#Prumanocan

[meitoscringe]

Doodles

[mattbutfuckmath]

hetalia was trending but let me just use this to promote prumanocan

[randomborednessidunno]

Prucan? Valid. Prumano? Valid. Romacan? Valid. Prumanocan? Valid. Basically every version of Prussia, Romano, and Canada thrown in a shipping pot? Valid.

[centralsaints]

canada, having finished shoveling snow in his driveway: ugh i'm so tired and my back hurts

romano and prussia, both old as balls:

[oneletterwrites]

wHAT HAPPENS IN THE BEAUTY WORTH AU ??? IM??????????? will the princes hate gilbert for him taking the king up on his offer??? will he literally just disappear one night and they have no idea where he goes, until they go to a gala or smth and see him as a noble???

Part of the Beauty Worth AU, a world where your value is based on how pretty you are

A Decision

It’s early morning when Gilbert slips away. His bag of things, what little things he did own, are tied around his horse, a horse Lovino gifted him. He pauses on the beast, rubbing it’s sides gently as he stares up at the Cold Kingdom castle in the waking hours. There’s something nervous crawling in his chest at the sight and the way he left without a word. He clicks his tongue and the horse trots on

The King asked him to not mention his leave to his prince’s. Gilbert is still unsure if he should have or not. This is his decision to make but he owes everything he has to Lovino and Matthew. Shouldn’t they be a part of this decision too? He supposes not, should the King want him, he can still overrule their wishes as they are not yet King or Queen.

He knows there a people watching him, peeking out of houses and windows to him riding through the town leading up to the castle. Maybe he should shrink back at the stares, hide his face from them all. The idea that he could have been noble keeps his head high. People watch in awe as he slides off his horse and hands it to one of the royal’s stable boys to put the horse in a proper place. The boy does not question him though they have never seen him.

Lukas greets him, nodding his head and guiding him down the winding hallways.

“What would you choose?” Gilbert asks him as they walk. Lukas glances at him.

“I wasn’t given a choice.” The adviser says. Gilbert sighs, carefully fiddling with his outfit and buckles, trying to seem more put together and stop his falling apart all at once. Lukas leads him to a small library similar to the one where the King made his original offer. He is announced like noble.

“Gilbert,” The King sounds far too pleased to see him. Gilbert bows as is polite.

“Come to accept my offer?” The King asks and walks towards him. Gilbert keeps himself still.

“If I may, come to see what the offer holds, your majesty,” Gilbert says back. The King lets out a gruff laugh, mischief in his eyes and thankfully no animosity for Gilbert’s answer.

“Come then, let us test your strengths.” So Gilbert follows around the library, telling what he knows, what he can do, answering questions to the best of his ability. Eventually his quick wit shines and his somewhat sarcastic answers come through. Perhaps disrespectful, but the King just smiles, snarking back just as much.

They end up in the military history part of the library, maps and layouts of plans and past events spread along the table between them. The King talks about ways things can go, and though hesitant at first, Gilbert soon is putting in his own input, new ways to plan, and winning a knowing smile from the King.

“I should like to play you in chess,” The King tells him and Gilbert nods and follows out of the library and down the hall. The sun has either never risen or set so quickly. Gilbert has lost track of time. He nods his head politely to the children of the Cold Kingdom, the Future King of the Cold Kingdom, Ivan’s sister, waves happily to him. Ivan himself nod back at him but not without a dangerous look in his eyes.

Gilbert allows his chair to be pulled out for him, the room they are in open and spacious, a bookshelf int he corner with rules and guidelines and strategies of the game. The King takes patience to teach him how to play, and slowly through the night Gilbert learns. His moves become daring and when dinner is called, he puts the King in checkmate.

“Wonderful, you are a quick learner.” The King is pleased.

“Thank you, your majesty.” A servant guides them to the dining room. It’s almost habit for Gilbert to stand near the wall like he always has, but the King waves him forward and he sits on the left hand side.

“I’m afraid my manners will be atrocious, your majesty,” He apologizes before hand. The King just waves him off, not a care in the world.

“There will be time of manners later,” He says. The rest of the royals enter. The future King takes a seat across from Gilbert and Ivan takes a seat next to him. The King of the Dragon Kingdom sits across from Ivan. Gilbert is out of place.

“Gilbert this is my daughter Katuyasha, she will inherit the Kingdom,” The King explains. Kat just smiles shyly and continues to eat in silence.

“While Ivan would have been trained to lead my armies should he have not been married, that position is now open.” Gilbert nods slowly, unsure if the giggle Ivan lets out is good or bad.

“My daughter is not the most strong willed, I want you to be her military adviser, and Master of the East Manner. Gilbert accidentally drops his silverware to the plate faster than he means to.

“You majesty?” He chokes the words out, unsure if he heard correctly. Ivan begins to laugh now.

“Do you think you can’t do it?” He challenges. Gilbert offers him a small glare, not appreciating the expression on Ivan’s face. A look that the Queen of the Olive Kingdom used to give him. A look that says ‘I know something you don’t.’

“I am unsure of my abilities seeing as i barely even know which silverware to use,” Gilbert fires back. Ivan hums.

“While you are, putting me in a position of checkmate doesn’t come easily. I am sure.” The King says and it leaves no room for argument. There’s a small surprise from everyone, including the servants, hearing of Gilbert’s win. Gilbert forces himself to keep his head down.

The night grows impossibly dark. Gilbert is offered a carriage, something he has never ridden in before, and taken to the East Manner, polished and cleaned up and topped with servants knowing his arrival would come soon.

“Welcome home Lord.. uh,” The servant at the door stumbles, having never actually received Gilbert last name. Gilbert lets out a huff and the servant shrinks back in fear. He shakes his head hard.

“All is forgiven,” he forces out. “Lord Beilschmidt.” A name given to him in the outskirts, given by a man who could not bear to see a child suffer on his own, and worked his life away to support him. A name that could be noble.

“Right this way Lord Beilschmidt,” The servant guides him through the manner. Huge as a house can be without being a castle. The carpets are all dark blue and the walls painted silver. It’s expansive and overwhelming.

“A bath has been drawn for you from your journey, shall I tell the cooks to prepare a small meal?” The servant leaves him at the door. Gilbert breathes slowly and shakes his head.

“I would just like to retire after this,” He shuts his eyes tight, thinking of all the times he had gone to Matthew and Lovino telling them the same thing. Arthur guidance told him the right way to speak and now the words are thrown back at him.

The servant scurries off, not wanting to be subject to his potential anger. Gilbert is unsure what exactly he feels. The bath water is warm and wonderful, muscle aches drifting away and the fact he never got to have baths as exquisite as this hits him hard. He splashes water out of the sides just because he can. He can do so many things now.

He settles for finishing getting clean.

His room, another place he needs to be guided to, is large. Just like the one his prince’s sleep in, but this one is all for him. He curls under covers that feel too heavy and too light at the same time. He drifts off into sleep thinking off the prince’s he left behind.

–

“Future Queen Matthew!” The small boy bows at the waist in front of royalty. The quen blinks at him and comes closer off the garden path.

“Raivis? Is that you?” Kind Matthew asks. Raivis snaps himself up and shoves a letter between the garden bars towards the Future Queen. He rode in haste hear in the early morning at Prince Ivan’s request and he knows better than to deny him.

As soon as the letter is out of his hands and in Future Queen Matthew’s, he’s running off, not wanting to see the reaction to what Prince Ivan has written.

–

Gilbert spends his week in the East Manner, learning the halls and learning the servants. Learning how to be a noble in all it’s right. He’s only snapped once. The feeling came horrendously quick. He threw his chair at the head of the table down once a dinner meal came, a lonesome dinner meal. His servants, an odd phrase to say for him, flinched.

He apologized profusely, asking them for forgiveness for his outburst. He explained to them who he used to be, many of them surprised by his upbringing. Though they gave reassurance, Gilbert isn’t too sure it’s what he wanted to hear.

The King requests his presence once, a local event for them all. A small Gala of the noble families. Gilbert stands by the King’s side as is requested of him and allows himself to be introduced as the Master of the East Manner. His outfit is dark blue with silver trim, a medal and emblem of his right breast signifying who he is to the Future King. He is the guest of honor.

The two kids from Ivan’s engagement party once again ask him to dance with them. He takes a chance to do so.

He’s learned his manners, gained his reputation for being a little rude but wicked smart. Some are put off by him, others think him charming. Young Nobles of other houses are encouraged to talk to him, gain his favor. To be the lucky one of  a fresh Noble, to be in charge of a Manner that large? A fine rank to have indeed, and Gilbert can see right through all of it.

“I shouldn’t take up any more of your time,” Gilbert lets the line fall smoothly, the young noble looking positively bristled that he rebuffed their far too forward advances. It only makes his heart sicker for someone, someones, in a kingdom that feels farther away than it really is.

He tries to enjoy his evening, living the life he could have had years ago. He wonders if he would have been as smart, or if living poor and scrappy had made him into the perfect candidate. Those who are also future advisers to the Future King as welcoming to him, thankful none of them will have to fill the role themselves. Gilbert isn’t sure if that’s a good thing to know.

He ends the evening in the East Manner, no pretty young noble to join him, not that he wanted any of them anyway. There is nothing that can compare to Matthew and Lovino. He wants to be with them again and there lies his dilemma.

Should he be noble, he could join them in events, at their dinners, ask them to dance without fear of other people’s reactions. He could sweep them off their feet with how much he really is. He could be socially accepted as their.. friend.

But as their personal servant, he’s close, closer than any one else gets to be to them. He is their morning wake up and their last goodnight. He wouldn’t be able to see them as often due to duties on either side. He would have to think of reasons to visit the Olive Kingdom so often.

He flops into his bed, wondering if they truly miss him. He did not tell them where he went. His supposed trial week is almost up and he still doesn’t know what to do. He twists the ring on his finger, two gems just barely shining, each one representing the people he loves. The idea of him striding back to the castle in a noble’s outfit, them smiling and proud is the last thing he sees before he sleeps.

–

“So have you made your decision?” The King asks. Gilbert breathes slowly.

“I believe I have, your majesty,” Gilbert says. The King scratches at his beard with a smile. He gives Gilbert some conditions, some things that will apply, and then he is free to do as he pleases.

–

Matthew stands in the empty room, turning around in slow circles, remembering every detail that this room used to hold but now holds only sorrow. The only thing left is a letter on the small desk in the corner. A letter written by Prince Ivan, telling Matthew all about how is precious little servant is being trained to a be a noble.

Matthew wishes he could be mad at Ivan for telling him, he wishes he could scream and tell all that’s not true, but Gilbert’s stuff is gone, no note or letter, just gone. All Matthew can feel is an unease that he could have done more.

“Matthew?” At the sounds of his husband, Matthew in hales shakily, tears forming before he can think. Lovino’s arms wrap around him.

“He’ll be happier over there, living the life he should have,” Lovino tells him but it sounds like Lovino is trying to convince himself as well. Matthew shakes his head.

“Why didn’t he tell us?” Matthew turns to face Lovino, searching for some answer in his face and only finding grief. Lovino’s shoulder’s drop.

“Why would he?” He says. Matthew sniffles hard.

“He can have a better life without us,” Lovino wraps Matthew up tight, his husband clinging back to him just as much. They never talked in detail about it, but they loved the servant as much as they loved each other. They don’t talk about it now, but both think maybe the servant didn’t love them the same. The rings on their fingers weight heavy.

“He will see us at events, and other..” Lovino trails off, not able to finish his sentence. Seeing Gilbert in a prime, as a noble, with all his snark backed up to a title worthy of him, would be wonderful. But seeing Gilbert with that soft smirk waking them up and allowing himself to be dragged down to their cuddles and laughing, it makes his heart ache to know they might never see that again.

“I miss him,” Matthew whispers. Lovino just holds him tighter. They walk the halls, hand in hand, down to the dining table where they have put off eating long enough.

A loud horn sounds out, and though they know it’s foolish, Lovino and Matthew rush to the front doors that are opened to them, just in time to see Gilbert slide off his horse with his head held high. He freezes when he sees the two of them, his outfit dark blue with an insignia over his chest telling them exactly what he is.

Still, it doesn’t stop the two of them from hurrying down the steps and swamping Gilbert in a tight hug. Gilbert lets out a harsh breath and as best he can puts his arms around the two of them.

“Why didn’t you tell us you left?” Matthew pulls back, new tears in his eyes. Gilbert stares wide eyed back.

“We would have supported you,” Lovino adds, but his voice cracks. Gilbert swallows hard.

“I..” He lowers his head.

“I couldn’t do it.” He admits. He allows himself to held by the two of them.

“After everything I couldn’t do it. I..” Gilbert grits his teeth and looks up at the two of them.

“I couldn’t leave you.” He finally admits. Lovino and Matthew’s eyes widen, looking to each other and then back at the outfit Gilbert wears.

“But your uniform?” Matthew asks him. Gilbert shakes his head.

