1. The vacuum of time.
Song is Run By BTS
How vacant the house seemed without him. England wanted some drunken indulgence tonight, as today was the day that America declared independence from him. He usually wanted to be alone on these days while reminiscing the times that England took care of America...who he had complicated feelings towards. First he started off as a ward. And God knows, England was always affectionate towards America. But England felt the walls and ceilings pressing in on him, his loneliness becoming a physical thing that crushed his ribs into his lungs and heart. He couldn't breathe.
I'm growing too damned old, England thought to himself. Too old for this heartache. When will I learn to let go?
Ah, but of course he could never let go of America and that dream he had for him. Of America always being by his side. He never imagined that the United States of America would loom monstrous overall other nations, to become the giant and titan that he is today. He didn't need him anymore, did he? England mused to himself on his fourth bottle of ale, that America was like a dream. The dream of a nation. The dream of its people. The dream of something long forgotten but pursues relentlessly forward into the future.
England must've never heard the knock on his door. He slipped into a drunken stupor, and when he realized he was in his bed, he looked up towards the person who was fixing up his house. The person was unfamiliar—a person with dark hair and wearing a hangbok of sorts. Was it...South Korea?
"Yong Soo," England said with a moan as he got up from his resting position. "What are you doing in my house?"
"America sent me here, da ze!" Korea said cheerfully, making a peace sign with his fingers.
England blinked.
"Why would he send you here?" England said, before Korea looked unusually stern for a moment.
"Actually, America didn't send me here. But I am a friend of America's. As K-Pop is slowly filtering into the American consciousness, there is a song that might help soothe your soul, England.
Korea then started to play a song on his phone for England to see. England supposed it was that one popular K Pop song about unrequited love. Run by BTS? He knew a little K-Pop because America was going nuts over Korea's music, to be honest. And some of his comics or manhua, they were called.
"Neon nae hanappunin taeyang sesange ttak hana, neol hyanghae pieotijiman nan jakku mokmalla" Korea sang to the beat of the music.
"England looked towards Korea, who then translated.
"You're my sun, one and only in this world. I bloom for you, but you make me thirsty.."
"Is this a confession to me, Korea?' England said, before he winced. He was starting to get a headache.
"It's a song about unrequited love, England."
"Unrequited love, huh?" England murmured as Korea started to sing more lyrics…
"Babo gateun unmyeonga nareul yokhae, chueokokeuri mareun kkonipcheoreom sansani busecojyeoga, pitiful destiny, point your finger at me, memories crumble like dried flower petals."
Korea paused before singing another stream of lyrics for England.
Machi nabireul jjotdeut kkum sogeul hernaedeut neoui heunjeogeul ttaraga-I'm chasing butterflies, so lost in dreams I follow your traces"
When Korea finished singing the song, England didn't know whether he should clap his hands or simply slap Korea for being insensitive. Why did that Korean bloke have to show up to his house and make him reminisce even further about things...but since there was company at his house and he rested up enough, England decided that he should entertain for a bit.
"Korea," England said, gesturing for Korea to come over to his parlor. "How is America doing?"
Korea looked towards England really bluntly, before shaking his head. "You two are such idiots," Korea said, but not unkindly. "But really, you two should talk."
"What good would it do?" England said morosely. "It's been the same for several years after that incident. It doesn't go anywhere, Korea."
Korea suddenly had a sly look on his face. "Then let little Korea be the matchmaker.
"Oh dear God," England said, before Korea lugged in an invention that he created. "What is this?"
It's a compatibility machine," Korea said proudly. Two people step into it it, and it gives a percentage of their compatibility together. It works!"
"What, do you want to try it with me and you?"
Korea looked flustered. "It's supposed to be for you and America! America totally knows that my inventions are totally great, da ze! If you question my inventions, then you insult the novelty of Korean products!"
"How do you propose that you him in there with me in the first place?"
Korea grinned. "Easy. Tell him that Korea wants to test out a new invention and that you and America are the needed components for the machine."
"He listens to you?"
Korea fidgeted and squirmed. "America treats me well, da ze."
England sighed. "You'll have to tell me how you make him listen to you. He never listened to me while growing up and...wait. Korea. Hold on. Are we...really going to need this machine?"
"Actually, England, you don't need the invention," Korea said. "But if you want Korean engineering and science and numbers, then the machine should blatantly show you and America your compatibility for one another. America doesn't argue with science."
"I suppose not, but..."
England thought for a moment.
"Maybe you're not such a bad bloke after all, Korea. Have a cup of tea."
Korea grinned and gratefully accepted.