axis powers hetalia; america/england (requested by accioharo)
On the Subject of Waiting
Arthur waits.
It is New Year’s eve, its last few minutes in fact. The cold air nips at his ears, and snowflakes land on his hair but he doesn’t feel terribly cold. Maybe it’s because of the way his face is flushed pink, radiating heat that seeps through his gloves when he holds them up to his face. He doesn’t understand how his face can possibly be reaching summer-level temperatures when the rest of his surroundings is chilly winter weather.
Or maybe he does understand. Because Arthur is waiting for Alfred outside his house, and whenever Alfred is concerned, Arthur’s face somehow always turns into varying shades of pink to scarlet, depending on the situation. But it is always, always because of Alfred.
Arthur smiles at the thought as he continues to wait for Alfred in the snow.
——
Arthur waits outside in the snow.
Alfred knows, because he can see him from his bedroom window. He is dressed inappropriately for his warm room but then, he isn’t really planning to stay in, not on a lovely night like tonight, not when Arthur is waiting for him. He is already decked out in a coat and gloves and boots but he can’t seem to tear himself away from his window.
Maybe it’s because of the way Arthur looks, warmly-dressed and pink-faced, in the middle of a swirl of white. The neighboring houses’ tiny colorful lights reflect on the snow and on Arthur, and he looks like he is bathed in multi-colored starlight, and it takes Alfred’s breath away.
“You don’t make someone like him wait, Alfred.”
Alfred turns and sees Matthew smiling at him, holding out a carefully folded scarf, and Alfred gets the slightest feeling that he isn’t only talking about tonight.
He grins and takes the scarf from Matthew. “You’re right. I should get going.”
And then he is off and running downstairs and outside the house.
——
Arthur isn’t a stranger to the concept of waiting. Especially if it concerns a certain American boy with liquid blue eyes and a bright bright smile.
But the difference between then and now is tonight, Arthur is certain that Alfred will come.
“I’m sorry for making you wait long, Arthur.”
Arthur turns around, and there he is, Alfred, smiling up at him. Alfred closes the distance between them and wraps a brown plaid scarf around Arthur. He reaches out and touches Arthur’s face, traces cheekbones and jawlines, as if he is afraid that Arthur isn’t real. If there is anyone here who should feel like that, it should be me, Arthur thinks, because that is how he feels every time he is with Alfred. As if every moment is a dream, as fleeting as a snowflake on the palm of his hand.
And so Arthur reaches up and places his hands on Alfred’s, to keep them, to keep Alfred, with him.
Alfred’s eyes are startlingly bright, his smile soft, and he whispers again, “I’m sorry for making you wait for so long. I didn’t know.” And Arthur knows he means more than just tonight.
“I know,” Arthur murmurs back, “but I also know you won’t keep me waiting any longer now.”
Alfred’s smile grows positively wider at this, and he leans forward and presses a sweet kiss on Arthur’s lips.
“Happy new year, Arthur,” Alfred says after he pulls away breathlessly, but without letting go.
Arthur smiles, “Happy new year, Alfred.”
——
disclaimer: don’t own these cuties sadly
notes: wrote this with a gakuen AU in mind but you can take it any other way! also wow this so out of season and vague much? But yeah, I hope you still like this, Haro!
