Not So Little Mermaid (USUK) Ch. 19

"Well, I'll be back in a moment, then," he said bending down to give Alfred a quick kiss.

"Okay, see you in a bit!"

Smiling gently, Arthur headed off to open the door to Matthew, Gilbert, and Fritz.

"Hello, Arthur," Matthew said with a smile.

"Sup, Artie?" Gilbert grinned at him. "Finally ready to start?"

"Of course I'm ready," Arthur said, frowning slightly as he nodded his greetings. "We've been waiting on you."

The German simply continued smiling. "Sure, Kirkland."

"Well we have," Arthur huffed, opening the door so the others could step in and leading them forwards. "This way, then."

Chuckling, Gilbert stepped in. "So where are we eating?"

"Ah, the pool room, of course."

"Awesome. So on the floor or...?"

"Um..." Arthur tilted his head slightly in thought as he walked. "Well, you'll see," he said as he opened the door.

Gilbert's mouth might have dropped open. He regained control of his face a moment later and composed it, though he did allow an eyebrow to arch elegantly. "You set this up?"

Even Fritz' eyes widened and he tugged at Gilbert's sleeve excitedly as Arthur nodded.

"Of course," the Brit replied, looking at Gilbert curiously.

Gilbert leaned down and hefted the boy onto his shoulders. "You like?"

Nodding, Fritz carefully wrapped his arms around his father's neck. "I do," he said, watching Arthur finish sorting the table out for them to sit at.

"That's good, boy." Gilbert grinned and pressed a sloppy kiss to his cheek.

"Come on, then," Arthur called a few moments later, waving the others over.

"This is all very nice, Arthur," Matthew commented as he took his seat on the cushions, then nodded to Alfred. "Hello, Alfred."

"Hi Mattie!" Alfred chirped, shuffling closer to the man to shake his hand.

"Nice to see you again," the Canadian replied, happily returning the gesture. "Congratulations with Arthur."

"Thanks!" Alfred looked very pleased with himself indeed.

"Heh. Do you need any help dishing food up?" Arthur asked with a small smile.

"Nah, we're good," Gilbert cut in, loading both his and Fritz's plates.

Alfred though handed his plate over. "Yes please!"

"Right," Arthur said, starting on filling Alfred's plate.

"Put lots of the meat, please!"

Rolling his eyes, Arthur sighed and added more of the meat. "Of course," he mumbled.

"What's wrong with that?" Alfred huffed.

"Nothing, nothing," Arthur replied, handing over the plate. "There you go."

"Thank you Artie! You're the best in the world!" Alfred cried as he accepted the food.

Gilbert snickered. "The best at what?"

"Shut it, Gilbert," Arthur huffed.

"Oh?" The German's smirk was utterly wicked. "So compared to all the action you saw in the videos-"

"I said shut it," Arthur growled, as Matthew shot him a sympathetic (but still amused) look.

Alfred, however, completely ignored him. "Well I haven't seen any yet but his co-"

Arthur's head quickly hit the table, and his hand flew to cover the merman's mouth. "Alfred, you really have no delicacy," he muttered into the tablecloth, turning red at the surrounding laughter.

"Is nice!" The merman continued even with the hand, and only once he'd finished did he lean back and look proud of himself.

"Well, Arthur," Gilbert was practically pissing himself. "You've certainly gotten yourself a nice catch." And then he laughed even more when he realized his words in relation to Alfred.

Arthur groaned, head in his hands. "Oh for God's sake..."

Alfred placed his arms around Arthur's shoulders and leaned in to soothingly kiss his hair. "Artie..."

"What?" Arthur mumbled, cracking an eye open to peer at Alfred.

"It's okay." Alfred offered him a hopeful smile.

Arthur huffed softly, sitting up straighter. "Yes, yes, I know."

"A-And I'm still a good boy?" the merman asked hopefully.

Gilbert almost choked on his drink. "That's what you promised him?" He howled with mirth again.

"Oh for- I didn't-!" Arthur sighed, gritting his teeth. "Yes, Alfred... It's this idiot that's the problem," he said, jabbing his thumb at the German.

"Oh hush, Kirkland." Gilbert pretended to wipe tears from his eyes. "You know you love me."

