Rivals and Regrets //Countryhumans AU [ON HOLD]

Fifteen

Australia knew that there were supposed to be noises around him, but he couldn't hear anything. This is how the memory always was. His eyes were focused on the scene in front of him. Blood, lots of blood. Blood on his claw-like hands, blood on the ground, the taste of blood in his mouth.

Blood all over the body in front of him.

The events playing out like they had the first time, Australia turned his head despite not hearing what was said, he knew it was something along the lines of...

"Duncan, what are you doing!?"

When Australia turned his head to look at them, he knew that it was over. They were at a distance but close enough to shoot him with the gun firmly grasped in their hands. He felt himself moving towards them, which was enough reason for them to fire, sending him crashing into the ground.

Everything went dark for a brief moment as he was consumed by the earth, but the next moment he rose from the ground again. It was a different location, a field next to a pond. He knew this place very well. Australia stood up and walked to the pond, looking at his reflection. Despite not being overly fond of his human form, it was more comforting to see after having been in his monster form. As Australia stood at the edge of the pond, staring down at his reflection, he heard footsteps walking towards him.

Australia looked behind him, even though he knew who was there, he turned back to looking at his reflection in the pond. There was only one other person who dwelled here... obviously because this was his mindscape.

"The field has been nicer the last two months, what have you been doing?"

Australia didn't answer the question, only when he saw a second reflection in the pond did he speak. "Cain."

"Ned. You didn't answer my question."

Australia sighed, he was always pushy. "I've spent almost two months at Kosuke's house."

"Kosuke? I thought you didn't like him anymore. Especially considering current events."

"I changed my mind..."

Eureka scoffed. "Isn't it a tad sad to still be friends with your old babysitter?"

"You don't get it, you weren't as close to him as I was. He's more than just a friend, he's the father figure I needed. An adult man that won't hurt me like the rest did."

"You have other friends now, you don't need him."

"That's how you see it, but for me... I do need him. I still need that stable, loving, older adult."

"I still don't see it."

Australia sighed. "You don't need to see it. You never liked him."

Eureka rolled his eyes. "You're too trusting of him."

"Oh? I'm too trusting of someone who has shown me nothing but kindness, compassion and patience? Sometimes I feel like you're not even here to help me."

"I'm being cautious, no one can be trusted."

"We can trust him... I know we can."

"You were saying the opposite a few years ago..."

"Get off my case, you don't get it."

"We'll see if you're correct," Eureka said as he stood up.

"Cain, what are you doing?" Australia asked, standing up as well.

"Being the adult here."

Without another word, Eureka jumped into the pond.

. . .

5:12 March 2, 1942 - Tokyo, Japan

Japan stirred in her bed, slowly blinking her eyes open, then them being wide once she realised her bedroom door was wide open and someone was standing in her doorway. She laid still for a few moments, staring at the eyes that stared back. Japan knew those were Australia's eyes but something was different. What was he doing?

Japan finally sat up. "Ned? What are you doing?" she asked.

Australia walked silent towards Japan, his usual heavy footsteps absent. When he spoke it wasn't his voice. His accent was different. "Your father's bedroom door is locked and I want to speak to him."

"C-Can't you wait until morning?" Japan's ears instinctively flattened. "The sun is rising anyway, he'll be up soon."

"I think this is important, just be a dear and do me a favour."

"Ned, what's going on? Why are you talking like that?"

"It's complicated and I don't feel like explaining, your father knows what's what."

Japan was confused but wanting Australia out of her room obliged. "Uhm... okay..." she said as slowly got out of her bed. "Let's go."

Japan walked down the hall nervously, Australia followed. She could feel the way he was trailing her, standing over her, as if using his size to purposefully intimidate her. Japan hadn't been able to see much of him when she was looking at him but not only had his eyes looked different but... his face patterns looked different as well. She wasn't sure what was happening but she hoped her father knew what to do.

A/N: lol it's been a while again, I've been a bit busy with university and work

Anyways,, its kinda short, I'll try to write a longer chapter soon but idk

LMK your thoughts/theories, I love comments <3

Thanks for reading, happy Easter to those who celebrate -Axel

First published: 09/04/2023