( video )

[starspangledhero]

[ America looks completely drained. Now that he doesn't have to keep his (questionable concept of) sanity anymore, everything he's been holding off for the past few days is taking its toll. Oh yeah, his facial expression might not exactly be the first thing you notice. And of course you know why.

It's because he's drenched in blood.

That's not an exaggeration. He's covered in it, even his face and hair. This is why your parents tell you not to run around the pool. You will fall. ]

It's not mine. I'm not fine, but not hurt. I don't wanna explain right now. I'm spending the night in.

[ He sighs and rubs his eye with the heel of his palm. You can probably hear a shower running in the background. ]

As soon as Namine's done washing it off her, I'm taking a scrub and going to bed. Might not be out for a while, unless the city falls into a new peril and needs a hero, 'course.

...Everyone else okay? Everyone in the city. Pretty sure no one's making it outta wherever we were without something fucked up. Man I'm tired.

[ Another shaky sigh, and the camera shakes violently as he moves to turn it off. He mutters something as he does, more to himself than anyone else. ]

I don't wanna think.

Comments

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

[England is genuinely surprised. He's usually fairly pessimistic, so he didn't really expect to see any of the missing people ever again.]

You're back... Are you-? [wait, stupid question.]

What-? [Wait. Also stupid. He clearly doesn't want to talk about it. But now he's out of pertinent things to say. Why did he respond to this call again...?]

....... I'm glad you made it back. Miss Namine, too. Everyone was really worried.

[starspangledhero]

[ Now more than ever, America is missing England's older self. Even if England is forever bitter with him in the future, at least he'd know him--really know him--and maybe comfort his former charge like a parent. A bitter, tsundere, prickly parent.

SO MUCH DEPRESSION. In fact, he sounds (and looks) on the verge of collapse. His voice is all choked. ]

England.

[ Oh god this is embarrassing. Must. hold it. together. Okay he can do this. ]

Glad to be back. You doin' alright?

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

[He's getting the feeling that he somehow made America feel worse. England really wishes he didn't feel so small and useless right now.]

I'm fine. Things here.... Things were strange, but.... nothing really bad happened.

[starspangledhero]

[ Somehow, America has the good sense not to tell England that he wishes he was older. ]

Good. Glad you're okay!

[ He's to tired to really filter his mouth or think about the difference between talking to an older England a younger one. ]

I wanna hang out more. It's been a while since we listened to the Beatles together.

/His mun feels so bad right now.... Baw, America...;_;

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

[England manages a weak smile in return.]

Okay... Just... Just let me know when.

[He has no idea why America wants to listen to beetles, but England would have agreed to anything. Just to feel slightly less... useless.]

I feel bad writing this ;w; HE WILL HUG ENGLAND AND NEVER LET GO

[starspangledhero]

Okay. Soon. Soon as I'm... well, soon. I need sleep and showering first.

[ His mouth twitches as though he's attempting a smile. He gives up for a moment but, because America is a smiley hero, he finally manages an equally weak one back. ]

It'll be fun.

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

Right. Umm... tomorrow then?

[He smiles slightly more. Somehow even a weak smile from America makes him feel a little better.]

[OOC: Do you want to thread that out? Because I am totally there if you do. Tiny England will be so surprised to find out that America wasn't talking about bugs.]

[starspangledhero]

Sounds good. You're still at Denmark's place, right?

[ooc: SURE THING ♥ he will give England music to sing for years to come. ]

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm still here. But I could come to you if... if you don't feel up to going anywhere...

[OOC: He will be pleasantly surprised by his future!citizens.]

[starspangledhero]

You'll be okay getting here alone? I mean, it's only downstairs, but I don't want you getting eaten or anything on the way.

[ ooc: I foresee cute stories of England's awesome future. ]

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

I'll be fine! I can take care of myself.

[Normally the implication that he couldn't would make him angry. But right now, he's just happy that America seems to okay.]

[ooc: Funny you should mention, because he was going to ask about future him. He's been curious about that guy. Comment!spam or log?]

[starspangledhero]

I know ya can. Uh, in that case, I'll just be down here then. Marshall 202. See ya tomorrow then?

[ it's concern okay you are short. ]

[ ooc: Oh, it'll happen. And maybe comment spam? Logs are fine but I'm already drowning in log tags hahaha. ]

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

Right. See you then.

[ooc: comment spam is fine with me. ^_^]

[starspangledhero]

[ AWESOME ♥

Well tomorrow America will just be... chilling in his apartment once he wakes up. He wouldn't have left the bed if it was his choice, but since he hadn't eaten in days, he had to get up eventually. ]

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

[Have a hesitant knock at the door around lunchtime. He figured America would probably want to sleep in.]

[starspangledhero]

[ He would be correct! He's still tired, but food is his new priority. In fact, he answers the door with half a twinkie hanging out of his mouth.

All apocalyptic wastelands have twinkies somewhere. That is the logic I am operating under. He's also still in his pajamas and a sweatshirt. ]

Oh yeah! I almost forgot! C'mon in.

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

[Twinkies and cockroaches. These will be that last things on earth.]

Hi... Um, I hope I didn't wake you up...

[He enters an looks around curiously.]

Are we really going to listen to beetles?

[starspangledhero]

Nah! Been awake about an hour stuffing my face with as much as I can manage. I've dug into my Twinkie supply for this. Ya want some?

[ Yes, he is indeed offering England the half eaten glob of questionable sweets. Isn't he generous. ]

I haven't set up the record player but it won't take long. You wanna start on the White Album or Abbey Road? I know ya dig Please Please Me but the people in charge are kinda stingy on the music.

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

[He wrinkles his nose at the strange..... whatever that is. But let's try to be polite.]

Umm... no thank you.

[Also, White Album? Abbey Road? What?]

....What's a record player? And what does it have to do with beetles?

[starspangledhero]

[ America shrugs, stuffs the food in his mouth, and motions for England to come inside. The floor is slightly off-red from an unfortunate incident of a troll eating his wolf monster... but England may not notice that. America's now fiddling with the technology of the future: a shitty record player. ]

It can play the Beatles, duh!

[ He's pulling out the record and putting it on. GIVE HIM A MINUTE this thing is almost a legendary piece of shit. ]

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

[That shitty record player is mysterious and amazing futuristic technology. So yeah, he's watching with curious fascination.]

....That thing has beetles in it?

[He doesn't see any...]

[starspangledhero]

Nope, but this does! [ he waves the record ] The player just, y'know, plays it.

[ And once it's set up, indeed it does. Starting on Abbey Road and I'm pretty sure the first song on that is Come Together.

IT IS AWESOME. America looks like he's relaxing a bit more than he was yesterday. ]

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

[The music is awesome. Especially because it's magically coming out of a black disc on a box. This is reminding him of those video games that Sealand showed him.]

That's... incredible. Are these things common in the future?

[Also, hey that music is pretty nice.]

[starspangledhero]

Yep, records are flying off the shelves! And you've got some of the best bands. Music's pretty much the only thing you're awesome at. Fashion maybe. Mod's pretty rad.

[ he sighs and sits down on the couch. ]

[sceptered-isle.livejournal.com]

Me? Really?

[Especially surprising because, in his time, France is the one with all the cool music and fashion. Half of England's people are busy trying to emulate the culture. The other half is busy plotting how to get rid of the frenchies. He gives a last curious look at the spinning record, and then joins America on the couch.]

Heh. France always told me I was terrible at that stuff.