Trapped in Darkness
9foxgrl
VI
Switzerland and Japan came by to examine my eyes like I had agreed to. Naturally when it went around that they were coming Hungary came with Italy and Germany. Prussia decided to come by as well since he didn't want to miss out.
They seemed shocked to see England. I was surprised when he fibbed and said he was there to discuss a way seek repentance for my eyes.
After they all settled in my living room Japan and Switzerland began to do a simple eye exam. You know the usual (minus the eye charts and follow the direction of the finger).
Click
"Retinas and lens are healthy. There is no sign of scaring, but the light isn't bending when it hits the lens. It's like his pupils are just absorbing the light and not refracting it."
'So my pupils are like black holes? Cool.'
Scratch, scratch, scratch
Click
"How strange your eyes haven't turned white like others when they go blind."
'I never figured that one out either. Maybe it's because my capital still exists?'
"Maybe it's because Washington D.C still exists?" Germany suggested.
"Perhaps, we are immortal after all."
I blinked a few times as the dilation drops started to gunk up at the corner of my eyes. Before I could wipe it off myself a pair of hands scented like cherry blossoms and faint sandalwood wiped it off with a wet rag.
"Thanks Japan." I said a smile.
"America, how is that you can tell who is near you when we don't speak?"
I blushed. Well, it was sort of a secret that I memorized their signature scents. "You really want to know?"
"Yes." Replied several voices.
"I use my other senses to compensate. I listen to your voice, depending on how far away it sounds or what direction it is can tell me where you are or how far away you are. But there is also your scent."
"Scent?"
I blushed even deeper. "Every Nation has a unique subtle scent. It's not like a perfume or cologne….more like a reminder of home that clings to you."
"Ve~! What do I smell like~?"
"Italy!"
"What? I want to know Germany."
"Acrylic paints; if you were cooking you also have a touch of garlic too."
I blushed a little bit more as I began to answer the other nations who wanted to know what their signature smell was.
"Roses and wine." – France
"Cherry blossoms and sandalwood." – Japan
"Wildflowers." – Hungary.
"Beer." – Prussia, now called it the 'Smell of Awesome!'
After finishing their exam Italy ran to my kitchen to make lunch aka LOTS OF PASTA! I winced as I heard the crash of pots and pans, and the scent of numerous herbs.
…Crap I'm going to have to reorganize all that when they leave or I won't find anything tomorrow. At least Germany is cleaning up the mess.
"So what are you going to do about England and Canada?"
"What?" I replied. I heard England nearly choke on his food.
"I agree, a punishment should be in order for this."
"Hon hon, but what kind?"
"There is no precedent for this."
"Blinding him as well would be too excessive."
"Make them run around naked?"
"We could make them do training with Germany!"
"Canada is cleared cuz well…it was revenge for burning York so I don't see any need to hurt him more!" I snapped.
"But what about Angleterre?"
"Yeah, burning D.C. was his idea."
I felt England tense beside me. Fuck, gotta think fast or they'll do something really bad. Like stab his own eyes out or setting him on fire.
"I- I'VE DECIDED THAT FOR A WHOLE MONTH….ENGLAND IS GOING TO BE MY SERVANT AS PENANCE!"
Wait for it; France laughed, Hungary and Japan squealed…okay…3, 2, 1.
"GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF THE GUTTERS!" I scolded.
Arthur POV
The others have gone home now. Starting tomorrow I will start my month penance as America's servant. Well…more like a butler. We've already cleared it with my boss.
The others Nations seemed to agree that this is fair.
Japan even gave me a fancy butler's suit for me to wear…I don't know who the Hell this Sebastian fellow is but the suits he designs are just like the once the English butlers used during Queen Victoria's reign.
Not sure how it matters since America can't see me wearing it.
"You can sleep in my bed; I'll take the window seat again." America commented making his way to his bed from last night. He was already dressed in a pair of plain light blue pajamas and fighting back yawns.
After the Nations had left he retreated to his study and left me to do whatever I wanted. It wasn't until midnight I noticed he was still working and dragged him out to get some sleep.
"Shouldn't you take it, or I could stay in the guest room. Sleep there can't be comfortable."
Come to think of it, why didn't he take me to the guest room the other night?
"The guest room is off limits right now…" America said nervously.
"Why?"
"I sort of…got pissed off a few days ago after the elections and totally trashed it." America replied with an embarrassed blushed.
I raised a brow. "Why?"
"Umm…you know how my citizens petitioned for South Carolina to secede and it later triggered the Civil War when the other Southern states left?"
"Yes."
"Well, after Obama won again…some of my citizens tried to pass around a petition in all fifty states to secede…"
I paled as he hugged himself as a way to keep in control of his emotions. I managed to get a glimpse of a pink scar going across his chest through the opening in his shirt. A scar that looked like it came from a wound that almost reopened.
"It just…brought back a lot of bad memories." He said with a shuddering gasp as he held himself for moral support.
I grabbed him, and pulled him into a tight hug. His body began to shake as he lost composure. The Civil War…was one of his touchiest subjects.
Civil wars…always hurt a Nation, but he was nearly ripped in half from it, and had no one to really support him on a personal level. It was all political support, from Nations who all wanted something out of it.
"England…" he muttered drowsily as he wrapped his arms around my waist. "Tea and rain…"
I blushed as he fell asleep leaning against me. I picked him up and took him to the bed. He was really light now; he must have lost a lot of weight after he was hit by Sandy. He gripped me tighter as he dozed off.
"I'm sorry for everything I did to hurt you America…but I'm going to make up for it." I whispered as brushed my fingers through his soft locks of hair.