A/N: Haha, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry if I get any languages incorrect when I type it. I'm just using a translator and I know that's not always 100% correct. Thank you Violet-Hime! I changed it to your suggestion! If it's wrong, don't hesitate to tell me the correct way to make the sentence! I can't speak any other language than English/American. _;
Also, I know Prussia is making a 'comeback' and such, but since he's not technically a country by the world's standards, he shouldn't really be alive. I love Prussia, though, so I would love for his comeback to occur!
Btw, for the sake of the fact that I can't find the actual picture of Scotland that Hetalia's creator (damn it, why can't I ever remember his name correctly? Oh well, too lazy to look it up) made, I'm going to use the fan-made Scotland. Mostly because I like him better, but I'll try to make him more similar to the creator's version.
It was Wednesday, the day of the meeting. Prussia, America, Canada, and England were all on a private jet and were being flown over to Italy for the world summit meeting. Prussia had agreed to come along if only to check in on his younger brother and his boyfriend Italy (although Germany said they weren't dating, everyone knew that it was pretty much official in everyone's eyes except the German) as well as say hi to everyone. After all, most of the countries were on the other side of the world and Prussia had practically moved in with Canada so as to not feel like a third wheel at his brother's house. Little England and America were looking at a world map (an actual one that Canada had brought so as to teach England correctly and not just the map of the United States) together on the floor a little ways away while Canada and Prussia sat curled near each other on the couch and were watching a movie. In Canada's lap napped Mr. Kumajiro and Gilbird.
"Is this really how the world looks?" England asked, amazed at the map. Maps were not nearly as well made as this one was in the time period he remembered.
"Yup!" America said. "Here, this is your country!" He pointed to the island nation. "And this is all me!" He then moved his finger to the U.S. and circled it. England looked between the two nations and frowned.
"You're bigger than me." He pouted. America laughed hard and fell backwards and Prussia's laugh was heard as well. He had overheard. Canada and adult England gave disapproving looks.
"Stop being perverted, guys." Canada said.
"Honestly, you two are adults, are you not?" England added ineffectually.
"It's a perfect set-up, though!" America said between breaths. Little England gave the two questioning looks, not understanding what was so funny.
"Well since I have your attention," Canada paused the movie and motioned for America to approach. America nodded and held up a finger for a moment and picked up England.
"It's time for your nap, England." He said and carried England into a small compartment in the back that America slept in on trips. He tucked the child in with Mr. Gumdrops and leaned down to kiss him on the forehead. England frowned but didn't struggle at it and yawned. "We'll be outside the room if you need us." America said and closed the door most of the way. Adult England waited until the man was far enough and then went through the wall after the nation. The two took seats near Canada and Prussia.
"We need to make a plan for about England." Canada said.
"What's there to plan? We take England in with us, explain his situation if necessary, and beat the shit out of anyone who tries to hurt him." America said simply. England glared at him. This situation wasn't that simple.
"Look, I'm on your side here, but that plan isn't going to work." Prussia said. "If worse comes to worse, I'll help you out with protecting England, but you've got to know that with the kind of meetings we have that there's no way it could possibly be that simple." England nodded in agreement. Prussia was thinking along the same lines as him.
"What do you suggest, then? Cuz I can protect England by myself."
"I never said you couldn't and I wouldn't help you unless I seriously need to –which is unlikely, thank God. But England's a child and we have Scotland –the man who bullied him- coming as well as we have that fucker Russia who's still trying to get everyone to become 'one with Mother Russia' and all of that bullshit. There's a chance he won't sit by when England is at his weakest." Prussia informed him.
"Prussia's being quite rational." England said to no one but himself. It was no wonder Prussia was one of the strongest with this kind of forethought. Why was he such an idiot the other 90% of the time?
"I'll take on Russia if I have to." America said. He looked away. "But I'd rather not have to, if I can avoid it." It was because America and Russia could easily destroy the world if they went head-to-head seriously.
"If I have to leave with England, then I will America." Canada suggested. "If things become heated up."
"Thanks, bro."
"But what about Scotland?" Prussia asked.
