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Disclaimer: I am certain I do not own Hetalia…And, since my galactic takeover plan hasn't gotten anywhere yet, you still own yourself.

The sun shone in through the window, causing you to smile softly. After all, it wasn't every day that the weather was so wonderful here in London. You looked around the modest hotel room you were staying in. Your suitcases were cluttering the floor and there were clothes, brushes, books and certain "unmentionables" strewn about the place.

As you got to work straightening up the room, you caught a glimpse of the calendar on your nightstand table. You frowned a bit at the date circled.

Two days…You only had two days left in your vacation…Then, you would be going back home.

It wasn't that you hated your home or anything. No, you just always felt sad when you had to leave England…

The person, not the country…

******

It had all started back when you were six years old. Your grandfather had been showing you pictures from his days in the military. You were staring with wonder at the old photos from the time he was stationed in the UK, when something caught your eye.

It was a photo of your grandfather and some other men in the middle of a bar, laughing and holding mugs of ale. The person who had caught your attention was a bushy-browed young man whose arm was around your grandfather's shoulders.

When you asked about the man, your grandfather laughed, telling you that the man was a hilarious drunk…And odd as well. He told you how the man would randomly start carrying a conversation with someone who wasn't there or go off about someone who had "broken his heart" over a century earlier…

You barely paid attention to the tales, instead focusing your eyes on the man in the photo. Even though you were only a child, you found yourself intrigued by the handsome, laughing man with the thick eyebrows.

Your grandfather, upon seeing how much you liked the photo, gave it to you as a gift.

Years later, when you were eighteen and had graduated from high school, your parents had decided to take you on a month long trip to England, one of the top countries on your list of places you wanted to visit, as a present. You were having the time of your life while you were there.

Then, three days into the trip, you met him…

It had been an accident. You had told your parents you wanted to explore a bit on your own and promised you would be back in a couple of hours. You never expected to get lost. It was long past the time when you had promised to return to the hotel. You were alone and couldn't figure out where you were.

By some chance, a young man noticed your distress and offered his help. You quickly told him how you were searching for the hotel and he said he would guide you there himself.

You were a little wary since you couldn't see his face well in the darkness. But, when he gave you his arm like a gentleman, you found that you weren't scared of him. As the two of you walked back to the hotel, he entertained you with stories of London and suggestions on places to see.

Too soon for your liking, you were back at the hotel. You looked up at his face and were about to say thank you…But you froze when you saw his face, which was illuminated by the lights of the hotel lobby.

That face…The same one you had seen only in that photo…

Before you could recover from your shock, he bid you farewell and took off. As your parents hugged you and scolded you for being so late, you couldn't speak.

The next day, you happened to run into him again and, with some careful questions, you learned his name was Arthur Kirkland. You met him nearly every day after that and learned much about him. He was a gentleman but had a bad temper and possibly a hidden punk side. He seemed to have bitter feelings toward an American man and apparently hated a certain "frog-faced git". He had three older brothers and an older cousin who bullied him relentlessly. He also had a kid brother and some other estranged family members scattered all over the world.

You learned all this…But you didn't learn why he looked exactly like the man in your grandfather's photo.

With less than two weeks left until your trip was over, you took the direct approach and asked him outright. He didn't answer you but when you pulled out the photo from your wallet, you saw his face grow a little pale. He tried to dismiss things, saying that it must have been an ancestor of his, but you knew there was no way that the resemblance would be so spot-on if that was the case.

You pestered him for days until finally, with only a day left before you went home, he spilled everything…And you became privy to one of the world's most closely guarded secrets.

******

To think that there are actually human personifications for all the countries…you thought as you rode the bus to England's house. It's been five years since that day and I still can't believe it…

After learning about Arthur's, no, England's, secret, the two of you became close friends, communicating through e-mail and nightly phone calls. You were able to visit him for one month every year during the summer, since he paid for everything.

As you walked the rest of the distance to England's house, you couldn't stop your sadness from coming back. You had always assumed it was due to having to leave behind your dear friend…

But, about two years earlier, you had realized the pain in your heart was too strong for someone who was missing a friend.

You were in love…

"Well, that's just great, isn't it?" you muttered as you opened the door to England's home with the key he had given you, "I basically love a country who is way, way, way older than my entire family combined…"

No…It wasn't his age or status that bothered you…You figured you just weren't good enough…

"Hey, England, you in here?" you called once you had shut the door behind you.

