Tell Me Your Secrets 2/4
Part 1
England had a restless night. Strange people drifted in and out of his dreams, all talking to him at once so their voices bounced around his head. Even asleep he could get no peace. When he jerked away early the next morning, the voices were still there, a constant companion but this time England was able to ignore them, like listening to a several radios at once. A loud snore drew his attention to the other side of his bed where America was sprawled out on it and again, as England focused on America, the other voices dimmed.
America's thoughts when he was dreaming were a strange mixture of memories and what seemed to be comic book pictures. England felt contentment and happiness coming off America.....wait. Felt? But that would mean that England was no longer just hearing their thoughts but also feeling their emotions too.
"Just what I needed." England muttered to himself as he climbed out of bed.
"Arthur! Arthur!" The little green faerie England had been talking to yesterday morning came speeding up to him. "Did you like my gift?"
"Gift? What gif - you didn't." England said flatly, glaring at the excited faerie.
"I did! Did you hear America's thoughts then?" She asked and England sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. It was like having children. Children with magical powers that could bend the forces of nature to their will and have the potential to destroy the universe.
"America's thoughts, France's thoughts, every single person's in the surrounding area up to ten miles thoughts, yes." She looked downcast and slightly worried.
"Oh. I'm sorry Arthur, I just wanted to help you with America." She said, sitting down on England's bedside table so he was forced to sit down on the bed to talk to her.
"I know you did Zanna, but you didn't think that maybe I should be allowed to handle it on my own. Now I'm feeling what other people are feeling and if it is anything like the mind-reading thing, it's going to spread and I am going to lose my mind." England said quietly as America turned over in his sleep. Zanna looked uncomfortable.
"Well I don't know how exactly to remove the spell - " She started and England looked angry.
"What." He hissed, making it a statement more than a question.
"Don't worry, I'll be able to dull the effects slightly but it may take a while to completely remove the mind-reading thing." Zanna replied, scooting backwards from England slightly. The nation put his face in his hands before lifting his head to stare at Zanna helplessly.
"Is there anyone who can remove the spell?" He asked carefully and Zanna became thoughtful.
"Well there is but it may take a couple of days to find them." Then she perked up. "But I can put some restrictions on the spell so it won't grow anymore and so it'll be bearable." England nodded and closed his eyes while Zanna put another spell on him, this time a lot more carefully.
"Thanks Zanna. You probably should go and find the fey that can remove the spell now." England said tiredly and Zanna looked guilty for a second before scooting off.
"Who was that?" America asked, causing England to jump.
"Good heavens America. I didn't realise you were awake." England said, putting his hand on his heart. "That was the faerie who put this stupid mind-reading spell on me in the first place." America nodded and England was grateful that he said nothing about England's 'imaginary friends' even though he was thinking about it. "Apparently I'm stuck with it until she can find someone who can undo the spell because she can't."
"How can a fairy put a spell on you and not know how to take it off?" America asked in a confused voice. What are you going to tell the other nations?
"I don't know. To both questions." England answered, before noticing that America was sprawled across his lap, looking up at England. Then England remembered how weak he had acted yesterday and he found himself wanting to get out of America's company for once. "And I'm going down to cook breakfast." England shifted so America had to roll off him and made his way quickly out of the room, taking advantage of the fact that America was too stunned to say or think anything.
Down in the kitchen, England leaned against the fridge trying to catch his breath and his thoughts for a moment. It seemed that Zanna's spell had worked, he could only hear a dim buzzing from America's thoughts upstairs and nothing from the people in the nearby village.
"At least that's gone." England said firmly, pointedly not thinking about what had happened yesterday after he was driven crazy by the voices of his people in his head.
"What's gone?" America's voice from the kitchen doorway made him jump again.
"You have got to stop doing that!" England said firmly and America rolled his eyes. And you have got to stop talking to yourself. America countered in his head. "That too." England admitted before he remembered why he had come down here in the first place and spinning around to face the fridge. "So what do you want for breakfast?"
