WARNINGS: Currently vague plot, cursing, violence, future slash, American spelling, a comma-happy author, present tense, author's dabbling in writing styles, run-on sentences, err... that's about it right now.

A/N: UKUS is the only confirmed pairing right now. If I totally maul this pairing... Sorry sorry sorry. First chapter may be rougher than other chapters, apologies. The lyrics under PROLOGUE. and etc. are from Snow Patrol's The Lightning Strike. This fic is a reboot of an old one I abandoned!

Hetalia is owned by Himaruya Hidekaz.

PROLOGUE. — WHERE THE SEA AND SKY END.
What if this storm ends?
And I don't see you as you are now ever again
A perfect halo of gold hair and lightning
Sets you off against the planet's last dance

-;-

Arthur finds her outside, standing frozen, under an umbrella the somber color of obsidian. It is a stark silhouette among the muted colors of the empty cobblestone street, dark and contrasting against the snow that is quickly turning into slush.

Amelia's shoulders are slumped, her head ducked, and Arthur falters, not knowing whether to feel upset or angry or worried.

He takes in a deep breath, a sound that gets lost in the loud shhh of the rain. Pulling his own umbrella over his head, he sets out towards her just as lightning illuminates the sky. "Oi, Amelia!"

Amelia jerks her head slightly in surprise, but doesn't turn to look at him. Thunder booms overhead; loud, sharp, distant. "Hi, Arthur," Amelia says. Her voice wavers a bit, as if she can't quite decide how to sound.

"Hi?" Arthur echoes. He tries to ignore the odd quality in the other's voice and steps closer, wishing he could fold his arms. "Amelia... Are you planning on leaving?"

"Um." Amelia shuffles her feet. She waits for a few seconds, and then, ignoring Arthur's question: "Who told you that?"

"It doesn't matter," Arthur says, frowning disapprovingly. "I don't think anyone truly believes it."

Amelia glances up and meets Arthur's eyes just as there's another lightning strike; her glasses flash, and the fine, golden strands of the hair on her head are outlined with light. For a split second, with the brightly forked sky as a backdrop, she looks ethereal, fey. Resplendent.

Then the split second of brilliance is gone, and Arthur is left shaking his head.

"They never believe anything," Amelia says, sounding annoyed. She sneezes loudly, making Arthur grimace. "Not even you."

Thunder shakes the sky again, louder this time. "Excuse me?"

"Believing," Amelia says, gripping her umbrella tighter.

Arthur looks at her in puzzlement, because her tone makes it sound like she has something else to say, something important, and suddenly Amelia is smiling now, bright and sunny and fake.

"Man, it's getting too noisy out here," she says, changing the subject.

She starts making her way to the building before Arthur can respond, her boots crunching on the melting ice on the ground. "It's better to go to a quiet place sometimes, right?"

Arthur turns as she passes him, and almost does something. It would be so easy to reach out, to grab her hand and ask her to stay. In what feels like ages ago, he would have done so. But now, he keeps his feet firmly on the ground and his hands wrapped on the umbrella handle, and watches her go without a word.

Amelia won't be gone for at least a day, but this suddenly feels like goodbye. Arthur slides his gaze to the ground and pretends he doesn't feel anything at all.

A/N: Ah, I hope this prologue was alright! I tried not to use one, but honestly... I couldn't help it. The next chapters will be much longer, I promise.

Any advice/tips would be appreciated!