England x Reader: Left Alone (RQ)

     "England?"

 

     You stood in front of the front door of the house that belonged to the personification of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. You waited for the country to answer the door but got no response. You sighed and rose your hand to knock on the wooden door again.

 

     The weather has been a lot rainier lately and you barely saw your British friend anymore. Sure you were human, but it was natural for people to worry about their friends, right? The rain drops broke apart as they hit the roof of England's mansion and trailed down to the ground, making small puddles in the mud. 

 

     When you were given no response, you pulled out the spare key England had given you. "Dammit Arthur," you murmured as you inserted the key in the key hole and turned it. The door clicked open and you pushed open the door. When you walked in, you were greeted with a depressing atmosphere. You looked around and saw that the place hasn't been cleaned out lately. The picture frames that once stood were knocked down to the floor and glass was all over. 

     You took a step forward and heard a slight scrunching beneath your shoe. You pulled you foot off of the thing and saw that you have stepped on a photo. You picked it up and turned it over and saw that it was a picture of England in those old clothes used long time ago and that he was holding a young America in his arms. England wore a soft smile as America stretched out to try touch the camera. 

     "Arthur?" you called out again. Your response was a barely audible sob that came from a room that seemed to come from upstairs. Careful to avoid the broken glass, you walked up stairs and also saw broken frames on the floor. 

     The soft sobs seemed to get louder as you walked down the hall. It seemed to be the most loudest when you stopped in front of the largest door you could find. You knocked on the door and the sobbing briefly stopped. "Artie? Are you there?"

     "Go away," his voice sounded through the door. It sounded sad and painful. 

     "Are you okay?" you persisted. 

     "Yes! I'm bloody fine! Now go away!" 

     You stood there, surprised that England had shouted at you. He always used to claim that he was a gentleman, always apologizing after he shouted at someone. Besides France and America, of course. After hearing Arthur talk like that, you wanted to help. But him being him, you knew that he wouldn't let you in his room if you stayed here. You then pretended to walk away, making sure that when you hit the floor with you shoes, the sound got fainter and fainter. You then stopped and you heard the crying resume again. 

     You kicked open the door with all your strength and the wooden door swung open. You then saw something get thrown at your face and you quickly ducked and you heard glass shatter behind you. "Damn you America, I thought I told you to stay away from me!"

     You saw England's figure in the corner of the room, the darkest place. His curtains were pulled so that no sunshine came in. England had the most depressing aura you have ever felt. The man was balled up in a ball and he was sitting in the corner with his head buried in his knees. His hand was glowing faintly, you assumed that he used magic to throw whatever at your face. 

     "Do I really look like America to you?" you said halfheartedly.

     England looked up and saw that you were standing there. "Oh," he murmured. "Sorry [Name]."

     You saw that his face was covered in tears and that his eyes were red his face was red also. He then returned to his original state and continued to sob silently. You walked over to him quietly and sat next to him. You felt him stiffen next to you and he eventually softened a little. "So, what's wrong?" you asked him softly. 

     His crying ceased a little before he answered. "Why do you care? You wouldn't understand how I feel. Like all the others." 

     "Maybe I do, maybe I don't," you say. "But I hopefully will if I hear what's wrong." 

     He seemed hesitant to tell you at first and then he slightly nodded. You were his most trusted friend after all, next to his magical friends that came to visit. He took a deep breath before beginning.

     "Back in the day, I used to be a great country. Once of of the biggest in old Europe. I had a large army and I would beat many countries in small wars."

     "But then the Nine Years of War began, starting from 1688 to 1897. It was also known as the War of the Grand Alliance. I was on the Grand Alliance side with mostly Spain, Sweden, Scotland, and the Holy Roman Empire. We were going against France and Ireland. Some of my brother Scotland's people didn't like the way how we worked so they went off to France's side. I didn't have good ties with France, for that we would quarrel over small things. From clothes to hair. The bond with Spain before wasn't so great but it got better as the war processed. The Alliance won the war and France's boss recognized Scotland's boss and my boss as the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The ties I made with Spain thinned and we eventually avoided each other after that. He was a git, I gave him weapons and helped him whenever he was attacked during the plans. I then, being the stupid person back then, became a pirate because I had the need for more power." 

     Seas would rise when I gave the word

     Now in the morning I sleep alone

     Sweep the streets I used to own

     You nodded. You weren't a country but you had similar experiences with past friends, who eventually left you. You wanted them back, so you did everything you didn't like before. Wearing make up and dresses, just to get popular and get more friends. You saw saw tears roll down England's face, but his sobs died and only tears remained. 

     "Spain became a pirate, too, after his country got split up. The War of the Spanish Succession soon in 1701 began and France, once again, was on the opposing side with Spain. I was with Austria, Prussia, and with Scotland. France had more soldiers than me, it was kind of embarrassing. I bet you some of those were mine though. The war ends on 1714 and France and Spain won. My boss signed a treaty with Spain's boss which was called the Asiento, much to my dismay. I didn't even agree to it! Because of that, I stopped being a pirate for it didn't help much with power. I got to see France fear me though during those days." 

     I used to roll the dice 

     Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes

     Listen as the crowd would sing

     "Now the King is dead! Long live the king!" 