America shrugged. "We'll deal with that when we get to it. England defended himself enough when he was little, so he shouldn't have too big of a problem. Besides, I'll step in if Scotland messes with him too much." He stood. "I'm going to the bathroom." He left for the restroom. England watched him go and thought about how his younger self would react to seeing Scotland. Not well certainly if his emotions were correct. He would hate to see Scotland as a child (he had a bit of a better relationship with Scotland now, but it was still bitter because of the past). A Scotland that was only a little bigger than him was bad enough, but if little England saw an adult Scotland he would probably freak out. Maybe have a heart attack.
"I understand why Papa gave England to America now." Canada said. England looked at the nation. He was stroking his polar bear's fur lightly.
"Why's that?" Prussia asked.
"America acts like this big kid, but we all know unconsciously not to mess with him. He can easily hold his own against anybody with the strength he has in him. He's had it ever since we were little. If anybody can protect England while he's at his most defenseless, it's America." England knew that Canada was right. There was always a small lingering fear in the back of his heart of America that he knew all countries had just as he felt for Russia (although that fear was more prominent). He'd had it ever since he had seen America stop a rampaging buffalo when he was no older than little England right now. America could destroy anything if he so wished. He proved it in World War II with Japan and he showed it after 9/11. America would not stand for anything he didn't approve of and each nation had a fear –whether large or small- that one day America would turn on them. Even England felt it.
But by the same token, America's power was an asset to England right now. Canada was completely correct; America could protect England in a way no other country could do. America could take on the world and he would do it if he felt the need to protect something he believed in. And in his heart he knew America would protect his younger self –if not for him, then at least for the sake of the fact that England was a mere child.
"And besides…" Canada continued as his voice grew softer and a little bit sadder. England walked closer to hear him. "I think he's still trying to make up for World War II. He told me he'd always felt guilty over it."
"Guilty?" England questioned, confused. Prussia voiced the same question.
"I mean, you know how your brother bombed England quite a bit during the war." England still hadn't fully forgiven Germany for all of the pain he had caused him to suffer over that. "Well America really wanted to go and help him, but his boss refused to let him go. He still feels guilty that it took him so long to help England."
"He didn't seem that way during the war." Prussia said. England recalled the carefree plans America had made and how he had followed through with them. Yes, he didn't see what Canada had said any more than Prussia did.
"He was. He never showed it but he was." Canada said. "I can read him better than anyone."
"Even England?" Prussia grinned and Canada smiled as well at him and they both chuckled. England was unsure of what had passed between the two, but he felt as if he had missed something important and it irked him.
The jet landed about four hours later in Italy and America made sure that England had changed into his white dress with pants and red ribbon. He let him wear the cloak as well. The outfit was needed so that the other nations recognized England to be a nation as well (even though it was already pretty obvious). It was like how they were required to wear suits. America blinked. Now that he thought about it, England's outfit looked quite worn and there were parts where the outfit had been stitched up. America wondered where France got the outfit.
America carrying England stopped near the entrance to the meeting room and walked off to the side. Canada and Prussia joined him. "What's wrong?" Canada asked.
"Nothing, just hang on." America put England down and got down to eye-level with the boy. "England, I want you to listen to me." he said seriously and reached into his briefcase that he had been carrying. Inside he pulled out a child-sized bow and a quiver of actual arrows.
"America! You're not really giving him a weapon at a meeting?" Adult England shouted, appalled and angry at America's lack of common sense and parenting skills. Admittedly little England was a professional at using arrows and he was a nation, but you still shouldn't supply children with weapons.
"America!" Canada berated, apparently on the same line of thoughts.
"You have some balls to give him those!" Prussia said while chuckling. He unconsciously rubbed the back of his head, probably remembering when little England had shot him in the back of the head with a spoon.
"Shhh!" America told them and turned back to the now starry-eyed England. He looked ecstatic to have an actual archery set in his presence and for him. "Listen England, I'm going to give you these BUT-" he made sure the child was paying close attention to him, "you can't use them."
"What! But then what is their purpose?" Little England demanded, upset.
