5. Play
"Big brother, can you please play with me?"
England sighed, glancing from his paperwork over to the small child currently standing beside him. "I'm sorry, America, but I have work. I can't play with you right now. Maybe when I'm done."
The colony pouted, staring up at his brother with big, blue eyes. "You always say that. You never actually do."
England sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He could feel a headache coming on, something that frequently happened when with his little brother. "America, please. I have to get this work done, or my boss will not be happy with me. And then I won't be able to come over, and I won't be able to spend time with you."
"What's the point? It's not like you actually spend time with me! All you do is that stupid work!"
"America," England said, warning entering into his tone.
"It's just like as if you're back at your place! I never see you! You just stay in this stupid office, doing-"
"America. Out," the empire finally snapped, glaring at the child.
America stared up at him, eyes starting to swim with tears, then stormed off, slamming the door as he left the room.
Sighing, England turned back to the mountain of papers on his desk. He scrutinized them, one bushy eyebrow raised as America's words repeated themselves in his head.
"You always say that."
"It's not like you actually spend time with me!"
"I never see you!"
Sighing, England massaged the bridge of his nose, guilt rising. America was right; he hadn't spent much time with the lad at all.
Forget the stupid paperwork; he'd come here to see America. His boss would just have to deal with this being shoved aside for later.
Shoving his chair back, England got up. The papers could wait; America was far more important.
He wandered down the hallway, calling out America's name, even though he had a feeling that the boy wouldn't answer. Reaching his brother's room, he knocked on the wooden door.
"Go away."
Ignoring his brother, England carefully eased open the door and peered inside. America was lying on his bed, back turned to him. "Hey."
The child turned around as England made his way into the room, carefully stepping over the various toys scattered about. He really did need to have America clean this room up. He sat down on the bed as America sat up, glaring at him with wary eyes.
"You said something about wanting to play with me?"
America crossed his skinny arms across his chest, frowning accusingly at the older man. "I thought you had work."
"Work can wait," England said, reaching out and smoothing down Nantucket, which popped back up immediately afterwards. "Spending time with my younger brother is far more important. Sorry it took me awhile to realize that."
England saw happiness quickly light up his face, then quickly turn back to a pout. "What if I said I was too busy to play now?"
England stood up, sighing dramatically. "Well, then I guess I'll just have to go back to all that boring paperwork and leave you here to your business…"
The empire couldn't help but grin when his little brother instantly got up and dove at him, latching scrawny arms around his waist. "No, no! Please don't go! I was kidding! I'm not busy at all! I want you to play with me!"
Smiling, England reached down and ruffled America's hair. "I know, lad. Now, come on. Let's go play, shall we?"
The child grinned up at him, nodding eagerly. "Uh-huh! Can we go outside, please?"
"Yes. Let me just change into better clothes. Now, come along."
Taking his brother's hand, England walked down the halls, a very energetic and very happy colony following after him, staring up at him with adoring blue eyes.
Yes, work could definitely wait.