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[fifty]

To be made pretty later.

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[keepscalm]

Right. [That's what he was getting at. His lip is starting to ache a little from his nervous biting at it.] So could you.

[fifty]

[Okay, England has a point.] I asked first. [Does that count as asking? Are they asking? Maybe saying that is dumb, actually.] ...I love you.

[keepscalm]

[England said it first last time, despite his persistent reservations, so he has no problem handing over the responsibility this time.

Even still, he is not prepared to hear it with a clearer head. His cheeks flush impossibly and he tugs his scarf up over his face to hide whatever expression his mouth might be making.] I— yeah. Er...

[It is a lot harder to say it when he knows he has to live with the consequences of his actions. He fidgets and hesitates for a long moment, refusing to aim his eyes at the camera.] ...yeah. I-I— love you, as well, I mean.

[fifty]

[America is torn between thinking the way England seems to retreat into his scarf is pretty endearing and wishing he could see more of England's expression. Then he forgets about that, because England just said it back at a time when he's not definitely going to die. He's blushing and smiling at the same time.] There. We--we said it again. [He laughs to try and make it seem more casual, but he's not sure if he doesn't just sound kind of weird.] That was easy, right?

[keepscalm]

[No, that was terrifying and England's heart is still palpitating. Was it worth hearing America say it to him? He'll have to pinpoint the magnitude of his regret later. His returning laugh is nervous, and precedes a very obvious lie.] Yeah. Easy.

[fifty]

[Good. Great, they can just--keep going like this.] Yeah, so--we've got this totally under control!

[keepscalm]

[The sex was easier than this.




England regrets thinking that. Though such intimacy seems very appealing when he feels so terribly alone. He sinks further into his scarf and hopes that the nature of his thoughts has not shown in his eyes too much.] Under control. Of course. So— we'll see each other soon.

[That statement is unhelpful and England is not sure why he said it.]

[fifty]

Yeah. Yeah! [America nods, and the eagerness here isn't even forced.] Super soon! Totally soon! Definitely!

[keepscalm]

[England feels like he should say something else, something romantic about having America in his arms again or sharing a kiss or looking him in the eye in person, but he's still a bit too overwhelmed from offering his heart earlier.

He adjusts his scarf to a more normal position. He wishes he could stay on the line with America and suffocate the strange tinnitus of the emptiness inside of him, but he shouldn't distract America from his travels.] Then...I suppose I'll talk to you later?

[He sounds very reluctant at the idea of hanging up.]

[fifty]

Yeah... [But America doesn't really want to hang up.] Unless you have anything else to talk about!

[keepscalm]

[That sounds like an invitation. England scrambles to think of something relevant that isn't too soppy.] What did you want to do once we're back together?

[England didn't really have any travel plans beyond "make sure John is safe."]

[fifty]

[America's mind immediately goes to the most inappropriate possible response.] Um! [He's getting red again.] Well. You know. [Really red. It's probably obvious, shit.]

[keepscalm]

[Well. England supposes that is technically an answer. He's glad he wasn't the only one considering it, and despite his own embarrassment, he bites his tongue not to laugh at America's reaction.] We could do that.

[fifty]

Okay. Good! 'Cause, y'know, yeah. [But anyway--] We can do other stuff, too! Stuff that's not that. Like--hanging out in general. And with Ginger, too!

[keepscalm]

[It's sort of sweet that America says that like it would be a given that he'd want to do it. England can't resist teasing him, hoping for a spot of normalcy as a distraction.] I didn't realise you'd miss me that much when I left.

[When he left to get John. Not when he died. He doesn't want to think about how much America might have missed him while he was dead.]

[fifty]

D-don't say it like that! It's normal! [But America's face asks it is normal, right?]

[keepscalm]

[Poor America. England can throw him a bone, he supposes.] I admit it may have crossed my mind once or twice, as well.

[When things weren't going to hell, anyway.]

[fifty]

O-oh, okay, good. [That's probably a weird response to England, isn't it? America is being really weird right now. Ugh, no, he wants to be normal about this!] So--that can be put on the to-do list, or whatever.

[keepscalm]

Good. [A brief pause.] ...perhaps it was more than once or twice. [A second bone! England is just feeling very generous today.

Or very lonely and he's hoping to feel closer to America however he can. Same thing.]

[fifty]

[A little, embarrassed smile sneaks onto America's face.] Me too. But--I mean, it's not just that or anything, like--I miss just walking around with you here.

[keepscalm]

[After all that fuss about I love you and all, England didn't expect America to say something so sweet. He lets out a disbelieving, embarrassed sort of laugh, soft and breathy as he looks away from the tablet.] Yeah. It's not quite the same without you.

[Especially now that they are considerably more attached than before.]

[fifty]

[America wants to memorize that laugh. That's such an awfully cheesy thought.] The blanket fort isn't as nice without you around. [He insists on calling their sleeping arrangements a blanket fort, even if it's more of a blanket nest.]

[keepscalm]

[England glances back to his screen to raise an eyebrow.] Really? Ginger is pretty warm.

[He's just joking, of course. He felt the same way when it was just him and Ginger, and that was even before...all this.]

[fifty]

W-well--we're missing some blankets and stuff... [America rubs the back of his neck. That's clearly not all that he means.]

[keepscalm]

Ah, of course. How foolish of me. [England's easy concession says as well as anything else that he knows what America means.]