Walk in His Footsteps

America tired of having to follow the strict rules set by England. Under England's roof, he had to make sure that he was always tidy, timely, and a gentleman. Although England's lessons about each of these subjects were not unwelcome, they were certainly redundant after a few years. England had started to teach America about the 'proper way' to behave when he was about five. Now, the list of rules seemed endless.

In his room, America was pondering about the possibility of moving out that day when England came in, carrying a tuxedo.

"Ah, there you are! I have a surprise for you!"

America, by now, had learned that one of England's 'surprises' constituted another lecture about being ever the gentleman. America bit his tongue as England laid out the clothing on his bed, waiting for his younger brother's response. It wasn't the ecstatic gratitude that he had expressed as a young child playing with toy soldiers.

"Oh, neat. A suit?"

"Yes, I insist that you start dressing more properly! Other people see the way you dress and...it's quite unseemly for a relative of England to dress as a pauper."

"Oh...OK..."

America got dressed behind his closet door while England waited patiently. America looked at himself in the full length mirror of his room before turning to see a proud smile on his elder brothers' face.

"What a gentleman! I knew that this would suit you better than the rags you insist on sporting all of the time!"

"Hey, England?"

England stopped smiling to answer any question that America might have for him. He knew that as America got older, the questions kept coming like waves. He had learned to answer him promptly and certainly. But the question that America had for England that morning was not going to be answered so promptly.

"I wanted to ask...how about I move out?"

America felt a swell of anxiety in his heart as he asked this. England froze for a minute, taking time to process the question that seemed so abrupt.

"W-Why, out?"

"Yes, I was thinking that...I could leave this house and live separately from you. I would still be your brother, I just want to start working for myself and supporting myself,"

America explained, the collar of his tuxedo growing tight and hot. England started to do something that America had abhorred as a child: he started to pace. It was most unnerving for America as a child, for after a few minutes of silent pacing of his brother, America knew taht the answer to whatever question he did have that day wouldn't be answered or would be answered in the negative.

"I-I think that, as a growing man, you should decide upon that yourself, America. I have no right to...oh..."

England sat down, shaking slightly. America, growing concerned now, pulled up a chair next to the ailing man.

"You...were so small when I first found you. I really have watched you grow to quickly."

"England, are you OK?"

"Yes, just let me think man!"

England snapped, not thinking about his tone. America immediately took his hand off of England's shoulder and backed away.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that outburst...but you really must consider what you are asking. I have to think about this...just give me a few days."

America hated that answer, but he knew better than to push his luck that afternoon. He spent the next few days helping England with as much as he could in order to gain a favorable answer. The next day, he would get one.

As the clock in America's bedroom chimed the hour, England slumped his shoulders, put his hand on his brow, and sighed. He was leaning on the door way to America's bedroom, simply wishing the chimes away.

The 'few days' had passed, and America knew that England would give him a well thought out answer to the age old question. As England took a seat by America on his bed. America could just imagine the answer he had in store for him.

"It's just not going to happen today! You may be older than you once were, but I am your elder brother, and it is my duty to care for you, America."

England's voice interrupted the imaginary scenario in America's head.

"Alright, America. It is difficult for me to see you do this, but I want you to know that I approve of you expanding your horizons and finding a living for yourself. But you must follow some rules."

As always.

America thought, straightening his back to listen to the oncoming lecture. He watched as England got off of his bed and pulled a chair up to sit across from America, who was now fully alert.

"Firstly, it is most important that I support you in some way. Whether you want me to lend you money, resources, or even some tools to help you build a home, you should still rely on me to some degree."

"Sounds good so far."

America muttered, watching as England's mind began to work in the way it usually did during a lecture.

"Another thing, you have to obey the basic rules of respect that you have learned from me in these past ten years. It is not unlike you to...stray once in a while, but I really am counting on you to be a proper man while living on your own."

America waited for the final rule that England had to lay down, practically itching to jump forth from his chair and start packing bags.

"Finally, you must learn the value of money. I will trust you with money that I have made and give you your own amount to start your home with. The rest of the while, you should know that I expect you to pay me for some of the tools I will give you. You must learn that with freedom comes hard work, and that any kind of freedom is not truly free for the taking."

America watched as England extended his hand for a shake and looked America square in the eye.

"I agree to your terms, England."

America shook his elder brother's hand firmly, nodding once as England let go of his hand and left America to pack his bags. But right before England walked out of the room, America had one thing to say to him before his departure for the new world that awaited him outside.

"Hey, England?"

"Yes, America?"

"I wanted to thank you...for not binding me to walk in your footsteps and letting me live my own life outside of these four walls."

England nodded and walked away without another word, feeling his stomach twisting all the while. He would regret this terribly, and he knew it.