This is shorter than my usual chapters. I was inspired by a wonderful fanart (by Cherryproject (DeviantArt) - APH-Cotton-Field) to try and write something.

"More and more people are joining the cause. They are tired of Britain bossing them around and not giving them their rightful representation in Parliament." America beamed. They had arrived in Philadelphia the previous night and the older brother hadn't kept still since then.

Jackson admitted that he was proud of how far the colonist had gone. How they continued to fight even if the odds were against them. They were no soldiers like the British. They didn't have the experience or even the necessary equipment that the British had. Their own supplies were running low and when the harsh months of winter arrived, things would only get worse.

But unlike the British, they had something to fight for. This was their land. They were defending their homes, their families. They knew the terrain and knew how to use it against the foreign soldiers. Now would that work? Would they be victorious against the might of the British army? No one could really tell.

"There are still many that stand against this war brother. Many who are still loyal to the Mother country." America's smile faltered. "What are you calling them? Tories."

America turned to look at him. "What are you feelings on the war brother? I would think you would be glad to be rid of England. I don't think you ever liked him." America asked, his gaze remained on Jackson as he waited. "Isn't that why you forbidden me to tell him about your existence."

"No." Jackson finally said. America wasn't going to let him ignore his question otherwise. "I just never liked the attention. I much preferred growing up with our people than hidden away in a house." Truth be told, Jackson didn't want the responsibility. When he finally reunited with his brother again, he would shut up about England. About how great he was. He had been afraid to disappoint the person his brother spoke so highly off.

"I told him about you once, right after I moved to my new home." Jackson returned to look at America. "We searched for you for weeks. Then England received news that France had found a small child up North. We thought it was the same one I had met soon after my 'birth'.

"I don't know if I should feel offended." Yet, now he couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like growing up with Alfred. He decided he wouldn't have liked it much. The weather up north had never been of his liking. Plus it meant he never would have met many of the people that had cared for him.

His memories of those early years were scattered. He remembered meeting a child like himself and then loosing track of him. Afraid he had hidden away. A group of settlers had found him at some point, believing him to be another settler. Not finding parents, an orphan at that. He didn't age like the other children though and quickly enough they knew he wasn't human.

Unfortunately no one there was important enough to know where or how to contact another older nation to give him to. But they had cared for him like any other child in the settlement. The first time he had met another like him; it had been the dark haired Spaniard. He had been tempted to make contact with him. But something, fear probably, had stopped him. He had stayed with the humans instead.

When Jackson finally ran to his brother it was during the French and Indian War. He had been quite startled to find him again, though he'd always known of his location. It wasn't exactly hard to of his home in the Massachusetts colony. It was one of the most guarded places in the entire colony.

America had been ready to take him to meet England. But Jackson, who was used to his life, his freedom, had advised against it. America hadn't been very happy with the idea. But he'd trusted that it was a choice that his younger brother could make on his. They weren't yet men, but they weren't small defenseless colonies either.

"Hey, I was too young to remember exactly how you looked. I just remembered we looked similar." America shrugged like it was an easy mistake to be made. "At that point of my life, you two looked the same."

"Please stop, Alfred." While people already knew who they were, it was easier to call his brother by their human names. Plus Jackson still felt it wasn't exactly fair that his brother was the one to keep the name. But he was still the 'oldest' (they weren't exactly sure, who had appeared first) and according to him, the name 'South' fitted him better.

"We're still not a country yet." Jackson had said one night. "We are far from United. Each colony still has their differences. I don't think anyone will ever get them to work as one."

"General Washington can, you should see how the men follow him." America's eyes shone when he spoke of the General.

"Of course they do, he's from one of mine after all." Jackson wouldn't say it out loud, but he felt a sense of pride himself.

"Ours brother, ours, there is no separated colonies. There is only the United States of America." America's laughter rang as he made his way across the room. "We are all our Americans, it should matter."

Jackson thought his brother was too much of a dreamer. But he allowed himself to go along with those dreams for once. He hoped that one that dream would stop being just a dream and become a reality.

"Do you think they'll ever agree on something?" America nodded towards the large wooden doors. While they probably would be allowed inside, in the warm summer weather, it was nicer to be outside. Plus America would never stay still in an enclose room for more than a few minutes. "They've been talking and talking, but have archive nothing."

"They are politicians," Jackson said with a shrug.

"This is why I never cared for politics. I much prefer action." America sat up and began to walk. He was already starting to feel restless. "I wish they would let me join the battle. I'm useless in here anyway."

Jackson knew that wasn't the only reason why his brother wanted to join his men. Even if he wouldn't say it out loud. It was obvious that he was hoping to see if England had joined his men in the colonies, to get a glimpse of the empire. "How long has it been since you last saw him?"

America stopped walking, his face hardened. "I—am going to get something to eat." Without another word or glance the other stormed off.

Jackson watched his brother storm off with sadness. It was never easy to leave behind those we love. While he wanted his people to be happy, to be free. What that meant in regards of his relationship with the Empire, affected him more that he admitted.

"You need to get out and have more fun."

"I don't have to do such thing." Jackson took a deep breath. "Also, should I remind you that it's well past midnight here in the east coast?"

