There was talk of a new country. Rumors of another personification. The new world, that's what he heard them call him. Or, at least Arthur heard that they were male. It didn't matter. The only thing important was getting to them before France. He wasn't going to lose a damn thing to that slimy frog. Especially not a territory. The only problem, he had to find this new nation. Not only that, but the trip itself would be a long one. And if Sweden and Finland had already see him. That meant more competition for England. A shiver went down England's spine; whether from the cold sea air or the thought of fighting Sweden, England wasn't sure. One thing he knew for certain, he couldn't last another day at sea. "Captain! The new world is in our sights now!" A deck hand yelled below deck. A smirk grew wide across the pirate's face.
It seemed the boy wanted to be found. Along with Sweden and Finland, a young boy played with indigenous people not far from shore. It was obvious the Nordics had added to his attributes, with messy blonde hair and striking blue eyes. So he lacked any of his or his brothers' appearance, that could change. Just as the small wooden boat hit land, England was stalking towards the boy. In one fell movement, he was kneeling before the child. Blue eyes went wide at the new face.
"You have funny eyebrows, sir!" The child cheered. England scowled, furrowing his brows. The child fell into a fit of giggles at this.
"S-stop that! I am the greatest empire in existence! Don't you laugh at me!" He had ordered. Though, something was odd about this one. Of the many territories he had, this boy was different. Picking up the child, the man narrowed his eyes as he inspected the child.
"Stop right there, Angleterre! That child is mine!" The boy attempted to look behind him, trying to find the source of that obnoxious accent. England set the kid down.
"I was here first France. He's-" The child tugged at his pant leg, struggling to gain the older nation's attention.
"Hey!" The boy shouted, a pout forming on his chubby face. England let his eyes drop to the boy for a split second.
"What is it, child? I'm kind of in the middle-"
"I wanna go with you!" A million walls broke at once.
England and the child were sat in the Captain's quarters of his ship. The boy seemed sad, maybe even a bit depressed. England was never the best at this, no matter how many times he went through it. He lifted the boy from the ground, setting him on his hip. "Look, kid, things….things will be okay, alright? Just cheer up," The boy looked up at him, eyes already tearing up. England was growing uncomfortable. "I'm gonna take good care of you, alright? Nobody can hurt you as long as you're with me." This seemed to cheer him up a bit.
"Promise?" Whatever walls the pirate had remaining collapsed. He pulled the child into a hug.
"I promise."