[FANFIC] Lucid Memories 7/20
Title: Lucid Memories
Author/Artist: Rain_Sonata
Character(s) or Pairing(s): America/England/America or US/UK/US
Rating: PG-13, might raise up later
Warnings: boy love, occassional swearing, confusion of what's happening, longer chapters later on, hints of the existence of state-tans
Summary: Rev!America is brought back to the present, replacing the current America. By chance, England was there when all of this happened. Why is he here? What about his broken heart from the Revoluionary War?
------
( Link to Previous Chapters )
-------------------------------------------------------
Lucid Memories
Chapter 7: Embracement
*Just to make this clear, in this story, nations only use human names with each other if they're in public with humans or if they are close to each other, like family or lovers.
*Older America is US; younger is referred to as America. Both are called Alfred.
Summary: Rev!America is brought back to the present, replacing the current America. By chance, England was there when all of this happened. Why is he here? What about his broken heart from the Revolutionary War? US/UK, based on Kink Meme on Livejournal.
Disclaimer: The only thing I own that is Hetalia related are my amateur fanfics, my APUSH study guide, my Canadian flag keychain, several American flags, and the world map I have in my room. Stop bothering me. I just want to finish typing my fanficion -cries-.
*past*
"How about I start by asking you some questions concerning about your America?"
England was taken by the man's chose of his words. His America? Since when was that boy his to begin with? A small population of his people immigrated to America, but after that, the people had begun to form a new identity for themselves as a whole. As Arthur had to focus on his issues in Europe, Alfred slowly drifted away from him. His people were no longer his. He and America were no longer the same. No. They were two different nations with different ideals of life and how it should be governed. The man who was talking to him was now sitting on the hay bed.
England sneered. "My America? What do you want to know of him?" Arthur attempted to hide his fear of who the foreign nation was. He had not recalled of ever meeting this nation. Have they known each other? The man acted like he knew him. The nation spoke English, but with a peculiar accent he was unfamiliar with.
"It's not that much," US shrugged. He was planning to start their chat with something small. He needed to build up their conversations. He didn't want to frighten England by suddenly announcing to the empire that he was from the future. The last thing he needed was a raging England to start shooting him and accusing at him of being a spy.
England waited for the question. "This America," US carefully chose his words. "You know him, yes?"
England scowled. "Yes, of course I do." He didn't want to talk about that git right now. "How could I not?" He gave US a dirty look. "I raised that fool when he was still barely a settlement."
"You loved him?" US asked, but it was more of a declaration than a question.
"He was not like Europe." England hollowly croaked. "He understood me. He loved me. He was like a little brother to me."
Alfred felt a tingle of guilt when he watched England swallow his tears when he spit out his words like gun cannons. Alfred gently asked him. "Do you regret his independence?"
"Regret?" England repeated. "Of course I regretted it." He wiped a single tear from his left eye.
He looked at Alfred. "You are probably going to ask me if I think if he will make it through the future." He didn't brother to have US confirm his assumption. "The thing is, I do not know. I cannot predict the future. If he dies, he dies. If he lives, he lives. That is all there is to it." England said it so simply. Alfred was unsure of how to handle with this bitter England. This was worse than dealing with a drunk England on the American nation's annual birthday. At least the older England cried. The England he was talking to have no tears coming out. It just felt wrong. This England had just experienced the lost of his colony, and it was all US's fault, and he knew it.
England swallowed his words to give Alfred a hard look. "Why are you asking me this anyway?" He returned to his original stoic mood. "Why are you so interested in America? What are you hoping to gain by asking me these meaningless questions?"
US gave England a stern look. "I'm afraid I cannot answer that for you." His eyes were half lidded. "If I were to tell you so, you wouldn't believe me. I can only tell you that I am someone you can trust, and that America will someday be your closest ally." US was not yet comfortable enough to tell England more. He was a little hurt for hearing England call his questions 'meaningless'. He wanted to stall and wait a little bit more before getting specific on the questions. That would have to wait.
