Inbox

[fifty]

INBOX text / audio / video / action "Hey, this is America! Leave a message and I'll get back to you!" art credit code credit

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action; july 4th

[keepscalm]

[England waits until all of their guests have departed; he doesn't want to make a great spectacle of the whole thing, and he doesn't entirely trust himself to handle it well.

He's standing around like he's been waiting for America to walk by and trying not to look like that's what he was doing. When America finally does, he clears his throat and holds out a box, tastefully wrapped in decorative paper. It's almost definitely clothing, judging from the flat box, but it's kind of heavy.

England averts his gaze with some embarrassment.] Here.

[fifty]

[Between the party and his birthday and the fact that the party was his birthday party, America's been in a good mood all day. Not as good a mood as he would be celebrating at home, but the excitement has let him push that particular issue mostly out of his mind. Still, he perks up notably when England hands him a wrapped box.]

You got me a present! [Not really that unheard of, but considering their situation in being stuck here, America hadn't been sure. He's already unwrapping it.]

[keepscalm]

Yes, well, it won't be as good as the Bicentennial Bell. [And America will just have to accept that, given the circumstances!

The box itself is painfully boring. Once again, it is obviously clothing. It's recognisable instantly once the box is opened as America's beloved bomber jacket--but America's jacket is still wherever America last put it.]

[fifty]

I don't know where I'd put a bell, here. [That said, there's something very pleasing about the idea of that much metal... But rather than theoretical gifts, he focuses on the actual one. At first, there's confusion, because this looks like his own jacket. But he spots some small amount of difference--this one definitely isn't as old.]

Wait, did you make this? [America pulls it out and unfolds the jacket, looking it over.]

[keepscalm]

[The differences are more than just the effects of age--the leather isn't exactly the same colour, and the patches aren't official, though England has tried to replicate them as closely as he can with his own embroidery. The main differences are: the sizing, which has been adjusted for America's new form (the construction also facilitates easy adjustments should it change again); and the back, which has a flap detachable on three of its sides and closes with decorative snaps.

England folds his arms self-consciously.] I did. This one will fit around your wings.

[fifty]

Holy shit! [America is absolutely delighted. He puts it on immediately, even though it's summer and probably a bit too hot for a jacket like this--it still takes him a bit of maneuvering to get his wings in, but he's gotten a lot better at it.] This is awesome! Thanks, England!

[America jerks toward England, then freezes, and then moves again, more shyly, to kiss England on the cheek. That's okay now, right?]

[keepscalm]

[England's defensive body language becomes less like a hedgehog and more like a turtle as America reacts, a satisfied smile creeping onto his face. He tries to stifle it as America kisses him, but it's largely unsuccessful.

One of his hands reaches out to affectionately brush aside some of America's hair.] We can get it enchanted to resist elements as well, but I figured we could do that part together. [Where someone could get a good look at America and better determine what's needed to prevent the jacket from getting destroyed.]

[fifty]

Yeah! [America's grin widens as England doesn't shove America away and in fact reacts affectionately. He's still getting used to this--but it's way nicer than being mean to each other for basically no reason. ] Now I look more like myself again.

[That he looks so different really does bother him, though he tries not to admit to it.]

[keepscalm]

Really? [England's hand reaches higher, to flick at Nantucket with pointed amusement.] I think I'd still recognise you without it.

[America does look rather different, but England wouldn't want to be told how much he's changed since arriving here. He assumes the same of America.]

[fifty]

[America's heart does a dumb, fluttering thing. He can feel his face turning red.] Really? I mean--yeah, yeah, of course I look like me! Not just 'cause of that hair.

[Also the glasses. No, he can be confident about this. He looks like himself!]

[keepscalm]

Yeah, I still get migraines from your shouting, as well. [There's a teasing lilt to his voice and to the curve of his mouth.]

[fifty]

I don't shout, I just project my voice. [That's totally different!]

[keepscalm]

[England rolls his eyes.] Yeah, across continents.

[He is hoping that by bantering in this way, though gentler than he used to, America might feel less out of place in his strange skin.]

[fifty]

Now you're just being mean. [America doesn't sound bothered, though.]

[keepscalm]

[England chuckles and gestures mildly to himself with a twist of his hand.] Would you recognise me if I weren't?

[fifty]

Of course I would! [America can't help but look at England's eyebrows... But he means it more generally.] You're totally recognizable.

[keepscalm]

[Wow, talk about reducing someone to their hair!!

England turns his face away in the fraction of the second that America's gaze lingers too long on his forehead.] If I were too nice to you, you'd think someone had swapped me out for a changeling.

[The multiple levels of irony in this statement are not lost on him, and that's why he says it.]

[fifty]

Even if fairies are a thing here I don't think that can happen to you now. [Since he's turning into one or whatever. America's acceptance of magic has been kind of spotty, but since he's gotten here he's been trying.]

[keepscalm]

Hm. I hope I'm not expected to do that sort of thing. [The only children he takes are tiny colonies that need to be rescued from the parentage of France! And he wins them fair and square!]

[fifty]

I'll rescue you if someone tells you to! [He should probably be rescuing the children...]