“I was offered the position, and the King told me I could have it whenever I wanted regardless of my acceptation of his offer.” Gilbert smooths out the fabric, the dark blue bringing out the white of his hair. Lovino fiddles with the medals on the front.

“Why didn’t you take it?” Lovino asks him. Gilbert’s shoulder’s drop.

“I couldn’t leave you. After everything, and everything else, I couldn’t just..” Gilbert doesn’t finish his sentence. He can’t tell them how much it would pain him not to see them everyday, how much he would ache not to be near them, how much it would hurt to not be near the people he loves.

It’s Matthew that moves first, grabbing Gilbert by the lapels of his uniform and dragging him close. Propriety be damned. He pulls Gilbert in for a kiss, pushing all the love he feels into it as much as he can. When he finally pulls back Gilbert is staring wide eyed and jaw dropped. 

“I missed you,” Matthew says after a pause. Tears well up in Gilbert’s eyes and he allows them to be kissed away. He’s brought close once more and hugged from both sides, both of his prince’s holding him.

“I know you could have done so well there, but I, I am so happy you decided to stay,” Matthew is laughing now, small tears in the corners of his eyes as well. Gilbert snickers at the sound, missing the way Matthew’s laughter seems to brighten up his day. His hand is squeezed tight and Gilbert looks to Lovino, only to receive his second ever kiss.

“Don’t you dare leave us again,” Lovino places their foreheads together when he pulls back, hand squeezing even tighter than before. Gilbert returns the favor easily, a small laugh escaping him when Lovino kisses him again.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

[feuilledrabbles]

Pairing: Prumanocan (poly)

Soulmate AU

His whole life had been lived in grey, white and black. But mostly grey, the various shades of the world around him condensed into one color scale of black and white. Of course, this was because he had not meet his soulmate yet, like his brother had and his friends had and his cousin had, even. People all around him had found their soulmate, but he was rather stuck in the grey world he had been born with.

Until an unintentional run-in with a biker.

He had been pushing his brother to have a date with his soulmate, which should not have been that hard, except for Alfred’s infuriating idea of being a good big brother. He had taken it upon himself to find Matthew’s soulmate, and not only was Matthew himself finding it annoying, but the ignorant American had been neglecting his soulmate. So Matthew pushed them to the date in a cute little cafe and had been walking home, relieved, when a biker had zoomed passed, pedaling furiously.

Matthew had stepped instinctively to the side but froze when he caught sight of the man’s eyes.

They were blood red.

They had color.

The biker had also frozen, but he was on a bike that traveled forward with momentum and he realized too late that he was in a precarious position. The bike jerked around on his trek forwards and he lost control, crashing into a pole and tumbling to the ground.

“Oh my god! Oh my god, are you okay?” Matthew rushed to the man’s side, attempting to disentangle him from the bike. The man groaned and pulled himself up, abandoning the bike on the concrete. Now that he wasn’t concerned with his health, Matthew got a better look at him. The man was a bit shorter than him and had soft-looking white hair and a pasty complexion. For a second Matthew was nervous that he had been mistaken, but then he blinked open his vibrant red eyes and all of his worries vanished.

“Not how I expected to meet my soulmate.” The man said with a thick German accent, quirking a smile at the Canadian.

“Me neither. Are you sure you’re okay?” Matthew questioned, examining him for any wounds.

“Me? I’m fine! I’ve taken worse falls than that!” He boasted, wincing slightly as he jarred his head. He had gained a headache from crashing into the pole.

“Oh. What’s your name? I’m Matthew,” he introduced himself, fidgeting uncertainly. Was he supposed to shake his hand? Hug him? Oh god, he wasn’t supposed to kiss him yet, right?

“The awesome Gilbert, at your service!” Gilbert nearly bowed dramatically but clutched his head instead, cursing under his breath.

“Oh! Uh, do you want to come to my apartment? I should have some Ibuprofen,” Matthew offered, allowing the albino to hold on to his shoulder for support while he fought his dizzy spell.

“That would be awesome.” The man lowered his hand but Matthew caught it, in an unusual romantic moment or merely to make sure he didn’t fall over Matthew wasn’t sure, but Gilbert seemed very pleased by the action.

And so the two made their way, fingers laced together, to Matthew’s apartment, fixing Gilbert up and getting to know each other along the way.

Neither told the other they still saw spots of grey.

-x-

It was nearly a year later before they had found their missing piece. Both had given up on the thought of having a third soulmate and had still not confided in the other for irrational fear of rejection. It was possible that one of them had another soulmate but the other did not, and so they were afraid the other would think that they weren’t going to love them enough and therefore leave them. It was an idiotic thought process, but it succeeded in keeping the two quiet about the colors, or lack thereof.

Though the two had secretly vowed to forget the missing colors, it had an effect on their relationship. They felt the missing link in their everyday lives.

Gilbert missed tension. He was used to everyday bickering from growing up in his household, and Matthew was not the argumentative type. He missed being able to shoot insults at someone and have them reciprocate. And he felt unneeded with Matthew, who got along with everybody and who everybody loved. And though Matthew tried to tell him that he loved him, Gilbert wasn’t blind to the fact that he never seemed to do enough.

Matthew missed thoughtfulness. As much as he loved Gilbert, the Prussian was more or less oblivious in the topic of romance. He dreamed of waking up to a rose, or sitting down to a loved, home-made meal. And he missed the quiet evenings of doing nothing. While Gilbert tried to be quiet and stay still, he was used to being up and doing things. And was not used to the copious amount of physical contact Matthew seemed to require.

It was at a restaurant for a date. Matthew had picked it because it was smaller and unassuming, but quite popular as well. He had also heard shining reviews from his brother. It was also away from prying eyes where the two could talk, really talk, but in public so nothing escalated. That was at Gilbert’s request, as he knew he could become too loud in a second.

They took their orders and were quiet, both unsure what to say or where to start. Time passed, and their food arrived, but the two stayed silent except for a few dying conversations. They chewed slowly and awkwardly.

Matthew had finally opened his mouth to say something when a voice from the kitchens made him pause. They were seated right next to the kitchens and he couldn’t help but listen in. Gilbert was also eavesdropping though mostly out of lack of other things to do, and he didn’t want to be the one to start talking.

“But I never wait tables! That’s Feli’s job! I cook food, not talk to stupid people!”

“But Lovi, it’s so busy, and Antonio’s out…”

“I don’t care! Feli can deal with it!”

“Lovino Vargas, don’t you take that tone with me. Now go out there and ask people if they like their meals, and if they have any requests, come tell me. Easy.”

“But-”

“Lovi.”

“Fine.” the arguing voice stomped out of the kitchens and the awkward couple instantly turned away, pretending they had never been listening in. “Lovino” ignored their table entirely and made a few rounds before returning and catching sight of the two, realizing he hadn’t talked to them yet and groaning because he had thought he was done.

“Okay bastards, you better be enjoying your meal because that’s my food you’re eating.” Lovino snapped, his patience at an all-time low. The two were a bit taken aback by his attitude.

“It’s delicious.” Matthew said softly, staring at his plate. Gilbert was not as much of a doormat, however, and turned to glare at the man.

“Hey, you can’t… just…” Gilbert trailed off, red eyes widening in surprise as a new color burst in front of him. Greens and golden browns suddenly came into focus, filling the spaces in between the violet and blue hues of Matthew’s eyes. They gaped at each other, but it quickly came to Lovino’s attention that not all the color had returned.

“Are you freaking kidding me? There’s another one?!” Lovino raged, throwing up his arms. Matthew glanced at Gilbert, alarmed. The normally outspoken man was deathly silent, face paler than usual.

“Matthew… there may be something… I need to tell you…” He choked out. Lovino stopped his raging and glared at the albino Prussian.

“Damn right you do. Because obviously your own freakin soulmate needs to know that you share- oh.” Lovino had gone to stare down Matthew only for the missing colors to come into focus, blues and greens appearing before his eyes. “Oh.”

Gilbert stared at the interaction and his eyes widened.

“You have got to be freaking kidding me.”

[meanwhile-in-hetalia]

You want to ... get to know us !! :0000 Well my nickname is Ollie but I guess you can call me whatever? I have too many otps/ot3s ... prumanocan for ot3, denmano for otp? germany or denmark x world tbh (I now realize you meant to choose one... whoop s). I headcannon that Alfred is really good at the fiddle but never really plays for anyone, just occasionally picks his violin up and plays folk tunes and things.

You can list how many you want with out shame, Ollie! I always imagined Al playing the acoustic guitar, but imagining him with a fiddle is a breath of fresh air. You know he plays it the annoy the hell outta England! 

[totallycorrectteentitansquotes]

5 and 6? for the shippers ask meme

5. Do you have any poly ships?

Yes, but not in teen titans. They would be from hetalia, my main being PruManoCan ;D

6. How do you feel about love triangles?

ehhhhhhhhh they annoy me honestly unless they’re really well done and not just Teenage Angst™

[hetaliashippingconfessions]

I wish more people shipped CanMano/RomaCan And PruManoCan. I feel like they'd all get along being the "less important" older brothers compared to their more noticed younger ones, Germany,America, and Veneziano/North Italy.

[oneletterwrites]

Could I request something from the Beauty Worth au?? Thats like my child and I love them so much ❤❤ (And you 😍)

You could ask for garbage and I would willingly give it.

This part of the AU has been knocking around my head for a while and this ask gave me the push to finally get it written down. It’s. Drama time.

An Offer

Part of the Beauty Worth AU, where your status is based on how pretty people think you are.

When the letter arrived Gilbert had been skeptical. Still Matthew had gasped and hugged both him and Lovino in happiness before even being able to explain what is going on. The Cold Kingdom tended to stick to themselves, so an engagement party seemed a little out of the ordinary, especially one addressed to Matthew from the First Prince himself.

“I will leave both of you here to attend by myself if I have to,” Matthew threatened with a smile. Gilbert had to snicker at that, and Lovino sighed but called open the day for all of them to travel the event. They had adjustments made to their outfits, ones that made them sweat in the climate of the Olive Kingdom but only an absolute fool would go anywhere near the Cold Kingdom with less than three layers of clothing.

“Marvelous,” Lovino had told him, having decidedly dressed Gilbert in a dashing black outfit complete with silver buckles. Gilbert stood a little taller, giving them both a very exaggerated wink, causing both of them to laugh. He knows it, and so do they, but his confidence has grown tremendously all thanks to them. This outfit does not have a hood to hide his face.

They pile into the carriage, well Gilbert rides on a sturdy horse next to the carriage. He keeps himself held high, an easy thing to do now. He talks as best he can to the princes, the future King and Queen, snickering when they say something ridiculous and loving both of them in secret.

It’s easy to tell when they get close to the Cold Kingdom. The path gets more bumpy, and patches of snow litter the ground. Gilbert suppresses a shudder and piles on a coat from the saddle bag. He simply smirks when Mathew asks if he’s alright. He can handle a little cold. The outskirts, while maybe not as deadly as this climate, had gotten him freezing. This is close to nothing.

It’s habitual to follow Matthew and Lovino up the stone steps to the palace, tall and deadly sharp in angles and covered in snow. The windows are thick but the obvious sight of people mingling inside is all Gilbert needs to set his nerves to steel. Jackets have been shed to a safe space and they are lead to the immaculately large ball hall. Decorated in a lovely shade of blue and silver jewels. People dance and laugh and barely give the new comers any glance, though some point and stare and whisper.

“Matvey!” Someone calls the moment they are inside. Matthew’s face lights up and he reaches out his hands to someone coming their way. Gilbert stands back and watches. This person is tall with silver hair and a giggle already pouring out of them. Their outfit gives away their rank, fine threads all silver and blue, and a small crown of ice and wire around their head. Matthew and the Prince lean to put their heads together.

“I am so happy to see you!” The prince smiles brightly, giggling again. Matthew smiles up at him to, then turns to Lovino and Gilbert.

“This is my husband, Lovino,” Matthew cares not to explain rank and it really doesn’t matter. The Prince blinks at Lovino, eyeing him up and down before tilting his head in a polite nod. Then looks at Gilbert curiously. Matthew just smiles.

“And this is Gilbert,” That’s all that needs to be said, Gilbert gives away his own rank by bending fully at the waist with his hand at his chest. When he stands the Prince’s face is a little more twisted but still smiling. His giggle is somehow darker.

“Lovely to meet friends of Matvey, I am Ivan,” The Prince introduces himself, hands still tight to Matthew’s, and then proceeds to ignore them both.

“How has Matvey been? I am very sad to find our letters had to be put on hold.” Ivan pouts pulling Matthew closer to him. Gilbert can’t help the confusion on his face at the act but Matthew just laughs.

“With the changes I’m sorry I haven’t been able to get back to you as quick, though I can soon imagine you’ll be going through the same,” Matthew is polite and his smile is genuine. Ivan giggles something more happy and real, less putting on edge, when a large door is opened. A low hollows note is sounded out and banners are raised up in the doorway, a colorful display. Ivan gasps happily and leaves without manners to go towards the noise.

