Author's note:
Here's chapter 9! I hope you like it, I worked really hard…
To Zaaze:
You did better than what I would have done! (Personally, I hate everything to do with exercise, so good on you!) I probably would have flopped on the ground halfway and fallen asleep, so at least you finished, yeah? And I'm so glad that my chapter helped ya out, that's super duper awesome. I'd love to read your fanfiction, if you happen to have it up online, could you possibly give me the link? The episodes where Germany makes gassing jokes are in DUB, so you'd have to watch those. And I have no fucking clue what episode. I have a hard time remembering the names of the series, only God knows the exact episode number. Have a wonderful day, and enjoy the chapter that I uploaded just because you were nice enough to comment! (Honestly, your comments make my day!) And I know about the issue with the reviews not showing up, that's been happening for a while now, but not to worry! I get emails with the reviews, so that's why I reply so fast even if they don't show up.
When we were just closing the meeting doors behind us, England asked, "Are you upset with me?"
"I'm not actually mad at you, you know. I guess I'm just frustrated that you didn't come and get me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed talking to America, but I like talking to you more." I laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of my head.
I pushed the suitcase against the wall, letting my hands hang loosly.
"Hey, did you know America still feeds the unicorn you gave him?" I desperately changed the subject so I wouldn't have to deal with a long talk about feelings. I succeeded.
England's face lit up. "Really? I thought he didn't believe in them."
He looked so happy, I wonder how he'd act when he finds out I can see them too. "Yeah. What did you guys talk about in the meeting?" I furrowed my brows. "I was in my own little world for a while, so I really didn't pay attention."
He laughed. "I noticed. We were just talking battle strategies and such, nothing to worry about."
"Hmm, I'm surprised. You guys were more civil than I thought you have the maturity for."
"I have to be, all of them will become one with me someday." Russia butted in, somewhat creepily.
"Russia, why do you want everyone to someday be apart of you?" I already knew the answer, Russia wanted friends, but I doubt that he himself knew.
"I think that everyone would be better off, da?"
"By forcing them to be your friends? They won't enjoy that very much, the Baltics being the prime example. You just need to be yourself."
"Kolkolkolkolkolkol."
"No, stop that. I can probably beat your Russian ass into the ground if I needed to, so no kol-ing."
He looked surprised that I wasn't scared of him, but I'm not sure it was bravery. I think it was stupidity. Also, if I'm the earth, aren't I the strongest? Right? I shouldn't be afraid of any of them.
I admired the beautiful architecture of the meeting building as we walked down the hallway. We passed by a stair case I hadn't noticed, it was long and winding and grand. Now that I think about it, the building looked suspiciously… American?
"Are we in America?" I was curious, if we were in Britain, I'm sure that he would be boasting about how beautiful his land was.
England snorted and a faint expression of a smile passed over his sharp features before disappearing. "No, we're in Canada. Are you impressed?"
"Huh, it's very pretty. Which province?"
"Quebec. You didn't answer my question. Are you impressed?" England's gaze seemed to linger on my eyes for a few moments before he sharply looked away.
Was I impressed? I can't really say I was. I had never truly cared for Canada but I always wanted to travel to England. Did that make me biased? I hesitated for a few seconds before answering him. "I can't say that I am, but I haven't seen enough to make a for sure statement."
Did I hear England sigh in relief? He better not have, I'll kick his ass, that's so mean. Faint footsteps tapped down the hallway heading straight for me, but I ignored it until I realized who it was.
"Onhonhonhon! I can show you the wonders of my child's land, dear mademoiselle. A lady as beautiful as you should not be around such monstrosities as Britain." France was behind me, red rose in his hand.
"GET AWAY FROM HER, YOU PERVERTED FROG!" Britain/England/UK (whatever you wanna call him), was freaking out.
"Non! I shall show her the wonders of Matthieu's country!" France was standing defiantly in front of a frantic England, who was now red in the face and quick moving.
Russia was quite a bit behind me, and England was yelling at France, and I was all alone. Instead of standing around all by myself, I moved the few steps necessary to stand next to Russia by the wall, who seemed to be calm and an easy smiled played on his lips.