"None of your food." America said quietly. You're doing it again.
"Doing what again? And my food is great." England added. You're running away. This caused England to face America again.
"I am not running away, I'm not that sort of coward!" England said stubbornly, proving his point by not flinching away when America walked towards him and invaded his personal space.
"You are. Yesterday I told you that I love you - "
"No you didn't." England interrupted, throwing America off topic. No I definitely did. "No you didn't. You thought it, without knowing I could hear you, but you never said it out loud." America huffed at what he saw was England being fussy.
"Fine. I love you England, okay? The point it that I love you and yesterday you seemed to love me too but now, now you are just avoiding me and what happened between us yesterday." I liked what happened yesterday.
"You liked it? So you liked me being all weak and pathetic after all those stupid voices?" America gaped at England's angry words, unable to say anything but his thoughts were almost running too fast for England to follow. Of course I didn't like that Iggy, you were in pain. And I don't like seeing you in pain - I remember the Blitz, it was horrible. What I meant was that I liked how you depended on me to help you - not that bastard France, oops you weren't supposed to hear that - and how you let me look after you. I reacted like that after Pearl Harbour, did you think me weak and pathetic? Just because you were in pain England and showed it, doesn't mean that you're weak. You're strong and a total badass so I don't mind if you let your guard down once in a while."
England stared at America for a few minutes before stepping minutely closer, listening as America's thoughts got slightly less coherent before drawing him down for a kiss. He held America's head still while he slipped his tongue into the younger's mouth and as America realised what was happening, he started to fight back, wrapping his arms around England's waist and trying to dominate the kiss.
Wanting to distract him, England's hips lifted and pushed until they ground against America's. Again the other nation's thoughts came to a halt, followed by a loud moan, but England could sympathise because he was having trouble thinking as well. They both broke off to get their breath, America grinning as a flushed England. He walked England back until he was pushed up against the counters of the kitchen, swivelling his hips until England was the one to groan this time.
A harsh ringing tone that filled the kitchen drew both of them out of their hazy state, causing two glares to be shot at the phone.
Don't answer it." America finally said, lips seeking England's once more.
"I have to, it could be someone important especially if they're ringing this early." England shoved America away from him so he could reach the phone. "Hello?"
"Who is it?" America asked, settling down in one of the kitchen chairs.
"What do you want France?" England asked in an annoyed voice. He had stopped kissing America for this? The Englishman's mouth quirked up in amusement as he listened to America echo his thoughts. Stupid cockblocking France. "Yes I'm okay. Yes America got me home okay. You want to know what happened?" America raised his eyebrow as England looked at him for some idea of what to say. "It's simple. One of the fey put a spell on me so I can now read minds. Don't believe me? Well you know the thing you were thinking about Northern Italy yesterday in the meeting? I'll tell Germany about it." England grinned as America choked on the gum he had just gotten out of his pocket.
"Apology accepted. Was that Canada? Does he know? Can I speak to him?" England asked and his smile softened as he heard Canada on the other end. Why does Canada get him to smile like that? America's sulky thoughts caused England to come over and lean on the table, raising a hand to start stroking America's hair as he did so. America flushed pink as he remembered England's ability and realised that England had heard what he had been thinking.
"I didn't mean...." But England just smiled at him as he listened to Canada on the other line. Under the gentle stroking, America relaxed and leaned against England's side, putting an arm around the older nation.
"I did hear Canada. Do you want me to find out for you?" England frowned slightly at the panicked answer before nodding even though Canada could not see him. "Okay I'll keep it to myself. Yeah I'll be at the meeting today. See you there Canada. Say bye to France for me if you want." England hung up the phone but continued to stroke America's hair for a few minutes.
"Hey England." America said, not raising his head from England's chest.
"Hmm?"
"Are you feeling well enough to go the meeting? I mean last time you were hearing loads of people in the city, can you deal with going back to that?" America asked, now lifting his head and eyeing England with concern.
