When America regained consciousness, eyes blurry with sleep, the first thing he noticed was England. He was in his room from what he could tell, and the older Nation was by his bedside, looking off into space.

The Brit's clothes were ragged and stained with blood, hair more disheveled than usual. When he finally turned to look at America, it was with tired, weary eyes. "I see you're awake at last. How are you feeling?"

"Ok," America sat up, rubbing his eyes. His limbs were sore and achy, but apart from that he felt physically fine. "What happened?"

"You were fighting France," England reminded, looking down at his folded hands. "And you weren't fairing very well…"

America's eyes widened with comprehension as the memories flooded back. "You…you saved me."

England looked away, a faint blush ghosting over his cheeks. "I wouldn't have had to if you hadn't been so bloody resistant about my help in the first place."

America just grinned, seemingly oblivious to the insulting retort.

"I," the European glanced back down at his hands. "I'm just glad you're all right. You had me rather worried…" he trailed off as he found himself in a sudden embrace.

"England…Thanks for helping me out."

A long, comfortable silence fell between the two.

Later that day, once America was up and about on his feet again, he went to go look for that boy (Nacada? No, that wasn't right…) wondering how he was fairing in the aftermath of the war. Not that he had really been involved all that much, but surely he must have been affected to some degree?

It took much less time to locate the boy than America had anticipated. He was sitting in the middle of a clearing, curled into a ball, head furrowed into his arms atop his knees. Silent sobs were shaking his shoulders.

"Canada," America whispered, the name suddenly coming back to mind in his concern. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

The boy glanced up, seemingly startled. His lone corkscrew curl stemming from his mass of wavy hair was limp, sodden with stray tears. Rubbing his hands across his eyes, Canada made an effort to stop the tears, but they kept coming.

"My papa," the younger boy responded, breath hitching with repressed sobs. "I'll never see him again. England he…he took me away from him."

"Your…papa?" America gazed back at the other, sympathetically perplexed.

"F…France." The little polar bear cub often in attendance with the boy put its paws up on his shoulder, licking away the salty trails left by the tears.

"England said he was a pervert, though," the older boy stated knowingly.

"A…what?" Canada faltered slightly, distracted momentarily from his sorrows.

"I'm not sure what it means either," America admitted, before smiling and placing an arm around the other boy's shoulders. "But England didn't seem to like France very much, so he must have been trying to save you. We'll have lots of fun together! We can be brothers."

"Brothers?" Canada repeated quietly, tears finally gone. "England, when he first introduced me to you…he said we were brothers…"

"Really?" America blinked in confusion, obviously having no recollection of the event, but he went along with it enthusiastically. "Well, see? It must be true then. Come on, I have some really cool stuff to show you!"

"A-alright," Canada allowed himself to be pulled along, happy to forget about France if only for a moment. Clutching his bear to his chest with his free arm, America chattering on about things they could do together, the two walked off.

England smiled as he watched them leave, part of the weight lifting from his heavy heart.

Historical Notes: The Treaty of Paris (1763) ended the French-Indian/Seven Year's War. Part of the terms were that France had to give up Canada to Britain (except for two small islands near Newfoundland). Spain gave up Florida to get the Philippines and Cuba back. Spain also got New Orleans and the area west of the Mississippi in another Treaty. But I wasn't sure how to include that bit and make the story coherent O-O History can be difficult to write about...

Anyway...this was...sort of filler. We start the events leading up to the Revolution next chapter. I need to go take my notes now.

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