"You smell like drunken cheese! Cole shouldn't be exposed to the horrid stench you give off!" Oof, that's gotta hurt. I'm sure that France has a comeback, though.
"Как получилось, что вы решили остаться все пути назад здесь?"
(Translation: Russian. How come you decided to stay all the way back here?)
Russia answered back, slightly surprised, "Я думал, вы не хотите тратить время со мной. Вы только что говорили в Британию."
(Translation: I thought you didn't want to spend time with me. You were just talking to Britain.)
What? Why would he think that? I thought I paid enough attention to him. I guess not, but that's okay, I'll just pay more attention…? I feel really shitty, to be honest.
With I quick glance back to the two nations in front of us, I listened really quickly to their conversation.
"Oh yeah? The beautiful Cole would never spend her time with uglies such as yourself!" The French country shoved his rose in my hold while he taunted the ever angry Brit. "Honhonhon! Cat has your tongue, Angleterre?"
England seethed, face red and hands clenched at his sides. France stood next to me, too close for my liking while smirking in satisfaction. I have no doubt it was a game for him to see how riled he can get England to be. From his expression, this was probably a new record.
"Ой, извини. Что тебе нравится делать?"
(Translation: Russian. Oh, sorry. What do you enjoy doing?)
Russia ignored me and giggled, "Ваш акцент в своей речи. Это очень заметным."
(Translation: Your accent is in your speech. It's very prominent.)
My eyes widened. I hadn't realized, I guess the British accent made itself present even in other languages. Well shit.
"Сожалею. Я буду стараться работать над этим... О, держитесь. Я должен остановить эти два, прежде чем они убивают друг друга."
(Translation: Russian. Sorry. I'll try to work on that... Oh, hold on. I have to stop these two before they kill each other.)
Why had he insulted England using me? Surely I couldn't mean that much, I was imposing on everything and everyone. Speaking of everyone, I should probably break up this fight and clear a few things up before it got out of hand.
"Hey, Francis? I'm not interested in you, sorry. I thought we already cleared this up. And for the record, I do enjoy spending time with Iggy here, he's pretty cool." With a disinterested glance to my rose, I gave it back to the shocked French country. "And since I'm not interested, here's your rose back!" I shot him a fake smile to mock his attempt. My head throbbed as I practically threw the rose back to him.
Was this mean of me? Yes. Did I care? No. I know France isn't a pervert, he's just very pushy, and so I need to make sure he gets the message loud and clear. I think I approached this maturely and civilly. (Not, I know I acted like an immature douche.)
"Bu- but, ma fleur! Why are you around such uncivilized sheep such as Britain?" That was rude, unnecessary, and completely able to be used as blackmail.
"HEY! Who are you calling an uncivilized sheep!?" I just faintly noticed England behind France, mouth open wide and eyes the size of Pluto. Huh, looks like the insane expressions used in anime really did happen in this world, they weren't stretched.
"First off, he's not a sheep, and if he was, he's a cute sheep. Another thing, he's not uncivilized. He knows when to stop insul- actually, nevermind. I take that part back. He runs his mouth more than America when he gets mad. Nevertheless France, please take no as an answer and back off. I know you're not perverted, just a bit wacky. And I do enjoy spending time with my dear British gentleman, he does ever know how to treat the ladies."
Sorry! I can't help but tease the quickly paling man in front of me. He was so offended I called him wacky, I was even able to crack a smile, despite how tired I was. Arthur blushed, quickly turning away from my intent inspection of his usually glum features. I've seen him smile and laugh more in the past few days then in the whole anime.
I wonder why?
England was blushing, mouth open wide as his eyes rested blankly on my face. His emerald eyes were slightly cloudy, shining like gems nonetheless. The caterpillar eyebrows that he was known for were risen slightly in surprise, the right one slightly scrunched up. A slight line of drool made itself out of his mouth, startling him back to reality.
