Important

"I want you to know something."

England slowly turned his head to look at America, his normally brilliant green eyes dulled by the events of the past few - hours? It felt more like weeks. Weeks of running and fighting and hiding and crying. But time didn't matter any more. Not with so many of them gone. And really, all England wanted to do at that moment was…

"England," America said, taking a step closer to his ally. He sounded so unsure, so afraid. England had never seen him that way. Had never seen him look so utterly exhausted. His heart sank at the thought that America, one of the strongest nations he knew, was just as tired and broken down as the rest of them were.

"I want you to know… that I don't hate you."

The words hung thickly in the air between them. Neither of them looked away from the other, too afraid that if they did, they'd never see the other again.

"And I'm going to stay by your side until the end. Because…"

England wasn't sure which of them took the first step. It didn't matter. All that mattered was being close to the other nation; being able to hear his beating heart as America's arms wrapped around him, holding him tightly. He clung tightly to America as the first tears began to slide down his cheeks - tears for what was coming next; tears for their fallen friends.

"…you're important to me."