Originally written: 3/9/14
"Hey, hold on, you idiot! Do you want to be run over?!"
"But there are hardly any cars...?"
"It doesn't matter! There are traffic lights for a reason!"
America grinned, stepping back on to the sidewalk. The rest of the great crowd rushed by them, and England watched in horror.
"Come on, relax! This is New York! Jaywalking's our specialty! Unlike back at your place, where everyone drives on the wrong side of the road, it's perfectly safe!"
"I do not drive on the wrong side! France drives on the left, too! So does Japan! You are the only country who drives on the right!"
"Yeah, yeah. You see the glass half-empty, I see it half-full. I think it's been established that you're a hardcore pessimist!"
"You-"
At that moment, a single car came to a halt at a newly reddened light. England started toward the opposite side of the road before realizing halfway that there was an unusual absence of tall, blonde, and unorthodox.
Sure enough, America was still standing at the curb with his hands in his pockets and a whistle on his lips.
"What are you-! Come!"
"Ah, but England, didn't you always tell me I couldn't cross the road alone?"
Said man kept his composure surprisingly well despite the usually irritating situation.
Well, outwardly, at least.
He took three long strides back to his companion and stiffly stuck out his hand with a very polite smile.
"The market closes in five minutes. Do you really want to go to bed without dinner?"
"... Point taken."