"You can only use them under the condition that I am unable to help you." America told him, face serious and that alone was enough to keep the pouting child's attention. "There are going to be nations that you recognize in there and who you might not like. That doesn't mean you can attack them. I will protect you, okay? So trust in me. If anything happens then you can use your arrows, alright?" England didn't look happy. Adult England wasn't fairing much better, but he did like that America had some parenting skills. "England. Is that okay with you? If not then I can hang onto these instead." America told him.
"No, I'll follow your orders." England said and held out his arms.
"I don't think this is a good idea, America." Canada –always the voice of reason between the group of three men and a child- said nervously as America handed the child the weapon. England hooked them expertly around his back and covered them with his cloak to hide them.
"It'll be fine." America assured him and picked the child up.
Prussia wrapped his arm around Canada. "Chill out, Birdie. Everything'll be fine!" He assured him. "Besides, this'll be fun to watch!" He laughed. Canada frowned at him and hugged Mr. Kumajiro to his chest. Mr. Kumajiro looked up at his in confusion as if just realizing he was being held by someone.
The four nations entered the room later than most so that they would have plenty of people at the meeting and not have to explain England's situation repeatedly. Prussia immediately rushed over to his younger brother crying "West!" as Italy jumped up in joy. "A little kid! He's so cute!" Italy bounced over to them and said, "Ciao, little boy!" He cooed. "America, is he your child?"
America laughed as England pouted. "I am not this nation's child! Are you daft? We look nothing alike!"
"Waah! It's England!" Italy yelled scared and ran back to Germany. That caused everybody's head in the room to turn to them. Adult England was both annoyed and amused that he could still scare Italy so badly even when doing nothing.
"What? That little boy is Opium-aru?" China asked, getting up to come over. Russia, Japan, and Germany with Italy gripping his sleeve quickly joined him.
"He does look like England…" Russia pointed out, looking extremely interested. America's hold on England tightened a little. Little England glared at everybody but looked nervous at Russia.
"It is England, dummkopf." Prussia said, coming over with a forgotten Canada.
"What has happened to England-san?" Japan asked, confused and worried.
"Ah well, you see…" America was about to cover England's ears when the child said,
"I already know the truth, America. Prussia has already told me."
"Did he really?" America asked in surprise. "Okay, well that makes things easier. England was messing around with his mumbo-jumbo magic and somehow turned himself into a kid." America grinned, but it was hard and even a little cold. Adult England was surprised to see such an expression appear a second time on America. He didn't remember seeing that expression before. Everyone in the room besides Russia and little England (who didn't see it) shuddered lightly. "He's under my protection, though. So nobody mess with him, okay?"
"Is this why the United Kingdom needs a different representative?" Germany asked as he was the first to recover.
"America, the United Kingdom was at that park, was it not? Who is that?" England asked.
Prussia pushed forward, looking more-than-eager to explain. "You represent the United Kingdom which has you and your brothers Scotland, Wales, and only Northern Ireland in it."
"What!" England shouted. "I would never be with those bastards!"
"It's true though, mon cheri." A voice said and the group turned to see France with Spain and Romano walk into the room. Italy bounced over to his older brother and hugged him, which caused Romano to push against his face to try to get him off. Both Englands scowled at seeing the French man, especially as he came over to run a finger over little England's cheek. "You formed a union with them known as the United Kingdom. You represent them."
"Aww, this is England?" Spain asked, starry-eyed as he scooped England out of America's arms to spin around in a circle. Little England didn't like it and yelled at him. Spain ignored him and cuddled him to his chest, seemingly not noticing as England gnawed on his arm. Probably because he was used to Romano's abuse. "He's nothing like that devil of the sea he was some years back! He's so cute!"
Romano scowled and snatched England from Spain's hands and dropped the boy back into America's arms before smacking the Spanish man. "Don't go around cuddling other nations, tomato-bastard!"
"Is my little Romano jealous?" Spain asked, happy. He hugged the southern Italian and rubbed his cheek against the man's. "Aw~ you don't have to be! You're the only one for me!" Romano now had two people hanging off of him.
