"Please...don't go..." England pleads, his wet face buried in America's shirt.

"Arthur...it won't be forever...I promise..." America whispers into Arthur's messy blonde hair. He gently rubs England's back, attempting to soothe the sob-shaken body. Arthur's eyes are swollen from hours of crying, his pale cheeks adorned with tears. His whole body wracked with uncontrollable wails and cries.

"How long will it be...?" the Briton asks, hoping for it all to be just a game, a mean joke that could be forgotten.

"I don't know Arthur...and to be honest, its a possibility that I won't come back." Alfred says, wincing a little at the miserable cries coming from the small body as it tries to bury its agonized face deeper into Alfred's chest.

"Why...? England mutters drearily, eyes looking at Alfred in disbelief, looking for an excuse for it all to be over and done with.

"Iggy...I'll come back. I'll get back as soon as I can, I swear. And if I don't come back," he pauses, taking the time to lift Arthur's chin towards him, "I want to let you know I must have died loving you more every second, thinking of you every moment you weren't there. It'll be okay." Alfred reassured, wiping tears from Arthur's face, only to be replaced by unending streams of them. He leaned down to kiss him, arms wrapping around the frail waist protectively. Alfred takes the initiative and deepens the kiss, salty tears mixing with the taste of bitter coffee and sweet tea. They break apart, foreheads resting on each other.

Arthur's cries recede a little, clinging to America for all he was worth. Alfred could only sympathetically hug back, feeling overwhelmingly guilty for bringing such despair to his little lover.

Arthur sniffs a few times and then his brow furrows in confusion.

"You just don't care, do you? Do you?! You always leave me!" Arthur screams shoving America away completely.

Already used Arthur's rapid mood changes, he doesn't take it to harshly.

"Iggy, I-" America doesn't get to finish because he is preoccupied with blocking and dodging a series of blows from Arthur.

"This is all your fault! All you think of is yourself! I hate you!" Arthur yells still struggling to land a blow on the American. Alfred grabs a hold on both of England's wrists restraining him from trying to lash out more. Still speaking between broken sobs, Arthur protests.

"Unhand me this instant, wanker!" he shouts, trying to yank his hands from Alfred's grasp.

"I didn't want it to come to this Arthur..." America says before pinning Arthur's hands above his head against the wall, completely overpowering him. England struggles, twisting and shouting colorful curses at Alfred, tortured screams ripping from his hoarse throat.

Keeping Arthur's wrists in place with one hand, he stroked the Briton's cheek with the other. "How could you say that? I love you more than you'll ever know Arthur...I thought you loved me too..." Alfred says sadly, seeing Arthur's look of regret appear instantly. Alfred lets go, turning his back on a distressed Arthur. America takes his glasses off and wipes his own silent tears away, much different than England's violent cries. He hears Arthur's stifled whimpers, obviously trying to hide their sorrow. England lunges at America, hugging his waist tightly, forehead on America's back.

"I-I'm sorry...I-I do love you..Its ju-just.."Arthur trails off, choked wails returning.

Alfred returns the embrace, turning around to hug England back. He patted his hair softly, kissing it occassionally.

"Shh...It's okay," America coaxes, just like trying to soothe a small child.

"I-I'm so sorry...I..." England stutters, his face in his hands.

"Shh, I understand," Alfred says, tilting England's chin up towards him, giving him a reassuring smile. "It'll be okay. I promise." he comforts, giving Arthur a peck on the lips. He picks him up bridal style and carries the small body to a couch. America sits on it and place England gently in his lap, treating him like a fragile doll as England curls closer to the American.

"I'll miss you..."Arthur mutters, head resting on Alfred's shoulder. "I'll miss ou too," Alfred says in agreement, kissing the top of Arthur's head.

England then realizes how exhausted he had become. He lets himself start to doze off in America's arms, grinning a little sadly, knowing that Alfred wouldn't leave until he was asleep. He was safe for now. He opens his green eyes again one last time to see a smiling Alfred mouthing "I love you" before finally surrendering to slumber.

Author's Note:

my first attempt at posting angst. yeah yeah I know England is really emotional and stuff but I was in a really crappy mood when I wrote this so don't tell me that he's OOC because I already knew that. Oh yeah I forgot to mention, America is leaving because of a declaration of war with Iraq. I'm sorry if I offended anyone with this but I couldn't think up of a better idea so go ahead and be mad at me for that but I won't respond or care. Don't worry, England will travel through the different levels of despair:

1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Panic
4. Sadness
5. Acceptance

Ne, if you want this to continue, please review. I have many more chapters of this but only post if people like~