"The faerie that came earlier put some restrictions on the spell, so I'll only hear people in a certain area and this area won't grow like was doing all day yesterday. Come on, I need a shower before the meeting." England shifted, trying to get America off him, but froze as America picked up on the one sentence he wanted him to ignore. Shower huh? Mind if I join? Unwillingly England's eyes strayed to the clock. "We don't have time." He said sounding genuinely regretful. "Come on, eat your breakfast while I go and have a shower." The last thing England heard before going upstairs was America's groan and he smiled slightly to himself.
When they were on the way to the meeting, England felt the voices grow steadily louder as they entered the more built up part of the city. America kept glancing nervously at England. England? If it ever gets too much for you, just tell me and we can go home. America's thoughts relaxed England as he focused on them again.
"I'll be fine America." He said quietly. "We're here." They both climbed out of the car where they were greeted by North Italy and Germany.
"Hello England! Are you feeling better?" Italy asked, looking worriedly at England. He looks better, he's not as white. Headaches are horrible but at least America was there to take care of him! Glad that there was at least one person that did not have any secrets, England smiled at Italy.
"I'm fine Italy. Thank you for asking." Germany nodded at England and Italy waved to them as they both made their way to the meeting room. You do look better England. England sent a half-smile America's way at his thoughts before tugging him along. "Come on, America."
Up at the meeting room, they both sat down next to France and Canada who looked at England in curiosity, although Canada looked slightly more desperate than France.
You won't tell him, will you England? Canada's thoughts were urgent and England sent the younger nation a comforting look before shaking his head.
What is going on with Angleterre and Mathieu? When did Angleterre even notice little Mathieu? Strangely, France's thoughts were sullen and England did not miss the way France used Canada's human name for in his head. Smirking, England focused on the meeting again where America had stood up to speak. The voices were just as annoying as yesterday but England was able to focus on America and managed not to get a headache this time.
However when there was a break, England felt that he should give America a little privacy for a while, so he started to scan the thoughts of the other nations, paying close attention to Poland, who luckily seemed slightly calmer today.
Silly Germany, I can manage my economy perfectly well. But being responsible and serious is not as much fun! Maybe I should make some pasta for lunch. England almost choked as he listened to the northern Italian's inner 'voice'. He took back what he said about Italy not having any secrets, it seemed like all the nations had skeletons in their closets. England should have expected that, after all not even France or America knew everything about him. The fey came close to knowing almost everything but he still had a few secrets from them as well.
America and England make such a cute couple! I was rooting for them all along. Hungary's inner voice made England smile and his view towards her softened. Now the question is whether Japan has got those video cameras up or not. And there went that good opinion of her. She might have been happy from him and America, wait, how did she know that they were together? The only ones who might have guessed were France and Canada and they definitely had not told anyone. England had a feeling it had something to do with those cameras. But wouldn't that mean they knew about the whole mind-reading as well?
How do I stop Elizabeta from stalking England and America without angering her? But if she doesn't stop, I really don't want to see England's reaction. And then if she makes England upset in any way, America will get involved and then she may get even more hurt. Japan, stop encouraging her! England's mind froze at what Austria thought, unsure whether he should be angry, pleased, happy or confused about the anger for Japan was about. He resolved to think about it later, moving instead to Canada who was sitting by himself as usual. England wondered why Canada was always sitting alone but his thoughts were diverted when he saw that Canada was throwing glances at France.
Will you just stop flirting with everyone but me for one second? I was in the middle of talking to you and you just walked off. That's just so rude! England decided that his former colony needed some help or at least distracting from his annoyed thoughts so he walked over there, weaving between the other nations.
"You okay Canada?" England asked carefully, eyeing Canada's facial expressions. The other man looked trapped for a second before smiling at England.
"I'm fine England. Thank you though." Fine, I'm not fine. I think I'm in love with a man who slept with me for the sheer purpose that I hadn't already slept with him and that he left me after he found out that I am way too inexperienced. Let's not forget that the whole world, including you, forgets who I am at times and I have the most attention-seeking brother in the world. England blinked at the sudden flood of information, he would never have guessed that Canada was hiding so much between a meek exterior.
