Chapter 7 – Happy Birthday

England sat straight up in bed. Was it all a dream? He wondered about that. Even if it was a dream, that doesn't make it any less real. He smiled slightly as he thought of that famous Hogwarts professor, and he looked over at his nightstand.

Arthur picked up his cell phone. "7:00 AM July 4th" it read.

"Of course they could do it all in only 6 hours." He said aloud. He started to dial the nearest airport to buy a plane ticket when he noticed something on his bedside table next to where his cell phone had been.

Arthur picked it up and smiled.

It was a one-way ticket to America that left at 11.

"Mother always did have a tendency to think of everything."

It was about 1:30 in the afternoon (American Eastern Time) when Arthur arrived in America and he immediately rented a car to drive to America's house. It was about 2 o'clock when he arrived. He was a bit early since the party wasn't until 4.

That's when he realized he had no hotel reservations for after the party or a present. "I suppose I'll have to be enough." He grumbled. The bloody git better let me stay here. He shuddered a bit as he realized that meant he would be staying under the same roof as France.

He quickly parked the car and made his way up to the front door. He quickly knocked.

"Coming!" He heard someone call from inside. The door opened.

"Artie?" Alfred looked shocked to see the Brit on his doorstep.

England huffed. "Are you going to let me in or not?"

"Yeah…" America's shock started to fade as he stepped aside to let him in. A grin started to form on his face. "Did you come to celebrate my birthday?" An excited glint came to his eye.

"Of course, you bloody idiot." He replied. "But I forgot to make reservations so I'll have to stay here."

"Really? You can always stay here, Iggy!" Alfred was bouncing like a puppy. "Wow! I can't believe you're actually here! You never come!"

"Yes, yes." Arthur went into Alfred's living room and sat on the couch. "It's just that I came to a realization recently, and I feel like I have to talk with you about it."

"What about?" Alfred flopped down next to him.

"Well, first of all, that frog and your brother aren't about, right?" Arthur glanced around. He didn't need that frog mucking things up.

"No, they're picking up the cake right now, but," Alfred frowned. "How did you know they were staying with me?"

"It doesn't matter." Arthur quickly said. "Anyway, I've learned recently that one should make the best of the time the he has."

Alfred blinked. "Okay, so what does that have to do with coming to my party? I mean," he quickly said, "I'm really happy that you came, 'cause I've wanted you to come for, like, forever, but yesterday you were all like, 'I hate you and I'm not coming to your bloody party.'" The last part was done in a horrible imitation of Arthur's accent.

"Well, a single night can change a man." England said stiffly, fully remembering what he had said the other day. "And I have realized that I have to retract one of my previous statements."

"Alright." Alfred still seemed confused as to why Arthur was there.

Arthur sighed. "Alfred." America stiffened at the sound of his human name that England hadn't used since the revolution. Arthur grasped Alfred's chin and made him look him straight in the eyes. "Alfred, I love you."

He gave a small gasp. Arthur could see the hope in Alfred's eyes, but there was a touch of skepticism as well. Arthur was a bit surprised. Even after all he had seen, he hadn't thought that Alfred could be skeptical.

"Like a little brother?" Alfred asked quietly.

Arthur let go of his chin and looked at his hands, which were fidgeting in his lap. "No. I have realized that I love you like… like…" He couldn't finish the sentence as a dark blush came across his face. Bloody hell! This is embarrassing!

Arthur felt Alfred's arms wrap around him. "Me, too." Arthur looked up at Alfred and he saw the biggest smile he had ever seen on his face. "I love you, too, Arthur." Alfred started leaning in and before Arthur knew it…

They were kissing. Arthur closed his eyes and kissed back. His heart felt like it was doing cartwheels in his chest. He couldn't remember feeling this happy before and it was only from a simple kiss.

"Ohonhonhonhon! It seems like Amerique and Angleterre have finally confessed their feelings to each other!"

Alfred and Arthur broke apart and started in surprise at the couple in the doorway. France smirked at them while Canada, holding the cake, was blushing bright red.

America was the first to recover. "Dammit, Francis!" He shouted, a light blush on his cheeks. "Don't spy on people's private moments!"

"Bloody frog! You have no right to waltz in here!" England retorted at Francis, his own face a shade of red that was comparable to Spain's tomatoes.

Francis took the comments in stride and laughed as he walked further into Alfred's house. Canada, however, hesitated a moment before continuing into the kitchen. "Thank you for coming, England." He smiled at his twin. "And congratulations, Al." He went on his way, the blush still evident on his face.

Alfred turned back to England. "Sorry about that, Artie." He apologized, looking sheepish and somewhat embarrassed.

"It's not your fault. It's intrusive frog's fault."

"Yeah, well, I gotta go help with food, so you can just hang out here." Alfred got up to help with the final party preparations.

"Wait." Arthur grabbed Alfred's wrist.

"Yeah?"

Arthur stared at him for a long moment and then he smiled. "Happy Birthday, git." And then he tugged Alfred down into another kiss.

Up in heaven, three figures watched the two nations.

"Well, even if the end comes, they'll be happier this way." Britannia said. "Wow, look at that kiss. I guess my son's pirate experiences are coming in handy."

"That does not mean he will end up topping later." Native America gravely replied, but a smile was tugging at the end of her lips.

"Your kid's still a virgin! How would he even know what to do?" Britannia countered.

"Japan has shown my son many things that are a part of his anime culture. He knows exactly what to do." Native America gave a big smile as Britannia spluttered at the thought of Japan showing America yaoi. Ignoring her, she turned to their companion. "However, we must thank you for allowing us to use the situation of your story, Mr. Dickens."

Charles Dickens turned to look at his companions. "It was nothing. After all, it was for the good of my country."

"Indeed." Britannia agreed. "But you know, how would you end this if it was really your story."

He thought for a moment. "Well, I ended A Christmas Carol with a simple 'God bless us, everyone' but I feel that this particular story can end simply with…

"Happy Independence Day."

Thank you for reading! Happy Birthday, America!