USUK communication fail and low self esteem
anonymous
September 18 2011, 00:39:36 UTC
After World War Two (and after being pretty much shipped by good ol' Churchill) America decides it's time to let England know how he feels about him. It's a big mistake, because England turns him down. America keeps trying, England keeps refusing, but it's not because he outright doesn't like America- it's because every time America confesses it sounds like a joke, and part of England doesn't believe America because he doesn't think he's lovable. Happy ending not required, but it would be nice. <3
Bonus 1- America's innocent attempts to tell England how he feels turn into complete cracky disasters. Appearances of France trying to fix everything but just making it worse optional. Bonus 2- Not too much angst. 'Cause low self esteem is angsty enough!
London Bridge -- Part I/? (USUK)
anonymous
September 25 2011, 23:00:30 UTC
I'm so nervous, I've never done this before. Please enjoy! : )
London Bridge - Part I
Many people have claimed to love England throughout his existence. Though bewildered (because, love, London Bridge is falling down, falling down), he has believed every single one of them
( ... )
Re: London Bridge -- Part I/? (USUK) cont.
anonymous
September 25 2011, 23:03:23 UTC
The work in progress is simply titled Susan. He reads the words on the pages hungrily, devours them, wants to ask for a second or third helping, but he reminds himself that he is a gentleman now (though 'twasn't always so) and he has no wish to appear vulgar ('twasn't always so).
Instead, he points to one paragraph in particular. "This exchange between the hero and heroine seems...forgive me, but it seems the slightest bit out of place, out of character."
She leans over his should to read the words in question: Remember the country and the age in which we live. Remember that we are English, that we are Christians."That!" she cries with a small giggle. "No, sir, that shall stay, incongruous though it may seem." She sobers quickly. "You see, I have heard a ghastly rumor that the Prince Regent is intending me to dedicate my forthcoming novel to him." She grimaces, but only slightly. "This excerpt seems a far better way for me to communicate my esteem of my country than to condone his…rather unseemly behavior." She brightens
( ... )
Re: London Bridge -- Part I/? (USUK) cont.
anonymous
September 25 2011, 23:05:26 UTC
England, who has never gotten along with his siblings, leans back against the wall as she quietly rests her head in his lap once again. He knows what it is for destiny to drive siblings apart. Love of him would negate every Latin lesson, every whispered secret, every braided tress, every shared sticky scone foundation between the sisters.
She has stopped crying, but he continues to stroke her hair. He wants to calm himself now.
Truly, I have been made great, but...at what cost? Families, whether high born or low, are torn asunder in my name. Bricks and mortar will not stay, will not stay.
If his heart has been broken due to his people's love of him, his heart has also lovingly been stitched and glued back together by that same love. Only his people's devotion has ever made his heart swell and soar so incandescently. They have a way of reminding him to keep calm and carry on.
Churchill's voice is grave, gravely, ghostly. "...the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are
( ... )
Re: London Bridge -- Part I/? (USUK) notes
anonymous
September 25 2011, 23:07:15 UTC
Here’s a preview for Part II: “He supposes it all begins with America, as many things do.”
Hey guys! I hope this chapter wasn’t too awful. Like I posted above, it’s been a while since I’ve written anything, so I feel a bit rusty. I hope this wasn’t too excruciating for you all to read…and OP, I’m sorry it was a little angsty. It will lighten up though. : ) This story, if you guys have any desire for me to continue writing, might be a little lengthy, I hope that’s also okay. And, OH! How about some notes? I’ve always wanted to write a Hetalia story and attach notes to it, like so many of my favorite Hetalia authors do. : ) If I’m majorly mistaken regarding something historical, please let me know. I love history but no one’s perfect.
*Lots of lines from the children’s rhyme “London Bridge” are interwoven throughout the story, including: London Bridge is falling down/iron and steel will bend and bow/set a man to watch all night, my fair lady/bricks and mortar will not stay/silver and gold will be stolen away/suppose the man should
( ... )
Not!OP, but ... <3
anonymous
September 25 2011, 23:59:57 UTC
I already love what you're doing with this prompt, Author!Anon. I knew from the prompt that England what going to feel unlovable, but it didn't occur to me that you'd start with the love of his people first, regardless of the fact that that's probably the first and most unconditional love he'd known until America later. Certainly his people's love was a better choice than his brothers' or his lovers', but it was still a pleasant surprise. Ah, and I'm liking the contrast between England and Arthur Kirkland as much as I'm liking the contrast between being loved and being worthy of love or feeling loveable. Very clever, A!A.
