You step gingerly out of the car and on to the grass below, Alfred's hand is extended before you. You accept it and he gently helps you out of the car on to the grass, the sweet aroma of grass hits your nose.

It's quite refreshing after the musky smell of the London streets, and you find yourself enjoying it.

A very round man in a very loose shirt with very red hair waves at you, beckoning you towards a house on a hill. Fog envelops it and it's only the beams from the elegant streetlamps are able to illuminate the stone path. You smile as you bend down to pick your bags, only to have Alfred scoop them up from you and start walking.

The thought of your lover crosses your mind and you become sour and cross. Alfred smiles at you, "He'll be fine." he reads your mind and assures it. You nod, but don't smile.

The mist plays with you as you reach the house. The man with the red beard holds out a hand and Alfred sets the bags down, clasping it.

"Hugh!" he exclaims. "Jeez, it's been a while." Red beard, who you've now identified as Hugh, nods and grabs Alfred's hand with his two much larger ones.

"Evenin' Mr. Jones." he said, then sees you. Eying you, a smile erupts across his face and he lets go of Alfred's hand.

"What's this? A wee lassy like you, surely you're not the lassy my brother's been talking so fondly of?"

You smile at the warmth of this man, nodding. "It's me."

Hugh smiles, picking up the suitcases from around Alfred's feet "Then that means I'm to protect ya." he says, motioning with his head for you to come inside. "Well, don't stand out there! The fog'll be swirlin you up and draggin you into it's misty depths! Come inside by my fireplace and get warm." he began walking up the limestone steps, talking to himself and you as he walked. "I just made a batch of butterscotch, very good with a bit of whiskey."

You smile, walking into the decorative house, Hugh sets the bags down at the front door. "Laddie," he says, turning to Alfred. "Help yourself in anything in the kitchen. I will show the lassie up to her room."

"Sweeeett! Dude! You're like the best ever!" Alfred said, rushing over to the granite kitchen.

Hugh grabs your more feminie bag, and motioned to the stairs. "Lassies first." he said with a wink. You smiled and walked up the stairs, trying to ignore the fact that the scottish man was ogling your caboose.

You waited at the top of the stairs, he moved to the side, "And here's a little level all to yourself." he said, not looking at you. Three rooms, two at one end of the hall and two at the other. He walked to the side with the two rooms and flipped on the light to reveal a small bathroom, complete with shower/tub. "A wee bathroom for ya, but you're always welcome to use any of the downstairs ones as well." he flipped the light off, moving to the other room. "And here's your bedroom!" he said, smiling. He sets your bag down by the bed, small but cozy. A small desk with a lamp stands guard behind a bed with flowered sheets. A mirror hung on the wall, beside a door which you assumed lead to a closet.

"I tried to make everything all comfy for ya, but if you need anything don't hesitate to ask me." Hugh said. He walked out of the room, before popping his head back in. "That door across the hall leads to the attic. Pay no mind to it Lassie. I'm going downstairs to make sure Alfred didn't eat everything. That man's just as hungry as when he was a wee laddie." Hugh said with a laugh. "Anyways, make yourself at home! I get up early to feed the animals, but please! Explore the place to your liking! Help yourself to anything Alfred's graciously left behind." he smiled and left, shutting the door behind him.

You place your trunk under the bed, walking to the window. The fog's still to thick to see anything, but you're pretty sure you can see the barn. You smile, sitting on the bed.

Arthur.

"Guess what, prissy brit! I told you not to tell anyone." Gilbert snarled, slamming the country against the wall.

Arthur's head ached dully. "You aren't getting any territory Gilbert. The other nations won't allow it, not matter how good you think you are."

Gilbert's frown turned into a snarl, and his snarl into a roar. "I am not, good, I am awesome!"

Arthur frowned, "It doesn't matter! You still won't get any territory!"

"Maybe not from you." Gilbert said. "But if Francis or Antonio succeeds in taking over a part of this dreadful island..." Arthur found himself gasping as Francis and Antonio walked out of the shadows.

Francis held a grin on his face, holding his saber out threateningly.

Antonio looked slightly uncomfortable, his axe over his shoulder.

"I have allies too!" Arthur said, before Gilbert slammed his fist into his gut. "Shut the fuck up!" he growled, before backing up. "Begin the war." he ordered.

Francis grinning, planted a foot into Arthur's side, slicing up his cheek.

Winded, Arthur couldn't feel the sword slice through his skin, cutting him multiple times. Francis kicked him again, rolling him over on to his back and the moment he regained breath, Antonio dropped the bottom of his axe into Arthur's stomach. Gilbert grinned, laughing manically, as he planted a kick at Arthur's already bruised head.

The next day...

"Arthur!" you cry, tears pouring down your face as you bury it into your boyfriend's chest.

He runs a swollen hand down your hair, kissing the top of your head. "I'm alright darling." he lies.

His swollen and puffy face, five broken ribs and cracked skull would beg to differ, not to mention the multiple cuts across his body.

"I'm a country. I'll heal."

"Dude! Francis, like, totally stole the bottom half of your party man!" Alfred said, standing at the foot of his bed.

England laughed. "No matter how many times he tries, that Frog will never have enough balls."

But you're still crying. "Arthur," you whimper, protesting.

"I have to do this darling. But listen to me." he slipped his hand into yours, you could no longer wrap your fingers all the way around it. "Go with Alfred."

"No! Arth-,"

"No!" he cut you off. "If something happens to you, I will never forgive myself. You are to go to America with Alfred. He'll take you to New York, you won't be living with anyone. We have clearance for Capn' to go with you. You in a New York apartment, we'll change your hair and you'll live there until we can figure out how we're going to do things." Alfred layed a reassuring hand on your shoulder, but you shrugged it off.

"It's bad enough you sent me to Scotland, but now to New York? Arthur, that's all the way across the ocean!"

"Darling, that's the point. I need you to do this."

"I don't want you to do this alone!" you shouted at him, tears flowing freely from your face. "I want to be here for you! I want you to hold me and tell me you'll be okay! I want to sink into your kisses! Yes, you owe your country and your borders, but don't you owe me too? I gave you my heart!"

"And so have I!" Arthur said, his aggressive voice causing you to stop. His eyes, though one was swollen shut, were hard with authority, his head high against his pillow. It was quite frightening actually. You had never seen him like this before, not even with Francis or Alfred, or subordinates.

"I gave you my heart, and I'll be damned before I lose it." he said. His eyes became soft again, his once time of harsh feelings had passed. "Go with Alfred. For me."

You find yourself defeated. There's no way you can argue with him, not after that. You nod, the tears drying upon your face. You wipe your face with your sleeves, nodding. Arthur becomes reassured, sighing as he smiles. "Good. Don't worry about me darling!" he insists. "I'm a nation! The Great Briton! Have no fear, my love. I'll be up and dancing in a jiffy."

Alfred nodded behind you. "It's true! We heal crazy fast!"

You continue to nod, closing your eyes and holding Arthur's swollen hand. "Okay." you whisper.

"You'll be moved a lot but you'll be safe." Arthur said, looking at Alfred who nodded behind you.

"Just promise me you'll be okay."Arthur smiles at you, his eyes full of love.

"I'll promise you the world if you so wish."