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hetalia2009-12-01 07:13 pm
[Fanfic] Of Fairy Tales and Nightmares (2/?)
Character(s) or Pairing(s): England, Canada, France, Germany, America, others mentioned. Eventually all will probably be involved. No pairings just yet.
Rating: T?
Warnings: Mentions of fairy death and death threats? Brief use of human names.
Summary: When England wakes up that morning things go from bad to worse.
Chapter 1
And this is the second chapter for those who wanted it. I think it's rubbish to be honest, and not a lot happens. And I don't hate Germany, really. Also, for those who aren't put off by this awful chapter, if there are going to be pairings later in the story (at the moment I'm still not sure), what would you like to see?
As England stood, rubbing the pain from his reddening knuckles, the buzz of conversation was starting to grow. He needed tea and a dunking biscuit, preferably a digestive. And quiet. He didn’t want to be hearing France’s curses as he held his bleeding nose, or America’s claims that he would be the hero and catch the villain. As he watched, everyone seemed to be falling into hurried conversation in their various little groups. Even Germany had lost his focus as Italy started to cry once more (although this time England was sure pasta was involved somewhere).
He took a couple of tentative steps back towards the door before they became more confident and he marched out of the room, through the corridors and into his office, locking the door behind him. He slid down the door until he was crouched with his back against it as the tears finally escaped and ran down his cheeks. One of his oldest friends was dead, one of the few who always stuck by him, and the same person who had killed him wanted England dead.
His breaths were coming in large gasps now as his tears turned to quiet sobs as he started to rock slowly backwards and forwards on the balls of his feet.
Whoever it was didn’t even have the decency to show their face. He had no problem with facing opponents he could see. He’d done it before; even when he was likely to lose he had at least known that he had been able to look them in the eyes as they ran him through. But this person, whoever they were, weren’t giving him chance to defend himself and that was what made his feel powerless. Weak.
He jumped at the knock on the door. He recognised it, but the haze in his mind stopped him from remembering exactly who it was. He was going to leave it and hope they’d leave when they knocked again, harder this time.
England grumbled to himself as he rose to his feet, wiping his tears on the cuff of one of his sleeves before straightening his clothes and turning the key in the lock.
As he’d opened the door he’d expected to see America’s grin or France’s enquiring smirk, maybe even Germany’s slight scowl. Instead he was met with Canada’s sheepish smile and worried gaze.
As Canada tilted his head slightly to the side, studying him for something, England ducked his head and, taking a step back, gestured for the younger nation to enter the room.
“Thank you,” Canada said as he walked over to the tea set that sat on the windowsill and pouring two cups. Walking back across the room he set one down on the desk top in front of England before sitting down in the chair opposite him.
“Thanks, lad.” England mumbled his voice still thick. Canada watched as the older nation took his first sip of tea. For a few moments his face cleared of worry and he leaned back in the chair with his eyes closed and an almost-smile on his lips.
“I don’t think any of the others noticed either of us leave.” Canada took a sip of tea. “No, that’s not true. Prussia noticed. He said something about if he’s not dead yet then you shouldn’t worry.”
“That’s it?” England asked, a vague note of amusement in his voice, although a quick glance at his green eyes showed the situation was still weighing on him more than the stubborn nation would ever admit to.
“Well, he also said something about how awesome he was. I’d stopped really listening by that point.”
England’s bark of laughter was cold and hollow, but Canada supposed it was a good thing that he was at least trying.
“He’ll never change.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes after that, sipping tea and watching the world outside the window.
“I had a nightmare last night.” England stated his voice almost inaudible.
“Eh?” Canada tried to hide his concern. He knew England wouldn’t appreciate it.
“Hm.” There was a pause as the nation took another mouthful of tea. “I’d lost a fight. Someone was pressing down on my throat with their foot.”
England rose to his feet and walked across the room to pour another cup of tea. He looked at Canada, tea pot raised in one hand, but the Canadian just titled his cup so the other nation could see the liquid in it slosh up the sides.
Canada watched the older nation as he walked slowly back to his seat. It took a couple of seconds for him to notice but when England walked through a stream of light from the window the younger nation couldn’t help but gasp.
“Yes?” England asked as he sat down.
“T-There’s a bruise,” Canada stammered out, his fingers touching his own throat as if to protect it.
“A what?” England exclaimed quietly.
“A bruise.” Canada was certain of it now. Even when the tilt of the other nation’s chin cast a shadow, there were still darker marks that stretched from one side to the other.
What colour had returned to England’s face left as shaking fingers set the cup and saucer down on the desk top. The older nation moved to stand in front of the glass door of one of the display cabinets, angling his chin so that he could see the marks on his neck in the reflection.
Even in profile, Canada was able to see the other nation’s eyes widen as he saw them.
“You won’t tell them, will you Matthew?” England asked. He was obviously trying to sound authoritative, but all Canada heard was a scared plea.
“England, I-. “ Canada was stopped by the sound of steps out in the corridor. Secretly he was thankful for the diversion of England’s attention. The older nation had, to put it mildly, screwed him over several times in the past and there were days when he wanted nothing more than to turn his back, to remind England that he had a back bone when it was needed. But just then, when England looked genuinely scared for the first time Canada could remember, he realised that he would never be able to do it. In the same way he would never be able to keep the nightmare a secret when it could possibly pose a threat to the other nation’s life.
“It’s unlocked,” England called when the knock eventually came and greeted the German in a clipped voice once he had entered the room followed by America and France.
“How can I help you?” England inquired his tone just shy of being considered curt. “Canada and I were just having a cup of tea.”
