England was awakened by the claps of roaring thunder and continuous beeping of a machine. After an ear-shattering drum of the sky, his eyes snapped open. 'W-Wha…?'
"Shit!" he heard America curse.
England sat up and looked around, "America?"
The other looked back with a nervous smile on his lips, "Sorry to wake you up, dude but we have a problem…" he pointed out up front of them.
England's eyes widened in shock; dark clouds gathered in front of them brewing a soon to be catastrophic storm. "Bloody hell!" he yelped and covered his mouth. Were the Gods crossed with him for his selfishness that they sent this menace to end his happiness? Why would they include his beloved America?
"Do you copy? Guys, this is Freedom-01! Can anyone read me, over?" the younger nation tried to make contact with his people through the radio. Only static waves answered his call. It seemed that they've lost connection with everyone thanks to the storm. "Fuck!" America cursed and turned to check on England, whom he saw trembling.
"England!" America called out in worry, breaking the trance that caught his friend. "You're shaking…" he commented.
The island nation was indeed trembling. He had faced many storms at the sea during his plundering through the seven seas but this was different. They were not at sea. They were 8 miles above it moreover; he couldn't swim to save himself if ever the contraption they were in happen to crash into the blue deep.
"I-I'm fine… I just…" England stuttered. This was bad. He was starting to lose it.
America gritted his teeth, "Everything will be fine, okay? I'm the one flying this jet and I will not let anything happen to us, to you! We'll pull through this… Trust me…" the younger tried to sound reassuring in spite of himself. He may have the courage to face countless battles and dangers but this time it was different. The hero wasn't alone. He was with someone he truly treasures even if he doesn't voice it out. He would never let England be in danger again. Blitzkrieg was already too much.
England inwardly smiled. He nodded and hummed. A hand rested to the American's shoulder and with sincerity he spoke, "I trust you, love... I always will..." All was true, yet his spirit was false.
'I know that we may not die but we may get lost... Parting from you had always been death for me so, this is nothing compared to that. If I fall down and drown to the bottomless sea beneath us, I would be happy. For I know that right now, you are here with me. Determined to protect me from dangers ahead.'
America smiled a little and relaxed for a bit, "Thank you..." he put a hand over England's.
The jet was getting closer and closer to the storm. America tried to move it away from it but the force of the high airs pulled them closer to its center. The engines of the prototype were starting to malfunction as one of the wings caught fire. The younger nation was gritting his teeth as he tried everything in his power to avoid the inevitable. England, on the other hand, did his best to keep calm for he knew that his panic would only cause the other to get more frustrated.
"Damn it! Work! You can't crash now!" America growled as tried to maintain altitude. He was starting to lose hope until he heard England hum a song. A song from his childhood, a Gaelic lullaby which he never need to understand yet it always soothed him.
Bà i ò ho
Bà i ò ho
Bà i ò ho
Bà i ò ho bà
"England..."
"Shh... Once we reach the eye of the storm, the jet might be destroyed, the winds will disappear and we need to prepare for impact. We cannot die, lad. We're eternal." England spoke and continued to hum. "Just prepare yourself, love…"
America felt useless. England was the one to calm him down and comfort him. So much for his will to reassure the other. "I'm sorry..."
"America, you've tried your best... Just accept that we will never escape this storm. Let's just try our best to find land if we don't drown in sea..."
"But you can't swim..."
England chuckled bitterly, "I'll float eventually, don't worry..."
America laughed as well as he saw that they were practically a few meters from the center of the storm. "I'll find you... I promise. I won't let you drown..."
'My darling America... Thank you.'
The island nation nodded, "I will be waiting for you, love..." and closed his eyes.
'It would be better if you will not look for me.'
"I will be your hero, England... I'll save you."
Gheibh thu bainne bhuam (I'll give you milk)
Gheibh thu bainne bhuam
Gheibh thu bainne bhuam
Chan ann fuar ach blàth (Not cold but warm)
'I want this to be my last memory of you... To hear those words from you; your concern, your promises, your way of loving someone, who would never come to terms with their feelings for you. I would rather be lost at sea than to return to the world where you and I would never be...'
England felt his heart clench in his chest. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes yet his lips, his lips were blessed with a sad contented smile.
The next thing he heard was a chain of explosions. His chair was automatically ejected yet he did not bother to look around. He kept his eyes closed. From a short distance, he could hear America calling out his name over and over again. The young nation sounded extremely worried. He was probably looking for him from the falling debris of the aircraft.
Cha bhi mise bhuat (I won't be away from you)
Cha bhi mise bhuat
Cha bhi mise bhuat
Mach air uair no dhà (apart from once or twice)
England could only smile sadly. He wanted to say goodbye but he knew that if he looked back to his love, he would hold on. He would hold on and never let go. He would hold on to the promise of tomorrow that will only leave him with heartache. The tears started to fall continuously from his closed eyes along with soft sobs. The air rushing against his small frame was assaulting him like an onslaught. With the smell of saltwater, he knew impact was close. Getting closer and closer to the blue yonder.
'I have always been one with the sea... It was where I truly belong. And now we will be reunited. By the gods, I pray, please keep America safe and happy... My country shall continue to strive for progress despite my absence... Protect them... Bless them and I shall offer you myself' England prayed. This was it. It was the end. He will rest unto the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.
"ENGLAND!" America's voice rang through the rolls of thunder and angry waves of the seas.
England's eyes snapped open and felt strong arms around him. He turned and saw his love's teary blue eyes. He could feel himself cry and hold on to the other like a lifeline. America caressed and kissed the top of his head. The island nation buried his face to the other's shoulder. He could no longer fight it. He was ready to embrace death but now...
'You idiot... If you hold me like this... How can I let go?'
Caidil thusa luaidh (you sleep my love)
Caidil thusa luaidh
Caidil thusa luaidh
Is na gluais gu là (and don't stir until daybreak)
The last thing that was heard was the loud splash of water.
And queue cliffhanger~
So guys, thanks for your patronage and sorry if I gave this chapter a rather abrupt ending.
I was a bit busy before Christmas and prolly all the way to New Year's Eve so I might not be able to up the next chapter until Jan 2 or 3.
So if you have suggestions, violent reactions or questions, feel free to review or PM me. It'll be lovely to have a connection with you guys.
Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year ahead.
P.S.
The Gaelic (Gahlic) Lullaby is actually a Scots gaelic Lullaby. I have a headcanon that Scotland sang it to England when he was little and sang it to America during the colonial era.
You can listen to it here: watch?v=0mgxPaNJD7c (just add youtube dot com at the beginning.)
~ShizukaUsami89