“A little rude isn’t he?” Gilbert snarks when the Prince is out of ear shot. Matthew laughs brightly, threading his fingers with Lovino.

“Ivan means no harm. He has a hard time being who he is around people who expect him to act a certain way.” Matthew tells and explains as Gilbert watches. The room parts and he can see. The banners are bright like a feathered bird, but there is a eerie feeling. The banners have a maw on them, sharp teeth and angry. The person in front of the entourage of people coming in has a crown of sharp jagged teeth on their head, dressed in long red robes that shine like scales.

Ivan walks right up to them, holding his hands to to his mouth to try and keep his smile hidden, but he’s giggling and practically swoons when the King takes Ivan’s hand and kisses the back of it.

“Welcome Dragon Kingdom,” A voice booms out. Here Gilbert looks to the noise, and for the first time, and sees the King of the Cold Kingdom. He stares not long as the King looks to him and he jerks his sight back to where he should be looking. Ivan and the King of the Dragon Kingdom are talking with smiles to each other as if they are the only ones in the room. Soon politicians and some nobles of both kingdoms are conversing, mingling, trying to get that low hollow and dangerous note out of their minds.

“Have they talked before?” Lovino leans in and whispers to Matthew. 

“Oh yes,” Matthew smiles brightly to he couple, both of them looking far too smitten for each other than people who have just met. This is planned and many people can see it.

“When King Yao had his coronation, Ivan had been out in society so he had to attend the galla. Yao had called him childish and Ivan-” Matthew takes a moment to shake his head. Music starts up and King Yao in his bold red, dances Ivan around the room.

“Ivan nearly lost his life as he pinned Yao to the wall by his neck.” Gilbert snaps his eyes to Matthew, completely loss for words at what he’s hearing. Lovino has nearly the same reaction. Matthew just keeps smiling, sighing happily.

“Yao fell for him hard then, adoring the strength, the danger Ivan held. Very highly regarded in the Dragon Kingdom.” Matthew leans into Lovino, and they watch as the dance comes to and end, Ivan giggling and putting his arms over Yao’s shoulders with Yao smiling like he won the prize but not by playing fair. 

Gilbert decides it best not to concern himself with thinking about it any farther.

It’s a loud mess when Matthew’s brother Alfred finds them, grabbing Matthew by his face and smushing it in his hands. He’s talking a mile a minute about how much he misses Matthew and how boring lessons are and ‘oh Matthew you still have him around?’. Gilbert ignores that question.

Alfred’s insistent talking is stopped abruptly by a cool hand sliding from behind him and smacking over his mouth. Alfred makes a squeaking noise, jerking and snapping his head down to where his future queen is keeping him quiet. She barely looks at him and Alfred lets out a muffled laugh into her hand.

“Natalia so lovely to see you again,” Matthew says gently and honestly. Natalia regards him, the slightest twitch of a smile on her face. Her and Lovino share a graceful nod. Then her attention turns to Gilbert.

Had it been a year ago, Gilbert would have shrunk under her gaze, piercing and cold. Matter of fact, he did. Anytime the Princess soon to be Queen would even pass him a glance, he could feel himself sinking into a pit of wanting to be invisible. He hid in his hoods and refused to meet eye contact. It would be rude by some manners.

Now though, Gilbert is bolder. He holds her judgmental look with his head held high and his shoulders back. She looks him up and down once and he lets her, no falling in on himself. She meets his eyes again.

“Father would like to speak with you,” She says evenly. For all the bravado he just pulled, the words she says have his stomach dropping. Still he follows her, trying not to trip over himself with his Prince’s behind him. Natalia bows before the throne, and when she steps to the side, Gilbert is face to face with the King of the Cold Kingdom.

A rugged man with a neatly trimmed white beard. His eyes are dangerous and a crown of icicles sticking towards the sky doesn’t help that image. He’s dressed in a dark blue adored with white jewels atop a marble throne. And Gilbert is terrified. He forgets his manners, a grave mistake by others, and instead of bowing at the waist, he raises his head back just enough to straighten himself out. He knows he is being judged, he will make it easy.

The King does not say anything, eyeing him up and down and then up again, tilting his head left and right and left again as if it will help him see something he hadn’t before. Gilbert can feel himself unraveling and wanting to shake in his spot. Suddenly when he feels he may collapse, the King lets out a gruff short laugh.

“What is your name?” The King asks with a rough voice.

“Gilbert, your majesty,” He responds immediately. From the shadows appears a person with a notepad at the ready. They do not look at Gilbert or even the King, they just keep their eyes down but it is clear they have been summoned. The King nods slowly to his answer.

“And where are you from Gilbert?” Gilbert inhales slowly, memories of old hit him hard and while the Olive kingdom is where he is now, the rickety shack will always be home.

“The outskirts your majesty, between the Glow and Olive Kingdoms,” He presses on through his answer, honest and unchanging in his stance. The King blinks at him and leans back in his throne.

“The outskirts?” He hisses but it sounds directed at himself. Gilbert clenches his jaw wondering if he will beheaded for saying such a thing. Natalia gives him a side look and he can only hope it’s a good thing.

“Lukas,” The King says sharply. The person with the notepad doesn’t look up but steps a little closer.

“Did we not see him when we made the rounds?” The King turns his head slightly to be sure the question is directed at his adviser. Lukas makes a ‘hum’ noise.

“How old are you Gilbert?” Natalia asks him. Gilbert swallows hard before answering.

“22,” He says. The King narrows his eyes, his hand rubbing at his stubble.

“What is your position now?”

“I am the personal servant to the future King and Queen of the Olive Kingdom.” Gilbert pushes on, gesturing slightly to Matthew and Lovino behind him, both with matching confusion on their faces.

“Interesting.” The King’s eyes burn as they stare and Gilbert finds relief when they turn to look at something Lukas has written down. Gilbert isn’t sure how to feel. Lukas speaks in whispers they can’t hear over the music. Finally the King sighs and leans forward on his legs.

“I must confess myself… Disappointed,” His voice is dark and the glare on his face is one not to be messed with. Gilbert can only keep himself frozen in place as the King stands and walks towards him, looking down like he had been born to do such an act.

“I would like to speak with you,” The King says and Gilbert has to remember to breath. He goes to follow and freezes again when the King turns a sharp glare over his shoulder.

“Alone,” The word is hissed and vile. Gilbert jerks to glance behind, seeing Matthew and Lovino ready to follow, both now frozen as well in their place from the direct order to keep away from the King.

“Come Gilbert,” The King’s voice rings over him and Gilbert can only look to his Princes as his feet follow where they have been told to go. He briefly wonders if this will be the last time he sees them.

The room he’s lead to is lined with books and papers, organized impeccably and wonderfully. Perhaps he would be comfortable in such a room, but the only other people in this room besides him are the King, and his adviser. 

“Did we miss him?” The King says sharply, staring down at a pile of papers. Lukas says nothing but it seems to say enough. The King huffs and then levels Gilbert with a softer look.

“I.. apologize Gilbert,” The King says with a resigned tone. Gilbert is too stunned by the sorrow to ask what the apology is for. Luckily the King must sense his confusion because he goes on to explain himself.

“Should we have found you sooner, perhaps we might have been able to give you a position worthy of your appearance.” Here the King smirks. Gilbert shakes his head.

“I’m afraid I do not understand,” He finds himself saying. This can’t be happening. The King lets out a low chuckle.

“You lived between Olive and Glow did you not? Should you have been in our boarders, you could have been royal.” Gilbert stumbles back at the words, his back hitting books with a thud. He shakes his head trying to wrap himself around what he’s hearing. It’s not possible.

“Lukas is the East Manor still open?” Gilbert snaps his head up. The King and his adviser seem to be ignoring his panic. Lukas makes another ‘hum’ noise and nods. The King sends him a wicked smile.

“While I can not make you royal, I can make you noble.” The King stands and goes to him. Gilbert isn’t sure what to expect, yet flinches anyway, when the King puts an easy hand on his shoulder.

“I knew this conversation would have been different with those two here.” There’s a certain amount of disgust in the King’s voice as he mentions Matthew and Lovino. For what Gilbert isn’t sure but a protective streak rushes through him and he finds himself glaring. The King seems delighted with him anyway.

“Come back to the kingdom in a few weeks, spend some time in the castle, at the East Manor, live the way you should have here.” The King pats his shoulder and makes to exit, pausing in the doorway.

“Oh, keep this between us. This is your decision, don’t let the Prince’s know.” And with that the King is gone. Gilbert slumps, his head in his hands and thoughts racing, racing, racing in every direction. It’s not possible is all he can really manage. He’s an outcast, a servant, a footman. He’s been told so all his life there had been no other position for him. To hear, with a blinding confidence, from a King, that he could have been so much more, is nearly impossible to understand.

Gilbert lets out a strangled sound, slapping his hands over his mouth and a tear slips through his defenses. It’s just so much to handle. But he does. He shakes his head, wipes his eyes and shakes himself back to normalcy. Once he’s ready, he notices Lukas by the door with his eyes down, ready to guide him back to the main hall.

It’s a quiet walk, but Gilbert’s thoughts are too loud.

The dances and mingling are still full swing when he returns. Lukas slips away from him and he’s left on the edge of the wall, watching everyone. He can’t help but wonder where he would be should he had been raised here, lead to believe he belonged here, told he is pretty enough to be someone here.

Then he spies Matthew and Lovino across the way, heads low and talking to themselves with worry still etched into their expressions. His heart yearns for them and all they give him. There’s a deep sadness counteracting it with an idea of what could have been.

“Excuse us,” A small voice says. Gilbert looks beside him, two young persons in dark purple look up to him with bright eyes. Gilbert swallows when they bow their heads to him, he returns the gesture cautiously. They both giggle to themselves then smile back at him.

“Are you enjoying this evening?” The girl asks. Gilbert looks back to the crowd, choosing his words carefully.

“I suppose I am a little distracted from it all.” He’s not sure what to think. The boy takes his turn to ask a question.

“Are you from the North or South?” He asks. Gilbert blinks at him, eyes narrowing with confusion.

“We’re from the West Manor, and we’ve never seen you before,” The girl explains. Nobility, Gilbert realizes, the broaches now apparent on the left side of their chests now evident of their status.

“Are you from the East Manor?” The boy gasps softly. Gilbert stands a little taller, rolling the words over in his mind.

“I could be,” He avoids the answer. He could be though, he could be the Master of the East Manor, he could take that title and be a noble, a fresh noble. The two giggle to themselves again.

“Will you dance with me?” The boy asks. Gilbert’s eyes widen in shock, the expression thankfully unnoticed as the girl gawks.

“I was going to ask him brother no fair!” She whines. The boy laughs and smiles to Gilbert now, inviting, hoping. Gilbert isn’t sure what he’s supposed to do. This can’t be happening. It’s all too clear now what they think he is, what he could be. A noble, someone to be fought over, someone to be seen and heard, someone who can be beautiful.

“Gilbert,” The tone is soft and it snaps Gilbert into focus, gentle and easy. He look to Matthew smiling at him with such adoration in his eyes. Gilbert takes an easy breath, the two young nobles now silent. He turns to them and bows at the waist.

“Forgive me I am needed elsewhere,” And with that he follows Matthew and Lovino to a different secluded area of the ballroom to talk.

“Are you alright?” Lovino asks sternly, a small glare on his face sent towards the King. Gilbert nods, the thoughts still racing, but calmer now. Matthew whines.

“What did he want with you?” Matthew’s tone is more concerned, worried for him, and Gilbert has to shut his mouth tight. He’s not sure why he does it, certainly not because the King asked him to, but maybe the underlying threat of what might happen should he tell of what they talked about.

“He wanted to know more about my past, where I got my appearance.” He says, not telling the full truth. Lovino huffs, anger on his face. He’s always been sensitive when others had not been to Gilbert’s unorthodox self. Matthew is kinder, reaching up a hand to place on Gilbert’s cheek gently. Oh he wishes he could fight the feeling but he can’t help it. The love boils over and Gilbert places his hand over Matthew’s and leans into the touch.

“I’m okay, but the experience has left me, very frazzled, forgive me through the rest of the night,” He says softly. Matthew lets out a small giggle and brushes a thumb over his cheek. A silent agreement that it’s okay and there’s nothing to be forgiven.

The night continues. People dance and eat and talk. Lovino and Matthew dance together beautifully, then Matthew and Ivan as well, the two stepping all over each other’s feet. Alfred and Natalia are surprisingly elegant as a couple, and Lovino dances with the First Princess and future King of the Cold Kingdom as well, a politeness between them, though she looks very shy to do so.

Gilbert watches from the sidelines, a small smile on his face seeing the two he loves having a wonderful time. His mind wanders back to the conversation with the King. If he had been noble, then maybe he could be with them, and not just as a servant, but as an equal. Gilbert dares a look at the King sitting smugly on his throne, he nods at Gilbert when he spies him looking. Gilbert nods back as is polite but the action makes the King more smug.