Arthur huffed, finally dishing himself some food. "You wish, Beilschmidt."

"Nah, I know." Gilbert smiled and grabbed Matthew's hand in his own and squeezed softly.

Only raising his eyebrows slightly in surprise, Matthew soon smiled softly himself and squeezed back.

Fritz, meanwhile, was shifting impatiently and watching the food.

Alfred looked at the boy and dragged his body closer. "Hey, Fritz," he said softly, but still cheerfully.

Looking up, Fritz blinked and smiled gently, still ever-so-slightly nervous from what happened last time. "Ah, hello."

"So how are you liking it so far?" Alfred nodded to the plate. "The food you guys brought looks really good!" he said brightly, shifting his own untouched plate closer as well.

"Mm, it's okay. And yeah, papa and vati make really good food!"

"Heh, do they? I can't wait to try!" The merman glanced around the table. "I think we can eat..."

"Oh, um..." Fritz shifted a little closer to Gilbert, tugging on his sleeve to get his attention.

Breaking off his banter with Arthur, Gilbert looked down at the boy. "Hmm?" he asked gently.

"When can we eat, vati?" The little boy asked quietly, shy of Arthur hearing him being so impatient.

Gilbert leaned over and pressed a kiss to his hair. "You can eat whenever you want."

"Ah, okay!" Fritz said, turning back to the merman with a triumphant grin that earned a small chuckle from Arthur.

"Let's eat, then!" Alfred grinned back at him and picked up his fork.

"Yeah!" Fritz nodded, starting to eat himself.

Alfred dug in happily, and turned his attention to Arthur for a moment. He blew the Brit a kiss and grinned.

Catching it just in time, Arthur blinked and flushed gently, quickly covering it up by shoving his next forkful into his mouth.

"Aww, Artie!" Alfred huffed and pouted at the human.

"Wh-What?" Arthur asked, looking at Alfred.

Alfred only blew him another kiss.

"I- w-what do you want?"

"Just wanted to blow you a kiss!"

"Ah..." Flushing even more, Arthur shifted a little. "...All- All right," he murmured.

Smiling softly to himself, Alfred turned back to his food. Within minutes it was gone and he sprawled back, belly up.

Arthur raised a brow, but chuckled a little. "Alfred, come on, sit up," he softly reprimanded.

"But I'm full!" Alfred moaned.

"You can lay down later; we're still at the table."

"Okay..." Alfred got up and rested his forearms on the table.

Arthur eyed him carefully, but then gave a soft, satisfied huff and smiled a little, making Matthew chuckle and share a knowing look with the Brit.

"Don't share mean looks!" Alfred huffed at them.

Arthur rolled his eyes, grinning slightly. "What mean looks?"

"The one you just gave Mattie!"

Smiling into his food, Matthew watched the two from over his glasses.

"-not mean! We were just looking at each other!"

"So you'd rather look at him than me?" Alfred pouted overexaggeratedly.

"Wha- n-no, I didn't say that at all!"

"But you were looking at him!"

"I- That doesn't mean I prefer looking at Matthew to you!" Arthur said with a huff.

The Canadian, meanwhile, was trying not to laugh too hard as he at, throwing a sidelong glance at Gilbert.

"Oh I wouldn't say that." Gilbert drawled, winking at his husband. "I mean all Mattie talks about is how hot Artie here is..."

"Wh-" Alfred's eyes widened.

Both Matthew and Arthur almost spit their food out at this, although for entirely different reasons. "Wha- Oh God, Alfred, don't listen to him-"

But Gilbert grinned. "Just kidding. Gott, relax."

"I know that," Arthur groaned, then added for good measure, "Git."

"You too, Kirkland."

"Oh, shut it," Arthur grumbled, fondly stabbing the food on his plate with a fork and shoveling it into his mouth.

"Nah, then you'd be bored."

"Or relieved..." Arthur raised a brow.

"Naaaah, you'd definitely be bored."

Ignoring the urge to fling a forkful of hot meat in the German's face (a feat Arthur was quite proud of), the Brit satisfied himself with "You're an idiot."

"And you're a prick."

"Wha-" Arthur blinked, taken aback. "You can't say that!" he said, eyeing Fritz warily.