"Hm." England pressed his teeth against his lower lip. America his closest ally? It seemed rather unlikely. England secretly wondered if the man was off his boat. In what century would that ever happen? "I would not believe you? How so?" He was not expecting much from the man. Something told him that this man would not give him any information unless he felt the need to, or if he got what he wanted.
US chuckled. "Oh, it is just concerning of my presence." US smirked; his clear azure eyes glistened. England was definitely not dumb. The empire was definitely suspicious with him. Yet, Alfred was strangely calm and felt that he had control of the conversation.
England glared at him. "You will not tell me?" He knew it. That was fine with him. England was in no rush of dragging out answers. The other nation would only fight back. No need to start another war. Although he would not deny that he was impatient to know more about the unknown nation. The other nation seemed to be more aware of what was going on than England did. The empire was not yet ready to let the other man go off the hook. If he was a danger to the other nations, then England would have to do something about it. England was not ready for another world war (1).
"I will tell you." US replied. He paused. "Later."
England sighed. "You better tell me soon." His cold emerald green eyes narrowed. "Because my men and I shall begin our departure the week after to-morrow."
"On Tuesday?" US asked.
"On Tuesday," England agreed.
The empire involuntarily scratched his chin. "You have a rather queer way of talking young man. You have not told me what nation you are, but may I require your name?" The least England wanted to learn was the nation's human name. It was bothersome to keep referring the stranger as 'the nation'.
"Andrew." US introduced himself with a fake name. "Andrew Johnson (2)."
"Johnson." England took out his hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
US's hand reached out to Brit's. "The pleasure is mine." US smiled a genuine smile.
The two men exchanged all knowing looks to another as they shook hands.
~present~
"If you want to go to the library, you better hurry up." England reminded Alfred at breakfast the next day. England and Alfred were having a simple breakfast of jam and toast; they were in the rush to get to the library as early as possible. England had wasted too much time yesterday trying to get Alfred to adjust to modern life.
"Geez, England," Alfred groaned. He took a small bite of the burned toast in front of him. Yep, another work of England. Apparently, over two hundred years has not helped England improve his cooking. At all. And the old man claimed that he could do magic to top it off. How laughable. "It's only eight. Don't lose your pants."
England wanted to do a face palm for Alfred's strange analogy. He quickly recovered. "The library closes at five o'clock today, so we don't have much time."
"Okay." America yawned. He tossed his toast straight into the trash bin on his left side. He chose to ignore England's squawk of protest behind him. He wasn't hungry anyway.
"England?" America popped up behind England. "Are you done yet?" His surprisingly deep voice startled England.
"America!" England yelled. "Don't sneak behind me like that!" Was America there the whole time?
"Enggy! Don't yell!" America chided mockingly. "We're in the library!" He didn't hear the librarian's shhh at him and England.
America grinned. "It's not my fault you can't notice people when they're right in next to you."
England mumbled, "Don't you have something better to do?" Was this going to be like hanging around with US again? A man in a child's body with no interest in books? What happened to yesterday's America that was so eager to go read?
"Aw, but it's no fun wondering around the library by myself without you." America pouted. England was rather amazed that the younger America could tolerate hanging around with him after the boy had just gone over the Revolutionary War. England thought that America hated him for being so controlling. This America apparently wanted to be with him, and tagged along with him in a similar manner of a puppy. An overgrown puppy.
"America, if you want to go back into your time." England began to threaten him. "You will have to leave me alone for at least an hour or two so that I can complete my research." In peace, England silently added.
"That long? Okay." America's lower lip quivered. "I'll leave you alone." Without Texas, America's wide eyes gazed directly at England. Even when England turned his back to resume his search for books, he thought he felt someone's eyes were following him. England was too unnerved to look back. The older nation did not know why he was almost afraid to find that it may have been America who has been watching him.
He's just a child. England told himself. There's nothing to fear from him. He's America. Just younger. America is America.
