England turned around at the sound of America calling his name as well as a massive grinding sound. "You haven't been driving your car, so can you lend me the keys?" His jaw dropped as England beheld America dragging his car. Just then it seemed to England that all his hard work today was completely in vain. He'd never be the strongest; he doubted he'd get back the strength he'd had when he was an empire.
America released the car's fender and the front wheels hit the dust. He continued the rest of the way to England, grinning, "Yo, I--" He paused upon getting a closer look at his friend, "Hey, are you alright?"
The Brit shook his head, "Yes," he lied, "Why?"
"Because you're crying," America pointed to his face. England hesitantly touched his face and found tears which he feverishly began wiping away.
"I'm not crying," He sniffled, "My eyes are just watering from all the dust."
"Oh, cool, then can I have your keys?" America held his hand out.
"No," England mumbled and started stalking away.
"What?" America started when he found his hand still empty, "Why not?"
"Because I need them," England's voice started getting high, "because I can't drag the car around as I please, because I'm not some big bulky," England turned to see America right behind him, "juggernaut!" He pounded a fist into America's chest, then turned away again. America took a half step back from England's hit.
"Woah, Artie, seriously," He said quietly, "what's this all about?" America put a big dirty hand on England's shoulder. The Brit tried to shake him off, but the hand held fast.
"I'm weak, America," England finally admitted, "my body is weak." He wrapped his arms around his torso, "And I'm not sure I was ever strong."
"Oh," was all America said. England bit his lip until America's other hand rested on his empty shoulder, then both hands moved down England's thin arms, squeezing slightly, then wrapping around England and hugging him close. "You don't need to be strong on the outside," America muttered, resting his chin on England's head, "You're strong on the inside, all that stiff upper lip stuff. You've got guts." England tried to tilt his head but couldn't see America's face. "That's harder to get than big muscles." England didn't reply, but America had for once made a rather eloquent point. "I like you just how you are." His hands started roaming, and England rested his head back against American's shoulder. He didn't notice when America took the car keys from his pocket.
"I'll see you later, 'kay?" America left a little kiss on England's crown, and his arms were gone. England didn't realize his keys were gone until America sped off.
"Hey!" England shouted, running after the car, "Get back here, you git!" He stopped chasing the car after a couple minutes and watched America drive off, bemused and wondering if he'd actually meant what he'd said.
Omake:
"Aren't you going to train today, aru?" China asked when he saw England reading on the couch.
"Don't need to," England replied, "I think I'm plenty tough enough to win this war."