Gilbert turned to his son. "Don't go repeating that."

Rolling his eyes, Matthew smiled at the sputtering Arthur. "Yes, this is common."

"And Fritz is a good boy and knows what's good and bad, right Fritz?" Gilbert grinned at the boy.

Fritz responded eagerly with a proud nod.

"Heh, see Kirkland?" Gilbert looked proud as well. "My kid knows what's up."

Arthur huffed, but decided not to comment. It wasn't his choice how other people should parent their children, after all.

Satisfied, Gilbert gave Fritz a sagely nod and returned to his food.

Soon, they were done with dinner, and Arthur sat back a little to let his food go down, sipping at his drink as he did so.

When that happened, Alfred saw his chance. He slithered over to the Brit and carefully lay his head down on Arthur's lap.

Arthur blinked and looked down, and for a moment forgot about the other people in the room. "Oh? What is it, hm?" he murmured, a hand falling down to gently stroke the side of Alfred's head as a soft smile crossed his face.

"Hi, Artie." Alfred leaned into the hand and smiled up at him. "I just wanted to be nearer to you."

A small, warm chuckle came from Arthur's lips and he tilted his head a little, drawn in and overcome by that smile. "Heh. You silly thing..."

"But I'm your silly thing!" Alfred declared softly.

Arthur couldn't stop his face melting into a fond smile at that. "...That you are."

"Yes!" Alfred was happy that Arthur was smiling, and even more happy that it was that kind of smile that Alfred had put there. "I'll be as silly as you want!"

"You already are." Arthur's smile grew. "Just right."

"Really?" Alfred's own face brightened. "You think so?"

"Of course I do," Arthur chuckled.

"Well I'm glad!" Alfred declared.

Arthur was about to lean down to kiss the man when he was brought back to reality by a cleared throat, and as he looked up and remembered where he was, his face heated up.

The merman huffed though, not about to let his prize get away from him, and pulled Arthur's head down for a kiss.

Blushing even more if possible, Arthur's eyes widened, and he froze in place in his surprise.

Huffing into the kiss, Alfred opened his mouth.

"Mm..." After a few moments, Arthur slipped, relaxing into it and kissing back a little.

Happy now that Arthur was kissing him, Alfred pressed forward enthusiastically. Arthur's eyes slid shut and he leant into it, trying to match Alfred's pace. But Alfred slowed again then, and a moment later withdrew completely. "Artie..." he whispered, staring happily at the Brit's face.

"What?" Arthur mumbled, looking back with flushed cheeks.

"Hi there." There was more Alfred wanted to say, so much more, but he knew that Arthur wouldn't be comfortable with Gilbert and Matthew and Fritz there too. So he settled on that.

"...Hey," Arthur murmured back, looking at the other a few more moments before going to sit back up again.

"Wait!" Alfred quickly grabbed onto his chin and kept him down. "Don't go up just yet!"

Eyes widening slightly, Arthur blinked at the other. "Wh-What is it?"

"Just stay here a bit longer!" Alfred pleaded.

"I- y-you know we're in the middle of a dinner, right?" Arthur mumbled, though he didn't mind too much.

"So? It's not that formal..."

Arthur glanced in the general direction of the others for a second before looking back at Alfred. "...All right," he murmured with a small sigh. "But just a little, yes? You're already 'having your way with me' after the dinner..."

"Yes, yes!" Alfred nodded enthusiastically.

"Hmph. Okay then," the Brit agreed.

"Come back down..." Alfred stretched his hands up towards Arthur's face.

"Right, right," Arthur chuckled, leaning back down a little.

Purring happily, Alfred pressed another kiss to the Brit's face.

"Ah..." Arthur smiled softly, leaning into it.

"Artie, Artie..." Alfred whispered as he kissed his lover more. "I wanna kiss you forever.

Flushing gently, Arthur smiled more shyly and gave a small chuckle. "Well you'll be able to, you know..."

"I know. And I'm so happy..."

"Really?" Arthur's eyes flicked to Alfred's, looking at Alfred under his lashes.

"Yes!" Alfred nodded reverently.

"...Well that's good then."

"I know it is!" The merman shuffled even closer to him.

Arthur blinked and tilted his head. "Hm? What is it?"

