Once Upon A Time | A Hetalia x Reader

Ch 9: Arthur's Residence

[ REVISED ]

"Good morrow, Arthur."

"(Name)! It's a pleasure to be seeing you and Alfred again." said Arthur, who smiled warmly my way.

It's been quite a while since the last encounter with the bushy-browed fellow, and I took it upon myself to go have another visit with Alfred again. After all, it would be awfully nice for Alfred and Arthur to talk to each other once more after so long, wouldn't it?

"So, how do you do, Artie?" Alfred inquired, in a tone that sounded like it was intended for satire.

"Oh, that might be none of your business, git." Arthur immediately shot back. His scowl and furrowed brows were clearly evident as his eyes met Alfred's. I realized that he looked ... vexed, almost.

Perhaps it was a bad idea to bring Alfred along? Seeing how they seem to not feel content with each other, I began to assume that it was almost best if I had gone alone on this visit.

"Well, anyways ... you two can come in. Make yourself at home." said Arthur, who looked more composed as he looked away from Alfred. As he turned his heel, I believed it to be our cue to follow inside.

The inside was generally neat and tidy, and nothing around us seemed to be in bad shape.

"Would you like any beverages?" Arthur asked us as Alfred and I sat down on a couch nearby.

"Water will be alright," I answered on behalf of Alfred and myself. Alfred didn't object, and so I didn't think twice on it.

Once Arthur left to get us drinks, I turned to Alfred and asked what was going on between Arthur and him.

Alfred grinned. "It's normal between us. After living with him for so long, it's almost like a tradition to argue and bicker. Perhaps that's how siblings would normally communicate."

"So you'd go around provoking Arthur and then get called some crude word back?" I deadpanned, as a smile crept upon my lips.

He averted his eyes and took a small sigh. Then he began to rub the back of his neck, as if he felt some sort of discomfort. By then I'd realize that something I said must have gotten to him somehow, and he seemed to recoil to my words.

"Maybe we should continue voyaging North." he suggested. I felt disappointed, knowing that he'd just changed the subject.

Ah, so now he's talking about our expedition, and Luciano.

His suggestion felt the most logical when looking into the context that we were given; having to escape from Luciano's grasp, having to hide from his guards ... He wasn't wrong, but the mood didn't feel right.

"I suppose so. Luciano might be here any time now, and who knows, he might search in every house and cottage in this town." I responded, focusing my attention on the plotted plant that sat upon the table in front of us.

Alfred looked towards the kitchenette. "Arthur must be wondering why we're not at the castle."

"Maybe you can ask him if he would like to join us on our journey? I'm not sure where we can stay at any time soon, but I'm sure it would be nice if he joined us; you and Arthur are 'brothers', correct?"

"Yes, of course. I'll be sure to ask Arthur to come with us. Maybe I'll tell him that if he follows after us he may meet even more of his 'imaginary friends' at the coast." he joked.

I had to let out a short laugh at that.

"Okay. It's settled then. But when will we leave? Our horses are still back in the village and if we wait any longer, Luciano's guards might find them. And who knows, they might take them away without us noticing."

"That seems predictable. Why don't we leave in two days time? Does that sound okay?"

I looked at him. Coincidentally, we locked eyes, and I realized that I was taking too long to respond. Looking away, I submissively agreed to his proposal and let the silence embrace us both.

-=-

"Thank you for your hospitality, Arthur." I uttered, and smiled politely to express my gratitude.

He nodded and had no hesitation in smiling back.

"Arthur," Alfred spoke up. 

I figured that Alfred would say his little suggestion once Arthur looked over to him. 

"Would you like to join us on our journey to Marchlund?" Alfred inquired.

We then expected for his response. He seemed reluctant; thinking once, twice, about his reply. Then his eyes averted his eyes from Alfred and set his gaze on me. I looked back at him with an expectant, eager expression to get our points across.

'Whether it be he'd join us, or he'd stay here', was my current mentality on the thought.

"Ah, I suppose so. What would you say if a person who wields magic comes along?" He answered with a slight smirk.

Silence. For just a split moment.

"Magic? As a child, I always loved magic!" I beamed, feeling my stomach flutter with imaginary butterflies. 

"Well then, it is now settled." Alfred coughed, staring at Arthur with...what was it? I wasn't sure. His stare almost looked as though he was at a store and looked at an item with a covetous glance. Jealousy, as I'd like to call it, was implied in his gestures.

Before anyone would ask what made Alfred feel unsettled at all, he turned his heel and excused himself out the door.

Believing that to be my cue to leave, I turned to Arthur and bid my goodbye one more time before following after Alfred.

-=-

"Ohonhonhon~! A journey of love. Filled with romance and adventure. Hopefully our dear reader shall find their mate and make love to them-"

"Shut up, you twat! Bloody hell, don't contaminate their mind even further."