private conversation; america; day 8

[tsunneverset]

[England will not be going out into the town this morning. Instead, he'll be in his room getting extremely drunk if America wants to come find him.]

Comments

[asapplepie]

If you walk out there, drunk, and they accuse you, it's not going to look good.

Are you really just going to...is this really going to be the end? You're England. You're like a million years old and you've fought everybody, and you're going to let some dumb kid kill you?

[tsunneverset]

As if I've ever cared about looking good. Maybe I won't go in there at all. It'd be a shame if the last thing I ever saw was Spain's ugly face.

If I were prey, I would never go out without a fight. I'd rally the troops and drag every hunter out by whatever means necessary. But I'm a hunter. And I'm tired. Tired of helping them win, tired of killing children, tired of working for something I don't think will ever happen. I'm far too old to enjoy these sorts of games anymore.

[asapplepie]

You're selfish.

[He sounds sullen and miserable.]

I'm going to be all alone now. You're the only one I have.

[tsunneverset]

You're right, I am. Let me make a selfish decision for once in this game.

[His expression goes from resigned to pained at that and he reaches out with his free hand, curling his fingers around the nape of America's neck.]

You'll get through it. Haven't you already proven that you don't need me around? Besides, I don't believe death is permanent here. Sanae Hanekoma came back, didn't he? So maybe I will too. Maybe Critter will bring me back as one of the prey and we'd be able to actually work together. I'd like that.

[asapplepie]

Me too.

[He sniffles and then wipes at his eyes furiously, unwilling to cry again.]

I...I liked it being us. Not the part where people were dying, but us working together and not fighting all the time and junk...

[tsunneverset]

Even knowing I was lying to you the entire time? [But he smiles fondly anyway.] It was certainly a novel experience, I'll give you that. It's been a long time since either of us were ever that direct with each other, hasn't it? If we do manage to both leave this game...well, I won't say it'll be easy without our lives constantly in danger, but it'd be nice if we could continue down this path.

[asapplepie]

I've never wanted us to hate each other.

I'll do whatever it takes to bring you back.

[tsunneverset]

I've harbored a lot of emotions towards you over the centuries...but never hate. Not once.

There we go. Don't lose hope yet, all right? There's a happy ending to be found in the midst of all this, I'm sure of it.

[asapplepie]

I've never hated you either. I've thought I hated you, but I never have.

I promise you'll be back.