[Hetalia] "A Little Life, A Little Light"
Story 1 of the hetachallenge Winter Challenge. I'll be back dating entries to be on the appropriate days of December.
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Title: "A Little Life, A Little Light"
Author shuriken7
Characters: America/England
Challenge: Holiday Winter Challenge - 31 Fics in 31 Days
Rating: G
Summary: Modern Day. America drags England through the snow to show him something in the forest.
The snow crunched beneath England's boots as he tried to follow America's larger footprints through the wintry forest. The drifts were about knee high and he was grateful for the snow pants America had loaned him, even if they were a bit oversized and he still wasn't sure why they weren't just using snowshoes. The silence was deep, just the sound of their footsteps and the occasional chirp of a bird. He considered asking America where they were going several times, but America walked with such purpose that he must have something in mind.
As they traveled the forest began to grow thinner and the the trunks went from shades of brown to black. Some of the pine needles had been burned off the lower branches, but the rest still clung green and proud, against the grey sky. Eventually they reached a clearing where all of the trees had been torched. They paused and America turned to smile at him. England gave him a quizzical look, but walked closer. He was thoroughly confused why America would hike through the snow to take him to the site of a forest fire.
"I want to show you something." America said, kneeling down in the snow. He began to dig with his gloved hands. England walked up closer and watched until he saw the flash of green appear.
"A sapling." he said, kneeling down beside America. America looked up at him and smiled. England's cheeks pinked slightly at how genuine the look was. England wasn't sure he would ever grow used to those easy smiles.
"Yeah, the forest is going to grow back."
"Well, of course."
"It reminds me of us. Sometimes we burn down, think we've lost everything, but there's always something left to grow back." America said, looking down at the little tree like a proud parent.
England could feel warmth spreading through his chest. America's attempt at poetic metaphor warmed him. He leaned closer and kissed America on his cold cheek. "I don't get to say this very often, my love, but you're right."
America's smile widened and England smiled back. He kissed the corner of America's mouth and said, "Now, let's get out of this cold and get some hot chocolate, and I might just show you how right you can be."
America's cheeks pinked and he offered him a hand. As the snow crunched beneath their boots, England knew that no matter what a little bit of light would hold them together, just like the spark of life was always present in the forest.
~*~
Title: "A Little Life, A Little Light"
Author shuriken7
Characters: America/England
Challenge: Holiday Winter Challenge - 31 Fics in 31 Days
Rating: G
Summary: Modern Day. America drags England through the snow to show him something in the forest.
The snow crunched beneath England's boots as he tried to follow America's larger footprints through the wintry forest. The drifts were about knee high and he was grateful for the snow pants America had loaned him, even if they were a bit oversized and he still wasn't sure why they weren't just using snowshoes. The silence was deep, just the sound of their footsteps and the occasional chirp of a bird. He considered asking America where they were going several times, but America walked with such purpose that he must have something in mind.
As they traveled the forest began to grow thinner and the the trunks went from shades of brown to black. Some of the pine needles had been burned off the lower branches, but the rest still clung green and proud, against the grey sky. Eventually they reached a clearing where all of the trees had been torched. They paused and America turned to smile at him. England gave him a quizzical look, but walked closer. He was thoroughly confused why America would hike through the snow to take him to the site of a forest fire.
"I want to show you something." America said, kneeling down in the snow. He began to dig with his gloved hands. England walked up closer and watched until he saw the flash of green appear.
"A sapling." he said, kneeling down beside America. America looked up at him and smiled. England's cheeks pinked slightly at how genuine the look was. England wasn't sure he would ever grow used to those easy smiles.
"Yeah, the forest is going to grow back."
"Well, of course."
"It reminds me of us. Sometimes we burn down, think we've lost everything, but there's always something left to grow back." America said, looking down at the little tree like a proud parent.
England could feel warmth spreading through his chest. America's attempt at poetic metaphor warmed him. He leaned closer and kissed America on his cold cheek. "I don't get to say this very often, my love, but you're right."
America's smile widened and England smiled back. He kissed the corner of America's mouth and said, "Now, let's get out of this cold and get some hot chocolate, and I might just show you how right you can be."
America's cheeks pinked and he offered him a hand. As the snow crunched beneath their boots, England knew that no matter what a little bit of light would hold them together, just like the spark of life was always present in the forest.