"You did what?" Several nations announced in unison as response to France and Japan's dictum.

"How was I supposed to know Amerique was planning to explain his answer in such a way?" France shouted in opposition, hoping his voice wasn't loud enough for America to overhear the conversation beneath the floorboards. "Besides, England believed I wasn't going to tell America's exact words, so what else was I supposed to do?"

"Lie, that's what you probably should have done!" China argued bitterly to the French nation. "I don't what care what intention England had behind this, but lying in this circumstance was more suitable than, what, America confessing his love towards England, who wasn't even aware of that piece of information in the first place? Do you realize how much you've jeopardized his entire situation, aru?"

"It's too late for that now. What happened happened, and there's nothing we can do about it now." Japan answered in a blank monotone. "The least we can do is to get through this situation with the exception of England currently having additional understanding of America. However..." A silent moment passed before he spoke again. "if America were to find out about this matter, this predicament of ours will be much more difficult to handle with than before. Plus, England isn't going to let go of this so lightly as of now; Wouldn't you think that England-san currently has a stronger urge to discover the meaning behind America-san's response?"

"Maybe you should have thought of that before letting France converse with America in the first place." China sneered harshly at his younger brother with furrowed brows that can only be expressed in utter anger. "And to make matters worse here, you didn't bother to inform any of us of your ridiculous plan...and you didn't care to tell us of this until now?"

"He's right." Germany mustered in agreement, yet in a serene and calm tone. "You should have told us what you were planning beforehand when you returned from visiting England, or at the very least, you could have said something after, not several days later. Surely, you would realize that you truly are preventing this situation from becoming any better."
Japan and France bowed their heads in chagrin. Germany was correct in stating that; They could have called the other nations days ago about what exactly happened with America and England, yet the realization of those nations developing a grudge or an obvious fury towards France and Japan. Nevertheless, the arguments were going to ensue soon enough, it wasn't as if France and Japan was going to keep this a secret from the fellow countries.

"Have you at least spoke with England ever since?" The German asked with a stern, even-tempered voice. As response, Japan and France shook their heads in disagreement.

"I don't have the slightest idea of how to explain this all to England." France muttered sadly. "It's not as if he's going to handle this matter in a clement way, much less remain silent for any longer."

"If that happens to be the case," Russia smoothly interrupted the conversation. "Then maybe it's time."

The surrounding countries were puzzled by his lack of context. "Time for what, actually?" Japan questioned dubiously.

"Isn't it obvious?" Russia sounded almost appalled in his responding comment. "Maybe we should let America speak with England once again. I don't see point in keeping America away from England anymore if both are willing to speak with one another. Besides, their...genuine alliance isn't much of our business. There's really nothing much we can do to help them except allowing them-"

The nations cut him off there before he could finish. "Honestly," China was the first to argue back with Russia. "Do you actually believe that America and England will solve out this entire goddamn predicament on their own? And since when did you start agreeing in America's favor?"

"Never." Russia reminded him with a slightly menacing glare as he answered the second question. "But it isn't necessary for any of us to determine whether or not we should be the the way of their discussions, and to be fair..." Russia's devious frown switched into a glum expression. "Why should we keep them apart? We're practically leaving them alone when they should be together, and...nobody deserves to be alone..we all know that just as well as I do."

The room was uncomfortably silent for a good while. Alas, they would be lying if they didn't agree with Russia. Actually, how could they? They all knew, every nation did, how it truly felt to be completely alone in this messed up world. Like they could really argue back with Russia, it seemed nearly impossible.
"You...you do raise a point, Russia-san," Japan mumbled out in confession. "But when? How? We can't ignore the slim possibility that America-san and England-san may not figure out this matter on their own. I'm sorry, Russia, although I highly doubt this outcome to happen, we still can't risk it."

