[Summer Camp USxUK] Bringing Him Back
Title: Bringing Him Back
Genre: Angst
Pairings: USxUK, slight FrancexCanada
Word Count: 3,234
Rating/Warnings: Pg 13
Summary: Every July, England forgets his nation status and everything that goes along with it and becomes Arthur Kirkland. America has had enough of England’s pretending and decides to bring him back once and for all.
Arthur Kirkland woke up in the morning feeling slightly sick. He sat up in his bed carefully and grabbed his pounding head.
“Did I go out drinking again?” He walked towards the bathroom and looked at his reflection. He had red, puffy eyes, pale skin, and bags under his eyes. His breath tasted horrible and he had to put a hand over his mouth to prevent from throwing up. Yes, he definitely got drunk again.
Arthur walked out of his bedroom and down the stairs that led to his grand kitchen that he rarely used these days. It was more of a decoration. The refrigerator, microwave, and stove were the only things he ever used these days. It wasn’t like he had someone to cook for anyway.
“Here you go” A blond man with green eyes and large eyebrows smiled and placed a plate of black things on the table. A small boy with hair a shade darker than the man’s and blue eyes smiled and took one of the black things.
“Thanks England! I wish you would cook for me more often!”The little boy turned to his black ball of something and took a bite out of it. His smile turned wider, ‘You’re the best cook ever!’
The man, known as England, chuckled and ruffled the boy’s hair, “Really? Even better than France?”
‘Yep!’
England smiled softly, ‘I’ll try to cook more often for you then.”
“Promise?” The little boy held his pinky finger out towards England, who nodded and intertwined his own pinky finger with the smaller one.
“It’s a promise, America.”
Arthur slightly chuckled at the daydream he just had,” I should write a book about all these dreams one day.” When he reached the kitchen, he opened one of the cabinets and frowned when he saw a lack of aspirin anywhere. The next cabinets and drawers Arthur checked had the same result and he groaned. He would either have to go without his pain killers, or go out and buy some.
Well, the throbbing in his head wasn’t that bad…
“Some tea should fix this…” Arthur murmured as he rummaged through his cabinets and found that there was no tea anywhere, only coffee. It was an odd thing since the Brit loathed coffee and never bought the stuff himself. So how did it get in his house…?
“England! I have a present for you!” The blond haired man winced at the loud voice behind him. He placed his tea cup on the table and turned to the other person in the room.
“What is it now you git? You better not have painted your flag on my house like last time.” The blue eyed man laughed.
“That was awesome and you know it! But no, your present is here, see?” He gestured to the card in his hands that he soon handed over to England. “Open it!”
England rolled his eyes but he opened the card. Inside the card was a piece of paper with the words ‘Unlimited Coffee’ written in the middle with big letters. England raised his eyebrows in confusion and looked expectantly at the man in front of him.
“You won a lifetime supply of coffee England!” He answered,” Courtesy of me, of course! So now when I come over to your house and ask for coffee, I’ll know you’ll always have some!”
England twitched,” Isn’t this a present for you then?”
“Maybe…”
“You are an idiot America.”
Arthur could almost feel the annoyance his made up character must have been feeling towards America. If he was England, he was pretty sure he would have yelled and demanded the American to take the present back but he had a feeling America wouldn’t.
“Americans.” He sighed and went upstairs to change into some new clothes so he could go outside and get some tea. After changing into some jeans and a white buttoned shirt, Arthur grabbed his wallet and jacket and headed towards the city.
“America you know you can’t visit England in July!” Canada grabbed his brother’s arm to try to keep him away from the door,” He won’t remember you.”
America growled and glared at the Canadian nation,” I got to go see him! The reason this happens every year is because he can’t let go of the past, right? Then I’ll force him to let go! It’s my job as a hero to do so!”
