( 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

[action]

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

T-the... shower's open. There's still hot water.

[Audio]

[totallygay]

[At first, Tatsumi is a little envious because America is covered in blood, but by the looks of things it may not have been fun at all, so he waves it off, for the time being]

People seeing things and hardly getting a wink of sleep... but living, I think.

Don't worry about being a hero today, ya? I'll take your shift or something.

[Scary thought is scary but he has to act like he cares]

... Are you two going to be alright?

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[asideglance.livejournal.com]

[such a disturbed and worried expression right here holy shit]

A-america-san...

[action]

[starspangledhero]

[ He notices, but he can't exactly muster up the energy to comment on it, let alone try to comfort her, when he's still bloody and hanging by an emotional thread. And because no one wants to be hugged by a smelly bloody man. ]

Ah... thanks. I'll be out in a while. Hang tight.

[ Don't worry, he'll take just as long as her :|b ]

[Audio]

[starspangledhero]

[ That begs the question as to whether Tatsumi would have enjoyed sloshing around for two days in blood or not. Probably. But America doesn't even want to think about the s p a c e right now. ]

Good. [ no he's not all that sympathetic. ]

Thanks. I'll owe ya one if the invaders light everything on fire. Or something.

[ He's grateful, but he is nowhere near his usual happy self ;w;

And that is a loaded question. America will interpret it as "will you ever go back to how you were before." ]

Yeah. Eventually. I always find a way to bounce back in time. I'll find a way to get her through it too.

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[starspangledhero]

[ STILL WAITING FOR THE SHOWER. STILL BLOODY. yes we'll pretend this is before the Namine thread. ]

I'm back.

[ yeah he's not smiling. at all. ]

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[asideglance.livejournal.com]

What... [no, he said he didn't want to explain it. he stops himself]

If there is anything I can do...

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[starspangledhero]

No. There isn't anything.

[ he's not saying this to be callous. he is genuinely NOT OKAY. ]

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[asideglance.livejournal.com]

[feeling helpless really sucks..]

...I-I apologize.

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[starspangledhero]

Not your fault. [ maybe. he hopes not. PARANOIA SURE DOES SUCK. ]

How long have I been gone.

[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.

[subshiki.livejournal.com]

[ his frequency! have it. ]

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[asideglance.livejournal.com]

...T-three days, I believe.

[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?

[starspangledhero]

[ for once America isn't all that talkative. he spared his sanity by screaming word games for hours. his throat probably hurts by now. ]

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[starspangledhero]

Only three days? Seemed like forever.

[subshiki.livejournal.com]

Go to bed.

[starspangledhero]

Need to shower first. Namine isn't out yet.

[subshiki.livejournal.com]

I'd say use ours, but I think if you tried walking down here you'd fall.

[starspangledhero]

[ Silence. Oh god the falling.

IT

KEEPS

HAPPENING. ]

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[asideglance.livejournal.com]

Yes... I am not sure what you went through, but those of us in the city merely dealt with paranoia...

[subshiki.livejournal.com]

...From exhaustion?

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[starspangledhero]

Wish I'd been here.

[ He pauses. Twitches like he wants to rub his eyes again, but he doesn't want to smear the blood on his face even more. ]

It was dark and awful.

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[asideglance.livejournal.com]

[Japan is concerned of course, but that first line seems a little shallow and he has to bite back any sort of reply.]

I am sorry that you had to go through such a thing. However, at least it is over...

[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.