There was a long silence on the other line. "Sorry." He finally heard America said. "But you should still join us. Please brother, I know you enjoy this sort of thing. Open fields, horse riding, camping out at night. Nothing beats the West little brother."

"Then, dare I ask big brother, who would look after things. While you are off on vacation, I look after things over here. That's why I'm staying in Washington." Jackson glanced at the clock besides the bed. He should have been sleeping and not talking to his brother on the phone. "Look is late, I'm tired and I'm going to hand up."

If America had anything else to say, he didn't hear it.

It was another week before Jackson had the joy of seen his brother again. He looked up from his work to meet his brother's frowning face. "You're back." He said blankly and returned to his task. When America's hands came down on the table it sent everything spilling to the floor. Jackson himself almost tripped over in surprise.

"Why are you mean?" America literally whined.

"Excuse me?" Jackson glanced around at the mess his brother had made.

"I'm trying to have a good relationship with you. Do you truly hate me that much?" America said sadly. With a sight he pulled the other chair out and said across from his brother.

"Don't flatter yourself." Jackson wanted to say that he could never really bring himself his stupid brother. He sometimes hated the things he did. But that was another thing. "I don't hate you. I just rather not take part in your dangerous adventures."

"I'm inviting you to come horse riding, not jump into a battlefield." Jackson ignores his brother's frown.

"Last time we did that you almost burnt down an entire farm." Jackson reminded him. They had been banned from visiting the place ever again. All because America had decided to leave his little camping site abandoned.

"Yeah," America began with a smile, "I got wasted that day didn't I?" America had never been much of a drinker and because it, he could never hold down that much alcohol. "Now are you coming with us or what?"

"No!" Jackson was ready to throw his brother out. "Wait, what do you mean by 'us'. Don't tell me you managed to drag some innocent souls into your little adventure?"

"Of course, you know how boring to would have been if I had gone alone?" Resisting the temptation to smack himself and then America on the head, Jackson began to point towards the door. "I'm not leaving until you accept to come with us." America said, not giving up. "Is not like you can throw me out, this is my office too."

That was probably true. Even if he called security, America was so likable that they probably wouldn't do anything. He had managed to charm everyone In the building. "I'm starting to regret my previous statement about my hate for you."

"I'll take that as a yes." America clapped his hands together. "I told them I could convince you. England is going to have to pay off." America continued to ramble on, but by then Jackson had archived the helpful ability to tune his brother's rambles off.

"Ha!" America yelled proudly as he rode past his brother. "I told you, you were going to enjoy it." America won the raise with ease. While Jackson had been good in the fields, America had always gotten along with animals, they loved him and he loved them. America loved riding as much as he loved flying.

"It has been years since I enjoyed a good ride." France said when he finally caught up with them. He had been more concentrated on the beautiful surrounding and enjoying the ride than the race itself. "Well, riding a horse I mean. I have ridden and have been ridden by other things."

Before France had an opportunity to continue, England had ridden behind him and smacked him on the head. France slipped off the horse without grace and into the floor. They all winced at that. But were grateful that England had stopped any further information from coming out.

"I have lost touch with nature myself." Jackson admitted. It felt nice letting go like this. For once he would give America credit for having a good idea and dragging him along.

"I think we all have." Jackson heard England said. "Now," he said turning towards his four companion, "who wants to see who can make it back first?"

They were off once more. France was once more the last two arrive. It had taken him longer to get up and back on his horse. The Frenchman bad mood disappeared as soon as he took a glance of the star filled sky that night. The weather was perfect to be out; it gave them the perfect view of the sky above.

That night after everyone else had gone to bed, Jackson allowed himself to leave the house. Even thought it was summer the night air was chilly. He wrapped his arms around his body. Though it didn't exactly keep the cold away, it was reassuring. There were not many houses around and at this hour there was no one else outside. Jackson's eyes closed and in the back of his mind he could feel a memory surfacing.

He remembered the first time they had gone west. To the unknown then, how America had laughed and joked with the humans accompanying them. America's love for adventure hadn't lessened even after so many years.

He imagined that America would be one of the first to go into the unknown. Jackson's eyes drifted upwards towards the sky. America had always dreamed about going there and he didn't doubt he would one day. Maybe that day would come and he wouldn't be around anymore to see it happen, but it would come.

'No longer around,' the thought made Jackson shiver. But he knew that to be the truth too. He could feel it with every passing day, feel himself go weaker. He was surprised that he'd lasted so long after that day. He'd been sure; he had believed he was going to disappear soon after it was all over. But surprisingly something had kept him around. Maybe it was the still different ideals that separated the humans or just force of sheer will. It hardly mattered, one day that wouldn't be enough.

Jackson smiled to himself. He imagined that America and some of the States would miss him. But his brother would never be alone. His friends wouldn't let him get into much trouble, a job that Jackson had taken (and sometimes failed) into himself.

Jackson shook his head. This was not the time to be thinking about depressing things. It was the first time in what felt like years that he'd allowed himself to relax and smile.

Also I've currently put my other stories in hiatus. I'm not exactly sure how long I will have more updates (including for this fic). I may end up putting this as completed and then if I get an idea (like for this chapter), I will post it.