April 8th, 2014 - Just a T-shirt
AUTHOR: spectrum-22
April 8th, 2014 - Just a T-shirt
England could just tell America had done something annoying within seconds of him entering the room. A single glance was all it took to see the corners of his mouth twitching upwards into a dumb grin, the gleam in his eyes one that England recognised all to well as trouble, or at the very least, amusement at his expense.
"What have you done," he asked flatly, eyeing him with suspicion.
"Huh?" America questioned innocently, eyebrows knitting together in apparent confusion, "Nothing!"
England rolled his eyes. "As much as I hate to break it to you, subtlety is not one of your strongest points."
"No idea what you're talking about."
"I know you've done something I'm probably not going to like."
The accused nation sighed loudly, completely overdramatically in England's opinion. "Honestly, stop being so paranoid! Let's go!"
"…Alright," he conceded, not entirely convinced but willing to drop it for now.
Grabbing his coat he led America out of his house into the bright but blustery morning, the cold wind soon replaced by the heat of the London underground.
It was there, stuck on the tube temporarily stopped by some fault up ahead, that England found out just what the other had been hiding.
"Man, it's hot in here isn't it?" America murmured, to which England agreed, thankful it was past rush hour and not packed. His eyes flitted to America's jacket as he began to unzip it, and that's when he saw it.
There on his chest, standing out boldly against the white t-shirt, was the large print of the letter I and a giant red heart. He snorted and gave him a disapproving look.
"Really?"
"What?"
England shook his head in disbelief. "You look like such a tourist," he muttered, though felt a strange flutter in his chest at the thought of America wearing a shirt proclaiming love for his capital.
Which was complete nonsense of course, because it was his city, not him. And it was, after all, just a t-shirt.
And more importantly, as perhaps he should've known, that was not what it said it all.
America unzipped the jacket completely and revealed the letters NY beneath the I and giant heart.
England did not know what face he made but it must have been something special because America started sniggering. Loudly.
"You…are such an idiot."
Evidently pleased with himself, America shot him a cheesy grin.
"Is that really supposed to make me laugh? Or do you just enjoy annoying me for no reason?"
"Both, I guess!"
England tutted and crossed his arms. "All you're going to do is convince my people that Americans are stupid."
"Hey! It's funny! You English people have a weird sense of humour…I bet people will laugh because it's ironic."
"I highly doubt it!"
But luck was not on his side, because at that moment the pretty young woman sat opposite them smiled straight at America.
Who proceeded to wink at her, and England inwardly groaned.
"It is funny, right?" he asked her, eyes practically sparkling with his most charming smile.
"Kind of," she replied, looking at him in that way England saw an incredible amount of women do for someone so daft. "So…you're American?"
"Through and through!" he laughed, nudging England with his elbow as if to say see what I did there?!
England did see, but wasn't that amused.
He only half paid attention to the following conversation of how she'd always wanted to travel around America, said nation embracing the opportunity to big up his country and make suggestions. A twinge in England's chest tried to tell him he was jealous, but that was completely ridiculous so he squashed it, telling himself it was only because she should've been talking to him instead of the giant ego on his left.
But then America paused mid conversation, and he couldn't help but listen in.
"Um," he started, appearing to pick his words carefully. "Well, America's the best, of course! But yeah, England can be pretty nice. When it's not raining all the time. And when people actually smile…instead of being all sarcastic…"
Against his better judgement England glanced sideways at him, only to find him doing exactly the same, and they both looked away again sharpish.
America was just generalizing. He did not know why his cheeks were heating up.
"Like you!" he said to the girl, "you've got a lovely smile!"
As smooth as ever, England groused to himself while she blushed.
The tube started moving again, soon arriving at Camden town where they departed and America assured her he just knew she would make it to America one day!, leaving her with her day thoroughly brightened.
"Now that you've finished using it to chat up my citizens," England said with a bit more snark than he'd intended to as they exited the underground, "you can hide that bloody top away."
"Oh please! I wasn't flirting with her!"
England shot him a deadpan expression.
"What? It's not my fault if people find me attractive!"
"So modest," he muttered, coming to a stop at a stand full of 'I heart London' merchandise. "Look, you can wear one of these instead," he said dryly.
"No way! I'm not ready to go round wearing a shirt that says I love you on it!"
England froze. America did a double take, flustered. "I mean- um-"
Neither really knew what to say. But after extensive spluttering England eventually attempted to help him out. "It's just a t-shirt, you idiot," he said softly, voicing his own thought from earlier.
"Yeah, haha. I know."
They stood awkwardly for a few seconds, the merchant giving them (and America's top, England noted) a funny look before they finally continued down the street.
"Let's get lunch!"
"Hm? Already?!" he chided, doing his best as well to go back to normality, but still distracted.
Because it may have been just a t-shirt, but the image of America wearing it wouldn't leave his mind for the rest of the day.
