Chapter 5 – July 4th Present
"Kesesesesese!"
England's eyes snapped open at the sound of unique laughter that he would recognize anywhere. He sat up and turned on the light before glaring at his newest intruder. "Prussia." He growled.
"Yep, the awesome me has come to show you the truth!" Prussia's red eyes glinted in the lamplight.
England sighed and facepalmed. "So how did you get roped into this? What exactly did Mother offer you?"
"Huh?" The albino looked slightly puzzled. "I don't know what you're talking about. Some guy named Chicken, or something close to that, said that I was the only one awesome enough to help you with your drinking problem!" His grin came back full force.
England snorted. "What drinking problem? I'm the United Kingdom; I can handle all the bloody alcohol I drink."
"Ah, lying is totally not awesome, Britain." Gilbert came over and slapped Arthur on the back. "Everyone knows that you always drink on the 4th of July to drown in your sorrows." He frowned. "Well, everyone knows except America, but he is not the most awesome observer, huh."
"What?" Arthur could feel his cheeks flush. How did everyone find out?
"Seriously, if you wanted to hide your problem, then you should have locked your doors." Prussia continued, somehow guessing his question. "Your brothers found you one year. Totally not awesome."
England silently cursed his brothers. Then he sighed. Might as well get this over with.
"So what are you going to show me?" Arthur asked, resigned to his fate.
Gilbert grinned. "Kesesesesese! I knew you'd come around!" He laughed. "Now, the awesome me will show you the present July 4th, because, as the Chicken guy said, the awesome me knows how to live in the now!"
"The present?" England was slightly confused. Why would what America does on July 4th matter? All he does is throw a party!
"Yep!" And with that, Prussia roughly grabbed Arthur's hand and they were on their way.
Sunlight coming from the early morning sun streamed through the windows. America sat at his kitchen table, but, for once it seemed, he was not stuffing himself with his beloved burgers. Instead he was stuffing himself with pancakes.
England frowned at the scene, and glanced at the clock. It was only a little after 8 o'clock. Everyone knew the American rarely even considered getting out of bed before at least 10 o'clock, unless he was forced to get up because of a meeting, or it was Christmas or Easter and he wanted his presents.
Seriously, what would he be doing up at this hour? Arthur wondered, but his attention was drawn away as America began to speak.
"Hey, Mattie! These are awesome!" Alfred said as he shoved more pancakes into his mouth. "You are probably the best pancake maker in, like, the whole world!"
Arthur turned to see Matthew at the stove, flipping more pancakes. Matthew snorted, "Well, I am Canada, after all. You should expect them to be good."
"Oui, Mathieu is right, Amerique." Arthur stiffened at the sound of France's voice. He whirled around to see him enter the kitchen as nonchalant as can be. "Of course, since he was originally my colony, that is why Mathieu's tastes are so much better than yours, who was raised by Angleterre." France smirked as he said this.
"What the bloody hell is America thinking? He seems to have let that frog sleep over! Why would he bloody do that?" England yelled without thinking.
"Kesesesesese! Didn't you know?" Prussia snickered.
"Know what?"
America answered his question as he frowned at France. "Dude, Francis, I let you stay cause you and Mattie are dating and everything, but I can just as easily kick you out, y'know."
"They're what?" Arthur could feel a blush rising to his cheeks.
"They've been dating since the World Wars, Britain. I'm surprised you didn't notice, but then again, people often forget about Mattie." Prussia couldn't help but comment on Arthur's sudden realization.
Meanwhile, Francis walked over to Canada and gave him small peck on the lips. "You would not do that, Amerique, as that would sadden Mathieu, but then again, you are just jealous of our love."
"Ew. Don't make out while I'm here!" Alfred started blushing at France and Canada's quick kiss. "Besides," the blush stayed as Alfred started to pout, "I'm not jealous. Even if you both get to be all lovey-dovey." His tone betrayed him.
Francis rolled his eyes. "Of course not, Amerique."
"Ah, by the way, is Arthur going to come this year?" Matthew asked, trying to change the subject.
