'This country needs a hero and that hero is going to be me' America told himself as he and his comrades flew thousands of feet in the air. They were on their way from their previous mission, some prick decided to set a bomb on a road everyone has to go through, so they had to go in and deactivate it. A rather easy mission compared to their other ones. America looked over the men in the helicopter with him. All of them were good, strong men, willing to risk their lives for what they believe in. He gave a small smile and nodded to all of them. The guy next to him, Jeremy, returned the smile shyly.
"So, umm…America..?" Jeremy asked hesitantly, obviously feeling awkward about calling him by his real name and unsure how to address the blonde. America waved it off and grinned
"Just call me Alfred" Jeremy relaxed a little and continued
"Since Obama is bringing back the troops, are you gunna be going back?" America shook his head, his huge grin still in place
"Im not leavin behind my soldiers. If they fight for me, I'll fight with them. I'll be damned if I just let them die out here while I sit back sipping tea." He said, though he actually hates tea, but he made his point. Jeremy nodded understandingly.
"im going home." he smiled, digging into the pockets of his BDUs and took out a picture. "My daughter was born the other day, I get to see her in 2 days." he said proudly.
America gave him a hearty pat on the back. "That's great man! Im real happy for ya! That girls is going be one lucky kid to have a dad like you!" Jeremy flushed a little at the loud, compliment but took it anyway.
"Thanks, Al…im glad you think so.."
They landed at the FOB they were assigned and got out of the Black Hawk**. America yawned and headed to his tent. The war in the middle east didn't look like it was going to end anytime soon. He passed by boxes of ammo, firearms and MRIs and a few tents that served as on field "hospitals" for wounded or possibly dead soldiers. America kept from looking into them and just looked straight ahead to his destination, avoiding thinking about men and women he knew that might be in there. He entered his quarters and collapsed on his makeshift bed, as soon as his head it the pillow he was out like a light. Less than 15 minutes later, someone came in.
"Mr. Jones! Get up sir!" America shot up and glared at the man who dared to disturb his much needed sleep.
"What is it, Major Reynolds?" The major stood at attention with a laptop in his arms.
"Its 1600 hours sir!" he held out the laptop for America to grab, America gave him a confused what-the-hell-are-you-trying-to-say look. The major hesitated for a moment before regaining his baring. "um…sir…remember , your b-brother… wished to speak to about your government, seeing as how despite that he was to watch over the land in your absence, he really can't do any of the things you can…" he trailed off hoping America understood where he was getting at. America shot up and grabbed the laptop, he grinned like a maniac
"Thanks Maj!"
He stood at attention as the major mirrored his actions and gave a salute, signifying that the maj can leave. He did an about face and walked off. America opened the laptop and logged into skype, Canada almost immediately popped up into the screen, holding some rather important looking papers with kumajirou on his lap.
"Hey bro!"
Canada smiled softly and gave a little wave.
"Hey America, are you ok?"
"Yea m' good, tired though…and hungry…I havent had a cheeseburger in FOREVER!" he exclaimed with an exasperated look on his face. Canada sighed dramatically.
"Could we just get through this? There are some pressing matters we need to discuss…" America nodded and focused intently on the papers in his hand. As Canada began telling him all the things that needs to be done within the country, America's mind kept wandering back to the war at hand. The faint sounds of gunshots hung in the air, the sound of explosions far into the distance. The smelling of gunpowder and death still with him. He should be used to these things after 200+ years of being a country, but it still always tugged at some deep, hidden part of his heart.
"-things are getting tense with China…" Canada pulled America from his thoughts. "he keeps asking when your going to pay off your debt to him.." He frowned knowing its probably the last thing America wants to hear right now. He noticed the sad look America's eyes held. He knows his economy is shit right now, hell EVERYONE'S economy is in the pits right now. But 14 trillion dollars in debt, how could he possibly pay that off? Shuffling the papers he tried to find something to get America's mind off his recent comment.
"Um…President Obama would like your consent on a law hes trying to lift. Congress has already approved it, all he needs is a yes from you…" America, who was looking down, replied quietly.
"What is it?"
"He needs you to approve of lifting the 'dont ask, don't tell' policy." America just stared at Canada for a bit.
"Lift the don't ask don't tell…policy?"
He was stunned quite honestly. Not that he had anything against gays, he was just so shock seeing as how for so long his government had always thought being 'gay meant no job in the government' even if it was military. Really he was happy that his country is finally opening their eyes even if its just a little. However, he had so much respect for his soldiers, he didn't know how it was going to affect them.