At England's look of surprise, Canada flushed as he too had forgotten England's ability. "Oh England, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it."
"It's okay Canada. Relax, America had something similar happen to him earlier." England reassured the younger nation before leaning to prevent anyone overhearing. "Are you really in love with him?" Canada flushed at the question but nodded.
"Have been so for decades, but he only noticed me a few years ago and that was when we..." Canada cut himself off but England understood.
"It's okay Canada, it can work out okay. But if you need anything, just call me. After all, I know what that's like." England smiled, slightly bitterly as he remembered the years of loving America when he thought it was just unrequited and was destined to be painful until he died. He clasped Canada's arm in a show of solidarity.
"Thanks England." Canada smiled gratefully at his former guardian. England might prefer America to him but at least there was some affection for him as well.
"I think Amérique is trying to get your attention Angleterre." France suddenly appeared next to the two men who jumped, not realising how close they had gotten until that moment. Get your nasty hands off Mathieu. He is purer than you could ever hope to be. France's thoughts were vicious and England barely managed to restrain himself from attacking the Frenchman; after all, Canada would not appreciate it.
"Okay France. I'll talk to you later Matthew." England smiled slightly at the flustered Canadian before heading off towards America. He chuckled to himself as France's thoughts turned even more murderous as well as Canada's thoughts becoming even more confused.
England's smile faded as everyone's thoughts started to fill his head again, he had to find America fast. Spotting the familiar blonde hair and glasses, he made his way over as quickly as he could, stumbling only slightly as he heard Latvia's murderous thoughts towards Russia. If the young Baltic nation ever became a superpower, England might pity Russia especially if Latvia got Poland involved. He might have to keep an eye on Sealand if that ever happened, the boy could get easily sucked in by his friend.
Everyone needs to back up off me! I can't fix everything, just leave me alone. Relief at hearing America's thoughts was tempered by the panic obvious in the boy's inner tone which made England's protective instincts come to the forefront. He spotted America surrounded by China, Mexico and Germany all questioning what he was going to do to improve his country's economy and how it would affect theirs.
"I believe this was a break, so any questions can be held until the meeting starts again." England said calmly, even when there was a small part of him that wanted to hit every single one of them.
However this was America's responsibility as a superpower, decisions he made would affect the rest of the world as well. The relief in America's thoughts quelled any doubts England had about digging America out of a tight spot again. Germany subsided quickly while Mexico disappeared with one last parting shot and China was distracted by the arrival of South Korea.
"Did you get my gift China? Did you like it?" Korea asked, reminding England of an excitable puppy, eager to please.
"Yes I did Korea, it was nice." China answered politely, stepping away from the overeager nation. "But I need to speak to Japan for a second, excuse me." At least he will be quiet. China's thoughts caused England to wince. He was glad that Korea could not hear what China was thinking, it would really hurt him.
Of course perfect Japan. I'm right here and I'm willing to do anything you want. It's all about you China, just please look at me for once. Just one time. Korea's thoughts were begging and desperate as he stared at China's back but no sign of it showed on his face. Again England winced and felt shame. He always had sympathy for China, seeing Korea as an annoyance, but there seemed to be something deeper in the Korean. Unfortunately, unlike France and Canada, China did not seem to be returning the other nation's feelings. Spurred on by this, England shushed America as he stepped towards Korea.
"Are you okay Korea?" The younger nation jerked around to stare at England in shock.
Unexpected much? His thoughts quipped before they went back onto England's question. No, feeling like something you scrape off the bottom of your shoe actually. "I'm fine England, but thanks for asking." Korea smiled brightly at England while his thoughts turned back to China. See China? I can act politely, better than Japan even! Wait, I forgot, no one is better than Japan. England examined Korea's expression, trying to see if one hint of his thoughts were on the Korean's face but his smile stayed carefully in place.
"If you're sure Korea, I'll leave you alone." England replied, not willing to force his company on someone who clearly wanted to be alone. As soon as England turned away he noticed Korea hurried out of the room, presumably to get away from the crowds of nations.
