I finally finished editing this one. Feel free to point out any mistakes I may have missed. This was originally posted as chapters 2 and 3.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia, I do this for fun and gain no profits from it.
America was feeling more than a little anxious that night. He was almost unable to sleep and when sleep did come, it was a restless one. It was strange how much the whole thing had affected him. He was always on top of things, not knowing was maddening.
America needed to find out what the others where gossiping about and fast. He hated to be kept in the dark like that. The fact that he'd been more than a little paranoid lately had nothing to do with it. Well, to be fair, it had a lot to do with it.
During the next meeting America made sure to be there early, before anyone else. He would carefully watch the others. See if he could catch what they were gossiping about.
When America entered the meeting room he noticed that he wasn't after all the first one. England was already seated on his own chair. If it hadn't been for England interrupting them, Japan would have told America. He was sure of it.
America strolled towards the other nation, taking the seat next to his. "Sup, Iggy. How was your night?" America said while giving the other nation one of his best heroic smiles.
"It was fine. Now please go away." England didn't look up from his work. Hoping that the America would find something else to do, or get bored if England ignored him enough.
"England, I was talking to Canada last night," England dropped his pen, his body tensed and he visibly paled, "I've noticed that some of the nations have been talking behind my back. But he doesn't seem to know, so I wanted to know if you did."
The British man relaxed at that, glad to know that America still didn't known. "I have no idea, but I bet is something stupid. Forget about it." England eyed the other blonde. He repeated that inside his head multiple times. 'Please America, just forget about it.'
America opened his mouth to reply, but closed it as a second thought. If England knew something he wasn't saying. "I guess so." He wasn't going to be giving up any time soon. If England didn't want him finding out then it had to be a pretty important thing.
In the next hour the other countries began to finally arrive. The fact that America was still sitting beside England only fueled their day.
America watched them all, trying to see if he could hear anything. But they were pretty good at it, only gossiping close together and far away from him. Besides him England was fuming, looking both outraged and slightly embarrassed.
When it was time for the meeting to start, England finally stepped up, coughing loudly to get everyone's attention. Today was his turn to lead the meeting, which America guessed, was why he'd been so upset with the gossiping going in the room.
Yet, as England made his way to the stand it only seemed to pick up again. Even America couldn't help at how red England looked by the time he stood in front of the room.
"Are you bloody wankers done?" England's voice finally rang across the room, silencing everyone. "We've wasted enough time already."
"That's right! We should all listen to Angleterre." France nodded from where he was sitting, giving England a thumbs up.
America could say without doubt that when France started to agree with England, something was definitely off. Even if America hadn't been paying close attention to everything going on around him, he would have noticed that.
England only glared at the Frenchman and officially began the meeting. The nations began to take their turns to go up and do their presentations. America's own presentation wouldn't be until tomorrow. This gave America a chance to ignore the meeting, which he often did anyway, and watch everyone in the room.
By the time the first half of the meeting was over, America still didn't know much. He'd been able to hear his own name and even England's. But he still didn't exactly know the subject of the gossiping. Only that he was involved somehow.
America's only option was to find Japan again. See if he could get the Asian nation to tell him. Hopefully, England wouldn't interrupt them again.
England took the stand once more, coughing to bring the attention back to him again. The room was filled with restless hungry nations ready to leave to get their food.
"The meeting will reprise once more in an hour and a half. Don't be late; we won't be waiting for anyone."
America didn't bother to put his stuff away before running after Japan who was already by the door.
Finding Japan wasn't difficult. The Asian was still standing by the door. Almost like held been expecting America.
"Kiku!" America called, using his human name. The Japanese man turned to watch America as he approached. "We have to finish yesterday's conversation."
America turned around to watch the room. England was standing by his chair, still putting his things away. He'd also noticed America's mess and was trying to organize that too. America turned back to Japan, grinning. 'Perfect.' England was distracted.
"America," Japan began, looking cornered, "I can't tell you anything."
