Skybound: a USUK fanfic

Small Talk

Their dinner had gone cold about twenty minutes ago, along with their polite small talk.
The base creaks loudly from the raging storm outside, only making the men tense even more as they stare at each other from across Alfred's room.
" Why are you so stubborn?" Arthur hisses, his long fingers clenching into a fist.
" I could ask you the same thing, but we would get nowhere." Alfred lets out a huff.
" I already told you I'd let you turn me in if you let my crew go. Why can't you accept that?"
" Let me just magically tell my superiors that I accidentally let an entire crew escape. You think that they'll have enough decency to give me a last meal?" Alfred sits down in a plush chair and kicks his feet up on his dest. "Trust me, I'm trying to think about everything you've said. It's practically impossible." Arthur rolls his eyes and moves to sit down on the large bed in the middle of the room.
" You're a bounty hunter. Can't you just make up some daft excuse like your rival showed up and caused a ruckus?" The pirate removes the vest that had been squeezing him since he put it on and lays it down beside him. Only leaving a light dress shirt on over his torso. He makes to unlace his boots but stops when he notices Alfred staring. " If you were forced into wearing clothes for stuck up models, you'd want to take them off as well...," he notices the blush on Alfred's cheeks and looks down at himself only to notice that a few buttons had come undone on his shirt, revealing smooth alabaster skin. Arthur quickly sits up and slips back in the vest. " Quit looking!" his cheeks are heating up as well.
"For being a pirate that plunders almost everyday, your skin is relatively pale and unblemished by weapons and the like. That's peculiar and I couldn't help but stare." Alfred states lightly. His own blush had receded and he was now focusing on a piece of paper on his desk.
" It's a curse really..." Arthur mumbles. Alfred swings his head around.
" A curse?" Arthur looks startled.
" Nothing! Weren't we talking about negotiations?" the pirate stands back up ringing his hands together. Alfred practically stumbles out of his chair to reach him.
" Yes we were, but you suddenly started talking magical nonsense. So now I'm interested." Alfred puts a hand on Arthurs arm and guides him over to the chair he just jumped out of, pushing the pirate into it. " Talk."
Arthurs hands are shaking lightly as Alfred stares determined into his own eyes. Bottle green against cerulean.
" It was just an expression. I didn't mean anything by it. Now leave me be." Alfred quirks his mouth into a slight frown before backing off.
" Alright. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. My mother used to tell the most amazing stories about mythical creatures and spells, but I always truly knew that they were fake. I just wanted to see what kind of story you could spin." Arthur looks almost annoyed and opens his mouth but closes it again almost immediately.
" I get it. It's just...I'm tired and I need to confirm that my crew will be safe. I don't want them to come to harm. If you could just do that I'd be grateful and I wouldn't care what happens to me." Arthur looks at Alfred with a glint in his eyes, making the bounty hunters heart ache.
" Okay." Arthurs eyes widened
"Okay? Really? You'll do it?" Alfred nods slowly and Arthur practically throws himself at the man. " Thank you! Thank you so much!" He seems to remember what he's doing and jumps away, " I mean it's not like it's helping me but it'll get my crew to safety so thank you." Alfred stands in shock for a moment before cracking a smile.
" It's fine haha. I just need to come up with a plan first alright. I'll call Francis in and he'll escort you back to your room. While he does that I'll honk of something." Alfred goes over to a large radio and clicks it on. He uses a knob to change each staticky station until he reaches a particularly clear one and flips on a microphone.
" Francis? Hey are you there?" Something on the other sides makes a pop and suddenly the light sound of singing is heard in the background. Another pop sounds and then a click.
" Ello? Alfred? Arthur?" Alfred chuckles and holds up the receiver to his mouth. " Hey Franny, I need you to pick up Arthur and bring him to his room." They hear some light cursing both in French and English and a door slamming.
" Sorry mes amis I had a little company over, if you know what I mean." Both Arthur and Alfred groan at this, " I'll be right down, don't start without me honhonhon." Arthur clicks the receiver off immediately.
" Can we pretend that didn't happen?" Alfred asks. Arthur nods his head rapidly in agreement. A moment later and Francis is knocking on the door.
Alfred opens it and the Frenchman strolls in casually. He spots Arthur and gives him a wink.
" Don't think I haven't forgiven you for earlier Alfred, but as a co-captain I have to command your orders. Let's go Arthur." Arthur glances at Alfred who is rolling his eyes at Francis's dramatics.
" Alright then. Thank you Alfred for agreeing to let my crew go." he leaves the room slowly and catches the wide eyes of Francis.
" I will uphold my end as long as you do as well." Alfred sees Arthur go and is left with Francis in his room, the Brit waiting patiently outside.
" Whatever is happening, I don't agree with any of it." Francis sneers at the bounty hunter.
" Sorry to hear that, now please leave so I can call up my superiors." Alfred shoos the Frenchman from his room. With a click the Pirate and the co-captain are left outside in silence.
As they begin to walk back towards the flight of stairs Arthur suddenly grabs Francis's arm.
" He almost saw Francis." Arthur states with worry and Francis grows worried.
" What are you talking about?
" My curse Francis! He almost saw the mark. I was being stupid and he almost saw it. He's already questioning why I look like I haven't ever seen the end of a rapier. What if he goes to look at my wounds and sees..." Francis is white as a ghost.
" Do you think he'll find out? Did he ask any questions?" Francis speaks in a soft, fast, tone, trying to get the Brit to calm.
" He tried to push an answer, but I made up an excuse. He seemed to buy it. But Francis, if he finds out that I'm worth more than what the royals will pay... I'm never going to be free again." Francis bites his lips and pulls the smaller man into a hug.
" I shouldn't have left you alone with him. I'll have to keep a better eye on you. Mon lapin lets get you to your room where we can talk in private."
They hurry up the stairs.

Around the corner a man stands with a receiver pressed to his ears . His army medallions shine against the light and his family crest of lions rests proudly on a ring. "I've finally found him."