America eagerly bounding up the steps to his house. He was finally back to his beautiful, awesome, super cool house! Grabbing his doorknob, he yanked open the door and was greeted by Germany's furious face.
Not a very pleasant homecoming.
"Why," The German growled, "Is there a YouTube video with over one million likes that features you guys?"
America yelped, choosing to ignore the question. "Dude! What are you doing at my house? Stalker!"
South Korea squealed. "Over one million likes? Uri nara mansae! I'm a YouTube star!"
"We can explain..." Canada whispered.
Germany's eye twitched.
America laughed, slinging his arm around Germany's shoulder and raising his fist for a fist bump that was denied. America pouted. People should be smiling in his country!
"C'mon, bro, smile! You're in the United States of Awesome!"
Grinning and jokingly punching Germany on the shoulder, America shoved the angry nation aside and felt his jaw drop.
The inside of his house was covered in red, white, and blue streamers. Israel poked his head over from the living room.
"Big brother! You're here!" Israel grinned. "Your YouTube video was hilarious... but... eh... you're kind of in trouble."
North Korea snarled. "How dare those stupid fools post a video of us on TouYube! I shall rip them to shreds!"
Israel winced. "Yeesh. Calm down."
Germany frowned. "Perhaps... we should try another approach. But we will discuss the recuperations later. For now..."
Israel grabbed America. Still trying to process the party streamers, America felt himself getting dragged into the living room. He froze at the doorway in shock.
The entire room was decked in decorations of red, white, and blue, and packed full of laughing nations. A disco ball was spinning in the ceiling, casting multicolored light over the room. There was a DJ station that Hong Kong was managing. There was also a buffet full of food from all types of cultures.
"Oye, gringo!" Mexico said, grinning at him from next to the buffet. "Feliz cumpleaños!"
"Surprise, motherfucker!" Romano shouted.
"生日快乐!"
"Happy birthday, America-kun."
"生日快乐! And I loved the YouTube video! It gave me inspiration for a new doujinshi..."
"Happy birthday, mate! I was going to get you a koala but then I got in trouble..."
France put a hand on America's shoulder, startling the stunned American.
"Well, mon cher, what do you think?"
America felt a tear roll down his cheek. Then another. And another.
England made a choking noise. Germany and North Korea stiffened. Everyone quieted down.
Italy's lip wobbled. "Oh, no! America, why are you sad?" The Italian began to sniffle. "Did you want to eat hamburgers? All the Asians said not to put it in the buffet because it tasted terrible, but..." The Italian burst into tears. "Waaah! I'm sorry!"
"Stop crying, you American asshole!" Iran shouted furiously. "Look... whatever it is, I'll take care of it! It's your birthday! Celebrate freedom! Be noisy! Just don't cry!"
Through his tears, America could see the distressed expressions on the faces of Israel and South Korea.
America felt Canada squeeze his shoulder. "Al," His brother said quietly, "What's wrong?"
The American whimpered, trying to stifle his tears. "I... I just didn't think you guys cared that much about me. I mean... none of you guys really like me..."
Japan looked shocked. "America-kun... you are my dear friend. Why would you believe that?"
North Korea kicked America, but there was no real anger in his blow or his words. "We went over this, Capitalist Pig! Plenty of people like you. Your people love you. A person can't walk four feet here without seeing a flag."
Israel quickly hugged America, looking a bit uncomfortable and red-faced. "I... yeah... big brother..."
India grinned. "America, you always send all of us birthday gifts no matter how bad our political relationships are. And Christmas gifts. Even though some of us don't celebrate it... well, it's the thought that counts."
"And you send us enough candy every Halloween to give a water buffalo a heart attack," China grumbled affectionately.
Belarus, nodded solemnly while sharpening her knife. "America is my good friend, so of course we would celebrate his birthday..."
Lithuania smiled shyly. "Yes, definitely! I hope you like the surprise!"
Latvia nodded nervously, smiling from behind Estonia. His eyes occasionally darted over to Natalya like a frightened squirrel.
Russia giggled, twirling his pipe around. South Africa quickly ducked to avoid it. "America always gives Mother Russia birthday presents, so even though Mother Russia wants to rip America into tiny little shreds, Mother Russia will help make a party for him, da? And then everyone can become one with Mother Russia!"
"Can you please stop referring to yourself in the third person?" Turkey muttered. "It's really weird and creepy."
America laughed through his tears, clapping Russia on the back. "Freedom, bro! No one's becoming one with you!"
A dark aura surrounded Russia. America noticed that a lot of the nations suddenly looked nervous for some reason. Weird.
"Anyways, thanks! We are great pals, right?"
Russia laughed like one of those yandere people in Japan's anime. "Da!"
England scowled. "What the bloody hell is wrong with you two? Anyways..." He gave America an awkward hug, his face red. "Happy birthday!"
America grinned, wiping away his tears with the back of his hand. His chest felt warm. Things had been really crazy this year, but having everyone here wishing him a happy birthday made everything better.
"Thanks, guys," He whispered, not able to find the words to properly thank them.
India laughed. "Of course! Now let's dance-"
"Aiya!"
Hong Kong rolled his eyes, removing his headset. "You two are, like, such grandpas. And I got a surprise-for-everyone fireworks show set up in the backyard-"
"Qué?"
"Fool!"
"Oh mon Dieu!"
"So, like, they should come on in a little-"
"Let's go outside to see them!" South Korea shouted joyously, grabbing America and dragging the blond nation outside.
The rest of the nations stumbled around behind them, tripping, stumbling, cursing, and generally acting like nations.
Outside, a warm wind blew, caressing his face like his mother used too. Tilting his head back, America closed his eyes. A feeling of peace washes over him.
"Like, the fireworks are starting!" Hong Kong shouted.
Opening his eyes with a smile, America was greeted by bursts of color and noise sprinkling across the indigo sky. Red, white, and blue sparks decorated the sky, before fizzing out into nothingness. The booms of the fireworks sounded like the thunderstorms he had been scared of as a child.
Israel smiled at him. "Great, right?"
America nodded, his jaw hanging slightly open. "Yeah... wow... it's like the entire world is bright and beautiful and hopeful. Like a wonderful tomorrow is right there."
