AN: Thank you for reviews! YAY!
Rated M, I own nothing.
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The kiss lasted a total of five seconds. America blinked as Germany flushed. What had he done? She was never going to speak to him again. He'd gone and bungled the whole thing up and now she would have every right to call him any number of things. He was-
"Oh," she said, with her blue eyes wide. She didn't appear disgusted or angry at all. "Germany, I'm so sorry."
He didn't want to hear her rebuff him, but at the same time, he knew he deserved her judgment and he should be grateful if she kept this little incident between them.
"I forgot you're related to the Danish!" She exclaimed as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "You must think I'm horribly rude after greeting Denmark." She was admonishing herself thoroughly.
He did not even begin to know how to go about tell her that such a broad statement was actually-
America leaned in and kissed him right on the lips.
Germany froze. She pulled away, completely unfazed by the fact the large nation was as still as a statue.
"My goodness," America commented happily, "Germans must be a very friendly people." She looked at him expectantly.
"So?" She prompted after a moment.
He looked down at her, with an unbelieving stare.
"Is that like 'Hello' or 'Nice to meet you' or something?" She asked, genuinely curious.
He couldn't get his mouth to work. She thought he was trying to get her to greet him? How could she think that-?
Germany was abruptly greeted with the image of Japan in front of him. There was something off about the smaller nation. He looked strange. The menacing aura pouring off of Japan in waves was something like a solar eclipse.
It was rare, and it was best not to look directly at it.
"Germany," Japan said in a low voice. "America and I were about to get some lunch. However, your urgently needed back at the building."
"I am?" Germany questioned with a hard look.
"Yes, right away," Japan continued, "someone needs medical assistance."
"Oh, is everything okay?" America asked Japan, looking genuinely concerned. "Because I can come help-"
"No, that will be fine, thank you." Japan flashed her a small but reserved smile.
"Well, okay dude," she said in confusion, "if you are sure."
"Yes, yes. Germany and I will be able to handle it."
"Oh, you aren't coming to lunch?"
"I will be along shortly."
"I hope everything is alright," she said again, looking uncertain. Something seemed off with Japan. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Had he gotten a hair cut? She shrewdly looked him over. No, he looked the same.
Hm. What was it?
Germany was looking at Japan, understanding that they had reached an impasse.
"Go ahead America," Germany encouraged as well. "I must take care of things, as Japan said."
She shrugged. Well, whatever it was, she was certain it would be fine.
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The Netherlands had a hard time expressing himself to others. Most considered him too controlling. It was why he and Belgium had never been able to get along. Yet, he had thought about how it would have been nice if he'd found America, because then he wouldn't have had to worry over the fact that he was a standalone country. However, while he did see America as a business transaction, it didn't mean that he didn't like her.
As Denmark had insinuated.
The Netherlands liked her as well as any other nation. Denmark had been able to get America to kiss him so easily. A lot of nations enjoyed being around Denmark. They enjoyed Finland and Norway too. Even Iceland had gotten attention from America.
What was he doing wrong?
He had all the same things, if not more things, to offer the female nation. Yet, she was kissing Germany in the street. While he watched, from a distance, on the other side.
It didn't make any sense. Did she like Denmark or Germany? If she liked them, then the Netherlands had a great deal in common with them, except that he was smarter and better, so America should be gravitating toward him too.
As he watched the scene unfold, he remembered Denmark's laughter over the idea that the Netherlands would demand he leave America alone.
The tension between the two nations in the street, Japan actually being hostile was a thing to witness. Yet, America didn't seem to get it.
She didn't appear to...
The Netherland's eyes widened and he realized a pivotal point.
America didn't get it, because she honestly didn't understand it. No wonder she had rebuffed his charms and advances. It made sense now why Denmark enjoyed flirting with the female nation every chance he got.
America was unaware that the male nations actually wanted her.
The Netherland's felt some of the tension ease from his shoulders. He was tired of being alone and America was offering companionship. While it was true he didn't love her, and did have his banking account in mind, he wanted to have the type of relationship with another nation that he'd seen so many have.
The only problem, was that he didn't know how to go about it.
OoOoOo
"America!" A female voice called to her left.
The blonde nation smiled brightly at New Zealand, who was waving her over.
"Did you get a chance to read my proposal?" The woman asked, not one to mince words.
"Well," America answered honestly, "I was trying to start when that whole chaotic mess broke out. " She grinned apologetically.
"Oh. Yes, I suppose that would make it hard to read." The other nation said graciously. "Are you hear to eat?"
America laughed. "I'm always ready to eat," she joked.
They laughed together, and New Zealand ordered them some drinks. Non-alcoholic, of course, because they would have to go back soon enough.
"How's Australia?" America asked politely.
New Zealand shrugged. "Doing well. He was somewhere in the free-for-all." The nation made a vague gesture behind her.
America nodded. "Yeah, some of those nations were really going at it."
New Zealand hummed under her breath. "Can't really blame them," she said, giving America a pointed look.
The exuberant nation sighed. Yeah, it was a massive political upheaval, wasn't it?
"May I join you?" America asked, motioning to an empty seat.
"I'd be insulted if you didn't," New Zealand said with a grin.
America sat next to New Zealand and not long afterward they were joined by Lithuania. He said he 'happened to be walking by'.
She liked Lithuania, honest to goodness she did, but all she could see was the foot fungus problem now and no matter how hard she tried it wouldn't leave her mind.
"How are you feeling?" She asked, trying to include him in the lull in conversation.
"Very well," he said sneaking a peek at her. "How are you? How are you New Zealand?"
The more enigmatic country simply shrugged, though he could tell she wasn't terribly pleased that he was here interrupting her time with America.. America, however, smiled at him widely.
