Train Journey

They travelled north on the train. England was still angry at Scotland but it felt awkward being alone with his brother.

In human years they were a mere 6 months apart but it always felt like Wales was a lot older than England and some of his other brothers. He was quiet and mature, unlike any one else in their family. Wales seemed content in the silence as he watched the window. England didn't mind silence either as long as he had something to do like read or sew or knit but they had left to quickly to grab anything interesting.

After 45 minutes, England couldn't stand the quietness anymore.

"Wales." Wales jolted slightly and looked at England, his blue-green eyes staring right into his light green ones. He waited for England to continue.

"Earlier… You do know the reason why Scotland refuses to go to the wedding." Wales sighed.

"I can guess but nae moor than tha'" England stared at Wales.

Wales was always there, silently observing his brothers. He was perceptive enough to accurately know or guess almost everything about England and the others. England knew this so he was sure that whatever Wales knew about this incident was likely true.

"What is your guess, Wales? Why does Scot not want to go to the Royal Wedding?" He fiddled and but his lip again.

"It's…" He looked indecisive. It was clear that telling England Scotland's feeing felt like a betrayal to him. He gave up after a moment's thought. England leaned in to hear the quiet country better. "It's nae that Alba… doesnae want ta go…"

He was using Scotland's nickname which sent warning signals to England. "It's moore tha' he cannae go…" England sat up in surprise.

"What?... He can't go?"

"Nee. I'm sure that he wants ta go but he cannae. His parliament probably wonnae let him."

"Why?" England demanded. Wales glanced to the side, out of the window.

"….Alba's been a tad short on cash the last coople of mooths so him…. and parts of his country cannae afford ta take a day oof fer tha wedding…."

"In other words…"

"Aye, Alba is broke…"

"That fucking wanker!" Wales's head snapped back to England. He looked confused at why England was shouting. England began a loud rant about his older brother.

"That bloody git has been spending all his money on his damn cigarettes and alcohol! When I get my han~"

SLAP!

England blinked in shock as the raw pain finally registered on his left cheek. Wales held his hand up from just slapping England across the cheek. He was glaring hard at England and he flinched backwards from the angry gaze. England was shocked and confused. Wales, who was forever a mild man with little change to his expression, looked enraged at England.

"W-W-What was that f-for, Wales?" He stammered.

"Me hittin' some sense back inta ye, ye twpsyn!" He snapped. England was confused as he rubbed his sore cheek. He had never seen Wales hit someone before.

"I don't understand…" Wales sighed huffily. He crossed his arms and thought for a moment. He guessed that he might as well start at the beginning.

"Hav' ye seen Alba drinking or smoking a lot recently?"

"Huh?"

"Jus' answer."

England thought about it. He hadn't seen his brother much over the last couple of months. He usually saw the red head once or twice a week but recently he had seen him only every couple of weeks. Scotland had been a lot busier lately. He flicked through all his recent memories of Scotland. All of his older ones had cigarettes and alcohol tied in with his brother but now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen his brother smoke or drink much recently. A couple of cigarettes every now and again and a little whiskey, diluted with water. There was one night when he had a drinking contest with the bad friends trio but he remembered that France had paid for that, not Scotland.

"N-No... Scotland has been rather sparse with his whiskey and smoking in the last couple of months."

"Exactly. He's nae been drinkin' or smokin' much. He's been limiting himself ta a cigarette a day and only a whiskey once a week."

"Oh."

Wales rolled his eyes. England was trying to figure out something in his head. If Scotland wasn't spending money then why was he poor?

Wales was looking out the window again. England knew that Scotland wanted to but couldn't go because he had to work so Wales figured that was enough. England however wanted more information.

"Why is Scotland low on money then?" Wales looked back at England and England squirmed as Wales studied him.

"Ye donnae ken?" England shook his head. Wales paused and breathed silently for a moment as if he was thinking.

"England… When you go drinkin'… who pays for your drinks?" England thought a moment. He certainly can never remember paying the bills himself, he was always too drunk, and so he thought probably America.

"America, I think."

"Phone him and check." Wale commanded. England blinked once in surprise before pulling out his mobile and dialling America. The call was short as it was early in the morning in America.

