[CHAPTERFIC] You Can't Take the Sky From Me Chapter Eighteen (Axis Powers Hetalia)
Title: You Can't Take the Sky From Me [FF.NET Chapter Eighteen] [ Writing Journal Previous Chapters ]
Pairing: AmericaxEngland, PolandxLithuania, GermanyxItaly, SpainxRomano, Belarus---->Russia, PrussiaxSwitzerland. Future pairings: GreecexJapan, HungaryxAustria, SwedenxFinland
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance/Humor/Drama/Action+Adventure/Alternate Universe
Word Count: 3.589
Summary: Ace Pilot America is on a mission for the World Military when a chance encounter with a group of Sky-Pirates leads him to team up with their captain, England, against a malevolent group that wants to fill the sky with zeppelins. [USxUK- Steampunk AU]
Chapter Summary: It was cute the way England was flushed deep when they pulled away; the crimson stain spreading across his face and he swore, all the way to his ears. His eyes had been wide, their brilliant green only accentuated by the red of his cheeks.
After he’d leapt away, and he knew he’d looked at England as if he, America, had done something terribly wrong.
He hoped he hadn’t given England the wrong idea by reacting in such a manner.
…Whatever the hell the right idea was anyway.
Author's Note: I feel pretty lame not getting an update out for such a long time, but I started back class and had a convention and... was just overall insanely stressed. I'm so sorry. That being said, I can't thank you all enough for the... amazing feedback on chapter seventeen. And also, for the gorgeous art from technoranma (here), colevic ( here), and supertobi (here). I hope this chapter is at least somewhat worth the wait!
What just ha-I kissed him?
America lowered his face half-way into the water, in a vain hope that his burning cheeks would be abated by the cool sea that lapped against them. It wasn’t of any use. His blood seemed stalwart in its refusal to stop coloring his face, and he swore that it was even causing him to feel a bit lightheaded.
He’d kissed England. Why had he kissed him? One minute he’d been proclaiming his heroic mission, then he’d hugged him because hey, why not? He embraced his friends and---
Oh who the hell was he kidding? He liked hugging England.
America lifted his head from the water to take a breath, and then submerged again.
Liked the feel of England in his arms, the way he enveloped him so easily, surrounding him and…
It was cute the way England was flushed deep when they pulled away; the crimson stain spreading across his face and he swore, all the way to his ears. His eyes had been wide, their brilliant green only accentuated by the red of his cheeks.
After he’d leapt away, he knew he’d looked at England as if he, America, had done something terribly wrong.
He hoped he hadn’t given England the wrong idea by reacting in such a manner.
…Whatever the hell the right idea was anyway.
He’d kissed England. England had kissed him back, very much so, what with the tongue and the---
America submerged himself completely now, splashing with his arms as he descended underwater, crossed his arms, bent his knees, and stood there, beneath the waves. He closed his eyes and blew bubbles, enjoying the feel of the light current and the way in which his hair tickled his face.
The kissing had been nice. Shit. Damn, it had been nice and it had felt so good and… what the hell was going on anyway and America felt as if his head may explode at any moment.
Although England had stormed off, but that couldn’t have been because of America’s kissing skills, because surely they were amazing and awesome, plus he had just agreed to let America be his hero so he must like him at least as a friend and the kissing would indicate that England---
All right, let’s clear this up. He shook his head, the rush of the ocean whipping by as he did so. I kissed England. He kissed me. I liked it. He pushed his knees up and rose out of the water, taking a deep breath and sifting a hand through his soaking hair as he stared at the endless blue sea beyond him. …Weird.
America was snapped out of his reverie by the sound of someone clearing their throat. He whipped around, his eyes meeting Prussia’s. He was leering at him from a crouching position on the end of the dock.
“What do you want?” America asked, hoping and praying that the flush on his face had dissipated.
Prussia’s hands were resting on his knees, and he broke out a bark of a laugh. “I just have gotta know what exactly happened to cause England to run off all excited like that.”
America knew that his cheeks were red now, and he gaped, rather like a fish. “I’ve got no idea what the hell you’re---“
Prussia rolled his eyes. “Really, man. I’m happy that you two apparently… umm… whatever you did.” He paused. “I was hoping my awesome talk earlier would help you along, so make sure you give credit to the awesome me!”
“Nothing like that happened!” America waved his hands wildly in front of them.
Prussia sat down entirely, dangling his bare feet over the edge of the dock. “Ha. Get your mind out of the gutter, boy toy. You could just touch England while looking like you do right now, and he’d probably have to run off and… service himself.” America stared at Prussia, straight on, a defiant frown crossing his lips. “So it’s not like I’m saying you ripped each other’s clothes off or--- “
“Fuck off!” America shouted, thrusting his arms forward and splashing Prussia vehemently. “What happened between me and England is… it’s none of your business!”
