Washington D.C. Itinerary – Day One

"So," England asked as they both walked out of Starbucks, prepared to leave the airport. "Where are we going to after this? What's your plan?"

"Well, at first I figured I'll stay in my room to do work but since you're here… How do you feel about doing a bit of sightseeing around D.C.? Up for it? I already called the hotel to say we'll be checking in late," Christopher replied.

"I'll absolutely enjoy that," England said happily. What a bunch of twists this day was. He's gone from joyful to awfully upset before swinging back to happiness again. Arthur's never felt so emotional before.

"Where would you like to go? I've been to D.C. plenty and I know my way around pretty well. Any particular place you want to see?"

"I'm honestly not too sure. I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to American landmarks," England said. And the sad thing was that it was true. Honestly, even though he and America have been dating for about sixty years now, England had never bothered too much knowing the different attractions of America and vice versa. It's not that he didn't want to but since America never showed any interest in bringing him around, England's knowledge on the matter stayed limited. The only places he really knew well in Washington D.C. were the White House and the World War Two Memorials.

At this point they were walking towards the airport car park, towards an expensive looking car. When they were talking previously, Christopher had mentioned that his sister lived around D.C. so he had asked her to drive one of her cars to the airport and hand him the keys before she left for another country on a business trip. And now, looking at the car, England wondered if he had just stumbled upon a family of overachievers. That was only one of her cars?

As a Nation he was never lacking for money, except during wartime, but like most Nations, he didn't like to spend too much, since the money he received was from the government. He disliked wasting his citizen's money for himself when it could be put to better use. Yes, he was a bit selfish that way, not wanting to spend his people's money while simultaneously wanting America to spend money on him but it was not like Alfred did it anyway. So it was fine, right?

Either way, England had known what Christopher planned for this trip beforehand, thanks to their conversation, but he really wondered whether it would be more lavish than he first thought.

As Christopher unlocked the door, he listed a few suggestions, "Well, there are a lot of attractions around here. There's the World War Two Memorials, the Botanic Gardens, the Washington Monument, a whole bunch of museums… anything you're interested in?"

They loaded their things into the boot before heading to their seats, Christopher in the driver seat and Arthur riding shotgun. After hearing his options, Arthur thought for a moment before saying, "I think it'll be delightful to see some flowers… and I do love a good history museum—but not if you don't want to, of course! It's your holiday, so obviously the final choice is yours."

Christopher chuckled. "Like I said, since we're going together now, it's our trip. Not just mine. And I know this place like the back of my hand, every nook and cranny. And I love every bit of it. I guess you can say I'm a bit patriotic, huh?"

England just smiled. If America were here, England was sure that he and Christopher would be the best of friends.

Christopher started the engine and continued, "Just to confirm our plan, you want to go to the National History Museum and the Botanic Gardens? Then we'll go for dinner and head for our hotel."

"That sounds lovely," Arthur said with a nod. And it really was. Arthur couldn't wait. He's always wanted to do this with America but going with such a nice person like Christopher was great too.

But obviously, England was a bit of a cynic and he just knew that as he saw the museum and the garden, he would always be unconsciously comparing them to his own Natural History Museum and Kew Garden. However, since he wasn't with America, he would not be voicing those thoughts out loud. As Nations, they understood that they would feel the proudest over their own nation's landmarks, no matter whether it was reasonable or not. But since Arthur was with Christopher, saying such things would definitely come across as rude. Arthur was simply a guest after all… Christopher owed him nothing yet he was being so abundantly fantastic.

Just when they were about to set off, England's phone started to ring. England picked it up immediately, already anticipating who the caller was and oh he really yearned to hear said person's voice.

"Hello?"

"England? It's me! Alfred! So, I just realised that you don't have the keys to my house and stuff and you didn't book a hotel. Lol, sorry! I'm a bit forgetful sometimes. Are you still at the airport? 'Cause if you are I can call one of my guys to pick you up and bring you over to my house. My key is under the pot of roses you gave me… So, are you on? I can go call him now! Oh! And I miss you so much, darling." The animated voice of America resounded in England's ear, blasting out from the handphone.

