Break

He dropped to his stomach in order to avoid the bullets being hurled at him. He pointed his gun ahead, his hands trembling as he tried desperately to aim it. 'I can't do this' he thought, his heart shaking in his chest. He swallowed hard, then clenched his eyes shut and fired. He heard and anguished scream tearing from across the battlefield. He dared to open his eyes, seeing the Frenchman sink to his knees, dropping his gun.

"Please! Stop! I surrender! I surrender! Don't shoot!" he cried, flailing his arms.

America breathed a sigh of relief. Good, that would be the end of it. He sure hoped this would be that last he'd see of France. After all, it was a long journey from his house to here. He surely wouldn't bother hi—

"Get off my land you damn frog!" England shouted, firing again at the Frenchman.

Francis bolted to his feet and ran several paces before slipping in the mud and falling on his face. England scowled and started to reload his musket.

"What are you doing!" America said, getting up and grabbing the gun away from England. "He already gave up! Just let him go. He won't bother us anymore... look at him. He's... kinda pathetic."

England frowned at his little brother, snatching his gun back. "Fine. He can go. But I'm leaving protection here with you. I don't want to see him anywhere near you. Do you understand?"

America nodded solemnly, looking down at the ground. When had England become so harsh?

xxx

"Listen America, I called you here today because, frankly, you're not pulling your weight. I need more taxes in order to keep you safe," England said, sliding a stack of parchment in the young colony's direction. "This is just a modest tax increase on paper goods. I think you'll find it more than fair."

America held the parchment, his eyes scanning over it, though he didn't really want to read it. "Why didn't you ask me first?" He couldn't help but look a bit hurt by his older brother's actions. "You know... if you needed the money that bad, you could have just asked. I wouldn't have minded you know."

England sighed, giving the other a perfectly apathetic look. "Listen America, this isn't about want. This is about need. We need those taxes, whether you want to pay them or not. You don't really get a say in the matter. You know that I don't either. I have to pay my taxes just the same. So does everyone else. I'd appreciate it if you'd stop making such a fuss."

America clenched the paper in his hands, slamming it back on the desk with a little more force than necessary. "At least you get a say."

He turned and walked out of England's office. When had his brother become so cold?

xxx

America tip-toed quietly through the streets, his followers in toe. They quietly stalked onto England's ship, taking great care not to alert anyone of their presence.

"Remember," America said, his voice hushed, "don't mess anything up. Just the tea, alright."

There were various nods and muted cheers as men began to take the various crates and barrels of tea and toss them over the sides of the ship. Oh, England was going to be mad alright. America knew his older brother, he'd be over it soon and things would go back to the way they use to be.

Or... at least he thought so...

The next morning England had reportedly gone into an absolute fury after hearing the news. After everything he had done for that ungrateful little brat! He didn't have any choice but to send more soldiers. He'd discipline that little brat and teach him to have more respect.

Standing at the point of a gun, America could no longer feel sympathy for his brother. When had England become so vengeful?

xxx

The loving memories were a far, distant part of his past now it seemed. America and England had both taken up arms once again. This time against each other.

America no longer wanted to be England's colony. Frankly, he didn't even want to be his brother any more. He wanted to be independent, to break away and stand on his own two feet. There was little sympathy in him, as he watched the mighty empire sobbing at his feet.

And on the inside England broke apart, as America slipped away.

xxx

The root cause of the American Revolution probably dates back to the French and Indian War. England, completely broke after this, increased the taxes in America to help pay for the war. It should probably be noted America was still paying the least amount of taxes than any other British colony at this point in time. It was the principal of taxing without given a voice in parliament that sparked the revolution, rather than the act of taxing itself.