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Arthur's gaze lingered at the scarlet bouquet of roses as his stance stood stiffly glued to the floor in thought.His bushy brows furrowing while the chatty cart vendor handed off a colorful arrangement of flowers to an eager young woman before quickly shifting his direction towards Arthur.
”You want to buy these, non?” The Frenchman queried with a tilt of his head as he gestured towards the bouquet that had garnered Arthur’s.Of course i want to buy these the Brit thought to himself Valentines is bloody tomorrow, are all frogs truly this dim witted! He silently riposted before uttering his much more refined reply towards the vendor.
“Yes, I would like that very much” The blonde nodded courteously before reaching to fish his wallet out from the pocket of his beige trousers.”Is it okay if I request a bouquet in a larger size?” He added on gracefully as he placed a gracious amount of cash onto the counter of the cart.The vendors pupils widened in shock at the gesture “My! Your wife must be one lucky lady!” the florist stammered as he hastily fumbled to arrange a wide bouquet of fragrant roses from behind the counter.
“Yeah, something like that” Arthur muttered under his breath.The truth was Arthur wasn't getting these flowers for his wife, in fact he didn't even have a wife.No he was wonderfully blessed with having the extravagant Franics Bonnefoy as his husband, or as others may call him “France”.And being married to the personification of the nation of love and romance, Arthur or as he may be named in a more political setting, “England” was more than used to his Husband's exorbitant gestures of affection, especially on Saint Valentine's day.If he didn't know any better he would have pegged the holiday as his lovers favorite day of the year if not for their anniversary of course.And though every time he was gifted a proliferate bundle of flowers and chocolates he would act as if he couldn't be more exasperated by the act, below the surface he cherished the goods with all his heart.
There was still one thing about the holiday he dreaded though,….the guilt..
Every year he would be bestowed with his husband's largesse in presents and gestures while all he could conjure up were store bought cards and choppedly made sweets.And even though Francis would parade him with kisses and his excessive thanks for every measly act he tried to construe for the holiday he still felt a large dredge of guilt from within the deep confines of his heart for not being able to return the efforts that he was presented with every February 14th.
That frog wont best me anymore! Heck I'm gonna be so bloody romantic that the wanker's head will blow off! Arthur boasted to himself in thought while beaming off with the large bouquet of fresh velveteen roses.His smirk practically radiating off of him to the point that any simple passerby could tell he was up to no good.”Next stop, the winery!” the Englishman triumphated to himself as his feet confidently strided towards his destination.
Arthur Kirkland may not be a romantic, in fact he’s the farthest damned thing from one.But that wasn't gonna stop him from knocking his husband’s yearly grandstand of gushy affection out of the park.
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Arthur stared blankly at the looming wooden frame that peered above him, each shelf containing dozens of finely aged wine bottles with their caps facing him.How in the bloody hell does Francis navigate this hullabaloo he mused alone as one of his dress shoes hastily tapped the polished hardwood floor below him.”Excuse moi, but do you need any assistance?” chirped an effeminate voice from behind the blonde's shoulder.Arthur turned around to face the figure, she wore a maroon blazer and a white dress shirt layered beneath it with dress pants matching in color with her hazel locks neatly tucked into a clean, professional bun.”Some help would be appreciated, yes” He answered diligently.
“May, I ask if you're looking for anything specific?” the woman inquired with her hands clasped before her chest in a poised manner.
“Yes, actually” Arthur quickly nodded before fumbling to reach his cell from within the confines of his pockets.”It’s a red wine,but I've been struggling to find the blasted thing” he stammered while pulling up a low quality picture token from his cupboard up on his phone.”The person im getting it for seems to favour it quite a lot and i thought your establishment would carry it” He added on as the employee before him seemingly gained a knowing expression.
“Oh we have a bottle of the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti over there on the second shelf” pronounced the employee fluently without a single stutter in her tone, as she pointed her finger in the direction of a pricely wall of wines.”It’s one of the most expensive drinks we carry, whoever your buying for must have quite costly taste” aired the lady as the bushy browed man before her gave his thanks with a bow.
“You're right about that” He sighed as he steered towards the prestiged wall of liquor and fastened his feet upon the tall wooden stool.Maybe i should’ve asked that oath Italy to give me some for free.He’s a romantic he’d understand.He muttered to himself as his hand reached out to grab the neck of the costly glass, the cool touch repivoting his focus onto the bottle."Then again I recall him saying this was his favorite winery."Arthur's eyes fell gently shut as he thought of all the nights affront the fire the two had spent drinking wine.The Frenchman’s laugh being as smooth as the claret liquid that would ripple from within his glass, his silky, golden, locks wafting from side to side as he jeered his head in that obnoxious chortle that the Brit had grown to love.
