[Mod!Post] The Moment You've Been Waiting For... The HetaSummer Lightning Challenge!
Remember the HetaChristmas Lightning Challenge? Well, now that we are in the midst of the summer we have the HetaSummer Vacation Lightning Challenge!
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18th Century
The first time that it happened shocked Canada. He was used to America pushing England's boundaries, but this had been different. Usually when American and England fought, they would make up almost immediately. Ever since he had lived in England's New World home he could sense the strange connection between his twin and their mentor. They understood each other on a level that Canada couldn't reach no matter how hard he tried. So it was strange that America didn't just stomp off to his room and return not long after. It was surprising that England hadn't let it go.
For one terrifying moment, Canada had wondered if it would have come to blows.
America was late to tea as usual, but this time it wasn't for the common reason that he had gotten distracted helping someone with their horse or had wandered off into the woods. He knew that America had been out late, but he wasn't sure what he had been doing. His brother had been secretive lately, not letting him know what was going on. Certainly not inviting him to go anywhere with him. He had heard America whispering 'Crown' and 'Loyalist' under his breath at him... but he had no idea what he meant by it. He mulled this over as he sipped the tea England had served him. It was not unusual that they started without America. Canada had needed to repeat himself several times in his request for more tea before England noticed him. He was distracted by what had been happening in the streets. America's people had been causing England trouble lately, and Canada wondered how much it directly affected his fellow colony. Last night, someone had raided a ship full of tea, dumping it all into the water. Canada could barely calculate the damage when England had them work through the problem during lessons.
He had glanced over several times as America sat at his own writing desk. He had been uncharacteristically quiet, just staring at the end of his quill and making no attempt to solve the mathematical question at all. He just stared at the feather over the writing paper... it was too intense... a look Canada had never seen before. It had frightened him.
He was startled from his thoughts when America stomped through the door. His boots were muddy and he ignored England's protests against them coming across the parlor. He wore the same look he had worn during their lessons that morning. A look of intensity that he had never worn before. He sat down and before Canada could even offer him tea America tipped over the tea cup and refused.
"I don't drink tea from a tyrant's ships." he said. Canada was startled, and England immediately flushed in anger. Canada's eyes widened as he caught sight of the remnant of paint beneath America's ear. He hadn't noticed it as America came to lesson with dark circles under his eyes. He had been out there... he glanced from brother to brother, afraid of what was about to happen. England had gone on a rampage about it once, when he hadn't realized Canada was still in the study. He heard every angry and confused word from the older nation's mouth. America had provoked a sleeping lion. Canada hoped that he wouldn't get bitten...
England stared at America from across the tea table, "Pardon?"
"I said, I have no interest in tea from tyrants. I shouldn't be forced to drink only what you want me to."
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"You petulant child..." England warned. Canada glanced wide-eyed from one to the other.
"What, old man?" America retorted. England's frown deepened.
"If you can not be civil, perhaps it would be best if you went to your room." England offered. Canada sent up a silent prayer that America would stop while he was ahead. He tried to catch America's eye by rattling his tea cup against the saucer. No luck. America persisted.
"No."
"What?"
"No. I don't have to listen to you anymore." America repeated. England was up from his chair so quickly Canada actually dropped his cup. The glass crashed onto the floor but the other two didn't look at him. England had America by the shirt collar and Canada caught the brief look of panic on America's face. His own pulse began to race realizing how terrified America was, even though his face hardened and he didn't let it show.
England's fist clenched in the fabric of the shirt collar. His face was red, and he seemed to search America's face for an answer to why he was being so defiant.
He found America sprawled across his bed. "What do you want? You better not be here to tell me I should have been nicer to England, because it's not going to happen."
"America, why are you doing this? He's done so much for..."
"Not anymore, so get out of here, Matt."
"Al... I don't want you to leave... those things you were telling me... you're not really going to do them are you? Al, I..."
"Go away, Matt! I can't stand looking at your Loyalist face!" America snapped at him. He turned away, rolling over onto his stomach. Canada stared at his back. He couldn't have felt more hurt than if America had physically struck him. He walked away to his own room and leaned against the door, trying to fight the tears building in his eyes.
Something was about to happen, a frightening change that would affect them all.
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(Poor Canada, though...)
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(Poor Canada gets caught between them a lot...)
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