His Prince’s can tell something is wrong but they do not pry. On the way home during the cold hours of the night, Gilbert keeps a hood over his face, and when he glances back to the snow covered tops of the castle, he decides to return and see just what life can be like as a noble. And when he glances to Matthew and Lovino inside their carriage, cuddled up together, he decides not to tell them.

[oneletterwrites]

ILY and your writing so much and you are just a sweet sugar pie. Maybe I could as for a small holiday beauty worth au drabble bc they are babes pleasr and thank you ❤❤

Together in Winter

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise but still Gilbert had been caught off guard by the holiday differences between them. He knew that each kingdom had their own special celebrations that they attend to, he just didn’t know his way of celebrating would be neither of what Matthew or Lovino did.

Lovino had started his ‘celebration’ a month ago. Gilbert couldn’t quite understand it, but Lovino had been adamant of following the rules. It seemed odd to him for Lovino to refuse to eat as long as the sun shone in the sky, he would have loved to eat as much as he could if he had the opportunity. Lovino just refused the small snacks offered to him by Matthew.

He had given up on a few other simple things as well. His temper seemed toned down, the crude language he had been fond of no where to be found. Gilbert couldn’t say it hadn’t been funny to see Lovino grit his teeth and walk away without the snarky comments. He also gave up on the loving touches Matthew would give him and playing with Gilbert’a hair.

That had stung a little, but Lovino told them over and over it’s not them, it’s just what he needed to give up for the month. He would eat when the sun disappeared but the touches remained scarce and his mood on a lighter note. For a whole month. Gilbert could see Matthew struggling not to hug him when he entered a room. Gilbert wondered if all the hugs Matthew would give to him instead are just because Lovino would not accept them.

“It’s for gratitude,” Lovino told them. 

“There are so many things in the world, and we should be happy to have them in every day life. By ridding ourselves of them for a month, we gain a little more appreciation for those things.” He shrugged and backed away from Matthew’s touch, a sad smile on both their faces for another week at least.

When the month ended, Lovino and his kingdom rejoiced in their ability to hold off on the things they refused. Gilbert snickered into his hand, never seeing any one in the castle not eating for the next three days. Lovino always had food with him, casually munching. His temper returned with vengeance it seemed.

The best part though had to be the touches. Lovino would barely let go of Matthew’s hands, his waist, hugs overflowed. Matthew’s face grew into a bright smile every time and Lovino pretended to ignore it. Gilbert’s pleasant surprise came with Lovino offering him more touches too. Hands in his hair, holding his hand for longer than ever before, dragging him into cuddle piles that didn’t ever want to end.

“You don’t know how much I missed this,” Lovino told them one night after. Matthew laughed and kisses his head. Gilbert just smiled.

Matthew’s winter holiday began just a little after Lovino’s three day celebration of no longer fasting. He and Lovino accepted the invitation to join as Matthew simply lit a candle, and sat in front of it. Every day when night fell, he would venture to his candles, lighting one more than the night previous, then sitting on the ground with his hands in his lap.

“What are you doing?” Gilbert whispered to him during the third night. Matthew peeped an eye open, and a smile grew on his face.

“For my kingdom and my family, we take time to rejoice in the peace our kingdom holds. We light a candle for the wars now over and the miracle of living.” Matthew reached out a hand to the flame, his fingers curling around the flame but not close enough to burn.

“We take time to remember all we have to be thankful for.” With that he lowers his hand, intertwining his fingers with Lovino on one side, and then Gilbert’s on the other. They sit in silence, all lost in their own thoughts. Gilbert isn’t too sure he understand the what he’s supposed to be doing, but he thinks of both of them, watching their faces as they subtly twitch as they think about all that they have. 

Where would he be without them? Probably in the outskirts with his adopted father and brother, rummaging for scraps, making do with what little they have. Probably hating everything about himself like he used to. He doesn’t dislike himself as much with them around. They loved him so much, he forgot what hating himself felt like.

He’s grateful for them he decides. All the kind looks and words, and the clear standing up for him that they do not have to do. They make him feel special, a feeling he doesn’t believe he would have ever gotten without them. The idea of being just a servant to them is far out of his mind. He knows, he knows he’s so much more than that now. 

Matthew stands after some time, blowing out the candles for the night. Lovino and Gilbert give him loving looks, thankful they are trued enough to join in Matthew’s ceremony. Gilbert swallows as he trails after them on the way back to their room. His room is technically down the hall, but he can’t really remember the last night he slept in there.

Lovino is quick to shed his more royal garb for night clothing, Matthew following soon after. Gilbert carefully sheds his things, just in case they decide they do not want to be with him for the night. He turns and they are both looking at him, waiting. He sighs and sits on the edge of the bed. He’s immediately pulled down to be in the center of the pile.

With each prince softly sleeping beside him Gilbert comes up with a plan, hope burning inside him that they will like what he has to offer.

–

“Gilbert?” Matthew pops his head into the servants designated room, though if Matthew had his way all of Gilbert’s possessions would be in his and Lovino’s shared room. Not finding the servant anywhere he turns to his husband and shrugs. Lovino twists his nose up and with a roll of his eyes starts towards their room.

“He’ll be around shortly I’m sure,” Lovino says. Though he sounds so sure of himself, there’s a sadness lingering underneath. Mathew sighs. He hasn’t seen Gilbert all day and he knows with the way Lovino’s hand twitches that it’s getting to him too. He wouldn’t have run away, or truly left without telling them, but the bitter thought is stuck in the back of his mind.

The door to their room swings ope to reveal Gilbert standing in the center, feet shifting back and forth with his hands behind his back. Matthew’s face breaks into a wide grin as he skips over and wraps Gilbert into a tight hug.

“We missed you!” He says. Lovino has a relieved smile on as well, running a hand through Gilbert’s hair affectionately. Gilbert swallows hard and takes a step back from them, his head down out of shyness. 

“So you both shared with me traditions of your kingdoms and families,” He starts awkwardly, offering a half smile. Matthew and Lovino share a quick look then focus on him.

“And I just, wanted to share a bit of my family with you too,” Before his nerves can tell him this is a bad idea, he pulls two small wrapped boxes from behind his back. A white one wrapped for Matthew and a red one for Lovino. Carefully they take the boxes, amused smiles on both their faces.

Gilbert twitches as they tear at the paper, hoping with ever fiber of his being that he’s not making a mistake. Lovino pulls his gift out first, a simple metal band with one gem of white and another of gold. Matthew’s smile is blinding as he pulls out his as well, another metal band but with a white gem and a red gem.

“In my family we give gifts to those who-” we love.

“Who we are close to,” He changes the words. Matthew slips his onto his pinky, right next to his wedding ring. Lovino does the same, holding out his hand to admire the craft work.

“Did you make these?” Lovino turns his eyes to Gilbert suddenly. Gilbert nods. A skill he has earned from his father. Maybe not his best work in such a rush and out of practice, but the sharp edges are gone ans the stones are set and polished.

“These are beautiful,” Matthew coos, coming closer to him. Gilbert lets out a breath and lifts his own hand.

“You’ve been so kind, and cared for me, I just-” He cuts himself off, letting Matthew hold his hand and admire the metal band on his own finger, a gem of red and a gem of gold. Lovino steps closer, holding Gilbert’s hand as well. Every thought flies out of Gilbert’s head as Matthew places a soft kiss to the ring on Gilbert’s finger.

“It’s perfect, thank you for sharing this part of you with us,” Matthew is so close to him now. Gilbert nods and swallows the lump in his throat. Lovino is pressing their heads together soon enough, so close Gilbert feels more overwhelmed than when they end up cuddling. It’s intimate, both his hands held by those who have helped him in so many ways and their faces far closer than they have ever been.

Gilbert is the one to pull away, too much for him to handle. Matthew just laughs and places the new ring on his finger to his cheek lovingly. Lovino admires the handiwork and runs a hand through Gilbert’s hair.

“You are truly one of a kind,” It’s a compliment that makes Gilbert’s insides turn to mush. Every thing about them turns him to mush. He snorts at the compliment, excusing himself to attend to his servant duties. Matthew and Lovino both watch him go down the hall, turning to smirk at them one last time before leaving around the corner.

The added weight to their hands is pleasant, a happy reminder that they are in this together, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

–

Lovino’s ceremony is based off Ramadan.

Matthew’s is based off Hanukkah.

Gilbert’s is loosely based off Christmas.

[oneletterwrites]

Queen for a Day

Part of this au (X)

As the proclaimed 2nd Prince, it had been Matthew who needed to move homes. Feelings of nostalgia and bitterness filled him as he and the castle attendants packed up his things in trunks and boxes to be moved to the Olive Kingdom where he is to live from then on.

He knew the day would come after he and Lovino officially became married but the day came far sooner than he would have liked. He didn’t feel ready to be completely removed from his old home but there is nothing he could do to change it.

He got over the feelings as quickly as he could. Lovino needed him to be strong, sometimes strong enough for the both of them. He could do that much at least. His spouse had days in and out of studying and learning how to rule a kingdom. It had been easy to forget during their engagement that Lovino would be King.

They had spent most of the time engaged just getting to know each other, maybe learning soft bits of each other’s kingdoms, but nothing business for so long. To be thrown back into such an unforgiving atmosphere put both of them in a loop is confusion. Lovino got over it quicker, but some times it shook his anger well enough.

Matthew enjoyed the soft moment they could spend together after hours. They would met up in their bedroom and Matthew would hold his hand as he ranted on his day, sometimes laughing at his venting but never causing Lovino to be too cross with him. He always managed to get Lovino to calm down enough to lay beside him and sleep the troubles away for tomorrow.

Those moments held something special in his mind. A simple time where they could be open and honest with each other. They would cuddle up to each other and whisper words of encouragement. A simple moment of loving that brought a little more joy to their upturned world.

The subject is sensitive to them both. Matthew knows this, that’s why neither of them have brought it up. After spending so long together, it would make sense for some form of feelings to be shown, but what kind they are is still an unknown factor. 

Lovino must enjoy his company to some extent, enough to be that kind of genuine open and honest with him, but are his feelings that of a love variety Matthew does not know. He’s not too sure of himself either. He does adore Lovino, but the romance of it all could be a figment of his own mind.

Engagements aren’t meant to be romantic for the people involved. They are not intended that way at least. They are alliance forming for royals more often than not. The people of the kingdoms can marry for love, or riches, or other selfish needs. A part of him hopes he’s not making up the happiness he feels.

Lovino makes him feel special in any way at least. There are very few that he’s seen that his spouse can talk to without feeling judged. He’s happy to say he is one of them. Knowing Lovino trusts him enough with who he really is makes him feel like there could be something more.

It doesn’t help that the kind of affection he has for Lovino hasn’t been entirely exclusive. For as often as Matthew smiles Lovino’s way to maybe help him relax, he’s just as often turning his head behind him to where Gilbert always is to smile his way. The now personal servant instead of ‘footman’ has very much been the cause of Matthew’s happiness and joy.

The effort and care Matthew has given him is far more than any other being he has ever met. The amount of self hatred that has been gnawing Gilbert to the bone has slowly been unraveled bit by bit not only by Matthew, but Lovino too. That of course does not help the confusion.

He wants Gilbert to like himself, as much as both Matthew and Lovino do. He knows enough that Lovino would never want to see Gilbert feel like he’s not worthy for anything. Especially the hints of affection they do give him. Matthew isn’t too sure where Lovino stands romantic wise with the beautiful servant, he can only hope for something good.

Still it does not help his own thoughts. He knows he feels something for both of them, but the likelihood of them both feeling the same to the other too is unheard of. Rules would forbid it and the secrets would need to be kept. He would lose his head if someone then insulted Gilbert, and Lovino has definitely shown he would not stand by. It would be a disaster.

Oh but it would be wonderful too.

“Are you listening?” The stern voice knocks him from his daydreams about his spouse and servant. Matthew snaps his head up to Queen Carmen. She’s smiling down condescendingly at him, knowing for a fact that he had not been listening and waiting to hold it over his head. Matthew sits up a little straighter.

“My apologies, my head seemed to have gotten lost in the pages,” He says. It’s not the biggest half truth he’s ever said. Carmen hums and goes back to her own book. Matthew settles into his chair just slightly as he continues to read over the history of the Olive Kingdom.

As the future queen, it’s his job to know about what he is to be ruling. Customs and traditions, laws and regulations, wars and treaties he hadn’t even been alive for. So much history and not much he can do but compare it his own homeland.

A peaceful kingdom, almost as much as the one he used to live in. The Glow Kingdom has been one of the most war-less kingdoms, opposite to the Scorch Kingdom who decides it necessary to pick fights as often as possible. He supposes he might be lucky to be in the Olive Kingdom instead.

Their laws are fairly simple, a little skewed towards the royals in his opinion but his own homeland had been no better, potentially worse if he looks hard enough at the laws that have been doctored. Maybe he’ll be able to talk to Lovino about that when they rule together. It would probably make the villagers like them more.

