Very loud, very insistent knocking woke England.
Slowly, he sat up.
Oh, his head…
And why was it so bloody bright?
The inside of his mouth tasted like something had died there.
The knocking started again, making his head feel even worse.
He really should not have had so much to drink the night before.
Apparently (he didn't quite remember), he had not wanted to try the stairs last night (a good call on his part), so he'd slept on the couch.
Running a hand through his hair, he went to open the door.
America stood there. "Hey."
"Wh-what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you." America blushed lightly. "And I wanted to talk."
"Come on in. Can I offer you some tea, or maybe some food?"
America wrinkled his nose. "No, thanks." He sat on the couch as England went to the kitchen to make tea.
"I really want some advice, Iggy."
"Been hanging out with Japan?"
"What? Oh, some, I guess. But, Iggy, you can help me, right?"
England came out of the kitchen. "Depends, what do you need?"
"An ally."
England froze. Surely America didn't expect…
"Do you want to be my ally, England?"
England didn't know what to say. "Why should I be your ally?"
America licked his lips nervously. "I need help…especially in this theater. Please England."
England's temper got the better of him. "You-you asshat! You can't expect me to ally myself with you after what you've done here! You can't- It doesn't- Norway was- is- my friend, you know!"
"But this is war. We don't have friends on war-"
"I raised you better than that," England hissed sharply. "I am neutral, and neutral I will remain."
"But England, I need-"
"Get out of my house."
Shock registered on America's face. England had never kicked him out of his house before. He had demanded that the younger nation stay, yes, but he had never demanded that he leave.
"Have- have I disappointed you, England?" America asked softly, one foot already out the door.
"Yes. Yes, you have."
"Please forgive me." The door swung shut behind America.