EnglandxOC Ireland: Bond

He sighed in annoyance and bit his lip.

How it was possible?

Standing there, at that stupid World's Meeting, England watched as that girl was talking with America. She was waving her hands, babbling something cheerfully. Grinning like an idiot, he thought. He observed her movements. Her red hair, moving with anything she did. That little four-leaved clover she tended to put there. Cute freckles on her face. Her skin, shimmering in the sun. Her clothes, with such familiar scent, green as leaves. And finally, those big green eyes, which attracted him the most. He got mesmerized by them, as long as he could remember. All the time he had seen them, he got lost. It was a rare thing.

Ireland.

After all those years, you betrayed me.

England wanted to let himself free of his memories with Ireland. Her childish smile when he adopted her. Her tears, when she fell down on the road. Her happy smile, when talking to fairies and leprechauns. Her scars, when fighting in wars she hated. Some of them England wished that could never happen. Her beautiful body, glimmering in the moonlight…

He shivered and shook his head wildly. He didn't want to think about it. He didn't want her to conquer his mind, although she has already done it.

He barely could hear words "The Meeting is over". With sigh he stood up and directed to the door, lost in his thoughts. "Hey, why are you sad?" He heard and turned to see something green. "I asked you something!" exclaimed Flying Mint Bunny.

England blinked and murmured quietly "I'm not sad"

"Thinking about Clover Lady?" asked Flying Mint Bunny. England's face lit up, as he got startled. Since when he knew about it?

He frowned with annoyance but eventually gave up and patted Flying Mint Bunny's head. "Maybe. But it's nothing important" He received a nod and Flying Mint Bunny flew off. England smiled a bit, but when he turned back to his direction, he frowned again and froze. Right in front of him he saw France talking to Ireland. And Ireland was happy. Too happy.

Oh, how England wished sometimes he'd never hit her or curse at her. When he lost her, it was like hell. Wait a moment, still is. She hated him all of her will. He had been showing to her like he hated too. It wasn't a thing he wanted.

Biting his lip instead of going there and punching France in his stupid face, he wondered why Ireland could talk to such a frog like him. He was obviously flirting with her and her reply was giggling like a child. He couldn't stand it. He rushed quickly in opposite direction. He didn't care if the way was longer, he couldn't watch that scene.

He noticed that his eyes were watery. He felt as something trickled on his cheek. He blinked in confusion and touched that thing. His eyes widened in shock, even in anger and he quickly wiped them.

It was a tear.

~*~

Elaine could have sworn she saw England staring at her.

All the time on the meeting. And it wasn't the first time. Why she had such a feeling that he wanted to say something, but got no courage himself? She knew that he followed her. Didn't wanting to face him, she quickly approached France. Just in time, because England was already stepping out of the main hall.

What she couldn't understand was why he was somehow subdued. One part of her mind wanted to laugh at him, but other part felt bad and sorry for him. It was confusing. Elaine knew that if didn't go away, she would ran to him and hug, not caring if he would push her away and exclaim how he hated her. She couldn't understand why hated her so much.

Why?

Why does it hurt so much when you say those things?

"Elaine, ma chérie, are you listening to me?" She heard and blinked to see France looking at her with worried expression on his face. "Is something troubling you? Big brother can easily-"

"Sorry, just kinda lost in thoughts." She exclaimed happily with awkward smile. She changed the subject. "Hey, isn't it weird that England didn't even try to fight with you? I don't care about him, but…"

"Yeah, kind of." France raised his eyebrows. "Angleterre looked like a puddle of sadness, I think. It really is weird, but isn't it good?"

For the first time in her life she wanted to punch France. Maybe England was mean and stupid, but it didn't mean that they didn't have to help him! She couldn't stand seeing someone sad. She knew she would do a mess by helping him, but still. She sighed. Ignoring France, who was trying to kiss her, she stepped to the exit. She, Republic of Ireland, Poblacht na hÉireann, wasn't going to let things go this way.

Rushing over to the exit, she didn't put her coat on, as she used to do it. Even though it was going to be dark soon, it was still hot, summer day.

