Chp 11

"Yo England! Are you even paying attention to me?" snapped America

For the whole journey England had been ignoring him. Well that is what it felt like to America. America had tried in vain to get England to stop the ATV, but England had kept racing on. However this momentarily loss in temper seemed to gain his father's attention as England skidded the ATV to a halt in a cloud of dust. America coughed and looked up to see a figure looming over him. As the dust settled he saw England with a sneer on his features.

"Since when did I have such a brat as a son?" snarled England who was still sneering

"Maybe I'm a brat because my dad is a bratty delinquent!" bristled America

There was a tense silence as the two glared at each other. America was wondering why England was acting like this, as he had only really known of the gentleman England. Of course he had heard rumours, but those and the real thing where very different. This was like entering a comic and coming face to face with a super villain, and as America was always the hero (in his mind anyway) he was never going to back down.

He suddenly felt a new respect for France. This was the England he had fought with in the past. He had never had England bare his teeth at him like this before, not even in the American Revolution. Which, now he thought about it, was rather one sided considering the amount of support America had and the fact that England couldn't really destroy his own colony. Before America could do anything but glower at England, England suddenly began roaring in laughter.

"I always knew that there was a reason you where my favourite. You're just like me, stubborn and never backing down. I bet you could carry one hell of a grudge to if you wanted. " chuckled England

"Right. Awesome. Just what I wanted to hear. Honestly, why do you old men say sentimental crap like that?" Grumbled America who instead of feeling touched felt awkward

"Oi! Less of the old you. Though, if an older nation had told me something like that when I was your age, I probably would have responded the same way." England shrugged taking off his helmet and placing it on the ATV

America sighed and rolled his eyes. England was a really complex and prideful country. Huh, kinda like him. He wasn't going to admit it though. Instead he joined England next to the ATV and placed his helmet next to his.

"So what where you whining about like a babby?" Teased England allowing himself to stretch

"I wasn't whining! You just happened to drive straight past our intended target!" sulked America

"What? New Zealand? He was around here?" asked England

"Yes!He's over there by the crick." Replied America

"By the what?" teased England

America did a rude hand gesture which only made England laugh and return one of his own. This left a slightly confused America who looked down at the two fingers he had placed his own hand into in a mirror image of Englands.

"Ask the frog about it when we get back. Better yet, repeat the gesture to him, give us all a laugh." Laughed England

England's merriment came to an end and he began to frown. America perked up a bit, as a frowning England was someone he knew well, and dare he admit it, preferred. America followed England as the two walked back along the creek to a figure sitting on a log. The figure was slouched forward, his blonde hair covering his face. However when America stepped on a twig causing it to snap, the blondes head snapped up to reveal his blue eyes swimming with tears.

"Oh heck, what is it now New? You're a good lad, but you know I'm not good around any of my colonies when they cry." England said with a sigh as he sat down next to New Zealand on the log

"Yeah, your answer is to just give us something to pacify us." Muttered America

"Belt up you." Warned England

America stuck his tongue out at England childishly but remained quite. His childish face pulling made New Zealand chuckle weakly. England smiled and gave a quick side way glance at America who was still pouting a little. Did America plan that to cheer up his little brother, or was it just a consequence to his silly actions? England wasn't sure, but that wasn't the issue right now.

"New Zealand why are you crying?" England tried again

"Aussie hates me. I got in the way of Canada and America's relationship. And I fell down." New Zealand listed

England paused. Well that was bluntly said. America looked at England and expected him to say something. Instead the older nation stood up. England pulled out a cigarette, took a large drag on it, and blew the smoke into the air. He looked at America and then turned his back to them and walked off into the direction of the ATV.

"HEY! Get back here slacker! " Yelled America at his retreating fathers back

England didn't even slow, and New just looked at him with wide hurt eyes.

"Wow we really drew the short straw when it came to getting parent nations." Muttered America more to himself than New

New Zealand looked up at his older brother, his bottom lip trembling a little. America sighed and sat down next to him. Both stared at the ground for awhile, unable to come up with anything to say, then, as was norm, America broke the silence.

"Dude, you don't need to cry! Aussie doesn't hate you, he hates Canada. Canada and I are back to normal, which is good because I wanted to eat pancakes with maple syrup on and kick his ass at hockey. Oh, and it sucks that you fell. But it was just Christ church right? I'm sure they're use to earthquakes by now." America tried in cheering New Zealand up

New Zealand bolted up right. He looked America straight in the eye and America jumped back and almost off of the log.

"I caused Canada more trouble?!" cried New Zealand

America grimaced. Why wasn't his attempt at cheering up his brother working? He closed his eyes in concentration as he tried to think of something heroic to say. He felt a nudge on his arm and looked down at the shorter nation next to him.

"Are you ok?" New asked with concern

"Whaa? Yeah. " Replied America smiling

America stood up and offered his hand to New Zealand to help him up. New Zealand looked at his outstretched hand, then at him, before turning his head away with a depressed look on his face.

"Awww c'mon! Hey, to tell the truth I think you actually helped Canada out (New Zealand turned his full attention on America). If you hadn't spoken to Canada that day, I wouldn't have realized how completely lame his life was! But now I know, so I won't ignore him as often as I did." America confessed

"Really? I helped you guys out?" asked New Zealand hopefully leaping up

"Yep. So you wanna come back to the house now? Canada and Australia will be back soon, so we can all hang out together. I have some new video games that I can't wait to beat you guy- ah play on multiplayer with you guys!" Announced America proudly

"Ok. That sounds like fun. Don't tell Aussie about any of this ok?" pleaded New

"Huh why?" Asked America in confusion

New Zealand stared at his older brother, then shook his head. America hadn't been able to read the atmosphere after all. All he had seen was his little brother crying and had wanted him to stop. Ah well, it was the simple things in life that really counted. And really, America was as simple as they got, so New Zealand was thankful for his strange, delusional elder brother.

England had watched this all while leaning on the ATV smoking. He smiled to himself. He knew that the only ones who could comfort the Oceania twins where their brothers. He wasn't as horrible at this parenting lark as his colonies claimed that he was. He dropped his cigarette on to the ground and ground it into the dirt. That America, he was just like him. To proud, stubborn and a little bit of a punk brat, but also just like him, he had a good heart and stayed loyal to those he considered allies. No wonder he was his favourite.