Day 1: Magic

Arthur gathered the last of his spell books and put them back in the bookcase. His round of cleaning would be going a lot faster if he didn't have such an incompetent assistant.

"Arthur, you have to throw this one out!" Francis called.

"What now?" If it was up to Francis, he'd throw out half of his clothes and furniture. He went to see what the fuss was about this time.

"Look at this thing." Francis held up one of Arthur's cloaks. "It's all worn and full of holes!"

"Oh, that, um..."

"You have to throw it out."

"I can still wear it. Tea?" He went to the kitchen and put the kettle on.

"Why would you wear something like this? It'll just get in your way."

"It's… to keep my clothes clean."

"That's what aprons are for. This won't do anything." Francis inspected a torn seam. "It's also way too warm when you're standing next to a fire. Tomato red doesn't suit your face."

"The cloak keeps me from burning my arms."

"Not if you keep rolling up your sleeves."

"That's just because it's warm—Oh, forget it."

"That's it, it's going in the trash bin."

"No…!"

"Arthur..."

Arthur huffed and poured the tea. "...It looks cool."

"What was that?"

"The cloak. It looks cool. It sweeps and casts shadows..."

"Oh… Well, then you must definitely keep it!" Francis folded it carefully and placed it on the table. "What's this?"

"What now..."

"Aphrodisiac… How very interesting."

"...Are you touching my potions?" Arthur hurried out of the kitchen.

"Does this stuff really work?"

"Yes, and it's very powerful, so put it down."

"I see..."

"Careful or I'll turn you into a frog again."

"Ah, but you had to kiss me to turn me back."

"We'd agreed not to talk about that part."

Francis hadn't known it would turn him into a frog. When he asked Arthur about the mysterious flask, the latter had said it was a potion to turn people "extremely French". Francis hadn't been able to resist.

Arthur sat down on the couch. "Oh, wait, the tea..."

"I'll get it." Francis disappeared into the kitchen and Arthur stretched out his limbs. He'd done enough cleaning for today. Francis came back in with the tea. "Here you go."

Arthur picked up a cup from the tray and ignored how close Francis decided to sit next to him. "It's not like I'm attached to that cape or anything."

"Of course not."

"It would just be a waste to throw it away, that's all."

"You don't have to explain it. Just drink your tea."

Arthur took a few sips. "I think we've done enough for today."

"I couldn't agree more. I'll make dinner."

"I'll help."

"Don't you dare. The kitchen is one place where my magic is stronger than yours."

Arthur huffed and drank his tea. It tasted different. Sweeter.

Francis put on his apron. He too looked different, Arthur thought. "Did you get a haircut?"

"I did, actually." Francis touched his wavy hair. "Do you like it?"

"Well, yes..."

Francis chuckled and went to the kitchen.

Arthur looked around. Why did Francis have to reopen a box? He groaned and put all the potions back inside. But wait… one of them was missing…

The aphrodisiac.

Arthur glanced at his tea. Francis wouldn't… But then again…

He went to the kitchen. "Francis?"

"Yes?" Arthur tried to determine whether he'd truly drank aphrodisiac and if it was taking effect already. Now that he paid attention, he did notice a certain attraction to his assistant…

"Mon ami, what's the matter?"

That accent was so stupid, and yet this frog managed to make it work for him somehow. Just like that apron, which looked almost elegant on him. Yes, he had definitely been fed aphrodisiac.

"You're looking kind of pale." Francis came closer. "Are you feeling alright?" He tilted Arthur's chin up with his finger. The touch had the Brit's eyes cloud over.

The effects of the potion couldn't be stopped. Resisting would only cause agony. It was best to just give in and wait for the magic to wear off.

"Arthur, dear?"

Arthur leaned forward and pressed his lips against Francis'. The latter seemed surprised but didn't move away. Instead, he pulled Arthur closer against him. "My, my," he mused when they parted for air. "And here I was thinking I'd have to turn into a frog again before getting a kiss from you."

"Well, don't expect me to kiss you without magic forcing me to."

"Magic? What magic?"

Arthur studied his face, but the question seemed genuine. "Francis, have you not been paying attention at all? Potions need magic to work. You can throw ingredients together, but without magic, it's just another soup or tea."

"Is this about the frog potion? Because I'm not drinking that again."

"I'm not talking about the frog potion. The aphrodisiac, which you put in my tea."

Francis looked at him dumbfoundedly. "The sugar I put in your tea because you were looking so sour?"

"No, not sugar, the aphrodisiac!"

"The… aphrodisiac?"

"Yes, the one you were holding in your hands!"

"I left that one on the bookshelf. It seemed too dangerous to bring it near food."

"But..." Arthur's cheeks turned red as the realization dawned on him. He tried to move away, but Francis held him in place.

"Non, non, non. No turning back now. You kissed me without anything forcing you to."

"I… I was confused."

"By l'amour?"

"No!" But the more he struggled, the tighter Francis held him, and the more he thought about giving up the fight.

"Come on, Arthur. No one will know. And if anyone does find out, we'll tell them I made you drink a whole bottle of aphrodisiac."

Well, it was a solid plan. "...Just this once."

"Of course."

And with that, Arthur pulled Francis against him and kissed him.