"y-yea. Tell Obama he has my consent…" He hesitated. Canada noticed and sighed
"Im sure everything will be fine. I have to go now. Ill talk to you tomorrow."
"See ya bro." and with that exited skype. America thought long and hard about his decision. He knows many would be happy about it, he wasn't so dense to think he didn't have gay men and women working under him, but he was concerned on how others may react. In the midst of his thoughts, he heard the laptop ringing, letting him know that someone is trying to skype him. He looked at the skype window and smiled at the username present. He accepted the call and relaxed.
"Hey Iggy…"
America looked absolutely exhausted when he appeared on the screen. England gave a small smile but immediately looked apologetic.
"Hello there America, I didn't interrupt anything did I?" He knows how hard America has been working out there. He left in 2005, claiming that 'a hero doesn't sit back in time of war'. The younger blonde shook his head and gave England his signature, goofy grin. The obnoxious grin that he's grown to love. However, this grin looks weary. As though it took all his energy to do it.
"You look tired, America…" concern in his voice for his former charge.
"I'm not tired!" he exclaimed jumping a little "I'm the hero, and heroes don't get tired! Though I am hungry…" he trailed off as he saw the worried look on England's face. His own smile faltered. "Don't worry Iggy…ill be fine. I may be tired but that no excuse. I gotta be here…" England smiled a bit
"You always have been overly patriotic..' he sighed "you're a hopeless git I swear.." he said knowing America knew he meant it in a kind way. The younger nation rubbed his head and smiled shyly.
"Well, im not going to keep you. You'll need your rest. I have to host the world meeting tomorrow so im going to bed as well." he said worry still in his eyes. America yawned and nodded.
"tell me how it goes ok?" England nodded and just as he was about to close skype, he heard the american mutter something before logging off.
"Thanks Iggy…"
He closed his laptop and stored it in his drawer as he gathered his clothes for the next day. His mind kept traveling to the young nation, how he reacted to the 9/11 attacks in his country.
They were in the middle of a meeting, Italy was pestering Germany about something as usual, Russia was trying to get China to "become one" and America was going on about how a super hero he and Japan made could solve world hunger. He stuffed burger after burger into his mouth as he spoke, then suddenly stopped. He looked at himself, confusion in his eyes. That confusion turned to pain, he dropped his burger and fell to his knees with a blood curdling scream. He grabbed hold of his shoulder as blood seeped through his prized bomber jacket, turning it into a deep crimson red, dripping to the ground staining the white carpeting. England, Canada, and Germany ran to him. England held him up as Canada tried to ask him what was happening, Germany pulling down America's jacket and ripping through the fabric of his clothes to find the wound.
"A-America!" Canada cried tears escaping his eyes "What's going on? What happened?" England sat there unsure of what to do. Germany found the source of the bleeding and gasped at how beaten and burned it look, as though someone hand set it aflame and put it out just to repeat whilst beating his shoulder senselessly with a spiked bat. America gasped for air trying to find words "N-New York!" He screamed in pain "W-Whats happening to New York?" he cried. Japna, who had left the room came sprinting back in "Everyone quick! Look at the news!" Everybody quickly ran into the room with the tv while Germany helped England with the wounded nation and carried him to the next room. What they saw on the TV was a horrible sight. One of the 2 towers of the World Trade Center was down, the reporter hesitating as how to explain what was going on exactly. America gaped in horror as another plane hit the next tower, causing another stream of unbearable pain to the poor country. England held America tighter and let the tears he had be holding in fall.
"America! Please hang in there!" America panted and groaned.
"It appears that-Oh my God! America is under attack! I repeat! We are under attack!" The woman on the television panicked watching as the 2nd tower fell under a river of flames and smoke. America's breathing slowed
"d-damn bastards.." he hissed before passing out in England's arms.
England shook away the memory. Ever since that day, hes been very active with the war. Though it wasn't until 5 years ago he finally decided to be in the frontlines with his men.
"Hopeless git…" England muttered. He discarded his clothes leaving his boxers and crawled in bed. Mabye something good will come up at the meeting for his good friend tomorrow. He quickly shut his eyes and whispered.
"Dear Lord, please watch over America Lord and please make sure he has a nice place to sleep Lord God, amen"
Then drifted to sleep.