"What? Why not?" America said with a frown. He couldn't understand, Japan always told him everything. Plus Japan had looked so willingly to talk the previous day. What had changed his mind?
"It isn't really my place to tell you, I'm sorry." America frowned, it still didn't make sense.
"But why, friends tell each other this sort of things. I thought you would back me up in this sort of things." America could notice a change in Japan. Maybe he was starting to convince him to talk. But the nation still wouldn't give in.
"Amérique, I hope you aren't bothering Japan." America felt a hand land on his shoulder and turned to look at the smiling Frenchman.
"Of course not!" America protested. He looked at his friend, then back at France. Looking dignified he stepped away from Japan.
"I was just asking him something." Their conversation did not go unnoticed. In an instant Switzerland was by their side, angrily glaring at Japan. "Japan, I you that you needed to stand up for yourself. Don't let anyone bully you into anything you don't want to do."
"But…" America looked at the others in confusion, he wasn't bullying Japan.
Switzerland turned to glare at America instead. Knowing that the other blonde probably was carrying some sort of weapon with him, ironic for a neutral nation, America held his mouth shot. He was sure Switzerland wouldn't waver when it came to using it.
"Forgive me." Japan quickly hurried off, mentally thanking the Frenchman. Switzerland went after him quickly after.
America watched, frozen in place. First England and then France, had they all gotten together to make sure America didn't found out? How had Switzerland gotten involved in the whole thing?
"Amérique, there are things that sometimes we are better off not knowing." France winked at him, removing his hand before walking off.
Looking back to the room America noticed that England was finally done and was now making his way towards the exit too. As he passed America the island nation sped up his pace.
"Don't leave such a mess behind." England finally called when he was far enough that America couldn't see his face.
"What's going on?" America was lost now. What'd he done to deserve what was happening to him?
Well he'd done lots of things, but at least when people where on his back because of them, they made sure he knew about all of the messes he'd caused. Now it was like they were all working to together to make sure he didn't.
With a sigh America went to get something to eat. He needed the distraction.
This day was turning out worse than the previous one. Maybe this was just a complicated plan to secretly drive him insane? Well it wasn't going to work. The United States America; Alfred F. Jones; self-proclaimed Hero, would get to the bottom of things.
England was carefully watching America.
The other nation was angrily shoving down his throat his greasy hamburgers. Grease ran down his mouth, before America cleaned it off.
England licked his lips. It was completely disgusting. America was completely ruining his clothes and his health with that food. England had tried to get America to eat healthier, but until down, all of his efforts had been in vein.
America's eating habits were last on his mind right now thought. Thanks to the French nation, one of England's most embarrassing secrets was out. Had it not been for the others, England would have killed the frog for that.
Now he had to make sure that America didn't found out. England's face heated just thinking about. He hadn't even known about it. It was a completely involuntary thing that he had no control off.
He couldn't even understand why it happened. He wasn't attracted to America, he wouldn't think of his ex-Colony in that way.
That was a lie he couldn't even feed himself. England bit his lower lip, his eyes drifting back to America.
The American was loud and obnoxious. He was an idiot and his ideas tended to make things worse. But he was a handsome idiot. There was little doubt about it.
That bright smile he always had on, the blonde locks, sky-blue eyes and those very kissable lips. Of course he found him a bit attractive. But that wasn't enough to cry out the idiot's name in a moment of pleasure.
Though, he had to admit it was enough to make England want to kiss those full lips that America had been gifted with. Blushing, the island nation looked away from the other man. He'd been hanging around that French frog for too long.
Here he was in a room filled with his fellow nations, fantasizing about another nation. One that he'd helped rise. He'd fallen deep, he was pathetic.
He wanted to blame someone else for all his problems. True it was France's fault it had gotten out. He'd been insane (and pretty drunk) to have bedded the other nation. He couldn't change that now and while he'd tried forgetting. Now he was reminded of it every second of his pathetic life.
Why couldn't he just disappear into the ground to avoid everything? That would have made things easier. But life wasn't easy for England.