At this, Prussia smirked. “Firstly, I’m already wet, man. Splashing me is sort of lame.” He pointed a finger. “Secondly, haven’t we gone over this? As great as it is to make fun of you two, I really do want it to work out? So whether you groped each other’s butt cheeks or kissed--- “
At this, America’s face flooded with color again, and he cursed inwardly, biting his lip in attempt to stop himself from saying something that might give him away.
Prussia laughed, loud and booming and annoying and America just wanted him to stop because he swore he was only becoming redder by the moment. “You kissed?” America opened his mouth to deny it, but Prussia continued first. He whooped, laughed again, and raised his arms above his head, then stood up and brushed his legs off. “That is awesome.” He turned and began to walk away, leaving America without a chance to reply.
America’s fingers moved to his lips, as if musing on what exactly had occurred in that region of his body. Upon realizing his action however, he pulled them away like he was touching a hot coal and smacked his forehead in frustration. Watch Prussia tell everyone on this damn island. He dunked his head underwater again and swam outward in attempt to cool his nerves.
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America padded onto the flight pad, bare feet hot on the concrete and boots and other clothing in his arms. He shook his head to free the remaining loose moisture from his hair as he approached his plane.
He had swum until he’d grown exhausted of it, his fingers and toes long since pruned by the time he stepped out of the water. The cool blue sea had welcomed him, his strong arms and legs carrying him out to the reef where he surveyed, as best as he could without goggles, the tropical fish and the corals and the color and the sun kissed sky above the sea.
But staring at the sky, instead of reminding him of being in his plane and soaring through the clouds, as it usually did, had made his mind wander back to England.
He was trying very hard not to think about England.
Although if the fucking sky reminded him of him, he was screwed.
There was nothing he loved more than the sky, after all. Dammit.
All right! He was going to change out of his wet clothes, and the duffle bag was now in his plane. After that, considering how his head was swimming and he was still trying to make sense of--- that, he thought maybe he’d ask Australia if he could have a beer.
If he had enough to supply Prussia’s habit, he could definitely spare America one. He hopped into his plane, wincing at the uncomfortable feeling of wet boxer shorts squelching on the leather of the chair, and reached behind to grab his duffle bag, throwing his dirty items back there as he did so.
He paused once he’d nabbed it and turned back around to stare at his radio. One good thing had come of England shooting it, outside of giving him an excuse for his absence, of course. Once Canada had repaired it, it actually worked a little better than before, less static and crackling inhibiting his conversations.
America took a deep breath and ran his fingers across the dials of the radio. He had told France and Canada where he was going, but the exact destination was something they’d no idea of. Nor had they been notified of when he’d be back. America himself had no idea, after all.
He should radio them, America thought. After last time where Canada had been worried sick and he’d actually felt… really shitty about causing his crew to freak out, he didn’t want something like that to occur again. A hero didn’t allow his friends to fret for no reason!
America tuned in the frequency of his hangar, reminding himself to keep it short as per England’s warnings about keeping their location private.
“Captain Jones, this is Captain Jones speaking,” he began, once the crackle of the radio had cleared. A few moment’s silence, and a clear voice replied.
“Captain. Good afternoon, Captain.” Japan.
“Hey there Japan!” he replied casually. “What’s been up?”
“I’m doing very well. May I ask what’s been up with you? I heard you were going out on something related to the Kosmider.” Oh that was right, Japan was the only one who didn’t know about England.
America winced. He felt a little bad that Japan was still in the dark, especially when France of all people knew. “Um, it’s going awesome!” he lied. “I have a ton of information. The colonel is definitely going to be pleased with me!”
He patted the list in his pocket, and a realization dawned on him. He couldn’t give this list to the colonel or anyone else, save perhaps the rest of his unit. He had made a promise to England regarding the names on that list, and he had… no desire to break it.
The idea of disappointing England like that left an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach.
But the zeppelin specifications, and the other information, he could provide the military that! And they’d definitely think him an awesome captain, and an awesome hero, for doing so.
“That’s wonderful, Captain!” Japan exclaimed, his voice still quiet. “Then I take it you’re ready to return to the base?”
“Huh?”
Japan laughed lightly. “I was hoping you’d radio, because we attempted to get a hold of you to no avail before now.”
“Well… I wasn’t in my plane.”
“I assumed as much, and Mr. Williams and Private Bonnefoy agreed.”
“Ah yeah. Cool then. Glad I didn’t worry you, although you shouldn’t worry about a pilot like me anyway!”
“Colonel’s orders, you need to return to the base. Our unit has been chosen to take charge of Kosmider related activities for this base.”