It seemed like hours as England skimmed through book after book. The mythology section in the library was enormous. It covered over four bookshelves. Many of them were as thick as dictionaries. Some depicted potion making, others were on magical beings. There were books that aged back from the medieval times to as modern as last month. But in one section that was labeled, miscellaneous, the books seemed to have no relations to one another.
What made England's search harder than it was. There were no books on time traveling! There were several books that mentioned time traveling, but all of them carried the same message: Do not attempt to travel through time. For magicians, time traveling was almost a comparable taboo to reviving the dead. It was dangerous. Many magicians and alchemists of both the experienced and the novices have attempted. All have failed. All have died. There was nothing on Earth that was equivalent to time's power (3). No one has discovered what was equal to time. Unless there was something that America had or knew that made it possible for the young nation to possibly travel through time.
"Maybe I'm thinking too much on this," England rubbed his eyes. How long has he been staring at the books?
"England, you should eat sometime," America told England. He peeked over England's shoulders. "How To Transform Your Enemies Into Toads. What kind of magic are you looking up?"
"America what time is it?" England wanted to know.
"It's a quarter to one," America reported. "Why?"
"I guess I do need to eat." England rubbed his stomach. That (burnt) toast this morning felt so long ago.
"MacDonald's?" America suggested.
"No MacDonald's." England growled.
"Awwwww…" Alfred whined.
They ended up eating in a nearby café that was located in the central area of the small town. The services were good. England ordered soup and a cup tea; America ordered a tuna sandwich with carrot sticks as a side snack.
"Anything interesting besides turning people into frogs?" America sarcastically asked his former guardian. A carrot stick was hanging from the roof of his mouth.
England took a sip of his Earl Grey. "America, are you still mad at me for telling you to leave me alone?" England asked.
"No." America shortly answered. He aggressively bit into his sandwich. "I just have a headache."
"Is it bad?" England looked concern.
"No, I'm in good health." America replied.
"Are you sure you're all right?" England set his cup down to bent over and put his hand over America's forehead. His forehead was cold and sweaty.
America didn't like how close England was and pushed his arm away. "I'm fine, okay?" America insisted. He crossed his arms and looked away. "Let's go back into the library."
"America?" England asked him again. America didn't answer.
It bothered America of how close the English man was to him. Didn't he know what personal space was? Why did England have to do this to him? Wasn't England supposed to hate him? Wasn't he, America, the bad guy here? It was his fault for making England miserable. It was his fault for abandoning his brother like that.
Was England like a brother to him? America did not know what to say of the subject. He was not sure anymore. England had raised him when the empire found him off the Atlantic coast. England made sure to shelter him underneath his wings, to teach him, to love him like a brother of his own. But… As America grew up, he was unsure of his feelings towards England. America was now taller than England by almost an inch. It wasn't a big difference, but it was big enough for Alfred. England. England used to be so big. America always saw him as an important brotherly figure in his life. America always saw England's face greet him when he looked up. But now that they were equal in both body and in a fight, America saw England more than a brother. He began to feel a stronger pull towards the empire. Like a magnetic force. What was this feeling?
America was so scared of the newfound emotion. When England gave America new taxes, it felt like a smack in the face. It hurt America more than it should had. Why did he fuss over the taxes? England's people had to pay for taxes too (4). Was he just overreacting? Was he just trying to find an excuse to break away from England? An excuse to escape from the strange fluttering twists he had in the pits of his stomach whenever England was around him? America was unsure of whether to contain or release the feelings his had of England.
America was very aware of how much he would hurt England for leaving him. The empire had no friends in real Europe. England only had America and the other colonies. America's awareness of this made the youth's guilt deeper when he inflicted the hit on England in the war for independence. Not necessarily a physical hit, but an emotional one. An inflict that would form a new wall to separate and label them as two separate nations.
"America," England interrupted America's thoughts. "The library's this way." He pointed to the right side of the street.
"We're going back there again?" Alfred tried not to give away any feelings on his face.
"Yes." England saw America's slightly tired face and quickly replied. "If you don't like it, we can go home early today."