She found him standing on the bridge, staring blankly at the river. She took a deep breath and said slowly, "Arthur."

He nearby jumped at the sudden voice. She watched him as he shook his head, mumbling something about imaginations and his startled face, when he saw her.

To him, it was like a chance from God. England begged for it such a long time, maybe God had shown His mercy to him? He didn't know what to say, everything in his mind was messed up, his racing thought wanted to jump out. He sighed with frown and mumbled quietly, "What do you want, Ireland?"

She rolled her eyes. Elaine could expect the he wouldn't want to receive help, but hey, she was there! "Arthur." She repeated. "What's wrong? You seem…" She couldn't find the fitting word.

"Odd? Weird?" He scoffed. "I know that already, Ireland. So you don't have to-"

"Shut up."

"What?"

"Shut up, you leathcheann!" Elaine shouted angrily. She rarely got angry, but this time… It was just too much. "Arthur, you are really an idiot!" His eyes widened. She eventually calmed down, "Seriously, why are you acting like that? What happened to you? You used to curse at me and other things, but now you seem more like sad!" She said, stepping closer. "Why do you keep acting like that?"

England's throat went sore. He couldn't say a thing. In his mind there was a battle, some part of him wanted to shout at Ireland, but other just… didn't accept shouting. He just wasn't able to or maybe he didn't want? Nevertheless, he could only watch as Elaine come near to him and frown. "Arthur, I'm talking to you. Answer me!"

"Ireland." She heard. She let out a small sigh of annoyance. Always so formal, always so… distant. "Ireland." She wanted to say something, but before she could even let out a sound, she heard, "I know you hate me."

She immediately stopped what she wanted to do and her mind went blank. Did he really think that? And suddenly it hit her. Everything started to become clear for her. Tears started to form in her eyes. She squeezed them, not wanting to show her weakness. Suddenly she felt gentle, almost shy tapping on her shoulder.

"Ireland?" England said. She shivered, muttering something. When England asked her about that, she suddenly shouted with tears in her eyes, "WHY WON'T YOU CALL MY NAME FOR ONCE, GIT?!" He blinked. "N-name?" "YES, IRELAND IS NOT A NAME!"

He stood there, not knowing what to do. He bit his lip, thinking. Elaine snorted and stared to walk away, "I see, so you don't even remember-"

"Elaine."

He did what he refused to do from the day she claimed independence. He said her name. Elaine nearby choked when she heard that. She couldn't believe it. She… wasn't able to think. England repeated what he said. Tears started to trickle down her cheeks. She still refused to show him her face.

"Elaine… I don't hate you."

That was the time she nearby collapsed. She could fall to the cold water, if England didn't catch her in time and held her closely to him.

"No matter what do you say, I don't hate you." England quietly said. They both looked away in embarrassment. First Elaine spoke "So you don't hate me, but why are you acting like you do?"

"Because you hate me." England answered her quietly after a while. Elaine thought about what to say, but her thoughts were interrupted by his voice. "Which I can't stand, because…" England stopped suddenly.

"What is it, Arthur?" She said with weak smile on her face. That was the good side of him she knew. Hoping it will last longer, she tried to be as careful as possible. The magic which made England like that was so fragile…

"Um… I-I…" He started to stutter. "I... Ilveou."

"What?" blinked Elaine, unable to understand what he just said.

"I said I love you." England repeated with his red face. Elaine replied harshly, "How can you after everything you had done to me?" "Elaine, please…" "Now it is over." She replied, according to his most awful expectations. Before he could proceed what he was doing, England was already kissing her. Her eyes went wide, she wanted to scream, but her body refused to move. Her mind was blank, and slowly started to fill with memories of him. The most recognizable was his smile, such a rare thing. His good side, which he never showed to anyone. Her body went limp as tears started to fall again from her eyes. She understood everything.

Their fates were tied by unbreakable bond.

No matter how they would fight, how many time they got separated, they always come back for each other. Having children, Love, Hate...

Everything seemed like it was planned by God.