I do not own anything
Pairing: AmericaFrance

What It Takes to Come Alive

He was young, France knew this, he was still too innocent, naive about what it meant to be a nation to be free. Francis, however, did not blame him for wanting that freedom, the power. They all fell under the spell at some point, it was who they were, it was a part of them.

So he accepted, he stood by the other's side and watched as Arthur's heart broke. He never lied, about why he helped Alfred leave Arthur, because he had no need to.

He wanted Arthur to suffer, and so he turned his back on England and joined himself to the blooming nation.

He stood next to the fighting nation, fighting to be his own person, eyes blazing with fire and his breath caught in his throat. The other fought with everything he had, eyes determined, never once hesitating as he pushed the line forward.

Francis' uniform was ripped in places, covered in mud and blood, but he fought on. He would not let Alfred down, he wouldn't. Even though he felt his body tiring. He could feel the pains in his body becoming worst as his own nation suffered. But he had given his word, so he stood his ground and pushed forward.

Because he was afraid that the fire in Alfred's eyes would die and Francs felt that he couldn't deal with that.

And Alfred was freed and became the United States of America and Francis, was finally allowed himself to crash.

Blood ran through his streets and he couldn't think about the other nation, who wouldn't come to help them. Couldn't come help. Francis clawed at the ground, he clawed and cried, blood seeping from the scratches on his skin. The whole nation was crumbling, no one was safe, everyone was afraid and angry.

Rightfully so.

Alfred comes in the night, but Francis denies him, denies his help, denies it all. He pushes him away, forces him to leave, because it is not safe. France is crumbling and has to be rebuilt by its people and Francis will be there. He would do what he can, but this was not Alfred's fight.

Because Alfred is not ready to see the blood in the streets, the rolling heads, the dark laughter and manic glimmer in his peoples' eyes. No, the suffering, Alfred is not ready for that, no one is ever ready for that.

But Alfred never follows order and he is so young and doesn't understand, but Francis knows better, he knows, but nothing stops because suddenly their lips are touching and Alfred is pulling him close and Francis melts.

All they know of each other is blood, mud, pain, tears, hate, anger, a yearning for peace and freedom, and they kiss and touch each other and in the morning, the world does not change.