Reading Nation's Diaries

The Hero's First Blow

The second morning in hell, at least that was England's opinion of the prison he found himself in, started similarly to the first. Some nations, presumably France or Italy included in that number, had prepared breakfast, again. He chose to ignore the food prepared, instead making himself a cup of tea and picking up an apple from the fruit bowl. He imagined he was being personally punished by the Ancients by being forced into this situation. He couldn't even make a cup of tea without being monitored by the other nations!

Russia was still an adequate room mate, as far as England was concerned. It saddened him to see Russia as one of his closest friends, a friendship built upon mutual loneliness.

Russia was spending time with his sisters at the present time. The awesome trio were having a party of sorts, making a lot of noise in the process. Sealand was chatting happily will Finland and Sweden; England wanted to get mad but he knew that Sealand was far better looked after by the Nordics than by him. His four older brothers were still together, presumably because they didn't know many other nations due to three of them making England take care of 'international relations' for them. Greece and Turkey were fighting, yet again but England refused to get along. The Asians we're sat together in a corner but did not appear to be talking, except for South Korea who was getting rather excited about something or other. Most other countries in the room seemed to be mingling about, not staying with any one person or group of people.

Eventually, Germany announced that the book reading would begin in five minutes and all nations filtered into the meeting room in response.

Everyone in the room was far more cautious of the book this time, it seemed that even the more optimistic nations had realised that the diary entries were becoming darker. There were several minutes of tense silence before Italy volunteered to read next, picking up the book with a smile on his face.

"Ve~ It's a diary entry! 'Dear diary, I'm depressed. It comes from the teens in my country. I can feel the hearts break. And you know what? I hide it as well as they do... Which is brilliantly. England and the others have no clue.~America'. Ve~ That's not good, America."

America glared at the floor, as if it was the reason for all of life's problems. He had tears pricking in the corners of his eyes, threatening to escape the confines of his tear ducts.

England stood up and walked around the table to him. He held his arms open as an offer for the American, should he want it. America jumped at the chance to be held by someone he trusted.

For several minutes, America hugged his former caretaker and father figure tightly, his face buried in the older man's neck. If England was uncomfortable, he didn't show it. When America calmed down and released his death grip he motioned for Italy to continue reading.

England made to return to his own seat but he was stopped by the superpower.

"Please, England, don't go, don't leave me. Please," America begged. It wasn't hero-like to want to be babied, sure, but he didn't care right at that second.

England said nothing for several beats, America was sure that he would refuse but England finally replied, "Okay."

England sat on one of the settees and dragged America down with him. Canada sat on the other side of America and gave his brother a hug.

"Ve~ This one is not very nice either. 'America has atypical depression. This includes: weight gain (increased desire for carbs), mood lifts in response to positive events, interpersonal rejection sensitivity (in his case he bottles it up), hypersomnia (hence all the caffeine). Additionally, along with his depression episodes, America suffers from severe panic attacks.'"

America latched his arms around England once again and hid his face. England rubbed America's back gently and signalled for Italy to continue reading. By the end of the session, America would be in tears, England was sure.

"Ve~ it's another sad one 'Dear diary, other countries tell me I'm too full of myself; my citizens love me more than I deserve. But what they don't realise is, if my citizens don't love me, who will? They sure won't.~America'. Ve~ I'm sorry America. I don't mean to upset you."

America sniffled into England's neck and England let him, he understood what it was like to feel unwanted (even if he did often American annoying and say things that he regretted to him as well).

There were many apologies passed around but America didn't look up, he felt guilty for upsetting them.

"I will read the next one, ve~ 'Many nations do not notice it but America hates seeing people cry. He can not stand it. But what he despises more than the fact that people cry it that he often cannot do anything to lift their spirits. America feels as if it is his fault, regardless of the actual reason and is often seen unnecessarily clamming up or staying quiet for long periods of time, as it has quite an effect on him.'"

America was quiet and didn't move, he had no reason to move and he was comfortable. He was warm and felt a sort of comfort that he hadn't felt in such a long time. England, who frequently told him off for being childish, was sat with him and holding him in such a way that he felt loved and cared for. So what if the diary made him seem weak? So what if he appeared vulnerable? So what if all of the walls that he had so carefully constructed were ripped down by the diary? England was acting like a parent to him again and, although he would never admit it aloud (or write it down after this diary fiasco), he missed the feeling.

The other nations watched the scene with varying emotions. Some felt sadness after learning such things about the loud, happy-go-lucky nation; some were felling immensely guilty for causing him so much pain; some felt pity for the young nation; some felt worried and anxious about what the diary might say about them; some felt jealously over how England was treating the former colony and hoped that he would be there for them in the same way when the time came.

"Read one more, Italy," Germany instructed, "we'll take a break after it".

"Okay, Germany," Italy said in a sing-song voice, "Let's read it now! 'When Alfred (America) cries he hides his face (and it's always quiet).'"

The room was silent. America quickly escaped from the main room and into his and Canada's shared room. He didn't want to have to feel the stares of everyone else. England let him go, deciding that he needed space more than anything. Many of the rooms occupants watched his retreating figure.

France stood up silently and made his way the kitchen to begin preparing lunch and get his mind off of the diary. He hoped that the diary wouldn't keep targeting everyone one at a time but he understood that it would probably focus on at least a few more nations individually before returning to more general statements.

Canada slipped out of the room and took some of the leftovers from the fridge back to his room. He stayed with America in relative silence, a calming, unobtrusive presence, until France came to collect them for reading once once more.

AN. I hope that you liked this. I've noticed that most of this comes from England's point of view and I was wondering if I should switch it up or not. Leave any suggestions for this book in the comments.