Something that hadn't happened just once, Japan had confirmed his fears. He'd hoped that it had only happened with France, he would have loved to put the blame on the Frenchman. But it had happened with Japan too.
It probably had happened with others too. Others who had kept quiet about it out of embarrassment? Pity towards him?
It didn't matter now that everyone knew. Or at least almost everyone already knew. England had to admit that he was impressed with how well they had kept it from America.
Probably because they were too afraid to tell him personally, not even England could tell how the American would react. He could make fun of England, be smut about it. Or he could freak out about it.
America still had some of the mentality from the Puritans. Thought he was hardly a virgin, he wasn't crazy about openly talking about sex.
England silently admitted it was kind of cute. For someone that was completely fine with violence in his media, America took a more serious note when it came to sexuality.
If only France would have kept his mouth shut. Even if it had happened to others, they had been intelligent enough to keep their mouth shut. France had been the one to go around telling everyone else. But he'd been at fault too. He'd been mad (and desperate enough) to give in and sleep with the idiotic Frenchman. That was a mistake he was never going to repeat.
America stopped eating only to pick his drink up. England knew that the America was upset and that it wouldn't be long before he found out. Tapping his fingers against the table he wondered if America would stop talking to him once that happened.
In the last few years they hadn't been as close. Both busy with their own things. But at least they would talk and America would drop in when he got a chance. Even if it was only to annoy him.
It had taken so many years for them to get along after America had gained his Independence. England had to admit he'd grown used to the other. Even if he could only have America's friendship, he didn't want to lose it.
There came a small cough just besides him, followed by a soft voice. "Mr. England?" England looked up. He hadn't seen the other nation approaching him. If he hadn't spoken, he probably wouldn't have noticed his presence.
"Sit down lad, what can I do for you?" England motioned to the chair in front of him. Even with Canada there he was sure he could still see America, who was still eating a few tables over.
Canada nodded sitting down. "Thank you. I— well—I just wanted to make sure that you were fine." Canada blushed as he finished talking.
"I'm," he was far from well. France and his big mouth had ruined his character and probably destroyed his relationship with America, "coping."
Canada nodded. His eyes drifted to where America was sitting and the back to England. "I'm glad." The two sat there not saying anything for a while.
England knew the Canadian wanted to say something, but was probably too embarrassed. "Is there something else you want to ask?" Their break was almost over.
"Eh? Ah no. I just wanted to make sure you were managing. If you need to talk…I'll be here." Canada stood up. "I know Alfred and I know you."
England smiled at the mumbling nation. "I know lad. Thank you." Canada relaxed slightly and nodded. "I know this must be uncomfortable for you." England had tried protecting Canada from France, and now the young lad was forced to know about his other parental figure private life.
Canada shook his head. "It's worse for you. Everyone is—talking about it now. I should be on my way. I just wanted you to know, I'm here for you. I also think that maybe it's better if when he finds out, is from a close friend."
Canada turned away, leaving England to his thoughts once more.
What Canada had said, maybe it would be best if England just went to America and told him himself. Would it be better if he found out from England himself? It wouldn't be long before America found out anyway. At least it wouldn't give them a chance to make things worse.
It wasn't an easy decision. But it would be better that way. Making up his mind England decided to confront the other nation after the meeting was over, before he had a chance to talk to anyone else.
Hopefully America wouldn't hate him too much, or wouldn't be too disgusted to be around him anymore. England watched the other nation finish his food finally. Stepping up and walking towards the bathroom.
He probably needed it after all the food he'd eaten. How he managed to stay fit after eating all that was a mystery to England and everyone else.
He needed to get back to the meeting room. To get things ready before the second half of the meeting started. He would find America after the meeting once over and tell him everything.
I'm surprised by how many added this silly thing to their faves and story alerts. I hope this story doesn't disappoint and thank you for reading and hopefully enjoying.
Next chapter should be up (hopefully) next Thursday.
