Uhm... is it too late for me to plead for my life? I'm sorry this took so long. I really am! I hope you all enjoy the chapter though. Please feel free to PM any questions you may have.


"Hi there, Mattie," America greeted weakly.

America never was able to come up with a nickname for Canada, at least not one that wasn't stupid sounding. Canada smiled at hearing his nickname and squeezed his hand even more.

"America! You're awake!" Canada quickly quieted himself, not wanting to rile up his younger brother. "How... How do you feel?"

"I'm fine," America answered, not looking at his twin.

"I didn't ask that America. I asked how you were feeling," Canada responded.

"And I told you, fine," America answered.

"America," Canada whispered, feeling Kumajiro wiggle out of his hold.

Kumajiro promptly moved off of Canada's lap and laid himself on America's body. His face was inches from America's chin. The American looked at him in surprise, but he didn't say a thing. The bear had happily spread himself over the body that was cushioning him. America turned his attention away from the bear and turned it upwards. Canada was smiling lightly. Kumajiro and America had very little interaction with each other, but that didn't mean they hated each other.

"We've all been rather worried about you," Canada informed his brother.

America didn't acknowledge what he said, focusing on the ceiling. Canada sighed and lowered his shoulders in annoyance. This wasn't the reaction he had been hoping for. He knew that America liked to hide behind the mask of his that he made for himself, but he had hoped that this experience would have made him more willing to open up.

"America, you need to talk to me," Canada said.

"I'll be fine, Canada," America responded.

"You can't do this America, you can't shield yourself away from me," Canada argued, raising his voice.

America looked at his brother in surprise. Canada has only snapped at him once. Canada was leveling a glare with him. His brother didn't understand what it was like to live three months without knowing if his little brother was well or not. He watched the news religiously, checking up on how the country itself was doing. He was assured that he was alive, but that didn't mean Canada knew if America was hurt or not. He did not wait three months just for this sort of response!

"Mattie-"

"No, no 'Mattie'!" Canada snapped, finally releasing his anger. "You don't know how it was without any word from you!"

"I'm-"

"And now when you've been found, this is your reaction!? You're hiding away again!"

"I'm sorry bro," America muttered, looking away from his older brother.

"Talk to me America! You need to talk!"

"Not right now, okay?" America said in a whisper.

Canada snarled and stood up abruptly.

"Fine. Handle it yourself!" he responded, turning and leaving for the door.

Kumajiro followed obediently. Canada opened the door and slammed it behind him, his bear friend close on his heels. The minute the door was closed, the Northern brother's eyes widened in surprise.

"Did...did I just do that?" he asked.

"Who are you?" Kumajiro asked without missing a beat.

"Mr. Williams," Bruce, who had been heading for America's room, said in surprise. "Are you alright? You look pale."

"I'll... I'll be fine. I just need something to drink," Canada answered.

"Follow me, I'll take you to the kitchen," Bruce said with an understanding tone. "Do you know if America's awake?"

"Thank you, and no," Canada said. "He's still sleeping."

Bruce nodded, feeling a little sad, but he guided Canada to the kitchen, not at all bothered by Kumajiro.


America stared at the closed door for some time before turning away to look back up to the ceiling. He needed the time to collect himself; he knows he shouldn't have ran his brother out like that, but he just needed some time to collect himself. He was still vulnerable from the resurfacing of his memories, and he needed to have his mask up once again.

Sorry bro. Just give me some time to figure this all out.


"Your creature! It is small but it's teeth are sharp!" Thor proclaimed as he inspected Kumajiro. "How is this so."

Kumajiro yawned at the demi-god. He had already tried to swipe at the Norse legend when the tall man had taken the bear off the ground. When it became apparent that he couldn't do a thing against the man, the bear gave up and resigned itself to Thor's hold. While many assumed he'd want to attack Thor, it was actually Tony he wanted blood drawn from; the man had mocked the bear and tried to throw things at it after they discovered it talked.

Canada just sweat-dropped, holding the cup of tea he was given from Bruce. England had glanced up at Canada briefly but didn't say a word. Canada had the feeling that England knew America was awake, but he didn't say this to the Avengers. Tony continued to look at the bear in surprise while the rest went on with their day. Pepper, who had joined them, didn't look as surprised as Tony thought she would, and he wasn't afraid to tell her this.

"There's a bear that can talk and you don't find it strange!" Tony questioned.

"No," Pepper answered. "My work experience with you has made me numb to strangeness."

Tony narrowed his eyes in annoyance at his girlfriend, but didn't say anything against her. Natasha smirked lightly, watching Thor practically manhandle the bear. Clint was sticking to his food, not bothering to add to the conversation, and Steve decided that he would mark the day on his calander as the day that he saw everything. None of them mentioned America because it was just better that way.

"Your bear, can he battle?" Thor asked.

"Uhm... well I haven't seen him get into a fight," Canada answered.

"I shall train him to be a warrior," Thor declared.

"Who are you?" the bear asked, tilting his head.

"I am Thor, son of Odin," Thor responded.

Kumajiro yawned once more.

"Since Mr. Jones still hasn't woken up, I assume you'd like to stay here until he does. I'll have JARVIS set them up," Pepper said.

"Thank you ma'am," Canada said.

"Thank you," England said.

"Whoa whoa whoa! You want to have the moody Brit living under our roof?" Tony asked. He then narrowed his eyes accusingly. "I bet you're only doing it because you have a crush on British people. It's probably why you programmed JARVIS to have his accent."

"Yes Tony, that's exactly why I want them here," Pepper responded flatly, not raising to Tony's bait.

Tony gasped in mock scandal.

"I knew it!" he said, raising his arms in the air. "I knew it all along!"

"How do you put up with him?" Natasha asked her former "boss".

"You'll learn," Pepper answered.

"I am shocked and offended," Tony said, continuing his act.

"If it's alright with you, I'm going to go lay down," England said as he stood up.

The group nodded, and Tony didn't say a word. England left, getting instructions to his room from JARVIS. Canada watched him leave with sympathy shining in his eyes. He personally knew what England was feeling in this moment.

"So what's the family history on all of you?" Tony asked.

"Well...uhm...most of us countries aren't all blood related. Me and America are; I'm his older twin," Canada explains.

"And England?" Steve asked.

"How much of American history do you know?" Canada asked.

"Quite a bit," Tony responded.

"Then you remember that England took over America as a colony," Canada explained. "When he did so, he established himself as America's older brother. He's been his brother up until the Revolution, where they separated rather... terribly. Don't mention this to England at all. He... he still hasn't gotten over it."

"He can't take a break up or something?" Tony mocked.

Canada felt himself glaring at Tony.

"England's been the black sheep of Europe for years. Since he's grown up, he's always been alone. America... America was the closest thing to a friend for England...and when he lost America to the war..." Canada sighed, remembering how hollow the man had been during the war. "But England still cares for America, which is why this is all very hard for England."

The team nods in understanding, and even Tony's willing to not make a joke. Thor released a sudden chuckle, and this surprised the group. Looking at him, though, they realized the source of his humor. Thor had slipped up and Kumajiro got a hold of his hand, keeping it in his jaw.

"His bite is strong," Thor complemented. "I like him!"