"G-get off of me!" Romano yelled and struggled against the two of them.
"Bloody hell, was that Spain?" England muttered.
"Yup!" America confirmed. Prussia bumped fists with France.
"Hey there, fucker. Haven't seen you in a while."
"Indeed, it has been long, Prussia. How have you been? Surely you've been treating my dear Canada correctly. If not…"
"Ah, I am. Don't worry." Prussia said.
"Oui, Papa. I'm very happy." Canada confirmed, accepting the hug France gave him. The French man then turned back to America and England, the former of whom had been telling England who everyone in the room was.
"I see Angleterre is fine. You're better at taking care of children than I thought you would be."
America laughed, apparently not noticing or not caring for the insult. "Yup! It's been fun!"
"And you, mon cheri? How have you been?" France asked, lifting England from America's arms to hold him in front of his face. "You're just so cute this small! Stay this way forever."
Adult England glowered at him in fury and his younger self reciprocated it, kicking the French man under the chin. France squawked in pain and dropped the boy, who landed easily on his feet. "Don't patronize me, frog. I'll return to my adult self."
"You're so cruel! Amérique you should punish your child for such an act!" France yelled.
America shrugged. "Why? You guys fight all of the time. It's completely normal. That's like punishing him for eating his dinner."
"Monsters! The both of you are monsters!" France wailed.
"This is quite fun, дa?" Russia said to a slightly unnerved China.
China looked away. "Whatever you say-aru." He obviously didn't agree.
"So shall we begin our meeting?" Germany interrupted the hullabaloo.
"But what about Sc-I mean, the UK's representative?" America asked as he carefully avoided using England's older brother's name.
Germany gave him a slightly confused look at the change, but ignored it. "We will have to start without him. He's late." It appeared that the German was in charge of this meeting as well. It wasn't a surprise considering that they were at Italy's house and neither Italy would actually lead the meeting.
"What are we going to do about Opium?" China asked as people began to take their seats. Germany looked at America.
America said, "I'll just hold onto him, or he can just play in the corner or something. You'll be good, right England?" He looked at the little boy. England huffed and looked away, but America knew that the boy would listen. America picked him up and the two sat down together in America's seat with England in his lap. Adult England was displeased by this and so appeared to be little England. He wiggled about a lot until he was comfortable and quietly held onto Mr. Gumdrops as he realized that his caretaker would not be releasing him. Adult England took the seat on America's left –his usual seat at some of the meetings- and watched the activity around him silently. Japan sat down on America's other side.
"Sumimasen America-san, but is that really England-san?" He asked, looking at the child curiously. England looked at him and raised a large eyebrow before shrinking away from the man with a glare. Japan appeared startled by this action and even a little hurt.
America didn't notice the movement. "Yeah, it's totally England. You know how he is with his weird voodoo crap."
"It's not 'voodoo', you blasted tosser!" Adult England yelled. "My magic is pure black magic!"
"I suppose so." Japan murmured. "Have long have you been taking care of him? Will he return to normal?"
"A couple days and yeah, hopefully. He doesn't seem to remember many people except the people from his childhood. England," America smiled at the child, "this is mine and your buddy Japan! Say hi!"
England looked suspicious. "Greetings…" He muttered, unwilling to turn his eyes away.
Japan smiled lightly and America felt England relax ever-so slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet your younger self, England-san. Or should I call you England-kun, now?" Japan shook his head at the thought. Adult England didn't understand the confliction the man had.
"Japan, America! Quiet down for our meeting!" Germany reprimanded.
"Ah! Yes! Sorry!" Japan said and turned to face the speaker. America and adult England were settling themselves in for another tedious meeting when suddenly the doors burst open and in walked a late arrival. He was a tall man, probably about as tall as America or so, with dark auburn hair and a thin, scraggily beard on his face (similar to France's but slightly thinker). He was dressed properly enough in a deep maroon suit with a dark green tie to match his green eyes. He had thick eye brows and a cigarette was between his teeth. He smothered it a few moments later and lit another one as he shut the doors behind him.
