Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia
Warnings: This chapter is a bit lighter than the other darker World War chapters as it mainly focuses on a friendship (and angst) between Australia and another nation, but nonetheless it will still contain some war themes and mentions of death.
Australia sat in the trenches, his back leaning against the dirt structured wall as he sat off to the side by himself. Because of his brother's recent death, New Zealand had to be moved to another division while Australia was sent to another. It seemed that some people had grown suspicious that the two kept suffering fatal injuries yet would be alive and healed within a few days. So in order to keep their identities as nations a secret, being moved and separated seemed like the best option.
So Australia had managed to get a pencil and paper from some of the other soldiers to write a letter to New Zealand. He missed his brother, they had been together from the start and it just didn't feel right fighting without him by his side. He kept glancing over his shoulder and expecting New Zealand to be there once they infiltrated the enemy trenches in a raid. Instead he was always paired with one of his people, not that he minded of course, but it just wasn't the same.
He missed having someone that could relate to the burdens of a nation, and the suffering they'd feel when their people were dying. Unfortunately it also meant that if he "died" again in battle he'd be left to resurrect on the field unless someone stumbled across him and brought him back to the trenches.
Although, one advantage of having to move was the change of scenery. Whilst it still was a battlefield, it was much greener than the place they had been before, less mud. Which was something to be happy about.
The trenches were filled with the cheerful sounds of the Australian soldiers singing and exchanging pleasantries with one another before the big attack. Australia sat at a distance from them, preferring to be left to his thoughts and his letter, but he had a soft smile on his face as he listened to them. He felt proud that even amongst all of the death and chaos, his people still held onto their carefree attitude and courageous spirit, it made him proud that they were his people. Normally, on any other day Australia would join them in their conversations and games of two up. But the ache of death was particularly painful that day. So instead he opted for just sitting, not trusting his feet to keep him standing steady.
He had just finished writing the letter, he had placed it in his pocket and mentally reminded himself to send it when he next got the chance. He just leant his head back and dipped his slouch hat over his eyes and tried to get some much-needed rest. He just felt himself nodding off when he felt a presence wash over him. He moved his hat to sit back on top of his head and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He didn't remember another nation being stationed where he was. He snapped his gaze in the direction where he could hear the heavy footsteps approaching. His people didn't seem to notice the possible threat.
Australia's hand twitched ever so slightly towards his rifle, it became pure instinct to reach for the weapon when he sensed something off, after learning his lesson from Gallipoli. As the presence grew closer her withdrew his hand and let out a sigh of relief as he recognised who it was.
America.
Although Australia was confused. He was sure that America was neutral, and he last he heard America hadn't entered the war. But he could clearly feel the presence of the American nation. It was a bit difficult to recognise it at first as he hadn't met America all that often, but he could feel the power radiate off the person.
Australia carefully stood up to greet the older nation, the one that he had met once as a young child and only newly brought to live with England. America had looked the same as he did all those years ago. Blonde hair with a single cowlick standing up and the bright blue eyes behind a pair of glasses.
America seemed to recognise Australia and smiled brightly at the younger nation. He stood in front of Australia while his people continued walking. His uniform was clean and his posture was straight and he stood without the burden of death or exhaustion weighing him down, which meant that America had recently only joined the war.
"Hey dude!" America greeted loudly but cheerfully. He stuck his hand out as a friendly gesture, "It's been a while since I last saw you, I was beginning to think that we would be the only ones this side of the line."
Australia stared at the offered hand, hesitating ever so slightly. But he was quick to plaster on a smile and shake the other nation's hand.
"G'day," He replied, "Y-Yeah it's been a while but you haven't really changed since I last saw you."
Since he last saw him. It wasn't one of his most fond memories of meeting the American for the first time looking back on it. That day still stuck a deep nerve in Australia, one that he had tried not to dwell on.
"You okay dude? You look kinda off," America asked. He noticed that Australia had trouble making eye contact with him, but he didn't know why.
"Yeah, nah I'm good," Australia covered with a lie, "It's just my first war, so a bit out of sorts with everything."
America smiled understandingly. He had remembered all of the pain and hurt from his first war, "I know what you mean dude, the first one is always the worst. But don't worry the hero is here now, so you have nothing to fear!"
Australia tried to ignore the pang of guilt. America was being friendly and trying to make him feel better, so he should at least offer the same courtesy. Besides, America was family, as much as England denied it.
The aussie nation tried his best to act friendly, he really did. But behind the smile he found it quite difficult not to find the situation awkward. It wasn't a secret that Australia always reminded others, especially England, of America in not looks but in personality. England even told Australia as such, but he was drunk at the time so he really had no recollection of saying that Australia reminded him of America.
He might have been young and slightly naïve, but he wasn't stupid. He knew that England was distant of him when they first met and even extended into the first few months of living with his father. He was distant because Australia reminded him so much of America. Australia had tried to deny it, but it became apparent once again when England had mistakenly called him America after the Eureka stockade. Basically, America was the reason why Australia and New Zealand knew to avoid, and to tread carefully come the fourth of July.
