AUTHOR: hoshiko2

3rd of November, 2014

America poked his head around into the bedroom, grinning widely. England, who had been reading, glanced up. A slow, sly smile spread across his lips. He continued to read, or at least, pretended to in order to ignore the beaming American.

"Found you!"

England licked his finger, and then flipped a page of his book. "Looking for me, were you?"

America ran into the room, and then jumped onto the bed at full force. England grunted as if annoyed by this. His smile, though, had to be held back by his teeth. America shifted up to England's shoulder. Then, he pushed his face into the crook of England's neck, effectively disturbing the man's arms until he dropped his book to his lap. America chuckled at England's agitated sigh. England wound one arm around America's back.

"America, can I help you with something?"

America hummed as if in thought. He was still smiling broadly. "Um…nope. I just want to cuddle with you."

"Ah." England picked up his book with his free hand to continue reading. The hand that was around America's back carded up into America's blond hair.

For a time they were quiet. England reveled in the fact they could be this comfortable together; just enjoying the solitude with one another. And, with the holidays just starting, England worried that it would be stressful, or that they'd argue often. However, their first real holiday together was going along surprisingly well. They had cooked the Thanksgiving meal together, although America would not release his turkey baking job to England, and then spent the rest of the day enjoying time together talking and watching (American) football and holiday movies. After dinner they had fallen asleep in each other's arms in front of America's fireplace, only to wake up a few hours later in an awkward tangle of limbs. They eventually slugged their way up to America's bed and passed out again. All in all, it had been a very quiet, but memorable day.

A sense of peace settled into England's bones.

"Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving?" England asked softly. He looked down at America to see the man had a childish glow to him with his smile and eyes closed.

"Mm hm," America replied. He nuzzled his face closer to England's neck, but stopped when his glasses pushed into his face. He took them off, holding them to his chest, and then put his face back against England's neck. "Did you?"

England opened his mouth to reply, but then hesitated. Then, "I don't know how you Americans eat so much. Here in England, we do eat quite a lot around the Christmas holiday season, but it's nothing compared to Thanksgiving."

"The trick is to pace yourself." America cracked open an eye and held up a finger. "You don't eat all day, and then eat it all at dinner to make up for it. But you don't just inhale it all at once. You gotta pace then too. A little bit of turkey, some cranberry, some stuffing with potatoes. Or, just have some sweet yams alone and then some stuffing. And then some more turkey. You know? Gotta keep a good pace to work it and not fool your stomach into thinking you're full or something."

"I'll keep that in mind for next year." America closed his eye and smiled until his teeth showed. England smiled knowing America couldn't see him. He moved his fingers from America's hair down to the base of his neck where he massaged gently. America hummed in appreciation.

"Next year, huh? That's nice to hear…"

England said nothing. He pushed his face back into his novel. The tips of his ears red.

"You know, I'll have to come back next weekend."

"Oh?" England pretended not to sound too excited by this. "Why's that?"

"Well, I gotta help you set up for Christmas."

England groaned. "Really?"

"Yeah really!" America laughed. He kissed at England's collar bone. "Sheesh. Come on now. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I wasn't there to help you decorate for the holidays?"

"Well… Thank you…" England didn't even bring up whether or not America would come and stay with him for the Christmas and New Year's holiday, but something told him America would. Of course he would.

"I'm so glad to have you," America said suddenly.

"What're you spouting off now?" England scoffed. America's eyes were still closed, but England pushed his book until it bent his nose.

"I just am because I'm the only one who gets to love you like I do." America hugged England around his waist, laughing to himself.

"Shush now, you."