b Please read the description for important information /b
Life in space is a bitch. When I was younger I used to think it would be one of the coolest experiences a humanoid could ever have; floating around in the celestial heavens among the shining, evening stars…. I sometimes feel the urge to laugh at how horribly naïve I was. Space is cold. Space is dark. That's it. There's no place in the universe that has made me feel more empowered yet insignificant and oh so lonely. Life seemed so far out of my reach up there and yet there was the earth floating outside my window every morning and every night. I used to think it was mocking me what with its tempting blue waters and fluffy clouded atmosphere. It was almost like it laughed at the longing pain I felt in my chest. One day, however, I finally realized that it was nothing, but a hunk of rock floating through a vacuum and not only incapable of laughter, but mocking as well.
It was five years ago that I started my new way of cosmic living. Colonizing nearby planets became the 'in' thing for potential superpowers since all the earth's land had already been claimed and spent. I was no exception since I was, and still am, the highest superpower. In all honesty, back when my boss had first suggested the idea, I hated it. I rather liked the earth since it was the only place with oxygen and Mc Donald's, but with Russia being the commie bastard he was and China nearly having my economy by the balls, I had no choice, but to show them who's boss and assert my dominance. I climbed up there to the vast vacuum of space and beat my chest like King Kong and soon it seemed like no one wanted to get in my way.
It wasn't easy getting to where I am now. I'm still fending off Russia and China with a stick as they start building their own colonies on neighboring planets. Getting the funds, the technology, and beating my rivals were the easy parts of this whole ordeal. The most difficult thing about this was… was leaving my husband behind. Arthur, the United Kingdom, and I had been married for over a hundred years. Contrary to popular belief, we had managed to stay thoroughly in love despite out extremely long marital relationship. That was… until I left.
I still remember so clearly what the day was like when I left for my first trip into space. It was still early in the morning and the dampness of the night still clung to the air outside the windows. The sun had barely started to rise to the sky when I gently nudged Arthur's shoulder to wake him. I can remember how dry my throat was when I tried to talk to him. I was doing my best not to sound so upset despite the fact I was slowly dying on the inside. His desperate arms around me weren't helping at all. "I promise, Arthur, I'll come back as soon as I can. I should only be up there for a year," I muttered quietly, hoping that it would disguise the strain in my voice. I brought my arms around his familiar lithe form, drinking in every dip and curve of his figure and savoring it; engraving it into my memory. I wouldn't be able to hold him again for a long time.
"I might have to stay two, if they need me. But I promise you, I won't stay any longer that. Even if they need me, I'll find a way to come back to you. Okay? Make sure to think of me every day, and I'll do the same," I promised I would make it back to him. I promised that I would defy the demands of my superiors to come back to him. He was my husband and I loved him and nothing was going to stop me from loving him. With a few more words of love and longing I finally had to let him go. His cool, slender hands slipped from mine. I blew a kiss as I left the room and shut the door behind me. Arthur may have tried to say something to me, but I pretended I didn't hear him. I didn't want him to see me cry.
I made all those promises, but I didn't keep a single one. During the first year I talked to him every day even if it was late, or I had work to do, or I was so tired I was nodding off at the phone. I thrived off of hearing his voice; occasionally seeing his sweet face, the endless green of his eyes, and that cute pointed, sloped nose that I was always so fond of. Those brief, five minute conversations fueled me to make it through that grueling first year.
When the first year passed and I wanted to go home to the earth that I loved and the man that I cherished, but I couldn't. I was depressed for a long time, but as the second year went on it faded. Those little, lifesaving conversations started occurring less and less. By the end of the second year, I still longed to return home, but when I was denied it didn't affect me like I thought it would. The cold emptiness was getting to me. I got used to not having Arthur around. In all honesty, I found the thought of him was a fleeting one. The only thing I ever thought of was what documents I had to sign, which meetings I had to attend, and where the next colony was being set up. Remaining the super power was my top priority. I never even noticed that I started leaving my wedding ring on my dresser every morning.
Something inside me changed, I'm not sure exactly when, but it did. I just didn't realize how much that was until I returned home and I stared in the cold hard mirror that was my once darling husband. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but it doesn't. Absence makes the heart grow number, so much in fact that you can't feel anything anymore. I don't miss Arthur. I don't feel anything about Arthur anymore, but judging from the silver band I saw on the dresser top I must've felt something great for him at sometime… I just can't remember what it was like and I'm not sure if I ever will.
So, this is from a collab I am doing with Impossibilitygirl since we share this burning love for USUK
Summary of this story: Alfred and Arthur have been married for over a hundred years and remained in love through thick and thin. But as Alfred leaves earth for the planet colonization project a space of five years is left between them as well as a space between each other. With a broken, distant relationship will they ever be together again?
So, I am doing Alfred's point of view while she is doing Arthur's. Be sure to follow her side of the story as well!