"Great. Great. How's your problem?"
A confused look crossed his face. Did she mean Russia?
"The foot fungus?" America asked gently, trying to be subtle and pointing to his shoes.
New Zealand looked at Lithuania with an expression caught between confusion, disgust, and fascination. The last one was directed toward America though.
Lithuania flinched slightly. He had forgotten that America was not the best with conversation topics. She wasn't terrible, but right now he desperately wished he had thought of anything else to tell her as an excuse the last time they spoke.
"Well, I'm not hungry anymore," New Zealand commented offhandedly, staring at Lithuania's shoes.
He blushed, trying to come up with something to say."No, I-"
"It's not his fault," America defended quickly, causing Lithuania to turn toward her. "Sometimes it just happens. It is a medical condition." She added, giving him an encouraging smile. "Right?"
"R-r-right," he agreed unsure of why he did, and half ashamed at how much he enjoyed her defending him.
"Besides, I would think some powder, or a lotion, or an ointment should help with that." America said, trying to put him at ease. "What have you tried already?"
Her blue eyes looked at him, and Lithuania felt nervous again.
"An herbal remedy," he lied.
"Well, that's something," she said nodding. "And, at least it isn't horrible foot odor. That's a positive."
"America, it does tend to smell." New Zealand informed her.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Like a yeast roll."
"Oh." America scrunched up her nose and then her blue eyes landed on Lithuania. She tried to school her features into a normal face, but her nose kept twitching and though he couldn't prove it; he was certain she was attempting to discreetly see if he smelled like yeast.
He was not very pleased with today. It was not a good day, and as much as America tried to console him on his nonexistent problem, he just wanted to curl up in a ball of mortification.
New Zealand was doing her best not to snicker.
He glanced over and saw Finland leading Sealand over toward their table. New Zealand waved to the new group. America had a passive look on her face, and Lithuania hopped that she turn her attention to someone else until he thought of something to say to her that would detract from his growing lie.
"Hello America," Finland greeted. "Hello New Zealand, and Lithuania."
"Hi papa!" America said brightly. Her gaze narrowed on Sealand. "Sealand."
"Jugs," he quipped and Finland glared at him. The principality relented. "America." He said through grit teeth.
"Don't you have something to say to America?"
"I just did!" The smaller whined angrily.
Finland gave him a chastising look. "Do I have to go get Sweden?"
"No!" Sealand said quickly. "No, no. America," he addressed the female nation, "Thank you for saving me today."
She beamed at him. "Aww. You are so adorable! You're welcome. I am the Hero after all." America ruffled his hair sweetly.
"Does that mean you'll finally recognize me as a nation?"
America appeared to be contemplating it, and the small blonde boy looked hopeful. She leaned near his ear and whispered something. The principality looked up at her dubiously.
"Really?" He asked, not quite believing her.
"Yes, but stay away from France. If he makes a comment about your weight, you have my full permission to kick him." A dark look passed over her normally cheerful face, "Hard."
Sealand quickly agreed.
Just as they had reached an understanding, Germany and Japan bust through the main entrance. Their clothing was ripped in a few places, and they had bruises starting to show.
"What the hell happened to you two?" America shouted in reaction to their appearance.
"There was a..." Japan looked at Germany because he could not think of something suitable to say.
"Bear." Germany replied, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "There was a bear."
OoOoOo
"Cheese burgers!" Someone said in a high pitched voice, as they curled their hair to resemble Nantucket. In the bathroom of the public restaurant.
"I'm the Hero!"
He changed clothes into something that looked exactly like America's outfit. He was extremely happy that America wore pants.
"You all suck compared to me!"
The proclamation was followed by a round of infectious laughter.
"Russia can kiss my star-spangled ass!"
Sealand looked in the mirror. There. A little lip gloss, some water balloons filled with pudding, and a fake glasses. He was perfect. No one would be able to tell he wasn't America. He'd his accent had been practiced for a whole hour.
He gave a self-satisfied smile.
"DUDE!" He shouted happily.
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Prussia was still laid up in bed. Hungary had really gotten upset of absolutely nothing. He was the awesomeness known as Prussia! And, it had obviously not harmed America one iota because the exuberant nation had even come to visit him.
Technically, it was their second date, but he was forced to recuperate from his wounds. Which made the plans he had made previously, a little worthless. However, America seemed eager to spend some time with him, and it made his rather pleased in even this unfortunate situation. He had been happy to see her accepting text message. Though why she'd hadn't simply told him in person remained a mystery.
She could have been in too much awe of him. However, due to his sheer awesomeness, he was more than aware the his presence could be a tad intimidating. Look what it did to Austria.
America was sitting by his bed side in one of his favorite chairs, regaling him with her heroic saving of Sealand. For a moment he nearly envied a principality. How un-awesome was that? Sealand had gotten to nestle some place that the little twerp had better be grateful for because he was never going to do it again!
He scowled thoughtfully.
America noticed. She looked confused, and then her eyes took on a knowing gleam.
"Prussia," she said looking at him with a smug smile.
"The Great Prussia," he corrected teasingly.
"You're German, right?"
"I speak German-" He started to say.
However, America leaned in gave him a quick peck on the lips. When in Rome do what the Romans do, as the saying went.
"There! I think that's a proper greeting," she said amicably, missing the way his eyes widened. "I'm glad you're feeling better," her tone was sincere.
"Are you thirsty?"
He could only stare at her mutely and nod. She went on as if kissing him were a completely natural thing. Well, that was good then. Because if they became a union then the Great Prussia would allow her the highest honor of kissing him whenever she wanted.
Prussia watched as she grinned and walked out his bedroom door.
America was really... almost as amazing as he was.