Hi everyone! This is the last chapter. I'm happy to see everyone survived the heartbreaking moment and was able to read and review. We're at our last chapter; let's see how this goes.
Chapter Eight: Back to Normal
Sealand had a terrible night; he didn't fall asleep. It was why he was up early, curled in the spare bed in France's summer home. Biting his lip, Sealand peaked over the side of his shoulder to look at the bed beside him. The body that was curled within the covers was no longer a small child; he was at his proper age, which made Sealand's heart ache. He knew America had to return to the right age, but he didn't want to lose his friend. He had come to care for the young America, but now that was over. America was normal again, and who knows if he'd remembered that for a short time, he and America had acted like best friends. He turned in his bed to face America just as the door opened. Sealand quickly closed his eyes so that he could feign sleep. He peeked his eye open and watched as England stepped into the room. England looked just as sad as Sealand felt. He stepped forward and covered America up since the blankets had been thrown askew by the sleeping nation sometime in the middle of the night. He gave a small smile to the sleeping nation and placed something on the bedside. With his business done, he left the room, closing the door quietly. Sealand frowned lightly but watched America begin to stir.
The super power nation blinked as he looked to the ceiling. Finding it to be a bit blurry, he began to look for his glasses. He grabbed them and placed them on his nose, making the scenery clearer. He took in his surroundings, and to his right, he found Sealand still sleeping in the spare bed. Blinking, America just stared at the micro nation.
"So it wasn't a dream," he muttered under his breath.
He pushed the covers off of him and got out of the spare bed. He moved through the room quietly; he didn't want to wake up Sealand. Little did he know, Sealand was awake and watching his every move. Getting up himself, Sealand decided to follow America, keeping as quiet as possible as he followed America down the hallway and towards the living room. He stopped just at the corner of the hallway and peeked around the side, watching America approach England. The older nation hadn't responded at first, but did when America tapped him on his back. England jumped in shock before turning to look at his former colony.
"You're awake early," England commented.
America just stared at England without his normal facade, causing England to tense slightly.
"America?" England asked again.
"Are we still brothers?" America asked, not sounding as cocky or loud as he normally is.
England tensed slightly, causing Sealand to frown in puzzlement. Throughout the whole week, England had addressed America has his little brother, yet now he wasn't acknowledging it? What was wrong with him? Why was there a look of pain in his eyes? America kept a careful stare on England, waiting for the old nation to answer. England's shoulders finally sagged as he released a sigh.
"So you do remember all of it," England muttered, looking away from America as he placed his hands on his hips. America didn't say a thing; he just kept pinning England, waiting for him to answer. "Does it matter?"
"Yes," America answered, and did Sealand hear right? America just sounded like he was hurt.
England must have heard it too because his eyes widened in shock. Closing his eyes, he gave a nod.
"I still consider you my little brother, even though you no longer want to be since the Revolution," England said.
Sealand's eyes widened and he had to bite his lip to not gasp. He thankfully went unheard as the men continued to stare at each other. America's head titled downward a little.
"I still consider you my big brother," America said in such a sad voice one would have thought he was little America again.
England looked shocked as he stared at the depressed-looking America. His blue eyes were watery, holding back the tears that wanted to fall.
"I thought if I told you that I didn't want to be your brother, you'd let me go and let me be my own nation. I wanted to prove to you that I could be as strong and great as you were," America explained. "But... you didn't stop being my big brother. The week reminded me how much I missed and needed you back then. I thought I didn't because you always left me to grow up on my own... but the truth is, I don't like being alone. I missed you when I was little, and even now, I miss the way you'd scold me for ruining something of yours."
The tears finally began to fall, causing England to react without thinking; he reached forward and pulled America to him. It was a little awkward since America was taller than him, but it worked; America laid his head against England's shoulder and began to cry. Sealand watched sadly.
"It's alright America," England said soothingly. "I'm sorry for making you feel alone, but you haven't been. I've been by your side no matter what, and nothing will change that. You're my little brother, no matter what anyone says."
If America said anything, Sealand didn't hear it. England was busy soothing America, not seeing Sealand hiding against the wall. Deciding he'd seen enough (and was happy for America), Sealand quickly went back to their room to dress. Maybe Canada was up so that Sealand could play with Kumajirou.
Breakfast had been silent with minimum conversation. Sealand, sitting Kumajirou in his lap, kept quiet, as did England and America. No one commented on the fact that America's eyes looked red and puffy. Things seemed to get back to normal when France made a comment about how great he was at cooking, causing England to respond in a good-nature argument. It broke the ice and allowed everyone to feel calmer; only Sealand and America stayed quiet. Sealand finished early, leaving the table with the polar bear still in his arms. He exited the home and sat on the stairs on the front porch. He didn't know how long he'd sat there before he felt a presence next to him. Looking out the corner of his eyes, he found that it was America, sitting with his arms on his knees. Neither of them spoke as they stared out at the blue sky.
