England leaned back and enjoyed the closing ceremonies. So much planning and waiting and preparation had gone into this event. He'd done it twice before of course, and this wasn't even as difficult as pulling off the fourteenth Olympia right after the war, but still it got overwhelming at times, it always did, and he had thought about backing out once, but he was glad he didn't. Despite the headaches and the heartaches and everything, it was worth it to feel the gold and the silver and the bronze around his neck, to see the smiling and laughing faces of his and everyone's athletes, to create new and cherished memories with his people and his friends, to see his city, his capitol, shine at its brightest.
It was so worth it, it always was.
As the musical performances continued England felt someone drop into the seat next, and he didn't have to look up to know who it was.
"You have put on quite the games, England," Brazil smiled at him, "They were wonderful. You should feel proud."
"Thank you," England let himself smile back, "I am."
"You have never been in short supply of pride, have you?" his laugh was boisterous and loud, almost drowning out the music, almost, "Still, you deserve the praise. You did a most excellent job and set quite a bar."
England shot him a satisfied smirk, "That's what I do best, after all. Are you up to the challenge?"
Brazil sported a grin to match his own, "Always."
England nodded, settling back into his seat to watch the fruit of all his hard work for the past four years.
"Then I look forward to 2016."
Thank you for reading this story! I'll see you in Sochi in 2014! Or whenever I write something else, which will hopefully be before then.