A Year of Surprises 11
Pairing: UKUS
Rating/Warnings: M for language, sex, mpreg, and angst
Word count: 1027
Summary: Nations in times of prosperity are capable of reproducing. Of course there's a problem with this: when they do go into heat it doesn't stop until they conceive. This is the story of America's first pregnancy.
Chapter One
April
America tried to get enough sleep. Really, he did. He'd go to bed early and not rush himself awake in the morning, but he just couldn't get to sleep or stay there for very long. It felt like he couldn't get comfortable. The baby didn't help. Most of the time she'd try to be still, but she would always wiggle around just a little bit like she was as unusually uncomfortable as he was.
Even when England came to bed it made no difference because he simply perched on the far side of the mattress. Sometimes America felt like it was just like their stupid geography, with miles and miles keeping them apart. Of course, it was no better when they were awake. They barely talked anymore and even if there was something to say, America never had the chance because England had started to close himself in his study more and more often. He claimed that the king had ordered him to do more work in the response to the announcement of the baby had finally arrived, but America was sure he was just avoiding him.
One night he decided he couldn't stand the silence anymore. He lay still for a good while, staring out the window with one hand curled protectively around his belly. Aidie was trying to kick her way out, but he paid her no mind. He didn't move when England first came in, or when he took off his clothes and set them neatly on the chair. He waited until England finally slid between the sheets and took his now-default position at the farthest reaches of the bed. Even then America didn't turn or gesture or anything. He just opened his mouth.
"Hey England?"
He heard England stiffen beside him, as though he hadn't known America was awake. However, he quickly settled himself. The sheets rustled and the mattress moved as England turned to look at him. "What is it?"
America still didn't turn to look at him. It was dark anyway. Besides, he didn't know if he could take it. "Are we- are we gonna be okay?"
"I don't suppose you mean physically, do you?"
"No."
England sighed, "I don't know, America, I really don't know."
America clenched his jaw.
"I want us to be, though." England set a hand on America's shoulder and he both wanted to shake it off and hold it closer, "I want this to work."
"I do too."
There were a million things America should have said. "I'm sorry I didn't really let you get to know Lucy before I got her to work here." "I wish that you could just treat me like an adult." "Please trust me more often." "For God's sake, talk to me again!" But instead he just said, "I love you, England, I really do."
"I love you too." England finally came closer and pressed his warm, solid body against America's back, "I know this won't be easy. Neither of us are used to sharing. But maybe this'll be good for us. All of this."
America took England's hand in his and gave a dry laugh, "How could this past month have possibly been good?"
"We had to fight eventually. We're both so bloody stubborn that it's bound to have happened some day. But since it happened now, before the baby came, I had time to think until I realized that. And since I promised to stay until the child is grown, I did't piss off back home and then be too proud to turn around and come right back."
"But what about after Aidie grows up?" America curled around himself as best he could, "I can't keep pushing out babies forever."
"I wouldn't expect you to," England replied softly, "I hope we'll have learned how to be together by then. I'll have to go home, but maybe the next time one of us has to carry we can do this again. After all, every year it seems they're coming up with ways to cross the Atlantic faster and faster. During that time I'll write."
"I'm afraid we'll drift apart."
"I am too. But, God, America," England wrapped his arms around America's chest and held him close, "You have no idea. Before I found you I was scared and alone and constantly being harassed. That last bit still happens, but you gave me hope and happiness and something to fight for other than myself. And now we're going to have a family, a proper one, not like mine where my mother disappeared and then my siblings turned on me and tried to kill me. And I think that with you I can do that. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me and I- I don't want to lose you."
He buried his face in America's shift. America wanted to say something, but couldn't. He couldn't even think of something to say. It was like there was a block in his brain or his throat or both. He heard England's breath catch several times. God, he was crying, wasn't he?
Now it was time to move, America rolled over and hugged him back, "I'm here," He said, "And I will always be here."
England pulled away and smiled sadly, "Don't be daft, love, all things end eventually."
America leaned forward and kissed away England's tears, "Well, I'm gonna live forever or die trying." That actually got a laugh out of him, "England, I haven't been alive very long by your standards, but even I know that things do change, and they usually change in ways no one sees coming. So there's no point in worrying. Just enjoy the here and now. I'm here. Our baby's here. The bed is warm and comfortable. We're gonna be okay."
"I thought you were the one who was unsure of that."
"I was," He laughed, "But now I'm not."
Just like he thought the bed was uncomfortable but now it wasn't, not with England so close to him. So that's all he was really missing.
"Goodnight, America."
"Goodnight, England.
And curled around him like that, America had his best night's sleep in months.
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