Don't eat like a pig

"Mon ami, I am as confused as you are."

"Are you sure you didn't put him under one of your froggy spells?"

"No, besides, speaking of magic it may have been you."

"Nope, I didn't do anything."

England and France were having a rare and semi-peaceful conversation on the phone and the talk amogst the Allies was America and his sudden change. The meeting was two days ago and America was still in the UK. England expected the young nation to burst through the doors of his house and demand that he play a game or watch a scary movie marathon, but no such thing happened and it made England worry slighty.

"Well, perhaps he'll turn back to normal. You know how younger nations are. We went through a few phases ourselves. I still remember your punk rock days."

"Yes, and I remember your frequent wearing of dresses, which still goes on, by the way."

"It was a tunic. Au revoir, Angleterre."

"yeah, yeah. Bye, Frog."

England walked to his living room chair and began to finish the tea he made earlier. He was still thinking about America, but he was also thinking about his very productive day. The garden was weed-free, the laundry was all done and he even had time to spend with his fairies. The day had been so peaceful that England didn't mind when the phone rang again.

"Hello."

"Hello, England? It's me, America.

'Speak of the devil.'

"Hello America and what do I owe the pleasure of this conversation?"

"I was just wondering if you'll join me for dinner tonight."

"Dinner?"

"Yes, I know its last minute but its nothing fancy. Just a little something before I go back home tomorrow."

"Oh okay then, I accept," and yet, this was another un-America-like. He never called ahead.

"Great, I'll be there in one hour. See you then."

England hung up the phone and walked to his room. Perhaps there were overthinking things. Maybe America was genuietly acting his age, which would be a relief. England chuckled to himself, he'd been over thinking the whole thing for nothing. America's just finally matured and that's all.

England dressed in his favorite green sweater vest and some black slacks and waited in his room.

'Finally after nearly 3 hundred years, America had stopped acting like a child', which is what England made himself believe until the bespectacled nation appeared with a bouquet of red roses.

"Hey England. These are for you," America handed England the flowers and proceeded to walk inside.

"Thank you America, but you didn't have to buy these for me."

"Nonsense, I knew you'd enjoy them. Plus they'd look lovely over here by your patio looking over the garden. But are you okay? You look like kinda pale. Here you sit and I will put these in some water," after America sat England down, he dashed to the lkitchen.

Indeed the colour left England's face when he saw America's presentation. His manners were impeccable and his suit would put one of Italy's fanciest to shame. England felt undressed in comparison. England would go as far to say that Americaw was reminding him of James Bond (played by Sean Connery, of course).

"Okay, your roses are all set. Are you ready?"

"Yes, but maybe I should change."

"Oh no, you look perfect. Here's your coat."

"Thank you but I could've gotten it."

America just nodded and smiled as he opened the front door to let England in first.

"I could've gotten that too."

"But youre my guest. Besides I don't mind."

Before England could explain that technically America was his guest, America had shut the door and started the car. The car ride was rather pleasant though. In stead of America dominating the radio, he let England chose anything he wanted, which was the Beatles.

"Hey America, just curious. Where are we going?"

"Oh a little restaurant nothing special."

England looked out the window and spotted a Burger King, which he considered fancier than McDonald's on many occasions. When America seemed to be slowing down and parked, England got himself out and started walking toward it.

"England! Youre going the wrong way," America caught up with England and gently turned him around so that he could see the huge restaurant nearby, "this is where we're going."

The restaurant was beautiful and almost out of place, as if it belonged to France. The trees, either dogwood or cherry blossom, were in full bloom and the petals were falling like snow. The walkway was lined with colourful flowers and lights complementing each one. England had only been here once, on opening night. It was definally a place for ultimate special occasions. Inside, America confirmed his reservation and they were seated and given menus. Since England didn't come often, he looked over the menu very carefully, but moreso at the prices than what was being served.

"Don't you dare pull out a wallet. I got everything."

England's eyebrows raised as America read England's mind, but he simply sighed and allowed it.

"Hello gentlemen, are you ready to order?"

"Yes, I'll take a garden salad with a side of steamed vegetables," England was absolutely sure of himself on this simple fact: He knew that America was going to order the 9lb. steak with a heaping helping of mashed potatoes and extra gravy.

"I'll take…the smoked salmon with vegetables as well."

What?

"Amer- Alfred, you never eat this light. Are you alright?"

"You've been asking me a lot lately. Im fine, I just need to start eating healthier like you always tell me. Now, Arthur, how was your day?"

"Oh, your day was probably more exciting than mine."

"Still I'd like to know."

"Well, I tended to the garden, did some embroidery and did some laundry."

"Really? What do you grow in your garden?"

"Oh some tupils, daffodils, and apple tree and some vegetables."

"That sounds lovely."

England nodded as he studied the man before him. He was sitting still, not a fidget in sight. Eye contact firmly on England and he seemed to be listing intensl at England.

"Your food, sirs."

"Thank you," England nodded as he grabbed his napkin and was surprised to see America doing the same and as he ate, England noticed he wasn't shoving it down his throat. In the end, England had a very pleasant meal filled with meaningful conversation and brilliant table manners. Like he said, America paid for the whole meal and didn't flinch.

"Thank you very much for the meal, America. It was delightful," England and America walked up the porch to the Brit's house. It was still early, around 8 o'clock, but they called it a night.

"My pleasure, England. Good night."

America waited until England was inside and then procedded to his car. Inside the house, England was welcomed by a living room full of fairies, gnomes and every other magical being you could imagine, each one wearing a confused expression.

"If you're wondering, it was a nice meal and for once, he didn't act like a total slob. Maybe everything I taught him is sinking in."

"Man, girls eat skimy meals," America undid his tie and drove back to Burger King. After ordering 3 whoppers, 2 large fries and a shake in the drive thru, he chopped until he was full.

'Tonight was successful, but I gotta kick it up a notch.'

America moved on to step three of being a perfect gentleman, leaving England without a clue .