After the excitement and disappointment from a particularly long day, America wasn't feeling up for returning home so soon after the Allies had disbanded following their most recent outing. The day was closing and the blonde's normally large and award-winning smile wasn't in place as he took his time getting back. His mind roamed over the day's events again and again trying to find where it had all gone wrong but it was only giving him a headache.
They had carried China most of the way back to the safety of their base despite the brunette's continual protests and was eased into one of the chairs to inspect the damage. England had studied the injury carefully before carefully removing the knife still embedded in his arm and working to stop the bleeding. There was relative silence in the room beyond China's grumbling and England's occasional snap for him to sit still.
Somewhere between where the Axis were and their own territory France had disappeared. It was assumed that he found his opportunity to slip away and head home and no one cared to chase him down anymore for one day.
America had listened quietly to every one of China's complaints and several insults, accepting them all as best he could. He was the hero and it was his job to protect everyone, but that had gone horribly awry so maybe he deserved it. At least Russia and England had kept quiet and hadn't added to the name calling.
A sigh and he ran a hand through his hair as he watched the last rays of light slipping past the horizon. Only a few stars had made their appearance so far and he was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the rest of them. He liked to gaze at the night sky and could name all the constellations above his home. Sometimes he wished he could go and join them. There had to be less rules and obligations, no meetings he needed to attend… less people to disappoint…
Maybe being the hero wasn't everything it was cracked up to be?
America shook his head to help get rid of some of the depressing thoughts and blinked a few times forcing a smile on his face. Instead of lounging around here feeling sorry for himself, he needed to go and do something. Or see someone. Maybe talk it out, be called an idiot and given something to eat. Someone who would willingly let the blonde hero into their home without too much fuss.
Wonder what Canada is doing right now...
With renewed vigor to his steps, America changed course and started briskly heading towards his brother's house. This would be perfect: Canada would let him in, they would make pancakes together, eat until they felt ill and then collapse somewhere asleep with that warm little heater-like polar bear of his. America grinned at his new plan, knowing this would undoubtedly cheer him up.
As the Canadian's modest looking log cabin came into view, his steps slowed down a little as he realized that the windows were dark. It couldn't possibly be late enough for his brother to have gone to bed yet, could it? He made a quick glance at his watch as he easily leapt the steps and landed just in front of the door. He knocked and waited in a semi-patient manner for the other to answer but soon gave up after about a minute and knocked again. Still no answer, he tried a third time, this time using more force to make it louder and eventually resorting to banging on the door like the impatient child he knew he could be.
No one came to answer, and the blonde growled in frustration and hoped off the step to circle around the back where he knew the spare key was hidden. He easily located it underneath the rock by the back door and jammed it into the lock. It was only supposed to be for emergencies, if he recalled the Canadian's warning about using it, but this had to count as one. He was in an emotional crisis that only pancakes with ice cream could fix and what if his brother was lying on the floor somewhere unable to move? Well, then he would need a hero to save the day!
The door swung open to the pitch black house and America faltered in heading inside. "Canada?" he called, trying not to think of what could be lurking around in the dark as he felt the wall for the light switch. The bulbs buzzed to life to reveal an empty room and the American stepped inside and shut the door behind him. Maybe Canada was asleep upstairs?
He began to search through all the rooms, turning on lights to keep anything scary at bay, and calling without a response. Finally he had searched through all the rooms, closets, and beneath the furniture (some of which had been moved around at this point as he had literally picked up things to look underneath them, hopefully Canada wouldn't be too mad later). As far as he could tell, the house was empty as he sat down on the other's bed and thought for a minute. Where would his brother go that he wouldn't know about? America yawned as he lay down on the comforter and snuggled into one of the pillows. Maybe his brother would be home soon.