But Australia knew that he couldn't hold America responsible for any of the hurt feelings that Australia had really up until this day. He probably didn't even know any of those things happened, so it wouldn't be fair to hold any of that against him. So Australia tried his hardest to keep the smile on face, even if the hurt emotions still lingered.
This was going to be a long campaign.
"You've change a hell of a lot since I last saw you. I mean it's still easy to recognise you with the whole eyebrow thing," America seemed to want to continue the conversation unaware of the discomfort Australia was feeling, "But you've grown so much taller, well you're not as tall as the hero but you're probably taller than Iggy now. You'd make a pretty good sidekick one day."
Australia was starting to grow a little more comfortable in the American's presence, he was going out of his way to talk to the Aussie.
Until he asked the dreaded question.
"So how'd you end up with the scar?"
Okay now America was treading on thin ice. The topic of his scar was still a touchy subject for the Australian. It brought back memories of his first battle with Turkey, one that he'd rather not talk about. Maybe he should have taken England's offer to conceal it, maybe then people would stop asking about it.
But he still didn't want to appear rude and ignore the genially curious American. It was probably the English in him, after all the American was only making conversation.
"I got it at Gallipoli," Was all Australia said before changing the topic, "So what bring you here mate? I thought you were neutral."
"I thought you guys could use some help, and the hero always helps those in need dude." America smiled brightly as he looked around the trenches.
Crikey this bloke had a huge hero complex!
"So where's New Zealand the shorter one?" America questioned his nephew, "I thought you two always hung around each other."
Australia snickered at the reference to New Zealand's height, his younger brother always got so irritated when Australia brought up the fact that he was taller than him. It only ever ended up with a bruised arm last time he teased his brother about it. But it was so worth it.
"Dunno where he is specifically. I know he's with dad somewhere further along the front." Australia answered honestly. He had actually asked about where New Zealand was placed in the letter he had to send. "We were originally at some place called the Pozieres but then we were both shifted to different places."
"Wait you were at the Pozieres?" America asked. While he was not in the war he still checked in with his twin brother a lot of the time and the rest of his friends, "Dude that fight was brutal, I'm surprised how it was even a success given the circumstances."
"You never had anything like this before?" Australia asked. He was confused at the surprise and slight concern shining through America's eyes, surely the older nation had fought in wars like that before, after all America had more experience in battles than he did.
"The war I was in with England, was not as destructive as this one," America explained seriously. In fact, it was the first time that Australia has ever seen his dad's younger brother.
Australia was about to respond but the voice with a thick Australian accent interrupted him.
"Alright come on lads! It's time."
Australia noticed that the singing and the cheerful chatting had ceased, as they all knew what was coming. They were going to try to push the German's back, as they had managed to gain a lot of ground with their own offensives.
"You coming with us?" Australia asked.
"Sure am dude, couldn't let you go out there by yourself." America gave a wide smile.
Australia turned to retrieve his rifle, "Great, we'll need all the help we can get, but there's something you should know-"
But when Australia turned back to where America was just standing he found the older nation gone. He could have sworn that America was standing in front of him a second ago, maybe he had that ability to just disappear like Canada.
Australia peered out over the trench to see America already on the field.
"Come on dude! You can't just wait around in a battle!" America shouted back to him as the self-proclaimed hero took off running.
"Uh does he even know where he's going?" Another Australian soldier asked.
"Nope," Australia stated and then sighed, "I'll bring him back."
Then Australia also leapt over the trench to try to bring the American back, "He really needs to get a handle on that hero complex."
It wasn't long since the two nations had been on the field and the shells started to fall. Luckily, America wasn't running all that fast and Australia was able to catch up to him easily enough. Once he got in arms reach Australia yanked him down into an abandoned dugout just as the shells made impact. Bullets began to fire over the top of them, but thankfully the two were shielded by the sandbags.
"As I was saying," Australia panted as he tried to catch his breath, "This area is under heavy enemy fire and we are attacking on the other side, a last-minute change."
America looked a bit sheepish. Australia just rolled his eyes but found an amused grin resting on his face, "You know, I have never met someone with a bigger hero complex than you. I gotta admit you are pretty fearless to run head first into something like this."
The two just sat in the safety of the dugout, it would be suicide to try and escape now, bullets and shells were flying overhead. There was nothing to do except for wait for reinforcements or at least an opportunity to move. While Australia was initially annoyed at first, he just couldn't help but find the whole thing amusing.
"You know dude, I would be your best friend forever if you didn't mention this to England," America grimaced just at the thought of the older nation finding out, "He's always waiting for me to mess something up just so he can lecture me. He's always saying that I need to take things more seriously, it seems like a totally bad idea to let him think he could be right."
Australia laughed, "Deal. I know the feeling, the old man's still pretty pissed about playing cricket on the field. That's a new lecture to add to the list."
"So I guess we're stuck here then?" America asked.
"Pretty much."
The awkward silence, as silent as it could be with the gunfire about, got too much for America.
"Tell me something about yourself," America asked making the Australian nation look at him in confusion.
"Uh…I grew up in England for most of my childhood." Australia was confused, this hardly seemed like the place to get to know someone.
