.

The first day that America didn't give the speech in the meetings, everyone looked at him strangely.

America waved it off while slumping in his seat as he half heartedly muttered, "Officiallyyyyyyy, I don't need to go up to the podium anymore and deliver briefings...so...yeahhhhh... Aw... come on don't look at me like I'm lying. I'm ACTUALLY not kidding. :B Just check your emails! My boss should have sent it to all of you by now. Though I can go up, if I want to. But I didn't get the folder...I mean...I didn't have enough time to read the briefing. So I'd rather not leave an airhead...comment and endlessly ramble about nothing... "

Romano piped up while laughing, "Don't you always leave airhead comments usually for us to hear? Seriously, are you kidding right now or is this for real?"

America didn't look at Romano as he was still not used to Romano being so mean to him. They had sort of half way hit it off before the depression. But now America could never tell if Romano really meant it or if he was just kidding. It helped America to believe that it was the first option as he tuned out Romano's laughing amongst the chuckling of other nations.

"Doesn't America always say the stupidest of things?"

"Oh yeah, remember that time about the aliens and mechanical burgers to end poverty?"

America blushed as he couldn't believe he had said those things before...but at the time...they did sound like pretty good ideas.

Germany, who had his laptop open, was surprised to see the official email from the head of the White house. A few other nations had also checked their devices to realize that the American was telling the truth. Romano added in happily after checking his phone, "Wait! Does this mean, that we won't be needing to hear anymore of your stupid speeches?"

Sparkles lit up in many of the nations eyes, Switzerland perked up from his dozing off as he muttered, "Less stupid?" and went back to dozing off. Cuba and others started to really enjoy the idea of not hearing the blabbering American and showed it by their beaming smiles and clapping.

America kind of frowned as he saw just how happy everyone relished the idea of not hearing the American. He shot a look at England and was somewhat shocked to see that even he was warming up to the idea.

England off handedly noted, "You know... America, this has been the best idea your government has ever done? I mean look at these notes, " England flipped through the screens in his mobile phone.

"Everything is explained here...and at a top- notch vocabulary. There are no "Hero", "awesome", or "coolest" words in here. Really, this is amazing."

America looked miffed and a little downcast as he crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. He was getting rather irritated by how well everyone was taking this news. He had hoped that they would have been sad or suspicious. Not downright celebrating. We heard Cuba cheering in the background when Hungary asked aloud directed to the American, "I'd love to not give my speeches too. How did you ever convince your bosses?"

America didn't bother turning back as he stated flatly, "I don't know. I guess I just have that charm... Anyways! Let's move on with the meeting please? Germany..."

America looked pleadingly towards Germany and Germany adjusted his glasses as he finished reading the email and set his reading glasses back down. Germany clapped his hands to hush down the nations.

"Alright. Alright. Cuba please refrain from cheering anymore. America, we believe you. You may remain seated. Since we have your statements... let's move on... to Austria. Austria, if you would please go up."

.

America had been going to the meetings for the months afterwards- as if nothing was wrong. America noticed that his lack of presence, when he decided to ditch the meetings, didn't bother anyone in particular. And that just saddened him more. He wished to disclose his true feelings about being relieved of duty and the strained relations within his workers and self, but he was still bound to behave as if nothing amiss.

So he kept his silence. Even if inwardly he was very bitter about it.

Though he did flash smiles around like usual to appear as if normal. And most just took it and didn't question his behavior any further. So out of frustration, he took more bathroom breaks than any other nations. Most of the time, they weren't really bathroom breaks as he'd just stroll on out of the meeting room and sit in the hallways in deep thought or plug in his headphones and play music very loudly. It stung him to actively think about the rearing worries in his mind and so he resorted to being aloof and flippant to just about everything.

The weather bad?

Hell, no not going to the meeting then.

McDonald's doesn't have hash browns this morning?

Hell no, not leaving the room today.

A mosquito bit me?

Fuck I'm going to play video games till noon and then some.

America did recognize these somewhat depressive personality traits but...he pushed all urgency to change the situation away as he pressed onwards in pretending that mostly everything was okay. And to be painfully honest, only good things were churning out of the White House so America had very little to complain about. Technically, everything WAS OKAY and nothing should be wrong because if you looked at it statistically, everything was nearing perfection.