With a harsh hand, he wiped away the saliva, still madly blushing, most likely from embarrassing himself, since he was such a "gentleman". I noticed more and more his ungentlemanly behaviors. While the nation may try, his crude pirate days did make themselves known and present, much to my displeasure. He was rude, cocky, arrogant, and prideful. Of course, with every bad quality he had a good one.
England could be intelligent, kind, caring, and downright gorgeous. I had only known him personally for a few days and I can't help but fall for him, and I may have skinned my knee on the way down. I'm being irrational, I understand, so I think I'll wait a bit before showing any type of interest in the British tea drinking cutie pie.
I'm a teenager, excuse my terrible affectionate names that England will NEVER find out.
Ever.
I gave a quick glance to the still-shocked Frenchman behind me as I walked back to Russia. His usually lightly tanned features were pale, almost unnervingly so. France's hands hung limply at his sides, and my gosh did he look heartbroken. Had anyone turned him down before as harshly as I had?
If not, woops! I didn't mean to break his spirit, but a rough push off the cliff is needed to get rid of pesky people.
When I was right next to Russia, I grabbed his hand and pulled him to England. When I was in reach of England's hand, I grabbed it, and ran off down the hallway, a goofy smile dancing across my mouth. My suitcase lay forgotten pushed against the wall, waiting to be picked up later.
"Come on!"
They struggled to keep up with me, but neither one of them took their hands out of mine. I held them loosely, just enough to drag them behind me, but enough so that they could gently pull their hands out of my grasp.
"Bloody hell!" England had the hardest time keeping up with me, Russia running at my speed, maybe a tad slower.
"Это весело!"
(Translation: Russian. This is fun!)
The loud pattering of our heavy feet hitting the ground was the only thing you could hear as we neared the glass doors. I dropped Russia's hand to push open the door, rushing into the slight breeze with replenished energy.
In my excitement, I let go of England's hand, too, instead running around the paved courtyard in front of the building, rejoicing in the cool air, the breeze rushing across my face, and the rough 'thud' of my black DC's on the stone. I threw my hands in the air, giggling out of joy since I was finally in the fresh, clean, refreshing outdoors once again.
The wind was just right, so I pulled my hair out of its ponytail and let it flow like a majestic waterfall.
"Ich habe laufen so lange nicht mehr um. Die Luft ist schön."
(Translation: German. I haven't run around in so long. The air is beautiful.)
"Ist, ist es nicht?"
(Translation: German. It is, isn't it?)
I turned around sharply, hearing heavy British accented German ringing through the air in response to my German. The pronunciation wasn't perfect, but it was something new, compared to the other languages that I had been speaking lately.
"Warum reagieren Sie auf Deutsch? Ich dachte, du Deutschland gehasst..." I lifted my brow at the smirking England, making sure to put extra emphasis on the last part of the sentence.
(Translation: Why did you respond in German? I thought you hated Germany...)
"You did say it was your favorite, and for the first language for you to speak in once you found your happy place, it could be nothing else."
"And you switched back to English. Thanks, I really appreciate it. Even if it was a tiny phrase that you mispronounced."
"Why did you stand up for me against the frog? I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself." So here was the sassy and grumpy England we know and love. And how he changed the subject so quickly.
"Why wouldn't I stand up for you? You're my friend, aren't you? Russia is too." He scoffed, but I continued to look at a moving tree's branches. The wind made it look absolutely beautiful, even though it was a cartoon. I was somewhere new, somewhere unfamiliar. I have to learn and adapt to my new environment.
"I don't have friends, everyone hates me. And you said so yourself, love, you don't have me. So why should you convince me to be remotely interested in you?" It was made clear from the patronizing tone he said love with that he was sneering and was quite angry, though for what purpose was unknown.
"If Cole wants to be friends with me, nothing is holding her back from being friends with you, da?" Russia stepped in to my defense, quick to show his malicious intent.
England didn't want to be friends with me? Or was he just hurt that I had said I didn't have him as a friend? I had meant that I barely know him, not anything negative against his character.