He grits his teeth when it comes time for the section about ‘unwanted’ persons. Maybe it is against his own ancestry, but the thought of others being unwanted because of what they look like is brainwashing at its finest. He understands it, but there are some thing, some people, who are beautiful despite what other may say of them.

“So Prince Matthew.” Slowly Matthew raises his head to the Queen. She’s got a simple smile on her face, one that looks like it holds poison underneath. He takes a quick glance at her handmaiden, a simple girl with what could be considered ‘plain looks’ by most in this kingdom. Though they may have gotten rid of the ‘footman’ principle, they still keep those of lesser looks around, a leftover from the once wide spread tradition.

“Tell me something young prince,” The queen goes on, not really getting to her point fast enough for Matthew’s tastes. He closes his history text softly and waits as patiently as he can. Finally she looks up to him.

“How on earth did you find someone so horrendous to be your servant?” The words are cold and it makes Matthew’s blood boil anyway. He keeps a neutral expression for as long as he can.

“He came to me, helping me when my carriage got stuck on the way to visit your home the first time,” He admits only enough to say what he needs to. Away from the queen’s cruel eyes he holds his book with white knuckles to try and keep himself under control.

“On the outskirts I presume? How dreadful,” She says and leans back to enjoy her book again.

“It is not,” Matthew speaks before he can fully tell himself to not. The queen just hums a small tune as if to ignore him.

“What does my son think of him?” She asks though. Matthew highly doubts Lovino is her actual son but he doesn’t comment on the thought.

“My husband enjoys his company as well,” He says. The queen shoots him a look for his words and Matthew tries to hide a knowing of what she might be picking up. Rather than Gilbert’s servitude, it is his existence they like most. Perhaps not the right words to say.

“His company,” She repeats but with malice neither would ever use in regards to Gilbert. Matthew takes a deep breath.

“Yes, his company is rather enjoyable and far better than some,” He says though he shouldn’t have. He stands abruptly, trying not to glare at the queen when he bows to her politely. There’s a dark look on her face but she remains smiling. He leaves the room without closing the door behind him.

It takes him half an hour to start regretting his word choice, but it felt good to tell her so. For all he’s worth he’d rather spend seconds with Gilbert than any amount of time with that wretched person who thinks themselves so much more worthy than Gilbert.

He collapses to his shared bed and curls up, trying to calm down as best he can. He’s angry though. Gilbert is his friend and a trusted companion. He wouldn’t give him up even if they offered him plenty of other ‘prettier’ servants.

The knock on the door startles him and Gilbert enters even without acknowledgment that it’s okay. He spies Matthew looking disheveled and almost walks out to give him space when Matthew flies from the sheets to wrap him in a tight hug.

He can hear Gilbert swallow hard but the embrace is returned soon enough. It’s comforting, a sense of home that he doesn’t much have any more in the Olive Kingdom. Gilbert pets his hair and holds him tight and that’s all Matthew really needs.

“I don’t like it when they talk bad about you,” He says once he’s calmed down. He sits on the edge of his bed, playing with the hem of his shirt. Gilbert cackles at his words from across him, something he never would have done two years ago. Matthew gives him a chiding look.

“Plenty people do, it does not matter so much any more,” Gilbert tells him honestly and Matthew has to sigh and put his head in his hands. It does matter though, it matters to him.

“They should keep their mouths shut,” He hisses and again Gilbert laughs. He comes closer to put an arm around Matthew and nuzzle into him. Matthew accepts the affection. Words burn on his tongue, wanting to ask a thousand times what Gilbert’s feelings are, to say a thousand times how much Gilbert means to him. It’s all cut short by another servant coming to tell him dinner is served.

It is by far the awkwardest meal Matthew has had in the Olive Kingdom. The King says nothing as he usually does but the Queen is less chatty, and when she does talk her words are clipped short. It doesn’t help that she only talks to the 2nd prince, who under her sharp words has grown quiet. Lovino is no where to be found.

Matthew sneaks looks at Gilbert behind him through out the meal, looking for some sort of comfort in his presence. Gilbert smirks softly at him when he catches Matthew looking and it’s enough to get him through the meal. Still he excuses himself early to continue his reading. It earns him a sassy remark from the queen that this time he manages to hold his tongue against.

He lounges in a chair back in his room, reading over some more historical texts about the kingdom. Gilbert is on the other side, fiddling with some tools that remind him of home. That’s when Lovino barges in, a mess of a person with a sour expression on his face that is worse than the one he normally wears.

“Fuck,” Is the only coherent thing he says when his words run off into nonsense. Matthew is quick to drop his book to his chair and go towards his spouse. Lovino is pulling at his clothes, trying to get out them. They are tattered and messy. Matthew helps him get out of his outer shirt, leaving the thin under shirt on his skin when he manages to get Lovino to look at him.

“What happened?” He asks softly and Lovino, for all his hands move, does not get farther away from the soft touch of Matthew’s hands on his shoulders. He rants and rambles hard about the lessons he had today. Arithmetic and numbers and words that hurt his brain and so mush professional letter practice and essays that made his hand hurt. Then to top it all off he had a sparring lesson that no one told him about.

“You’ll never be prepared in battle so why should you now,” He says in a high pitched voice to mock his sparring teacher. He drops to a bench on the side of the room and Matthew sits next to him, rubbing softly at his back to maybe help soothe some of the sore muscles there. Lovino only huffs and puts his head in his hands.

It’s quiet as they soak in the words Lovino spouted at them. Matthew and Gilbert share a look of unknowing. Matthew eventually leans his head on Lovino’s shoulder comfortingly.

“You’re doing so well,” He says and Lovino scoffs, dropping his hands to just glare at the bed across from them.

“To bad it’s not enough.” He spits and Matthew snatches him by his face to make him look his way.

“You are enough,” He says sternly like he might have said it to Gilbert. Lovino scrunches up his eyebrows, judging the stubborn look Matthew has on his face. He melts down to a calmer state and Matthew releases him, just slightly.

“I’m trying, but they never seem to think I’m trying,” He says softer this time. Matthew goes back to cuddling him.

“They know you will be king, they want to make sure you’re the best you can be, and you will be,” He tells his spouse. Lovino sighs and rests up against him as well. The moment is softer now. Matthew raises his head which forces Lovino to raise his, bringing them almost nose to nose.

“You will be amazing,” Matthew says to him and Lovino rolls his eyes, not moving away. A soft smile comes to Matthew’s face. He watches as the last of the anger drains from Lovino’s face. They end up just looking at each other in a moment of stillness. Slowly but surely they get closer together.

The kiss is small and sweet, definitely less awkward than when they had to for the wedding ceremony. It’s only one and after Lovino drops his head to Matthew’s shoulder to just be.

Matthew smiles at the ground, bringing his arms up to hold his spouse to him. It feels right to be with him, to be able to have these moments with him. He sighs slightly and relaxes with him, holding him tightly.

Gilbert standing awkwardly, like he’s attempting to sneak away, catches both of their attention though. He looks distraught about something and there is no way Matthew would let him leave looking like that but Lovino beat him to it.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He asks with a teasing tone but not moving from his huddled up position in Matthew’s arms. Gilbert points to the door and sputters out some semblance to a statement but doesn’t get anywhere. Lovino holds out his hand and Matthew nods him over. Tentatively Gilbert does come closer. He kneels down between them and is brought into the huddle.

He rests his head on Lovino’s legs when prompted and Matthew moves one hand to run through his messy white hair. There’s something completing about the action that really settles Matthew. A simple sense of right and belonging. A lingering homesick feeling is pushed aside for this. Lovino is relaxed and Gilbert’s agitated expression is gone. It’s exactly as it should be.

“Lovino,” Matthew says softy, both of them looking to him with utmost attention. He keeps his eyes on the stone floor.

“I know we’re married, but sometimes marriages aren’t for.. anything else,” He says in some sort of explanation. Lovino looks up to face him properly and Gilbert tenses.

“If this runs deeper than just an outward appearance,” Matthew bulks up his courage to look Lovino in the eye.

“I would like to know,” He finishes his small speech and Lovino casts his eyes back down. He twitches and when Gilbert moves his head from his leg he’s quick to place a hand to him to keep him still. A silence stretches on and Matthew puts his head on Lovino’s shoulder to wait while his spouse thinks.

He looks to Gilbert then, another piece to their puzzle and Matthew isn’t sure where he goes. As far as he’s concerned he belongs right beside them. Gilbert is glancing between the two of them from his spot on the ground. Matthew calms him by placing a gentle hand on his face. Gilbert stalls for the moment, nuzzling into the touch.

“I don’t know,” Lovino finally says and breath escapes Matthew hard.

“There’s a lot of things going on, and I want to be sure of those, before I try figuring out-” Lovino takes a second to pause, slightly turning his head to the both of them in turn. Mathew takes a deep breath and rests into him more.

“Okay, me too,” He agrees. Lovino accepts the affection, pulling both of them closer to him. It’s not the most conventional embrace, but it is very them. He can feel Lovino’s arms around him keeping him close and the grip Gilbert has on where he can reach. That homesick feeling has vanished completely.

“You’re in this mess to I hope you know,” Lovino snaps down at the servant. Gilbert lifts his head and a disbelieving laugh escapes him. Matthew smiles at the reaction but makes a note to make sure later that Gilbert knows their feelings, whatever they are, are true and real.

They both refuse to let Gilbert leave, making him dress down as much as he’s comfortable and joining them in the large bed. Matthew is stuck in the middle with them holding onto his middle. It’s confusing what he’s feeling, but knowing he’s not entirely alone in it makes it easier to handle. One day when Lovino has a handle on him being king and Matthew has the power to talk about it, they can figure out what they mean to each other, and how Gilbert fits. By what Lovino said, he’s sure they both want him to fit.

For now this is okay. For now knowing they are in this together is enough.

[oneletterwrites]

You above me

For aphyuriweek2017 (X)

Prompt: Duty over desire

Summary: A ‘what if’ in the beauty worth au where they had been born as ladies.

Pairing: Nyo Canada x Nyo South Italy x Nyo Prussia

Slight warning for self confidence issues.

–

As if being gawked at isn’t hard enough to deal with, Julchen hates it when they touch her hair without permission. Her borderline ornament status seems to make people think she is touchable in every since whether she wants it or not.

She angles her head away from someone as they come closer with their hand outstretched. They get dangerously close to her hair when she tilts far enough away from them to make them realize what they are doing is rude. A glare crosses their features and for a moment they have the gall to look offended she rejected them.

“Julchen!” The call of her name has her perking up. Madeline appears from the crowd and comes over to her. Julchen swallows hard and goes to one knee, taking peeks up at the princess she belongs too. Madeline smiles softly down at her, her long golden dress mimicking the way her hair falls. Julchen takes her hand and places it to her hairline the way Alice taught her.

“Can you to re-tie my bow please?” She asks and Julchen nods her head in agreement. She would have to do so even if she didn’t want to. It’s what she been brought to the castle for. As much as she might want to live in the outskirts again with her sister and taken mother, she can’t.

Julchen carefully takes the straps of Madeline’s dress and ties them the way she knows Madeline likes it on the back of her dress. She bows when the princess smiles at her and gasps hard when a hand is placed under her chin to lift her head.

Madeline smiles brightly at her and Julchen’s insides melt to the sight. She has to make a conscious effort to not reach her hand out to her, maybe to hold on to her a little while longer. Madeline walks back towards her throne where her fiance waits.

Katerina holds out her arm simply, the bold bright green of her outfit shines marvelously against Madeline’s gold. She’s not wearing a dress, but her tunic top is longer than normal and covers her pants in an elegant way. It wavers when she walks Madeline back onto the floor where they are supposed to be dancing.

There’s a hard lump in Julchen’s throat. Her eyes stay glued to them as they move in ways that Julchen never thought she would be exposed to. She is an abomination according to society. Silver hair that has fly aways on every layer, and red eyes that certainly complete the picture or rejection. The long scare down her face does’t help.

She had been meant to stay in the outskirts to live out the rest of her miserable life hiding her face behind a hood. Instead she had to help Madeline’s carriage that got tangled in the weeds and couldn’t move. Curse her luck to be taken to the castle as a footwoman.

The worst part is, the part that hurts Julchen deep inside, is the fact she wouldn’t give it up. Meeting Madeline and Katerina for that matter has shaped her world in a whole new way. They try so hard for her. The words they say and the looks they give are nothign but sweet and protective. The confidence they have worked to give her is more than she ever thought for herself.

Her head dips low however. Confidence or not, nothing shakes her to the core knowing they would never see her as anything other than a footwoman. It’s her job, a task given to her, a lifeline for if she refuses them death would surely be the next step. The King hates her more than she cares to admit and even though Francine is see to all, Julchen knows what happens between closed doors.

She inhales sharply as her head is snapped back up by a quick hit under her chin. Alice glares at her and then goes back to her spot by the King’s throne. Julchen sneers at her but the feelings inside linger.

It doesn’t matter how she feels. The princess and her fiance are nothing to her, nothing but superiors and masters that keep her around because they don’t want to be responsible for her death.

