America: 50☆Stars (Vol. 3)

Episode 32: Ephemeral Flowers (Part 2)

Warning: This episode contains spoilers for a Hetalia comic published in 2013 and an episode of the anime that aired in 2015. You've been warned.

Previously on 50☆Stars: A young Virginia cares for a young America during England's absence. And now back to our regularly scheduled program.

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"It's nice to have you back, sir," Virginia welcomed England into her home on a late afternoon. "How was your trip?"

"It could've been better," he grumbled. "It's for the best I forget the months I spent aboard that grisly vessel." He looked around the foyer and asked, "Is America awake?"

"I'm fairly certain he's awake..." She bowed her head apologetically. "My apologies, sir. I insisted he come with me to welcome your return. Despite my reasoning, he refused to leave his room."

"That's unfortunate," England frowned. "According to your letters, I expected him to look forward to my return."

"Yes, but those were written a long time ago. Since then, America had run out of patience, believing you wouldn't return despite being informed about the letter I received from you a couple of months ago."

He sighed, "I see. I guess that can't be helped. I've kept that boy waiting far too long. But hopefully, he'll find the love in his heart to forgive me." His gaze went back to the bouquet of blue flowers in his hands.

"Are those blue daisies?" she asked, having never seen such beautiful flowers in her life.

"Of course," he smirked. "It was tricky getting them to stay bright and lively during my voyage across the Atlantic, but they should no doubt put a smile on America's face."

'I hope so...' Virginia thought to herself while following him to America's bedroom.

"America? I'm back." England appeared at the doorway.

Taking a peek inside, Virginia found America sitting on the floor in the darkest corner of his bedroom. He had been facing the wall with his knees against his chest, appearing to have been crying until they made his presence known to him. He lifted and turned his head away from his arms to look at them with a pouty face. He didn't look surprised, nor did he look happy to see them. His eyes were all puffy with tears, but he didn't appear sad in the slightest. Rather, he seemed displeased. England remained optimistic he could change his mood. Before he could, however, America stunned him by giving a piece of his mind.

"Iggy! You big dummy! You lied to me! You promised you would be back soon! But you lied! You took forever to come back! You made me wait for so long! I thought you forgot about me! You had me worried, you big dummy! I hate you!" America berated England, pounding his chest constantly in retaliation.

America's punches were too soft to cause harm. Nonetheless, England stood there and took a well-deserved beating. His excuses wouldn't do much to resolve the boy's tantrum. It was better to let America take his anger out on him until he exhausted himself. Once he calmed down, England could then apologize and ask for his forgiveness. "I completely understand your frustrations. After making you wait for so long, I certainly don't deserve your love," he revealed the bouquet of blue daisies he had been hiding behind his back, "but can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

He gasped, "Are those...?!"

"They're the flowers you requested, yes?" He handed over the bouquet to his little brother.

"They're... They're blue daisies! They're what I've been looking for!" Just like that, America forgot his gripes in a blink of an eye. His scowl turned into a smile, and his cries turned into laughter. He was finally back to his normal self.