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Post by England on Mar 26, 2010 12:55:32 GMT -5
He pulled back in a daze, filled to the brim with happiness - a sensation he swore he'd never felt before in his life. Finally opening his eyes when Afonso spoke - and 'wow' did sum this whole thing up rather succinctly - he flushed to the very tips of his ears, surprised that he'd had the gall to do what he'd just done.
The part of him that had been trying to deny his affections died off there and then - as Afonso leaned their foreheads together, all he could do was grin like a buffoon and stare into his eyes. "D-don't think me strange..." he mumbled, wishing that his articulacy didn't vanish when he was embarrassed, "But... Afonso... I... I think I l-" that word - that dreaded word, was stuck on his tongue as a bite of pain when through his chest. He's been active too long, and this - this discovering he was in love thing - took his breath away enough that it bothered his still healing lung.
Backing up with a cough in his sleeve, he reached down and grabbed one of Afonso's hands, squeezing it reassuringly to let him know the he was fine, despite the coughs.
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Post by Portugal on Mar 26, 2010 18:10:19 GMT -5
Had Arthur been about to say what Afonso thought he was? His eyes widened at the mere thought, and a pleasant warmth continued to flood through his system. Part of his mind was commenting that it was all going too fast. That there was no way he could have fallen for someone so quickly. But he ignored it, looking at Arthur, waiting for him to continue.
Of course, any other thoughts vanished the moment Arthur began coughing. And his eyes went wide in a small panic. That is until the others hand found his, and the reassuring squeeze put his worry at ease. He held the hand quietly, brushing his thumb across the back of the Brit's hand in hopes to be some sort of comfort. "We should get you back to your ship."
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Post by England on Mar 29, 2010 13:21:13 GMT -5
As the coughs abated once more, he nodded at Afonso, agreeing with what he'd said. "I... think that perhaps that would be for the best." he said with one final cough, never once letting go of that warm hand. "This way." he smiled through the embarrassed blush that had returned to his face at having not only interrupted himself with those hated coughs, but also... had he really been about to confess his love?
Nibbling on his lip absently as they walked, he found that yes, he had been... and no, he didn't regret it. The only thing he did seem to regret... was that he'd nearly ruined the kiss. From a distance, the Grim came into view and he felt a modicum of relief at being able to get off his leg again, as it was starting to throb.
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Post by Portugal on Mar 29, 2010 23:23:52 GMT -5
He glanced towards the approaching harbor, half wishing that it was farther away. After all, when was the next time he would be able to see the Brit? But then he looked at the other, remembering his injuries. And mentally he scolded himself for being selfish for even thinking that.
"How's your leg?" Concern was etched into his voice, Afonso glancing at Arthur worriedly. His leg had to be bothering him, it probably hurt. He half wondered if he should offer to carry him. But Arthur would probably deny it even if he really did need to be carried.
Afonso hoped desperately the next time they met he would be fully recovered.
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Post by England on Apr 1, 2010 13:52:20 GMT -5
Hiding the limp as best he could, he sent another reassuring smile to Afonso. "It's not bad - that break did wonders for it." it was a little lie - it had felt better, even if now he was ready for another break. Stopping just in front of the gangplank, he turned back around. "I... I know this is a stupid question... I nearly know what the answer is, even before I ask it." he chewed on his lip, before forcing himself to stop - if he kept worrying at it, it would start to bleed. "Would... would you consider joining my crew?"
To be able to see Afonso every day would be a pleasure - something to look forward to every day. But something - something deep inside, that he couldn't quite see - told him that the answer would be no.
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Post by Portugal on Apr 1, 2010 23:35:58 GMT -5
If it had been anyone else asking him this question, Afonso was sure he would have no hesitation in saying 'no'. And yet the answer caught in his throat. He fell quiet looking at Arthur, before allowing his gaze to trail to the ship they stood in front of. And he imagined what life would be like. He would be able to see Arthur everyday, and that mere thought almost made him say 'yes'.
But then he remembered Antonio, the rest of the La Madre Maria. And he knew he could never betray them. He couldn't serve another crew. The revelation made his heart ache. "Arthur... I'm sorry but... I couldn't. I'm a member of the La Madre Maria. I can't leave them."
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Post by England on Apr 2, 2010 12:04:17 GMT -5
He smiled, painfully and knowingly. "I guessed as much. You struck me as a very loyal person..." he paused for a moment, head turned to look up at his ship fondly. Then, an idea struck him, one that sat just fine in his mind.
"Afonso... I have something for you." he pulled his hand out of the portuguese man's warm grip, reaching for his neck. Pushing aside the cravat he was wearing, his fingers pulled away with a deceivingly delicate looking chain. Oh the end of the chain, however, was a glowing green jewel.
"This..." he took in a deep breath. "this is my most prized possession. You've heard of the Legendary treasure, I assume by now -" he broke of with a light, nervous laugh. "What am I thinking, you're on Antonio's crew, of course you have. This here, this jewel - is a piece of the map." he cupped the gem in his hand, skin glowing green in the light it gave off. "When a captain manages to get all the pieces, they're supposed to show the way to the treasure... and I want you to keep my piece safe for me."
He held it out, chain hanging loosely in the air between them. "Like your compass for you, I swear to return for this someday - when I have all the pieces." and Afonso would be the safest place for it - no one would expect Arthur Kirkland, well known grouch with only his crew for friends, to hide his map piece (which most of the known pirate world knew he had) on a different ship - hell, a rival ship, because he knew Antonio had one as well - with someone he cared about more than the gem.
