"Owwwww..."
That was the first thing America heard when he awoke the next morning: the pained moans of a young Englishman experiencing his first hangover. It was not the most pleasant way to wake up. England made several more moans of pain but America just stared down at the writhing nation beside him. It seemed that alcohol didn't quite agree with him, best not to let him drink again.
"England? You okay?" America asked.
"Of course I'm not bloody okay you sodding wanker! My head hurts like hell and you're just bloody standing there so quit acting like a prat and do something!" England snapped.
"...C-coffee... I'll go get coffee." America stuttered.
Half of America was curious to know what most of those words meant, the other half felt rejected- upset by the fact England had snapped at him. Maybe last night had just been his drunk rambling, perhaps it was only a matter of time before England did leave, maybe he would run back to Asia since he missed it so.
America half-heartedly went to fetch the coffee with these worries plaguing his mind. Could he survive much longer? Could he keep these secret worries away from England?
...Could he ever find that precious child he had once called 'brother' again?
"Bloody git." England muttered darkly.
He gently rubbed his head and massaged his temples in a soothing way. The pain he was experiencing was almost unbearable- how was anyone expected to endure this?
A short while passed and he was beginning to feel better. He thought of the way he had acted with America just and bit his lip in regret.
Was I... Was I maybe a little too harsh? I mean I know I'm in pain, but was that really the appropriate reaction? His face... It looked so hurt then. Maybe I did upset him... Maybe I'm a bad brother... Maybe... Maybe I should just leave him alone. He'd be way better off without me.
Just as England was thinking this, the door opened and America entered the room. England's back straightened as America carefully stepped towards him with a piping hot cup of coffee in hand.
"Your coffee England." America muttered.
He had called him England. Not Iggy, not brother- just England. He had received no special treatment. Was that because of England's behaviour?
England gratefully accepted the cup and took a long peaceful sip. He could just about sense the awkward atmosphere in the air yet he didn't quite know why. Was it maybe his attitude before? Was he really that harsh? Perhaps that was the case, and that being the case- England knew he had to do something to apologise.
"Thanks... America..." England whispered.
America just stared at his little brother. Did he really just show him gratitude? Was he trying to say sorry for before? Whatever it was he was trying to say, a message was definitely being put across from one nation to the other, something America felt joyful about.
"Any time England." America smiled.
Later...
"So who are we meeting again?" England asked.
"Well..." America began, looking up at the cloudless blue skies.
The two were walking along a dirt path in the middle of a lush green field. They were out on another walk, but this time they were actually going to meet someone.
"It's more the little brother than the older one, though his big brother is pretty cool and responsible too. I just thought you should get acquainted with the main European powers now you're back, making friends- not enemies y'know?" America explained.
"I see. So what are their names again?" England asked.
"Well the younger one is called-"
"AWWWEEEEESOOOOOOME!" A voice called out.
Then all of a sudden, a new person popped out of nowhere, jumped up and ran to put his arm around England- almost throttling him by the neck. He had silvery white hair and red eyes and he was wearing a blue uniform. He looked about England's age, if not older despite how young he was acting.
"Kesesese! So you're ze England zat everyvone has been talking about! Zat's totally awesome! From zis day forth, ve vill be ze awesomest of awesome pals, got it?" He explained.
"Ah-go- America! Hel- ah! Help me!" England choked.
"Prussia! Learn to be a little gentle will ya?" America laughed.
"Pru-Prussia?" England stuttered. "Ah! Let go this instant!"
Prussia was the name of this nation, and upon being asked to soften, he made less movement but still kept his arm around England.
"Hey awesome pal! You alright?" Prussia grinned.
"Why... Am I you're awesome pal?" England frowned.
"Because ve're awesome!" Prussia declared and began moving more. "Everyvone talks about us, so ve are awesome! Sadly zough, it seems you vill need some vork before getting up to my awesome standard, but you vill have to do."
"Fine! I'll be your awesome whatever, just let me go!" England snapped.
"Aww zis guy is snappy. I like him!" Prussia cackled.
"AH! Let go!" England choked.
America couldn't help but smile at the scene. England had just made a friend, even if he didn't want to make that friend- he had. However, no matter how good this new 'friendship' was, England was being throttled because of it so naturally America had to step in.
"Bruder. Let go." A stern voice instructed.
