Chapter 8 'Dover Strait'

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia

Edited: 10/08/18

Australia sat at England's kitchen table feeding Steve his leaves for breakfast. He watched as England collected items from different rooms and then placed them neatly in his travel bag that was on the table.

"Are you sure you will be alright on your own?" England asked him for what felt like the thousandth time.

Australia rolled his eyes with an amused look on his face, "For the thousandth-time dad, I'll be fine. I've been by myself before"

England sighed and glanced over at Australia in a worried manner, "Yes, but that was before you were close enough to every other nation in Europe."

That is what concerned England the most. What if something happened to Australia while he was gone? Yes while he did believe that Australia could take care of himself just fine, it was his lack of experience handling the other nations is what concerns him.

But Australia didn't see why his dad was making such a fuss. It wasn't like he was willingly going to waltz into another country to see the personification. Besides, he could take care of himself. After all, he was growing taller at quite a fast pace, much to England's surprise.

"She'll be right," Australia tried to reassure England, "Besides, if I do need anything I can always ask my uncles or aunty."

"Alright then," England said. He supposed that was true, his older siblings did care about Australia, so they would be more than happy to keep an eye on him and help if it was needed. "I think I have everything. I have to go now, so be good and do not leave the house without letting someone know alright?"

Australia nodded his head in agreement. England hugged Australia and ruffled his brown hair before walking out the door to head down to the shipping docks.

XxxxXxxx

Days turned into weeks as Australia was left by himself, while he did have Steve, he didn't really count. It was because the lazy bugger slept for most of the day that he would only be awake to eat and to talk to Australia for an hour or two, then he would go back to sleep. To say the least, it was incredibly boring just sitting around the house all day, and there was only so many times he could go outside in the backyard. He really tried to be good and to remain on his best behaviour while England was away and to not leave the house, but the temptation to disobey kicked in hard.

And that is why Australia found himself casually walking in the busy market streets of England's home. His mood instantly brightened at the feeling of being outside the house, and to be honest he kind of enjoyed the thrill of disobeying England. He would just have to make sure that he never finds out, otherwise he will have to polish all the silverware again as a punishment. The first time was because he had 'accidently' released Steve into England's royal military party. Australia grimaced at the memory, never had he seen so much cutlery in his life. So how hard could be to keep it from England?

Crowds of people in different colours of clothing walked down the streets, purchasing items such as food and wool for the upcoming winter months. Australia shivered just thinking about yet another cold winter, while he loved the snow he hated how cold it got. Echoes of voices that spoke loudly filled the streets, along with the laughter as the children ran from their parents that tried to get them to stand still. England never let him walk around his home by himself, seriously you get lost once for a couple of hours and his dad thinks he will again.

Australia soon grew bored of just walking through the market and he ended just ended up ambling aimlessly through the area, making sure to memorise the way back in his mind. He ended up arriving at a lonely cliff face, upon looking out at the sparkling water it brought a sad smile to his face. It brought back memories of the times he would just swim around his home. The hot sun would warm his skin and beat down on the cool salty water, making it glisten like tiny jewels. Actually, the south part of his home had a cliff like this one, except his was a little less green.

He stood there for a few moments just watching the waves crash against the rocks, he grinned as an idea formed in his head. He tugged off his jacket and placed it on the ground behind him, he scanned the bottom of the cliff until he found a safe area. Australia took a running leap off the edge of the cliff, and with an excited shout he plunged into the cold water.

Australia could feel his feet touch the sandy covered flooring, he kicked so it propelled him upwards, so he surfaced. He rubbed his eyes to dull the faint stinging sensation of the salt water. He relished the feeling of the water around him, it was a reminiscence of home. He began to idly swim, being careful to take note of the direction of the cliff he jumped from.

'I won't be too long,' Australia thought to himself. He took a deep breath and dived back into the cool depths, enjoying the freedom and peacefulness.

But, Australia of course, let the time slip away from him.

He only stopped swimming and started to tread water when his arms started to ache. He looked behind him to see the way back to England's house, but in front of him was another land mass not too far away from where he was. But something seemed different about it. He got a sense of unfamiliarity from it and it unnerved him, but no matter how curious he got, he knew that he shouldn't got and have a gander. It was possibly another nation, he hadn't met most of them yet, but he didn't want to take the risk of doing so on his own.

In roughly an hour's time Australia reached the shores of England's home, it was an odd sense of security to be back. Australia proceeded to pull his tired body up the cliff face, his fingers gripped the slippery white rocks tightly so he didn't fall.

Upon reaching the top of the cliff, Australia collapsed unto his back panting with exhaustion, he closed his eyes for a brief moment as the aching pain in his arms started to dull from their strenuous exercise. A content smile lingered on his face, it was nice to taste that little bit of freedom and relive some of his pleasant memories from back home. Sometimes he would go swimming in the coral reef not too far from the beaches of his home, that was always his favourite spot to swim.

Australia felt a presence close to him, a part of him panicked as he thought England came back early. When he opened his eyes he was met with the sight of bright red hair and the smell of smoke being blown into his face. It was Scotland.

"What the hell are yer doing out here?" The heavily accented voice said, "I have been lookin' everywhere for you"

"Swimming," Australia replied sheepishly, "Could you chuck us my jacket?"

Scotland grumbled, but he passed his young nephew his jacket. Australia gratefully took the warm source of clothing as he stated to shiver as the cold wind began to pick up slightly.

"Thanks uncle Scotland," Australia thanked, "What were you doing over here? England said he told you he was travelling?"

"He told me to come and check on you once in a while," Scotland replied, "You're lucky I did find you out here lad, otherwise I would've had to send a letter to ma brother"

Scotland dropped his cigarette to the ground and stamped it out. He was glad to see his nephew alright though, if his baby brother was right about one thing, it was that the little nation certainly liked to wander off.

"Sorry if I made ya worry," Australia apologised, with a small shiver as the wind picked up a bit more. Scotland seemed to accept it as he reached down to pick up the tiny nation, as he doubted that he would be able to walk back without falling asleep. Australia immediately rested his head against the older nations chest to seek warmth.

"Come on, let's get you home" Scotland said.

"Please don't tell my dad," Australia pleaded, but he was cut off with a yawn.

Scotland seemed reluctant, England did have a right to know, but there was no time frame on when England could be told about what happened.

"On one condition," Australia nodded and waited for him to continue

"That you tell me why the fuck you decided to swim the Dover Strait" Scotland asked

"It just reminds me of my home. It's a sense of freedom in a way"

Scotland seemed to tense slightly, the signs of wanting more freedom was never a good sign for younger nations, it meant independence. Scotland had only spoken to Australia a handful of times, but he could see the fire of rebellion starting to sizzle. And with what happened to England with America over the independence war…he just hoped that England would notice it before it was too late.

OMG! This chapter took me forever to write. Anyway the reason why I got Australia to swim Dover Strait is because in his first appearance in the anime he invited Japan to go for a swim, and then states, "It just doesn't feel like a proper swim, unless I cross the Dover Strait," So that is where I got the reference from.

Gander- Look around

Us- More complex use of Aussie slang. It means me or my (depends in what context) so instead of saying 'Could you pass me my jacket' some Australians say 'Could you pass us my jacket' Idk why though.

Please review and favourite! And Thank you so much to all of my reviewers/favourites/followers, I couldn't have gotten this far without your support. And next chapter is New Zealand!