America is starting to unnerve England.
England is not exactly sure when America had started to worry him. He knows for certain that his worry spiked up, and has remained up, ever since America, Italy, and Germany came back from their accidental trip to the past. He has a feeling, however, that his subconscious has been worried for his former colony ever since they broke the clock in the basement, after finding the ladder that seemed to be an escape.
Actually, come to think of it, he is certain that his worry actually spiked up after Italy told them the "false memories" weren't so false, that the memories they got from the clocks were actually events of past time loops.
England is not sure what America saw from that clock, but he has a feeling that whatever it was, it is something that is now upsetting America greatly.
And he is certain it has something to do with the finger questions.
England has lost track of how many times America has turned to him, asking the same question: "How many fingers am I holding up?"
It started out slow at first. Now, it seems like he is asked every five minutes. It is starting to irritate him, and he is tempted to say something like, "Sixteen, you git! Count them yourself, you bloody idiot!"
And yet, he doesn't. He doesn't know why, but he continues to answer with the exact, correct number, no matter how many times his former colony asks him.
Maybe it's the slight hint of anxiety in America's voice. Maybe it's the shadow of guilt in his eyes, like there's some sin he's committed against England that the island nation doesn't know about. Maybe it's the way his fingers shake as he holds them up, as if he's afraid that he'll get an answer he wasn't expecting, an answer he doesn't want.
Whatever the reason, he continues to answer, and his anxiety grows each time that question is asked.
That is another thing he does not understand. Why would such a simple question spike such anxiety deep inside him? It is almost as if his subconscious is trying to send him a message, but he just doesn't understand it yet.
And, unfortunately for the former empire, he will not understand until it is too late. He will not understand until his battle in the annex, when he unleashes everything he's got, causing clouds to obscure his emerald irises and send him plunging into darkness.
It is then, and only then, when he finally understands what the clock showed America, what he was trying to warn him of, what his subconscious was trying to tell him.
But, unfortunately, it is too late.