America looked behind to see another nation- possibly a little younger than him or maybe the same age- standing there with his arms folded and his brow looking stern. He had tidy blond slicked back hair and ice cold blue eyes.
"Aww but Ves-" Prussia whined.
"Now."
Instantly Prussia let go. It was odd to see such an outgoing person like Prussia suddenly submit to someone else's orders. Was it out of respect? Of fear? It made England wonder what kind of relation the man was to Prussia.
"Hey Germany." America smiled.
"Ja, hallo America." He grunted back.
Germany? That name seemed awfully familiar to England. It was one that brought back a memory of Asia for him...
Flashback
"And now is time for your lesson on World countries." China explained. "First of all, do you know which continent you three are from?"
"Europe." England and Italy responded instinctively.
This was back shortly after England had arrived in Asia, so they were still young and Italy was still thought to be a girl. England had responded normally, while Italy had said it chirpily in his little unbroken singsong voice. Romano had said nothing. He just continued to pout with his arms folded just a short distance away from the two actually paying attention. Canada had responded too, but went unnoticed in the corner.
"Aiya! Well done-aru!" China praised. "Now, can you name some other countries in Europe?"
"Mr Austria and Miss Hungary!" Italy beamed.
"Froggy and Spain." England replied, making Romano shoot him a quick glare.
"The proper name is France-aru, but I let you off this time. Anymore?" China explained.
"Uhhh..." Italy frowned. "Oh! Oh! Germany!"
"Very good Italy!" China smiled.
"Erm, could you please explain? I haven't exactly met Germany before." England muttered.
"Right-aru. Well Germany or Bundesrepublik Deutschland is one of the current main countries in west-central Europe. It is okay for you not to know-aru because it was actually only recently declared as Germany." China explained.
"Yeah so that means another annoying bastardo joining us. I bet you any money that guy's going to turn out to be a real dick in the future." Romano growled.
"Don't say that fratello!" Italy whined. "I'm sure he or she will be a wonderful fratello or sorella!"
"Yeah right. And Spain's my boss." Romano scoffed.
"Ve~? But I already knew Spain was your boss..." Italy frowned.
"THAT STUPID JERK ISN'T THE BOSS OF ME!" Romano screeched.
At this point, Romano quickly became very flustered and redder than the tomatoes he loved so much. It was clear that he was angry with Italy, and so he raised his hand in preparation to demonstrate that anger.
"ENGLAND! HELP MEEEE!" Italy screamed.
"Don't you dare lay a hand on Italy you macaroni tosser!" England roared.
"Aiya! Children please settle down!" China begged.
End flashback
Looking back on these memories, it wasn't really a surprise that lessons were never finished and usually concluded with some sort of injury.
But this was Germany? True he looked nothing like Romano had envisioned, but neither did he look anything like what Italy had either. He certainly looked very serious, somewhat scary and at the same time responsible. A trustworthy strong nation- that's the first impression England got.
"Erm... It's good to meet you Germany sir." England nodded nervously.
"Oh, just Germany is fine... Ummm... I believe zis is ze first time ve've met." Germany muttered awkwardly.
"Oh yes, I'm-" England began.
"That's just Iggy! He's my cool little bro dude!" America beamed.
"I am not your 'bro dude'!" England snapped. "P-please don't call me Iggy. My name is England."
"Ja, I shall call you England und zere vill be no compromises." Germany mumbled.
"A-alright then..." England stuttered, something about what he had said seemed a little forceful- perhaps that was just his nature? Anyway, England turned to Prussia and continued. "So Prussia..."
"Call me your awesome bestie!" Prussia grinned.
"Prussia." England continued. "When you say: 'Everyone talks about us'. Who do you mean exactly?"
"Oh vell everyvone! All ze countries in Europe know of my awesomeness but lately zey talk about you und your return!"
"Countries like...?" England asked, searching for some specification.
"Vell my big bruder for one!" Prussia beamed, glancing up at Germany. "Zen zere's France und Spain..."
The mention of the perverted frog came as no surprise to England, but England became a little more interested at the mention of Spain. If he remembered rightly, that was the lightly tanned, brown haired and green eyed nation he had once admired. He had aspired to be like him and even picturing him now in his adolescence, he still did.
"Ah!" Prussia gasped.
Suddenly it seemed something had attracted the nation's attention. And if it was enough to make even Prussia turn his head and grin from ear to ear with happiness, then it must have been something pretty darn interesting.