"It's fine." America told him. The new nation did not want to give England problems. "I'll just go find a new book to read."
England hugged America. "Don't stress yourself too much." The British man comforted the American teen. "I should be the one stressing out. I have to help you get home."
America didn't say anything. His cheeks were rosy in embarrassment. People in the streets were staring at them! He could feel their eyes following them. America may have not been from the twenty-first century, but he was quite sure that it was not normal for two males to be embracing each other in the middle of the street.
"What are you they doing?" A small child pointed out to the two nations.
"It's nothing honey," The child's mother replied. "Look away sweetie, pretend they're not there."
"Are they gay?" A random teenage boy asked.
"Isn't that illegal here?" Another person commented.
Alfred brashly pushed England away. "Art-,England. Let go of me." America mumbled.
This was too embarrassing. England forgot that America was only physically sixteen years old while the former empire was technically twenty three years old. To an outsider's point of view, England might as well be a pedophile or a child molester. Did they really look like they were not related? America wondered to himself. If it was between a father and a son, or even brothers, it wouldn't be so bad, right?
*past*
The sun was barely peeking through the horizon when England and his men have already began to pack up. Alfred gave out a big yawn when he woke up to stretch out his limbs. The man who healed him told the nation that he needed to continue to change his bandages if he wanted to heal quickly. US thanked him for his concern and exited the door to greet England.
"Are you guys going?" US asked England as he watched the empire double check his stuff to make sure that he had everything. England already had his extra clothes and bullet set and ready to go. His hair was hastily combed and he washed his face with water from a nearby stream.
"We need to get to town to catch a ride back home." England grunted. US realized that England's ride was a rather long one. There were no air planes in the eighteenth century. The British man's trip home would last a roughly a month. More or less. The thought of having to endure such as continuous journey made US feel slightly sea sick. US had to go through similarly long trips across the golden prairies during the immigration across the 'wild west'. There were was no fear of pirates or being shipwrecked, but there was still the fear of being attacked by the Native Americans or being caught in a tornado storm.
"I guess I'll travel with you too." US grinned. "I still haven't finished talking to you yet."
England smiled. "I admit, I a bit curious to see how our relation would end." He was referring to revealing US's true intentions of his strange conversations with England. The empire still did not know that he was America.
"Do you need help with that?" Alfred pointed to the musket in England's arms. The weapon was poorly beaten up by the rain and debris that was inflicted upon it. "You should clean your weapon properly." US reminded England. It was the same advice England himself had given to the Alfred when the young nation was learning how to use a musket.
The British nation remembered the same thing he told America years ago and turned slightly red in embarrassment. US watched blood travel as far as up to England's ears as the empire's pale cheeks transformed into the hue of a cherry. "There was no time to fuss over that. I was too tired to notice."
Alfred laughed. England still blushed, even back then? This was going to be fun! It would be amusing to mess around with him. Sure, England was not as thin or cute as he was in the present time, but he was actually quite muscular. England was supposed to be at the edge of rising to power (5). Give it another century and the empire would rule almost a quarter of the globe (6). The American was already plotting of several ways to get the British nation to show his vulnerable side. The empire's 'cute' side.
"What are you chuckling about, you twit?" England demanded. The man's boisterous laugh was so annoying! England only blushed further more when he realized that he was so focused with the sound of the stranger's voice.
Alfred abruptly stopped his laughing. "You just remind me of someone." He scratched the back of his head.
England huffed. "Well stop smirking and help me with this." The British man dumped a knapsack at US's feet. The bag looked worn out from years of use and abuse.
"Damn, what did you put in this thing?" Alfred whistled. "Boulders?" He swung the bag over his right shoulder.
Now it was England who was smirking. "No, just a few... extra equipment." US could not tell why England was had a strange look when he said that. What was so funny?