"It's okay Russia. England, I don't hate you." Did he really believe that everyone hated him? America loved spending time with his used to be caregiver, France did too, just in his own way. I don't know if Canada harbors any hatred towards his big brother, either, but then again, you never know. He's is so quiet and reserved that he could hate or resent anyone and no one would notice.
"Hmm, what you said to your friend said otherwise." England's arms were crossed over his dark green military uniform that complemented his eyes perfectly. His attention was leveled in my direction, a sneer in place over his really… pretty… lips… I know, I need to snap out of it. But he's so pretty! And that torso of his… damn.
My scarf hit me in the face, snapping me back to not quite reality. He didn't get it, did he? I really like him. A lot. A sigh escaped my lips before I began my explanation.
"Look. All I meant by that was that I don't know you as a person very well, and I don't want to force you to be friends with me. I just don't know if you like me or not, and I don't want to be unwilling allies with you. I do enjoy talking to you, spending time with you, all that. I wouldn't say those things to anyone if it weren't true. And I defended you against France of all people! Isn't it pretty clear by now that I like you?"
My lips curled into a smile at the end. I don't think he knows just how true those statements are. I like him far more than wanting to be friends with him, and I've only known the guy for less than a week.
"You said you liked spending time with America." Oh my goodness, was he looking for a fight?
"Actually, I said I liked spending time with America, but I wished you were there because I enjoy spending time with you more."
"Why?" He looked so confused, it was like a lost puppy looking for its mommy. So cute.
"Why not? You're cool."
"Why do you like spending time with me? I'm rude, arrogant, and bitter." England ran his hands through his blonde hair. It looked so soft; my eyes were practically invited to stare at it. When England tugged at it in frustration, I almost screeched in anger. Why did he try to ruin the spun gold on his head? WHY?
"While it's true your pirate days do show, you still make an attempt to be a gentleman. I can respect that." I tore my gaze from his hair and rested it on his face, my attempt to ignore the angry ache in my cranium.
He stayed silent as we studied each other's expressions. The gentle breeze ruffled my hair and tried to pull along my plaid shirt. My jeans protected me from the slight chill in the air, but my cheeks were red from the frost slowly building.
"I really do like you. You're… amazing." I took in a sharp breath while I fumbled for amazing. It was the best way I could describe him, sweet and caring, but rough and crude. I don't know, people like England are near impossible to find nowadays!
"Amazing? You sure that's the word you want to use, love?" His mouth was closed tightly, pressed into a fine line, a smile faintly shining through. The large green eyes he rocked were so bright and hopeful, filled with a happy type of melancholy. It looked like the cold air had gotten to him, too, his cheeks were rosy, but not blushing.
"Yeah…" I lowered my violet irises from his face to the floor, awkwardly shuffling my feet into the grass and stone below us.
"Well then, I suppose I can be friends with you, under one condition." Was he really playing that right now? This might get interesting, though, I should probably pay attention.
"What's the condition?" My left eyebrow raised on its own accord in response to England's smug smirk.
"You live with me."
Russia made a small noise of surprise, quickly turning dark. "Kolkolkolkolkolkolkolkolkolkol…"
I choked on my spit. "Yo- what?" I started coughing violently, my head pounding with each rush of air out my mouth. England stood where he was, still smirking. The prat was probably pleased with himself and the reaction he got from me.
"You'll move in with me. You'll have your own room, of course. A gentleman would never do anything different." He had moved to be a few feet away from me, but made no move to help me as I coughed. His arms were still crossed over his chest in a formal manner, which I didn't even realize could be achieved. This man deserves an award.
"Fine, but I get to decorate it. And I'm getting revenge for this, just so you know." My hacks were still coming, just not as frequently, for which I thanked the Heavens immensely. Honestly, I was going to move in with England whether or not he agreed to it, I didn't really like the other allies.
"Het. Cole's moving in with me, da?" Wait, Russia thought I was moving in with him?
(Translation: Russian. Het means no. Some others have written it as nyet.)
"Hell no! Your land is bloody freezing! No offense, but I'd rather not be snowed in and be shivering all the fucking time. Sorry not sorry." I shook my head as fast as possible, my hair hitting me in the face.
