.

The meeting itself passed by rather quickly. Arthur spent most of it daydreaming and planning and panicking. What if he said something dumb? What if everything went well and...and...

Arthur's face periodically turned pink.

Feliciano on the other hand was having a darn good time scrolling through his phone. Yeah he was definitely excited but he was also trying to keep his excitement to a minimum because his normal excitement with this level excitement would disrupt the meeting way too much. Then they'd never finish the meeting and he'd never get to go out and have a fun day with Arthur!! Thinking about it, he's never had a day with Arthur. He's had days with Ludwig and Kiku and Alfred and Francis and a whole lot of other nations but Arthur? Nothing! At least nothing other than short political meetings between their two bosses but those were so boring they put Feliciano to sleep. So today would be the first! Who knows, maybe the first of many!