Title: Reason
Pairing: US/UK
Rating: PG
Genre: General/History
Warnings: None
Reason
I'm sorry that I had to do it this way...
"I...I don' t believe this." America stared at the paper in his hands in disbelief.
"We were quite shocked ourselves," England replied, leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed. They were both standing in America's house, in the study. It was around midnight, and Alfred had just been preparing for bed when Arthur had come to his house looking concerned and ranting about a so-called "important note". "But we translated and decoded everything exactly. There's no doubt as to what it says."
America was silent, reading over the note again, as though still refusing to believe the words clearly written there. The other nation was right, there was no doubt about it's meaning. Yet it was almost unbelievable...
"Mexico, of course, has no intention of doing anything of the sort. However, we thought you should be aware nonetheless. Germany doesn't want you involved in the war, and he'll go to any lengths to make sure that you aren't."
America's expression remained unchanged as he continued to stare at the paper. Finally, he set it down on his desk, giving a sigh. "I guess I have no choice then." He raised his head, but instead of looking at England he focused his attention out at the window, almost distantly. "I'll call my boss later tonight, and we'll make arrangements."
"Understood." Arthur uncrossed his arms and straightened up. "Do you...need anything?"
Alfred looked at him, surprised. "Uh, no, I-I'm fine. Thankyou." He focused his attention back on his desk, distractedly gathering up random papers and shuffling them around. "I'll take care of everything, thankyou."
England was uneasy seeing Alfred seem so distracted and out of it, especially knowing he was the reason behind it. "A-alright then. I'll be heading home then."
"Alright." Alfred glanced up at him fleetingly from his papers. "Goodnight."
"Er...goodnight." England hesitated before turning to walk towards the door. He stopped for a moment to look back at Alfred, who had sat down at his chair and was holding his forehead with one hand, his brow creased. Arthur turned away with a pang of guilt, unable to watch any longer. He hurried down the hallway and flung open the front door, not even making sure it was shut behind him as he walked towards his car.
I didn't want to have to do it this way...
But there was no other way... I needed you.
I had no choice...
...I'm so sorry for dragging you into this.
He would take his lie to the grave.
A/N:
Okay, to start off.
The thing that England and America are speaking of in the beginning is the Zimmerman Note. During WWI, Germany /supposedly/ sent a telegram to Mexico, asking them to declare war on the United States [this was to keep America occupied because Germany didn't want them in the war]. But the other allies were the ones who decoded it and presented it to America, and there's speculation about whether the allies made up the note because they needed help from America and wanted them to join the war, or whether Germany really did write it. In any case, America got involved in WWI shortly after that.
This was written along the idea that the note was made up, as a way to get America's help because England didn't want to admit that he was weak and needed help.