Every European and North American eye turned from the man to England as they waited for the little boy's reaction. Even adult England (who looked quite displeased to see his older brother) looked to his younger self, unsure of how the boy would react to seeing the man. However, little England didn't really recognize the man. The man's eye scanned the room –perhaps because it was the first time in a long time he had been at one of these formal meetings considering England represented the United Kingdom- before his green eyes landed on little England. They widened and a huge grin –not a particularly good one either, mind you- stretched across his face. "Why, is that me wee little brother over there that yer holdin', America?"
The reaction was instant. "AHHHHHHHH!" England screamed and clawed at America to try to climb over the man to try to get away. "SCOTLAND!" Scotland laughed loudly at the boy's reaction as America fought desperately to keep his hold on the child.
"England!" America yelled over the shrieking boy. "Calm down!" England didn't listen and continued to thrash about violently and yank at America's hair in his anxiety to get away. Adult England didn't even try to help. He could feel the boy's irrationality at the moment. Scotland made his way across the room steadily as Germany tried to call order.
Finally America couldn't hold onto England any longer and the boy crawled up onto America's head and stood on top of it with a balance that surprised the teen nation. England expertly whipped his bow off of his back and notched an arrow to point at Scotland's eye right as the older nation reached him. "Don't you bloody come any closer to me before I send this arrow through your blasted skull, fucker." England told him in Brythonic. Adult England was unsure if Scotland would be able to understand, but it didn't seem to matter as Scotland just chuckled and pulled a pistol from his pocket to aim at the little boy's head. He took a long drag of his cigarette and blew it out before saying,
"I dare ye to try it. See how long it takes me to blow a hole in yer brain." He replied in Scottish Gaelic. England went cross-eyed to stare at the barrel of the gun. The little boy didn't understand what it was that Scotland was holding, but his gut instinct told him that it was very dangerous.
America pushed Scotland's gun away with a frown. "That's enough, dude. Don't aim a gun at a kid. England, what did I tell you about your weapon?" England looked at him and only lowered his weapon enough so that it was out of Scotland's face, but still had it plenty aimed at Scotland's chest. Scotland met America's eyes.
"Who're you ta tell me what to do, brat?" He demanded with a glare, but still he pocketed his gun. Adult England bristled. How dare Scotland act this way towards him! How he would hurt the man if was in control…America and Scotland were locked in an intense staring contest, neither seeming willing to back down easily.
"That's enough." Prussia said, stepping between the two as France also came up to Scotland's side to place a hand on his shoulder. "We're at a meeting, right?"
"Oui, Scotland. Come and sit so we can get this over with." France agreed and Scotland allowed the man to lead him to his seat a few spots down from which Canada hopped up from and took the seat adult England had been previously occupying. America and Scotland's eyes stayed locked and America didn't grab England and sit down until Scotland had snuffed out his cigarette and sat down as well. England looped his weapon back onto his back, but still his fingers twitched in agitation. After a few moments Prussia sat back in his spot near the refreshments table and the tension broke enough to begin the meeting.
"That was close, America." Canada said as he, his older brother, Prussia, and England walked to the door. "England and Scotland almost killed each other."
"What was that strange weapon he had pointed at me?" England demanded, too wound up to even want to sleep.
"It was a pistol, a type of gun. They're a much more advanced weapon than a bow-and-arrow. A lot more dangerous too." Prussia told him, his voice amused but tense. England didn't respond, looking upset.
"Just be careful ple-" Canada started, but was interrupted.
"Oi!" The group turned to see Scotland gazing at them. He walked over to them and England stiffened before hiding behind America, his hand grabbing his weapon in preparation. America gave him a sideways glance that told him no. The boy released the weapon and gripped the back of America's pants instead.
"Yeah?" America asked, keeping his tone light.
"Are you the one lookin' after me bratty brother?" Scotland asked. He had an unreadable expression on his face that had adult England worried and wary over what the man's mood was.
"Yeah, I am."
"What happened to 'im?"
"Magic."
Scotland scoffed, amused. "Figures. The boy'o can't keep his magic under control worth shit." America laughed and agreed. England bristled. "However," he continued, "I'll be takin' 'im now."