“Afterall, it's worth it if i can wipe the blimey smirk off that fool's blasted handsome face” He barked as he shaked his head awake to chase away the blood rushing through his dermis, before taking a careful glance at the price tag.”Its worth it…” he repeated half heartedly as his eyes met the shockingly expensive cost.
As he clasped his pale hands onto the liquid a subsequent buzzing erupted from his front pocket.His reach for the glass halted as he brought his free hand down to grab his cell phone.The obnoxious sight of his husband's sickingly charming profile overtaking the cracked screen as it buzzed.“For heaven's sake, what do you want, you frog”.Arthur scoffed irritatedly as his finger quickly hit the accept button Francis’s granulated voice immediately hollering out with the return of his call.
“Ma cherie!!!” He cried,the screen shifting to show his current expression of distress.
“Bloody bollocks!, what do you want!” Atrthur voicerated a tad too loud, seemingly catching the polite employees attention. He was awfully used to Francis’s theatrics and was surely not in the mood to put up with them at the moment."I'm quite busy right now” he added on in a more professional tone.
Francis let out a dramatized sigh as he swooped a hand above his temple “My, you can be so cruel sometimes mon lapin” The Frenchman whined, his voice curling around the embarrassing pet name.”I was just so utterly frightened when I awoke to your absence, a empty bed is far from a comforting sight..” He lamented before a heavy yawn escaped his mouth, a tired hand lousily rising to mask the gesture in a civil habit of his.
“Are you moony? I told you yesterday that I was going out early today” The blond retorted, his bushy brows wrinkling in annoyance at the other man's ignorance.
Francis blinked his eyes in a moment of realization as he recalled the event.”Aw-Now that i think about it, i do remember you saying something” The flamboyance dimming from his voice as his face furrowed in thought.”je suis désolé ma cherie” The man faithfully uttered an apology, ignorant to the shifting camera angle as England stepped down from the stool.He truly didn't like having his face on camera, but Francis always griped on about how much he missed seeing his handsome face.Arthur didn't really believe himself to be all that handsome but Francis gets what Francis wants.
“Couldnt i at least tag along?” France cooed with a pout, okay well sometimes Franics doesn't always get what he wants.
“No, you always turn errands into such a chore” Arthur grouched coldly, he refused to confess his ulterior motives to his husband.It was supposed to be a surprise after all.
“Arent errands supposed to be a chore?”
“Any time without you clinging to my side is actually a vacation to me..” Arthur denounced as he brought the bottle up to the register and began to fumble into his trousers for his wallet.
“Whatever you say mon lapin~” The blonde man echoed from within the screen, seemingly seeing through England's Tsundere-ish act.
“Yeah, yeah, anyways i really do need to go love” Arthur’s tone softened as awaited Francis’s goodbye.
“Au revoir, je t’aime~”
“Bye love you too” Arthur replied in a semi discreet hush as he lovingly peered at his phone before hanging up.He wasn’t embarrassed of their relationship or anything, he just hated people being in his business and whatnot and it seemed said thing was just about to happen right here.
“For your special one” interrupted a polite fellows voice as England jolted at the intrusion with pupils distraughtly widened, he evidently had forgotten he was still at the checkout.
“Oh..uh thank you” England muttered still a bit shakened as he moved to accept the small complimentary box of chocolates that the clerk had offered.Usually he wouldn't accept such things, but at such a refined establishment it felt rude to not comply, so he hesitantly reached a hand out to clasp onto the petite box before hoisting it underneath his arm.”Well goodbye now, and happy Saints Valentine” England trotted off as the cashier gave his farewell.
I hope that lass Belgium didn't bring along that head case Belarus with her, I'd rather not deal with an interrogation on Alfred’s little relationship with Russia.He mumbled onto himself as he found his way to the nearest bus stop awning.
”If what Francis mentioned on our last “Tour” of the country is to be correct, this bus should bring me close to the Belgian border.”
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As England made his way off the bus making sure to pay the driver a more than adequate fair his eyes caught sight of short hazel locks swaying forth in the wind, as he was greeted with a cheeky smile and quite excited shriek.