"Will you take it?"
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Post by Portugal on Apr 3, 2010 0:47:13 GMT -5
"Arthur..." His eyes went wide when he saw the gem. Of course he had heard of the legendary treasure! And more importantly, the map that had been broken into several pieces. Scattered across the seas and air. He had known about it ever since he was a child, when his love for exploring and looking at maps first began. He had always wanted to see the completed map for himself one day, not that he ever thought he would...
He had heard Antonio speak once or twice about his piece of the map, but Afonso had never actually seen a piece of the map until now. And for a moment he felt completely dumbstruck. Merely staring at the gem before Arthur. The other was... Was trusting him with this? "Arthur this isn't like my compass..."
If Antonio managed to find out Afonso had the piece...
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Post by England on Apr 4, 2010 13:06:01 GMT -5
Shaking his head, he disagreed. "It's exactly like your compass. It's a promise." he looked straight into Afonso's eyes, searching and at the same time, trying to get him to understand. "I will be back for it - in fact, I may come find you more often to make sure that both you and it are safe... not that I expect any trouble over it as no one knows that you have one..." he cut off that ramble before it got started and made them both nervous.
"And..." he flipped the gem over, revealing a tiny red gem in the silver metal holding it into the necklace. "... this is a tracking device..." he blushed, purposely not mentioning that it was a magical one, " so... so I can find you easier... I promise, on my word of honor as a gentleman, I won't abuse that power to attack your captain... so... will you accept it?"
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Post by Portugal on Apr 5, 2010 22:45:21 GMT -5
He gave a small chuckle seeing the tracking device, Arthur could be a bit sneaky when he wanted to be. He listened intently to the others words, his eyes remaining locked on Arthur's. His own lighting up at the mere thought of Arthur randomly showing up to check up on the gem, and Afonso. The mere thought of just seeing Arthur was enough to set the butterflies free in his stomach once more. With a soft smile he reached out, cradling Arthur's hands between his own, gazing down at the gem before at the Brit. "I'll guard it with my life."
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Post by England on Apr 6, 2010 22:11:02 GMT -5
A bright, sparkling joy ran it's way through his system when Afonso took the gem - not because the gem was safe, but because he was basically saying that he was more than ok if Arthur came to visit more often. And it showed on his face, as his mouth broke out into a broad grin and his eyes glinted with happiness. "I'm glad... so glad!" he laughed.
Without pausing to think about it, he leaned in for another kiss, a motion that seemed so natural it was almost like he'd kissed this man a million times before and not just once. He closed his eyes and the world seemed perfectly alright - that he wasn't injured, that Afonso didn't live on a rival ship, that there weren't people after his life and people he was searching for.
It all stood still for that one moment.
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Post by Portugal on Apr 7, 2010 22:13:48 GMT -5
It was so perfect. For a mere moment everything seemed to fade away. It was like they were the only ones on the entire planet. Afonso wrapped his arms around Arthur, holding the gem carefully in one hand. He wished it would never end...
The kiss however, was quickly interrupted by a sharp, incredibly loud, wolf-whistle. Confused, Afonso pulled away, gazing at Arthur, before turning his head towards the ship. Where a brunet boy was leaning over the side, wolf-whistling and shouting something at the captain. The Portuguese man looked at the laughing brunet, before looking at Arthur with an amused smile.
Ignoring the wolf-whistle he leaned forward giving Arthur a light peck on the lips. "It looks like our time to part has come."
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Post by England on Apr 8, 2010 13:58:29 GMT -5
Arthur jumped a little in surprise at the sudden wolf whistling, but instinctively he knew who it was and while Afonso was looking around in confusion, his eyes traveled up his ship to glare heatedly at James. He was a second away from yelling up a new punishment (and this time, he'd go through with it, he thought fiercely) when the portuguese man caught his attention again.
Flushing once more - and wishing it didn't happen quite so often - he nodded. "I... suppose it is." he replied, disappointment evident in his tone. "... see you soon." he mumbled, giving Afonso a quick kiss to match the one he'd given Arthur as he refused to say good-bye. He knew he'd see the other soon enough.
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Post by Portugal on Apr 13, 2010 19:23:13 GMT -5
He didn't want to leave. He wanted to just stay in this moment forever. But that couldn't happen, and he knew that very well. But at least now he knew for sure they would see each other again. Smiling he slipped the chain around his neck, safely tucking it under his shirt.
"I hope when we meet again you'll be fully recovered."
It would be nice to see the Brit without needlessly worrying. With another quick kiss, he stepped away, knowing very well that if he didn't soon he very well might just take Arthur up on his offer to join the Grim.
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Post by England on Apr 18, 2010 17:35:26 GMT -5
He did his best at hiding his disappointment at Afonso pulling away, shuffling back a step or two himself. "Ah! Yes - you can count on that!" he flushed lightly as his steps back were a step, limp, step motion.
"...farewell, Afonso." he clenched his fist around his cane to keep himself from stepping forward, from pulling the portuguese man back to him and begging him to stay. But... he knew it would hurt him - hurt them both in the long run... so he let him go. "Until next time..."
He decided it would be best if he didn't stand there and watch the other leave. So, turning, he started the ascent up the gang plank expression going from blank to rather annoyed as James came into view. "James..." his voice was filled with menace.
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