(APH is not mine)
America would never admit it to anyone, but he hated looking in mirrors. The rest of the world assumed that when he saw his reflection, he saw a self-assured, confident hero. What they didn't know was that America hated his reflection.
Superficially, he didn't mind how he looked. There were his eyes, as blue as the sky he loved. Then there was his hair, as yellow as the sun. Teeth as white as the clouds that decorated the sky… and his face, more youthful than many of his fellow Nations', but much older than those of any of his people's. He would go as far as to admit that he was handsome.
When he looked in a mirror, however, he hardly saw what was on the surface, and he never saw a hero. He always saw a young Nation. He always saw insecurities. He always saw his flaws. As a Nation, he had grown up quickly, and it showed when he looked at his reflection. The hero was always missing, and in his place was a young adult, just barely out of his childhood, who had no idea what he was doing, where he was going, who was only getting by on sheer luck.
America desperately longed to see the hero he wanted to be, that he knew the rest of the world assumed he already saw. But whenever he looked in the mirror, he was faced with the realization that he wasn't the great hero he pretended to be. There was simply too much he didn't know, didn't show, didn't want to see.
"America, are you ok?" America blinked, brought out of his thoughts. When had Canada entered the bedroom? How long had America been in the bathroom?
America put on his grin…the grin that hid his true thoughts and feelings and told the rest of the world that he was confident and self-assured. Heroes never showed doubt or insecurities, and while he didn't feel like a hero yet, it didn't hurt to try and play the part. He flung the door open, and if look of concern passed across Canada's face, America ignored it. "Of course I'm ok, bro. What else would I be?" Both brothers knew America was lying, but nothing was said as America grabbed Canada's arm and dragged him out of the room to meet England and France for breakfast.