“Hallo Britain!!” Belgium cheerily waved a hand, her eyes bright in excitement."I'm so glad you sought my chocolates to be adequate enough for your Valentine!!” the young woman beamed as she brought up a filled bag of chocolates and cheeses.”And of course I managed to snag some most exquisite cheeses from Switzerland!”She chirped with a twirl of the dress that was almost as excessive as Francis.”He doesn't show it but he was also really happy when I told him you wanted some of his dairy for Frankrijk!”
“Yeah well only the best for that Frog” England absent mindely responded, which resulted in a squeal from the Belgian.
“Mr.Britain you flatter me!” She exclaimed as she brought an empty hand up to her chest in a feigned expression of appallment.
“Say that Miss Belarus isn't lurking here is she?” Arthur questioned with a subtly frightened face.
“Oh nooo, she said she wanted to prepare me a little Valentine's surprise,” Belgium dottily answered as she craned her neck in thought."She's just so sweet!” she cheerily remarked, bounding her head back into place with a thoughtful smile.
Arthur gave a almost disgusted face, “Yeah..sweet..”He repeated through closed teeth.Because being pestered with bloody death threats over his son's relationship with the bint’s brother was just so sweet.Honestly he had no idea how such a sweet woman like Belgium could manage dating such a horrifying wench!Every time he attended a world meeting nowadays the woman would sneak up on him and start questioning him on how Al treated Russia, as if she didnt stalk them on every blimey date they had.(He knows this cause Alfred started crying over the phone about it like the little pansy he is).
“Well thank you for the goods, I'll be sure to repay you and Switzerland the favor” Arthur thanked as he took a calmly seat upon the wooden planks of the bench, resting a hand upon the metallic Brunswick railing.”It’ll be a while till the next bus stops, how about you fancy a seat and we can catch up?” Belgium gave a pleased glance as Arthur patted the seat next to him.
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“Hey Frog!!!" Arthur hollered into the empty house, his voice echoing down the halls as he entered through the doorway.”Hmm, must be out doing his own Valentines shopping” he muttered to himself as he settled the array of gifts onto a marbled countertop.”Whatever just gives me time to prepare” England reached for his phone and tapped onto Francis’s contact to leave a meager voice message.
“Hey frog, I just wanted to let you know not to go snooping through the dining room when you get home.” He lectured bluntly.”If you have anything you need to drop off or prepare just find somewhere else to do it, heck even the bedroom is fine i’ll probably be fast asleep by the time you're here” he noted before signing off with a soft “I love you” and ending the message.
“Now too sort this all out” He drawled to himself with a finger snapped to his lower lip as he glared at the array of gifts he had seized up, a hand reaching out towards a small quite lovely if he might add, card that was assorted within the ruffled confines of the scarlet bouquet.
“Guess i’ll start with this” he chuntered while reaching for a simple fountain pen that laid snuggly within his breast pocket.
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Usually on Saint Valentine's Arthur was awoken by breakfast in bed which was served by a typically scantily clothed Francis but instead of what he was typically feasted to on Valentine's morning he was awoken by an overjoyed squeal that fastened throughout the house. England begrudgingly dragged a pillow over his tired head to mask the sound before coming to the realization of what day it was, and that Francis has probably found sight of his lavish gifts.A quick smirk swung upon the Englishman's face at the notion before curtly rising out of bed, he surely wanted to see this.
As Arthur wandered the halls and came affront to an expectedly skimpily dressed France fawning over his gifts before swinging his head back to his benefactor, lurching forward and wrapping his hand around the beneficiary that was his husband.
“Oh chéri(e), je n'arrive pas à croire que tu aies fait tout ça pour moi ! Oh je t'aime tellement, je t'aime, je t'aime !!” Francis lovingly exclaimed as he rapidly nuzzled his face into Arthur’s contrastingly, fully clothed chest.
Arthur looked down at him with tired, tender eyes as he carefully lifted Francis’s head by the chin to face him.”Calm down you git, you know i cant understand that bloody language of yours” Arthur replied without a single speck of bite in his voice, knowing full well both of those things were a lie.He’d never want Francis to calm down in this moment, in fact this was the reaction he so bloodily craved for when going out to acquire all the goods, and he had actually been learning French under the guise of Matthew for a while now, just as a little future anniversary present.
Francis let out a little chuckle at Arthur's tired words before his husband's roughened hands pulled their faces together closer, the tips of their noses softly brushing.”Happy Valentines frog” Arthur warmly stated before chastening the two jointly in a sweet, fervent, kiss.