     "Hah, France. I remember him making fun of my hair when I was smaller than him. I guess I was jealous of him so I used magic to grow my hair out. I got chased around by my boss, who had scissors in hand, because of my ridiculously long hair. France saw me getting chased around, he hid me from him and offered to cut my hair. He started to cut it alright. At first, he cut it like his. I didn't like it so I asked him to change it. I fell asleep and he cut it to it's original form before it grew out. He owed me and he paid it back. 

     One minute I held the key

     Next the walls closed on me

     And I discovered that my castles stand 

     Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

     "Before that happened, the Austrian Succession then started in 1740. Spain, France, and Prussia became a team. I think Sweden was in there, too. I didn't see him much though. I joined Austria's side because I only wanted to kick France's a**. I remember eating with Austria, he offered me a sandwich. I was jealous, it tasted good than ours. B-but I managed to make our cooking even better! You should try the desserts!" 

     You laughed. "Sure, I'll try one of your desserts."

     "I think we also teamed up with Russia. But I didn't see him around a lot, so that was a good thing. Heh, I remember leaving a note for Austria. I didn't take any sides, I just needed to kick France's, as he would say, gorgeous face."

     "So basically, you would join any side that is opposing to France, just to beat him up?" you asked. England smiled slightly at you and you saw in his eyes was sadness and vengeance at the same time. 

     Revolutionaries wait

     For my head on a silver plate

     Just a puppet on a lonely string 

     Oh, who would ever want to be king?

     "America didn't like it how the taxes were raising. He also didn't like the confinement we had back then. He grew up. He revolted. I remember the scene that day. It was raining. I was in my red uniform that was to be used during the war. I stood there, about a meter in front of America. I held my rifle tightly in my hands while America aimed his at my face. He had his army, I didn't. His army also had their rifles by their side, but they weren't aimed yet. I could remember his face that day. I could see the sense of freedom in his blue eyes and the victory in it as well."

      I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing

     Roman Cavalry choirs are singing

     Be my mirror, my sword and shield 

     My missionaries in a foreign field

     "Hey Britain!"

     "All I want is my freedom!"

     

     "I'm no longer a child. Nor your little brother!"

     "From now on, consider me. . . INDEPENDENT!"

     "America then glared at me, waiting for my actions. I could see him look through the small hole of his rifle, preparing to shoot me if I did anything. The rain hit the ground, making the decision more painful for me. I looked at him for a moment. I then decided on what to do.

     "I took a step forward and my boots brought up mud and rainwater from the ground. I ran forward. America made a confused and startled face as I did and he lowered his rifle. I then was prepared to stab him, I lifted my rifle and thrust it forward. America reacted quickly and lifted his rifle in defense and my bayonet hit the wood of his rifle. His rifle went flying and landed a few feet away from him. He just stood there, looking at me as I left my rifle hanging there while I was taking deep breaths. 

     "I won't allow it!"

     "You idiot, why can't you follow anything through the end?!"

     For some reason I can't explain

     I know Saint Peter won't call my name

     Never an honest word

     But that was when I ruled the world

     Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

     "I could hear one of America's soldiers call out to aim their guns. Every single men of his army did, they aimed their guns at me. I was still breathing heavily and I saw America give a surprised face when he saw the end of my rifle in his face. Before, I decided that I was going to shoot him so he wouldn't get independence. But his face. . . it reminded me of how he used to call me big brother. How he chose me over France. I lowered my rifle from his face.

     "There's no way I could shoot you... I can't..."

     "I dropped my rifle onto the muddy ground and fell onto my knees. I covered my face with my left hand in confusion.

     "Why?"

     "Dammit, why?!"

     "I-it's not fair!"

     "You know why..."

     "When America said that, a memory just suddenly popped up. It was when I found him standing outside. I remembered that day, the wind was blowing and the sun was shining, unlike during the war. I offered a hand to him.

     "Let's go home..."

     "The young America looked up at me with a smile on his face. He giggled and took my hand... But that time was done when I was brought back to where I was before, on the muddy ground, sobbing in front of America."

     "What happened?"

     "I remember when you were great.."

     "One man against thousands. . . I gave up. I gave him his independence..."

   

     You saw that England now had tears streaming down his face when he finished the last line. "T-today was that day I gave him independence. . . I-I still miss him. . . But I already gave him his independence. Who heard of someone giving a country independence and claiming them back again?" 

     "That git. . . After all I done for him! I-I let him do what he wanted most of the time, from wearing the formal clothes only on special events even if I didn't want him to! I hand carved him toys even though I sustained injures from doing so! I took care of him, raised him..."

     You said nothing and just sat there. After a few minutes of silent sobbing you hugged him. He stiffened upon your touch, but he then melted into it. He soon started crying into your shoulder and you felt the warm tears soak through your shirt. "Your right," you whispered. "I won't understand how you felt because I never experienced it. But. . . that doesn't prevent me from helping you."

     "I-I know..." you heard England say though sniffles.

     "I won't leave you alone. I promise."

     For some reason I can't explain

     I know Saint Peter won't call my name

     Never an honest word

     But that was when I ruled the world.