"Wha's up dude… it's like… 8 o'clock in the morning here… I already said... I wouldn't be late for the wedding..." He heard America mumble before giving a huge yawn.

"Hello America. Actually this isn't about the wedding. I was wondering, when we go drinking, are you the one who pays for the drinks?" America paused for a second.

"Nah… I always thought ya got da tab in da mornin'…"

"Oh…. Goodbye then."

"See… ya…" The phone went silent as America fell back to sleep so England just hung up.

Wales was looking at him expectantly. England just shrugged.

"America doesn't pay for my night outs so I don't know who then." Wales looked like he was waiting for something but after a few minutes, it was evident he wasn't going to get what he wanted. He tried again.

"Phone Ireland now." England looked sceptical but called him anyway. His brother didn't pick up the phone naturally, since England was calling so Wales used his phone and placed it on speaker so England could hear. Ireland picked up after the second dial tone.

"Wales! Foos yer doos? Ye betta be gittin' Alba ta tha' weddin'!"

"Aye… I'll be tryin' but I doubt tha' he will come." England shot a glare to Wales and opened his mouth to speak. Wales placed a finger on his lips, telling England to remain silent. England complied grumpily.

"I doubt it ta but try!"

"So when ye or North Ireland go fer a dram, who pays?..."

"Hmmm… I donnae really ken. I always thought tha' ye paid. Tha's what North Ireland guesses ta."

"Hmmm…. Do ye pa fer Iggy's at any time?" There was a loud snort over the phone.

"Pfft! Like I would give a single penny ta that erse! Tha bassa can rot in debt fer all I care!" England scowled angrily at the phone. Wales gave him to signal to remain quiet again.

"…Cheers Ireland…. Tha's all I wannae know."

"Aye. But don't go calling me fer stupid things like this agen!" Ireland yelled before hanging up. His brother always sounded so angry, that it could be a little scary at times…

Wales pocketed his phone. "And I donnae pay fer his or North Ireland's tab either…"

England looked at Wales and the message finally sinks in. Unfortunately the blonde didn't believe it. He rolled his eyes.

"Now really. Do you honestly expect me to believe that Scotland is paying for Ireland's, North Ireland's and my drinks?" Wales nodded. England laughed once at the absurdity of it. "Scotland would never do something like that. I might believe that he sometimes pays for Ireland's and North Ireland's drinks but never in a million years would he pay for mine." He scoffed at the idea. Wales sighed and pulled out his phone again. He dialled something else in and put it on speaker again. This time an elderly man picked up.

"Hello." England recognised the voice but not the owner. It sounded familiar….

"Hello. I was calling aboot me brother. Arthur Kirkland."

"Oh him! Sorry old chap but your brother is elsewhere." England was still trying to pinpoint where he had heard this voice before when Wales whispered to him.

"This is tha pub ye use… They sometimes call me ta pick ye up…" England jolted suddenly and blushed red. Wales spoke to the old man who was the bar tender.

"Do ye ken who pays me brother's tab?"

"Hmmm… Sorry chap but I do not know his name…"

"What is he like then?"

"He's quite recognisable. Bright red hair and a strong Scottish accent. Usually wearing a blue uniform. Sorry but that's the best describtion I can come up with."

"Cheers." "If you need any more answers, just give me a call." "Ye did great actually. Tha's all I wannae know. Ta."

"Goodbye."

Wales hung up the phone and looked up at England who was staring at the phone.

"Convinced?..." England kept staring at the phone.

"England?..."

….

"Iggy?..."

….

Wales sighed and leaned back. England was silent, trying to digest the fact that his brother might actually do something nice for him on a regular basis without bragging or demanding repayment. He looked up at Wales and shook his head.

"Sorry… but I still don't believe you. I just can't believe it." Wales nodded. He never really expected England to. The image of a cold, ruthless and sadistic Scotland was burned into his memory after all. The rest of the train journey was silent.

(A/N - Hmmmm... Not much to say. Ask a question if you have one and I will answer it if I can.

Review please and thanks to all the people who have reviewed! You guys are awesome! Also thanks to the people who have favourited me and put this story on alert... ;,,; It's making me blush...)