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[fifty]

To be made pretty later.

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[keepscalm]

We can check the network. I'm sure people will post about their return as soon as they're able. [England reaches for his tablet, tucked against his pack at the edge of the nest.]

[fifty]

Yeah, people'll be checking in. [America lets England reach the tablet, but he seems disinclined to let go entirely.] Maybe they found out what was down there. It was like, a monster?

[keepscalm]

How did you know it was a monster? [If they couldn't see it, the possibilities that remain are a little disconcerting.]

[fifty]

It was smiling. I think. [America's tone is foggier as he tries to remember.]

[keepscalm]

[All right, that's a little creepy. England frowns.] I wonder if it was the same entity that people have seen before. [He's not really sure what else to call it...]

[fifty]

I dunno. Maybe if the other thing looked sharp. [It's pretty hard to describe the whatever-it-was, honestly.]

[keepscalm]

You'll have to ask the people who've had closer encounters, I suppose.

[England pulls back slightly from America, looking him over with careful scrutiny.] ...you're really all right?

[fifty]

[America smiles, probably bigger than he needs to.] Yeah! Yeah, I'm fine. [Physically, anyway, he is.]

[keepscalm]

[England's gaze becomes more imploring as he stares into that smile.]

[fifty]

[America's smile drops a little into something gentler--maybe a little worried, though he'd never admit it. He dips in to kiss England, quick and gentle.] I didn't get hurt. It sucked being there, and I had to watch a lot of people jump, but I'm okay.

[keepscalm]

[Surprised by the gesture, England's eyes widen and then his face angles away, the edges of his expression softened and almost bashful.] ...all right.

I mean-- I wasn't that worried.

[fifty]

[America nudges him playfully.] Just about Ginger, right?

[keepscalm]

Of course! I can't imagine how frightened she must have been. [And England was in no way also frightened about America and Ginger not coming back or what they might be doing while apart from England.]

[fifty]

Yeah. [It would have been better if Ginger hadn't had to watch all those people jump.] I kept an eye on her, though, so it's okay.

[keepscalm]

[England opens his mouth and almost says I'd never forgive you if you'd let her jump, but thinks better of it, knowing America is probably having a hard enough time forgiving himself for the others who got away.

His jaw snaps shut again and he purses his lips. Then, he wastes the emotional out that America so kindly gave him just a moment ago.] ...I was concerned it was something like when you and I disappeared.

[fifty]

It wasn't. [The idea of Ginger going through something like that is awful. Imagining going through it again is, too, but he'd do it a hundred times too keep Ginger away from that.] It was like... A bad thing that happened but it was small so now it's done.

[keepscalm]

[Is it done?

England glances to his tablet, a stern furrow in his brow.] We should check the network.

[Things are never just "done" here.]

[fifty]

[America wants to, too, though it's to check and make sure the people who jumped are there again. He sees that particular look in England's eyebrows, though.] Yeah, we should. You don't have to worry so much, y'know.

[keepscalm]

[He reaches past America for the device, though he settles back against America to start looking through it.] My concern is in reasonable amounts.

[As it turns out, there is a post about it.]

[fifty]

[America is trying to check himself for red marks as subtly as possible. It's not very subtle.]

[keepscalm]

[Fuck subtlety. England grabs America's arm and yanks his sleeve up to study the injection site himself.]

[fifty]

H-hey--! [There's nothing there, though.]

[keepscalm]

I don't see anything. [America should regret allowing England into his personal space so much.]

[fifty]

Well--of course! There definitely wouldn't be! [He's still a bit flustered, though.] ...What about Ginger? [England better not just grab her and start checking her over.]

[keepscalm]

[He would never do that, Ginger is a lady!] We'll ask her to have a look.