Now that the sun has risen, England found the opportunity to take a look at his new acquaintance. Tall and strongly built, the younger man had messy dirty blond hair that looked like it had better days. Tuffs of hair pointed in all directions, like the needles of a porcupine. He had clear blue eyes, the same tone as the color of the sky on a cloudless day. The nation was not fat, but he was not thin either. He seemed to be stuck in between. The younger nation had muscles, England had to admit. Not all over the place, but enough to show proof that the stranger was definitely not weak. This was not someone to mess with. The muscles of the man seem to have contrasted with the younger nation's seemingly carefree expression on his face. How peculiar.
"You too, remind me of someone." England quietly said.
"Did you say something, England?" Alfred frowned. Did England figured it out already? He was hoping to postpone dealing with England's rage on him.
England shook his head. What was he saying? "No. It's nothing." The empire must have made a mistake. He thought that he saw a familiar face in other nation.
"We need to start leaving if we want to get to the next town." England tried to change the subject.
"How far is the next town?" US promptly asked.
"The closest town with a harbor is about a few days away from here." England answered.
"Looks like you're stuck with me!" Alfred gave England the "I'm a hero" thumbs up, along with the typical Hollywood smile. Although the sun was only half raised, its rays bounced against US's teeth, making the teeth shine with radiance. The smile was enough to blind a normal man.
England sighed with wariness. "I guess that's how it is." He was slightly distracted with US's smile. The empire was busy wondering how did the git managed to achieve to get his teeth to twinkle like that. It was a bit disturbing.
"Hey, get moving!" The general's voice echoed through the barn. "You need to hurry up if you want to make to the next town on schedule!"
"Coming!" Both England and US responded.
~present~
Alfred found himself lying on his side when he woke up. He was in a dark room. The lights were low and he did not know where he was.
"Where am I?" Alfred murmured to himself. Did England shoot him? America checked his body to find any wounds. There were none. He was still in the future. America remained on his side. He rubbed his temples in frustration. The last thing he remembered was that he had a pretty bad headache when he and England were having lunch. The pain on his forehead lifted. It was no longer present. It was gone.
"You're awake." America heard England sigh. England was checking on him. The English nation opened the door to turn on the lights.
"What happened to me?" America did not want to know what happened after the incident at lunch. He hugged me! Alfred thought. England hugged me! He comforted him! His insides twisted when the teenager replayed the scene in his mind. His feelings around England were still here, even though England from the future appeared to be more kind and patient than the younger England America fought earlier.
"You fainted at the café," England explained. "So I had to carry you home to rest."
Alfred could imagine England's complaints along the way. America was not the lightest person in the world.
Out of habit, England rested his hand against America's temples again. "Are you feeling better?"
"I think so." America responded. "How long was I unconscious?"
"About half the day." England checked his watch. "It's almost seven." Oh crap. It was a past dinner (7).
"Sorry for making you miss your time at the library." America apologized.
"It doesn't matter." England said. "Your health is more important than the research. I don't want you to return to the past in bad condition." He was now sitting on the side of America's bed.
"You didn't bring any books back with you?" America asked. He wanted to see some of the stuff England looked up.
England briefly fixed the collar of his shirt while telling Alfred, "I don't have a library card."
"Oh." America said. They spent several awkward minutes not knowing what to say to each other. One could practically hear the chorus of crickets in the background.
England finally broke the silence by suggesting, "How about you go eat something?"
"And die from food poisoning?" America wrinkled his nose. "No way!"
"What is wrong with you?" England raged. "Your taste buds don't know the taste of delicious when it tastes it!" He angrily sat up and stomped out of Alfred's room in a small fit.
"More like the taste of disaster." America added to himself when he thought England couldn't hear him.
"I heard that!"
"What a pain in the arse." England mumbled to himself that night.
The English man turned on the lamp's light switch that was located on the bedside. The bedroom lights were off. The only other light source that was shining on England was the light of the moon. Once again, England was lying in bed. The faeries that were normally accompanying the nation had settled down, the crickets were happily chirping, there was nothing to disturb England. Nothing at all. There was nothing better to do than to read the great works of William Shakespeare (8). He opened A Midnight's Summer Dream (9) to continue to where he had left off.
Robin:
Through the forest have I gone.