“Mattie’s here?” America asked, turning on his heels until he spotted the Canadian. He walked over to his brother, usual grin in place before bending to whisper in the other’s ear. “Is the old man okay?”
Canada gave an almost imperceptible nod as Germany bombarded England with questions and France perused the cabinets, murmuring appreciatively every now and again.
“Angleterre, you must stop snapping at Germany. He is merely looking out for you as it is obvious that you will not.” The Frenchman said as the volume of England’s replies started to grow steadily louder and more disgruntled.
“And what about you, you bloody frog? You’re here out of the goodness of your own heart as well, I assume?” England snorted derisively.
“We are just trying to make sure you are safe, mon ami.” France replied, turning his attention to the Englishman for the first time since he had entered the room.
“I don’t need protecting, yer bleedin’ ponce.” England snarled, his accent changing slightly as his green eyes flashed. “I can look after myself just fine,” he added after a deep breath, quieter but no less determined. “I am most grateful, Germany, for your consideration. But it isn’t needed, I assure you.”
England had managed to calm himself and instead was now standing with his arms crossed stubbornly across his chest. The scene reminded Canada briefly and irreverently of a toddler who didn’t want to go to bed. He wondered if the older nation would start stomping his feet too.
“Aww, c’mon Iggy. Even if you don’t need it, we do.” Everyone turned to look at America as he spoke, amazed at his level of seriousness. “You may be a grumpy old man half the time, but we like you.”
England just barked that same hollow laugh from earlier, making Canada shiver slightly at how empty the older nation’s eyes looked when he did it.
“Dammit England! I’m being serious, so for once in your goddamn life, just listen to me! We care about you. Even Captain Personality over there,” America said, turning his chin in Germany’s direction for a second. “We want to see you safe and whoever’s threatening you gone.”
“It’s true, mon ami.” France said, resting a hand on the Englishman’s hunched shoulder. “Who will poison us with scones if you’re dead?” France added, unable to pass up the opportunity to get a rise out of his friend/enemy. He was somewhat disappointed to find that all England did was glare balefully from under his eyebrows and mutter half hearted curses under his breath.
Canada had risen and come to stand at England’s other shoulder. “You should tell them. It could be important.”
“Tell us what, England?” Germany asked, apparently unperturbed by America’s new nickname for him, but then he should have been used to it, the stupid names were thrown at him from all directions.
England huffed and re-crossed his arms, sending a small glare at Canada.
“I had a nightmare.” England mumbled.
“....About?” France drew the word out, prompting England to say more. When he shook his head Canada spoke up.
“There was someone pressing down on his throat with their boot.” Canada said, trying not to mind when America looked surprised to see him again. “You can see bruises.”
Germany raised an eyebrow and England reluctantly lifted his chin.
“Is there any other way you could have gotten them?” Germany asked, something like worry twisting the corners of his mouth.
“No.” England didn’t hesitate before answering, even though he looked uncomfortable with the attention that was focused on him.
The stream of expletives that France and America produced at this made the Canadian shift uncomfortably and the Englishman splutter at the crudity of some of their choices.
“Will you accept our help, Iggy? If you won’t let me be a hero, I at least want to be a bodyguard.” America’s moment of seriousness was over and the megawatt grin was back.
The look on England’s face as he nodded his acquiescence could’ve curdled milk.
“We already discussed this after you left.” Germany raised a hand to stem England’s returning anger. “You can rant later, England. America, France and myself will help. China and Japan also. Bruder and Denmark insisted on being involved as well for reasons I don’t want to guess at and Norway expressed an interest. It can be assumed that Canada will help too?”
“Of course.”
Germany nodded. “If it is permissible, England, would allow us to inspect your garden? I’m sure that considering the...ah... circumstances this morning you didn’t stop to investigate?”
“Fine. You’d just go and do it anyway.” England grumbled but the nation’s ire had lost something since being reminded of what had happened to his friend. “I take it you want me to lead the way? I don’t think you’ve been to my house recently. The route has changed quite a bit.”
“That would be appreciated, thank you.”
England just nodded his head and stormed out of the room. Only France and Canada seemed to notice the slight meandering of the other nation’s path out of the building and they exchanged looks before nodding in silent agreement. Neither nation asked before taking the car keys from England’s shaking hand and pushing him into the passenger seat. France started the engine while Canada leaned forward from the back seat to ask England if he’d be okay with him making something for lunch.
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Also, I can tell from your writing that you're from the UK, and that's a plus for me. It makes Iggy's POV even more believable. ^_^ Keep up the good work!
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Yep. I'm from the UK. Secret's out. ^__^ I'm not too sure how the others turned out though. Hopefully I didn't get them too wrong...
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Yep. Writing the next chapter of this story was preferable to writing essays. I'll and get another up before Monday.
I'm always glad when someone likes what I write,, and I wasn't too sure about this chapter. Thanks!
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Oh wow. He has bruises on his neck! I can't possibly be a nation doing this to England. In the first place, they have to be able to see the fairies to catch one and kill it. They have to be powerful. The only ones who believe in them is England and Norway.
I don't remember reading anything where Germany is part of a group of nations concerned for others. It's usually France or US or UK (in his own tsundere way) but never Germany. It's a nice part for him to play.
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Dum de dum... All will be revealed eventually. (Probably in the not too distant future, I can't see this fic being epicly long.) You might (read: will probably) work it out yourself before then.
Germany. I haven't seen him like that either. I was curious to see if it would work and if I could keep him mostly in character. Did I manage it? And for some reason, as a character I find it hard to not like him.
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