The question perked the real England's interest. Why does it matter if I'm coming or not?
If anything, his question seemed to sadden America. "He's not coming." He quickly shoved the last pancake into his mouth. After that, he stood up and put his plate in the sink. "I can't believe that he won't even tell me 'happy birthday.'"
Canada and France shared a glance. "Amerique, I know you want Angleterre to come, but…"
"Birthdays are meant to be celebrated with the ones you care about!" America whirled around to face them. "And if it's about the revolution, then does he still not realize why I did that? In any case, it was over 200 years ago! Is he that much of a stubborn old man?" He sighed, his bout of passion already fading. "Never mind. I know the answer to that question at least."
Arthur felt slightly appalled. So what if it was over 200 years ago? I have every right to be angry! I gave you everything and you shoved it in my face and basically told me to sod off! His old anger returned, even though it had started fading slightly from what Japan had shown him.
In any case, America left the kitchen and walked towards the front door, where he put on his signature bomber jacket, even though it was probably hot outside.
"Are you really going again this year, Al?" Matthew looked at his twin with a worried look in his eye. "I mean, it's your birthday, so can't it wait a day?"
Arthur found himself slightly curious again. Where would America be going on his birthday?
Alfred flashed a smile at the Canadian. "Mattie, we go through this every Memorial Day, Veterans' Day, and July 4th. It's because of these people that I am what I am so," his smile grew a bit bigger, "what kind of hero would I be if I didn't at least pay my respects?
"And if anything," he continued, "on the day I declared independence, I should remember them the most. Anyway, Hero out!" America finished his speech with a big wave and he walked out the door.
With America leaving, England thought that he and Prussia would follow, but Gilbert held him back for a bit and pointed towards Canada and France. "You just have to watch these guys a little longer. And then we'll be on our awesome way!"
Canada finished flipping the last of the pancakes and set them on two plates so he and France could eat breakfast.
"You know, I understand Amerique's views, however, I still cannot help but think that it is pointless, mon amour." Francis said as he put some butter on his meal.
"Well, he thinks it's important, so just leave him alone. After all, I have never been able to talk him out of it." Matthew poured syrup all over his pancakes and took a sip from his coffee cup. "Anyway, with you being you, I'm surprised that England hasn't figured it out by now. I mean, Al's reason for independence was the main reason why you helped him, wasn't it?"
Arthur felt a bit shocked. Even the frog knows America's reason and that's why he helped! Bloody hell! What could it have been! So what if I 'didn't feel the same way' as America said in the past! What the bloody hell was he referring to?
"Oui. That was why I decided to assist him. And believe me, Mathieu," here Francis looked up from his meal to stare into Matthew's eyes, "I have dropped enough hints over the years that the amount of hints almost equals the number of bombs during Angleterre's Blitz."
Arthur felt insulted at this comment. How could he drop so many hints? Surely I would've noticed something of that nature!
France wasn't done speaking yet. "Of course, it would help if Amerique did not act like such a child. Why does he insist on doing that when at other times he appears to be a thoughtful young man?"
"Long ago when he was a kid, Al came to the conclusion to not think too hard about things unless he had to. He figured he'd enjoy life more that way." Canada finished off his pancakes. "Also, by acting like a kid, England will pay attention to him, and other nations will have someone that's convenient to blame, because things will seem to be bad due to his childishness. The second part he feels is part of his 'hero' duties." He rolled his eyes at the last part, obviously disagreeing with his brother's decision to take on the world's blame for no real reason.
"There are other ways to get Angleterre's attention." France's rape face came on for a second.
"Al's Puritan influence is still going strong, so he's not going to be a pervert like you." Matthew stood and put his plate in the sink. "But you do know that your 'flirting' as you call it only pisses Al off, eh?"
"Oui, but Angleterre's distressed face is so cute, Mathieu!" Francis put his own plate in the sink. "And I know Amerique agrees with me about that."
"Really." Matthew's voice was cold as ice. He ignored France and started washing the dishes.
