Having lived for as long as he had, England had taken several gambles in his life. Some big, some small.

But none of them, not a single one, even came close to how massive a gamble he'd taken when confessing to Seychelles.

He hadn't even known if she liked him the same way. It wasn't like they got along ever; England could probably count on one hand how many of their conversations hadn't been arguments. And it wasn't like he was an enjoyable person in the first place anyways.

Besides, he had zero experience whatsoever in the whole dating area. Nothing. He hadn't ever even confessed before.

Come to think of it, he wasn't even sure if there were any girls he'd liked in that way before Seychelles.

For awhile, he tried to ignore the growing feelings for the island girl. He did not want to admit he'd fallen in love. He'd already seen what love could do to a nation; he'd seen the heartbreak France went through when England burned his beloved Jeanne at the stake.

He still had nightmares about that. He didn't want to know how bad France's must be.

Still, this was different. It's not like Seychelles was a mortal; she was a nation, like him. Burning at the stake wasn't exactly in her future.

Besides, if two nations couldn't have a functional romance, then what about Austria and Hungary? Granted, they'd divorced, but that had been a little bit on the forced side, and everyone-even oblivious nations like America-knew they still loved each other.

So he had a chance. This could work.

That is, if she even loved him back.

Finally, when he just couldn't deny it anymore, he decided to take the gamble. He'd rather risk it and face potential heartbreak than go through each day without letting her know.

So, as they sat on her beaches one night, just talking about anything that came to mind, he broke down and told her. He confessed that he loved her, and braced himself for heartbreak.

To his pleasure, that never came.

Instead, she looked at him, surprised by the sudden confession, then broke into a smile. Leaning over, she pressed her lips to the former empire's.

"I love you, too, England."

Yes, telling Seychelles he loved her was the biggest gamble England had ever taken.

But, as he sits with her on those beaches, fingers entwined and foreheads pressed together, he knows it was the best gamble he ever made.