A/N: So, last chapter. I have to say, I enjoyed writing this a lot. :3 Thanks to all who stuck through it!

o0o

"America-san doesn't look very happy," Lithuania observed from across the room. It was an understatement. Ever since he arrived at Poland's party, America had pretty much kept to himself, standing against the wall, sipping at his champagne.

"Like, never mind him. Where the hell is England? I thought I, like, said that this wasn't optional," Poland responded, folding his arms. On the other side of the room, America tried his hardest to not slump down to the floor. By the wide berth around him, he could tell that the others were picking up on his depression, but he didn't care. He showed up only because he had to. He would not mingle. He would not pretend to be alright. He definitely would not dance. And then he would go home to his dark room and sulk in peace. Looking to the clock, he was glad to see that there was only a few hours left of the party. With a sigh, he went back to watching the other couples on the floor.

Italy and Germany danced gracefully across the floor. Now there was something he didn't understand. How could the two men be together with such distance between them? The two had made their relationship public a few months ago, and they had given America hope. The gap between them was wide; Italy so weak and Germany so strong, but somehow it worked. America had thought, if they could make it work, then he and England definitely had a chance, being so close in strength. But, he guessed, Germany had respect for Italy and through that respect, they could stand on even ground. America leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes. England saw him as nothing more than a child, he would never give him that kind of respect. He couldn't even show up to the party and face him like a man.

America watched as the hours whittled down until the party finally ended. With a sigh, he followed the crowd to get his coat, shook hands with Poland, lied and said he had a good time, then walked out the door. It was raining pretty heavily and America realized he didn't have an umbrella. He smiled wryly.

"Perfect," he muttered and walked into the downpour. He stared down at his feet, watching the puddles he stepped in ripple and splash. He'd have walked all the way to his plane had he not been stopped by a familiar voice.

"America! What in bloody hell do you think you're doing? It's raining," England said, running up to him. He covered America with his umbrella. The younger man looked up and saw that England was dressed in a nice black suit.

"You just missed the party," he said. "It ended a while ago." England met America's eyes.

"I'm not here for the party. I'm here for you," he said softly. America frowned.

"Don't."

"Don't what?" England asked, confused.

"Don't mess with me. Don't pretend like you care when you don't. I can't take it." His voice broke, but he thanked God that it was raining and England couldn't see his tears. Suddenly, the umbrella dropped, and America found himself in England's embrace. Despite his brain telling him to push him away, he wrapped his arms around England's smaller frame and held him tight. He couldn't hide the fact that he was crying now, as his entire body shook as sobs tore through his chest. England just held him tighter, and waited until the shaking stopped. Even after America calmed down, England couldn't bring himself to let go of the younger man.

"I do care for you," he said into the well of his ear, "and not in a brotherly way." He pulled away from America and held him at arm's length.

"Don't lie to me," whispered America. England smiled and wiped the tears from America's cheeks with the side of his hand.

"I'm not lying. Look, you know I'm not good with these emotional things. I felt that, the only way I could love you, is if I kept you like a brother in my mind. But I don't see you like that anymore. I…" England stopped, looking as though he had said too much. America sniffled.

"You…?" he asked. England let go of him, and looked at the ground.

"I…I think I love you too."

America lifted England's chin so they were looking each other in the eyes.

"Do you mean that?" he whispered.

"I do."

Those two words took every dark cloud away from America's heart. He brought their lips together in a soft, but passionate kiss, once again wrapping his arms around England, who returned the kiss with the same energy, running his fingers through America's blonde hair. Though the two felt that they could stay that way forever, England was the first to break the kiss.

"I kind of have a surprise for you," he said breathless. America looked confused, but followed England behind a throng of trees. In the clearing, was a canopy decked with beautiful flowers and lanterns, giving the beaten down shelter a romantic air. England led America to the middle of the canopy and lifted their intertwined hands.

"May I have this dance?" he asked suavely. America chuckled.

"I'm the hero, I'm supposed to ask you," he said, looking over his glasses.

"I lead, I get to ask," England said, eyebrow twitching. America decided to let it go for once, and he accepted. Then, to no music, the two danced. They danced for hours, despite being soaked to the skin. Then, when they were thoroughly chilled and their feet ached, they went to England's home and spent their first night together.

America and England both woke the next morning with stuffy noses and a bad coughs, but both decided it was well worth it.

Okay, that's the end. Please review, I enjoy them. Hope you enjoyed my fic.

-K.H. Wright