I think you've shown a really good understanding of the character, especially of how much he's matured over the years. Good lord, his treatment of Spain is so emotionally juvenile. :'D
I think this was my favorite part of all:
If his heart has been broken due to his people's love of him, his heart has also lovingly been stitched and glued back together by that same love. Only his people's devotion has ever
( ... )
Author anon here!
anonymous
September 26 2011, 03:45:20 UTC
Oh my goodness, thank you so much for your review! I really don't know what to say except thank you for the compliments, and you're far too kind. It's really encouraging and it makes me excited and motivated to work on the next part for you guys. I hope you'll enjoy it! <3
...I feel like this isn't a proper response to your wonderful review. Please forgive me!
Re: London Bridge -- Part I/? (USUK) notes
anonymous
September 26 2011, 03:30:38 UTC
I love the voice in this so much. You've mastered the art of being able to heavily imply both England's character and the time period with your narration and it's fantastic. I also love all of the research that you put into it. It shows much more dedication than the work of a lazy person like myself.
I wasn't expecting anything in this sort of calibre at all when I prompted and I think the fandom should be grateful that it has excellent writers of your standard dwelling within it. I'm entirely impressed. Brushing aside the fact that this is fanfiction, this is one of the best pieces of writing I've seen in quite a long time. It's only recently I've found time to read again after a long hiatus; this is absolutely wonderful to come back to.
Your grasp of history and of English culture is thorough and this particular British!anon is delighted. I can't claim to being entirely English but I'm still a proud English citizen, so I suppose I can bask in a patriotic glow here without it being too tenuous! I'm not going to make any assumptions about your personal heritage, but I'm glad there are people out there in some way interested in the country's past
( ... )
Author anon here!
anonymous
September 28 2011, 03:28:22 UTC
Oh, OP! I'm so insanely glad you liked it! Can I just...can I hug you? *hugs* Thank you for your awesome review. You are so, so kind and I just...it's so encouraging! I don't deserve a quarter of the praise you gave me but I sure will take it, lawl. I can't wait for you guys to see what I have planned, I hope you all like it. : )
I'm so glad you found time to read again, isn't it great to come back to?
And I have to say...I'm an American!anon, but have always, always loved all things English. (I wish I could say British, but sadly I don't know that much about Wales, N. Ireland or even Scotland -- and Scotland, if my grandfather is correct, is part of our family heritage *headtodesk*). I think moving there is pretty much impossible (damn you work visaaaaa) but I am going to apply for a study abroad program in London this summer. Here's hoping! And bask in the patriotic glow all you want, OP! That's part of what's so great about Hetalia -- it reminds us why we love our countries, even when they're screwing up
( ... )
Re: London Bridge -- Part I/? (USUK) notes
anonymous
September 27 2011, 01:02:01 UTC
This is abso-flipping-lutely awesome, a!a. I mean, just, wow. This is me not having the words necessary to describe how awesome I think it is. The OP is really lucky to have such an awesome filler. I look forward to reading the next part. ^o^
Re: London Bridge -- Part I/? (USUK) notes
anonymous
September 27 2011, 02:17:56 UTC
You have talent. Genuine, wonderful talent. The story and the idea are interesting but what really had me riveted were your incorporations of British sayings, writings, and the repeated london bridge motif. The way you weave it all seamlessly together is stunning. Thank you so much.
London Bridge -- Part II/? (USUK)
anonymous
September 29 2011, 23:49:35 UTC
Hi guys! I hope you enjoy. : )
London Bridge - Part II
He supposes it all begins with America, as many things do.
As nations, they are never to enter into romantic relationships with humans. Not only is it considered unseemly, it would be illogical as well, and England is nothing if not logical. But as men and women - as Arthur and Heracles and Elizaveta and Natalia - it is understood that you may move your pawn anywhere you so wish on the board, darling, so long as you stay on our board
( ... )
Bonus 1- America's innocent attempts to tell England how he feels turn into complete cracky disasters. Appearances of France trying to fix everything but just making it worse optional.