You were surprised when the man didn't just pop into the room, complaining about your "mockery of the English language", as he called it.

You searched the building high and low, wondering where on earth he could be. He knew you were coming today after all…Then again, you were late due to having to fix up the hotel room.

"Ah, no, I'm not sure why she is late…" a familiar voice said from one of the rooms.

Found you! you thought as you marched towards the room. Wait, who's he talking to?

This was one thing about England you were never able to figure out…Sometimes, you would see the man talking to thin air. He was acting like a child with an imaginary friend. You remember your grandfather had told you about this habit but you didn't realize he did it so often! Well, it wasn't like he knew you were aware of his habit…It wasn't something that one could bring up so casually in a conversation.

You stopped outside the slightly ajar door of the room that you had heard his voice come from. You peeked through the crack and saw England apparently listening intently to something that wasn't there.

You had half a mind to just burst into the room and ask him what the hell was going on. But, before you could, you heard his voice.

"Yes, I know you wanted to meet her…Well, I suppose it will have to happen another day…Goodbye then!"

After waiting another moment, you walked into the room. England glanced over in your direction and gave you a gentle smile he rarely showed anyone.

"Hello, ____," he greeted, rising from his chair, "I must say, your timing could be better."

"Why?" you asked in return, trying to sound casual, "Was there someone you wanted me to meet?"

"Yes, actually," England answered, "Though it will have to wait, I suppose."

You walked up to England and stared at him closely. Too closely for his liking, based on how red his cheeks were getting.

"W-what is it?" he stuttered, taking a few steps back.

"…Nothing at all," you said, "Well, what're we waiting for? We've got stuff that needs to get done! You said you'd take me to your favorite restaurant!"

"You're nearly as bad as America!" England yelled as you pulled his arm so that he'd hurry up.

******

You practically ran to England's house. It was your last day and you wanted to spend as much time with the man you loved before you had to go home.

When you walked up to the door, you noticed a note taped to the door, requesting that you meet England in the back of the house, in the gardens. You walked into the garden area, smiling at all the beautiful flowers England had carefully grown all by himself.

You noticed England sitting at a small round table up ahead. He was busily writing away. You couldn't help but pout a little. It was the last time you would be by each other's side until the next year and he was busy with paperwork?

As you were about to call out to him, England snapped his head up, as if he heard something.

"Oh, hello there, love!" he said happily.

You stopped, a bit confused. England never addressed you as "love"…

Also, England wasn't looking in your direction.

His green eyes seemed to be following…something…you didn't see what. He stuck out his index finger and acted as though something had landed on it, though you could see there was nothing there.

"What's that?" England said to thin air, "Yes, gather everyone, she assured me she was on the way…Yes, but bear in mind, she may not be able to see you all…"

"Um, England…?" you said, walking up to him.

England looked over at you, not acting embarrassed in the slightest that you had finally confronted him as he was talking with his "imaginary friends"…

"____, have a seat!" England said cheerfully before turning back to his finger, "See, here she is! Now, go and gather everyone and we can have proper introductions."

England waved goodbye, even though there was nothing there, before noticing you staring at him, puzzled.

"England?" you began after a moment, trying to sound as casual as possible, "Who were you talking to?"

England's smile faltered a bit.

"So, you couldn't see her, huh…? Well, this may make introductions a little difficult…"

England rubbed the back of his head sheepishly before continuing.

"I was talking to my fairy friend…She went off to find some of my other friends so that they may meet you."

You couldn't believe it…You had always thought, given the man's personality, that he'd be all flustered and deny what had just happened. But England was admitting to having imaginary friends, just like that! Not just any imaginary friends…A FAIRY friend! Who wants to meet you!

England saw the look of shock and disbelief on your face. He was worried something like this would happen…But the fairies, and Captain Hook, and Flying Mint Bunny, and Uni had all been so excited when he told them about you, his precious ____, that they wanted to see you for themselves.

You looked away for a second, wondering how you could possibly word this so that it wouldn't come out wrong…

Realizing there was no way to say it that wouldn't come out wrong, you just spoke.

"Hey, England?" you began, "Is there someone I should be calling? Perhaps there's some medication you ran out of…?"