But Athenian found I none,
On whose eyes I might approve
This flower's force in stirring love.
Night and silence, who is here?
Weeds of …
Before England could read further, he felt something bump against the bed.
"Ack!" A small voice cried.
Huh? England stopped his reading to look around. What was that? He turned left and right to look for the source of the sound. He felt his way around his covers. There was something soft. It was very silky. England's fingers toyed with the unknown being.
"Ouch. England!" The British man heard him huffed. "That's my head!"
England blinked. "America?" What was he doing here?
"Yea 'ngland." He heard America mumble. It sounded like America had something in between his mouth.
"What are you doing here?" England was trying to understand why the American teenager was in his bedroom at this hour.
"I c'uld't sl'p." For the love of God, the teenager was starting to sound like Sweden.
"America," England started. "Stop mumbling and talk properly. Didn't I teach you better than that? And stop chewing things!"
America grumbled as if took his mouth off the pillow. England threw a pillow to Alfred's face when the older nation was feeling his way around.
Once the pillow was out of the way, Alfred proceeded to his statement. "I couldn't sleep! There, happy?" He childishly stuck out his tongue at England.
"Is that all?" England asked him.
"Yes." It looked like America didn't like to admit something. "I was reading a scary story."
England sighed. "Which one?" It was strange that for a country that was frightened by tiny things, the American nation loved to read or watch 'scary stuff'. America could suffer though bombs and assaults without a single tear, yet he could not stand watching a one hour movie without screaming like a little girl? Half of the movies the older America recommended to England were not even considered scary.
America gulped. "Frankenstein." He nearly whimpered when he spoke of the book's title.
US kept the book? England was slightly surprised. US did read the book when it was released, but he complained that there was 'no action'. That was very evident when Hollywood's version of the novel came out. England remembered criticizing it to America. The monster was not green! Victor Frankenstein did not have an assistant, the man was not insane, and the monster's name was not Frankenstein! Stupid American adaptations. Anyway…
"Was it scary?" England casually asked him.
"Y-yes!" Was it that hard for the American to admit that he was scared? England wondered. "C-can I sleep with you tonight?" America gave England pleading eyes.
England was irritated. "Absolutely not!" If America was still a child, it would have been cute. But America was a grown boy! It was not cute. No. It was not. England refused to acknowledge that his former colony could still be considered cute.
"Why not?" America demanded to know.
Because this was ridiculous, England wanted to say, because you are too old to be sleeping with me. Although spending many nights watching horror movies with US had said otherwise. Ever. Single. Time. The young world power would sneak into England's bed after a session of watching The Grudge. It was silly. Not to mention bizarre.
"Too bad." America said. "Because I'm staying here."
"W-what?" England fumed. What nonsense this was! "There isn't even enough room for the two of us!" That was lie. There were so many opportunities where England and US had shared beds with each other, but England was not willing to let America know that.
"You know what, America?" England started. "Go ahead! I don't care! Just don't bother me!"
"I won't." America quietly said, as he made himself comfortable. He slipped under the covers with England; the teen was adorning blue pajamas that night. America nuzzled England. England was so warm.
"I-idiot!" England was not prepared for that. "You're going to push me off the bed if you do that!"
"Sorry." England heard America apologize. The teen sounded a little down.
"A-america?" England asked. "Is there something you wanted to talk about?" Was there another reason to why America was here? He felt slight regret for scolding America.
That guilt again. It was constantly nagging him. England always felt that he needed to be more cautious around the younger America. He seemed so fragile at times. It was stupid to think of things like that, but England remembered that compared to US, America had lower self-esteem (10). He was weaker than the other America. He was a teenager, and from the former empire's experience, teenagers were moody and were prone to being emotional. America wasn't like US, who was so strong and seemed to be untouchable by any of the insults flung at him by the former empire. In a way, England admired US for being so sure of himself.
America closed his eye. Was he already asleep?
"England," America opened his eyes again. "Tell me about my older self." It was not a question, but a demand. His blue eyes were as clear as day. They glistened. Tears?
