"Almost there."
"Just a little further"
"Come on, just a small stroke."
India burst out laughing, finally giving up on hiding his chuckles behind his hand.
"Seriously England, if you're so terrified of elephants then why did you come over to the Elephant Appreciation Club?"
England's scrunched shut eyes snapped open to glare at India.
He then continued to huff and look at the ground, arm held upright about an inch away from the elephant's trunk.
Because you would be here.
India smiled, amused, then gently took England's wrist and closed the distance in between.
England flinched at the initial contact, but eventually relaxed and started stroking the trunk, a small smile appearing his face.
India grinned.
"Great. Step two of getting rid of your fear; we're going to ride him."
"Wait what?!" spluttered England.
Meanwhile India had already clambered onto the elephant, with the latter raising his trunk to help India up.
"Your turn."
England gaped. "Without even a saddle or a howdah?!'
"I don't use those. Not too good for him," said India, patting the elephant's head.
"No. Absolutely not. I put my foot down." exclaimed a red faced England. "I have no intention of falling from a height of 9ft, thank you very much."
"I won't let you."
"W-why should I trust you?"
"For one, I have a better reputation on the matter than you," said India with an amused smirk.
England opened and shut his mouth a number of times, staring at the ground and shuffling awkwardly.
"Umm alright then.. But how do I get up? No way am I climbing up like you did."
India grinned.
He leaned forward muttering under his breath. It was as if he was whispering in the elephant's ear.
The elephant promptly wrapped his trunk around England, which yielded an indignant and terrified squeak from the latter, and gracefully deposited him upon his neck, in front of India.
India then patted the elephant, and he lumbered onward.
England was extremely tense.
Upon noticing this, India loosely wrapped his arms around him.
"Better? You won't fall now."
"Hmm."
As time passed, England relaxed, leaning back against India in the process.
India smiled. England was really most amusing.
He began to hum softly to himself.
Probably a tune from one of his Bollywood songs, England mused.
"What's his name?" asked England, gesturing towards the elephant.
"Jamuna"
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
They eventually stopped by a river a little way into the forest where they were surrounded by greenery all around.
Jamuna first put England on the ground, after which India climbed down.
"It's time for Jamuna's bath!" grinned India upon looking at England's confused face.
"Do you want to help?"
"I think I'll just watch. I don't really want to get wet."
India shrugged. "Alright."
India and Jamuna waded into the water while England sat down on a nearby rock.
Jamuna sprayed water on to himself a number of times while India scrubbed his back.
England stared at India. He seemed so at peace.
A spray of water upon him awoke him from his daze, simultaneously drenching him through and through.
"What the-"
For the second time that day, India burst out laughing.
England spluttered. "Hey!"
India's laughter faded to a chuckle. "Jamuna, you mischievous thing."
"Oh what the hell," exclaimed England with a grin, wading into the water to join India and splashing water at the two.
It turned into an all out water fight with Jamuna coming out victorious.
After that the trio lay down on the ground, panting and exhausted and happy, to dry off.
They lay in comfortable silence until it started to grow dark, at which they began to head back.
England couldn't stop smiling. The whole day had been great. Hell, he would probably catch a cold for being drenched for so long, but it was fun damn it.
Not to mention he'd also made a new friend.
Once back, India and England fed Jamuna sugar canes and various fruits while talking about random things.
"You can come to the EAC to take care of Jamuna anytime," said India, smiling, as England made to leave.
England smiled back. "I will."