"E-Even if the chances of that are slim," Italy, surprisingly, interrupted Japan. "There's nothing wrong with trying, right? Maybe Russia is right after all! You said it yourself, Japan. Sooner or later, they won't be silent any longer, and once that happens," Italy looked around at everyone with warm, generous eyes. "Then everything would be normal again for them just like it was in the first place. R-Right?"

"Think about it." Russia went in to comment once again. "Yes, I do believe that there is a chance for America, or even England for that matter, to screw everything up for us, but how can they be able to-"

Russia's attention drove away from the ongoing argument for a quick second as he suddenly went silent. His eyes darted to the side, focused on whatever he was pondering on. "Do you hear that?" He whispered in a soft voice.

The others looked at him in bewilderment, wondering why he decided to turn his attention away from the main subject at hand, at least until everyone heard the faint clamor arising from another hallway. It was strange; The bantering seemed to be emitting primarily from one person while the latter was barely audible enough to hear at all.

A few took careful steps towards the source of the commotion, just quiet enough so whomever was speaking wouldn't notice the nations nearing closer. Then, a definite creak emitted from the source, and the nations' minds simultaneously knew who made the noise.

All moved to the hallway where a lone, wooden door hid away the continuing noises, which began to lower in volume until nothing was left.

"Why is he in there?" China spitted out.

"He's not causing any trouble. It won't be much of a problem." Japan whispered back.

"That's what you think! What can you ever expect from America?"

Japan merely narrowed his eyes in disagreement. He reached for the doorknob and sighed. "He's probably trying to find something to do since he can't do much now, right?" He turned the knob and began to push. "We'll just open and see what's he's doing-" His eyes peeked inside, and without any warning, he swung the door so hard that an audible slam was heard.

The others gasped in the sight they had walked upon to. It was such an impossible sight that the nations couldn't wrap their head around.
With not much to say from the shaken nations, America could barely crack out the next few words.

"I can explain."

'Do you sincerely believe that this is a good idea?'

"No, not really...but does it even matter at this point?" England muttered to himself as he stepped across the stone-covered pathway with tiny spikes of grass peeking out from the visible cracks in between the rocky, worn-down pavement. "You even told me yourself that I should have conversed with him in person beforehand."

'I did, but that was, you know, before we found out about America...' His voice trailed off slowly as his tone became lugubrious with increasing doubt. 'I get it. You want to meet with America despite France, Japan, and I repeatedly suggesting for days that you should speak with him one-on-one, but to meet with him now, especially after hearing his answer? The others aren't even aware of what you're doing, they wouldn't allow something like this. Doesn't that sound like a risky move to you at all?'

England hesitated before he could say no. As if he could lie to himself, literally. "What about you? Wasn't this what you, Japan, and the frog wanted anyways? And maybe I should mention that you wish to see America for a much different reason than I do, isn't that right?"

'Really, as if bringing that up is going to prove a point.' His past self choked out with a hint of ire in his voice. 'Whatever. I just happened to change my suggestion for you to not speak with America for your own good.'

"My own good?" England repeated in confusion. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

'Tell me, what's going to happen if you decide to blurt out anything of the sort when you talk with America soon? What do you suppose you will do if something happens to slip out of that damn mouth of yours?'

Great, made fun of himself by himself. Again. "Are you saying that you believe I'm going to accidentally shout out something having to do with...you know...what happened a few days ago?" For a second, England himself even thought about the accusation. Who's to say if England will or will not say something out of the ordinary in front of America? As if the possibility of an instance like that wasn't impossible. "Hmph, I see what you mean, but, now, I need to recover these memories more than ever!"

He raised a hand flat on his pounding forehead in exhaustion. "Ever since I woke up in the hospital, it's been America this and America that! Not only that, but everyone, including you, repeat the same damn thing about how America is of importance to me. I've doubted that fact for such a long time until..." His voice trailed off as he recalled the saddened, desolate voice of America though the speaker phone that day. The mixed feelings within England overwhelmed him at the very moment he heard America say those three words: "I loved him." If that wasn't bad enough, that statement is still true to this day. The problem was that the feeling was mutual, well, at least before the incident. "Just exactly how many memories did I have with that brat?"

