~* Special Relationship *~

Title: Brilliant
Genre: Fluff/Romance
Pairing(s): US/UK
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: A report leads to insecurity and guilt, but it's nothing the most brilliant boyfriend in the world can't fix.

Okay so I was randomly looking around BBC and I couldn't help but notice this little thing here:

Which country has the best brains?

And I was instantly struck by the Flying Mint Plotbunny; therefore I present to you this. Hope you like it even if it's kind of badly-written and I only did it in like 10 minutes and I haven't been able to update ANYTHING lately. *shot*


The door slammed open, and England jumped, startled, and nearly dropped his book as America sauntered into the room with a peculiarly more-smug-than-usual smirk on his face.

"What are you doing here?" England asked in surprise, putting away his book- The Tempest, a Shakespeare classic, conveniently positioned to hide the (though he wouldn't admit it on pain of death) highly entertaining Georgette Heyer romance that he had just been reading moments before. He sincerely hoped America hadn't seen that. "I thought you said you were doing paperwork."

"I wanted to talk to you about something!" America said, beaming and completely ignoring England's frustrated sigh. "See, I was playing games online then I decided-"

"Really, America, you shouldn't be doing things like that.Now go off and finish your work like you said you'd do, then come and talk," England replied coolly, letting himself fall gracefully back onto the seat.

"Can't a guy spend time with his boyfriend?" America whined, putting on his best kicked-puppy face.

Normally, England would be putty in his hands at the first sign of that adorably miserable expression, but he had Shakespeare on his table, and one just did not keep the bard waiting. "As you must see, I am busy because, unlike you, I engage in lovely, mentally challenging, intellectual activities like reading."

America snickered. "Mentally challenged is about right."

Quick as a flash, England jumped up again in anger. "What the-"

"Just kidding, sweetie. But take a look at this!" America held up a sheet of paper with some diagrams on it. "Fresh off the printer, baby. Got it from your news thingy online."

England snatched the piece of paper away, scanning it quickly. His eyes widened at what he saw. "Re- what- but this-!"

"Oh yeah, I've got the biggest brain alright!" America did a little dance in the middle of the room, waving his arms in the air.

"More like the biggest head," England grumbled, still unable to believe his eyes. He, the country of culture and intellect, bested by America! He quickly followed the purple line that indicated the US statistics. Most prizes won in Peace, Medicine, Chemistry, Physics... He didn't have the heart to continue. Granted, the fact that it was his boyfriend tempered it a little, but still! America spouted off nonsense about robots and hamburgers at all the meetings- how could he have won this much? And chemistry and physics!

"Bigger's better, darlin'," America said, giving him a wink, then deflating at England's lack of response. "Aw, come on, aren't you happy for me?"

England instantly felt guilty. Of course he should be proud of America. His boyfriend was evidently one of the greatest minds in the world, and he was being rightfully rewarded. But still... What was he compared to America? He bit his lip and looked away.

"Hey, hey," America said softly, cupping his cheeks to make him look up at him. "You okay? Look, those results can't be totally accurate. And even if they were, there are tons of amazing people in the world who haven't been recognised. I mean, this is still kinda awesome, but it doesn't mean anything, okay? There's more to life than prizes and rewards."

England rested his hands on America's wrists, drawing them down, and he leaned into his boyfriend's chest to hide his face. "I'm sorry," he mumbled into his shirt. "You're right to be proud of yourself, really, you are, it's just... I..." He pressed his face in further. "I'm sorry."

"Hey, it's fine, it's just statistics."

"It's not just that you beat me!" England said, pulling away but keeping his eyes still firmly on the floor. "I- I mean-" he sighed. "Years ago I was on top of the world, always ahead of the game; I was the best. And I know it's selfish to think this way and I feel horrible for it, but... how can I possibly compare to you now?" He kept his eyes averted, unable to bear seeing the hurt in America's expression. He tugged himself away to flee into the bedroom, but he was stopped by a strong hand around his wrist.

"England-"

"I'm sorry!" he burst out, tugging harder to free himself, but to no avail.

"England, look at me." America said firmly, and slowly, England did. Lifting one hand, America placed it under England's chin, tilting his head up again. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings when I showed you this, honest. And it's totally okay to think that way- I know I would too. Even if you're not an empire anymore, you're still you. A grumpy-" he smiled, leaning in to kiss England on the forehead. "Stuffy-" a kiss on the nose. "Adorable old man-" once on the cheek. "Who has got to be the strongest, most intelligent, most amazing guy I've ever met."

By now England's cheeks were flaming red, and his mouth was open to form a response that wasn't coming, but it seemed America wasn't done yet.

"I love you, England. Always have, and definitely always will."

No matter how many times he heard it, he always choked on his reply, always feeling his knees go weak and as if he'd burst from happiness. Now was no different, and he managed a stammered I love you too before he was swept up into a bear hug.

"And if it makes you feel better, you beat me in Literature!" America said, twirling them both around the room despite England's protests. He handed the paper over with a grin when he set him down, and England took it, feeling much better.

"Thank you, America, though it's really not necessary." He caught the sight of America's face draining white in horror just before his eyes moved to the last part of the graph.

"No! Wait! My mistake, don't read it-!"

England stared at the paper. "France?"

America gulped, scratching the back of his neck and grinning apologetically. "Um, yeah, told you not to read it."

"My literature has been bested by a frog? This is impossible, an outrage-!"

"Oh come on, who cares about France when you've got the most awesome boyfriend in the world?" America said, draping an arm over England's shoulders. "And hey, didn't we totally beat everyone there?"

"I suppose," England relented, leaning into America slightly.

"Glad you think so, 'cause it's true. We've got to celebrate our awesomeness!" America sent him a cheeky grin and kissed him on the lips. "I say we give France something to really write about."

"A brilliant suggestion, my dear," England replied, feeling a smirk grow on his face. "I couldn't agree more."