America
Stubborn, stupid, dolt, god, I swear at times, it would have been better had I let France have you. You enraged me, drove me to desperation so many times, and then repaid my awkward but always sincere affections with a snarl, a rebellion, and a tryst with France. Oh, yes, I knew you were lovers. That, I think, tore me apart. I thought it was the worst pain until I realized you blamed me for your taxes and problems. You blamed me. Not my boss, not wars with Francis, but me. And then you went after your brother to spite me (France's doing again, I know), and you cracked open wounds no one should ever receive. I swore to never let you in again.
But you came in anyway. Like a persistent pup, you pushed and howled and fought until I realized, with both horror and wonder, that you were a friend. And more feelings crept in and you became so much more. I fumbled every time-I ran, I shouted, I chased and I tried to show you just what was happening. You had entered my heart and I, once powerful, once strongest empire on Earth, had given you the tenderest part of me, all unwitting. And you, ignorant, simple, blind Alfred, stood there and never knew just what you had. You claimed to be a hero and were and are, so much more than most people knew. You're kind, sweet, incredibly stupid at times but always brave and even if your bosses were jerks, you have been gallant and, actually charming. You are so young, so strong and as I knew the temptations and problems of power, I waited. I watched and tried to be patient. Even with your disastrous affair with Ivan, I gritted my teeth, knowing you would someday soon understand. We became allies and friends and in my secret hopes, I knew we'd be more someday.
Someday never came.
Yet, it's all right. Painful but all right. i have a soul keeper, a fun maker, a touch of grace, and my heart is with the the person it should be with. It, at least, gets some use with you. Before you, because it had been so damaged so many times, I stopped using it with anyone save my fey friends. Guard it well, Alfred. It's the best of me and I trust no one else with it.
America shook, the parchment rattling so loud Canada looked up in annoyance. His face softened as America wiped his eyes fiercely. "America?"
"Did you know?" America stared at the letter.
Canada bit his lip. "Know what?"
"That Arthur loved-loves me. Romantically."
Canada nodded. "Most of us know."
America squeezed his eyes shut. "Why didn't you tell me?
Thoughts and retorts tumbled through Canada's mind. Everything from "Well, duh, bro, anyone could see it!" to "I don't run your love life, Al." In the end, he sighed wearily. "Why didn't you tell me that Arthur saw me as his best friend?"
America jerked his head up, eyes opening wide. "What?"
"His best friend…"
America nodded impatiently. "You didn't know? Jesus, Mattie, he bragged about you and practically lived in your back pocket. 'I wonder what Matthew would think'. 'I hope Canada understands'. 'Canada is always there for me'. Frankly, he always conferred and exchanged ideas with you. Who else did he call at 2:00 am to discuss things with?"
"But he never said things like that to me. No, I didn't know. And why didn't you see his goggly eyes at you?"
America reddened. "I don't know," he muttered. "He always seemed so angry so much of the time."
You hold his heart." Canada picked up his cellphone.
"So he said," America muttered. "What are you doing?"
"Calling the Commonwealth. We've sat around long enough. I'll also get the G8 together."
America snorted. "Call a world meeting, bro. Let's find him. Germany may have a tiff but fuck this 'It's an EU worry' crap. The EU isn't finding England."
Canada looked briefly hesitant then smiled. "I know just who to call."
