Chapter 10: '4th of July Dramas'
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or its characters.
Edited: 10/04/2018
There seemed to be a sort of thickness in the air, almost like a blanket of sadness that covered the entirety of England's home. It was smothering, like trying to breath under a thick blanket that had been weighted down. Their dad had still yet to emerge from the basement where he kept all of his old objects. Australia had wondered why everything in the house seemed to become a type of dark and depressing vibe contrary to the usual bright and warm persona, he missed the warmth that the house provided from the cold wintry wind that he never experienced before back at his home. New Zealand had seemed to sense the mood as well for he was quieter than normal.
Australia sat on the large comfortable couch that England had in the living room, just staring up that the ceiling while Steve snored lightly. New Zealand sat cross-legged on the other end of the couch, wrapped in a warm fluffy blanket, to shield his body from the cold, he was still a bit unwell due to the changes in his land. Their Dad had him on bedrest for the past couple of days, but he was feeling a bit better now, so he was able to move around a bit, but not to overexert his body.
England was normally up by now to give them their lessons in history, and what he called 'English lessons'. Which was a mixture of how to read, write and speak proper English. The whole lessons were torture for Australia, they were so boring. New Zealand at least sat quietly and listened to what England taught them, like the good child he was. New Zealand was always the favourite child when it came to their academic learning, not that it bothered Australia one bit, he was glad that the attention would be drawn away from him during those boring lessons. He then had the chance to let his mind wander to more entertaining things, like literally anything else compared to what they had to learn.
But their father had not emerged from the basement yet. Not that Australia was complaining. After all, the longer England didn't show, the shorter their lessons were. But even he grew slightly worried, their father was always on time. They had even just had their lecture on punctuality the other day. Maybe they should check on him? What was he even doing in the basement anyway?
A loud noise came from down the hall when the door was slammed open. Australia jumped as he was startled out of his thoughts, New Zealand let out a quiet yelp in fright at the loud noise that shattered their quiet surroundings.
"Hey Iggy! You home? I need to pick up a few things" Spoke the loud thundering voice. His footsteps echoed in the hallway. And they were coming closer.
Australia grabbed his little brother's wrist and quickly but gently pulled them to hide behind the couch while Steve still slept, he hated it when he was woken up. Only Australia got away with waking him up, New Zealand being the only other exception to that. Besides, the koala wouldn't even know what was happening, he could sleep through the loudest of thunder storms.
The two oceanic nations stuck their heads out from behind the couch to peer at whoever had now entered the living room. They could feel the power radiate of the person, it wasn't as strong as England's but to small nations like themselves, it still felt powerful.
The man was rather tall, and had striking blue eyes and blonde hair that had one cowlick stood up. His glasses rested on his nose, the glass reflected his emotions that danced in his eyes; happiness and joy. Australia noticed that he looked sort of similar to Canada when they had met in the world meeting, maybe this was the brother he was talking about when he had gone to that world meeting once before?
Australia then saw England storm up from the basement looking angry, Australia noticed that the anger expressed on his brother's face also hid the sadness and deep sorrow that swirled endlessly in his eyes, and his shoulders were tense when the stranger sent a beaming smile in the elders' direction.
"What the bloody hell do you want America?" England hissed darkly.
The tone in his voice made Australia involuntary flinch, it was harsher than he would use whenever France would come over. He felt his little brother clench the back of his shirt tightly, seeking comfort in his big brother's presence. They have never heard their Dad take such a venomous tone of voice before.
"Dude chill. I just came by to pick up some of my old things" the stranger, now recognised as America.
England huffed. "I will retrieve them from the basement for you, believe it or not I am busy"
Doing what? Australia thought, He had not moved from the strange room all day. England had left before America could even reply, so he just stood in the living room awkwardly. Australia, with New Zealand shuffling close behind him, had soon emerged from the safety of his hiding spot uttered a quiet greeting to America.
"Woah! How long have you two been standing there for dudes? What's your names?" America asked in a semi louder voice than before. He looked down at Australia and New Zealand and was quite surprised to see green eyes and slightly less thick eyebrows than England. The nation bent down so he was eye level with the smaller nations.
Australia stood in front of his little brother, as if to shield him from the stranger's gaze.
"The name's Australia and this is New Zealand…and your America right?" Australia smiled, deciding to trust the older nation. Most of the nations that he met were quite friendly, except for a few he met at the world conference, but oh well.
"That's me! The Hero and the great US of A" America smiled proudly, "Where do you live?"
"Um… Well we are living here with Dad for a while" Australia replied confused. Why would they be anywhere else?
"Dad?" America questioned before smiling brightly, "Dudes that is totally cool! That would make me your uncle"
"Dad never mentions you," New Zealand spoke shyly. He finally stepped out from behind his brother and came into the view of the American nation.
"Uh…It's a long story," America explained, "But basically I got my independence and became my own nation"
"Independence?" Australia questioned. He didn't really know what independent meant; maybe he should've payed attention in England's lessons. The two young nations looked up at the bigger nation in confusion.
