If no one cares, I'm just going to update on Fridays. Hurray, Return Arc~. Yes, I'm such a nerd that I divided my story up into Arcs. The last arc was the Rescue America Arc. I'm cool. Not really. Enjoy anyway. [That awkward moment when the number of reviews for your story is the same as the number of emails in your spam folder.]

0z: Yes. The end of the chapter was supposed to sound like America was breaking up with Iggy. The chapter was originally going to be much different than what it turned out to be, but I'm glad I wrote it that way. You're welcome.

The Obsessionist: /noideawhereitsgoinghm? Suspense acheived...? I'm glad you like the story, though. :D

Disclaimer: Hetalia totally belongs to Himaruya. Like seriously to the max.

[The underlining makes it fancy.]


Three days.

That was how long it took them to reach the navy base. Three days, America had been counting in his head. Four to go. The countdown had begun. Which meant that he had three days to sneak into the information room and get what he needed before his meeting with England. The entire thought made America both excited and nervous.

As soon as they got back, America found his brother and tackled him – literally. "Canada!"

"America," Canada wheezed, struggling under his brother's grip, "I love you, but get off me, please."

America complied somewhat reluctantly. "Aw, I love you too, bro. I just missed you and all that. It's been over a week. I just wanted to make sure that you were okay."

Canada looked at him for a second before hugging him fiercely. "You reckless little… Of course you would be the one to get kidnapped by pirates and worry me sick! The least you could do is take it seriously. Honestly, America. I thought you died!"

"Well," America choked out. "I'm obviously not dead, but I will be if you keep giving me your death hugs. I can't really breathe."

Hastily, Canada loosened his hold. "Sorry."

"Besides, I couldn't just let some pirates kill me. What kind of hero would I be then?"

The younger brother sighed. "Good point."

"Yeah, I tend to make those."

"Oh, shut up."

America stuck out his tongue. "Make me."

"It's amazing that the whole pirate thing didn't seem to have any effect on your huge ego. There's no dent or anything. Astounding, eh?"

"Come on. I'm just that awesome, and you know it."

"You think it."

"Because it's true!"

"Yeah, sure, whatever you say."

"Don't be jealous, now. It's hard to be as awesome and amazing and heroic as I am. But it's all in a day's work for me."

"Everyone's jealous," Canada muttered sarcastically.

~0~0~0~

The argument went on like that for around twenty three minutes before the fleet admiral, China, finally called for America to come to his office. Official reports and whatnot, probably.

"Good evening, aru," China greeted him.

America nodded politely. "And you, boss."

"How are you?"

"Good." America shrugged. "Tired. Good."

China nodded curtly. "That's good, then. You're not hurt or anything at all?"

The admiral laughed. "No, I'm fine. They didn't torture me or anything."

"I think… that you should take a break. You've been through a lot in the past week, aru, at least. It's a lot of stress, and a few days of rest will help with that. A few days away from the navy base will be good for you, especially now, aru. You've been under a lot of pressure for a long time, trying to live up to everyone's expectations and your own. It would be okay to stop for a while. No one would blame you for wanting some peace."

Peace sounded nice, but a few days away from the base? No way; these people were practically his family, and the best place for America to be was with them. That, and his deal with England. He couldn't help thinking that he was doing something wrong, though. America decided to shrug it off. "Nah, I'm fine, boss. Nothing too traumatic happened and I feel fine. Actually, I feel great."

"Okay," China sighed, "I can't make you stay away from the base, but I will withhold missions from you until I think you're fine to go on them, aru. That's an order, got it?"

America saluted him. "Yes, boss."

"You are dismissed."

America got up and left after giving China one last wave. He walked to what was basically their hang out room to find France, Canada, and Lithuania. France strode over to him, having been the only one of the three who hasn't welcomed him back.

"You know," France traced a circle over America's chest, "just because you were kidnapped by filthy pirates and all, that doesn't mean I'll start asking for… you know."

America slapped his hand away and snorted. "You know I've never let you do that stuff." And they weren't filthy pirates, he added to himself.

Canada laughed nervously and looked at Lithuania. "I don't think anything is going to change around here."

"Thankfully." Lithuania smiled.

If only they knew how wrong that statement was.


I will hug anyone who gets the YCTTSFM reference. You know who you are.

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