The Best Thing I Never Knew I Needed

Hey everybody! I'm back, this time with a Hetalia fan fic because the show is just so awesome! Well, I don't know about you but I completely adore America x England! There is just something so sweet and real about it, you know? Well, before I launch into full fangirl day dreamings, let me tell you a little about the story. It's something I am planning to write at least three chapters for and it will get much happier than this first chapter, I promise! I hope you guys like it! Please read and review if you have the time! Let's Wondering! Kyoko xxx (www . charlotte – wilson . net) (www . sailor – senshi – assemble . webeden . co . uk)

Chapter 1 – Pride

(America's POV)

"And what exactly are you planning to do?"

"Me? I'm gonna be the hero!"

"Oh for God's sakes…!" he sighed.

I turned to look at him; I was kinda hurt but I'd never let it show.

"Why must you always be a 'hero'?"

The truth? Because he wasn't one anymore.

I was still a new country when I first met Britain. For a kid who was just starting out to meet one of the greats was awesome – and he was really cool too!

He wasn't that much older than me and he pretty much looks the same now as he did then – I'm pretty sure he's always looked that way, and always will too. He told me all about himself and his people: things they liked (cooking, even though their food s isn't that great), things they disliked (France, because of his creepy obsession with him), and all their legends, customs and traditions. I listened to it all, and only got bored sometimes, but the one time I really was listening was when he told me what the English called 'Fairy Tales'.

They were amazing! Stories of battles and bravery, of dragons and monsters and the princesses they threatened to devour – and at the crucial moment, the point where it seemed like all hope was lost and the girl would never survive, in came the hero! Whether it was a dashing prince on a snowy steed or the blinding glint of a knight in shining armour, the hero always came, and the hero always won.

Britain became my hero because he really did fit the bill. You should've seen him; every time anyone was in trouble you could count on him to support the worthy cause and bring battle to a swift and not-too-bloody close. He was fast and charming and valiant and kind – a true hero, everything I wanted to be.

I guess that's sorta why it happened. I liked him that much.

It was fun being a part of his faction but I had a bigger dream. He was always so busy being everyone else's hero, he didn't have one himself. I wanted to be his hero. I wanted to be strong and brave like him, someone he could be proud of – more than that, someone he could rely on! I wanted us to be more than a close-knit faction, I wanted us to be the strongest alliance ever formed – more than that, I wanted us to be the strongest partnership ever formed! I wanted us to be best friends and maybe someday… more than that. But that was just a kid's dream, and I went about it in a kid's way.

I don't really wanna go into it but I hurt him bad. After that he didn't want to be my hero, he didn't want to be anyone's – he'd still fight for the other people but he wasn't as heroic anymore; it was like he'd lost his reason to be. I'm not trying to be big-headed, but that's kinda how it was.

And then he got a little better – he allied with France and me and it was like he got the fight back in him. And then… well then there's now. He's changed so much. No, I can't talk like that – if I keep talking like that I'll start blaming him and to be honest with you I've always known it was my fault, what happened. I like to think it's 'cause I care too much – I get carried away easily. Still, I know the truth…

I've changed too. I've… I've missed him. I still miss him. Not a day passes that I don't regret what happened between us. And I sometimes… I sometimes wish that we could go back to the way things were but… I can't, you know?

After all the drama I made how can I ever just say I've changed my mind? After all the problems I've caused how can I ever just say I've missed him? After all that's happened how can I ever just say that I love him?

… And when he asked that question, are you really surprised I decided not to go with the truth?