Abarero's Creative Journal

Title: Alfred Jones and the Lost City of Gold 6/? [FF.Net Link] [Previous Chapters]
Fandom: Axis Powers Hetalia
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairing: America/England, Poland/Lithuania, Tony
Word Count: 3,457
Summary: Sequel to Alfred Jones and the Curse of the Pharaoh. America and England are back again on yet another adventure when they head to South America to search for the legendary Incan Lost City of Gold. But they're going to need more than luck, and perhaps a little help from some friends, to get through the strange magic that has hidden the mysterious city for centuries.

Chapter 6 Summary:

“Look America, I’m not quite sure what we’ve gotten ourselves into, but promise me one thing, all right?”

America nodded. “What?”

England let go at that, reaching up to turn America’s face towards his as he pressed a fierce kiss to his lips. As he pulled back, he quietly said.

“Let me protect you too.”


Notes: Sorry for the massive delay between chapters! As always, thank you for your comments to this story. They mean the world to me, each and every one. :)



His current predicament was, needless to say, something he should be thrilled over. But instead of his three hearts swelling with joy and excitement, Tony couldn’t help but find himself unable to sleep.

Nothing, even the fact that he was currently curled up in bed with Lithuania (and Poland), the kind nation even going so far as to share half of his pillow with the alien, could keep Tony from worrying about America.

With a sigh, he reluctantly slid out from under the covers and adjusted his sleep cap. It was two in the fucking morning and he was heartsick with worry and would be until he knew America was safe.

Padding downstairs, Tony quietly opened the bookcase to the secret room below. As he reached his workstation, he quickly keyed up the stats on America.

“Seems he’s sleeping well, at least,” Tony murmured to himself.

But as his eyes flickered to the sidebar of information, he felt his second heart lurch yet again. Somehow, even after he’d stopped that boulder from harming the fucking limey, America had played the hero and gotten hurt.

The evidence was clear in the amount of white blood cells that had swarmed to a new injury on the back of America’s head. Pulling up a digitalized image of it, Tony pressed his small grey hand to the screen.

And as much as he wanted to blame England, Tony knew that it was America’s own goodness and heroism that probably caused this.

“Fucking limey,” he muttered anyway, just because it made him feel a slight bit better.

Switching screens to what would look like a very high-tech email system to anyone else, Tony’s eyes widened as he saw the response sitting in his inbox.

He’d only sent the query to his home planet’s information repository to give himself some piece of mind that he was doing something, but he’d never thought they would give him a reply.

Opening up the message, Tony’s three hearts came to a momentary halt as he read what the greatest minds of his planet had to make of the strange writing England had conjured up out of the map.

Greetings,

The information provided pulled up three possible meanings.

First: Old Earth culture language for “Our land, please get off it!”

Second: Earthian Spirit World language. Our rough translation computers are giving us two possible translations. First meaning is a warning of sorts, advising no intruders to bother them. Second meaning is “Our coconuts are filled with rainbows, beware them!”

Third: There are similarities in it to the language of the Sabellas. Can any evidence of their written language be found to verify?

It was the last of these that Tony was most concerned with. The first two sounded nasty enough, and quite possible given the nature of the Earthian spirit realm and the way certain nature spirits disliked visitors. But the last one…

Tony shook his head. Why would it be that? The first two were logically and statistically more likely than the other by far. He had no reason to worry.

But still…

Selecting the attached image from his planet’s information repository of Sabellas’ writing, Tony formatted a quick message.

America,

You need to stay fucking safe! If you see anything that looks like this, call me right away!

Very fucking worried about you, Tony.

Knowing he wouldn’t sleep until he got a reply, Tony closed down his computer system and went back upstairs. As he entered the living room, thinking of pulling out a video game to try and keep his mind off things, Lithuania’s voice called out.

“Tony? Tony, where are you?”

“In here, Liet!” He called back.

A few moments later, Lithuania came around the doorway, his worried smile easing a bit as he saw the small grey alien seated on the couch.

“There you are; I was really worried about you. Is everything okay?”

He sat down beside Tony, and between his concerned expression and sweet smile, Tony couldn’t help but cave in.

Wrapping his short arms around Lithuania’s side, he mumbled, “Fucking worried about America.”

Lithuania chuckled at that, giving Tony a light pat on his back. “I’m sure he’ll be okay. He’s a tough guy, after all. Is that why you can’t sleep?”

Tony nodded.

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I’m worried about him too.”