"What!" America asked, shocked. "You can't!"
"Oh, no? He be my little brother and I have more right ta take care o' 'him." Scotland said.
"He was placed under my care!" America protested.
"He's under mine now." Scotland moved to take England but America blocked him, his playing mood completely gone and replaced with a severe look.
"Let me say this differently: I'm not giving him to you." Both Englands were startled by this statement. America was usually happy-go-lucky, but his tone was so…mature.
Scotland's eyes narrowed. "Oh aren't ye?"
"Nope." America grinned maliciously. England had seen that look used against Russia before. America was serious about not handing England over. There was a tension between the group as Prussia, England, and Canada watched on so thick but at the same time, so ready to be cut in an instant. And cut it was at a slight twitch by America. Scotland made the first strike and threw a solid punch at America who took it brilliantly in the cheek and sent one back just furiously. The next moment the two were on the floor in an all out brawl.
"America!" Both England and Canada shouted in horror. England could hardly believe that America was screwing up country relationships all over him. But at the same time he was unwillingly flattered that the nation would go to such lengths. Little England watched with wide eyes. Within a minute the other nations rushed into the room and Prussia, Germany, Japan, and France jumped into the fray; Prussia and Japan yanking America off and Germany and France pulling Scotland back. Both fighting men huffed and spat out globs of blood onto the floor. America's brow was cut and bleeding and he appeared to have a split lip. His cheeks were also red and looked a little bit swollen and would not doubt get worse by tomorrow. Scotland was sporting a bruise the color of his hair across the side of his face and a black eye appeared to be forming. His lips were also cut and bleeding.
"That's enough!" Germany yelled. "What the hell was this fight about?"
"Who takes care of England." Prussia told his brother. Germany looked between them as America and Scotland glared daggers at each other. Their physical fight was being held off but their mental fight was not.
"Enough of zis, Scotland." France said. "Just let Amérique take Angleterre and let us go to a bar, okay?"
"America, let's go back to the hotel." Canada suggested, also trying to placate his brother. "We can get pizza along the way."
America stayed stiff for a few more moments, but Prussia released him when the man let out a puff of air. "Fine." He muttered. "England, who do you want to go with?" He asked the child. England didn't respond and held his arms up to America. America picked the child up.
Germany slowly released Scotland and the man let out a 'tch'. "Whatever. You can take care o' the brat, then." Scotland walked past America and muttered only loud enough for America and both Englands to hear, "But you had better not hurt me brother again if ya know what's good fo' ya." He left the room. Not long after, the other nations filed out. Little England looked up at America in confusion at Scotland's last words as adult England stood in shock. America seemingly brushed off the comment.
France was about to leave as well to follow the eldest of England's siblings when America called, "Hey France!" He walked over to the nation. "You said you found England in the big clothes he had worn before he transformed into a kid, right?"
"Oui?" France asked, unsure of where he was going with this.
"Then where'd you get England's clothes from? Are they your old ones? They're kind of ratty."
France blinked in surprise before a smile blossomed on his face. "Oh, you did not guess? They are your old clothes that I found at Angleterre's house. Now, I must leave. Adieu, Canada, Prussia, Amérique." The French man then left.
Later on that evening when they had finally returned to the hotel, England was fast asleep in America's arms. Prussia and Canada had their own room but they stopped next to America. "What are you going to do now?" Prussia asked the older of the two twins.
America yawned. "I dun know. Take a bath and sleep, I guess."
"What about England?" Canada asked. "You know he likes his baths."
"Yeah, well he'll have to deal with it until morning." America waved goodbye to them and entered his room. He then carried the boy to the bed and tucked him and Mr. Gumdrops in. England frowned and cuddled Mr. Gumdrops to him. America then left the room to enter the bathroom.
Adult England stayed with his younger self, watching him sleep. America had been acting strange ever since the meeting had ended. After France had left, the man had gotten quiet and had even eaten his dinner with less vigor than usual. England wanted to know what was wrong with the man, but was unable to ask. And neither Canada nor Prussia had brought it up. Maybe the teen was still upset over his fight with Scotland?
