"You know, I always wondered why you chose that name."
"What name?"
Alfred is confused, sitting on the couch with a potato chip in his mouth and his glasses askew.
Arthur reaches over to fix them.
"The United States of America"
"cuz it sounded cool, I dunno."
Arthur sighed in annoyance, took a sip from his cup of bitter tea.
Alfred finished his potato chip.
"But what I don't understand is why you picked a name so similar to mine."
"The United Kingdom?"
"Of course, you prick."
Alfred shifts uncomfortably. He is no longer looking at Arthur, but at the dull green wallpaper by the shelf.
"I picked it because it was like your name."
"But you hated me."
"No, I never did." Eyes meet eyes uncomfortably. "I wanted to be like you."
Arthur is leaning forward in his chair, tea forgotten.
"But you've bloody well surpassed me, haven't you?"
"Well then at least when I hear my own name, every single time I'll be reminded of you."
"It keeps you down."
"I won't crash if I don't fly."
Alfred sinks down into his chair painfully, sad.
Arthur leans back contentedly, a small smile playing on his face.
"The cage has always been open, love."
"I know. Trust me, I know."
They resume their previous activities in silence.