A blush spread on England's face. Darling… Even though England always protested the use of pet names, they never failed to make him flustered, and America knew it.

"Silly American," England said fondly, shaking his head. "No, that isn't needed. Not anymore, at least. I… made a friend here and well, he's invited me to go on a trip with him. A 'bro-trip', he called it." England snickered a little at that. The lingo people used these days. "Either way, I believe I'll be well taken care off for the next few days. And don't call me darling!

"Oh and don't think this gives you leeway to have a longer stay at Kiku's house. I expect you to be back as soon as possible, understood?"

There was a moment of silence over the phone. Suspicious. Very suspicious, indeed. America was never quiet. Christopher turned to him with a quizzical look on his face, in which Arthur answered by mouthing 'boyfriend'. Christopher nodded in understanding and looked away, probably trying to give Arthur the guise of privacy. Arthur was grateful for it honestly, since whenever he talked to Alfred he tended to get sappy, annoyingly enough.

"Whoa! Wait a second there Artie, did you just say you're going on a trip with a stranger? A male stranger?! Are you crazy?" America shouted once he got back on the phone, shocking England, partly because of the volume and also partly because he never expected America to be upset by the news.

"I—I don't think I really understand…"

"Well, you should! What if he kidnaps you? Ever thought of that? I know I'm nice and awesome but not all my citizens are like that. Most, but not all. And a stranger? Seriously? And you call me stupid?!"

England's face turned red with anger. "How could you? Idiot! He's a perfectly good gentleman as far as I can see. Unlike someone I know… And to think that I thought you would approve! To think that I was looking forward to a call from you. Yes, perhaps for that I am stupid, huh wanker?"

"Hey! I'm just looking out for you. Did you even think about this logically? About any of the consequences?"

"I have and I decided that I trust him! Are we clear? And I won't even be doing this if you were here like you promised!" England protested.

"We agreed that that wasn't my fault. We agreed. You can't go putting the blame on me again! I just love you so much and don't want you to do anything stupid…"

Sighing, England decided to be the bigger man and end the argument. "Alright. I admit that was a low blow. But I'm doing this to enjoy myself, just like you asked. I won't get hurt! After all, I am Eng—English!" Arthur had almost slipped up there and called himself England, forgetting that Christopher was next to him. It was a good thing he caught it just in time. "I can take care of myself. And—I love you too… so trust me on this if you love me, alright love? And come back soon… not that I miss you or anything! I just… I just…

"Fine," England finally conceded, not being able to find a valid excuse. "I miss you. So don't get distracted by Kiku's video games, okay?"

"Oh England, you silly old man. I'll be back ASAP! I won't let video games keep me away from my sweetie pie. And I guess if you really think that the stranger won't do anything…inappropriate then have at it? Just be careful, okay babe?"

Too caught up with the sweetness of Alfred's words, Arthur forgot to berate him for the pet names and instead said, "Yes, yes, of course. So…I believe I have to go now so I have to say goodbye but before that… I love you Alfred. Be good at Kiku's house okay? Don't make his problem worse."

America guffawed at that. "I won't! You know I'm the hero! Nothing goes wrong when I'm around! And I love you too baby… can't wait to hold you in my arms…"

England smiled at his words. "Goodbye, Alfred. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye!" America exclaimed before hanging up, leaving England staring at his phone tenderly.

"So…" Christopher said, once he was sure that phone call was over. "You ready to set off?"

Arthur nodded his head. "Be my guest."

Author's Note: More America! And now we're going into all the travelling, which means lots and lots of research from me. I'm sort of wondering why I'm writing a travelling fic of the US instead of the UK, considering that I've never been to the US and I've been to the UK recently… But whatever. The US is a fascinating place to research on so it's not like I mind. Either way, previously I thought I would end with them going to the hotel after a days worth of travelling but the word count was getting increasingly large so I thought I'll just cut it into parts. I hope you guys like it!