"You want to know about US?" England asked. That was rather sudden. "What do you want to know about US?"
"Everything." America requested. "Tell me. What is he to you?" His cowlick, Nantucket, stood off from his hair. It looked like it was almost twitching.
"I…" England did not know what to say. What was there to say? That the nation was a fool? An idiot? A man who couldn't read the atmosphere when it was smacking him in the face?
America patiently lied there and waited for England's response.
"US." England started. "He is dear friend of mine." America was just an ally. That was all their special relation was. At least it was supposed to be. England could only say that. A friend. That what he told everyone around him. Perhaps their relation was more than that, but England the nation told Arthur that the relation would not be convenient for a game of laws and politicians. Not when there were other consequences to consider.
"A friend?" America whispered.
"He was probably the closest ally I have had." England admitted. "He was naïve, an idiot. Couldn't read the atmosphere if it came knocking at the door."
America didn't say anything. He was so quiet. England almost thought that the teenager was asleep. "What else?" He wanted to hear more. About US. Himself. His future. There was so much he wanted to know.
England finally set down his book. He was no longer reading it. "US. He was not the brightest, but… he has a good heart." England felt like he was being cruel if he didn't give any credit to US. He had to give the American nation some points for stopping a few wars, although US had the tendency to arrive in said wars at almost the last minute (11).
"A friend?" America softly repeated. He almost sounded disappointed. "England?"
"Yes?" England replied back.
"Please tell me more."
"Please, America." England was getting tired. He patted America on the head. "Tomorrow."
"But I'm not tired." America argued.
"America." England turned off the lamp before resting his head on his pillow. "I need to sleep. We have days to talk of this. Good night." England closed his eyes after those words slipped out of his lips.
"England…" America lied there. His body was facing England's. "Just friends?" America did not know what to say to that. Was that the best to hope for? After a nearly a century of avoiding each other? Friends? He could not help but feel like his heart has plunged into the darkest sea.
"England?" America called again. "Are you awake?" He sat up to check and saw that England fast asleep. How could he fall asleep so quickly (12)?
America pressed his forehead against England's. The older nation's forehead was so cool in contrast to Alfred's warm skin. England looked so calm when he was asleep, he was smiling. Alfred wished that the other nation would always look as happy as he was right now. England always looked stressed out, ever since Alfred's surprising arrival. The English man's cheeks were so pale, Alfred wanted to reach over to touch them and see if they were as soft as they looked. How long Alfred would be stuck in the future? How long would this pass? Was there any hope of returning? Alfred decided that he needed to rest.
"Good night… Arth-England." The teenager wrapped himself with a part of England's blankets, trying to make himself as comfortable as possible. Alfred took a long look at England's peaceful state before finally closing his eyes, allowing his mind to dive into unconsciousness.
Author Notes:
(1) - Before America's independence, there were several global wars in the seven seas. Many of them were concerning of imperialism and trading, but it was definitely not on the whole world scale like it was in WWI and WWII that occurred later in the early 20th century.
(2) - US took Andrew Johnson as his fake name.
Andrew Johnson(1865-1869) was the 17th president who was elected after Abraham Lincoln's death. He was described as a president who was from Tennessee, the south, but was hated by the north for his southern ideals in politics, such as adopting the Black Codes, a law that separated former slaves from white citizens. The southern half considered him to be a traitor for joining the government with the northerners. Either way, he was hated by both sides for different reasons and was considered by The American Pageant textbook to be an outsider. He was quick to forgive the southern states who succeeded from the Union in the American Civil War (1861-1865), much to many of the northerner's irritation as many of the northerners still saw the southern states as traitors.
(3) - I'm just adopting this method based on Equivalent Exchange from Fullmetal Alchemist. Eye for an eye, ear for an ear, etc. I'm a bit sad that the manga series has already ended.
