Just a Little Test 1
He wasn't sure when it happened. Suddenly the sky was never as blue in comparison to his eyes; the sun wasn't as warm as that smile could make him feel. The most innocent clap on the back left would leave a tingling sensation that traveled to the tips of every nerve and lingered for hours. An afternoon of video games followed by prawns and steaks on the barbie would leave him grinning like a shot fox for days.
Australia had developed a massive crush on America, and it was driving him insane.
It was interfering with his life! The casual flings he that had grown accustomed to were no longer enjoyable. It was ridiculous that even as he was showing just who could fill Mother Russia, he was worrying about what America could think if he found out. China's "happy endings?" Weren't. Not anymore. Not when it was too hard to imagine long, black locks as the choppy, wheat blond he wanted. He couldn't even get it up when roughhousing with Denmark took a turn for the sexy. Everything left him with a nagging sense of guilt.
"Well then just ask the bloke on a date and get it out of your system. I don't see why you have to bother me with it." England set the tea cup down in front of him. "Milk and sugar?"
Australia nodded, watching as England put the additions in his tea. "Well, I figured it would show I wasn't going for a quick root if I got permission from his older brother first, you know?" He blinked as England glowered, shoving the spoon back into the sugar roughly. "…What?"
"Why don't you go ask his new papa? Surely his permission is more important than mine. I only raised him. And fed him. And gave him everything he could ever want. See how he always repays me? 'Oh England, I want freedom after all. Oh England, Finland said he would be my papa, isn't that so great? I never had one before.' Bah!" England picked up his tea, only a slight wave in the liquid betrayed how tightly he was gripping the fragile cup.
Australia blinked a few times. He hadn't been expecting that. Well, okay. He might have expected America saying something careless without realizing that it would upset someone. It happened on a daily basis. He wasn't expecting England to be so upset about it. "….So I was thinking we should go pub hopping later and catch the footy game!" He'd have to hunt down Finland later. Right now, he had an older brother to distract.
Fortunately, later came in the form of a world meeting just a few days later. He'd left a note on top of Finland's folder to meet with him after the meeting. He didn't know if Finland acknowledged it at all. He'd gotten too distracted when America walked in, talking about his latest plan to stop global warming and save the polar bears. Even as everyone else shot down his ideas, Australia couldn't help but smile as he listened. He was just so adorable. He hadn't even noticed that he had a sesame seed from one of his Macca's burgers on the corner of his lip the entire time. Oh, how Australia wanted to just lick that off for him…
"Australia! You wanted to talk to me?" A hand dropped in front of Australia's face, drawing him out of his stupor. He looked around. The room was empty, except for Finland and himself. Sweden was standing by the door, waiting for his companion. He focused on Finland, who had taken the seat across from him. He was just always happy, wasn't he?
"Oh! Yeah. So, I hear that you're America's new Pop?"
Finland laughed a bit, nodding. "I told him that he could consider me one, if he wanted to. I didn't realize he'd take it so seriously. He even makes us come over for family dinners on every Sunday."
Australia nodded, smiling fondly. Would he get close enough to America to be invited to them, too? He supposed he would find out now. "…Well…I've been itching to ask America on a date for some time now…"
Finland nodded, smiling. "Oh, that's great. He talks about you all the time."
Australia smiled. That was encouraging. "Oh, so then I have your permission to ask him out?"
Finland's smile fell in lieu of a more serious expression. "Oh, you want my permission to do it? No, I can't give you that. It's no secret how much you get around. Normally, it'd be no big deal. Obviously. But America's different. He's my little boy, and despite being older than you, he's far more innocent. I can't let someone with your reputation hurt him after you get what you want. No, because then that comes back on me. I can't give my stamp of approval unless you can prove that you want more than a fling."
Australia's heart sank. It's not like he was some kind of trollop. He didn't get around more than any other nation! "…And how can I prove that?"
Finland smiled again, but there was something sinister in those normally innocent brown eyes. "How do you feel about participating in a competition or two?"