America was too loud, Canada was quiet and Kat was going to move in with him, and I'm pretty sure China hates me. Russia was too obsessed with having friends, and his land was freezing, so that's out of the question. France doesn't even need to be explained, so we're not gonna even go there. Now don't get me wrong, I'm okay with their personalities for the most part, but I'm not going to stay with people I know I'm incompatible with.
Russia sunk away, dejected. I have no regrets though, with Russia you have to be sure that you get your point across.
"Where's Pepe Le Pew? He doesn't usually give up this quickly, does he?" France was hard to shake off, I knew that much. How had I managed to get him to back off so quickly is beyond me, so I resorted to asking his rival, who was now my friend, formally. Yay on that note!
"Probably crying about his feelings. You were quite harsh." Me, harsh? No, France was pushy.
"He's incredibly annoying! Sorry I didn't want to spend time with him so I could get to know you better, you ungrateful prat."
"Your British side is showing, love. Not that it hasn't." Damn him and his stupid adorable smile that I wante- no, I'm stopping that thought there. This is so annoying, why can't I talk normally? "Fuck you, you insolent ass." That's the first thing out of my mouth? My God I need help.
"It's more annoying than the sea idiot." I didn't mention who the it is because Sealand hasn't been born yet, I know that much. He was made during WW2 to defend the UK from the Axis' navy, then forgotten about and abandoned. When the war ended a couple of years later he declared independence from Britain. If you're wondering how, he was built in international waters, so legally he didn't belong to anyone. Yay history!
"Can we go? I'm tired. Not to mention unpacking, and then dealing with some other stuff that usually comes along with moving." I flashed him a cute closed lipped smile, my usual one, (I don't tend to smile with my teeth).
"Why would you still want to come with me? Why don't you go with Russia, you do happen to like him, don't you?" So he was pissed at me. Or… Nope. He was jealous. Yep, England was jealous. Can I get a woop-woop?
"I do like Russia, but I know that I can't survive at his house. It's too scary, Belarus will try to kill me in my sleep!" Russia tensed when I opened with "it's too scary", thinking that I was going to reference him. He relaxed the tiniest little bit when I said it was Belarus that was the center of my fear, which was probably the nicest thing anyone had ever said about him. I guess everyone thought he was scary, huh?
In a quick second, once I remembered that here Russia didn't get a lot of love, I turned to give him a one armed hug. He was stiff under my arm, refusing to respond, or just frozen in place from shock.
"Я приду навестить тебя? Друзья посетить друзей!" (*sigh* Translation: Russian. I'll come visit you? Friends visit friends!)
Russia still didn't respond after another two seconds, so I let go of him and turned back to England.
"England, what if we took my stuff to where we are staying, then you can show me around Canada. If Russia wants to come, he can. That would work?"
"Da." Russia showed his eagerness, which seemed to set England off even more.
England shook his head profusely in an effort to show the distain he had for my idea, but to no avail. When I made my mind up, it was done. Another thing! Russia could spend time with us, too. Why not? I did say he was my friend, so we should spend time together.
"Come on! It'll be just like the Bad Touch Trio, we're not as awesome as Prussia! It'll totally work!"
Meanwhile, in Prussia, (or the area Prussia used to be):
"Kesesesesese! Someone important is finally recognizing my awesomeness!"
Germany's voice in the distance vaguely said something along the lines of "NEIN, BRUDER! You are not awesome!"
"YES I AM, LOSERS!"
Back to Canada:
"-It'll totally work!"
England shook his head harder, now protesting verbally as well. "NO! Russia cannot come!"
I frowned. "England, listen to me very carefully. I was asking out of politeness. He's coming."
A light purple aura gathered around me, very Russia-like. I guess I really did get his personality. I even spoke like he did, but my voice was slightly different. I could totally pass as him if I really wanted to! One day, I will help him with his Belarus problem using my newfound skill.
England blanched. "Alri-ght."