(4) - England had to pay his debts for the 'world wars', including the French and Indian War. Compared to the American colonies, English citizens had to pay more, sometimes more than twice as much. Ironically, after the Americans won their war for independence, their citizens had to pay even more taxes for the money they spent in the war of independence itself. Increasing taxes were not the sole purpose for America's demand of independence, but rather one of the many factors that has helped build up the pressure for a war of independence. Like I said in the last chapter, only 1/3 of the American citizens actually wanted independence.
(5)- It's just a theory of how a nation's state effects his/her condition. If the economy is bad, they get sick. If a colony becomes less dependent on their founders or they gain more land and experience, then they grow up and eventually become free. In this case, I like to think that as a nation gains the status of an empire/world power or that they begin to take in more control of world events such as imperialism/conquering new land, having a better economy, etc., they become stronger and have more power than before. If you don't understand this, I'll try to explain this again in the next chapter.
(6) -The British Empire was at its peak in the 19th century. England sure took over many nations back than didn't he? England, you freakin' pimp. If I am incorrect in the percentage, I'm sorry for my inaccuracy.
I'm not saying that the present England is thin and girly like some fanart portrays him as, but I'm just saying that he's not as strong as he once was, after losing all of those colonies. After all, England is still a world power, so he still has some muscles there. He's just not as powerful as he used to be in his empire days. According to US's point of view, he thinks that England is 'cute'. What can I say? America has a strange sense of what is cute.
(7) - America, is food all you can think about? Haha, I hear complaints that all boys and men can think about it food, but that's not true is it? But the guys I know seem to say yes to the food part.
(8) - I always see England as that man who enjoys literature. Shakespeare originated from him! Although Shakespeare was considered a great play writer, some people have accused him of copying and mimicking other play writer's works up to this day. It's interesting to say that the man nearly died on the same day as his birthday, April 23. Makes you wonder if he intended that.
(9) - A Midnight's Summer Dream is a comedy play where the main characters fall in love with in other left and right when stuck in a magical forest full of faeries. No wonder England loves it. There is lots of drama and lots of magic involving making a person 'fall in love with the first living being they see' type of thing. A very amusing play. Even funnier when you see it live. England is such a romantic isn't he?
(10) - According to Himaruya's character profiles, it was said that America was once insecure of himself since he had no history.
(11) - During WWI, America did not enter into the world war until a few months before the war ended. The reason why America was late was because they were extremely isolationist, although not to the extreme like Japan was. They tried hard to avoid any foreign relations. This extreme isolation was thanks to President George Washington's(1789-1797) word of advice in his Farewell Address in 1797 to avoid any close foreign relations after being stuck between a war of England and France shortly after the American war for independence. After having several Americans killed by German submarines, America submitted itself into the world war.
Although they arrived late, the Americans helped the Allies greatly as it was their sheer number that helped end the war. The Allies in Europe provided most of the weapons and transportation for the American soldiers, so it was not the American weapons that helped win the war. There were always extra American soldiers to come in to aid the Allies. In fact, less than half the registered American soldiers ever had to step into a battlefield.
Even after WWI, America remained isolationist. It still traded with other nations, but it did not depend heavily on foreign trade like it does today. It wasn't until WWII when entering the Cold War and creating NATO did America began to form deeper foreign relations; including Churchill's famously quoted "special relation" with the United Kingdom. America's rise from isolation and claiming status as a world power has also resulted in America becoming more involved with world affairs.
(12) - I suffer this problem when I sleep in a room full of people, like at camp. I'm sure some of you guys go through the same issue. You go to sleep, and there are people who fall asleep almost the moment their heads hit the pillow. You however, are still awake and you end up being the last one to fall sleep. I envy people who could fall asleep so easily.
Notes: Sorry for the sudden new format. LJ's been acting funny with me. Sometimes it takes the original text and keeps the bold and italics, other times it doesn't. I'm still trying to get used to using this.
Please read and review to help fuel my sudden mind blow. It looks like the new chapters will keep coming!
America's birthday has been passed down the independence line for 234 years line since the Declaration of Independence has been signed. Happy birthday Alfred! We love you! Please make sure England doesn't get drunk again.