The White House was tackling every issue and putting money in programs that actually benefitted the people. Help was more accessible to the people as there was finally job increases and happier graduates finally able to find jobs in their career. America as a nation was doing so well that many more American's were going on trips around the world and taking more days off. Living was just good and you could see it in the beaming smiling faces of people on the streets and just about everywhere now. If before people were in a hurry to meet a deadline, you'd see people being more relaxed. If people were tense and angry about their lives and lash out wrongly, now you'd see people put in more of an extra effort to understand one another no matter the walk of life or mood of the day. These could only be things that a nation would be so blissfully proud of.

So as America would bike around in the streets, he couldn't help to not suppress those good feelings that was in the air. He was upset that he couldn't quite absorb all those feel good vibes that a nation would receive when the collective whole were happy. America could barely feel it. However, with that small amount of hope, he treasured it close as he biked to work and just about everywhere. Back then, before Avery Avery's ascent to the white house head or had entered, America's main mode of transportation had always been the cabs or governmental cars. He'd always be in a hurry to go from one destination to the other. People walking outside were mere blurs and so was the scenery all around him. Life was like watercolor as the definite lines would bleed onto the other. To think that it was all of this stillness and the moment of the now, was what he was missing almost all his life.

The scenery didn't bleed into another now.

Everything was crisp and clear and grander than it was before. And it was nice. It was nice to finally enjoy it and feel it. It was truly nice.

Being endowed with all this free time was very liberating. He had been feeling rather weak lately as well. So taking things at a slower pace was very welcomed.

America tried to keep up his strength by playing basketball despite the weaknesses in other parts of his life now. He found that his strength was waning in different areas. For example, like the will to stay up late or run for long periods of time without breaking a sweat or even tired. He could still run. Just that now he'd actually feel fatigue afterwards and not a hearty and happy sweat.

He would feel the throbbing in his muscles now which he never felt before. It had always been just slightly tingly. So this getting tired thing was new and something to be reckoned with. He couldn't even lift up cars anymore when he wanted to change the tires of his now forgotten cars just chilling in his garage. At first he was surprised, but he just let that newly found fact go as there wasn't anything he could particularly do about that. He was still America. That was all that mattered.

Luckily his loss of nation status and power aren't easy to perceive by others. In sum, he was able to hide the disappearance of his nation status rather well. He had gone to the Doctor's as he was told, after he left his last visit with Mr. Avery months ago when he passed out after leaving the oval office. Apparently, he had anemia and just your average fatigue. Nothing too serious even though America was like, "BUT I ALWAYS EAT MEAT. THAT HAS IRON. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT?"

The doctor was unsure as he only mentioned that his metabolism rate was rather high for the average person. And so America didn't exercise as much, since more muscle meant more hunger. Only now, that stuffing his face with anything actually harmed him instead of appeasing the appetite. He actually would feel sick from cramming in the high calorie intake things: like pies, cakes, and cookies.

Those had been his staple foods for a long time as his favorite things were often vastly colored, decorated, and artifically flavored things. However, after eating those things now and having a sick feeling linger afterwards, he found himself changing his diet and eating healthier meals. It was rather a big shock when he'd go to the meetings and stay around for the lunch or dinner times. Because when he'd serve himself, he'd actually go for the greens sections and eat them just as quickly as he did the things he enjoyed.

He would cast a quick sideways glance towards the others at times to only see bright gawking eyes in disbelief staring at him. America would usually feel frustrated because he really didn't see why this change was so hard to believe.

It was just a salad.

Was that really...something too grand?

So difficult for others to believe?

However, as America would mull over the last few words Mr. Avery did tell him about keeping up appearance, America would lastly cram something mega sweet into his mouth after the greens just to show others, "Hey, I still eat sweets damn."

Other than that, days were average enough.

He didn't go to the meetings as much and took to finally enjoying his forced free time. In the beginning he was having the most difficult time to accustom to. But now, he was rather enjoying it. As much as Mr. Avery was a prick, his nation was in the best condition ever-ever. He couldn't complain about that fact even though he could spend at least 3 hours complaining non-stop about Avery's vindictive ways.

