The Little Things

⭐️Three⭐️

     It took a while, but Arthur finally calmed down the child-minded Francis and had him cuddling into his chest. "See? That wasn't so bad, eh?" He slowly started petting Francis' head, being sure he avoided the spot where his head had hit the table.

     Arthur thought about what he had learned while calming down the Frenchman before speaking calmly. "Do you remember my name, Francis...?"

     "Nnn...."

     "I'm Arthur... can you say that... Arthur...?"

     Francis looked up at the bushy-browed man, his eyes sparkling with curiosity and innocence. "Ar... Ar... Art... Art...." His nose scrunched up. "Art. Art. Art. Art."

     Arthur sighed. "Close enough." He stayed quiet for a while. "You know... you're rather nice like this...."

     Francis smiled and wrapped his arms around Arthur in a hug.

     "I- em... thanks...? Y- you can stop now..." the Englishman stuttered, his face reddening as he spoke.

     The arms disappeared from around Arthur and Francis started looking around curiously. His bright blue eyes focused on Arthur's eyebrows. He slowly lifted his hand and lightly touched the giant puffs of hair that Arthur called eyebrows. Francis giggled, causing Arthur to scowl.

     "They are a perfectly decent size! I do not see what you find so humorous, you wa-" Arthur immediately shut his mouth when he heard Francis sniffle sadly. "H- hey! It's okay! I'm not mad at you...!" He lifted one of his hands towards Francis' face and the long-haired man quickly flinched away. "Francis...." Arthur moved his hand towards Francis' face again.

     This time, the Frenchman didn't move, and allowed Arthur to gently place his hand on his cheek. Francis sniffed quietly and turned away before sliding off the couch and crawling towards the stairs.