Tony’s eyes widened. “Really?”

Lithuania nodded. “Really. That’s what good friends do when their friends are off on dangerous adventures. Worry.”

Adjusting the blanket from the side of the couch over his and Tony’s laps, Lithuania leaned back against the couch.

“But America’s been through a lot for someone as young as he is and he’s still okay. Plus, England won’t let him come to any harm. You know how much they look out for each other.”

“Fucking better not let America get hurt,” he swore.

“How about I keep you company down here, and you can call America in the morning to see if he’s doing all right? The time zones between here and there aren’t that different, so mid-morning here wouldn’t be too early for him.”

Tony frowned, then nodded. “Don’t want you to lose sleep, Liet.”

Lithuania smiled, giving Tony a fond pat on the head. “And I don’t want you to lose sleep either, so…”

“Like oh my god you two, if we’re totally having a slumber party you’re doing it all wrong!” Poland’s bubbly voice cut in.

Before either of them could say a word, the blonde had scooped them both up in his arms. “Let’s like get some more blankets and stuff, and like we can totally sleep by the fireplace and it’ll be super romantic!”

Dangling over Poland’s right shoulder, Lithuania smiled over at Tony where he was being held over Poland’s left shoulder.

After a moment, Tony cracked a small smile too. America had understood how worried and lonely his alien friend was going to be, so he’d left him with the second best company he could ask for.

“Fucking High School Musical dvd is over there!” Tony suggested; much to Poland’s delight.

“That is like so totally perfect, Tony! Liet, we can like do the sing-along version even!”

Lithuania just shook his head. “I’m not very good at that, Poland.”

“You can fucking sing, Liet,” Tony replied.

“Yeah, listen to the adorable alien! You have a great singing voice.”

And as they were deposited by the big screen and Poland went off to get blankets and popcorn, Tony reached over and gave Lithuania’s hand a squeeze.

“Thank you for your companionship while America is away.”

Lithuania smiled and patted Tony’s hand in return.

“You’re welcome, Tony. Looks like Poland’s going to keep you from too much worry tonight, but you can call America tomorrow. I’m sure he’s fine.”

And as Tony nodded in reply, he wished with all three of his hearts that what Lithuania said was true.

---------------------------------

To say he was content would have been a vast understatement.

Okay, so his back was still bruised, his elbow was still swollen and he was pretty sure that he still had a bit of a bump on his head. But all of that didn’t matter at the moment, because America was at complete and utter peace.

During the night, America had shifted, positioning himself more comfortably around the warmth that was England. Between the chill he’d gotten out in the rain and the cool interior of the cave, any warmth you could come by was precious.

But with a fond smile, America thought that this warmth was even more so.

He was currently resting with his head on England’s chest, right over his heart, and he was listening to the beating of it as it created some semblance of a melody with the snuffles of the sleeping bear and the constant pattering of the rain outside the cave.

And so, despite all his aches, America knew he couldn’t be happier at that moment.

Tugging the pile of blankets up closer around himself and England, America pressed a lazy kiss to England’s lips.

“You can be quite the hero sometimes, you know that England? I’m glad you’re around to look out for me.”

He pillowed his arms atop England’s chest and just laid there, listening to his heartbeat and swearing England had smiled a bit in his sleep at what he’d said.

Shivering a bit as a gust of wind blew into the cave; America was just about to vainly attempt to tug the blankets closer. But two others had felt the gust as well and started awake.

“Bloody hell, that’s a right chill,” England groused under his breath.

Beside them, Mr. Bear stretched and yawned and gave a hard stare at the cave mouth.

America gave England a sleepy smile, “Sorry, I think I’m still really chilled or I’d offer to heroically warm you up.”

England reached out and flicked America’s stubborn lock of hair where it stood up on his head, “Git. Stop fussing over others when you’re the one that needs the fussing. Now,” he started gently sliding out from under America, “let’s get our warmer pyjamas and a bit of a fire going.”

Mr. Bear got up to pad over to where England was currently rummaging through the packs and he sleepily gave England’s hand a nudge.

With a smile America wasn’t about to let England live down, England gave the bear a pat on the head.

“Now now, Pastuso, I’ll fix you a marmalade sandwich in the morn, how’s that sound? Got to get America warm now, right?”

The bear gave a nod at that and America grinned. Okay, so it was totally not cool that England was trying to rename Mr. Bear, but it was awesome that they were finally getting along.