“But America-“
“L’Amérique, listen to your brother.” France put a hand on his shoulder,” You need to solve this with Angleterre not Arthur. You would only be confusing Arthur.” France’s hand and Matthew’s arm were both shoved off by an angry looking America.
“If I don’t stop this then I’ll never get my England back! It’s not that I hate Arthur it’s just that…”
“Arthur is only conscious for the month of July, America. England will be back once August arrives-“
“I want England to be here for the whole year, not just 11 months.” America stomped over to the door and almost ripped it open,” And I want him to come to my birthday parties instead of running around being Arthur Kirkland and doing god knows what!” He slammed the door closed and left the two nations looking at the door.
Canada gave a worried glance at France,” France-“
“I know, Mon Cher.” France held the Canadian’s hand tightly in his,” But L’Amérique does have a point. Angleterre cannot live this way forever.”
Canada squeezed France’s hand for comfort.
Once Arthur finished drinking his tea and meal, he was handed the bill. The Brit scowled at the price and sighed. “Taxes these days. They’ll never stop rising will they?”
“What the hell England!” America slammed the door open and walked to the man sitting on his desk. England ignored the angry American and continued his paperwork. America twitched and slammed his hands on the table, making the ink England was using spill all over the documents he was working on.
England cursed and sat up to glare at America better,” Why did you do that you idiot?!”
“I was going to ask the same thing!” America returned the glare with one of his own,” Why are you putting more taxes on things that don’t need taxes on?! You’re going to drive my people poor if you add anymore at this rate!”
England scowled,” These taxes are perfectly reasonable. They are not only for my sake but for yours as well.”
“How does taxing paper help my people?!” England didn’t flinch at the American’s tone. He simply ‘tsked’ and started to gather all the ruined documents that were still on his desk.
“You wouldn’t understand America. You’re still-“
“I’m old enough to know what’s right and what’s wrong.” America said fiercely. “And right now this is just a load of crap you’re telling me!”
“Language.” England finished gathering all his documents and threw them away. He took out a fresh sheet of paper and ink bottle and sat down,” And if your childish complaining is done, then please leave me to my work.”
America headed towards the door but stopped just before he touched the doorknob,” My people won’t take this well, you know. They’ll rebel.” He heard England chuckle.
“Should I be afraid?”
“Yeah, you should.” America opened the door and left.
Arthur clutched his head when he felt a sharp but short pain,” Bloody hell, these daydreams are getting more realistic.” The Brit brought out his wallet and paid for his meal and tea before leaving the restaurant.
The sky had gotten much darker since Arthur had entered the restaurant and it almost looked like it was going to rain. There was nothing for him to do at home, so he decided to take a walk under the ominous looking clouds looming over him. Arthur walked down a random street that led to another unknown street and the cycle continued until he was completely lost. The Brit looked around and saw he was the only one in sight, so he couldn’t ask anyone for directions.
“Can this get any worse?”
It seemed something really was against the Brit since at the moment those words left his lips, the rain came pouring out hard onto the streets and him. Arthur cursed and looked for any shelter he could use and found a small bus stop at the end of the block. He quickly ran there and took shelter from the cold rain.
“This is really my unlucky day.” Arthur said as he watched the drops of rain fall down on the pavement. His arms were wrapped around him to prevent him from shivering any more than he was at the moment. “Now that I think about it…” Arthur took out the bill he was given at the restaurant and was relieved when he saw the numbers were still readable,” What day is it today? “His emerald green eyes scanned the bill until it came to the bottom of the sheet, where the date was typed out.
“The fourth of July?” Arthur said and he winced as soon as the words left his thoughts and out his mouth. He wondered why saying the date made him feel pained. It was just another normal day in July. There was nothing that Arthur could remember had happened before to make him so responsive to the fourth of July.
Arthur shook his head and started into the rain once more,” Bullocks. This day is just like the others. The only thing that makes today stand out is because of the horrid luck I’ve been having.” Arthur chuckled,” Maybe all my fourth of July’s will be like this from now on?”