With a deep breath she finds them in the crowd, talking to other nobles. They laugh but it’s forced. She pushes down the urge to go to them, and be honest in a bold show, one she might have never been able to without them. Katerina catches her looking and the barest of smiles crosses her face. Her sharp features look softer for moment, and it’s all for her.

Madeline catches the look and sends one of those gentle smiles over as well, one that fills Julchen fulls of emotions that become harder and harder to hide. She swallows hard and lets them look away as much as it hurts. It’s not her place to be near them. She’s unfavorable.

The pain comes smoothly as the night goes on. Every chance the princess’s send her smiles and it’s immediately taken away from her when more beautiful people catch their attention. It’s not for her to have those smiles.

“You better watch yourself,” Alice is there next to her, hissing in her ear at the end of the night. They are cleaning up the ballroom before returning to their master’s rooms to see if they need anything else for the night. Julchen just stares at her. Alice pulls herself to her full height and glares in the way she knows how to make other people feel inferior.

“You can not be with them,” She says darkly and every single one of Julchen’s insecurities falls down on her. She grits her teeth and nods with no idea what else to do. Her long hair falls over her shoulder as she lowers her head, finally able to now that there are people not around to mock her appearance.

She knows. Every day she knows more and more whatever she feels can not be shown or known to those she feels for. What would they say if they knew? The death she might have had months ago would come down on her quick. She’s an ornament, nothing more.

When she finally does go to Madeline and Katerina’s room, She corralled inside for a moment. Madeline holds her hands and Katerina stands at the side with an easy air about her. Julchen wants to fall into it. The sweetness and the comfort and the happiness. But it’s not for her.

Quicker than before she pulls herself away from them, barely managing to get out of them wanting to hold her into the night. A strained smile is on her face and the disappointment they have on their faces she convinces herself is fake. It’s just for show. She closes their door and takes off down the hall in a brisk pace.

Her own room is almost unlived in. Barely used since she spends so much time with her princess’s. It feels cold, and yet it’s where she knows she belongs. She can’t put herself between the princess’s. With a deep breath she falls to her rickety bed, tears pricking the corner of her eyes.

No matter what she does, her role will always to be nothing.

[oneletterwrites]

Could I get a continuation of the beauty worth au? I loved it so much and id like to see what the little babus are up to after being there for a while

Part of this AU (X)

New Customs

Lovino is restless. His leg hasn’t stopped bouncing since they left Matthew’s home. He knew that this day would come eventually but he tended to ignore the possibility entirely. After spending so long in the bright colors of the Gold Kingdom, the sight of his old home is almost gloomy. A deep sigh escapes him as he tries once more to get his leg to stop moving.

Without a word Matthew takes his hand. Lovino takes a quick look at his husband. Matthew is smiling uneasily as he looks out the window. He has it worse as far as Lovino is concerned yet he’s the one doing the comforting. Lovino shakes his head. This home is more familiar to him, Matthew has been completely uprooted.

They spent a full year in the Glow Kingdom together, during the course of their engagement to see if they could be compatible as a couple. Should they have really despised each other, the engagement would have been broken off. Lovino considers himself lucky in that aspect. Matthew is sweet and agreeable in every fashion, handles his quick quips easily and usually ends up laughing at his sassy remarks. He’s very lucky.

Their wedding had been fun, or as fun as any kind of ceremony can be. The hall had been decorated in their kingdom’s crests with an overabundance of the Glow Kingdom’s favored colors. The spectators all wore subdued colors if only to make it so Matthew stood out. His outfit had soft patterns and hardly any hard edges in brilliant gold and white that made him shine.

It contrasted drastically to the dark red suit Lovino wore. The angles hard and crisp that accentuated they way he is. Opposite but complimentary. The golden ring that now sits on his finger a reminder of where his spouse had come from, a matching ring of red on Matthew’s hand.

Saying the vows had been weird, but not entirely forced. Lovino couldn’t say he didn’t have a soft spot for Matthew. The small kiss they shared has yet to be repeated though it wouldn’t be the worse thing for it to be the only one they have. Lovino is just glad to have someone around who likes him at all.

The year ended, the marriage flying by in a blur of a night, and just a month later the call for Lovino to return home with his new spouse had been made. As the 1st Prince, he is the heir to the throne, and must return home to continue being taught how to rule when his parental figures decide to retire.

As only a 2nd Prince Matthew is the one who has to go through a long goodbye not knowing when he would actually be able to see the people he calls family again. He and his brother shared a long hug and the 1st Prince tried to pretend he didn’t have tears in his eyes. Every thing Matthew called his got packed into carriages along with themselves.

Lovino looks out the window next to him. Along with his clothes and trinkets, the footman Matthew called his came too. Not that Lovino minds. At first of course he had been furious at the idea of his then fiance having a footman. It’s not something his home kingdom condoned, more so wanting people of ‘lesser looks’ far away rather than close.

Matthew had his reasons though, and Lovino can not fault him for wanting to save someone’s life, especially after it had been his fault the poor boy might have been killed. The odd beauty Matthew told him of first believed to be nonsense is nothing but the truth.

Gilbert is extraordinary in his eyes. Highly different than anyone he’s ever seen in a person and beautiful. His eyes fit so well the colors Lovino grew up with while mixed with his complexion makes him stand out. His hair is hard to keep clean he’ll admit but after a decent rinse it shines. Every day since he knew it would be okay Lovino has run his hands through it.

He’s not sure where Matthew stands with the footman but he knows the looks they both give the self confidence lacking servant are more than just an idle affection. It’s similar to the looks they give each other.

He can’t imagine the kind of pain Gilbert goes through, his whole purpose of being near them in the eyes of everyone else is just to be an ugly ornament. Lovino could never see him that and he knows Matthew hates the thought. They work so hard behind closed doors to make Gilbert laugh, show some sort of emotion other than cowering.

Some days his personality makes a break for it, laughing loudly and saying something a little too snarky that might get him whacked in the back of his head. Lovino snorts and mocks the person for having no sense of humor while Matthew makes sure Gilbert is okay.

Some days though the world seems to shatter at the dejected look Gilbert can’t seem to shake. They usually happen on eventful days. Days where he is fully seen with his comforting hood pulled back and no where to escape from the other ‘pretty titles’ mocking him for how he is. Those days make Lovino furious.

He can’t count how many times he’s stood up to others for Gilbert’s sake and he plans to continue to do so no matter what. It’s cruel that someone like Gilbert has to be put through what being a footman is. If anything, Lovino is glad for it only because otherwise he never would have gotten to meet the wonderful person Gilbert is.

“Yo,” He says plainly. Gilbert looks to him from the horse that has been given to him. Matthew squeezes Lovino’s hand on the other side and he catches a glimpse of the smile on his spouse's face. Lovino smirks at Gilbert who has his brows twisted in confusion.

“Just so you know, my Kingdom does not have footmen,” Lovino tells him. He snorts at the way Gilbert’s eyes widen.

“What’s going to happen then?” Matthew asks. Lovino turns to him quick to share the smirk then back to Gilbert.

“Guess he’ll have to be our personal servant,” He shrugs. Gilbert almost looks disappointed but Lovino has a plan.

“You’ll have to be with us at all times and make sure we have everything we need,” He explains, putting emphasis on the fact Gilbert should be with them no matter what. Matthew giggles and a small smile cracks itself onto Gilbert’s face.

“That won’t be too hard will it?” Matthew asks happily from the other side. Gilbert shakes his head and a snicker manages to slip out of him.

“Not at all my princes,” He says but there’s a glow in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. Lovino is a little proud to say he’s the reason for that.

–

“Lovi!” Catching his brother somewhat easily, Lovino hugs Feliciano tightly, moving to bow to his mother and father next. His mother giggles brightly and pulls him in, forcing his dad to at least give him a comforting pat. Servants pour out of the castle to unload Matthew’s things and put them in the room the two will share. The Olive Palace is a welcome sight to him and the small homesickness he may have felt is far gone.

“Who is that?” Feli asks once he notices Gilbert carrying a special bag of Matthew’s more prized possessions. Gilbert bows properly first then tenses looking to Lovino and Matthew for help on what to do.

“He is my personal servant,” Matthew interjects quickly. The king and queen give each other odd looks at the excuses.

“He’s a little..strange don’t you think?” The queens says. Lovino smacks a hand to his face.

“Don’t be rude Carmen,” The king says to her though his disgust is just as evident. Lovino sighs.

“He used to be a footman, but we have both grown accustomed to his help and company and do not wish for him to leave,” He says darkly. The king and queen stare at him blankly before the queen laughs loudly and ruffles Lovino’s hair to mess it up.

“You always were the fiery one,” She says in a semi-condescending way. She turns on her heel and Feli follows after when she beckons for him, always the favorite. The king however pinches the bridge of his nose with a sigh.

“I trust you’ll forgive her eventually?” He asks. Lovino just raises an eyebrow to the question. Though not the worst of kings, as a father figure Roderich has some skills lacking.

“Not likely,” Lovino quips back at him. He waves Matthew and Gilbert to follow him. They both bow when they pass the king and scurry to follow after Lovino as he guides them to where he knows they have set him and Matthew up together. Their things are mingled already.

Once the door is closed Lovino presses the palms of his hands to his eyes with a deep sigh.

“How fucking rude!” He shouts suddenly causing Gilbert to almost drop the bag in his hands. He passes it off to Matthew quickly for fear of actually dropping it while Matthew just carelessly tosses the bag to the large bed in the center of the room.

“Lovino it’s going to be okay,” He says placing a soft hand on Lovino’s arm. He groans and snatches Matthew up in a tight hug that’s immediately returned. The squeeze is momentarily stopped by Lovino and Matthew both waving Gilbert closer. He does so hesitantly. When they wrap him up in the hug his hold on the two of them grows bold.

“One day no is going to say anything bad about you,” Lovino hisses aloud but they all know he says it for Gilbert’s sake. A small laugh escapes Gilbert and he smiles to Lovino gratefully.

“I’m pretty content to just be here with you both,” He says just a little awkwardly. Matthew takes Gilbert’s hand sweetly though Lovino’s glare grows.

“Content isn’t good enough, you deserve to be happy,” His tone is bitter. Gilbert laughs again but they can tell how much the sincerity gets to him when he casually rubs a small tear out of his eye. Lovino takes another deep breath then falls face first onto their bed. He’s joined by the two and lets them squish him into the feathers.

“Right now though, this is okay,” Matthew says to him. He grunts in response and Gilbert’s snicker is heard. As much as he hates how badly Gilbert is treated, what they have has to be enough. There will not be anything he can do until he is king and even then, it will take hours of learning, teaching, not to mention the years it will take to gain the proper knowledge. He’s still young.

They remain cuddled in bed until another servant comes to tell them a feast has been prepared. They join the main family in the dinning hall. Matthew is the one to answer questions about their time in his kingdom and the wedding. Lovino stays mostly silent until he has to talk. Gilbert stands with the other servants who aren’t sure how to treat him but his head is held high.

It will take some time Lovino knows this but one day he will make it so no one ever says anything bad about Gilbert again. The side glances they share and the slight smirks that appear when they do only cement the idea. Matthew smiles between them too and though Lovino isn’t sure where his feelings sit with the both of them, he knows he doesn’t want either of them to be less than happy.

[oneletterwrites]

Can you write more beauty worth au? I love the idea, it's awesome, and I'd love to see more! Thank you! :)

Sequel to this post (X)

Days with you

The year has been nice to him in his stay.The Glow Kingdom castle has become his home, and though he still feels widely uneasy being surrounded by the bright colors, some blinding if looked at the wrong way, Gilbert did find things to like about being a footman. Never before would he believe such a thing, but the nice came in unexpected ways that lingered and made him think late into the night.

The clothes proved to him are nicer than any he has ever owned, tailored to fit him, each with a hood for his own security. The colors mostly dark, contrasting his hair and eyes, a fact he didn’t like at first, but Matthew smoothing out his outfit, smiling softly and telling him he looked ‘handsome as ever’ in the outfit made him beam as best he could.

Matthew made his whole experience better in general. The second prince never got cross with him, speaking softly when he could sweet words that made Gilbert more enamored. He did think the prince beautiful, but his kindness a different kind of beauty Gilbert hadn’t seen before. He seemed to always want Gilbert around him, even when having a footman around wouldn’t be necessary for any reason.

He’s lucky Lovino doesn’t mind either. The Prince from the Olive Kingdom scared him sometimes. His glare is sharp and his tongue sharper. Still, Gilbert has never been on the receiving end of it. More often than not he’s the one being protected on the other side of it. It amazes him that someone of Lovino’s stature would go far to do such a thing and after every time Lovino would pass by, running his hand through Gilbert’s hair gently and reassuring. It makes Gilbert stay up at night too.

He can feel a difference in himself sometimes. Moments before when he knows he would have been too scared to say anything, he quips and talks. His voice is more even now when he talks and his laugh is louder. The year has changed him and it feels like it’s for the better. It has to be. The princes wouldn’t smile so proud if it isn’t.

