#I think Gabe and Art had their moments during the 19th and 20th century (the ultimatum ww's the dictatorship)

[owlrolls]

Relationship HCs: Portugal & England

I do not know diddly-squat about Portugese history; This information came from @needcake's amazing fics.

The first time that Portugal and England met was during the Siege of Lisbon, when England was implored in a minor-sidequest from the crusades to assist Portugal in retaking the city; I think as far as first impressions went, Portugal was mostly preoccupied with the now and did not particularly spare England much thought. He was focused on mending and repairing, on gathering strength - and was relatively distrusting, even suspicious after hearing that those foolhardy soldiers had taken it upon themselves to help themselves to the fruits his city had yielded. England, by contrast, was quite taken by Portugal upon first sight - and always drove this feeling down as merely admiration of a fellow soldier, awe in how well Portugal fought and commandeered the room, rather than his passion for art and the depths of his eyes (England had always been drawn to deep things: literature, the ocean, Portugal’s eyes). 

Over the centuries, their relationship grew from one that was merely transactional (with England pining after Portugal, a dog patiently waiting for the bone) into something more companionable. This was most likely around the advent of the ‘Illustrious Generation’ (Ínclita Geração), if only because trade had never been more fruitful and both of them had an eye for maps. Commercial interest also drove their levels of ease (they’re more connected to the moods of their countries than they would care to admit, and England was always happy to spoil Portugal with gifts of wine at a discount c;). Though interrupted by the Iberian Union, it should be noted that England continued to send Portugal drafts of poems and stories that he had once been hoping to publish, and the two exchanged their most human thoughts. Besides, England could never give up something he had his sights upon - and was driven by a desire to see Portugal again, just as much as by his most base ambitions of power (and even pettier, viler distaste towards Spain in-general). In some cases England was almost blinded by this drive, and I would be remiss to claim they never had their ups-and-downs; The Capture Of the Portuguese Garrison in 1622, being one such example. On a more personal level, their ambitions clashed - and they would argue fiercely; Conflicted by a mixture of personal religious beliefs, ambition and power, as well as their own family and connections. For starters, when your crush tells you he wants to bring you your brother’s head on a plate…how the fuck do you respond? And moreover, how do you tell him that it’s kind of hypocritical of him to see your brother as incapable of redemption - when he is own mess? Nonetheless, their relationship has persisted - and has grown closer in the (relative) quiet of the 21st Century. Although there are less cases of death-daring boldness or even political espionage, their relationship is something closest to human about them. Portugal and England remember well their centuries, and remember well the swords that they have fallen upon for one another - and remember well that sacrifice is the closest thing that they have to a promise to one another. I think the relationship is built on centuries of comfort, quiet trust - I don’t think their love has diminished, no, no…but it's based on promises, expectations and understandings (and England is still so very mesmerised by Portugal’s eyes):

I do not think they’ve ever actually had a wedding. Such things seem futile, and time has always had surprises in store for the likes of them; They’ll likely out-last whatever Church marries them, and when you’ve brought one another all sorts of deadly promises, what more does a ring prove to them that entire fleets lost to the waves have not? 

England tends towards being more tactile about his affection; Often holding Portugal’s hand or kissing the back of his neck, England’s love shines best when he is embracing Portugal. Usually frigid or standoffish with the vast majority of people, he melts in Portugal’s presence. He is Icarus and Portugal his Apollo. 

Portugal in-contrast, is quite reserved about his affection; Or at least it seems that way. He’s the one that drove the age of Discovery, the one who always wanted to go a little further, and naturally he’s the one that will spoil England with this or that. Tales of the beyond and fine clothing, old maps and weathered compasses…his love for England pours out into his passion, and it’s not uncommon that Portugal will be happily talking to England about the technicalities of naval exploration. 

After England lost an arm in WW1, he was considered ineligible for duty in WW2 - apart from being a spy. Many suspect that the few occasions that he did go ‘missing’, England was truly just visiting Portugal; Who himself was neutral, anxious for Spain and perhaps needing just a small break, just focusing on something more simple.

In the summer, when England’s freckles are far more visible; Portugal likes to count them, with England always pointing out that the number will always be the same as last time. Portugal is still counting each and every one. 

Portugal struggles with claustrophobia. The effects of the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake still linger with him, and often struggles to sleep wrapped in England’s arm if only because it makes him feel trapped at night; Portugal believes it’s ridiculous and is deeply frustrated by it - meanwhile England struggles to sleep at night due to night terrors and sweats brought on by grave anxiety. As a consequence, Portugal is the big spoon (easier to get somewhere open, in his logic, if you’re on the outside) and the grounding presence for England.