“Really?” America grinned, beamed. “Th-that’s awesome! I mean we’re finally going to get to do something, and we’ve been put at the head of something so important. Ha, those bastards are going down!”
“Well, we’ll still be taking orders from above.”
“Yeah, I mean of course but. Seriously, this is the coolest thing!” America was leaning back in his chair now, grin having only widened as he stared upward. This was surreal; in the best way possible.
“I thought you would be excited, Captain Jones.”
“Ameerrricaaaa,” he said, drawing it out.
“America,” he corrected, reluctantly. “I know you’ll be good for the job. You’re very passionate about this.”
He laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head. “Ah yeah, you’ve noticed. It’s just… man it’s terrible, and it can’t keep happening and… ah shit, actually I’ve got to keep this short. I need to come back?” he trailed off the last sentence, frowning when his chest tightened slightly at the idea of leaving the tropical island behind, of leaving England.
“By tomorrow morning. We have a meeting with General Wang at eleven a.m. You’ll be able to return in plenty of time, I hope?”
“Y-yeah, it won’t be a problem, Japan,” America replied, biting his lip. He was thrilled with the assignment. It was a dream come true, really. But… this island, the Victoria crew, England. He sighed, and forced a cheerful tone. “Thanks for telling me. You’re the most awesome friend ever, Japan.”
“Thank you Cap-America, you know how deeply I value your friendship as well.”
“See ya!”
“Clear skies, America.”
He clicked off the radio and rubbed his forehead. He simultaneously wanted to jump up and down and radio Japan back asking if they could move the meeting to the next day. But he had a job to do, and there was nothing more important than fighting the Kosmider. And now he had a real chance to make a difference, because he wasn’t going to allow the military to ignore the problem if he was in charge. America grabbed his duffle bag and leapt out of the cockpit, heading toward the hut Australia had by the beach in order to change.
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America spotted England sitting on the beach, close enough to the surf that the water was tickling his toes, when he exited the hut. His soaked shirt and pants appeared somewhat dry by now, the afternoon sun having worked quickly on them, and he was leaning back on his arms, as if staring skyward. His expression was neutral, and his vivid green eyes were wide as they surveyed the blue above.
He approached England, quietly, and paused hovering over him before tapping him on the shoulder. “Hey…”
England merely nodded. “’Ello, America.”
America shifted awkwardly on his feet, and then sat down next to him, pulling his legs up crossed beneath him so they wouldn’t get wet. “So umm…”
“I can’t wait to get back to the sky,” England began. “Bloody hell, the beach is beautiful, but I miss flying in my Victoria like nothing else.”
He smiled. “Yeah, this place is pretty awesome, but I know what you mean,” America paused. Hesitantly, he placed a hand on England’s knee.
England’s eyes grew large and his cheeks flushed red. “A-America I…”
“Huh?”
“S-s-should we talk?” England managed, his voice quiet.
America pulled his hand off England and darted his eyes away, willing the blush not to rise on his own cheeks. It didn’t work. “Don’t take this some weird way but… I have to leave, England.”
England sighed and moved his arms into his lap. “Oh. I see.”
“I got put in charge of the Kosmider activities at my base!” America exclaimed, rubbing the back of his head. “It’s great, England! I can finally do something without… sneaking around and stuff. We’ll definitely be able to handle them with military action, I’m sure.”
England chuckled sardonically. “I suppose you won’t be needing any more help from pirates then, will you?”
America blinked. “Wha?”
“Never mind, if you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go.”
America bit his lip. “If it weren’t so important to leave, I… wouldn’t mind staying here for a while.” His cheeks were still pink, he knew it.
“Y-you--- wouldn’t?” England glanced at him, something in his eyes, something like what America had seen when they’d pulled apart from their embrace, right before they’d---
“Nah, I mean it’s a lot of fun here!”
England shook his head. “I’m... pleased you think so. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hardly meant to be a tropical getaway, so I don’t care if you had fun or no---“
“England.” America took a deep breath. “I uh- yeah we should probably talk, huh?” England nodded. “Well you’re probably leaving here soon, and I don’t know when I can get away from the base…”
“I suppose we could meet at Világfa,” England mused, almost under his breath.
“Is that some kind of secret pirate getaway?” His lips quirked up. “A hellhole of crime?”
“Oh shut up. It’s the Inn and Pub I told you about before. You should have the name memorized, since I told you to throw the paper away.”
America laughed nervously. “I kinda forgot to throw it away.”
“Idiot.”
“I didn’t tell anyone!” he defended.
“All right, I believe you.”
“So the Világfa Inn and Pub, and I’ll be meeting up with the Unicorn, right?” America inquired, amusement in his tone.
