Chapter three. The third and final chapter of this story. Enjoy!

oxo…oxo

America smiled as the door opened to reveal a rather tired looking but well England, the nation looking at him with a small frown on his face. His fairly quick recovery had been due mainly to the way the waters receded from the land after a couple of days, taking its time but slowly and surely revealing more and more of the United Kingdom as each week passed. Though it was still a pitiful sight, the island nation had recovered fairly well from the waters that had terrorised it.

The large grandfather clock at the end of the spacious hallway chimed the bells for ten o'clock, the exact time that America had told England he would be there. He should hope so, he had aimed for it to be that way; getting the earlier plane in order for there to be plenty of time to be prompt…just the way his mentor always taught him to be.

"You're on time…" England grumbled, not meeting Alfred's eyes as he stepped aside to let the American in. The larger nation was surprised, hesitating slightly at the old man's tone before walking past him and into the hall, hovering in the doorway to the living room as if he wasn't sure he was allowed there.

America had found, ever since that disastrous meeting, that he wanted to do nothing but please England; and if being the gentleman England had tried to make him when America was still a colony then so be it. He would make that sacrifice for England. He would become all that England ever wanted him to be.

The older nation only scowled further at his reluctance and pushed passed him, leading the American into the living room and gesturing for the blonde to sit down. America stayed silent, nothing but a polite smile gracing his lips and no sight of the large, idiotic grin he usually wore as England turned to look at him, looking the blonde up and down a couple of times and frowning deeper when he realised that America wasn't wearing his usual attire.

The bomber jacket was gone, replaced by a loose fitting grey suit (America hadn't been able to bring himself to buy the tight fitting one). He wore black buckled shoes and a light shirt with a thin black tie. It wasn't England's exact idea of perfect gentlemanly attire, but it was probably the closest America was ever going to get.

"Coffee?" England asked, surprising America again at the cold tone the Brit's voice had taken.

"Uh, sure. Thanks." Was his articulate reply, watching as England strode out of the room towards the kitchen, a strange expression on his face.

England sighed as he poured the hot water from the kettle into the pair of china cups on the side. He never thought he would ever say (or think) it, but he missed America. His America. The one who had always been immature, always had a grin on his face, was always unruly and always got into fights, even if those fights were often with him.

This America, this new America, scared him. It made him realise what he truly wanted, what he truly needed, and it wasn't another version of himself. No. He needed America's vivid happiness and optimism to match his own pessimistic attitude. Another of himself was certainly wasn't what he wanted or needed…but it had been what he had asked for.

A wave of bitterness swept through him and he cursed himself, holding back frustrated tears before quickly picking up the cups and carrying them through to where America was still sat on his sofa, stiff and uncertain; like he had never been to this house before. It was the last straw for England who, slamming the cups on the coffee table in the middle of the room, looked at his old charge with burning eyes.

"Will you bloody well stop acting like you've never been here before? Its driving me nuts you wanker!"

To say the outburst shocked America was an understatement. His wide eyes stared at the older nations angry face, unable to put a coherent thought together. Finally, he was able to get his mouth to form a brilliant comeback of – "wha…?"

England's eyebrows twitched. America flinched.

Then England sighed and pulled back, still focusing Alfred with a glare though not one as strong as the previous. "Everyone has been walking on eggshells around me lately, especially you, don't you try to deny it, and it's driving me insane!"

America blinked.

Had he been walking on eggshells? He hadn't noticed…though if he thought about it he supposed he had. He hadn't been his normal goofy self around England for a while now really, though that wasn't really due to his 'walking on eggshells' and more to do with trying to be the gentleman Arthur had always wanted him to be. The last thought made him frown slightly.

"I haven't been walking on eggshells!" he complained, glaring slightly as England's eyes narrowed.

"You have! Coming here and acting like I'm someone you've just met! Wearing that suit!"

"What's wrong with the suit! Not good enough for you or something? Oh, nothing can please the great England, oh no! Just wearing a suit isn't good enough if it's the wrong kind!" America countered, fire in his eyes as he mocked the older nation. He was furious. He had done all of this for England and still it wasn't good enough.

"It's not the type of suit that's the problem you git!" England shot back, eyes smouldering with burning ice.

"Oh? What's wrong with it then, hu? Wrong trimming?"

"It's the fact that you're wearing it you idiot!"

There was stunned silence as Arthur's words met their target, stunning America into frozen shock as he looked at the man in front of him, tears beginning to grow in the older country's eyes. England was shaking, own eyes wide as he took in what he said before looking away from the blonde, his fringe covering his eyes.

America's eyes softened as he took in his former mentor's shaking form. "What do you mean?"

Arthur took in a sharp breath, not moving as he answered, his voice shaky. "You-you became everything I wanted you to become," he whispered, "and I hate it."

Alfred was silent, before a smile came to his face; he understood. Moving forwards quickly, he captured England in a hug; wrapping his arms around the Brit. Arthur seemed to freeze, surprised and unsure. Then he relaxed.

"What are you doing you git?" he asked, voice rough and emotional but still able to carry the tone of annoyance he would normally have. America chuckled slightly.

"I would have thought you off all people would recognise a hug Iggy,"

England seemed to choke slightly before his head snuggled further into America's chest, though his arms remained at his side. Alfred kept his arms wrapped snugly around the shorter nation, placing his chin on top of the man's head as he cried. The tears were silent, but oh so very much there.

When England had calmed down some, America spoke.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you Arthur. It wasn't my intention. I just wanted to be what you wanted me to be. I'd never have thought it would have upset you. It was you who was always telling me to change you know."

England sniffed. "I know that," he replied indignantly. "I suppose I didn't realise how much I loved you the way you were until you changed,"

As soon as the words were out of his mouth Arthur wanted them back, stiffening in his hold as the hold around him stiffened. Then the arms retreated, tearing a giant rip in his heart at the rejection.

Then America's large hands were on his chin, lifting his head and eyes to meet his. He found himself staring into those sky blue eyes for fraction of a second before they were hidden by lids, Alfred's lips having crashed into his own.

His whole body tingled as their lips met and, after the shock had worn off, his eyes slipped slowly closed, relishing the feel of America's hand through his hair. When they came apart not too long later, England looked up at the blonde with wide eyes and a curious gaze.

America looked at him sheepishly. "I couldn't help myself. I never thought I'd hear you say that. Ever." All I ever wanted was your praise…and your love.

England smiled slightly before sighing, walking past America and back over to the coffee table; picking up his cup and sipping at it with a frown.

"What's wrong?" Alfred asked worriedly as he waited for his old mentor's reply. England just looked at him with an America like pout.

"Tea's gone cold,"

The American just stared for a moment before laughing. "Best make you some more then, hey old man?"

England snorted. "I'm not old."

America grinned. "Course not," he replied sarcastically before pecking England on the lips (causing a nice flush on the other nations cheeks) and winked. "But I wouldn't have you any other way, my love,"

oxo…oxo

Dear readers,

That, I think, is the cheesiest ending I have ever written. WANT SOME BREAD WITH THAT CHEESE OR WHAT? Oh well I suppose. It will have to do. I hope you liked this and weren't too disappointed with how I did it. I thought it was alright. Anyways, please review. I love reviewers, they make my entire day. Every one. So each review I get counts to one happy day. And, hopefully, will give you a sense of accomplishment and so brighten up your days too ;)

Animeloveramy

Hmm, there's several things I could say here. But I don't think I'm going to, cos to say one would be a grievous insult to the others -_- equal opportunities for...well thoughts ftw!

AnimeAiedail