There was rain, only rain. It covered the entire battlefield like a wet blanket. The cold, wetness stung England’s body like a thousand needles but the Brit ignored the discomfort and kept moving. He kept his eyes looking ahead of him and saw the bodies of soldiers wearing red and blue scattered all over the place.
He was the last one in this fight, he knew. The pain in his heart confirmed England’s thinking. His men had all fallen for this war, so the least he could do was finish it properly. He continued to walk until he found him.
There America was, looking at him with fierce determination. It could also be hatred. England wasn’t sure of anything anymore ever since the battle of Bunker Hill. He was sure of one thing though.
America was pointing a musket at him. And it hurt.
“I refuse to be your brother anymore England!” America shouted over the rain while the musket was adjusted to point to England’s heart,” From now on, consider me independent!”
England scowled. No, he couldn’t let America leave him. The young colony still had a lot to learn and he needed England…
It was not the other way around. America needed England. He just needed to pound that thought into his head and everything will be alright. They’ll go back home and continue their days as a family. Sure, America will be punished for this, but after that they can be happy again.
England ran straight towards America and knocked the musket he had with his own, leaving a mark on it. America froze in shock and watched as his musket fell to the muddy floor. His eyes widened a bit when he saw his caretaker point the musket straight at his face.”I won’t allow it! You’re an idiot for ever doing this America! Why couldn’t you just stay a little colony?” England screamed. His finger shakily moved towards the trigger.
America looked at England for a while before he spoke,” Everyone grows up.” His blue eyes met with glassy emerald ones,” You know if you’re going to shoot…its fine.”
England could feel his fingers graze over the trigger before he let out a litter laugh and lowered his musket,” As if I could shoot you, you idiot.” His legs gave in and he fell to the floor, crying. He raised one of his hands to cover his crying face so America couldn’t see. “Why?” He choked out before he regained some composure and spoke again,” Damn it! I thought we would always be together.” He continued to cry and America stood there, looking at England with pity.
“You…used to be so big.”
“What?” Arthur touched his cheeks and realized he was crying. He rubbed his cheeks and laughed,” Why am I getting so emotional over a daydream?” He stood up from the bench and headed towards another direction,” Seriously, it’s not like that’s ever happened to me. I wasn’t even born in the 1700’s. My imagination scares me sometimes.”
“Your imagination is scary.” A voice in front of him said. Arthur looked up and saw someone a few feet away from him, but he couldn’t see his features clearly. “You got so much of it that it will even create a new persona for you whenever you feel like you want to run away from something.”
Arthur glared at the figure and stepped back,” Who are you?”
The man walked closer to Arthur. The Brit was able to see the man had blond hair, with a little strand of it standing up even in the rain, and hard, blue eyes that were looking straight at him. He almost looked like…
“America.” The man said, finishing Arthur’s thoughts. “That’s my name.”
Arthur nodded,” Arthur Kirkland.”
America shook his head and took another step forward. “No you’re not. You’re England.”
Arthur shook his head,” I’m not ‘England’. You’re mistaking me for someone else.”
“You’re England!” America said louder,” The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland! That’s who you are!”
“You have the wrong person!” Arthur shouted and he was about to run away when the man’s voice cut in again.
“Eng-Arthur, your daydreams are always about someone that looks like you and me right?” Arthur stopped and looked at America. He didn’t answer but the silence indicated America was correct. “You have them a lot right? You’ve seen the times when I was little and I grew up. You’ve seen the…revolution haven’t you?”
“They’re just daydreams I’ve been having these past few days.” Arthur said.
“They seem real to you right?! It’s like you’re right there!” Alfred said and Arthur shook his head, trying to deny it. “It’s because you’re England!”
“Then why do I remember having a family!” Arthur shouted back,” I remember attending school, making friends! I remember going to parent’s funerals for heaven’s sake!”