America took to looking for the small rays of sunshine in just about everyday then. It kept his happiness levels in check as he started to marvel at nature and just the average-ness of everyday. He wasn't quite sure why he never really took the time to notice everything. It had always been about the next video game or fad that he'd look forward to. Lately, though, just about everywhere he traveled to, it held some beauty as he would take his time to observe it. It was only when he was in the White House did he feel utterly pissed. However, he was almost always able to have a great time with his two agents in that big ol' department and forget about everything else.

All around, his people were celebrating their renewed economy. He saw it on the news as he'd flip it on every morning without fail. He saw the good news in the papers.

It was all around.

And America did feel rather proud about that even though he barely had any hand in this overall happy times within his nation. America would have to look away from it all sometimes and cast his gaze on the cracked sidewalk cement to truly remember, that this is all a facade and probably from a wicked man. He had to be alert and not be fully dragged into it. But it was rather hard.

Mr. Avery had just about convinced the entire world that he was the grand granter of wishes. It was only to him, that Mr. Avery never once attempted to conceal his true nature. And America was actually grateful for that since he'd surely be pulled in like the rest of the suckers of the world. But as he looked among his citizens and his fellow nations, he really wanted to believe that his president wasn't that vile thing he was thinking of and was indeed trying to make America a better place.

Come on...let's just face it. It may be that he hates my fucking guts, but I'm just about to actually believe...that he does intend much good for the land. I mean, America is awesome. It's...really AWESOME right now. Everyone is so happy. Nonetheless, I still feel bitter. Is it because he's so cold? Or that he fired my friends? Were they really incompetent? And now...those drones actually churned out a greater good than the staff before them. So then...was it my ego that kept those that didn't really contribute or help? All because I wanted them there? Damn. I may hate Mr. Avery... but...I just can't believe him. He really didn't destroy America. He made it so much better. Damn. I want to believe him. I really do. But I can't! I'm sure...he's hiding something. That's the only real thing I'm even sure of anymore. He has something else on that agenda of his...I just wish I knew. So I can stop hating him for his harsh decisions...or I can start liking him for being such an awesome hero to America and the whole world. Maybe...I'm just jealous of all he did and all I never could do. That's...probably it. Or not. He still sucks.

Yeah he sucks.

.

America came to the meeting room early one day near the beginning of March and walked up to the podium. He missed being up there. The few times he did feel like going up was when Alease managed to snatch a folder before it hit other departments office. America would then be able to get a feel for the matters as he would skim the documents over. After reading the information then, he'd honestly give out his opinions in an constructive way as he was less tolerant of his own silly remarks he made in the past.

He noticed that everyone really liked this newly serious like America and actually paid more attention to his short talk sessions.

It bothered him immensely.

Being the actor that he was and still keeping in mind to behave as if normal, he refrained from ever showing it. He took to reading comics freely now which might have irked the others passing by since his nation was the only one doing so well. Many would quietly mutter while passing by of how they wish they could be so laid back and casual as America was. America had heard the semi-insults as he slowly shut his comic. He wasn't intending to show off how free he was. He didn't think that was how he appeared to be coming off at all. He wished he were as busy as the rest of them. But trying to be positive and deciding that it shouldn't get to him, he excused himself out the meeting and out the goddamn place and towards a nearby park. After that, he was more aware of how he behave and tried to at least look like he was busy like the rest of them. However, he was growing rather tired of trying to keep up appearances. Now that America wasn't actively annoying everybody and getting into everyone's faces...he felt rather lonely. Seldom did anyone come up to his desk while he was there and have a chat with him. But whenever they did come to greet him, the greeting would then be followed by issues happening with their land and if he had any input on that topic. America usually had no say and so then they would leave as America would sit alone again.

Amazingly enough, being left alone now didn't phase him. He was getting used to it was he would twirl his pen in his hand and look at the sparkles glitter in the air.

It was now nearing the end of March, as America started feeling a little bit on edge. He had no idea where that fear was coming from. He'd wake up randomly at strange hours in the morning as if someone had been trying to wake him. He swore he was hearing himself in his dreams though they were more like faded out echoes.

"Can you hear me? America? Hello? Listen!...muffled sounds*"

Those were the things America usually heard the loudest. The drabble onwards would usually be out of hearing as he heard the voice murmur a little more and then stop.

