[It's not just America trying to martyr himself for Magenta's sake, it's everything; everything England did, everything the others did, Karkat's screaming and the desperate, anguished meltdowns of the converts after what they did to their colleagues and friends. House biting him, Quark and Alphonse sobbing, the Joker being right for once about how mental everything was. Samantha, somewhere, apparently lamenting what they had done.
England doesn't say any of that. He just nods against America's shoulder and tries to even out his frantic breathing.] Yeah— yeah.
[America can feel his eyes starting to burn again, and he swallows the lump in his throat but can't keep his voice from cracking.] This place really sucks, huh? [No one ever said he was eloquent.]
[Big words when America was about to let someone torture him to death just moments ago, but England isn't going to argue. His knuckles are white from how tightly he grips America's jacket.] Of course.
[England's heart still races and his lungs still stutter on his uneven breathing, but he hangs on to America's words and just replies as normally as he can.] Yeah. Haven't been out that way yet.
Yeah, so, if Ginger's okay with it we can go that way. [In different circumstances, he'd suggest checking out the tunnels, but he's not sure he can handle something associated with their time in that building, even if the existence of the tunnels was a good thing. America raises a hand, running his fingers through England's hair in something of an attempt to be soothing.]
[The gesture is calming, in a way, but England's chest tightens again when he considers the possibility of losing it.] I doubt she'll mind. [If she can be okay with them after everything that happened, she'd probably be willing to go wherever they want.]
Yeah. [America doesn't really know why Ginger would stay with them at this point, but for whatever reason, she is.] Maybe we could find more sewing stuff. You guys'd like that.
[That plucks England's heartstrings in just the right sequence. Stupid boy. England has no idea how someone can be so selfish in some ways and so selfless in others.
He lifts his face from America's collar, tear tracks and all, so that he can kiss America.]
[America's eyes widen, caught by surprise, before he kisses back. It's something they haven't done in a while, and right now with all of the feelings bubbling around under America's skin it sends him reeling more than usual. It'd be nicer if they were at home, but this is still something good, at least.]
[It doesn't pave the deep cracks in England's heart or span the chasm of guilt that threatens to swallow him, but it's a reminder that America is here. Despite everything, he's here, and he still loves England even if England doesn't deserve it.
He pulls back just enough to rest his forehead against America's once he's had his fill for the moment.]
[America wants to stay like this. He does, for now. But he knows they have to get moving, and he hates everything and feels awful about why they have to hurry all over again.] Should we get ready to go? [He doesn't want to, and he doesn't move.]
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England doesn't say any of that. He just nods against America's shoulder and tries to even out his frantic breathing.] Yeah— yeah.
[He doesn't need to add to America's burdens.]
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For obvious reasons, he doesn't.]
Where do you want to go?
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[Well. Not voluntarily.]
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He lifts his face from America's collar, tear tracks and all, so that he can kiss America.]
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He pulls back just enough to rest his forehead against America's once he's had his fill for the moment.]
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[England doesn't want a repeat of when he split from America and Ginger and they immediately came across the Joker.]