Capital Punishment
Chapter 9
No. No no. No. Landon didn't like this at all. How were they supposed to fit four people on a motorcycle? Landon looked at America like he had four heads.
"And just how are we supposed to fit?" Landon asked incredulously.
"Yes, please, do tell." Added England with crossed arms.
America looked at London from the other side of Danny. "He'll just sit on your lap."
NO. "HOW IS THAT SAFE?" London just about yelled. He wanted Danny to be helped, but putting his wellbeing in danger for a ride didn't seem to fit in London's eyes, and London was already sick with the thought on getting back on that death trap with America. Then Danny started to droop in London's arms, and London made a quick, probably reckless decision that he was already regretting.
"Alright help us on."
They guided Danny over to the Harley's sidecar. "Are we going for a ride?" Danny weakly asked.
Landon almost winced, Danny didn't seem to grasp the situation anymore. He was too exhausted. Landon just hoped he wouldn't pass out on them, and he really wanted to take away Danny's pain. This was supposed to be a beautiful moment, a meeting between capitol and country that would be the beginning of a long lasting companionship. For some reason, bad guys and bullets seem to just pull the beauty right out it.
Landon tried to sound gentle and reassuring, as he used his other hand to brush Danny's bangs from his eyes. "Don't worry mate, just a short one to get you patched up."
London relinquished Danny to England to ease himself into the sidecar just as they heard sirens in the distance.
"Alright dudes, we gotta hurry it up before the police get here and we have to answer some very uncomfortable questions." America pointed out as he and England sat Danny on top of London.
London grunted from the weight. "Oh dear Lad, you are not light." He huffed at Danny.
Danny just leaned his head on Landon's shoulder and smiled. "Hiya Donny."
Landon's face went red, both from anger and embarrassment, but he restrained himself by telling himself that Danny's not completely here right now.
"Bloody git, don't call me that." Landon grumbled out and turned his attention back to America who was still getting situated with England on the bike. The sirens were getting closer.
"Are we ready yet?" Landon asked them.
"Yeah, Donny." America smirked at London, and he started the Harley so that London had to scream his reply over the engine.
"ALRIGHT YOU IMPUDENT DOG, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CALL ME THAT." London scowled and let out yell of both frustration and fear as the bike accelerated down the street. His scowl deepened and his grip tightened on Danny as he heard America laughing over the engine. America's laughter soon turned into a startled yelp as England bopped him on the head.
"Don't call my capitol that, I raised you with some respect," England berated him.
America grinned. Truth be told, he was just trying to distract himself from the amount of stress he was feeling right now. He just found his capitol in time to watch him be taken hostage and shot. That's generally not the first impression that he wanted to make, and he felt guilty that he hadn't gotten there earlier. He should have been there for his capitol decades ago, and when that boy really needed him down in that alley, America was still too late. Why can't I do anything right this year? America wondered, I haven't been a very good hero… but maybe I can still make everything work out. Maybe I can make it up to him.
But he also did enjoy teasing the Englishmen, and that was just too fun to watch London go from zero to a hundred real quick.
"Can we turn on the radio?" They heard over the bike motor.
The attention was pulled back to Danny who looked pale and weak, the wind was the only thing keeping his hair off of his sweaty face. He rolled his head to look over at the Harley.
"If not, I'll sing." For some reason, that sounded like a threat.
"GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH—umph!" Landon maneuvered his hand over Danny's mouth.
"Yes, well, that's very nice lad but I think we can turn on the radio." Landon then addressed America who was trying to hold in a laugh. "Do think you can handle some music while you drive?"
"Just who do you think you are talking to? I'm the greatest country ever, I can totally put on some music." America said haughtily and pressed some buttons when they got to a stop light. England bopped America's head again but peaked his head to watch the radio, hoping for some good tunes. He was surprised when America handed him his phone with a cord attached.
"Aux cord baby, England you can be DJ."
England smiled deviously, suddenly feeling very much in control. He looked at America's playlists.
"Oh so you do have some descent music." England remarked. He pressed shuffle on Queen, and We Will Rock You started blasting on the speakers. England heard London hoot from the side-car gave England a side glance, mouthing the words to England while holding Danny to his chest. In front of him, England felt America laugh from the way his arms were around America's waist.
The wind blowing through their hair and the music flowing into their ears, it was easy to forget the tension that they all felt this morning. For a second, it felt like they were just a group of guys out for a ride, and both of the Englishmen noticed that America's driving seemed to improve with feeling. No longer was he driving like a maniac; it was just smooth sailing. It was still as thrilling, but now it was as if they were one with the road, out of the main city and into the streets where they could cruise with music weaving around them like ribbon. It occurred to England that this was the real reason that America drove a bike. The long cross country drives through America's states must be a completely different experience with nothing between him and his land, where he could feel the wind and the rushing calm of the passing amber waves of grain. It as if they was closer to the land itself. England smiled to himself, look at what his colony became.
"WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, MY FRIENDS!" They all laughed as Danny bellowed this part out.
"Alright lad, take it easy." Landon chuckled at him, as brushed Danny's bangs out of his face again. Careful of the wounded shoulder, Landon tried to make him more comfortable. Man, this lad was growing on him. Having a Watson was now sounding like a good idea.
"KAY DUDES, WE BE PULLIN' UP OUTSIDE SOON." America shouted over the music and motor.
"WE WILL BE, IDIOT." England corrected. America grinned again, not that England could see it anyway.
They pulled up the driveway of a nice two-story colonial style brick house with white trims and windows. The front lawn was well-kept with trimmed hedges and a witch-hazel tree over some statues near the front door. It wasn't over-done, but it showed that the caretaker cared about the lay of the land and insisted on the correct management of the scenery. It was America's other home near Washington, the one that he used to get away from the main strain but close enough to hop back over into the city when he was needed. This was not England's first time at the house, but it was for London, and he was impressed.
Then, as they stepped off the bike, something occurred to London.
"America, I thought you lived at the White house."
At this America's grin faltered, and when it came back it was a little cynical. London regretted the comment.
"If Melania won't even live there with him then neither will I."
London didn't like that look on America, it simply didn't fit him. There must be a lot going on underneath the skin for something so passive aggressive as that to come out of his mouth. Poor guy was under a lot of stress lately, he can't seem to catch a break. London could see how tired he was. England could too, in all of America's actions since 2017 began there was an underlying exhaustion, but all they could really do was offer support. And tea, but it's not like America would accept that anyway.
America and England helped lift Danny off London, and he stepped out of the side-car. When Danny put his feet on the ground, he was still stable enough to stand with somebody to keep him upright, and Landon cheered a little bit on the inside. He seemed to be doing better.
"Duh duh duh, and another one bites the dust." Danny hummed into America's shoulder.
He just didn't have his head back yet.
London took England's spot at Danny's side, and they began their trek into the house, over a little brick path to bright white door where England knew enough to pull the spare key out of a small eagle statue's beak. He opened the door and they trudged inside. Time to fix up a capitol.
Commentary!
Hey peeps! Lifeoflemoon here! I'm still new to the whole writing thing, so if anything about Danny and the capitols is confusing, please feel free to ask any questions. Also, I'm still new to this whole Hetalia thing, so if anything seems out of place, please feel free to let me know. I have a vague idea of where I'm going with the plot, and I like to entwine some political commentary, but if anybody has any ideas of where I should take this story, I would love to hear them. But keep in mind, this story is about action, friendship, family, and maybe slight romance (I'm a major shipper of UKUS). Thanks peeps!