He had around 11 dreams already in that very same manner which was starting to irk him mightily. He really relished his good night sleeps. So to be restless at night and then about dead tired and walking like a zombie in the day...he was trying alternative methods to cure this. But they were not working.

"You can't sleep," said Lauren on the other side of America's phone.

"Yeah...I've tried drinking...tea and shit to get to sleep. I think I EVEN like tea now. WHICH is all sorts of wrong but hey, if it helps me get to sleep I'm a trying! I've warmed up milk and added honey as well. I've taken sleeping pills and I still keep getting up at 4:13 or 3:15 or something around this. It's really starting to take a toll on meeee...please help meeeeeeeeee," America whined loudly on his phone while making motions in his kitchen to faint.

Lauren was on her break back at the White House as she thought of a few medicines that America could try.

"Hmmmmmmm...let me see... well a lot of these medicines are going to taste pretty awful. Are you okay with that?"

America sighed as he muttered, "Usually no...but at this point if I don't get some good night sleep I'll probably collapse or something again. I don't want that!"

"But haven't you gone to Japan before- and played like... 5 day straight sessions of video games at Game-Cons?"

"... w-well? Errr...yeah? But you see...that was before...when I was more...ummmmm..."

"Yes?"

"...um...nation-y?"

"Nation-y? What America-san? I'm not really comprehending you there."

America shook his head as he started regretting even pointing that out.

"You know, never mind. It's not really important. I just...am working on a different level than before so I am not as strong. Come on Lauren, I need your advice. I must sleep. Like today. If possible."

Lauren told him a more powerful medicine as she then texted to him the okay for him to pick up the order.

So as America biked towards the closet market, he was smiling. He could finally get some sleep as he could almost feel his head hitting the pillow and just sleep away for all eternity.

America had been veering off the road when a car came dangerously close by and honked his horn at America very loudly. That was enough to wake America from his lovely daydream and ride away from the middle of the road.

"WHOOPSSSSSSSSSSS SORRYYYYYYYYY SHEESH!"

The car kept driving off as America could have sworn that the driver flipped the birdie at him when he passed by. In older times, America would have probably turned around and peddled so hard and stop the car from driving by lifting it off the ground.

But those times were not these times as America stuck out his tongue and squinted. The car was already becoming a dot as America looked back forwards.

"Yeah! K-Keep! Running awayyyyyyyyyyyyy. If you even knew I was America I swear you'd apologize at least in 10 burgers. But you're lucky I can't even eat 2 burgers now...so you are spareddddddd..."

His bravado fell short as he was still tired and continued pedaling towards the store. He really didn't want to deal with anymore shit at all that day.

It was only time for: MEDICINE DRINKIN TIME.

So afterwards, when he did get to the pharmacy and get his medicine, he swallowed it in one shot and smiled.

"Damn, this tastes like absolute shit. OMGGGGG LAUREN. WHAT WAS THAT EVEN? BLEHHHHHH. THE AFTERTASTE MAN. AW YUCK THIS IS GODDAMN AWFUL. YUCK. Yuck! Well...I hope it helps though...Nope...not feeling anything. Maybe this works later on? Or kicks in later on?"

America got some snacks at the place while he was there as he stuffed in better tasting things into his mouth to wash out that shitty aftertaste.

After filling himself somewhat, he decided he should go to the meeting that was happening today. It had been almost a month since he went and was feeling like it was about time to go again.

While biking towards the meeting place, he saw a rare type of classic car stop at a red light. As he passed by, flashbacks of his old cars came back before he donated them to the veterans. Had he known the classics were going to be so treasured he'd have kept them all. So to finally be reunited with his old car, even if in another color, reeled him in happiness. He flashed a bright smile to the old man in the driver's seat as he passed by. He was surprised to see the guy had turned to him as well and nodded happily in return.

So today was a balanced day.

He had one who insulted him and one that looked kindly to him.

Not bad.