After digging for awhile, England evicted a bundle of rolled clothing from the bottom of the bag.

“Feel like we took up all our packing space with warm clothes, blankets and food. But well, I suppose it’ll come in handy. Let me get changed and I’ll help you into yours.”

America pouted and before he could say anything, England gave him a look.

“Oh come now, you’ve still got a welt on your head the size of a ping pong ball. You are taking it easy until you’re healed up a bit, Mister.”

At that, Mr. Bear crossed the cave floor and pointedly laid down with his paw overlapping America’s arm so he couldn’t get up.

“Thank you, Pastuso.”

“Hey now! He was my forest friend first!” America retorted, looking over to the big eyes of his bear friend. “And his name is Mr. Bear.”

“Well Pastuso, as your friend, is telling you that you should rest too. So it’s two against one, so just sit tight until I can help you into something warmer.”

America pouted, but relented. They were right, both of them. He needed to take it easy and heal up some so he could be awesome and heroic later.

As England tugged out of his khaki gear he’d fallen asleep in, America couldn’t help but appreciatively watch as the cloth slid against England’s skin, the flicker of the lantern illuminating England in a way that made his heart race a little faster.

Mr. Bear made a grunt and pointedly covered his eyes with his paws. America sighed, “Hey now! He’s my partner. I can look if I want!”

At that, England let out a splutter. “What in the blazes?” He turned, his pajama shirt half-on, and gave the two of them a look. At the bear’s covered eyes and America’s quirk of smirk, England flushed red.

“Git, stop staring! It’s rude.”

“Oh, so you get to help me into my pjs, but I can’t look at you. Doesn’t seem fair to me, Mr. Sexy-Stodge-in-Plaid.”

He gave a wink at that, and England spluttered some more.

“L-Look away so I can put my slacks on. It’s cold!”

“I’ve seen your butt before England, jeez.”

England huffed at that, tugging his pajama shirt down a bit so it covered most of his behind as he tugged his matching plaid pajama slacks on.

Almost as red as the red stripes in the plaid, he glanced back over at America who was smiling at him fondly.

“You’re adorable, you know that?”

“Oh shut it.”

“Well, you are.”

“Oi, hush up and let me get you into yours,” England retorted, coming over with a bundle of bright colors in his arms. As he unfolded them, he sighed. “You brought these?”

“They’re warm and flannel!” America replied.

England gave the pattern (which was various comic book sound effects in large flashy capslock lettering) a look before shaking his head.

“All right you big dork, let’s get this on you.”

Mr. Bear ended up excusing himself to go sit by the cave mouth while England gently pulled off America’s khaki adventuring clothes, trying not to dislodge the bandages underneath as he did so. As he helped America slide the pajama top on, he paused a moment, wrapping America in a hug from behind.

“England?” He asked at the sudden embrace.

“Look America, I’m not quite sure what we’ve gotten ourselves into, but promise me one thing, all right?”

America nodded. “What?”

England let go at that, reaching up to turn America’s face towards his as he pressed a fierce kiss to his lips. As he pulled back, he quietly said.

“Let me protect you too.”

America felt his cheeks heat up at that, the intensity of England’s stare coupled with his hand still protectively resting on America’s neck.

“Okay,” he said softly, leaning in to give England a quick kiss. “We can both be heroes, how’s that sound?”

England chuckled lightly at that. “Much better. Now, let me finish getting you into something warm so you can rest.”

“Right.”

-----------------------------------------------

After England had bundled him into his pajamas, refluffed all their blankets and sleeping bags, and even cast a large magical green fire that gave out heat but didn’t actually burn anything, he settled back down with America to sleep.

America had drifted off quite happily, now satisfactorily warm. Even Mr. Bear had come back towards them and lay close to America’s side after resting the khipu up by his head.

So by the next morning, he was feeling much better. Sure, he still had some aches here and there, but a good night’s rest had eased the pain some.

Just about to roll over and give England a kiss awake, he felt England’s body jerk away from him.

“England?”

At first he suspected England had just moved quickly in his sleep, but by all appearances that wasn’t the case.

“England!”

At the second cry, both England and Mr. Bear bolted awake.

England, who was now being dragged by some invisible force towards the mouth of the cave.

America tried to get up as quickly as possible, standing up and following after England where he was being dragged along the floor of the cave.

“America, it’s a…” England tried to talk, but before he could finish, the invisible force had flipped him upside down by his leg, holding him dangling in mid-air.

