day three; locked to england

[asapplepie]

[America's mood is significantly different this time around. He's worried and discouraged. He should have never told England the truth yesterday...but he can't not talk to him now.

He'll meet England in his bedroom once again; he hasn't spent much time here, so the place is still tidy from England's previous efforts, though his bed is unmade.]

Comments

[tsunneverset]

[England doesn't even notice the unmade bed, that's how frazzled he is. He kicks the door shut.]

You'll be protecting yourself again tonight, right?

[asapplepie]

Um, obviously no.

The hunters think you're the stupid caretaker, not me.

[He's clearly trying to make a 'lol u dummy' face, but it isn't working. He's shaken up and clearly afraid.]

[tsunneverset]

That's the whole point. They won't try to kill me because I said several times over that I'd be protecting myself, which leaves you to save yourself again. [England's 'you dummy' face, on the other hand, is in fully functional order.]

[asapplepie]

But it's obvious you were lying. You're too sneaky, you'd definitely claim you were protecting yourself and then protect someone else.

[tsunneverset]

I'm also a selfish bastard and evidently people bought it well enough that they tried to execute me, so no I wouldn't. I've made it incredibly obvious that I would be protecting myself tonight, so don't bother worrying about me.

[asapplepie]

Why'd you claim my role, anyway? Explain to me like I'm dumb.

[He can probably guess by his subdued but amused smile that he's giving away that excuse to insult him on purpose.]

[tsunneverset]

That's how I explain everything to you. [England's still a little too worked up over people still suspecting America to be seriously caustic at him, but he'll try his best.]

If we lose you, we lose the game. That's it. As long as the hunters don't know who the caretaker really is - or even if they're just not sure - we still have an advantage. If they're too busy focusing on a way to get rid of me, they won't care about you.

[asapplepie]

I wanted them to come after me, England. Three people died last night. The only way I can save three people at once is if everyone who can decide to kill someone wanted to kill the one guy who can't die.

I'm...I'm not going to be okay sitting back like that guy was.

[tsunneverset]

That's a terrible idea. A better one would be if you'd kept yourself hidden and then the hunters would have no reason to come after you once you actually needed to use your role to protect someone. And now they probably will come after you, since they know I'll be protecting myself.

[asapplepie]

I know why you claimed my role. That doesn't mean it wasn't annoying, but you didn't do it to be selfish. So saying everyone will count on you being selfish is just dumb when you're not!

[tsunneverset]

I am extremely selfish. I did it because I thought we were at risk for being executed and I wanted the town to trust me, and because it meant the hunters wouldn't go after me at night. That's all.

[asapplepie]

Then why not ask me to protect you?

You're not fooling anyone, dude. You're totally stupid sometimes, did you know that?

[tsunneverset]

Because you need to keep yourself alive, git, otherwise we're all dead! And you're the stupid one!

[asapplepie]

Haha, well, maybe I'll protect myself. Maybe. But if you make decisions like that without checking with me, I'll make mine without checking with you.

You can't tell me who to pick.

[tsunneverset]

Ugh, fine. I promise I will go over every decision with you from now on. Now will you please just protect yourself?

[asapplepie]

[He chews on his lip for a second, as though he's thinking it over carefully, and then smiles.]

Sure thing, man. As long as you're going to ask nicely.

[tsunneverset]

[Makes a strangled noise of rage in his throat. Paces around for a minute. Almost walks straight out the door.

Then, finally, gritting his teeth:]

Please, America. Will you protect yourself tonight.

[asapplepie]

No, no! You got me wrong!

[Laughs]

I just meant I would! 'cause you said please and all. Calm down!

[tsunneverset]

I can't believe you made me say that twice!

[asapplepie]

I didn't! God, you're so dumb.

[He seems to be in a better mood all of a sudden.]

[tsunneverset]

Ugh, shut up.

You promise, right? If you change your mind halfway though, I won't forgive you.

[asapplepie]

You act like that's such a big threat, even though you're mad at me basically all the time.

Yeah, sure, whatever.

[tsunneverset]

I will be extremely angry, then.

[He closes his eyes.]

Everyone's so suspicious, it makes me wonder if we should just come out with the truth tomorrow. If we did that, then I wouldn't have to ask you every night, right?

[asapplepie]

Haha, I dunno...I don't want to have to protect myself every night.

But it seems people are suspicious. We could tell that dumb girl, at least.

[tsunneverset]

You don't think she's a hunter?

Well, it may be for the best anyway, since you'll be on yourself and all so the only way for anyone to kill you would be to execute you. I'm fine with meeting with her if you are.

[asapplepie]

Oh...she could be.

Maybe...I'll invite her and Ciel and Kanaya? And I'll tell them I'll protect someone else but really protect myself. To see if one of them is a hunter.

[tsunneverset]

All right. Just don't say anything stupid that will make you look even more suspicious.

[asapplepie]

I won't!

[Looking kind of embarrassed.]

So, uh...

[tsunneverset]

[raises an eyebrow] Uh?

[asapplepie]

Um...just that. You're probably going to die tonight or something, so I guess this is goodbye forever, maybe.

[tsunneverset]

I'm not going to die. You're not going to die. We're both going to get through this night and every other night completely fine until this game is over. Got it? I'm holding you to that.