England, who had been taking a sip of tea, spit it out all over the papers on his table.

"I am not mentally ill, ____!" he said as he whipped out a napkin to wipe his mouth, silently cursing over the ruined paperwork.

"England, you just told me that your fairy friend wants to meet me…"

"She does!" England insisted, "As does Captain Hook, Uni-"

England stopped when he realized that he wasn't making the situation better, that you were still staring at him as though he were insane.

The two of you simply stared at each other…This was a whole new side of your friend that you were seeing. The man just told you that he was friends with fairies, Captain Hook and someone named Uni…You were waiting for England to say it was a joke, but he was still looking at you seriously…

"…Don't tell me you actually believe in fairies and all that?" you said in disbelief.

"Of course I believe in them!" England said, "They exist after all!"

At that exact moment, the fairy that England had been talking to returned with the rest of England's magical friends in tow. England smiled when they arrived and greeted them all.

"Oh, it's wonderful to see you all again!" England said happily while you looked on in shock, "Yes, Flying Mint Bunny, this is ____. What's that, Tinker Bell? Why yes, I suppose she does look like Blythe…W-w-what? No, Captain Hook, I won't tell her that…"

As England blushed at whatever "Captain Hook" had said, you came to a realization.

"England…" you began, "…You really do see something, don't you?"

England gave you a small smile.

"Yes, I do," he replied, "But you don't see them…Nor do you believe that they exist…"

As England's magical friends gasped, though it wasn't like you could hear them, you shrugged.

"You can't blame me, England. I don't see anything. How am I supposed to believe in something I can't see with my own eyes?"

England laughed at the statement. Not condescendingly but as though your words brought up memories.

"How many times have I heard that?" England said, "You know, people asked that about many things. Distant planets, galaxies, atoms, faraway lands, exotic animals…If one cannot see and feel the proof, then that something does not exist…"

He reached up and gave Flying Mint Bunny a gentle pat.

"____, are you familiar with the story of Peter Pan?"

"Of course," you replied, having read the book and watched the movie so many times growing up. You didn't see Tinker Bell and Captain Hook lighten up at those words.

"Well, there is some truth behind the saying that every time one says one doesn't believe in fairies, a fairy dies."

England noted that you visibly paled at his words and grew fidgety.

"It looks like you might not be a total nonbeliever, ____," he said with amusement.

"It's not-," you said, "I mean, it's just-Well, you say you can see them so…"

"Don't worry, dear," England said with a laugh, not noticing you blush when he called you "dear", "Sir Barrie was exaggerating when he said those words actually caused death…But, I suppose the fate is worse than death."

"What do you mean?"

"The reason I am able to see magical creatures and talk with them is because I believe in their lives, in their existence…Long ago, many people believed, and thus many saw them. If there is one downside to the Age of Reason, it is that because people started thinking more logically, people began to deny that the magical creatures around them were real."

England reached out to gently wipe away a tear on one of the fairies' cheek. She smiled appreciatively.

"When you don't believe in someone's existence, that someone is, in a sense, 'dead'," England continued, "Everyone and everything needs someone's acknowledgement in order to exist. It does not simply apply to those of the magical world alone, not even to just sentient beings. Celestial bodies, plants, animals, you and I, ____…We wouldn't exist if someone didn't believe in us."

"What are you saying?" you asked, a little confused, "I wouldn't vanish if no one believed in me. I'd still be living."

England chuckled as he gathered up the tea stained papers from the table and stood up.

"Yes, indeed," he said, "You wouldn't vanish. You would continue to live. But tell me this. If no one acknowledged your presence, yes, you would keep on living…but would you really exist?"

He chuckled at your puzzled face for a moment before setting the papers down on his chair. He took your hand in his and pulled you up.

"Come with me, ____," he said as he began to pull you along.

"W-w-where are we going?" you asked.

"In all the years we've known each other, there is one place I love that you have never seen…I think now is as good a time as any to change that."

******

England insisted you close your eyes as he led you through a forest, so as not to "spoil the surprise", as he put it. You did as he said and trusted him to keep you from falling flat on your face. Part of you wished that you never reached your destination, enjoying the feeling of his hand in yours far too much.

