England stopped most contact with other countries. Of course, he didn't cut all ties with them, that would be very dangerous. But, he kept his conversations to a bare minimum. He still attended meetings but just sat there quietly, not looking at but rather through whoever it seemed more appropriate to pay his 'attention' to.
Really, what's the point?
Al's right. Al has always been right. There's little more to discuss. They simply didn't care for him beyond his country name, trade routes and mandatory alliances.
But Al. Al cares, he always had, hadn't he? He told England so, and he's never lied. Never. Never to England. Because he cares about England.
Which is why England had barely left his house in over two months, preferring to stay inside. It's true, he had never been an extrovert, but even he realises that this is a new personal record. He should be proud of himself. Al should be proud of him.
Speaking of, the Devil saunters into the reading room and wraps an arm around England from behind. England had been sitting, enjoying a book, but he places it gently on the arm of his cushioned char in favour of placing his hands on Al's arms. He always gets a fuzzy feeling when Al does this. Shows England how much he cares. How much he loves.
Yes, Al loves him. He told England so. And England loves him too.
And that's all that matters in this little world the two of them had created together. Right? Right. It has to be. They're happy. At least...At least England's happy. The Brit's fuzzy eyebrows furrow, "Hey," He says softly.
"Hmn?" Arms tighten gently around him, making him smile.
"You're happy. Right?" England asks Al gently. Al lifts his head from where it rested on England's shoulder. He looks him in the eye.
"Of course I'm happy. I've never been more happy." Al smiles. His fangs show a little. England shudders, but smiles once again.
"Good." A hand reaches up to cup Al's face. The Devil leans into the touch with a small sigh.
Yes. Yes, this is happiness. This is love, surely. England can't remember the last time he was this content. Al seems to take the stress of the world away from him, as if he simply plucks England's worries away with a touch or a kiss. And, as Al predicted, none of the other nations have tried to contact him to wonder about his sudden isolation. Again, the Devil was right.
England feels a light kiss on the back of his head. Then fangs nipping at his neck making him sigh. Yes, this is right. This is happiness.
"He hasn't answered from you either?" America speaks down his mobile phone.
"Nope." A similarly accented voice replies.
"What the fuck...What the hell's he doing?"
"I don't know, America. Have you asked France?"
"Yeah, he said he didn't know anything either."
"His brothers?"
"Mhm. Nothing,"
"Damnit. I think you should just give him time, you know what he's like,"
"He's had time, Canada. He's had two months."
"Just...I dunno, America, what do you want me to say? You said something about an Al? Maybe he's just found someone and he's spending time with them."
A pang in America's chest. "...Maybe,"
"Don't jump to conclusions. I'll see you later, kay? Don't do anything stupid."
Dialtone.
America sighs. 'Don't do anything stupid' Canada had said.
Really, though, when does America listen to anyone?
Heavy panting and heated breaths fill the air in England's room. England grips onto curled grey horns as they move up and down in his lap. As fangs tease him and gentle touches keep him aware and afloat.
England twitches and pushes up, higher, higher, more, before sinking back down. Al swims into his vision once more, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand and smirking down at the flushed nation. His ice-blue eyes glow.
And that's when the doorbell rings.
Al growls. "Ignore it," He licks at England's neck and jaw.
"Hmn..."
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
Riiiiiiiiiiiiing.
"Oh for gods sake...!" England pushes himself up and slips on a pair of boxers and a shirt, both are way too big for him. He leans over and kisses Al apologetically. "I'll be back soon. Keep yourself busy," With a wink, England walks out of the room, stomps down the stairs and swings open the door. Whoever interrupted them better have a damn good fucking reason-
"Hey! You answe-..." America's voice died out as he takes in England's appearence.
Flushed face, severe bed-head, lots of lovebites (and some actual bite marks too), a t-shirt and boxers that were way too big for him...
It really doesn't take an idiot...
"America. What are you doing here?" England's voice is hoarse too.
America looks him in the eye. His expression is strange... Concern, bordering on anger. "I...We were worried about you, England. But, ah, now I see why." America's gaze roams him once more, judging and harsh.
England shrinks back, "And what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Just nice to know you'd rather fuck some random guy than spend time with your friends," America's gaze is stony, and a cold, heavy feeling settles itself into England's stomach.
"Excuse me?!" England screeches, "What I do and who I have...t-those kinds of relations with are none, you hear me- NONE of your DAMN business!" England attempts to slam the door, but a foot stops the door from doing just that, "FUCK OFF!"
A body appears behind him, wearing nothing but jeans, and quickly walks over to the door. Hiding his horns and fangs, Al gently pushes the upset England out of the way and presses his heavy body against the door, stopping America from opening it. "Listen," He says threateningly, "I think it'd be best if you go. Right now,"
"Oh, this is Al, is it?" America spits from the other side of the door, "How was he? Did he give himself over like a whore? Or did he make you work for it, huh?"
"Thats IT!" Al rips the door open and grabs the shocked America by the collar, bringing them face to face. America's expression turns horrified at this 'Al' but Al doesn't seem to notice or care, seemingly seeing red.
"You have THIRTY FUCKING SECONDS to get off of this property before I rip your fucking throat out!" Al screeches in America's face as England watches timidly from behind Al's shoulder. America doesn't seem to care about Al's outburst, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. England places a gentle hand on Al's arm. Al turns, and one glance at England's expression makes him sigh. He drops America, who just takes a step back. Al's curled horns and fangs had appeared during the outburst.
"England you-...he..." America struggles the string words together.
"America. This is Al." England steps forward. Al never takes his poisonous icey gaze off of America, but wraps an arm around England's waist.
"...He-...He looks like m-me...But-...Is this a fucking trick, because I swear to god, England-!"
"Don't be a fool," Al's words are cold and angry, "I'm not a trick. I'm not a costume or a hoax," An arm tightens around England's waist, "I am very real."
America eyes the bite marks on Al's own bare chest, "What the hell...England, is this why you're ignoring all our calls?! Just for-...for-..." America motions to Al, his stance low and ready to run if need be.
Ig...noring calls?
"...F-for what, America?" England presses himself against Al's side. Al sends a smirk America's way. "For love? For companionship? For someone who cares?"
"Someone who-..." America looks around, panicked slightly, "Someone who cares?! England-...I care, we care, we all care, we're all worried about you!"
"Worried, or curious? You just wanted to know why I was gone. You never cared whether or not I was in any danger. You were just curious. You don't care, America, none of you do!" England spits at America. Al remains silent, but smug, his arm is still snug around England's waist.
"What?! No, England, I-"
"Well, now you know why I was gone. Go," England waves a hand, "Go and tell everyone why. Go and laugh at me. And make sure you all do it far far away," England sighs shakily. Al's hand rubs up and down his side, "I'm happy, America. Why can't you just leave me to be happy...?"
America stares, stunned. The Devil at England's side sends him a poisonous glare, and he shivers with fear. Al leads England back inside England's house, and shuts the door. America stays where he is for a few moments, watching the door before leaving silently, with a lot on his mind.