"You're staring again Angleterre," Francis singsonged, a gleeful smile across their lips.
Arthur averted his gaze to his papers. Notes that he had given up on finishing halfway through the meeting. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You haven't written anything in the last hour."
Incriminating crimson crept across his cheeks. "I-I'm just listening intently."
"Aw mon lapin," Francis cooed, thumb caressing over Arthur's burning skin, "You needn't lie to me. I'm the country of love. I know the look of someone who's smitten. Especially you, since you look at me the exact same way. "
Arthur’s words fizzled out when Francis brushed his lips against his own. It could barely be called a kiss, but it was enough to drown out everything else for a moment.
“You know how I feel about Ludwig,” Francis went on, resting his hand on Arthur’s knee, away from prying eyes. “You just say the word.”
Arthur’s gaze drifted back to Ludwig. The man stood proudly at the podium. Blue eyes flickering between his notes and the other nations. Though it felt like that intense stare was specifically directed towards him and Francis. It made Arthur weak in the knee. He had always had a thing for intense eyes, which was probably why he fell for his long-time enemy as well.
But all Arthur could stare at was Ludwig’s lips. The way they curled and stretched. How soft they looked. What would it be like to kiss–
Arthur shook his head. No. He was happy with Francis. There was no need to change an already comfortable dynamic. It had already taken so much work to finally admit he loved Francis and even more work to actually make things official. Why change something that was already working?
But Francis wanted Ludwig too.
If Arthur hadn’t stopped dragging his feet and admitted how he felt and what he wanted out of his relationship with Francis, the Frenchman was planning to move on to Ludwig.
“I can’t keep waiting around Angleterre,” they had said, “You told me you loved me but…Nothing else. Ludwig and I have been talking, and well…I’m falling for him. I have been for a while, I think. You need to make your choice, or else I’ll make mine.”
After a little more foot-dragging, Arthur finally agreed to a date and the rest was history. But Arthur had always known Francis’s feelings for Ludwig still lingered.
Arthur had thought he was jealous at first. Ludwig so easily made Francis smile. They may have been opposites, but together they were a force to be reckoned with. Francis would go on and on about how much he admired Ludwig, how he had this secret sweet and attentive side to him. Perfect in every way. And to think, those two had been enemies only decades before.
Arthur didn’t think he stood a chance.
But Arthur had also developed a bond with the German nation. He had been the one to take Ludwig under his wing following the wars. He tried his best to lift him from the darkness. And he liked to believe it had worked. That Ludwig was able to bounce back because of him. Since then, Arthur had always been fond of the man, though that fondness had somehow turned into attraction at some point.
But they couldn’t. Everything was how it should be. No need for change.
“Arthur…Need I remind you what happened last time you tried to hide your feelings,” Francis went on.
“If you want to go for Ludwig, you can.”
“You know I prefer my poly relationships to be between everyone involved.”
“I won’t be jealous if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Francis rolled their eyes. “Oh please. Didn’t you come crying to me when drunk, scared you were going to lose me to him?”
“Can we not talk about this in the middle of a world meeting?”
“England, France. Is there something you’d like to discuss about the budget?” Ludwig’s voice boomed.
Arthur’s back immediately straightened. “N-No. Forgive me for interrupting.”
Ludwig rubbed his temple. “Just…Please keep personal conversations for lunch.”
When Arthur turned back to Francis, the Frenchman just had a self-satisfying grin on his face. “See, you’re down so bad if he’s got you apologizing like that.”
“Shut up,” Arthur hissed, trying to start up his notes again.
“Okay,” Ludwig sighed, his voice raising, “Lunch.”
A chill crept into Arthur’s stomach as Francis dragged him towards the door.
“France, England, may I speak with you two,” Ludwig called.
A jolt coursed through Arthur’s body. This was the last thing he needed after Francis got him so riled up.
He turned to his pesky lover to find them grinning wildly. Francis took Arthur’s hand and gave it a squeeze before pulling him over to Ludwig.
“What a coincidence Ludwig,” Francis replied, “We had something we wanted to discuss with you too.”
Arthur gave him a dirty look before putting on a neutral expression for Ludwig.
“How many times do I have to tell you two to keep quiet? If it’s really important can you at least sneak off to the ‘washroom’ like Feli and Kiku do?”
“I know, I know Ludwig,” Arthur grimaced, “I’m sorry. But surely you know how distracting this one can be.” He gave a pointed look at Francis.
Ludwig nodded sympathetically. “I know.”
“But you can’t let him distract you, Arthur. You’re one of the few here that I can trust to have everything done. Except when you’re around Francis.”
Arthur usually wouldn’t feel shame when faced with a lecture. Many had tried and failed to do so in the past. But coming from Ludwig…
“I truly am sorry Ludwig.”
“As am I,” Francis added, “Perhaps we could make it up to you. Right, Arthur?” They gave the Brit a playful nudge.
“What are you planning frog,” Arthur whispered, praying Ludwig wouldn’t overhear.
“One date. All three of us.” Francis squeezed Arthur’s arm. “Please. Let us try this.”
Arthur searched Francis’s eyes. For what, he was unsure. He had looked into those eyes countless times. Even when they stared at him with anger or bloodlust, Arthur had always felt a warm, tingle of comfort. He had only seen Francis’s eyes shine like that a handful of times.
“Yes…” Arthur said slowly, “Let us make it up to you. Lunch. On us.”
It was only a slight dust of colour, easy to overlook. But Arthur had spent so long staring at Ludwig to catch the slight blush on his cheeks.
“Y-You really don’t have to.”
“We want to,” Francis beamed, “This…has been coming for a while.”
They may not have walked out hand-in-hand that day, but Arthur could still feel the same giddy feeling he had when he finally took Francis out on a date. But there was one difference. This time, he wasn’t wooing his crush alone. His other lover would be right there, and now that they were off, everything felt like it would be okay. Perhaps a little change would be good.