His past self gave out a sigh. 'Many, except that most of the earlier ones were regretful than the rest. We tend to avoid talking about them if they come across. It's hard for him too, you know, to remember those events from back then.'

England groaned in defeat. "How is that supposed to help?"

'Beats me. Besides, you're the one who asked in the first place.'

"Okay, now how is that supposed to help?" He restated with a grunt. After a few more seconds of composure, England grumbled out in irritation. "Like anything you say is going to change my mind. I've already come this far, and I'm not going to waste more time arguing with myself about this matter." England turned towards the grand household ahead of him, a sense of familiarity swept through him for a second as he gazed his eyes over the complex. "It's about time we end this situation once and for all."

No response.

After a quick breather, England strolled along the cracking pavement surrounded by lively bushes and greens at its sides. It wasn't long until he had reached the front door, anxious to even turn the handle. I'm not turning back now.

Despite the fact that America hadn't moved much the past several days, he felt completely exhausted. Mainly because he's been stuck in the same room for days now. How annoying it was to be accused of escaping to see England if you left the room in your own house. Even when he went downstairs to get a snack to cure some of his hunger, he was immediately taken back into his confined room.

Nevertheless, that didn't stop him from trying to go downstairs. Even if America was accused of leaving the premises, he didn't have much of the energy to do so anyways. Besides, he got his snack in the end, so it's a win win for everybody. America gets his food and has some movement outside of his room, and the rest of the nations don't have to worry about America escaping for the time being.

And as of right now, the hunger pangs were not helping out America one bit. In a tired, yet annoyed manner, America tapped his bedroom door gently. "Yo, Japan, I'm just gonna leave my room for a sec and grab some food, so please don't come barging towards me saying that I should stay put in the room like the last time, or the other times before that. It's not too much to ask, is it?"

Did he miss Japan saying something in response? America knew that Japan wasn't much of a talker, but he'd at least respond to a request like that, right? "Uh, did you hear me, Japan?" America asked with slight confusion while he tapped the door a few more times.

Silence. Was he not there on patrol over America? Wait, America thought, what if none of the nations were here? No, he shook his head in disagreement, they wouldn't leave America alone all of the sudden. And if America were to escape now, it'll just be too easy. For all he knew, he could run outside to find the nations testing if he would leave if they were gone. Or maybe he was overthinking this a bit? Maybe Japan is having a break or something like that. After all, Japan's been in the same position of acting as a guard for a while. Well, Japan technically can stay in one place for a long time since he was a shut-in for decades, so this might not be as hard for Japan as it seems. Not to mention it was America who brought Japan out of being a shut-in in the first place...

After several more minutes of conjuring up any possible scenarios, it was finally brought to America's attention that he hadn't made any progress whatsoever about the matter at hand. And once his stomach began to grumble profoundly with hunger, America resorted to his final option. You know what, fuck it, I'm going.

It felt nearly too quiet, like the nations were waiting for England to arrive. How ridiculous, England thought, the nations would-, no, should be here. After all, they are trying to refrain America from leaving the area. Even if they weren't here, they would have probably locked the front door by now. England didn't expect that it would be that simple just to enter America's household.

"Honestly!" Never mind, the nations are here after all. Not much of a surprise. Walking a bit forward, England spotted the nations, except for America, placed in a room near the staircase. He sneaked a quick glance from the near corner, hoping he could find the chance to reach the staircase without anyone noticing him.

"Do you actually believe that America and England will solve out this entire goddamn predicament on their own? And since when did you start agreeing in America's favor?"

"Never," With everyone's attention directed to the conversation between Russia and China, England paced, albeit not even a crack from the floorboards, to the hallway underneath the staircase.

