13. o! that you were your self; but, love, you are [closed]

[keepscalm]

Characters: [OU] England (keepscalm) and [OU] France (silencetoreason)
Setting: Floor 14 (the media room), nighttime
Format: Action
Summary: Once, England had to trek a labyrinth like this while those he loved watched him be hunted. Now England is the spectator, and he's not very happy.
Warnings: Sad angry nations.

[England hasn't been able to stop watching the live feed of the labyrinth since he first discovered it. The only thing that tore him away during the daytime was his duty to America. But during the nights, after ensuring that America was safe in bed, England crept into the elevator to take the journey down, down, down to the fourteenth floor.

It was a fool's errand, for certain, but he couldn't stop watching. He couldn't abandon them.

He never entered the floor proper unless he was alone. At some point, he found a moment to himself, and staked his claim on one of the couches.

Now, he sits, watching like a man possessed for any screen that displays Zelda and Sealand.]

Comments

[keepscalm]

[England isn't aware of the extent of France's connection to Zelda, but he's not thinking about that. What he does consider is Ruler. If there is one thing that England will respect about France's feelings, it's this; it's the one thing that all nations have in common, even when they are entirely at odds in many other regards. A nation will do whatever they believe is necessary to protect their people. And, here, these few people are all they really have left.

France deserves the opportunity to protect what is most precious to him. England understands that.

It's for this reason that England answers severely, with sharp, angry conviction in every syllable.]

It's not a suggestion. If you don't come, I'll go on my own.

[silencetoreason]

[The gravity of what England is considering is enormous. It's risky; it's potentially fatal. But, then... he's died before. He's sustained grievous injuries, caught the plague, taken gunshot wounds to the head, and that's all before even coming to the Tower. What's a little pain if it means he can protect those who are precious to him?]

...Heh.

[A smirk tugs at the corners of his lips. The longer he thinks about it, the less frightened he is. Dying is a small price to pay for a chance to do something proactive for once, especially if he's bound to come back to life right afterward.]

Stubborn as always, Angleterre. But that is all right. You won't have to brave it alone.

[Beneath the certainty in his words, there's a tiny hint of teasing. The situation is dire, yes, and France hasn't been in the spirits to play around with anyone recently. But speaking of something so reckless with his age-old frienemy can work wonders on him. He's not thinking lightly of things at all, but if he doesn't jab at England at least once, the boy might think he's gone soft. He can't have that.]