"How much longer will the dinner be?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure... It depends whether they brought pudding or not, I suppose."

"Oh." Alfred turned to Matthew. "Did you bring pudding?"

Breaking off his small talk with Gilbert, Matthew blinked, then gave an apologetic smile. "Oh, no... We weren't sure if you wanted any, sorry..."

"That's good, then!" Alfred shook it off.

"Oh?" The Canadian's smile twitched up a little. "Good?"

"Yeah, good!"

"Why good?"

"Just is..." Alfred blushed.

Matthew inspected the other for a few moments, then gave a small chuckle. "All. Right, I see."

"S-See what?"

"Could it be you don't like puddings?" Matthew leant forwards slightly. "Or is it maybe something else?"

"N-No, I do! I like it a lot!"

"So something else, then?"

"U-Um, no!" Alfred was getting redder by the second.

"Hmm... All right," Matthew said with a slight smirk.

"What?" Alfred pouted. "How come you're so mean now?"

"How am I?"

"By- By insinuating things!"

It was then that Arthur coughed into his drink, and this only made Matthew want to probe further. "Heh, well you're the one who's acting guilty about something."

"I am not!" Alfred insisted.

"Okay, okay," the Canadian apologetically replied, chuckling a little to himself.

"Good!" Glad that that topic of conversation was done with, Alfred relaxed into Arthur again.

"Soooooo..." Gilbert suddenly leaned forward. "What exactly are you guys gonna do later?"

"Wha-" Arthur sputtered, turning red. "Nothing!"

"Oh really?" Gilbert's eyes narrowed. "Then what was the whole deal with the 'good boy'?"

"Th-There wasn't one!" Arthur quickly replied. "I-I just wanted him to behave and wear the suit."

"Ooh, so you could do what later?"

"What?! No, I- there wasn't any other reason!"

"Eheh, all right." Gilbert dropped the matter, but the smirk was still on his face.

Fidgeting, Arthur managed for a few seconds before bursting out, "There wasn't!"

"If there wasn't," Gilbert asked very calmly. "Then why are you still insisting about it?"

"Ah-" Arthur froze in place. "Be-Because that stupid smirk on your face says you don't believe me!"

"Oh sure, that's why." Gilbert snickered, a calculating look in his eyes.

"Well, yes! D-Don't look so smug!"

"Me? Smug?" Gilbert's eyes widened. "Who would have thought?"

"You-" Arthur huffed and leaned over the table a little to give the German a semi-playful hit on the shoulder. "Hmph."

"Aww, Artie." Said German just laughed. But he let the topic go. "Nah, but since we're here celebrating you two idiots' getting together, how did it happen?"

"Wh..." Arthur blinked and sat back, glancing furtively over at Alfred. "A-Ah, well..."

Alfred only smiled. "You tell it, Artie." He reached a supportive hand across the table and grasped the Brit's.

"All- All right," Arthur murmured, smiling slightly back and taking a small breath. "Well- uh- I'd noticed that I was somewhat-" He cleared his throat here. "Um, conscious of Alfred a few weeks ago. But, you know, I thought that was just- most people would be conscious of an attractive half-naked man, right?" he said quickly, hoping to cover it up. "Anyway - about a week ago, a guy at the café asked me out. And, well, if I went on a date with him and was conscious of him then it would prove that I didn't feel anything special in that sense for Alfred, right...? But... Yeah. It didn't work. So when I came home and Alfred was acting strange, and then it turned out he was jealous- well. He kissed me. Then swam off. S-So I followed and kissed him properly and we told each other how we felt and now..."

"And now Artie's mine!" Alfred declared proudly, lifting Arthur's hand up and pressing it against his cheek. He looked to Matthew and Gilbert and Fritz for their reactions.

Fritz was watching intently with his chin on his hands, a soft, glad smile on his face to match his papa's.

"That's really great," the Canadian said with a gentle chortle.

"Heh, a fitting dorky story for two dorks," Gilbert commented, but he too looked happy for them.

"S-Shush," Arthur said, as Matthew elbowed his husband gently.

"We weren't much better, Gil," he said with a smile.

Alfred looked interested and turned to Matthew. "How did you two get together?"