"I remember the week," America spoke up.
"Really?" Sealand asked, feigning surprise.
America nodded.
"Yeah. I wanted to say, thanks for being a friend to me," America said. "I never had any friends at that age."
"Really?" Sealand asked in surprise, looking over at America.
America nodded again.
"Yeah. I didn't get to play with the colonists my age because most of my colonists were adults. And if there were any kids in the nearest village, they were working or in school," America responded.
"That's sad," Sealand said. "Didn't you get out much as a child?"
America shook his head, "England said it was too dangerous. I was still a new nation, and other nations may have wanted to kidnap me from England."
Sealand nodded.
"So... do you still remember the promise then?" Sealand asked.
America nodded, grinning at Sealand with his usual smile.
"Of course dude. You and I are now friends forever because I never go back on my promise," America said with a grin.
Sealand grinned and wrapped his arms around America's neck in a hug. The poor polar bear was left to be squished between the nation and micro nation.
"Are you two all packed?" England asked as the duo walked towards him.
England had already started the car and watched as the two stepped out of the front door and towards him.
"Mhm," the two boys said, both holding a suitcase in their hands.
"Good. Say goodbye to France and Canada," England instructed.
The two boys turned to France and Canada who were seeing them off.
"Thanks for having us over dudes!" America said with a grin, back to his obnoxious self.
"Yeah! Thanks!" Sealand said with a smile.
"It was no trouble," Canada said in his quiet voice.
"Come back anytime if you want good food," France called.
"Shut up frog," England responded, opening the trunk door to let the boys drop the baggage's in.
Sealand and America grinned to themselves as France laughed. They quickly climbed into the car and allowed England to take off. It wouldn't take long for them to get back to England's home, even with the traffic.
"I've already informed Sweden that he can pick you up. He says he'll be by shortly," England informed the micro nation. "That should give you enough time to pack the rest of your things."
"Fine," Sealand said with a sigh.
England ignored the sigh as he drove them home. When they arrived back, America helped Sealand pack up the rest of his clothing. They were moving as slowly as they could to spend more time together as they retold some of their adventures from the week.
"Man, my boss isn't going to be too happy when I get in touch with him," America commented as Sealand finished.
"What's the worst he can do?"
"True," America responded.
"Sealand! Sweden's here!" England called.
"Coming!" Sealand responded as he grabbed his suitcase and headed out of the room with America following.
Low and behold, Sweden was standing near the front doorway with England beside him. Sealand grinned and ran to his adoptive father, wrapping his arms around him once he was close enough. Being away from his father for nearly a week was enough to make him miss him. Sweden, not one for giving public affections, patted his son on his back.
"Ready to go home?" Sweden questioned.
"Mhm," Sealand said with a smile.
He turned and hugged America goodbye, earning a hug back. Sweden took this time to grab Sealand's luggage and place it in the car.
"Make sure you keep in contact with me!" America said.
"Of course," Sealand responded, turning to regard England.
England gave Sealand a rare smile and handed him an envelope. Sealand blinked at in puzzlement and looked up at England.
"Consider it a thank you for being by America's side during the week," England said cryptically.
Sealand just grinned, "It wasn't any problem. See ya around, jerk England."
England released a good-nature sigh and watched the boy leave the house and jump into the car. When Sweden drove away from the home to head for the airport, Sealand took that time to open the envelope had handed him. Opening it, he unfolded the letter inside. Blinking, he read through it before his eyes widened in surprise.
"No way," he muttered as a smile crossed his face. "No way!"
"What's the matter?" Sweden asked, side-glancing at his son.
"I'm invited to the next meeting!" Sealand said with a wide grin. "I've been acknowledged!"
How was that everyone? I hope it was good for everyone. I planned this from the beginning. So in this I had England, Germany, America, and by extent, Japan, Canada, France, Spain, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and N. and S. Italy acknowledge Sealand's existence as a nation. I know that's a lot, and you may be wondering why the others are included. I shall explain:
England and America are obvious. Germany would be influenced by Prussia to do so. Sweden and Finland would already, so that's them. Japan and Canada would because of America, and France would because of Canada. Latvia (once he got out of Russia's shadows) would support him, and Switzerland would because Liechtenstein would and have her brother support her. N. Italy would support Sealand because of Germany and Japan, and S. Italy would because of his brother. Spain would support because of Prussia, S. Italy, and France.
So yeah. In real life, only Germany and England seemed to show Sealand some independence. Here's the direct quote from Wikipedia: Roy Bates claims it is de facto recognized by Germany as they have sent a diplomat to the micro nation, and by the United Kingdom after an English court ruled it did not have jurisdiction over Sealand. No one really uses this as proof of Sealand's independence, but it gave me some inspiration for the story's ending.
I have become sold on the idea of Prussia as a babysitter to Sealand and a little America. Also, I'm still planning on writing that Digimon story because I've become sold on that idea to. Who knows when you'll see that though.
I hope you all enjoyed!