With no mean of listening to their ongoing discussion, England inched toward the stairs with carefulness, making sure each step he took was as silent as it could be. However, before he could even arrive at the first step, the slight click of a door alerted England from above. Shit. As England stepped backwards to his original spot, he could've swore he caught sight of...

'This is not the time to get distracted! Just find some place to hide! Who's to say he's not going to turn around the corner and find us?'

Although his steps were soft and weak, England could definitely hear America reaching the very top steps of the staircase. He couldn't get caught like this...how would England be able to explain his appearance to the others? Or even worse, to America?

He looked around and spotted a wooden door, a bit worn out past it's age, almost as if the room behind the door was neglected for years. It was his only escape from being caught besides leaving the household altogether, but that wasn't a decision to be made.

Damn. England turned his head towards the air above him, his head beginning to pound with frustration and worry. With no time to spare, he turned the knob and pushed forward.

He slowly turned the door handle and peeked out through the small opening between the door and its frame, and all he noticed was the emptiness residing the corridor. Okay, so Japan wasn't there at all. At least that solves one problem so far.

Carefully, America moved with quiet steps forward, looking around for any sign of a nation nearby. (And to his surprise, there wasn't anybody on his floor) Perhaps he was right, what if the nations weren't here at all?

Almost as if it was on cue, America heard pestering, not to mention a couple of rants coming from the first floor. So much for thinking he was alone in his household.

"Do you actually believe that America and England will solve out this entire goddamn predicament on their own, aru?" Their own? America thought to himself as he took near silent steps down the staircase, hoping to catch a better glimpse of what the nations were concerning about without revealing himself to the nations. Forget about getting food now, he could actually find out what's going on with him and England! "And since when did you start agreeing in America's favor?"

"Never. But it isn't necessary for any of us to determine whether or not we should be the the way of their discussions." That was Russia's voice he heard, right? "And to be fair, Why should we keep them apart? We're practically leaving them alone when they should be together, and...nobody deserves to be alone...we all know that just as well as I do."

Out of all people, it had to be you to convince them? Geez, this situation has really gotten out of hand. Wait, so did that mean...?

"You...you do raise a point, Russia-san," America felt a smile of relief growing on his face. Did it mean that the nations were going to let him see England again? Would that mean that they won't have to bother including themselves in their conversations any longer?
"But when? How? We can't ignore the slim possibility that America-san and England-san may not figure out this matter on their own." As soon as America found that small ray of hope, it had vanished almost immediately. "I'm sorry, Russia, although I highly doubt this outcome to happen, we still can't risk it."

Oh, come on! America fought the urge to argue back at Japan, mainly since it wasn't going to help him in the long run. I would think you would be on my side after all this time, not damn Russia!

Suddenly, America heard several clanks and creaks coming from the hallway, merely faint enough for only America to hear without the nations noticing.
"E-Even if the chances of that are slim," America sneaked cautiously away from the staircase, all while hearing Italy beginning to say his stance. The clanking noises only seemed to be getting louder as he sauntered through the corridor.
"There's nothing wrong with trying, right? Maybe Russia is right after all! You said it yourself, Japan. Sooner or later, they won't be silent any longer, and once that happens..."
America stared at the old, wooden door by his right side. There. That's where the sounds were coming from. Why would somebody be in the storage room?

The confusion and disbelief quickly switched to burning rage as he slowly reached for the dull,rusty doorknob. I can put up with not seeing England. I can put up with being trapped in my own house. I can put up listening to any of the reasons why I can't leave. Yet, I can't deal with anybody entering that goddamn room.

"Then everything would be normal again for them just like it was in the first place. R-Right?"

With no hesitation, America opened the door wide open with his hand still clenched onto the doorknob.

"Think about it." His body felt as if it was numb, the words from the other room felt mumbled and faint as he stared with wide, disoriented eyes at the figure standing at the far end of the storage room. The doorknob made a clinking sound as America's hand shook terribly in pure shock.