"What was that about?" America asked, and why have you been avoiding me all meeting?
"Korea was upset about something China said. I was just seeing if he was okay. I wasn't avoiding you, I was just trying to give you a break from someone reading your mind all the time." England rolled his eyes at what he saw as America's childishness.
"Oh, okay." The American said out loud, sounding suitably ashamed. I just thought that you wanted a break from me and you seemed to be talking to Canada a lot and everyone knows that he's the nice one that everyone likes and wants to be like him. I can't deal with that happening with you England and everyone already dislikes me but still wants me to make really good decisions all the time. England was alarmed at the mess of America's thoughts so he raised his hand and started to rub circles on the back of his neck to try and calm him down.
"I'm in love with you America, no one else. I should have told you that I was just giving you a rest instead of just making you guess. You and Canada are very different and that is what makes you brilliant. That's the way of the superpower America, not many like you but everyone wants a hand in your decisions." England said quietly, trying to sooth all America's doubts in one sitting. "You just need to find the people who genuinely like you and stay with them for a little bit, that will make you feel better."
"Is that what you did?" America asked, his body relaxing more into England's still-stroking hand.
"Yeah. I came to visit you remember?" America's mouth quirked upwards into a small smile, mirroring England's as they remembered the happy times of when they were colony and empire. What about after the Revolution? After this thought occurred to America, the smiles faded on both faces.
"I didn't stay with anyone most of the time. Sometimes I stayed with India and Portugal but not often." England admitted honestly. During one of the highest points of the British Empire, the nation itself was at its most lonely, especially since it knew what having someone who loved him felt like. America's thoughts indicated distaste at the mention of England's ex-girlfriends but did not dwell on that. Both nations turned as Germany called the meeting back to order. "Come on America." England tugged America back to his seat and sat down. The meeting passed slowly, giving England more chance to muse over what he had heard so far. It seemed that all nations were not what they seemed.
On the way home America got an idea.
"Hey Englannnnnd," he said in a high voice which he obviously thought was cute but immediately put England on guard, "you can hear people's thoughts right?" England stared at the other nation in disbelief. He could not be asking that.
"Yes America well done. That is what we discussed over the past few days." England said slowly as if he was speaking to a very dim-witted pigeon.
"And so you can hear Russia's thoughts as well?" America finished cheerfully, ignoring England's tone.
"No." England said flatly, causing America to swing his head around to face the Englishman and for the car to swerve into the other lane of the carriageway. "America! Eyes on the road!" England yelled, his heart only starting to calm down as America resumed looking ahead of himself.
"Why won't you do it?" America asked, obviously trying to stop the whining tone of voice but it wasn't blocked in his thoughts, besides you use your power to help Canada.
"Because I don't want to spy on someone who doesn't even know I have this ability just so you can satisfy this weird obsession with Russia that should have ended when the Cold War did. And are you still hung up on me talking to Canada? I can have other friends outside of you." England said, getting annoyed now, he thought they had resolved the issue. America's thoughts were apologetic, sorry England, it just pops up in my mind sometimes. England nodded, letting his anger dissolve.
"I know America and I know that if I wasn't reading your thoughts this wouldn't be such a big issue. It's just I don't feel very comfortable with violating their privacy, I know most of the time I listen because it's like someone speaking to me, it's very hard to ignore. But to set out to deliberately spy on another nation just...just...."
"Freaks you out?" America volunteered and for lack of a better word, England nodded. "Okay England, I won't push this." America said calmly. I can see how important it is and I know you value your privacy.
"That's it! I would hate for someone to be spying on my thoughts without me knowing and I don't want to do that with anyone else." England said, relieved that America had understood. When they had stopped at a traffic light, England quickly leaned over and pecked America's cheek causing America's thoughts to stop. "Thank you." England said quietly before settling back in his seat, ignoring his bright red cheeks. It took a beep from the car behind before America realised the light was green and started to move off.
Part 3