“England!” America called out, rushing over towards him.

And that’s when he felt it against his bare ankle, the cold, smooth feeling of something slithering past him. America looked down, but as hard as he squinted, he couldn’t see anything, not even a shadow.

But it was Mr. Bear’s reaction that seemed to baffle America the most. Unlike their previous encounters with the magic of this region, this time the bear didn’t seem too fussed about what was going on at all. He padded over next to America sleepily and gave him a friendly nudge in the leg as if to convey that there was nothing to worry about.

“England’s in trouble, can’t you see that?!” America yelled in reply. Finally, not sure what else to do, he called out. “Show yourself, whatever you are!”

And much to his shock and surprise…it did.

Vivid green, with black blotches running the length of its long body and yellow-orange stripes down its narrow sides, a large green anaconda immediately materialized out of thin air.

It was holding up England by its tail, smelling him curiously with his tongue and seeming to look him over intently with his large eyes.

As America was slowly trying to wrap his mind around how such a large snake could make itself invisible, and honestly beginning to fear that it was magical rather than real, England finally managed to finish his statement.

“America, it’s quite all right! At least, well, I think so.”

“Yes, all is right,” a deep rumbling of a voice spoke.

America balked on realizing it was none other than the snake that had said it.

The anaconda flipped England around at that and as gently as the large snake could manage, sat him down standing up. Turning with piercing eyes towards Mr. Bear, the snake spoke again.

“Is this the magic I’ve been sensing?”

Mr. Bear grunted a reply and the snake nodded. Coiling itself in front of England, the snake bowed his head.

“It is not often in these years that those of my kind meet those with the power of sight into our realm,” he said, extending his tail out as if a hand to shake. “I am Amarum. It was not my intent to give you such a rude awakening, but it has been very long since I have sensed magic of your caliber in these ranges and it gave me great concern for my fellow animals.”

England, who actually didn’t seem concerned in the least that he was talking to a giant snake, nodded. “You were near our tree before it exploded, weren’t you?”

The snake smiled, inclining its head. “I see you sensed me as I sensed you.”

Giving America a pointed look, England continued, “I have a bit of a way with fairies and other creatures of the mystical realms.”

“Ah, that would explain why you could see me from the start.”

America took a few steps forward at that and cleared his throat. “Hey, anyone want to explain to me why you’re chatting with a giant snake that was invisible a few seconds ago or are you two just going to sit down for a cup of tea and leave me in the dark?”

England walked over to America at that and insistently yanked his arm over his shoulder, “Here, rest your weight on me. You probably pulled several muscles bolting out of bed like that.”

America frowned, but relented when England pecked a quick kiss on his cheek.

“Not that I don’t appreciate your concern. I’m sure that to you, it looked very serious.”

Taking a deep breath, England began to explain.

“Amarum is a nature spirit, which means I can see him normally, much like my fairies and unicorns. When you demanded that he ‘show himself,’ he drew back the mist that normally cloaks him from those without the sight.”

America gave England a pout. “Oh man, does this mean I have to admit that your magical friends are real now?”

England chuckled. “I’m certain you’ll do that when I admit your alien isn’t half-bad to be around.”

Mr. Bear had walked forward at that, and in some sort of unspoken language, seemed to be communicating with Amarum. Finally, Amarum nodded and turned his large head back towards America and England.

“I have been told of your quest and hopefully I can aid you some. For now, heed this advice. You must rest,” Amarum said, pointing his tail at America, “You must put an enchantment on this cave to keep anyone from sensing you until he is healed,” he pointed at England, “and you, my friend, must choose which side you are taking.”

At that last part, he pointed to Mr. Bear and tossed a small metal plate towards the ground.

It clattered at their feet, and the bear’s eyes seemed to widen at the inscription on it.

England picked it up and frowned, handing it over to America.

“Looks like some sort of writing, but I don’t recognize it, do you?”

America shook his head. “No. But Mr. Bear doesn’t seem too happy about it.”

Sure enough, the bear seemed to be growling at the metal plate and when England tossed it to the ground, he grabbed it with his teeth and tossed it out of the cave.

Locking eyes with Amarum, the bear let out a low keening growl.

Amarum smiled. “You are wise, as always friend. Goodbye and keep safe.”

And without another word, the snake started to slither away, turning invisible as he disappeared outside the cave.

----------------------------

Notes:
[1] In the mythology of the Quechua people of Ecuador, Amarum is a spirit in the shape of a water boa.