Bonus 2- Not too much angst. 'Cause low self esteem is angsty enough!
Reply
London Bridge - Part I
Many people have claimed to love England throughout his existence. Though bewildered (because, love, London Bridge is falling down, falling down), he has believed every single one of them ( ... )
Reply
Instead, he points to one paragraph in particular. "This exchange between the hero and heroine seems...forgive me, but it seems the slightest bit out of place, out of character."
She leans over his should to read the words in question: Remember the country and the age in which we live. Remember that we are English, that we are Christians."That!" she cries with a small giggle. "No, sir, that shall stay, incongruous though it may seem." She sobers quickly. "You see, I have heard a ghastly rumor that the Prince Regent is intending me to dedicate my forthcoming novel to him." She grimaces, but only slightly. "This excerpt seems a far better way for me to communicate my esteem of my country than to condone his…rather unseemly behavior." She brightens ( ... )
Reply
She has stopped crying, but he continues to stroke her hair. He wants to calm himself now.
Truly, I have been made great, but...at what cost? Families, whether high born or low, are torn asunder in my name. Bricks and mortar will not stay, will not stay.
If his heart has been broken due to his people's love of him, his heart has also lovingly been stitched and glued back together by that same love. Only his people's devotion has ever made his heart swell and soar so incandescently. They have a way of reminding him to keep calm and carry on.
Churchill's voice is grave, gravely, ghostly. "...the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are ( ... )
Reply
Hey guys! I hope this chapter wasn’t too awful. Like I posted above, it’s been a while since I’ve written anything, so I feel a bit rusty. I hope this wasn’t too excruciating for you all to read…and OP, I’m sorry it was a little angsty. It will lighten up though. : ) This story, if you guys have any desire for me to continue writing, might be a little lengthy, I hope that’s also okay. And, OH! How about some notes? I’ve always wanted to write a Hetalia story and attach notes to it, like so many of my favorite Hetalia authors do. : ) If I’m majorly mistaken regarding something historical, please let me know. I love history but no one’s perfect.
*Lots of lines from the children’s rhyme “London Bridge” are interwoven throughout the story, including: London Bridge is falling down/iron and steel will bend and bow/set a man to watch all night, my fair lady/bricks and mortar will not stay/silver and gold will be stolen away/suppose the man should ( ... )
Reply
I think you've shown a really good understanding of the character, especially of how much he's matured over the years. Good lord, his treatment of Spain is so emotionally juvenile. :'D
I think this was my favorite part of all:
If his heart has been broken due to his people's love of him, his heart has also lovingly been stitched and glued back together by that same love. Only his people's devotion has ever ( ... )
Reply
...I feel like this isn't a proper response to your wonderful review. Please forgive me!
Reply
Hope you update soon!
Reply
Reply
Reply
Your grasp of history and of English culture is thorough and this particular British!anon is delighted. I can't claim to being entirely English but I'm still a proud English citizen, so I suppose I can bask in a patriotic glow here without it being too tenuous! I'm not going to make any assumptions about your personal heritage, but I'm glad there are people out there in some way interested in the country's past ( ... )
Reply
I'm so glad you found time to read again, isn't it great to come back to?
And I have to say...I'm an American!anon, but have always, always loved all things English. (I wish I could say British, but sadly I don't know that much about Wales, N. Ireland or even Scotland -- and Scotland, if my grandfather is correct, is part of our family heritage *headtodesk*). I think moving there is pretty much impossible (damn you work visaaaaa) but I am going to apply for a study abroad program in London this summer. Here's hoping! And bask in the patriotic glow all you want, OP! That's part of what's so great about Hetalia -- it reminds us why we love our countries, even when they're screwing up ( ... )
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
London Bridge - Part II
He supposes it all begins with America, as many things do.
As nations, they are never to enter into romantic relationships with humans. Not only is it considered unseemly, it would be illogical as well, and England is nothing if not logical. But as men and women - as Arthur and Heracles and Elizaveta and Natalia - it is understood that you may move your pawn anywhere you so wish on the board, darling, so long as you stay on our board ( ... )
Reply
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