"Why...why are you..." He was completely speechless. He blinked repeatedly, just to be sure he wasn't imaging such things. There was no mistake about it. The messy blond hair, the piercing green eyes, the fearful expression America was far too familiar with. He had to be imaging him, right? It simply couldn't be.

"Engla-" He croaked out, struggling to find the words to speak. Without skipping a beat, England rushed towards America in a flash and clamped his palm over the shaken nation before he could have the chance to yell out England's name.
No, he wasn't imaging anything. That really is England in front of him. Still in a nervous expression, England said in a quiet, yet pacing tone, "I'll explain everything later, but I need to speak with you. Privately."

"Yes, I do believe that there is a chance for America, or even England for that matter, to screw everything up for us, but how can they be able to-"

"But why are you here?" He pulled his arm away, not caring as to whether or not the other nations would hear the conversation.

England felt beads of sweat tickle down his forehead, fearing the thought of America alerting the others. "Didn't you hear me before? I said that I needed-"
Before he could finish, America grabbed England by his shoulders, holding on tightly as he glared at England dead in the eyes.

"No. I meant...why are you in here?"

"What?" England wondered. "It's all just your junk, right?"

"You don't understand..." America held on tightly to his arms with no cease to let go of his shaking grasp. "You really don't."

England stood blankly at America, unable to conjure a word to say.

"I mean it. Why are you here?" Tightening his grip on England, he wasn't sure whether he was angry or frightened that England was here.

"What the hell are you...talking...about?" His words began to trail off, merely becoming a jumble of sounds that could barely be heard. Within a few seconds, England felt weak in America's arms, and his eyes began to droop with heaviness. Before America could even realize it, America felt the full weight of England's collapsing body push towards him, ready to fall straight for his chest. Fortunately, America caught him just in time before England could hit the dust-covered floor.

"Dammit, out of all times, it had to be now?" America whispered bitterly to himself as he wrapped his arms around around the fallen nation and kept him close as America kneeled and dropped down on both knees. "Did it had to be here too?" he whispered, shakily.

All was quiet in the room, not a sound to be made except for their own breathing, with America's being slightly louder than the latter.

Wait, what was it that he said he was here for? To speak with him privately? What did that even mean? Was it that important that he needed to speak with America in person? And how were the other nations fine with this?

There were so many questions, yet he was here. He wasn't some illusion or even in a dream for that matter. He was actually here in his arms, despite the fact England wasn't awake at the moment.

The moment was immediately interrupted with the door slammed open in a sharp flash.

Shit. Not like this. With eyes that grew wider as he raised his head up, he faced the nations with palpable shock skittered across their faces. It took quite a bit of time for everyone to fully grasp the reality of the situation. Regardless of the apparent shock, it seemed as if America was the most puzzled of them all.

"I..." America broke the painful silence as he tightened his grip onto England's limp body. "I can explain."

Hello guys, its been quite a long time hasn't it?
I'm sorry for an even longer delay, words can't express how much I want to apologize.

No, I'm not ending the story, nor am I dead. I've just been extremely busy, and there's far more important things I have to attend to before I can get back to the story. This summer, I went on a media arts program to Spain, so I wasn't able to work on it due to the focus I wanted to put on this experience. School's back, and now that I'm enrolled in AP courses, homework's been getting the best of me. Although it seems like I'm not trying hard enough, I am. I'm a straight A student, surprisingly, and even when I get an A-, my mother has to get on my ass. I have to get an A if I want to make my family proud. Schoolwork or anything academic in my life is extremely important to me, or at least to my mother, so I can't slack off in my studies. I apologize once again.

Nevertheless, thank you for everything! Sometimes I feel like the story makes sense but then it doesn't at the same time so :/
Since there's going to be a school trip for me next week, I'm able to work on the story! Hopefully I can get most of it done during the trip!

Thank you all once again! I will see you again in the next chapter!

Hetalia does not and will never belong to me.