England huffed and crossed his arms. “Yes, all right? Just radio me when you think you can clear your schedule.”
America stood up and clapped a hand on England’s shoulder. “It’s a date, then!”
At this, England’s face exploded red, and he nodded rather firmly. “V-Very well then.”
“Awesome.” He sighed, “I’ve really gotta go though, so you wanna come see me off?”
England shook his head in the positive and pushed himself up, brushing the sand off his rear as he did so. “Are you going to need something to eat for the trip home?”
“Ah, I actually caught Australia on the way from the plane to that hut I changed clothes in, and he’s packing me up something.” America shrugged. “I was kind of aching for a beer, but that was before I knew I was going to be flying back…”
“Are you decent on fuel?”
“Australia is taking care of that as well.”
They were walking now, along the beach and toward the platform America’s plane rested on. Glancing back, America spotted the rest of the crew. Spain and Romano were still lounging in the shallow surf, Sealand and Liechtenstein were playing some strange form of hopscotch they’d drawn in the sand, and Prussia and Switzerland were talking amongst themselves, both sitting in their own wicker chairs. He smiled fondly, unbidden.
“Hey!” he called back, shouting. “I’m uh, leaving, so bye everyone!”
Spain and Romano waved from their places on the beach, Romano with a frown. Sealand and Liechtenstein ran over so they were walking alongside America and England, and Prussia pushed himself out of the chair to join them, Switzerland following behind.
It was Switzerland that approached America first once they reached the platform. He roughly pulled him aside, out of England’s earshot, and glared at him.
“Um…” America blinked.
“Prussia told me what happened between you two,” he began shortly. America’s cheeks flooded with color. “It’s not up to me to judge the captain’s choices, but I will say…” Switzerland grabbed America’s collar, his green eyes hard. “That if you hurt him, in any way. I will shoot you, and I won’t miss.”
America gulped, because he’d seen Switzerland with his arsenal of weapons, and damn he would not want to be on his bad side. “Why would I hurt England?” was his simple reply.
Switzerland just nodded and let go of his collar. “That’s what I wanted to hear.” He turned away. “See you then.”
America shuddered inwardly. “What the hell…”
“Ah, that’s just Switzerland,” Prussia interrupted, smacking America on the back. He started. “But he will totally kick your ass if you screw with England.”
“I don’t plan---“
“By screwing with, I don’t mean screwing of course.” He smirked deviously. “You’re welcome to do that. Haha.”
“Shut up!” America snapped, blushing.
“Yeah, well…” Prussia smiled, softer, without that edge of mischief. “See you later man.” America nodded, and Prussia patted his back one more time before walking away. He stepped toward his plane and met Australia along the way.
“Done filling you up, and here’s some food to go, mate,” Australia said, grinning at him with his grease-stained face.
America took a brown bag from the other man’s hand, and nodded in gratitude. “Thanks.” He turned back around, where the Victoria crew, including Spain and Romano, who had left their surfside spot after all, stood facing him. England was in the forefront, with a sort of… cautious smile.
“You’re off now?” he asked.
“Y-yeah, sorry I can’t stay longer,” America answered, a flicker of a frown on his lips.
England tilted his chin up. “Quite all right. I know you’re needed back at your base. It doesn’t bode well when I do believe that you may be one of the most competent soldiers there.”
“Hey!” But England’s insult felt weak, more teasing than anything. “Well you’d better get up in the air again, so you can steal some more tea kettles for your stove or something.”
America turned around and began to step into his plane, but England’s hand on his back stopped him. He swerved to look at the other man. England was glancing to and fro, as if making sure his crew was not able to eavesdrop on this. They were standing only a few meters away, so it was no surprise that England practically whispered when he began to speak. “Just because you’re going to be all… bigshot in the military now, don’t think I won’t still be fighting as well.”
“Huh?”
“I mean to say that, I hope we can still work together on this, America,” he clarified.
“Hey. I mean we set up that meeting, we can still exchange information and work together and…” America rushed out the next part, “hang out and stuff.”
England closed his eyes for a moment. “It’s not just the Kosmider that I want to work together with you on.” And America couldn’t miss how embarrassed he looked saying those words. “I would like to… I would…” He exhaled deeply. “Oh never mind.”
“You’d what?” America scratched the back of his head.
“It’s nothing,” England replied. “Just as long as I know I’ll see you again.”
“’Course you will!” he replied confidently. “Now I’ve really got to go.”
“Yes… I know.” America hopped halfway into the cockpit, one side still dangling out, when England reached forward to shake his hand.
America grinned at this and knocked his hand aside, instead deciding to wrap the other man in a one-armed hug. England leaned into his shoulder and America could see his contented smile out his peripheral vision. He tousled England's hair and whispered into his ear, “See you later, England.”
