Disclaimer: I do not own "America/Alfred." Credit goes to Hidekaz Himaruya. I do, however, own OCPhilippines.
A/N: This takes place during the Philippine-American war.
I believe—nay, I know—that in general our officers and soldiers are humane. But in some cases they have carried on warfare with a mixture of American ingenuity and Castilian cruelty.–Senator George Hoar
She was tired. So very tired. She tried her hardest to stay strong for her citizens, especially when admist the cries of:
"RACIST BACKSTABBERS!" and "KILL EVERYONE OVER TEN!"
but she could barely stand on her own feet now.
War. Papa's back. Victory. Bittersweetness. America. Smiles. Betrayal. Anthills. Fire.
It was too much. She was breaking inside. Her spirit felt broken; her will to fight ceasing to exist.
That's why, when America began to walk towards her, she didn't glare at him. She didn't raise her bolo. She didn't fight back half-heartedly.
No. Instead, she dropped her bolo, and let the tears drip silently down her face as she just stared gazelessly at him, awaiting to see what he would do next.
America smiled at her.
"That's a good girl." He whispered, before spreading his arms in the air to wrap around her petite frame. She felt oppressed, but in a different way from the way she felt when kept inside her walled fortress of Manila. Sometimes Papa Antonio can be too overprotective.
"I want freedom."
She didn't break away when he leaned his head on her shoulder.
"Papa, I'm claiming my independence."
She didn't shiver when America kissed her chastely on her neck.
W-we did it! We finally beat Spain!
She didn't cringe at the way he ran his blood-soaked hands gently through her tangled knots. Hands that had killed involuntarily, yet voluntarily, at the same time.
"KILL EVERYONE OVER TEN!"
His peoples divided voices' reflecting in his constantly changing eyes served to scare and comfort her at the same time on more than one occasion.
Independence!
"I love you." he murmured against her ear, before leaning back to look in her eyes.
She blushed when she saw his bright, blue eyes for the first time.
His eyes settled for dark, happy-go-merry possessive this time.
Her "hero."
Why Alfred?
"I love you too." But her voice sounded empty and weak. It lacked conviction.
"I thought I could trust you!"
He tightened his grip on her hair before forcing her to look at him. His eyes were distressed and worried now.
"I don't believe you."
She smiled at him. "I love you."
She believed him.
A/N: In case of any confusions, the last sentence meant she believed him when he said, "I don't believe you." b/c she really doesn't love him anymore.
Anthills explanation: Part of the Filipino atrocities committed during the Philippine-American War.
"Kill everyone over ten!" explanation: Part of the American atrocities committed during the Philippine-American War.
I'd recommend you look up the information yourselves. It's pretty grotesquely horrifying. :)
I know; this fic was fail. OTL