France blinked and then realized the problem. He smiled and wrapped his arms around Canada from behind him. "Do not worry, mon amour. You are still far cuter than Angleterre." He kissed the back of Matthew's neck, causing the Canadian to give a small squeak and blush bright red.
"Ugh. Not awesome. Let's go before they start making out." Prussia turned away from the display of affection with a slightly grossed out expression on his face. "Besides, the awesome me knows that you're wondering where America went!"
"You're actually right for once, Prussia." England said, his face red from the embarrassing scene. "So where did America go?"
"No clue. Let's find out!"
America's house faded away.
England was surprised as he read the sign in front of him. "Arlington National Cemetery" it read.
"Why did America come here?" He wondered out loud.
"Don't know." Gilbert replied. "Even someone as awesome as me has no clue why we're here."
Arthur looked at him and raised one of his large eyebrows in surprise. "You mean you didn't know we were going to come here?"
"Nope." Prussia acted as if not knowing what he was doing was okay. Then again, he normally didn't seem to know what he was doing anyway, so this sort of behavior was natural to him.
England rolled his eyes at Prussia's stupidity and entered the graveyard. He scanned the area, looking for Alfred, and soon his eyes alighted on the American.
America was looking at the graves, his eyes filled with regret. He walked through the graves, although occasionally he stopped and talked to other visitors in a quiet voice, too low for Arthur to hear what he was saying. All in all, for once, America gave off an aura of solemnity and sadness.
Given the place and America's obvious melancholy mood, England could easily guess his thoughts. He probably thinks that he should have done more to save these people. It's all because he thinks that he's some sort of bloody hero, so he feels like he has to take all the burdens of others.
After watching for a while, Arthur realized he didn't like seeing Alfred so sad. It made his chest tighten in an odd way that he just couldn't place. He quickly brushed it off as nothing.
"Aw, this is boring!" Gilbert yelled, breaking the silence of the cemetery.
Arthur felt the sudden urge to shush the idiotic nation. However, when no one stared at the two for breaking the respectful silence, he realized, like when he and Japan were in the past, that they were as invisible as ghosts to normal people. Huh? Haven't I read something like this before? Before Arthur could follow that thought, Prussia once again interrupted.
"Come on! I want to see if anything happens at America's party! His parties are almost as awesome as me!"
England sighed and took Gilbert's hand, but his eyes never left the sight of Alfred paying his respects to his fallen soldiers.
After all, it was somewhat nice to know that Alfred thought of more than just celebrating his independence on his birthday.
It was obvious that the party had been in full swing for a while already when Gilbert and Arthur arrived back at Alfred's house.
For starters, the sun was already starting to go down, and since it was summer that meant it was pretty late. Also, the buffet table, which at one point must have been filled with platters of hot dogs, hamburgers, and chips, had very little food left on it, though there were still several desserts on a different table. There also seemed to be plenty of alcohol left, despite the fact that Russia appeared to have several vodka bottles on the table next to him.
Most nations present were mingling and joking around while music played in the background. Obviously they were sticking around for the fireworks to start.
"Look, there's the awesome me!" Prussia gave a crazy grin as he saw his counterpart standing with Austria and Hungary over in one corner of the living room.
"Yes, yes!" England told him, but he was looking for the birthday boy. Finally, he spotted him talking with Matthew and Francis.
Alfred looked happy and seemed to be his normal, arrogant, oblivious self. It was hard to imagine how solemn he had appeared earlier that day.
All in all, the party seemed lively and fun.
However, Arthur couldn't help but notice that every once in a while Alfred would pull out his cell phone and glance at it. What is he waiting for? He wondered. He also noticed that every time Alfred glanced at his phone a small flicker of sadness and disappointment raced across his face. Yet each time this happened, he immediately went back to being himself, making England wonder if he had just imagined it. Still, it happened enough that he knew that it wasn't his imagination.
Outside, the sky got darker and darker. Finally, Alfred turned off the music and flashed a giant grin at everyone. "Alright, dudes! Time for the super, totally awesome fireworks show!"