England’s hands rubbed up and down America’s back as he replied, “Then I suppose I’ll look forward to it.”
Pairing: AmericaxEngland, PolandxLithuania, GermanyxItaly, SpainxRomano, Belarus---->Russia, PrussiaxSwitzerland. Future pairings: GreecexJapan, HungaryxAustria, SwedenxFinland
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance/Humor/Drama/Action+Adventure/Alternate Universe
Word Count: 3.589
Summary: Ace Pilot America is on a mission for the World Military when a chance encounter with a group of Sky-Pirates leads him to team up with their captain, England, against a malevolent group that wants to fill the sky with zeppelins. [USxUK- Steampunk AU]
Chapter Summary: It was cute the way England was flushed deep when they pulled away; the crimson stain spreading across his face and he swore, all the way to his ears. His eyes had been wide, their brilliant green only accentuated by the red of his cheeks.
After he’d leapt away, and he knew he’d looked at England as if he, America, had done something terribly wrong.
He hoped he hadn’t given England the wrong idea by reacting in such a manner.
…Whatever the hell the right idea was anyway.
Author's Note: I feel pretty lame not getting an update out for such a long time, but I started back class and had a convention and... was just overall insanely stressed. I'm so sorry. That being said, I can't thank you all enough for the... amazing feedback on chapter seventeen. And also, for the gorgeous art from technoranma (here), colevic ( here), and supertobi (here). I hope this chapter is at least somewhat worth the wait!
What just ha-I kissed him?
America lowered his face half-way into the water, in a vain hope that his burning cheeks would be abated by the cool sea that lapped against them. It wasn’t of any use. His blood seemed stalwart in its refusal to stop coloring his face, and he swore that it was even causing him to feel a bit lightheaded.
He’d kissed England. Why had he kissed him? One minute he’d been proclaiming his heroic mission, then he’d hugged him because hey, why not? He embraced his friends and---
Oh who the hell was he kidding? He liked hugging England.
America lifted his head from the water to take a breath, and then submerged again.
Liked the feel of England in his arms, the way he enveloped him so easily, surrounding him and…
It was cute the way England was flushed deep when they pulled away; the crimson stain spreading across his face and he swore, all the way to his ears. His eyes had been wide, their brilliant green only accentuated by the red of his cheeks.
After he’d leapt away, he knew he’d looked at England as if he, America, had done something terribly wrong.
He hoped he hadn’t given England the wrong idea by reacting in such a manner.
…Whatever the hell the right idea was anyway.
He’d kissed England. England had kissed him back, very much so, what with the tongue and the---
America submerged himself completely now, splashing with his arms as he descended underwater, crossed his arms, bent his knees, and stood there, beneath the waves. He closed his eyes and blew bubbles, enjoying the feel of the light current and the way in which his hair tickled his face.
The kissing had been nice. Shit. Damn, it had been nice and it had felt so good and… what the hell was going on anyway and America felt as if his head may explode at any moment.
Although England had stormed off, but that couldn’t have been because of America’s kissing skills, because surely they were amazing and awesome, plus he had just agreed to let America be his hero so he must like him at least as a friend and the kissing would indicate that England---
All right, let’s clear this up. He shook his head, the rush of the ocean whipping by as he did so. I kissed England. He kissed me. I liked it. He pushed his knees up and rose out of the water, taking a deep breath and sifting a hand through his soaking hair as he stared at the endless blue sea beyond him. …Weird.
America was snapped out of his reverie by the sound of someone clearing their throat. He whipped around, his eyes meeting Prussia’s. He was leering at him from a crouching position on the end of the dock.
“What do you want?” America asked, hoping and praying that the flush on his face had dissipated.
Prussia’s hands were resting on his knees, and he broke out a bark of a laugh. “I just have gotta know what exactly happened to cause England to run off all excited like that.”
America knew that his cheeks were red now, and he gaped, rather like a fish. “I’ve got no idea what the hell you’re---“
Prussia rolled his eyes. “Really, man. I’m happy that you two apparently… umm… whatever you did.” He paused. “I was hoping my awesome talk earlier would help you along, so make sure you give credit to the awesome me!”
“Nothing like that happened!” America waved his hands wildly in front of them.
Prussia sat down entirely, dangling his bare feet over the edge of the dock. “Ha. Get your mind out of the gutter, boy toy. You could just touch England while looking like you do right now, and he’d probably have to run off and… service himself.” America stared at Prussia, straight on, a defiant frown crossing his lips. “So it’s not like I’m saying you ripped each other’s clothes off or--- “
“Fuck off!” America shouted, thrusting his arms forward and splashing Prussia vehemently. “What happened between me and England is… it’s none of your business!”