The princes are too nice to him and a small part of him still does think it’s some sort of joke on him, that one day when he finally feels okay with them, they’re going to pull the rug from under his feet, dropping any confidence he got from them lower than before. The thought scares him. They do make him feel better about himself, his appearance, his personality. They compliment him often enough to make him really feel special. Matthew’s loving words and Lovino’s brash statements make him feel like he’s not an ornament for them to string around.

On the other hand, he’s often strung around whether the prince’s or he likes it. The manners lessons have stopped thankfully and he doesn’t have to deal with Arthur breathing down his neck about every last detail or every stupid thing. He still messes up his manners sometimes regardless, though his princes don’t seem to mind.

He loathes every part of joining them for gatherings and public events. He stands behind them like Arthur told him is proper, keeping just enough distance to not skew Matthew’s or Lovino’s image, but close enough to be compared too. He hears every snide remark the people make about him. Not even his hood can stop the disgust he has for himself that boils up and over in his chest.

Never could he be mad at Matthew for making the decision he did. His life depended on it and he can’t be mad, refuses to. Still it hurts knowing his entire existence to these people is nothing more than a creature to be made fun of. It only makes him hang his head in shame which further proves their point that he is next to nothing.

Their words and voices flood his senses, chipping away little by little the confidence Matthew and Lovino have worked so hard to build. The confidence he’s worked so hard to believe he has. It’s instinct to reach up and pull his hood more over his face to stop the nobles from looking.

His hood is snatched back and the under side of his chin smacked up. Arthur glares at him, pushing at his shoulders to make him stand back up straight instead of the slouch he curled himself into. Gilbert snaps into the position he practiced for months with Arthur not helping the confidence thing. When satisfied Arthur goes back to the side of the King, bowing for leaving his side for the minute.

Gilbert holds back rolling his eyes. Arthur mentored him on everything he would need to know about being a footman. The rules and manner and stupid regulations that he needed to follow. The one rule he had a problem with being knocking on doors. He did learn that lesson the hard way, accidentally opening the door to the King and Arthur snogging. They didn’t notice him, and he never plans to tell them what he saw.

Sadly that moment gave him hope that maybe one day Matthew or Lovino would grow to like him in such a way. He glances at them, sitting beside each other in thrones made for them. They’re holding hands, whispering to each other as they look out into the sea of people dancing and mingling about. Gilbert shoves down the tightness in his chest. It’s not his place to interfere with their marriage.

Their wedding had been beautiful. Gilbert stood at the front of the room, next to Matthew the whole time. He could see them exchange the given vows and laugh when they had to put on rings, and the awkward smiles when they were told to kiss. He enjoyed being able to see it, but it’s a bittersweet memory to him now.

“This is boring,” Gilbert moves his gaze to the wife of the First Prince of the Glow Kingdom. She’s pretty too he can admit. Long lavender hair and ice cold eyes makes sense to him why the Cold Kingdom had such a princess. Alfred laughs and gently pulls her to her feet, swinging her to the dance floor. She looks bored as he moves her about but her nuzzling into his chest makes Gilbert wonder how close the two actually are.

He perks up when Matthew giggles, him and Lovino moving to the dance floor as well. Matthew’s golden outfit and Lovino’s dark red mix beautifully as they move together, sometimes stepping on each other’s feet, other times smiling sweetly as they enjoy each other’s company.

Gilbert’s smile at watching them falls. A pit of sadness is growing inside him and it’s hard to find out why. He can be happy as is with the princes, and yet his heart wishes for something different. It’s stupid to hope and he shakes his head out of those thoughts.

“Never seen one like it.” The end of a sentence reaches him and he keeps his eyes glued to the ground, knowing for a fact it’s directed at him. The conversation continues, bluntly talking about him. He wants to hide. He wants to tell them to mind their own business. He can do neither.

A hand it placed under his chin, gently to lift his head up to lock eyes with Matthew smiling at him. Lovino is behind him, sending a wicked glare to the ones so rudely talking about him. Gilbert can feel some tears wanting to prick through his eyes and their kindness but it’s swept away by Matthew taking his hand and holding it tight. Lovino takes the cue and takes Gilbert’s other hand.

Somehow the world seems right again and Gilbert smiles at them. The clearing of a throat catches all of their attention. Gilbert almost swears and kneels, making it seem like he’s just bowing to his princes. He hides a smirk with his head low and both the royals laugh. He takes a peek at both of them, their eyes sparkling and looking at him.

–

At the end of the night Gilbert gets another lecture from Arthur for his blatant rudeness. He takes the lecture in stride. He used to cower and apologize for every small mistake. Now he can keep his head up and brush off Arthur’s insults. He never fights back. The threat of death is still too real for him. So instead he mocks Arthur on his way back to the princes room.

“He’s such an ass,” Lovino waves a glass nail file hazardously when Gilbert tells them why he got stalled. Matthew giggles into his hand.

“He does mean the best,” He tries to reassure but both Lovino and Gilbert roll their eyes. Leave it to Matthew to try and see the best in everyone. Gilbert is rather thankful he does.

“He doesn’t even follow his own rules,” Gilbert complains earning a weird look from both princes. He fumbles for his words, spilling when pestered what he saw Arthur and the king doing. Lovino sputters into a laugh while Matthew looks scandalized, yet not surprised.

“My mom did run away with her footwoman so,” He says by way of explanation. Gilbert forces out a short laugh, that scarce hope of before resurfacing with the new information.

He brushes past it, helping both princes get in night clothes, making small snide remarks as he ties up the backs for them. The small bit of snark he has it replaced with confusion as they pull him down into their bed between them, sandwiching him in a hug. It’s cozy and warm. It makes him want to forget going to his own room in exchange for staying with them.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Matthew whispers to him. His heart pounds wildly. Lovino shifts and holds him tighter.

“Me too,” Lovino agrees. Gilbert snuggles into the both of them. He’s never had so much love directed his way. He freezes when Lovino kiss the top of his head though. The action makes Matthew giggle.

“I think you scared him,” He laughs. Lovino shrugs without a care. Gilbert peeks up to see them both, both of them already smiling down at him. Embarrassed by the affection he hides thoroughly in the covers, knowing they are not laughing at him when he does.

[oneletterwrites]

Hello! I love your writings and I'm obsessed with everything. You have all the rare pares I love. If it isn't too much trouble could I ask for a PruxCanxS.Itly soul mate prompt? Howe ER you want it to Go? Thank you so much in advance!!

Okay so here’s the deal :O Though it’s not a soulmate au, I wrote this shabby thing months ago and forgot about it until I saw this prompt. It’s based off a world where your level of worth is dependent on how beautiful people think you are. It’s one of my favorite ideas and I know it’s not soulmate specific but I hope you like it regardless :O Thank you so much for reading!!

Your Worth

Matthew is nearly slumping in the back of the carriage. He’s very mindful to keep up straight since his father would most likely yell at him for his bad posture if he’s caught. He has to be kept up straight to be the prettiest he can be. He sighs, finally turning his head from watching out the thinly veiled window to his hands in his lap. He smooths out the elegant pale yellow robes draped over his legs not knowing what else to do.

“Cheer up Matthew,” Alfred says to him looking as unbothered as anything. Matthew nearly glares at him but keeps himself in control. It’s hard for him to cheer up. It seems no matter what he says, his father will not give up on the idea of him having a footman. The idea gives Matthew knots in his stomach. He thinks it’s cruel. To keep someone around just to wait on you and be there only to make yourself look better. He could never do that to someone.

Keeping his face schooled into a neutral mask he looks back out the window at the passing countryside. Part of him really dislikes how the kingdoms are set up, yet he has no say. Only the beautiful people can be royalty, so he supposes he is lucky to be considered a prince in the Glow Kingdom, but in the end he has no idea what some people consider beautiful.

His older brother, or so people tell him, is apparently beautiful enough be to be considered the 1st prince. Tall and built strong, a certain kind of sun kissed skin that makes him royalty. Matthew plays with the ends of his hair. He doesn’t understand beauty, sometimes wishing he never had it to begin with. Maybe then he could feel at ease. Maybe then they wouldn’t be on this trip.

Not that he’s upset to be travelling to a new place, but the reason makes him anxious. His father wants to set up a small alliance with the Olive Kingdom through marriage. Since Alfred is already engaged to the 2nd Princess of the Cold Kingdom, it’s Matthew’s given duty to step up. He’s never met the Princes of the Olive Kingdom. He hopes they are nice. Hopefully they won’t be as vain as some he knows.

He goes to sigh but the lurching of the carriage has him squeaking instead. He peeks out the window as his father comes around from his own carriage, glaring down softly at the stuck wheel of the carriage Matthew and Alfred are in. They’ll be late if they are stalled for too long.

“Someone will be by soon right?” He asks. To that his father almost sneers and that’s when Matthew figures out where they are. The outskirts where two kingdoms join, where most of unfavorable in appearance go to live and hide.

–

Gilbert peeks out from under his hood, blinking curiously at the stopped carriages at the far road leading between kingdoms. He glances behind him quickly to his given family, then sneaks away. He’s been living in the outskirts for his whole life. His taken father told him openly he would have died if not for him coming to aid, that no family wanted such a sight to be bestowed upon them.  

He knows that his looks are not good. Some would go as far as to call him an abomination with the way his white hair catches dirt and his eyes stayed red. So he’s learned. He keeps his head down and his blackened hood over his face as he gets closer, trying to keep his ears open to the voices.

“Excuse me,” He says loud enough for them to hear from where he stopped far enough away to not show them his face too much. He recognized the carriages the closer he got, internally panicking at the royal insignia’s but already too close to back away. He bows his body down to show respect.

“Do you need assistance?” He asks as politely as he can, the way his father told him how in any case. He debates running when they don’t answer.

“Father please,” A voice begs. There’s a sigh.

“If you can,” The voice in unkind. Gilbert bows more to show thanks for the acceptance of his help. He keeps his head down as he approaches the wheel, stuck in a branch and twisted into not being able to turn properly. His mind picks out the problem easily with his father’s smith shop rubbing off on him. He pulls out a tool from his ragged pockets and works on debending the wheel.

“Would it help for us to get out so the weight isn’t as much?” The same voice from before filters over him. Gilbert is tempted to look at who speaks so kindly, but his mind telling him that such royalty should not be exposed to such a fright as he is makes him keep his eyes on his task. Before he can say anything the being in the carriage gets out. He’s very aware of them watching him.

It takes him a moment, but the branch comes out with a tug. He throws it off the side of the road then turns back to where he knows the royalty is and bows.

“Thank you,” The kind voice says. Gilbert swallows down his curiosity. He wants to look. He wants to see what the royals looks like. Never before has someone from where he lives been graced with such presence. He stands up and the hood is thrown from his face without his doing.

His eyes widen before he can think, locking in on the person in front of him. They are breathtaking in every way. Soft features and golden hair, the gentlest kind of violet in their eyes. He opens his mouth to speak but he can’t find the words. He’s never seen such sweetness.

“You’re beautiful,” Say the person in front of him and his throat clenches up. Never before has he heard that, especially directed at him. Then it hits him. If he can see the royalty, they can see him. He stumbles back, falling over and skittering away from them. He fumbles for his hood to pull back over his head.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to look, I didn’t mean to,” The words pour from his lips. There are rules in place. Only the worthy can look at the beautiful ones. His heart pounds from in his chest, over seeing such a person, over being called such a compliment from them as well. Not to mention the angry voice yelling.

“He should be punished for looking!” The man yells. Gilbert winces. He should have known better. He should have stayed home with his scar faced father and dog faced brother like the cretin he is.

“No it wasn’t his fault!” The kind voice shouts back and walking closer to him. Gilbert flinches when they rest a hand on his head and kneel down. He keeps his head down as they slowly pull back his hood again. He closes his eyes tight. He can’t risk looking anymore.

“I want him.” Suddenly the hand is gone from him. He snaps his eyes up to the royal, staring down the other with a set look on his face. Gilbert looks between them scared. What he is going to be used for he has no idea.

“I thought you hated the idea of a footman?” The other questions and Gilbert’s heart snaps. Of course, he should have known. The only way someone would ever call him such a thing is if it was for another purpose besides his looks. To be a footman is a testament to your obstructing looks, to be nothing but an ornament to make fun of. He closes his eyes again.

It hurts deep down. He doesn’t want to believe that he’s abnormal, that maybe he could be considered pretty one day. The compliment he received not four moments ago nearly brought him to tears and now he truly sees.

“I do, but- I-” The young one sputters, looking down at him once more. Gilbert keeps his head down, mindlessly pulling his hood back. The words suddenly rush over him and before he knows it the royals are gone, a bird flying back towards the castle, and a promise that they are coming back for him. Gilbert lifts his hood to watch the carriage disappear. He has to go tell his father. He has to go tell someone he’s been chosen.