"Heh, it took about half a year for this guy to work up the courage to even ask me on a date," Matthew said, shooting a grin at the merman. "So he's not as cool as he pretends to think. Although that was probably partly because of papa - Francis - he's one of Gil's best friends, despite their age difference, and can also be, eh, very protective of me. But in the end, I think Gil talked to him about it and papa was more than happy, so a while later he asked me out. On Valentine's Day. With roses." Leaning back with a satisfied smile, Matthew raised a brow at Gilbert. "So I don't really think you can call them dorks."

"W-Well they're still bigger dorks!" Gilbert huffed, leaning in to press a kiss to Matthew's cheek. "And excuse you I am so cool!"

"Heh, yes, yes." Matthew turned his head, giving Gilbert a quick peck on the lips in return. "So cool."

Arthur, however, had his brows raised in disbelief. "You asked him out on Valentine's, with roses?"

The German huffed more and slung an arm around Matthew's shoulders. He turned his crimson gaze on Arthur again. "Yeah, I did. I can be romantic."

"Wow. ...I can barely imagine that."

"Well good thing we're not married then." Gilbert turned to Matthew again. "...I can be, right?" he asked lowly.

Matthew gave a soft little chuckle, fondly looking up at Gilbert. "Yes, Gil, you can," he replied gently.

Gilbert looked relieved, though that emotion only stayed on his face for a brief moment before it was gone. "Of course I am. Pfft, I knew that, hah!" He did, however, give Matthew's shoulder a thankful squeeze.

"Of course," Matthew said, pressing a kiss to the hand on his shoulder before turning a sly smile to the German. "You know what would be really romantic?"

"...What?" Gilbert raised an eyebrow.

Matthew leaned forwards to murmur in his ear, ignoring the eyeroll he got from Arthur. "If, when we got home and put Fritz to bed, you made love to me before we got to sleep."

Gilbert froze, and then a small smile spread over his face. "I like that idea, yeah." Matthew never failed to pleasantly surprise him.

Pulling away with a soft smile himself, Matthew chuckled. "Then it's settled."

Arthur cleared his throat out at this point, raising a brow. "What is, exactly?"

"Oh, nothing." Gilbert smiled. "Just some future plans."

"Hm. Of course."

Alfred looked at them and grinned. "Well I hope you guys have a good time, whatever you plan to do!"

Arthur gave a slight exasperated sigh at Alfred's apparent innocence. "Alfred..."

"What?" Alfred raised an eyebrow. "We'll be having a good time so I hope they do too!"

Arthur opened his mouth, then closed it again and groaned quietly. "Right..."

"Heh, yeah!" Alfred turned to face the table again and fidgeted, waiting for the dinner to be officially over.

Gilbert was also sitting and fidgeting, and soon Matthew's suggestion grew to be too much. He well knew the looks he would receive, but damnit. "So, it's getting late..."

Arthur raised his brows a little, but otherwise didn't comment, instead agreeing. "Ah, of course. Are you wanting to be heading off soon?"

"Yeah, I think Fritz here is about ready for bed." Smiling softly, Gilbert leaned over and gently heaved the boy onto his lap.

"Ah..." Stirring a little and blinking up at his dad sleepily, Fritz then snuggled back into him.

Arthur chuckled slightly. "Heh, all right, then," he replied.

"Wanna go to sleep, then?" Gilbert whispered to him as he stood.

"M'not tired..." Fritz mumbled stubbornly, despite his eyes drooping shut.

"Sure you're not, soldier." Gilbert pressed a kiss to his hair and shifted the boy so he could reach down a hand to Alfred. "Congrats, Al."

"Thanks, Gilbert!" Alfred shook it happily and then drew back.

The German, with a nod, turned to Arthur. "This time, remember to use a condom," he said with a grin.

Arthur sputtered, face once more becoming red at the words of the German, and scowled. "Wh-what the hell is that supposed to mean?!"

Chuckling to himself, Matthew held a hand out to the merman too. "See you soon, you two, and congratulations again. Have a good night, eh?"

Alfred shook it and nodded over Gilbert's snickers. "See you soon!" he called as the trio made their way to the door.

Arthur hurried after them to open the door and see them out, wishing them a goodnight along the way. When he shut the door, he let out a sigh and headed back to where Alfred was.