At this, Prussia smirked. “Firstly, I’m already wet, man. Splashing me is sort of lame.” He pointed a finger. “Secondly, haven’t we gone over this? As great as it is to make fun of you two, I really do want it to work out? So whether you groped each other’s butt cheeks or kissed--- “
At this, America’s face flooded with color again, and he cursed inwardly, biting his lip in attempt to stop himself from saying something that might give him away.
Prussia laughed, loud and booming and annoying and America just wanted him to stop because he swore he was only becoming redder by the moment. “You kissed?” America opened his mouth to deny it, but Prussia continued first. He whooped, laughed again, and raised his arms above his head, then stood up and brushed his legs off. “That is awesome.” He turned and began to walk away, leaving America without a chance to reply.
America’s fingers moved to his lips, as if musing on what exactly had occurred in that region of his body. Upon realizing his action however, he pulled them away like he was touching a hot coal and smacked his forehead in frustration. Watch Prussia tell everyone on this damn island. He dunked his head underwater again and swam outward in attempt to cool his nerves.
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America padded onto the flight pad, bare feet hot on the concrete and boots and other clothing in his arms. He shook his head to free the remaining loose moisture from his hair as he approached his plane.
He had swum until he’d grown exhausted of it, his fingers and toes long since pruned by the time he stepped out of the water. The cool blue sea had welcomed him, his strong arms and legs carrying him out to the reef where he surveyed, as best as he could without goggles, the tropical fish and the corals and the color and the sun kissed sky above the sea.
But staring at the sky, instead of reminding him of being in his plane and soaring through the clouds, as it usually did, had made his mind wander back to England.
He was trying very hard not to think about England.
Although if the fucking sky reminded him of him, he was screwed.
There was nothing he loved more than the sky, after all. Dammit.
All right! He was going to change out of his wet clothes, and the duffle bag was now in his plane. After that, considering how his head was swimming and he was still trying to make sense of--- that, he thought maybe he’d ask Australia if he could have a beer.
If he had enough to supply Prussia’s habit, he could definitely spare America one. He hopped into his plane, wincing at the uncomfortable feeling of wet boxer shorts squelching on the leather of the chair, and reached behind to grab his duffle bag, throwing his dirty items back there as he did so.
He paused once he’d nabbed it and turned back around to stare at his radio. One good thing had come of England shooting it, outside of giving him an excuse for his absence, of course. Once Canada had repaired it, it actually worked a little better than before, less static and crackling inhibiting his conversations.
America took a deep breath and ran his fingers across the dials of the radio. He had told France and Canada where he was going, but the exact destination was something they’d no idea of. Nor had they been notified of when he’d be back. America himself had no idea, after all.
He should radio them, America thought. After last time where Canada had been worried sick and he’d actually felt… really shitty about causing his crew to freak out, he didn’t want something like that to occur again. A hero didn’t allow his friends to fret for no reason!
America tuned in the frequency of his hangar, reminding himself to keep it short as per England’s warnings about keeping their location private.
“Captain Jones, this is Captain Jones speaking,” he began, once the crackle of the radio had cleared. A few moment’s silence, and a clear voice replied.
“Captain. Good afternoon, Captain.” Japan.
“Hey there Japan!” he replied casually. “What’s been up?”
“I’m doing very well. May I ask what’s been up with you? I heard you were going out on something related to the Kosmider.” Oh that was right, Japan was the only one who didn’t know about England.
America winced. He felt a little bad that Japan was still in the dark, especially when France of all people knew. “Um, it’s going awesome!” he lied. “I have a ton of information. The colonel is definitely going to be pleased with me!”
He patted the list in his pocket, and a realization dawned on him. He couldn’t give this list to the colonel or anyone else, save perhaps the rest of his unit. He had made a promise to England regarding the names on that list, and he had… no desire to break it.
The idea of disappointing England like that left an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach.
But the zeppelin specifications, and the other information, he could provide the military that! And they’d definitely think him an awesome captain, and an awesome hero, for doing so.
“That’s wonderful, Captain!” Japan exclaimed, his voice still quiet. “Then I take it you’re ready to return to the base?”
“Huh?”
Japan laughed lightly. “I was hoping you’d radio, because we attempted to get a hold of you to no avail before now.”
“Well… I wasn’t in my plane.”
“I assumed as much, and Mr. Williams and Private Bonnefoy agreed.”
“Ah yeah. Cool then. Glad I didn’t worry you, although you shouldn’t worry about a pilot like me anyway!”
“Colonel’s orders, you need to return to the base. Our unit has been chosen to take charge of Kosmider related activities for this base.”
“Really?” America grinned, beamed. “Th-that’s awesome! I mean we’re finally going to get to do something, and we’ve been put at the head of something so important. Ha, those bastards are going down!”