Little England shifted a bit and adult England watched as the little boy awoke and looked around the room with a frown. The child wanted to know where America was, England realized. The little boy slipped out of bed and walked over to where the bathroom was, the water just stopping from running. The child stood outside of the door for a minute before he slowly began to strip himself.
Adult England blushed. "What do you think you're doing, child?" He demanded. Little England opened the bathroom door wide and exposed America who was sitting in a tub of steamy water and bubbles. There was an absent frown on the man's face. He blinked in surprise upon seeing the door open.
"What are you doing, England?" America's injured face looked red because of the heat.
Little England looked away and shifted his feet nervously. "May…may I bathe with you?" He asked after a moment. England felt embarrassed for his younger self.
America looked surprised and chuckled nervously. "Uh…sure." England approached him and America reached down to pick him up. "It's a little hot and deep, so stay on my legs." He warned the child. England did as he was told and sat on America's legs.
America covered his face with his hand and took a few deep breaths. It's a child, not the adult England. Stand down, soldier. He firmly made sure his mind was out of the gutter with the thoughts of England bathing with him before he uncovered his face. Little England was playing in fascination with the mountain of bubbles. America grinned and scooped up a bunch before placing it on his chin so that he had a beard.
"Look, I'm Santa!" He told him. England gave him a blank look. The effect was lost on the amnesiac child. America rolled his eyes and placed a load of bubbles on the boy's head and laughed at England's surprised and baffled expression.
Adult England watched from the toilet feet in humiliation and happiness at the scene of America and England's younger self playing in the tub. It was an adorable scene. Like one would see of a father and his son. England shook his head of the thought. No, America would be a horrible father. He looked back at the gleeful child and reconsidered. No, America would be a great father. He would just need someone alongside of him to properly teach the child. It was too bad nations were sterile. But even so, who would America be with anyway?
The bath ended and America and England dried off (with adult England looking away so as to give America some privacy) before they dressed and brushed their teeth. America then carried them to the bed and placed England in it on one side with Mr. Gumdrops before getting in on the other. "G'night!" America told him. Little England frowned as the man closed his eyes and after a moment he crawled over to lie against America, leaving Mr. Gumdrops on the other side of the bed. America's eyes opened in surprise. "England?" He whispered.
England wrapped his arms around America's neck and laid his head against the man's chest. "Thank you for earlier." He murmured. "With Scotland, I mean."
"…No problem. I told you that I would protect you, didn't I?" America said.
England was silent for a moment. "You…act a lot like an older brother, America."
"Well, I am an older brother!" America laughed, referring to Canada. Adult England hardly considered twins to count as either older or younger, especially in nations.
"…Can…you be my older brother as well?" England whispered, causing the other England and America' eyes to widen. "You're a much nicer brother than the ones that I have." The little boy continued as he pressed his face into America's chest in embarrassment. Adult England looked at America and in the dark he saw that pained face again.
"…No. No, I won't be your brother." Both Englands reared back in shock. Adult England was horrified to hear that even after all of these years America didn't want to be England's brother, even to a child version of England. Little England looked at America with wide eyes before a few tears slipped from them. "I-I mean, I won't be your brother, but I will be your best friend!" America redeemed.
Little England frowned in confusion and sniffled as he wiped his cheeks. "Best friend?"
"Yeah!" America ran a thumb over the child's eyes to wipe the tears and pressed their foreheads together gently. "I won't ever be your brother, but I'll always be your best friend! I'll help you any time you need it, okay?"
"Your breath smells strange." England responded, referring to the strong minty smell that he still wasn't used to with the toothpaste. America laughed and hugged him close. England kept his forehead pressed to America's and closed his eyes. America soon fell asleep as well.
A/N: Aw, Chibi!England's trust has grown for America! And yeah, I kind of made Scotland a jerk in this (not because I hate him, mind you, I just like the idea of America and Scotland fighting over the right to take care of England). I kind of made up for it with Scotland's last line, if you understood what he was implying.
USUK development :D