“Your imagination and magic are really dangerous.” America calmly spoke,” None of that ever happened. You just created ‘Arthur Kirkland’ so you can avoid me and everyone else during July.”
Arthur fell to his knees and grabbed his now throbbing head,” Stop lying to me!”
“It’s the truth!” Arthur glared at America and was going to retort but he stopped himself. This was familiar to him, somehow. He was looking up at America, like in the daydream he just had.
“Thank you…” He heard America say before he was out of hearing reach, “for everything.”
England stood there looking at his calendar for what seemed like hours. It’s been a year since that day and it hurt too much to remember it. He wanted to forget it all. Everything. He didn’t want to remember being a nation, his brothers, his life, nothing. He wanted a new life. Someone who can start over and live a carefree life. It was impossible for him though. There’s no way he could be someone like that.
Or was there?
England stared at the clock nervously. It was a few seconds until the fourth of July would begin and he wanted to see if his spell worked. When his clock chimed, England felt a sharp pain on his head and he collapsed on the floor, unconscious.
A few hours later, Arthur Kirkland got up and headed towards the bedroom.
“I shouldn’t be falling asleep on the floor.” He said as be yawned,” What was I doing there anyway?”
August soon came and England woke up feeling refreshed. He had no memories of the month of July. There was no pain, no memories, nothing.
“So it works.” He muttered before getting up and reached for his phone. He had 30 missed calls, and 50 text messages from his boss but he didn’t see any of the nation’s numbers. He sighed. “I should have known no one would worry about me.”
“England!” America pouted at the nation,” Why weren’t you at my party?”
“I rather do something else than attend your birthday party, America.”
“Oh yeah?” America leaned closer,” Well what were you doing during my birthday then? Drinking in a bar until you strip again?”
England flushed a bit but smiled,” I honestly can’t remember.”
England woke up.
His entire body fell sick and he felt like throwing up. He closed his eyes and snuggled into the warm thing that he was using as a pillow. He felt a chuckle and his eyes snapped open.
“You finally awake?” America said over his shoulder. He was carrying England piggy-back style and the Brit slightly flushed at their positions.
“Yes.” England muttered. “I’m sorry for troubling you America,” He said under his breath,” Especially on your birthday.”
America smiled,” No problem England! It’s a hero’s job to save people anyway! But…” His tone turned serious,” you know, you had me worried. Every July you just disappear like if you never existed and no one told me why until a few days ago…” His walking slowed down until he came to a stop in the middle of the rain,” Why would you want to disappear England?”
The Brit stayed silent for a while, trying to explain his actions but he didn’t really have an excuse. “I’m not sure.” He finally said,” It’s not something I’ve ever contemplated on. It was just a way to numb everything.”
“There’s better ways to do that.” America grumbled. He continued walking down the street and they soon reached England’s house. “I’d rather have you a drunk than someone completely different you know.”
England blushed and smacked America’s head,” Git.”
“It’s true.” America said,” When I heard you turned into someone else, I was really pissed off. I kept thinking ‘what would happen if England never came back?’ and stuff. I do care about you.” America was flushed and he was grateful that England couldn’t see his face. England was also red but gave America the best hug from behind he could do.
“Thank you once again.” England muttered close to America’s ears,” for bringing me back.”
America was stiff and his face once again turned red with embarrassment,” I-I didn’t do this for you!” He squeaked out as he walked towards England’s door, “It was for me! This is my present for me! HAHAHA!”
“So your present is me?” England smirked slightly at the words.
“Exact-what? N-no no no! I-I didn’t mean it that way! It was- I mean…um” America lowered his head,” I give up.” England laughed.
“Shut it.” America grumbled. “It’s my birthday. I shouldn’t be receiving this kind of treatment from you.”
England shook his head in amusement,” Alright then, I’ll treat you properly then.” He motioned for America to place him down and the American did as he was told. Then, the Englishman hugged America properly this time.
“Happy birthday, America.”