The Runaway - CountryHumans - AU

Chapter 21 - Recovering

January 26, 1781
Location: London, England

Time: 7:35am

Britain felt an unusual weight in him. He slowly opened his eyes and saw America sleeping on him. He then remembered America's panic attack last night.

America looked like his younger self. Britain wanted never to let go of America again, though he has tried that. America ended up running away. Britain shook his head.

No, He's back, and I have to help him now.

Britain lightly rubbed America's shoulder, who reacted by shifting and moaning but didn't open his eyes.

"America," Britain said softly. "You have to get off me."

America moaned dramatically. "But I'm comfy..."

Britain laughed. He then kissed America's head. "Your such a baby."

America opened his eyes and looked at Britain. "Ya?"

"Ya!" Britain smirks at his son.

America yawns, "Your sure we can't stay here?"

"I can't move. So, yes." America sighs then stood up to get off of him. Britain felt a little guilty because America looked cute laying on him, but today Britain wanted to make sure that America would start recovering from whatever he had been through.

Britain noted The Revolutionary war and being alone for a long time might be most of it, but he couldn't conclude it until he found the truth.

Britain yawned and saw America stretching. After he stretched, he fell back onto the sofa dramatically. He had his head facing the ceiling.

"How did you sleep?" Britain wanted to spark up a conversation.

"I actually slept really good, I didn't have a nightmare, I didn't see C-" America cut himself off and sat up straight. "I didn't have a nightmare..." He pauses to smile and gasp. "I didn't have a nightmare!" America faced Britain with a beaming smile.

Britain was confused how did nightmares have anything to do with his sleep schedule? "Can you explain?" America blinked, then realized Britain had no idea. He sat back and fidgeted with his hands nervously. Britain saw him avoid eye contact. "You trust me, right?" Britain asked.

"I do! But... I'm just nervous explaining..." He pauses, "I... I've had the same nightmare every day of my life since I first ran away... I've never been able to sleep properly because of it... And..." America wasn't sure about explaining the next part, but he knew he had to pull through. "It has meaning." America looked down.

Britain inhaled then responded. "It's been nonstop? Your nightmares I mean."

"...Yes..." Americ said shyly. He rubbed his shoulder.

"And what's the meaning behind it?" Britain said calmly.

America hesitated, "It's a constant reminder of... How I lost everyone I love." America silently realized that he explained it very simply, but it made America hurt on the inside.

He then felt Britain touch his shoulder, he looks up, and Britain smiles at him. "Thanks for telling me." America shifts his shoulders and smiles back. Britain enjoys America's smile before speaking again. "I think I know how to fix this." He paused. "The nightmares are a side effect of your PTSD. You didn't have a nightmare tonight because your stress levels weren't high... Or as high as it usually is." Britain looks to the side then back at America. "And... If you continue to keep your stress down... You won't have to worry about your nightmare ever again and I'm going to make sure you don't." He smiles positively.