A/N: As you can tell, way too much time on my hands. Well, except for my many hours watching the Grand Magic Games arc. Fairy Tail is fab. Very fab.

Scotland opened the door and entered his silent house.

"Dad? You in here?"

No answer. Scotland checked the kitchen to see if his father was attempting to make comfort food. Emphasis on attempting. Empty. So was the living room. The parlor was empty too.

Scotland went upstairs to check England's bedroom. Before he could, however, he noticed something peculiar.

The door to England's private office was wide open, which had never happened before. The door was always closed and locked whenever England wasn't inside, and when he was, it was just closed.

Scotland went over and knocked on the doorframe. "Hey, Dad…"

England flinched and dropped the photos and paintings he had been looking at. He bent down to pick them up.

"Hello, Scotland…"

"I'm sorry about Ireland. I think she went to see France," Scotland said. He sighed and walked over to stand beside his dad's chair. "Looking at some photos?"

"Yeah…"

"I didn't know you had any besides the ones of you and America. How far back do they go?" Scotland picked one of America playing with toy soldiers up.

"I've got a lot of photos. There are ones from when I was friends with France, from my pirating days, with America, of you and your sister…" England handed his son a photo of Ireland with her first fiddle and another of Scotland making faces at his sister behind her back.

Scotland chuckled. "You were once friends with France? Now that is unexpected."

England's lips curled into a tiny smile. "Yes, it was definitely a time ago," he said as he fondly glanced at a picture of a much younger version of himself and France when England had wanted his hair done differently.

"I guess you've known something like this would happen. Is that why you didn't argue with Ireland when we were at Maeve's house?"

"I suppose," England replied. "I-I just hoped it wouldn't be my favorite daughter to leave me next…"

"Ireland's been having some rough times herself. She doesn't feel appreciated, like everything she's done isn't enough to please you. It's nothing next to what you've experienced, but iy's still hard for her," Scotland explained gently.

"I do appreciate her, just… After America, I…"

"I know," Scotland interrupted. "I can't say I understand, because I don't, but truthfully, what you're doing doesn't seem to be the smartest way to handle things."

England sighed. "I can't rewind the past, no matter how much I wish I could. I would've changed a lot."

"I know. I bet Ireland's wishing she could turn back time and redo some things herself. But, I think you should know that unlike America, Ireland lives here, and that means that if she really is going to try to get her independence, it's going to be hell for us. I have to ask: if she tries to get it, would you give it to her?"

After a moment of thought, England said, "If she really wanted it, I would." He started to chuckled. "God, I'm turning into that bloody French frog. He would say the same thing if it came to Matthew."

"I just think that it would be easier said than done. I doubt she'll try to get her freedom anytime in the next few years, but things change. You promise me this: if she does win her freedom at whatever cost, don't try to punish her for it. Don't make silly deals in a treaty or anything like that. Can you promise me that?"

"I'll try my hardest."

Scotland sighed. "I guess that works. I doubt Ireland will be back tonight, so we need to decide what to do about eating. I can try my hand at sandwiches. Good, old-fashioned sandwiches. They may be slightly burned."

England chuckled. Scotland had inherited unfortunate cooking skills. "Germany dropped off some sausage and potatoes a few hours ago. You can reheat them, and I'll fix something for myself when I feel like eating."

"If they explode it was not me. It's times like these when I wish I could cook," Scotland said.

England laughed. "I used to be able to cook. Maybe you'll eventually learn."

"You could cook? Wow. I'm learning lots of new things today. The impossible was once possible! And no, I won't ever be able to cook. Ireland's tried to teach me multiple times and whatever I try to cook ends up burned or just plain on fire. Hell, I bet I burn water. Water!" Scotland ranted. He made his way to the kitchen to attempt reheating the food, leaving England alone.

England pulled a few pins out of his desk drawer. He pinned one photo each of Scotland, America, Ireland, and even France on his bulletin board.

"Immortality sucks, huh?"