Everyone gave a cheer and followed America outside. Once the countries gathered back into their groups, some pulling out blankets and chairs, as they got ready to view the light show.
Arthur followed the crowd out of the house, ignoring his Prussian companion who was wondering if he could snitch some beer in the whole supernatural state he was in. He settled himself right behind Alfred who was sitting with, once again, Canada and France.
The first explosive went off in the sky, and though nations were oohhing and aahhing all around him, England kept his focus on the nation in front of them.
Halfway through the display, Matthew turned to his twin. "I'm sorry Arthur didn't come, Alfred."
America's eyes didn't leave the exploding lights. "It's alright, Mattie. I should've known better." He gave a small, sad smile.
Behind him, England scowled. Of course, you bloody should have known better, wanker!
"You've been more hopeful in the past decade, eh? Why exactly is that?" Canada asked, real curiosity on his face.
Alfred turned away from the fireworks. "Well, our relationship has improved ever since the World Wars, and after the Cold War ended and my paranoia died down a bit, I thought he might be more open to coming on my birthday." He rubbed the back of his neck and turned back to the display. "Sure, our relationship isn't what I wish it could be, but it's still better than being totally hated, right?" He glanced at France and Canada with a sheepish grin.
Both countries looked at him with sympathy. "Of course, Amerique." Francis finally said.
"Besides!" America laughed his "hero" laugh and turned all of his attention to the fireworks. His eyes were shining with hope. "There's always next year!"
Matthew smiled. "Of course."
"Look! It's the finale!" Alfred bounced like a little kid as the fireworks display reached its climax. All three of them watched it with smiles on their faces.
Arthur continued to frown though. It's never going to happen. I'm never going to come to his bloody party.
"Awfully optimistic, ain't he?"
England looked up at Prussia, who had somehow managed to get a beer. "Yes, he should know that I'm not going to come to his bloody party."
"Huh?" Gilbert looked at him confused. "That's not what I was talking about!"
Meanwhile, all of the nations that had gone to America's party were packing up and leaving while Alfred, Matthew, and Francis waved goodbye and went back into the house. Prussia and England stayed outside though.
Arthur frowned at Gilbert. "Then what did you mean?"
"I was talking about the fact that he assumes he's gonna live another year to ask you to come!" Gilbert said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
At that sentence, for a moment England felt like his heart stopped. Then it quickly restarted. America? Die? That's completely preposterous! That git would never be stupid enough to get himself killed! He repeated this last thought out loud. "That git would never be stupid enough to get himself killed!" Right? He added in his thoughts.
Prussia shrugged. "Just saying, you never know." He took a swig of beer. "Sure, America's pulling out his troops and wrapping up the wars he's in, but one can never know whether he will live to see the next year or even the next day. That's why one should live for the now."
Arthur blinked. "That… was actually some pretty sound advice." It was the rare moments like these when he remembered that Prussia was actually older than him.
Gilbert grinned. "Of course I give awesome advice. After all, I'm awesome! Kesesesesese!" He laughed as he took another swig of beer. "So if you died today, would you have any regrets?"
"Of course not." England scoffed, but some deep twinge in his gut told him otherwise. What would I regret? He couldn't think of anything.
"Well, whatever you say." Prussia shrugged again.
"Don't you regret not making a move on Hungary when you could?" Arthur asked, quickly deflecting the question.
Gilbert spat out his sip of beer. "What are you talking about? Totally unawesome!"
Arthur smirked. "Whatever you say." He said mockingly.
"You…" Prussia was suddenly cut off as his watch started beeping. He glanced at it. "Never mind, I gotta go on my awesome way." He said.
England blinked. It appeared that the Prussian was fading away. "What do you mean?"
"The third guy's coming. And England?" Gilbert was definitely fading away.
"What?" Once more, Arthur felt that the whole situation was familiar. Doesn't this seem like something I read before?
"Be careful, that's all I can say." With that, the Prussian was gone.
Still, England felt compelled to ask, "What do you mean?" At that moment, the fog that he hadn't even noticed was gathering surrounded him in its murky depths, making it impossible for him to know what was going to happen next.