In Service of the Crown [1/?]
anonymous
January 30 2009, 03:09:17 UTC
This sort of wandered off in its own direction at a certain point, and I'm not sure how or why. Shy!anon is sorry for fail!England collapsed into a chair at America's dining table and rucked his hand through his hair. He let out a long, unsteady breath, and gave the colony a perfunctory smile as he slid into the chair across from him. Alfred wore the same too-energetic, idiot grin he seemed to smear around more and more these past few decades. England dismissed it. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and said, after a pause, "That should about do it
( ... )
Re: In Service of the Crown [2/?]
anonymous
January 30 2009, 03:13:24 UTC
Another brief, expressionless glance over his shoulder, and then Arthur turned his attention to fixing his drink. He despised that defiant pout. Glass clinked gently against glass. He turned back to the younger man when he was sure he could keep an even voice. "Don't be idiotic."
"I don't see how it's idiotic." America's pose was all prideful resistance now: back straight, arms folded, one ankle propped on the opposite knee. He glared at England from just below a too-long fringe of golden hair. "France is gone. Maybe I don't need you to protect me all the time anymore."
England waited. Took a drink.
"Maybe--" Alfred hesitated, and for a moment Arthur believed the little simpleton might have scrounged together the good sense to not finish that sentence. He kept speaking--too quickly, but clear and loud: "Maybe I'd be better off on my own."
Arthur sighed to himself, then finished his drink and set the glass back on the cabinet with a quiet clink. He crossed the room to where Alfred perched in his chair, all vibrating nervous energy
( ... )
Re: In Service of the Crown [3/4]
anonymous
January 30 2009, 03:16:46 UTC
Alfred tugged back. Arthur allowed it, his hand still knotted in the other's hair. America gave him an odd smile; a little bitter, a little shy, and it lingered once his gaze dropped away over England's shoulder. "You know I'm loyal to the crown," he mumbled
( ... )
Re: In Service of the Crown [4/4]
anonymous
January 30 2009, 03:19:42 UTC
Then he pulled away and refastened his britches. America stayed on his knees, hands on his thighs, head bowed. He moved a bit woodenly when he wiped his mouth on his sleeve. England raked a hand through his hair to fix it once his clothing was straightened. He glanced towards the door.
Then Alfred muttered an extraordinary thing: "I'm sorry."
England's eyebrows rose. "Excuse me?"
The young nation kept his gaze nailed to the floor, but the empire could see his cheeks heat. "I…I'm sorry, that I…haven't been…worth the effort." The words seemed to choke him.
Arthur wasn't sure what to say.
Alfred squeezed his eyes tighter shut. "I'm…I'm sorry I've disappointed you." More silence from the nation that ruled him. Alfred seemed to fold in on himself a little. He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. "I just want…wanted…"
That silence stretched on for years; for eternity.
So soft, a whisper then: "I just want you to be…to…"
When he couldn't even finish then, Arthur realized he knew what the American was trying to say anyway.
Re: In Service of the Crown [4/4]
anonymous
January 30 2009, 04:19:22 UTC
BUUUUUUUHHH OH GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT WAS EXCELLENT! SUPERBE!!! omg... virginal America. shit, anon couldn't stop reading that last part. *offers sacrifices to the godly writer!anon* Thank you for writing that oh my god
Shy!anon here!
anonymous
January 30 2009, 05:28:43 UTC
*squeal* I am so happy you liked it! This was my first entry on the comm and I was so nervous--I might have had to get a little liquored up to post it.
Re: In Service of the Crown [4/4]
anonymous
January 30 2009, 05:57:18 UTC
The others--everyone in Europe--they had all been made to play this part before, again and again, throughout history (and he blocked any thought of his own turns at humiliated subjugation, which rose in his distant memory like docking pylons at low tide).
Oh damn, this piece does so much for my yen for uberdysfunctional spins on Hetalia. I absolutely love it.
*looks up* Welcome to the meme! Hope you enjoy your stay!
Re: In Service of the Crown [4/4]
anonymous
January 30 2009, 06:24:00 UTC
WAAAAAAAAAAAH Anon.
Very very good--we don't get enough of colonial!Alfred, still not solid in his defiance, still trying to be the good son to the British Empire.
AND DOMINEERING ARTHUR. This is him at his best (worst?), that bossy, colonizing, subjugating streak that so characterizes the Empire in that era. (And the secret shame/guilt at breaking America's spirit? Exquisite.)
Shy!Anon agrees...
anonymous
January 30 2009, 10:31:43 UTC
I love the dynamic between these two countries in this time period...although Arthur got physically painful to write there towards the end. They've got such a...love/hate/envy/resentment/admiration/feigned indifference (all of the above, on both sides) relationship, and I love them as a pair, but they kind of make me want to drink.
Re: In Service of the Crown [4/4]
anonymous
January 30 2009, 15:06:48 UTC
This is exactly the fic I've been waiting for someone to write! Great use of history at the beginning, and bang on characterization. Thank you anon for writing it ♥
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"I don't see how it's idiotic." America's pose was all prideful resistance now: back straight, arms folded, one ankle propped on the opposite knee. He glared at England from just below a too-long fringe of golden hair. "France is gone. Maybe I don't need you to protect me all the time anymore."
England waited. Took a drink.
"Maybe--" Alfred hesitated, and for a moment Arthur believed the little simpleton might have scrounged together the good sense to not finish that sentence. He kept speaking--too quickly, but clear and loud: "Maybe I'd be better off on my own."
Arthur sighed to himself, then finished his drink and set the glass back on the cabinet with a quiet clink. He crossed the room to where Alfred perched in his chair, all vibrating nervous energy ( ... )
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Then Alfred muttered an extraordinary thing: "I'm sorry."
England's eyebrows rose. "Excuse me?"
The young nation kept his gaze nailed to the floor, but the empire could see his cheeks heat. "I…I'm sorry, that I…haven't been…worth the effort." The words seemed to choke him.
Arthur wasn't sure what to say.
Alfred squeezed his eyes tighter shut. "I'm…I'm sorry I've disappointed you." More silence from the nation that ruled him. Alfred seemed to fold in on himself a little. He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. "I just want…wanted…"
That silence stretched on for years; for eternity.
So soft, a whisper then: "I just want you to be…to…"
When he couldn't even finish then, Arthur realized he knew what the American was trying to say anyway.
I ( ... )
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I will have your internet babies. I love it all, especially Arthur's guilt at the end.
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Oh damn, this piece does so much for my yen for uberdysfunctional spins on Hetalia. I absolutely love it.
*looks up* Welcome to the meme! Hope you enjoy your stay!
Reply
Very very good--we don't get enough of colonial!Alfred, still not solid in his defiance, still trying to be the good son to the British Empire.
AND DOMINEERING ARTHUR. This is him at his best (worst?), that bossy, colonizing, subjugating streak that so characterizes the Empire in that era. (And the secret shame/guilt at breaking America's spirit? Exquisite.)
Winner!
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My heart is in pieces. ;___; This is possibly one of my favourite England/America fics, I think. Just...just...gyaaaa... *bursts into tears*
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I can't say any other fic on here has actually made my eyes sting. Goodness, that's sad...
Well done, Anon. Very well done.
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