“Well, we’ll still be taking orders from above.”
“Yeah, I mean of course but. Seriously, this is the coolest thing!” America was leaning back in his chair now, grin having only widened as he stared upward. This was surreal; in the best way possible.
“I thought you would be excited, Captain Jones.”
“Ameerrricaaaa,” he said, drawing it out.
“America,” he corrected, reluctantly. “I know you’ll be good for the job. You’re very passionate about this.”
He laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head. “Ah yeah, you’ve noticed. It’s just… man it’s terrible, and it can’t keep happening and… ah shit, actually I’ve got to keep this short. I need to come back?” he trailed off the last sentence, frowning when his chest tightened slightly at the idea of leaving the tropical island behind, of leaving England.
“By tomorrow morning. We have a meeting with General Wang at eleven a.m. You’ll be able to return in plenty of time, I hope?”
“Y-yeah, it won’t be a problem, Japan,” America replied, biting his lip. He was thrilled with the assignment. It was a dream come true, really. But… this island, the Victoria crew, England. He sighed, and forced a cheerful tone. “Thanks for telling me. You’re the most awesome friend ever, Japan.”
“Thank you Cap-America, you know how deeply I value your friendship as well.”
“See ya!”
“Clear skies, America.”
He clicked off the radio and rubbed his forehead. He simultaneously wanted to jump up and down and radio Japan back asking if they could move the meeting to the next day. But he had a job to do, and there was nothing more important than fighting the Kosmider. And now he had a real chance to make a difference, because he wasn’t going to allow the military to ignore the problem if he was in charge. America grabbed his duffle bag and leapt out of the cockpit, heading toward the hut Australia had by the beach in order to change.
------------------------------------------------
America spotted England sitting on the beach, close enough to the surf that the water was tickling his toes, when he exited the hut. His soaked shirt and pants appeared somewhat dry by now, the afternoon sun having worked quickly on them, and he was leaning back on his arms, as if staring skyward. His expression was neutral, and his vivid green eyes were wide as they surveyed the blue above.
He approached England, quietly, and paused hovering over him before tapping him on the shoulder. “Hey…”
England merely nodded. “’Ello, America.”
America shifted awkwardly on his feet, and then sat down next to him, pulling his legs up crossed beneath him so they wouldn’t get wet. “So umm…”
“I can’t wait to get back to the sky,” England began. “Bloody hell, the beach is beautiful, but I miss flying in my Victoria like nothing else.”
He smiled. “Yeah, this place is pretty awesome, but I know what you mean,” America paused. Hesitantly, he placed a hand on England’s knee.
England’s eyes grew large and his cheeks flushed red. “A-America I…”
“Huh?”
“S-s-should we talk?” England managed, his voice quiet.
America pulled his hand off England and darted his eyes away, willing the blush not to rise on his own cheeks. It didn’t work. “Don’t take this some weird way but… I have to leave, England.”
England sighed and moved his arms into his lap. “Oh. I see.”
“I got put in charge of the Kosmider activities at my base!” America exclaimed, rubbing the back of his head. “It’s great, England! I can finally do something without… sneaking around and stuff. We’ll definitely be able to handle them with military action, I’m sure.”
England chuckled sardonically. “I suppose you won’t be needing any more help from pirates then, will you?”
America blinked. “Wha?”
“Never mind, if you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go.”
America bit his lip. “If it weren’t so important to leave, I… wouldn’t mind staying here for a while.” His cheeks were still pink, he knew it.
“Y-you--- wouldn’t?” England glanced at him, something in his eyes, something like what America had seen when they’d pulled apart from their embrace, right before they’d---
“Nah, I mean it’s a lot of fun here!”
England shook his head. “I’m... pleased you think so. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hardly meant to be a tropical getaway, so I don’t care if you had fun or no---“
“England.” America took a deep breath. “I uh- yeah we should probably talk, huh?” England nodded. “Well you’re probably leaving here soon, and I don’t know when I can get away from the base…”
“I suppose we could meet at Világfa,” England mused, almost under his breath.
“Is that some kind of secret pirate getaway?” His lips quirked up. “A hellhole of crime?”
“Oh shut up. It’s the Inn and Pub I told you about before. You should have the name memorized, since I told you to throw the paper away.”
America laughed nervously. “I kinda forgot to throw it away.”
“Idiot.”
“I didn’t tell anyone!” he defended.
“All right, I believe you.”
“So the Világfa Inn and Pub, and I’ll be meeting up with the Unicorn, right?” America inquired, amusement in his tone.
England huffed and crossed his arms. “Yes, all right? Just radio me when you think you can clear your schedule.”
America stood up and clapped a hand on England’s shoulder. “It’s a date, then!”