"I mean something I don't know about you. I think getting to know someone is an awesome way to make friends right?" America smiled with an enthusiastic look. But his blue eyes seemed serious as they looked over at the Australian, "Besides, I can tell you have a problem with me, and I want to know why."
Australia looked at him incredulously, eyes wide with disbelief.
America gave a crooked smile and laughed half-heartedly, "Come on dude, it's pretty obvious. Contrary to what people say, I can read the atmosphere I just choose not to. I know you felt uncomfortable when you first saw me and you would barely make eye contact."
Australia's guilt increased. America was a decent bloke but…wait a minute.
"Wait. Was this why you ran out here?" Australia asked, his eyes narrowed in suspicion, "To find out about my problem with you? A little extreme don't ya think?"
"So you do have an issue with me." America stated. He didn't bother answering Australia's question.
"I just want to know why you seem to hate me." America continued, "I've never really had many other nations hate me before…except for England but that's different."
Australia sighed, seeing no way to get out of this situation. He'd much rather jump out and face the bullets then talk about his feelings, it was embarrassing and something he hadn't done since he was a little ankle biter.
"I don't hate you," Australia corrected, "I did for a long time when I was younger, but I don't anymore."
"When England found me it was obvious he was distant, like he was trying not to get attached you know? But I didn't know why. Until that fourth of July that you showed up at his place, he was drunk and then after you left he turned to me and told me straight out that I reminded him of you. But then I had my rebellion, I could tell that when he looked at me, he didn't see me, he saw you." Australia could easily recall the distant look in England's eyes at the time, it was if the only thing the older nation could picture was the younger brother he had faced on the battlefield.
"I hated you back then because I didn't want to be a shadow of you. I didn't want England to look at me, and only see the brother that had hurt him. After the rebellion, he called me your name and that brought all of those things to light, I couldn't deny it anymore. To this day I still can't deny it, because when he looks at me now, I know I still remind him of you sometimes."
Australia smiled sadly at the memories from his childhood, deep down he's always known it. When he was first found by England he was so happy to have an older nation finally look his way after so many had just turned around and left, the older nation looked pained by looking at him at times, not that Australia knew the reason why back then. He knew that England was reluctant to open his home and soon is heart to the small nation, in fear over getting hurt again.
He glanced over to gauge America's expression. The American looked shocked and a little guilty at Australia's words.
"D-Dude I'm really sorry," America said, he really didn't know how to approach the situation, "Was he ever…" America let the sentence drop awkwardly.
"What? No England was never like that. He did love and care about me and Zea and he was never abusive," Australia shook his head and then laughed before continuing, "Although one could debate on that with his cooking skills."
"But I don't hate you anymore, I admit it was a little awkward to see you again because I had no idea what to say," Australia explained, "It's all water under the bridge, or whatever you yanks say. Besides, I've never been the best for holding grudges, except for it comes to Netherlands."
"Well that's totally awesome to hear dude," America smiled honestly, "Because I think you and I could become really good friends. Just think of how cool it would be to totally prank England all the time after this!"
Australia smiled. America wasn't so bad as what he thought when he was younger. It would take time for the discomfort to finally disappear, but it was a start. Besides the bloody American did run all the way out here just to get him to talk.
Finally this chapter is over! It gave me horrible writers block all day trying to figure out what happens XD. I know this chapter didn't really have much of a focus on the war, but I really wanted to focus on Australia's relations with other nations too, particularly his with America, because I believe as a child Australia would hold some resentment towards America. And after all, Australia is still wanting to be recognised as his own country and for his first time amongst all the other nations he is bound to come across some of them and try to form a relationship of sorts with them.
The place where this chapter is set, is the battle of Hamel. It's the first time American and Australian troops would be fighting together. The Australian General called John Monash (arguably the most effective commander of the war on either side, some of his theatres include Gallipoli and Passchendaele), predicted that the battle would be over in 90 minutes and all the British Generals and Military Officials pretty much laughed at his idea and told him he was ridiculous for thinking that the Australians and the Americans could take the town. But they did, they managed to succeed in 93 minutes. Apparently, the American troops were so keen to join the fighting that they dashed into the shell fire and one of the Australian Corporals was killed trying to turn them around. This also marked the first time in history that the American troops had been under the command of a foreign commander. At first the Monash was promised 10 American companies to help with the attack, but the American military officials withdrew 6 of them TWO DAYS before they were scheduled to attack, which meant that he had to undergo many last minute changes to the battle plans and strategies and caused a serious concern that we were then outnumbered. But the attack was a success in the end with a casualties around 7,000 on the allied side and 5,600 on the German side.
And yes! At Gallipoli ANZAC troops did play cricket and Rugby I believe even during the constant shelling. Apparently it was for diversion purposes but still, you have to be pretty chill and have the 'She'll be right' attitude to play cricket on a battlefield and have the enemy fire at you.
Please review, they always make my day and I shall see you tomorrow with the other two updates. Yes I know there was meant to be another today, but I am so tired and all of the angst in this chapter was so draining XD.