A/N: This is my first fic, a Hetalia story about Australia and his neighbours. Since the Pacific gets such little attention in the canon Hetalia stories, many of the characters in the story are original works. Here is a brief listing of some of the original characters (more character overviews will be written as they are mentioned in the story):
Adult characters:
Australia (Barry Kershaw) – The strongest of his neighbours, he's a generally fun-loving, easy-going guy, but can be quite strict with his kids. He's also somewhat foul-mouthed. He gets along well with most countries, especially his brothers New Zealand and America. However, he doesn't always see eye-to-eye with Japan or his northern neighbour, Indonesia (though the relationships are not exactly vitriolic, either). He also had a nasty argument with China recently.
New Zealand (Russel Plymouth) – Australia's twin brother, New Zealand is smaller and quieter, but possessed of great, MacGyver-esque ingenuity. His relationship with his twin brother is one of the closest among nations, though you wouldn't know it watching them bicker and argue so much. He is somewhat distrustful of America, but gets along well with Canada (Unlike Australia and many others, he can tell the two apart).
Samoa (Kalolo To'afa Ioane) – A small Pacific nation, but a huge believer in the importance of family ties, tradition and religion. He and his father, Germany, remain on good terms, though he does not get along with France. Like most South Pacific nations, he keeps on good terms with Australia and New Zealand; his connection to the latter is particularly close.
Chibi characters:
New South Wales – Australia's eldest child, New South Wales is very much a city-slicker at heart. He shares an intense sibling rivalry with his sister Queensland, especially in sport.
Queensland – Australia's fifth oldest child, Queensland is very much a tomboy. She's far more of a country girl than her more urban siblings, New South Wales and Victoria. She has a mutual rivalry with New South Wales.
...
Hope you enjoy the story.
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Tick... Tick...
All was quiet in the house. The only noise, the quiet synthesised ticking of a radio alarm clock, faded gently into the surrounding air. However, this tranquillity was not to last - the time was quickly headed toward six o'clock.
Tick... Tick... Ti- CLICK. The tune of the ABC [1] news intro blared throughout the house, and the eyes of the once-slumbering man in the room quickly shot open as he fell out of bed. "What the bloody hell?" The man began to mutter to himself. "Flippin' radio, bloody well wakin' me up in the morning..." Rubbing his head, this man – or nation, rather – turned the volume down on the noisy device.
A voice with an Australian accent sounded from the radio as it was set back down on the bedside table. "...welcome to ABC morning news. Today's top story, national avatar Barry Kershaw, AKA Australia, is set to meet with his counterparts from around the Pacific today to discuss..."
"Ah, shit..." Australia sighed at the radio. "I forgot about that." The nation picked himself up and walked over to his wardrobe, opening it. After a few minutes, he managed to dig out a dark suit and tie. If he had to be dragged over to some meeting he didn't even want to go to in the first place, he thought, he may as well look decent.
...
Australia tightened his tie as he looked himself over in the mirror. His dark suit and well-groomed hair were a far cry from his usual appearance around the house - his khaki clothes, boots and Akubra hat. Nonetheless, Kevin, his koala companion, still chose to cling to his shoulders like a fat, lazy backpack, completely ruining the businessman look.
As he picked up his briefcase, he began to filter through it, making sure nothing was missing. "Hmm... Righto, everything seems t' be in order here..." With his case packed and checked, Australia heard a loud series of beeps from out front. Australia shouted through the front window at the car parked out front. "I'll be out in just a tic, Zealand!" Moving towards the door, though, he heard a shout from the back yard.
"Daaaaaaad! Queensland's being mean again!" It was New South Wales. Again. Those rowdy kids of his had just finished playing their usual game of football, and it seemed that Queensland had, for the fourth time straight, beaten her brother [2]. Sighing, Australia put down his briefcase by the door and walked out back to see what was happening in the aftermath.
When he made it to the backyard, he was greeted by an all-too-familiar sight. There were his kids, standing in the middle of the yard, a football between them. They were shouting and arguing with one another, and it was quickly devolving into a string of insults from both sides. "Wales, you throw like such a girl!"
"That doesn't even make sense! You're a girl, Queensland..."
"Well that just makes you even more of a dropkick [3], doesn't it?"
New South Wales was furious, his face turning a bright red. "Well you're just a bush pig [4], Queensland. You really are!"
Queensland began hyperventilating, her face's own shade of crimson matching her brother's. "Well... You... You..!" She shrieked before spear-tacking New South Wales from nowhere. Soon enough, the two were all over each-other on the ground, punching and kicking one another like mad.
"Oi!" Australia moved swiftly, wedging his arms into the tangled mass and knocking the feuding states apart. "No fightin' while I'm gone. Your uncle New Zealand and I are goin' over to Samoa's place for a meeting [5]. I'll be back b'fore supper." He looked down sternly at his children, both dirty and riddled with scratches and bruises. "And Queensland, stop being such a bounce [6] for once... You too, Wales. Ease up."
The two looked one another in the eyes, a little ashamed at their behaviour. "Okay, dad," they said in unison. They slowly approached one another before hugging each-other tightly, albeit awkwardly. Though the affection was sincere, such actions did not come naturally to these feuding siblings.
"I'm... sorry, Wales. I can really be a dipstick [7] sometimes, can't I?"
"It's okay, Queensland. I'm sorry too." There was a brief, awkward silence. "...Queen, could you let go now?"
"Oh! Sorry..." She pulled away suddenly, putting her hands in her pockets and looking generally embarrassed.
Her brother had a similar air about him as well, not even able to maintain eye contact with his sister. "Can't have everyone thinking we actually get along, you know..." he muttered.
...
Out front, leaning on the side of a beat-up 1980s Ford, New Zealand was waiting for him, visibly irritated. "What the hi'll [9] took you, bro?" Likewise, John, the sheep eternally perched upon Zealand's head, was expressing its aggravation, letting out a sharp bleat.
Australia shook his head. "Bloody kids again. I love 'em to bits, I really do, but sometimes they just make you want to strangle 'em. You know what I mean, Zealand?"
New Zealand looked at his brother quizzically. "Can't really say I do, no." He moved back towards the driver's side door as he spoke. "Anyway, Aus, we're gonna be late if you don't gi't in this si'cond."
Australia obliged, opening the passenger side door and climbing in. "Whatever, mate. We'll talk about it on the way..."
...
[1] - The ABC, or Australian Broadcasting Corporation (not to be confused with the American broadcaster of the same name), is Australia's main public broadcaster.
[2] - State of Origin football - an annual football (Rugby League) competition between Queensland and New South Wales. The competition tends to incite rather nasty inter-state rivalry. Queensland is currently on a four-year winning streak.
[3] - Dropkick - one who is unsuccessful or lazy.
[4] - Bush pig - derogatory term for an unattractive rural woman.
[5] - The Pacific Islands Forum is a meeting of all the countries of the South Pacific. Australia and New Zealand are the most powerful members, though the Secretary General is Samoan.
[6] - Bounce - bully, jerkass.
[7] - Dipstick - idiot, loser.
[8] - Due to the minor accent difference, it is alleged by Australians that New Zealanders pronounce their "E" as "I". Likewise, New Zealanders argue that Australians mispronounce "I" as "E".
...
Read, review, etc. I need the commentary and criticism. Thanks. I'd also like to apologise in advance to any New Zealanders who might be reading this. Seriously.