At this, England’s face exploded red, and he nodded rather firmly. “V-Very well then.”
“Awesome.” He sighed, “I’ve really gotta go though, so you wanna come see me off?”
England shook his head in the positive and pushed himself up, brushing the sand off his rear as he did so. “Are you going to need something to eat for the trip home?”
“Ah, I actually caught Australia on the way from the plane to that hut I changed clothes in, and he’s packing me up something.” America shrugged. “I was kind of aching for a beer, but that was before I knew I was going to be flying back…”
“Are you decent on fuel?”
“Australia is taking care of that as well.”
They were walking now, along the beach and toward the platform America’s plane rested on. Glancing back, America spotted the rest of the crew. Spain and Romano were still lounging in the shallow surf, Sealand and Liechtenstein were playing some strange form of hopscotch they’d drawn in the sand, and Prussia and Switzerland were talking amongst themselves, both sitting in their own wicker chairs. He smiled fondly, unbidden.
“Hey!” he called back, shouting. “I’m uh, leaving, so bye everyone!”
Spain and Romano waved from their places on the beach, Romano with a frown. Sealand and Liechtenstein ran over so they were walking alongside America and England, and Prussia pushed himself out of the chair to join them, Switzerland following behind.
It was Switzerland that approached America first once they reached the platform. He roughly pulled him aside, out of England’s earshot, and glared at him.
“Um…” America blinked.
“Prussia told me what happened between you two,” he began shortly. America’s cheeks flooded with color. “It’s not up to me to judge the captain’s choices, but I will say…” Switzerland grabbed America’s collar, his green eyes hard. “That if you hurt him, in any way. I will shoot you, and I won’t miss.”
America gulped, because he’d seen Switzerland with his arsenal of weapons, and damn he would not want to be on his bad side. “Why would I hurt England?” was his simple reply.
Switzerland just nodded and let go of his collar. “That’s what I wanted to hear.” He turned away. “See you then.”
America shuddered inwardly. “What the hell…”
“Ah, that’s just Switzerland,” Prussia interrupted, smacking America on the back. He started. “But he will totally kick your ass if you screw with England.”
“I don’t plan---“
“By screwing with, I don’t mean screwing of course.” He smirked deviously. “You’re welcome to do that. Haha.”
“Shut up!” America snapped, blushing.
“Yeah, well…” Prussia smiled, softer, without that edge of mischief. “See you later man.” America nodded, and Prussia patted his back one more time before walking away. He stepped toward his plane and met Australia along the way.
“Done filling you up, and here’s some food to go, mate,” Australia said, grinning at him with his grease-stained face.
America took a brown bag from the other man’s hand, and nodded in gratitude. “Thanks.” He turned back around, where the Victoria crew, including Spain and Romano, who had left their surfside spot after all, stood facing him. England was in the forefront, with a sort of… cautious smile.
“You’re off now?” he asked.
“Y-yeah, sorry I can’t stay longer,” America answered, a flicker of a frown on his lips.
England tilted his chin up. “Quite all right. I know you’re needed back at your base. It doesn’t bode well when I do believe that you may be one of the most competent soldiers there.”
“Hey!” But England’s insult felt weak, more teasing than anything. “Well you’d better get up in the air again, so you can steal some more tea kettles for your stove or something.”
America turned around and began to step into his plane, but England’s hand on his back stopped him. He swerved to look at the other man. England was glancing to and fro, as if making sure his crew was not able to eavesdrop on this. They were standing only a few meters away, so it was no surprise that England practically whispered when he began to speak. “Just because you’re going to be all… bigshot in the military now, don’t think I won’t still be fighting as well.”
“Huh?”
“I mean to say that, I hope we can still work together on this, America,” he clarified.
“Hey. I mean we set up that meeting, we can still exchange information and work together and…” America rushed out the next part, “hang out and stuff.”
England closed his eyes for a moment. “It’s not just the Kosmider that I want to work together with you on.” And America couldn’t miss how embarrassed he looked saying those words. “I would like to… I would…” He exhaled deeply. “Oh never mind.”
“You’d what?” America scratched the back of his head.
“It’s nothing,” England replied. “Just as long as I know I’ll see you again.”
“’Course you will!” he replied confidently. “Now I’ve really got to go.”
“Yes… I know.” America hopped halfway into the cockpit, one side still dangling out, when England reached forward to shake his hand.
America grinned at this and knocked his hand aside, instead deciding to wrap the other man in a one-armed hug. England leaned into his shoulder and America could see his contented smile out his peripheral vision. He tousled England's hair and whispered into his ear, “See you later, England.”
England’s hands rubbed up and down America’s back as he replied, “Then I suppose I’ll look forward to it.”