As he arrived first again, he walked casually up the podium in front of the room and looked out towards the empty seats. He had started a habit of looking longingly at the empty desks whenever he'd go the past few months. He'd then imagine the chairs filled with his friends and family. It made him feel less alone even though lately, he was feeling isolated as ever. He stood there while gazing sleepily over the empty desks. He felt a desolate type of feeling tug at his heart then. He didn't know why it hurt so much to look at these empty desks. As he looked onwards, he could almost grasp the reasons why but couldn't exactly reach it. He had been getting more tired lately and was starting to find himself feeling down from the slightest of things. So as America looked tiredly onwards, he tried shaking that feeling away. Here he was getting depressed from looking at an empty room when right before he was happy eating his snacks. Past him wouldn't have even cared if the room was filled or empty and would have continued being happy because he had been fed. And so trying to regain his optimism, he pretended to be giving his speeches while becoming a magician star.

"Okay dude...collect yourself and renew thou good feels. Alright. Ladies and gentlemen! Boys! AND GIRLSSSSSS! It is I, America the magnificent~ And for today's magic show, I will manifest a whole watermelon from the back of my head!"

America paused as the meeting hall was empty. He leaned in as if pretending there were actual applauses and was consumed with himself.

With pride he blushed, "Oh no. Of course I'm so awesome I can do this. Don't worry mon ami's. I'm going to do the impossible~"

And with a quick flick of his wrist he reached towards the back of his head and somehow magicked a whole entire watermelon. It was much heavier than America realized as he couldn't grab onto the watermelon properly and let it slip away from his hands. It plopped on the floor, smashing into a million bite sized pieces.

America looked down as he felt the heat of embarrassment rise to his cheeks and his hairs rise.

"Well...Damn."

America jumped down the small stage and headed quickly towards the stack of paper towels on the empty food buffet tables. He had his back turned around when America heard a low whistle. Spain had been peeking in through the half opened door as he tried to contain his giggles to a down low.

America became a little flustered as he quickly looked down in shame. He hesitantly asked, "D-D-did y-you? S-s-see that?"

Spain came in and nodded.

"That was actually REALLY REALLY cool America! Funniest part was the last part though. And the look on your face too. Hahaha."

America sheepishly grinned as he rolled his eyes. He picked up the bigger pieces of the watermelon and placed them into a spare handkerchief he pulled out of his pocket.

"I am... a wizard after all. Hehehe. No-no, I am kidding. I wish I could be one! The reason I can do some nifty ass magic tricks is because I took a couple of courses of magic when a carnival was passing near my home town like 2 years ago, I think? Yeah... 2 years ago. The classes were free once they knew I was the personification of their land. Free~ You should have been there too if you liked magic. Why didn't you say anything about my magic tricks? Whenever I did do them in front of the world, most of you guys would greet my tricks... with pure silence?"

Spain was kind of sad as he said, "Aw, well, it'd be awkward to be the only laughing and cheering when everyone else was silent. That's why I never clapped. Though, I always thought they were cool. And I wish I knew how to do magic as well! It would be so cool to magic Romano at any moments notice and pinch his cheeks. That or Denmark's cheeks since they both are so soft."

America looked at Spain a little worried but could see the point of why that would get the Spaniard in such a tizzy.

"I guess, their cheeks...are pretty...round."

Spain shot up with flowers around his head, "I KNOW RIGHT? WANT TO HELP ME PINCH THEM WHEN THEY COME INTO THE ROOM? IT IS EASIER TO WIN WHEN THERE ARE TWO OF US!"

Spain was closing in on the bent down American as an aura of pure lust came around Spain.

"Pinchthem, pinchthem, pinchthem with me. Withme. With me, me, me, me..."

America nodded while agreeing timidly, "Y-y-yeah? K-kay. I-I'll h-help! Just get out of my face!"

The blushing American shoved the Spaniard away as Spain dodged. Spain started to pick up the pieces of watermelon further away as he sang, "I'll help you with the clean up! Your welcome!"

"... T-Thank you."

They both managed to clean the wooden floor spotless. It was when America finished that he decided to do one more magic trick. Spain had been throwing away the last pieces in the trash bin near the entrance when America came up to him.

"Since you've been so helpful I'm going to do a magic trick for you~"

Spain turned half excited and half afraid.

"You're not going to magic another watermelon are you? Because this clean up effort took much longer than I thought."

America nodded no quickly. "No, no! Just tell me, what dessert would you like to eat right now?"

Spain brought his fist to his mouth as he thought pensively.

"Hmmmmmmmmmmm...Alfajores."

"... what is an alfajore?"

"It's a delicious sweet cookie with dulce de leche in between the two cookies. It's really good."