Soon, the two of you came to a stop. England reminded you to keep your eyes closed. You heard him mutter a few words in a language you did not recognize before you started walking again.

England suddenly released your hand. You grew frightened for a moment.

"Ready, ____?" he whispered in your ear, causing you to jump a little.

"Y-y-yeah…" you responded.

"Alright then…Open your eyes…"

You opened your eyes, blinking rapidly at the sudden brightness. As your eyes adjusted, you let out a soft gasp.

You were in the middle of a circular clearing. Small patches of marigolds dotted the grass. The clearing was surrounded by tall weeping willows that were an unusual bluish-green color and sparkled.

You were surrounded by mystical beauty.

"Oh, England," you whispered, "…It's amazing…Where are we?"

"This is one of the most magical spots in all of England," he replied.

You looked at him, raising an eyebrow. Was he really still on about that?

"I can see you still don't believe me," England said, "So, why not believe with your own eyes?"

You were about to ask what he meant when you heard a soft, musical laugh from behind you. You turned around…

…And found yourself staring at a winged girl who was no bigger than your thumb…

You let out a soft shriek and stepped back, covering your mouth with your hands. With widening eyes, you watched as other little winged girls and boys flew near you. You stared at a small, green bunny, which was flying alongside them. A tall, mustached man, who looked like a pirate, walked in, followed by an actual unicorn.

Your mouth was wide open as a whole group of beings you had only read about in fairy tales showed up in the clearing, right before your very eyes. You turned and stared at England in shock.

"There is an intense magical concentration here," he explained, "It can grant anyone, even that bloody America, the ability to see my friends."

"…Wow…" was all you were able to say.

England walked up to you and gestured to his not-so-make-believe friends.

"So, shall we properly introduce you now?"

******

You waved goodbye as the last of England's friends left the clearing. Now it was only you and England sitting on the grass, still laughing over the conversations you had.

"I never knew this was all real!" you said giddily, "And your friends are so sweet!"

"Ah, but I wish Captain Hook would've behaved better around you," England said, recalling the pirate's flirtatious moves towards you.

"Oh, that reminds me!" you said, "Earlier, in the garden…What did Captain Hook tell you to say to me that made you blush?"

You were surprised by how red England's face turned at your words.

"W-w-well," he began nervously, "H-he told me to tell you a c-c-certain something before you left tomorrow…"

"And…? What is it?"

England calmed down and looked up at you sadly.

"I can't say…"

"England-"

"I care about you, ____," he interrupted, "I enjoy our time together…I don't want to scare you away."

You shuffled closer so that you were sitting directly in front of England, with barely any space between you two.

"England, please tell me…" you said in a soft tone, "I…I can take whatever it is…"

"I don't want to lose you if it goes wrong, ____," England replied in an equally quiet voice.

The two of you were not aware that you were leaning towards one another until your foreheads touched. You both blushed but neither of you pulled back.

"England…" you sighed.

"I want to tell you," he whispered huskily, "…I want to show you…"

You saw his gaze wander down to your lips. You suddenly understood. And with that realization, you leaned forward, shut your eyes and closed the distance between your lips and his.

Slow, soft, gentle…Those were the only words you could think of as England moved his lips against yours in a sweet kiss. You sighed as you felt him cup your face in his hands and pull you even closer.

You placed your hand on top of one of his as he tilted your head to deepen the kiss. The birds sung their songs and the wind blew gently as all the feelings the two of you hid came forth in this one moment.

Too soon, you both pulled away. England brushed his lips against your forehead before releasing your face. You were both flushed and breathing harder.

"…Can I assume you reciprocate my feelings?" England asked after a moment.

"……You may," you replied.

The two of you stood up. Slowly, you stepped forward and wrapped your arms around England. He returned the gentle hug and softly kissed your hair.

"Must you return to your home tomorrow?" he asked you, "Can't I persuade you to stay a little longer?"

You looked up at that gentle face. The face you saw in that photograph…The photo that started it all…

"I guess I can extend my vacation," you replied with a grin, "My folks won't be too happy but if I tell them why…"

England smiled and held you tighter. You let out a soft laugh.

"England?" you said, "So long as I'm around, you'll never stop existing."

England looked at you with surprise before letting out a small chuckle. He leaned his head down so that you felt his warm breath against your ear.

"You will always exist to me, my love…"