Written for the usxuk Livejournal community's One Year Anniversary. Prompt was Spring
Pairing: AmericaxEngland. Really light though.
Note: Rita's is an Italian Ice chain in the Eastern United States, but there are a few in Texas too. On the first day of spring, they hand out free ices and it's awesome.
England sighed and rolled over as the sun streamed in through the windows. He was staying at America's house, which meant he was on vacation, which meant he had no work waiting for him, and he was fully intent on spending his free morning in bed with his lover until at least the afternoon. And nothing was going to stop him.
"England…" something whined as it poked his cheek, "Wake up England…"
Except maybe for said lover.
England opened his eyes and took a look at the clock on the nightstand. 8:00 AM.
"Bloody hell America, this is my first day off in I don't remember how long and I would like to spend it sleeping."
"But England, it's the first day of spring!"
"…and?"
"And, you know what that means…"
"That we can sleep in for five more hours?"
"No! That means we have to go to Rita's and get free ices!"
"…And you can't get ice for free in your country normally because…"
"Haha! That's a good one England! C'mon let's go."
"You're actually serious?!" England sat up, concerned for America's sanity. "Why the hell can't you just put some water in the freezer like normal people?!"
"But then it'll just taste like water…"
"Isn't that the point of ice?"
"Oh England, you're so clueless if you don't even know about Rita's Ices."
"I don't know who this Rita is or what she does to her ice to make it so special, but I'm pretty sure you can make your own ice."
"It's Italian Ice England! Rita's makes Italian Ices! And they're giving them out for free today, so we gotta get going!"
"Fine, go have fun. I'm going back to sleep." The island nation plopped back down on the bed, intending to do just that.
"But Eeeenglaaaaaand," America started shoving his shoulder, in what he probably assumed was lightly, but considering the boy's strength, was anything but. "It's no fun if I go alone…sure there will be other people there, but they'll be with other other people and I just really want you to come with me…"
"If I go with you, will quit that racket?"
"Yup!" He took a step back and shut up to demonstrate.
"Fine, but I'm cooking dinner tonight…and we're having fish."
"Ew, England-"
"Or you can have fun eating ice by yourself."
"Fine, just hurry up already!"
"Just calm down and let me find pants and we can go!"
It was a perfect spring day outside. The sun was shining at just the right temperature, the birds were singing their lovely song, and the flowers were in bloom. America's excitement added to the already pleasant atmosphere and England couldn't help but smile along with him.
"So, what time does this place open?"
"Oh, about noonish."
"What!?" Good mood ruined, he stopped in his tracks. America walked a few more steps before he realized no one was following him. "You got me up at 8 AM and the bloody place doesn't even open until noon?"
"It's free Italian Ices! We're not going to miss it just because you want to sleep some more."
"We could have woken up at ten and still had time to spare!"
"Maybe, but then we would have had to wait in line, and I like being the first one."
"But even if we get there, we'd still have to wait for the place to open for another four hours. Surely the line wouldn't be that long."
"England, it's free ices. I don't know about where you come from, but where I come from, people like free stuff."
"Well then you can go wait in line for four hours. I'm going to get breakfast." With that, he turned around intent on finding a café somewhere or something.
"But England-"
"I'll see you at noon!" he called back over his shoulder. America pouted before continuing on his way.
England ended up having a relatively enjoyably, albeit lonely, breakfast and found he still had plenty of time to spare, so he decided to just go for a walk around the city before meeting with America.
When he finally arrived at the Rita's stand, he saw that the line had extended to around the block and then some, so he quickly bypassed all of them to the front of the line, where sure enough America was standing, laughing with some of his people. England quietly slipped in next to him.
"Um, what do you think you're doing?" one of the girls America was talking asked.
"Huh?"
"Did you just cut the line?" one of the guys asked.
"Oh, it's alright, I'm with him."
"Look pal, I don't care if you're with the Queen of England, you have to wait in the back of the line just like everybody else!"
England wondered if they'd still be complaining if he actually was with the Queen of England. She was only a cell phone call away…
"Dude you can't cut the line." This time it was America who was complaining.
"What? Do you know how long this line is?"
"Yeah, that's why I wanted to get here early. Look, there opening any minute now, just wait for me in the back of the line and I'll be there soon."
"You…" but the other people in line were glaring at him now, and the young woman behind the counter had just opened the window, so he decided it was best not to make a scene and trudged to the back of the line.
About a minute or so later, America showed up with a cherry ice.
"You didn't even get one for me?"
"They only give one per person per visit," he shrugged. England glared at him before turning to face forward and tapped his foot impatiently.
"Relax, it'll go by quick. They always bring out their A-Team for the first day of spring." England grunted but said nothing else.
They actually were moving pretty quickly, although the line more than doubled by the time they moved half a block.
"Here, do you want the rest?" America offered his half-eaten ice to him. "I'm going to get another one when we get there anyway…"
England blushed but accepted the offering and took a bite. It actually wasn't that bad.
"I guess you can sometimes…where did you get that sandwich?" He had only looked away for about half a second and America was now eating a sandwich.
He swallowed before answering, "There's a sandwich shop over there, and they're giving out free samples…you want one? I could flag the guy down again."
"It's quite alright, I already ate." He continued eating the ice.
"Man, I could really use a soda right now…do you think there'll be guy handing out free cokes on the next block?"
"I don't think anyone's going to-"
"Free sodas?" Some asked as they shoved two cokes into their hands. "Courtesy of Mike's Deli! We're just over there, so stop by when you're done!" He left as suddenly as he showed up.
"That was weird…"
"You know what would be awesome," America smirked, "if there was someone up ahead giving out free money…"
"I don't think it works like that love. Can you hold onto this for me?" America took the coke from his waiting hand and put it in his jacket pocket.
"What about free video games?"
"I'm pretty sure that was a onetime thing."
"Free hamburgers?"
"You just had a sandwich."
By the time England had finished the ice and threw the cup in the garbage, they were once again in the front of the line.
"May I help the next person in line please?"
"Yes, um…" England looked over the menu.
"It's not that hard," America grinned as he walked up to the free window next to him. "Just pick one. If you want another we can wait in line again."
"I'm not waiting in line again!"
"Then just pick one. I'll take a blue raspberry this time Miss." The girl behind the counter giggled and handed him his blue ice.
"I'll…take a banana split I suppose." The girl nodded and got him his ice.
They sat on the nearby curb with a few other patrons and ate their ices in peace.
"ACK! Brain freeze!" Well almost peace.
"Git, don't eat it so fast!"
"But it's so good!"
"You are such an idiot sometimes." The finished up shortly afterwards and threw their trash out before walking down the street.
"So," America asked, subtly grabbing England's hand in the process, "did you like it."
"It was…enjoyable. I suppose. I've had worse things. Never wake me up at 8 AM on my day off ever again though."
"Deal, but now we get to do other first day of spring celebrations!"
"Others?"
"Yeah c'mon!" he tugged his hand and ran off down the street, laughter ringing through the air.
England decided it might not be bad to indulge him every now and then.