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[fifty]

To be made pretty later.

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[fifty]

Awesome! [America grins at that--anything that can make him even a little warmer is a good way to cheer him up.] Now my fingers won't freeze off.

[keepscalm]

[England wishes America hadn't said that. The image of America with frostbitten and necrotic hands is almost immediate.

But we could always hold hands is a suggestion somewhere underneath, and that's almost worse, especially because England doesn't want to see how America might react to a suggestion like that.

England grimaces for more than one reason.] Can't have that, can we? It's lucky for your fingers that you've got me around.

[fifty]

[Now America's imagining it, too--hands frozen or cut off or some awful combination of the two. He wiggles each finger in turn to remind himself they're all still accounted for.] Yeah, this way I don't need to learn sewing!

[keepscalm]

[England raises a hand to point a finger accusingly at his tablet.] Don't be presumptuous. I don't have to make anything for you.

[Of course, that's a bluff. They both know that England will, regardless. But he's serious about not taking him for granted!]

[fifty]

I'm not, I'm not! [America waves a hand in front of the screen. He's definitely not, it's fine!] You like making that sort of thing, right?

[keepscalm]

It's relaxing! [He can't help but say this a little defensively, considering how often his hobbies are belittled.] But I'll give them to someone else if you don't appreciate my work.

[fifty]

[America pouts at the idea.] No, I want them!

[keepscalm]

[A memory of a similar pout on a much, much younger face hits England like a sledgehammer. Maybe they'd be happier if England had heeded America's requests to see him more often. Maybe they'd be closer. At least, that's what the visions seem to imply, before England squeezes his eyes shut again and gives a shake of his head.]

Fine, fine. But you'd better say "thank you" when I give them to you.

[fifty]

I will, I've got manners. [This is a ridiculous retort because not only are America's manners spotty at best he often forgets to say thank you.]

[keepscalm]

[Despite England's internal conflict, the only response to that is a short, disbelieving laugh.]

[fifty]

[America huffs, indignant.] I can say stuff like thank you!

[keepscalm]

When was the last time you thanked someone for something they did for you?

[fifty]

I-- [America hesitates as a million little instances of times where he did and didn't say it at the same time flash through his brain. Too many of them involve England.] Dunno. But I have!

[keepscalm]

If you've got no idea, then you don't say it often enough.

[fifty]

Well-- [America is clearly upset, now. It's not his fault he can't remember!] Whatever. Who cares?

[keepscalm]

Real heroes aren't ungrateful when someone does them a favour.

[Or many, many favours by now, in England's case. Naturally, he says it in the way he thinks will be most memorable for America. Or the way that will get under his skin the best. Same thing.]

[fifty]

Who cares! Bye! [America turns off the feed as impulsively as he often hangs up the phone.]