[asapplepie]

I know, I know. We'll be fine. Just...ah, come here, dude.

[Oof, big giant American bear hug]

[tsunneverset]

This sentiment is completely unnecessary and you're going to feel like a right silly bugger when we both wake up fine in the morning.

[h-hugging back....]

Don't you dare die on me. If you die, that means I get executed tomorrow. So you have to protect yourself, okay? For my sake!

[asapplepie]

Haha, I know, it's so embarrassing.

[But his voice betrays a certain shakiness, and this doesn't fit; he's seemed so cheerful, but he's clinging a little desperately. It isn't just concern for their well-being. He's scared and he needs comfort and can't ask for it or do much more than put on a brave face. He puts his face in England's shoulder, his heart racing with nerves, and tries to will himself to calm down.]

I get it already, God.

[tsunneverset]

[And now America's behavior is starting to scare him. He hadn't been acting this way yesterday and England knows he had been fine with protecting himself then, so he must not be planning on it tonight. That's the only reason why he'd be acting so scared, because while he knows America cares for him, there's a very big difference between fearing England's death and fearing his own.

It's a rather sad train of logic that leads him to that conclusion, but there it is. And god, if England had known it would lead to America being at risk, he would have never said anything in the first place. He was fine with being suspected, with being a potential target for scavengers, with drawing attention to himself, but this - this was the worst possible outcome of his plan. If America dies from something he said, he would never forgive himself.]

I'll be fine. You know me, I'm always fine, no matter what they try to throw at me. I don't care if you never listen to me again, but listen to me now. You can't die. [He closes his eyes.] Don't make me beg.

[asapplepie]

I'm not going to, remember?

[He can tell England is trying to call his bluff, but he doesn't really care. He can't trust what England says on this. While he could be right, and it could be a waste for him to protect England, he knows England would tell him to do the same even if he was in danger. And he'd make it sound convincingly like the smart thing to do then, too.

He doesn't want to throw his life away for England, but if he woke up tomorrow having been selfish with his role and England was gone...he couldn't deal with that at all. And everybody had been so mad at England for saying he was only going to protect himself. He can't act like a coward.

But he can't deny he's terrified of what could happen tonight. He doesn't pull away, comforted by having him there and wishing it was as easy as it was when he was a kid, that he could just trust what England told him and believe they'd both be fine.]

[tsunneverset]

['I'm a hunter, so you shouldn't protect me.'

It's on the tip of his tongue, the temptation to confess nearly too strong to bear. If it wasn't for the fact that revealing himself would not only mean his death but America's as well, perhaps he would have. America would be furious, horrified, disgusted...but he wouldn't kill him for it, not likely anyway. But the rules were clear on the punishment for betrayal; even as sick and scared and guilty he feels, England won't doom the two of them and the town with it just for the easing of his own conscience.

It's the only thing he can say to convince America to protect himself. It's the only thing he can't say. And there's nothing else he can really do now other than hope that his words somehow got into that thick skull. America hasn't listened to him in a long, long time; he might look to England for advice on occasions, but in the end, he'll do what he wants to do. That was the whole point of that thrice-damned war, after all.

He doesn't break the hug either, not yet; while he's certainly feeling embarrassed, it's overshadowed by the fact that this may be the last time one of them ever sees the other. It's something he can swallow his own personal pride for.]

I'll see you tomorrow, okay?

[asapplepie]

[England definitely sees through his bluff; if he hadn't, he would have made him let go by now. He feels sort of bad; he didn't want to make both of them spend the night afraid. England is braver than he is and would probably face his own death with such courage America couldn't help but feel jealous, but when it comes to others he's always been a worrier.

He pulls away and grins, trying to show confidence and lack of fear.]

If I feel like it! I might be too busy to drop everything and hang with you.

[tsunneverset]

Brat. I wouldn't want to hang out with you anyway, I've got more important things to do.

[There isn't any bite to his tone whatsoever though, and the ruffle he gives to America's hair completely undermines his words. He looks outside the window, seeing the snowfall building up.]

...I should probably get going.

[asapplepie]

[His expression shifts a little at the gesture; it's been a while since England has done something like that and it stirs some somewhat painful memories. It's the way England used to treat him when things weren't complicated between them, and it's the last thing he wants to think about now when he's already got a lot on his mind. But it only strengthens his resolve that England just isn't someone he can lose.

By the time England looks back from the snow, he's smiling again.]

Yeah, probably!

[tsunneverset]

Stop looking so happy to see me leave, git.

[And he should really stop meeting America during the night like this - it's getting harder and harder to leave each time. Part of him wants to stay and damn the consequences as long as it means he can fend off anyone trying to enter the room or take America's place. But it's a pipe dream at best; he knows how strict the rules here are.]

Don't sleep in too much. I don't want to have to deal with you whining about missing breakfast.

[asapplepie]

Haha, I never miss breakfast. I guess I'll meet up with you there tomorrow, okay?

[Likewise, he wants to ask England to stay. Maybe it's not allowed, but maybe Critter wouldn't care? He just doesn't want to be alone right now. But if England would get in trouble for staying, it wouldn't be okay to ask, right?]