–

Lovino hates these engagement parties. How many people have come to his kingdom, thinking that the 2nd prince must surely be available now, when he has yet to married, therefore keeping Feliciano single. It’s not his fault that that the people decided him to be the 1st prince. Apparently his looks fit a more regal standing, his brother being on the adorable side. He sighs and dreads meeting whatever spoiled entitled prince thinks they can come in and sweep Feliciano off his feet only to find it’s Lovino who they have the option for.

When the guests arrive he immediately sneers at the boisterous personality of the 1st prince. Alfred if what his mother told him is correct. He hates him almost instantly. He rolls his eyes at him siding right up to Feliciano to talk, not bothering when Lovino glares at him dangerously. He doesn’t want to be shucked off to some self assured prick.

He watches from the side of the room as the 1st prince of the Glow Kingdom plays nice with his brother, not even trying to near him. Not that Lovino would want to talk to them in the first place, but they should know who they are attempting to marry. He tsks.

“Your brother is loud too I see,” A voice says. He raises an eyebrow to the person dressed in sparkling yellow next to him. The 2nd prince he assumes. He sighs and doesn’t respond. Still the 2nd prince stands by him, playing absently with his sleeves that are too long. The quiet eventually gets to Lovino and he groans in annoyance.

“My name is Lovino,” He says while clenching his teeth. Finally he turns to fully face the prince next to him. They are not the worst he’s ever seen. They are softer looking, gentle in a graceful way. They laugh slightly and Lovino actually relaxes. It’s been so long since someone took his anger spikes in stride instead of striding away.

“Matthew,” They say. The air between them is calmer now. Eventually he feels comfortable to talk softly to the other prince. Matthew smiles to him and interacts in a pleasant way. It’s a little new, talking to someone easily. Lovino finds himself enjoying the other’s presence, way more than he thought or expected.

“So your brother, is he having fun pretending to court my brother?” Lovino says bitterly. To that Matthew laughs and Lovino finds himself staring. The corners of his mouth twitch into a smile at making someone laugh.

“He would if not already engaged.” Lovino stares wide eyed at the other at the new information. Matthew blinks up at him and then frets.

“He’s engaged to a princess from the cold kingdom, I’m actually supposed to be talking to your brother but..” He explains and trails off. Lovino grits his teeth. His mind races. If Alfred is already engaged, that means Matthew is the next in line. He scoffs to himself. They’re probably here to engage Matthew to Feliciano, which won’t happen. He stalks away from the other prince before his temper gets the best of him, ignoring the soft call of his name. 

He should have known better. How foolish it would be to get his hopes up. He nearly makes it out of the hall when his mother catches him by the arm and pulls him back out to the crowd of people to see if the engagement will follow through. Lovino spends his time scowling at the ground.

“If the 2nd prince will accept ours,” The Glow King says. Lovino shakes his head as his mother informs him that it’s not Feliciano he’ll be marrying. He ignores the startled look from Matthew. He actually liked him as a person. He closes his eyes tight.

“Ah, I’m sorry for the-”

“Wait,” Lovino interrupts him, earning him a startled look from his mother. He steps down, staring boldy at Matthew.

“I would be willing to marry the 2nd prince of the Glow Kingdom.” There’s a collective gasp from all around him. Maybe his reputation of being unmarriable has grown without him knowing. He gets flustered and looks away. Maybe he should have kept his mouth shut. Why would anybody want to be with him.

“I accept,” Once more he finds himself staring dumbly at Matthew who is smiling brightly at him. The rejoicing comes soon after and he’s pushed into Matthew violently. Before he knows it his things are packed and he’s on the way to the Glow Kingdom.

–

It’s not awkward, surprisingly to Matthew, sitting in the carriage by themselves and not talking much. Alfred is with their father to give them as newly engaged some alone time. There’s not much need for conversation. The air around them is pleasant in a simple way. Matthew can’t help but admire the stoic beauty that is Lovino though. Grace with a sharp tongue and a rich complexion.

Naturally he thought he was going to be engaged to the 2nd prince, or at least that’s what his father told him. To find it would be Lovino who he would be marrying, it made him feel better. He liked Feliciano sure, but their interaction hadn’t been as easy, more forced at least on Matthew’s end. He couldn’t just let Lovino stand there rejected when he so bravely offered himself up.

“Young prince we are approaching your new footman,” One of the guards call. Matthew perks up, looking out the window almost excited to see the boy again.

“You what?” At the dark tone he turns to his fiance, glaring at him. He flushes up and grimaces, trying to find words to say.

“It’s not the normal way!” He says first. Lovino narrows his eyes and crosses his arms, turning away from Matthew pointedly. Matthew whimpers.

“Father was going to kill him for looking at me, I didn’t know what else to do save his life.” Matthew looks at his hands. He really got himself in a tangled situation.

“It was all my fault I removed his hood, he was so beautiful I didn’t-” Matthew cuts himself by covering his mouth with his hands. It must be insulting to call someone else beautiful with his new fiance right next to him. He peeks up at Lovino giving him an incredulous look. He sighs and looks down again.

“I’m sorry, I just. I didn’t know what to do.” He admits. He jumps when Lovino moves to sit next to him.

“At least your not one of those pompous fucks. At least you’re honest.” Lovino says almost a little dejected. Matthew takes his hands quickly.

“I didn’t mean to insult you if I did. You’re amazing but in a different kind of way,” He says. Lovino raises an eyebrow and ever so slightly a blush appears. He turns his head away and Matthew releases a breath in relief.

“Is he nice at least?” He asks. Matthew nods his head, detailing what happened to his fiance to fill him in. After the tale Lovino seems more open to the idea of the footman, especially after Matthew explains the way the footman will look. Matthew finishes talking just as they stop outside the village. He spies Arthur, his father’s footman coming down the road on horse, with the other right next to him on his own horse as well.

–

His father stood speechless when Gilbert told him what happened. His little brother practically dropped the metal in his hands to stare him down like he grew a second head. It would almost be an improvement to how he already looks.

“That is, the strangest thing,” His father told him as he put his few belongings in a brown cloth pack. The bird the Glow King sent out went back to his own castle, to summon his own footman to give Gilbert a crash course in manners and how to act.

Arthur came riding into the village like royalty on his own, looking down on Gilbert’s family and their neighbors in general, most of them wondering what kind of palace person would ever visit them. Then of course he removed Gilbert’s hood and hissed at him.

“Young prince Matthew has lost his pretty little head,” He spat. Gilbert’s heart sped up at hearing the name, knowing exactly who the king’s footman was talking about. He cleaned Gilbert up, washed his hair and gave him better looking clothes, told him that he at least looked more decent. He fiddles with the new outfit as he rides on the back of the horse brought for him up to the road where the carriages are already waiting. He hops off his horse when Arthur does.

“When your royal presents themselves,” Arthur tells him as the king appears. The footman kneels down, taking gently the kings hand in his and places it gently to his hairline.

“It is respectful not to look, and barely to touch. Hand to head like a pet,” Arthur tells him. Gilbert looks down when the other carriage door is opened. He makes sure to look down, watching his feet as he approaches his new prince. His breathing feels tight in his chest as he gently takes the prince’s, Matthew’s hand, in his and places it to his hairline, thankful now it had been washed. He wants to look. He wants to see the soft violet eyes but he’s done enough stupid things for the day.

“And to their spouse,” Gilbert jerks. He didn’t know that. The words wash over him and he obeys silently, standing and bending at the waist to do the same thing for the new fiance, though not as lowly since he is not the immediate one Gilbert is serving, just like Arthur tells him. He swallows thickly as they leave and he finally looks up. He reaches a hand to his neck to pull his hood over his face only to find he doesn’t have one on this outfit. He whimpers to himself and climbs back on his horse.

He rides silently next to the carriage, looking mostly away from it to not see either prince inside. For a moment he thought the prince would like him, maybe see past his looks. He must have been wrong.

“Excuse me,” A rich voice says. Gilbert instinctively looks to it. He’s lucky his horse knows what’s doing cause he surely would have stopped. The person next to the soft prince is darker skinned but no less beautiful. There’s a clip in his features and unattainable aurora to him. Gilbert gulps and turns his head away. He shouldn’t be looking.

“He is different,” The unattainable prince says. Matthew giggles. Gilbert pretends it doesn’t hurt.

“He’s pretty in a different kind of way.” Gilbert snaps his eyes back to the window in shock, both princes smiling at him from the window.  He’s not sure if this is some kind of cruel joke on him anymore.

“What’s your name?” The soft prince asks him. He reaches for his hood again, gritting his teeth when he doesn’t find it.

“Gilbert,” He croaks out. Matthew smiles brightly while the other prince barely smirks.

“I’m Matthew,” His prince says. Gilbert nods his head not knowing what else to do.

“Lovino,” The sharp prince informs him. Again he nods. He manages to pry his eyes away from their beauty back to the horse. He pets it to keep his mind off of things, maybe distract him from the easy talking of the princes next to him.

–

Lovino is almost glad he let Matthew explain himself. Naturally he felt horrendously angry at his new fiance for having a footman, the idea of degrading someone like such is something looked down upon in his kingdom. Even if he doesn’t like the idea, he’s at least at ease Matthew did it for a good reason.

The footman Matthew chose, who introduced himself as Gilbert, is far different just like Matthew described him. His hair is white like the snowfall and his eyes shine like jewels. He’s decently dressed in what Lovino assumes to be new clothes, and he finds an urge in him to find an outfit that makes the footman look down right dashing. He finds himself agreeing with Matthew that Gilbert is beautiful in a different way.

When they reach the Glow Kingdom, he’s bombarded with the bright colors. The whites and golds are nearly blinding compared to the dark reds and greens he himself is used to. He narrows his eyes and looks out the window, the poor new footman twitching and looking away from everyone as best he can. Lovino takes one of the shawls he has and holds it out the window.

“Take it,” He orders. The footman does after just a second of hesitation, wrapping it around his head and letting it hang over his face. Matthew squeezes his hand. For what Lovino isn’t sure but he’s glad he did what he did. Now the footman can stop twitching in that annoying way.

The bustle is hard once they leave the carriage. They’re pulled this way and that and bathed down to remove the dirt from their trip. He finds himself tossed into a room where Matthew is already waiting. The glow prince laughs easily and Lovino finds it in him to relax. He walks over to his fiance and takes a seat by him on the bench near the window.

“Where did the footman go?” He asks, looking out into the garden that spreads far with trees and flowers of all sorts. Matthew shrugs.

“Probably with Arthur to get new clothes, maybe learn some new manners,” He says sadly. Lovino huffs but says nothing. They stay in silence for longer when there’s a knock at the door. Lovino is the one to answer it.

“I’m supposed to come tell you it’s time for dinner,” The poor white haired footman says with his head down. Lovino doesn’t even think as he grabs the boy by the wrist and pulls him inside.

“Are you okay?” Matthew asks him quickly, taking his hands and holding them tight. Gilbert turns his head down, trying to pull away and not look at them. His new outfit has a hood.

“Yes I just. I’m not used to. This is.” Lovino removes his hood, making him stop his yabbering. He blinks wide eyed at both of them. Lovino reaches out a hand to gently run his fingers through Gilbert’s hair.

“He is breathtaking,” He muses out loud. Matthew giggles and nuzzles his face into Gilbert’s hands.  

“You have to know why I chose you,” Matthew tells him earnestly. He forces Gilbert to sit on the bench and paces back and forth as he explains his position. Lovino leans casually against the wall and listen to the story again and watching Gilbert’s face. The footman stares dumbly as Matthew talks.

“Because I wanted to see you again,” Matthew finishes. Lovino raises an eyebrow to the shock on the footman’s face, then freaks out as he starts to cry. Matthew is to him first pulling him into a tight hug. Lovino simply takes one of his hands to hold tightly.

“I’ve never, been treated so kindly,” He admits through his sobs. Lovino grits his teeth. No one should be treated like this. He sighs and rubs his thumb over Gilbert’s hand.  

“You deserve more,” He says plainly. Matthew agrees and Gilbert cries harder. They almost miss dinner if it not for another footman angrily banging on the door, yelling how Matthew chose a broken boy. He’s silenced easily by Lovino who opens the door and tells the footman to try and yell at him again. They bow low and scurry off.

Knowing the way Matthew leads them down to the dining hall. Lovino keeps a close eye on the footman, who he supposes now is partially his as well. The hood over their face has his heart twisting up in knots. It’s not fair that he should have to hide. Lovino wants to see him more.

He and Matthew are in sync through the meal, both taking glances at the footman and offering nicer looks than they offer the others. Well Matthew smiles all the same but Lovino ends up cracking a corner smile when he catches the footman sneakily looking back at them too.

It’s hard to say how long it will be before they can unwind every inch of self hatred the footman has for himself. Gilbert desrves more than that in his opinion. He wants to see the footman in action, moving and smiling and enjoying himself like he should be able to without fear and without having to hide his face. When he looks to Matthew, already smiling shyly at his footman, he can tell his fiance feels the same.

It will take time, and maybe some fighting, but he promises to himself that one day Gilbert will have confidence to stand beside them and know that he is beautiful as they truly think he is.