"... um...I've never had that but can you please describe to me the texture? Or something more?"

"...it's small. Has...white confectioners sugar on both sides. The cookie itself ... it melts away in your mouth. And the dulce de leche is very, very sweet. Is that enough information?"

"Can you visualize this please?"

"Yes."

With that America asked Spain to out stretch his palm towards him. Spain finished imagining as he extended his hand. America swiped his hand above Spain's as America and Spain both saw a blur and suddenly there was a real life Alfajore in Spain's hand. America was surprised as well since he wasn't sure what it would like. But it still appeared.

America asked, "Spain. Is that the alfajore you were looking at in your mind?"

Spain happily jumped as he jammed the cookie in his mouth. He quivered from happiness as he began to slowly relish the cookie's naturals flavors. Indeed it was an alfajore.

"Mmmmm-hmmmm!"

America tiredly smiled as he said cheerfully, "That's good. Anyways, I'm heading out. I don't feel like coming to the meeting anymore. Meeting with you...was enough. I'm already tired and I'm finally feeling sleepy. Ahahaha."

Spain finished gulfing down the cookie when he asked, "Why? You took all the effort to come here early. Just stay. And it's only like 12pm? Why are you sleepy?"

"I haven't been getting enough sleep lately. Just took like this mega nasty medicine and it wasn't doing anything before...but I FEEL it doing something now. And nawwwwwww. I should return my overdue library books before I get to sleeping. They charge me everyday...ah. Now that I think about it, I think an agent of mine left me a message while I was pedaling on my way here. I heard the ping that is his. So I should go check on that too."

"Is it urgent?"

"No. If it was, there would be like at least 9 exclamation points and he'd text me like at least 2 more times. Patrick is like that."

"Oh. Well, thank you for the alfajore America."

"No problem Spain. It's a pleasure. Anyways Chao dude."

America jogged away as Spain smiled to himself. He enjoyed hearing his language and to hear the biggest super power just casually drop his main language to say goodbye to him in Spain's language, was a big deal.

"Chao, te veo mas tarde!"

Spain went up the stairs towards the back of the room and took out his phone. He started playing a video game. America rushed down towards his bike as he realized he was just too exhausted to even think about pedaling back home. He began to sway from the sleepiness as he found it much better to just hail a taxi then. He took out a small chain from his pocket and a lock as he fastened the bike to the railing. He probably should had done that before, but since his bike was old fashioned, he really didn't think anyone would want this piece of trash anyways. England and France had wanted to give him a newer bike model for the last couple of past birthdays, but America was strongly fond of his bike despite its age. It was just a good bike and it did a good job. It didn't need to be replaced just yet. Just as he was replaced. It still could do good. It still could.

After petting his bike goodbye he walked to the curb and flung his hand up. A taxi quickly arrived as America opened the door and sat right in. America said his direction of his home as the car swurved into the driving lanes. He looked casually for his phone in his pockets. When he found it, he swiped the unlock bar open and clicked open the message. After reading it, it seemed as if all blood had drained from his face as he looked more intensely at the message.

[Message received as of 11:24 am]

Patrick: America! Get to our office immediately!

[Message end as of 11:24am]

America quickly texted Patrick back: Dude? What's wrong? :[

Patrick: ! America! Gosh what took you? Anyhow, it's nothing I can explain here. Just please come and quickly. I'm...getting fired?

America: !

Patrick: :cccccccccc

America: It's AVERY ISN'T IT? :[[[[

Patrick: ... Get down here. We'll talk then. See you soon.

America: Super seething*.

Patrick: With you on that. D':

America couldn't bare seeing the text glow in front of him as he quickly shoved his mobile into his jacket pocket. He really couldn't quite understand why or how this was possible? Patrick and Alease...his two bright stars in these dark times...they couldn't be touched. And yet, how was he now being fired? What in the hell did Avery do to bypass the union that protected them both? America then furiously demanded the driver to fucking drive faster and head now towards the White House. When the driver refused, America took out his I.D and fiercely asked, "Do you refuse now motherfucker? Just shut up and DRIVE."

And boy, did that taxi pass every red light there could possibly be.

.

Author Notes:

Mon Ami's (in french) = my friends

Te veo mas tarde! (in spanish) = I'll see you later!