Anger
France could be absolutely terrifying when he was angry. The most frightened England has ever been were moments in front of the other Nation.
The most frightened England had ever been was with France, the other absolutely mad. The Revolution was not a success, he was fighting against himself. It was nothing like America fighting England off of his back. This was France tearing himself apart. France was not even threatening him. England meant nothing to him, as he rambled on about how he was so much better and was he not beautiful?
England stared in horror at the matted locks, the dirt stained fingernails, the blood clotted clothes and could not answer. Which was when France became angry. No, not angry. Furious.
The most frightened England had ever been was once tied up in the other's cellar, France letting his sword make patterns down his naked body. France spoke low, words a bare rumble in his chest, each word chosen carefully and accompanied by pain. England did not care anymore. He screamed more from fear than from pain, screamed and wished for death which would spare him from those eyes.
Afterward he would become angry. Angry for the fear and ready to do anything to make France feel worse than he did, something to salvage his own image, the sliver in his soul which France could use to wedge more fear inside.
The most frightened England had ever been was in an argument, where France told him he did not care what England really thought and frankly if he died it would not be a moment too soon because at least he would never have to see England ever again.
And then Germany had him. England could not see for his absolute anger.
The smoke from the fires of the Blitz might also had something to do with that and he would scream, wishing his fury would frighten someone. That his hatred would accomplish something.
It did not.
The wooden door had been swollen shut by the water damage and England found himself ramming his shoulder against it, hearing the words from beneath ever so clearly.
"I only returned the umbrella..."
"France! France!"
"J'aurais dû..."
"France!"
If there was one thing that later on that Lucas had correct, it was that fear led to anger, anger to hate. But hate could lead to anger and anger led to fear just as well.
And England was so scared.
"France!"
Sequel to Regret.