Capitol Punishment

Chapter 4

England

England was already tired when he left his hotel room that morning. That may have been because he hadn't had any tea yet today, but it was also because he couldn't get in touch with London. The last time he saw his capitol was three days ago, when he told England that he wanted to be left alone to write another book. At the time, England was just disappointed that London turned down his offer to watch some Doctor Who, but now England never got the chance to tell London that he was going to Washington D.C. a day early to talk with America before their World Meeting. He just hoped that London wasn't too worried about his whereabouts, and that he'd take England's offer to binge watch Doctor Who when he returned from the meeting.

Until then, England was going to make sure he got his cup of tea from the hotel lobby, and take up America's offer to see the Washington area with some of the other countries before the meeting tomorrow.

Danny

—where congress will vote soon at 2:00 pm today. Back to you—

"Damn it!"

The T.V. in the Starbucks was on the news, talking about the vote that afternoon.

"What is it?" Mr. King asked.

"I know there is a vote today, but I keep missing what congress is voting on. I just hope it's nothing big, or that it goes well. I don't want to be sick again." Danny spoke to the table.

"Shouldn't you work harder to know what the government is doing? A capitol should know these things."

"I know, I know, I usually do know, but I was really distracted with the whole 'I have a visitor coming' thing. Doesn't happen often that people come to see me, and I've had to work harder this presidency to sneak out of my room without the Feds knowing I'm gone."

Mr. King looked irritated. "You have to sneak past your government to see your own capitol?"

"Jus' how it's been." Danny said flippantly, "The agents will figure it out sooner or later and come looking for me, but until then, I plan on having a day out doing some self-introspection. Speaking of a day out, would you want a personal tour of Washington, Mr. King?"

Mr. King raised his big brows. Throughout their conversation thus far in the Starbucks, he realized that Daniel often had brief periods where he was very well-spoken and polite, sometimes immediately overshadowed by his overall enthusiastic personality.

"Yes, that would be very nice. And you may call me Landon, if you wish."

"GREAT! This is gonna be so much fun! I've wanted to do something like this for years!" Danny stood up fast, and started talking even faster while heading for the door. "So Landon, I'm gonna show you all around the National mall, Capitol Hill, if you really want cause it will take a while we could see the Smithsonian, oh! Ya gotta see the Lincoln Memorial! That's my favorite cause I loved that guy—!"

Danny caught himself before he ran into the glass door of Starbucks.

"SEE YA DAN THE MAN!" He heard from behind the counter.

"SEE YA RACH!" He yelled back at her loudly.

Landon was starting to feel like this was a bad idea, this lad was going to give him a head-ache. He followed Danny out the door.

England

"ALRIGHT DUDES. WE GON SEE THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH. MY CAPITOL."

Oh good Lord, England thought as he brought his hands up to massage his temples. He didn't need to be reminded of how loud America's voice was. He was amongst the small group of nations that opted to go along with America's tour. He looked around him. France (was that Canada next to him?), Russia, Germany with Italy attached to his arm, and Japan.

Alright, shouldn't be too bad. Right?

"YO ARTIE!"

Oh bloody hell—

America materialized next to him and threw his arm over England's shoulders.

"Just you wait to see how AWESOME this place is."

"Oh yes, I'm bloody elated." England deadpanned.

"GREAT. LET'S GET STARTED."

Danny and Landon were walking down the sidewalk next to Capitol Hill, Danny blurting out random facts about the building and the grounds around it. Everything was going well until he began crossing the street.

Suddenly, mid-cross, black spots started to dot his vision and he felt faint.

"—anny… yo...ight?" He thought he heard Landon somewhere next to him before he started to collapse.

"Daniel!" Landon caught Danny's arm, the lad looking dazed and unresponsive.

HONK HONK SCREECH!

Landon threw Danny's arm over his shoulder and threw them both towards the other sidewalk, just before they could be hit by a swerving yellow taxi.

"BLOODY WANKER WATCH WHERE YOU'RE DRIVING." He yelled at the driver after setting Danny safely on the ground. Then he turned back to Danny. He was conscious, but he looked pale and sweaty.

"Daniel?" Danny wasn't responding. Landon looked at his watch and paled himself. 2:00 pm. The congressional vote. This was no coincidence. Apparently it did not go well. Landon turned to a concerned bystander.

"Excuse me sir? What was congress voting on today?"

The guy looked baffled and surprised. That wasn't the question he'd been expecting.

"Oh, uh, I believe it was Trump's health care plan. I just looked at the news on my phone, I think it was just shot down."

"Thank you sir." It probably wasn't a good plan anyway if it was shot down by both political parties.

"Shouldn't we call an ambulance?" the guy asked.

"Oh no, this happens every once in a while, low blood sugar, that sort of thing. I have something to help him." Landon lied. Danny would be alright, he just needed to collect himself for a bit, and an ambulance wouldn't be able to help.

There was no doubt now, Landon was sure. Daniel Christopher Washington was Washington D.C. He couldn't fake this, not somewhere so unfortunate as crossing a street, where getting hit by traffic was a huge risk. And just as a huge bill was shot down, and the capitols functions would be briefly thrown into chaos as the media told the people and politicians fought the president. Landon needed to tell America, but first he would help Danny. He started by helping Danny sit up, and cradled him in his arms.

"Donny?"

Hold up. Donny? Landon frowned. He looked at Daniel.

"Did you just call me Donny?" Landon asked with narrowed eyes.

"Yes?" Danny hazily responded, not completely there yet. "It suits you."

Then Danny started to giggle. "Danny and Donny, partners in crime."

"I thought Americans liked to be the heroes."

"Danny and Donny, the dynamic duo."

Landon shook his head. "I'm not even going to ask. Can you stand up, lad?"

"I think so. Then we can continue the tour!" Danny said, beginning to return to his energetic self. Landon held his arm, and together they were able to get back on their feet.

"Are you sure? That was a pretty hard blow…" Landon was concerned. Without a nation to dull the pain, capitols could really malfunction when the government fought itself. He didn't want to push Danny too hard just for the tour.

"Naw, the government shut down in 2013 was much worse. I'll be fine." Danny suddenly looked around him. "But we shouldn't stay in one place too long after that little stunt. The Feds might find me. Let's continue?"

My God. Landon thought, as he eyed Daniel with newfound admiration. This boy experienced a shut down without a country by his side. I can't even imagine the pain, his own body must have shut itself down…

"How 'bout the National Mall?"

"Oh—yes. That sounds lovely. How about we rest there?"

Danny shrugged. "Couldn't hurt."

America

You know what? They should see the National Mall.

America smiled. It was such a nice day to take a walk and just take it all in. His Washington. He turned to his little tour group.

"Hey dudes! We're gonna head over to the—ah!" America's step faltered and he nearly tripped. He steadied himself. What was that? He checked the time on his phone.

"American-san, are you aright?" He heard Japan behind him.

"Something wrong, America?" That was England.

"Da, American you look pained." Russia.

It was 2:00 pm. He knew congress was voting today on the Health Care plan. He sighed, it must have failed. He was a little relieved, he kinda liked Obamacare better. That's the plan he was covered on anyway. He put his phone away, and a smile back on his face.

"Naw Dudes, everything's fine, I'm fine, I was just thinking y'all should see the National Mall. Come on guys, let's go." America dramatically pointed in the direction of Mall. "Onward! To the Mall!"

The group marched forward.