Russia shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably. The poor thing probably didn't know what he should do when he has friends. Neither do I. It's okay, though, I'll change that!
I giggled at the fact that I had no friends besides Kat, and now England and Russia, I guess. It was funny to me, even if it really was pitiful in real life. Having no friends reminded me of Hamilton, and I really wanted to listen to King George's song, You'll be Back.
"Cole? What are you laughing about?" England managed to calm down a bit before looking at my shaking figure. I was laughing so hard that I grabbed my sides when they started to hurt. The pain eventually outweighed the hilarity, so I stopped laughing and slipped my phone out of my pocket.
"OH FOR GOD'S SAKE!" England sweat-dropped immediately after he heard the lyrics. Russia smiled at the expense of England as I continued to sing.
"You say, The price of my love's not a price that you're willing to pay. You cry, in your tea which you hurl in the sea when you see me go by. Why so sad? Remember we made an arrangement when you went away. Now you're making me mad. Remember, despite our estrangement, I'm your man…"
"You'll be back, soon you'll see, You'll remember you belong to me. You'll be back, time will tell. You'll remember that I served you well. Oceans rise, empires fall, We have seen each other through it all… And when push comes to shove…"
"I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love!"
"WHAT? THIS WAS MADE BY AMERICANS, WASN'T IT?" His face was red and had those little droplet thingies all over. Aw, Iggy was so flustered.
"It probably was." Russia moved his pointer finger to the song, humming to the melody.
"Da da da dat da DIE da da da da ya da. Da da dat dat da ya da! Da da da dat da dat da da da da ya da. Da da dat dat da…"
"THE AUDACITY!" England was mad, but more embarrassed than anything.
Russia was more giggling than laughing now, but I was happy that he got some enjoyment out of it. How terrible would it be if everyone was afraid of me, and never wanted to be my friend? Russia is pretty nice, he can be intimidating, but not scary. Why is everyone petrified of him?
"You say our love is draining and you can't go on. You'll be the one complaining when I am gone... And no, don't change the subject, Cuz you're my favorite subject. My sweet, submissive subject, My loyal, royal subject. Forever and ever and ever and ever and ever…"
"You'll be back like before, I will fight the fight and win the war. For your love, for your praise. And I'll love you till my dying days! When you're gone, I'll go mad, So don't throw away this thing we had. Cuz when push comes to shove, I will kill your friends and family to remind you of my love!"
"Britain, you are blushing, da?"
"NO YOU BLOODY GIT! I'M NOT BLUSHING, HOW COULD YOU EVEN SUGGEST SUCH A PROPOSTEROUS IDEA?"
If England wasn't blushing before, (which he was), his face was red now. You know what, I may actually feel bad about singing the song, it was mean and all England had wanted was to get America back. Unfortunately, he tried to regain control of the colonies by taxation without representation, oppression of the American peoples and unfair taxes, laws that made no sense were passed…
Okay, I don't feel so bad now.
"Da da da dat da dat da da da da ya da! Da da dat dat da ya da! Da da da dat da dat da da da da ya da. Da da dat— Everybody!" I laughed and jumped up.
"Da da da dat da dat da da da da ya da, Da da dat dat da ya da! Da da da dat da dat da da da da ya da da da da, Dat dat da ya da~!"
"Hey, it was in good fun, neither of us meant anything by it, Iggy!" For good measure, I threw in a small smile, even though my cheeks kind of hurt from smiling so damn much today. England scowled, but he did calm down, much to my relief. Huh, now that he feels better, I kind of do, too. Is that weird? I don't like it when he's upset, unless I do it intentionally when I'm in a bitchy mood.
I guess I just have to make sure he's happy. (At least as much as possible when you're a country and are participating in WW2.)
"Hey, let me go get my stuff, and then we'll go to the place, drop of the thingies, and whatever." I gave am uncaring glance behind me as I walked to the meeting room, fully prepared to get my baggage and shit from the corner of the room that I had left it in.
Russia gave a scalding glance to England when he thought I wasn't looking, and England returned it, regardless of whether I saw him or not. Damn, he was mean!