"Yeah its great being independent. You don't have to do what England tells you to do. You can be free," America said with a smile.
He enjoyed his Independence from England, sure he felt really sad afterwards because of the broken relationship he had with his former older brother, but he needed his freedom and he couldn't imagine anyone else being a colony.
"Nah, we're good." Australia declined and New Zealand nodded his head in agreement with his brother.
They were fine living with England. He was their Dad and they loved him and they were way too young to survive on their own. While they managed to do so before England found them, but that was before their population had expanded and their lands had begun to be developed into towns and cities. They know that England manages their economy and other things and it sounded really complicated to them, they would have no idea how to do it themselves.
"Well if you need any help with anything just ask. After all, that's what family is for" said the overly cheery nation. His smile faltered for a second as he caught sight of his former brother reappear and struggle carrying a box.
"Don't you dare corrupt them" hissed England. He had returned and shoved a semi large box that was taped shut at the American who caught it with barely any struggle at it's weight, "Haven't you done enough? Now you also have to put ideas in their heads about bloody independence?"
"Dude everyone needs their freedom. It won't be long before they crave it too," America defended himself, "Well the hero is off, see you little dudes around sometime. Remember what I said, anytime you need help, just ask"
America gave them a cheery smile and walked out the door closing it loudly as he left. England glared after the nation before turning around and facing his sons, that had waved after the American.
"So, are you just going to up and leave like he did and declare independence? Are you going to leave me too?" England hissed at them, making the two Oceanic nations shrink back.
New Zealand shrunk back behind the safety of his older brother, Australia's heart beat faster the more nervous he got. England never spoke to them like that, not even if they were in trouble. The two young nations could clearly smell the distinct scent of alcohol on England breath, which meant he was possibly drunk.
"Well, are you?! Are you going to up and leave after everything I did for you? Then announce war and disregard everything I taught you about the Queen's language?" England raised his voice.
"We don't want to leave you Dad" New Zealand mumbled fearfully from behind Australia.
"We don't want to be independent, we like it here" Australia agreed, staring up at the identical green eyes.
England scoffed but seemed to accept the answer then he walked off.
"You're quite like him you know that?" England muttered glaring at Australia out the corner of his eye, "You'll turn out like him if you're not careful convict"
He didn't go to the basement, but instead he grabbed another bottle of alcohol from the kitchen cabinet and entered his office, slamming the door shut behind him. Australia and New Zealand flinched when the door had slammed.
They stood very still, barely able to comprehend what just happened.
Convict. that word cut Australia deeply. He knew enough to know what it meant.
He was hurt but he tried his best not to take it to heart, after all England wouldn't remember calling him that, not with the amount of alcohol he seemed to have consume.
New Zealand looked up at Australia with wide concerned eyes, he had felt the older tense at the word. "You okay bro?"
"Yeah, 'm fine" Australia mumbled quietly.
"Come on Zea, I'll give you your lessons today," Australia dismissed quietly, placing a hand on his little brother's shoulder and leading him into the library to help him with his history.
XxxxXxxx
It was later that day when Australia and New Zealand found themselves standing outside England's office door. They hesitated awkwardly behind the closed door. Their father had yet to come out of his office, he had been in there ever since America had left and they were starting to get even more concerned.
"Well at least he isn't in the basement anymore" Australia observed in an attempt to defuse the tension in the air.
"I still think we should check on him," New Zealand said fearfully, "He's not normally like this. I hope he's okay"
"Just be quiet though," Australia sighed, "He's probably still in a bad mood from earlier"
Australia raised his hand and turned the door handle, they both held breaths not knowing what to expect when they stuck their heads into the room. They noticed the dozens of empty glasses and bottles that scattered the floor and desk. The noticed the figure sitting in the desk chair was slumped over his desk fast asleep due to his drinking. He would no doubt not remember a thing when he woke up the next day.
Australia and New Zealand quietly crept into the room and towards their Dad. It was like they were approaching an animal, they made sure not to wake him up. They were too small to carry him to his bed room so New Zealand shrugged off the blanket he had wrapped around his small shoulders and he and Australia carefully laid it over the sleeping nation. They silently left the room, not before picking up some of the bottles to throw out, and shut the door behind them.
Since that day, they would always remember the 4th of July and know to be extra-careful around England.
This chapter is a little sad actually but I swear it will get better…well at least until Australia becomes a teenager and we all know what happens then (Hint, it has something to do with the discovery of gold). Oh and remember when England called Australia a convict, that will appear in a later chapter. Reviews and follows are appreciated :)
After the revolutionary war that England and America fought, I would imagine England would be a bit cautious about getting to close to any other young nations that is in his care. So when he was drunk he said that Australia 'would turn out just like him (America)' because he noticed the way how those two are so similar in some senses. But yes, England wouldn't remember anything he said to Australia and New Zealand. And I'd like to think that Australia and New Zealand would take care of England like he does for them, in their small little ways.