Rome, Italy – July 5th, 2025

The meeting was actually quiet for once. France was on his best behaviour, which was unusual for the perverted nation. England was grumpy but remained quiet as nobody was provoking him. The Italians had been placated with promises of food right after the meeting. Spain was lost in thought. Prussia sat in a corner, trying to not look worried. The Baltics were sitting as far away from Russia as they could as was China. Belarus was even leaving her brother alone. Russia wasn't going to complain. The only thing wrong with this picture was that America was missing.

Greece woke up with a start. "Alfred's a robot," he said, before going back to sleep.

All stared. "I don't think he is," Estonia said finally. "He's too emotional."

"He's too stupid," England agreed.

Japan blinked. "America-san has been acting strange lately. He isn't as interested in his video games anymore."

"Japan's right," Canada added. "Tony has left the planet. He said that Alfred had changed."

"Who are you?" asked Kumajirou.

"I'm Canada."

Russia nodded. "He has become more graceful. He has also shown more intelligence than normal and he is uncertain around me now. It is like he knows he feels some emotion around me but is either unsure of what it is, or if he knows, he does not know how to display it."

"We should be on the lookout for more displayed signs of this behaviour," Germany noted. "If more persist, we confront him as a whole. Meeting dismissed."

Russia didn't stay behind for any reason, he called his boss to let him know he was going to see America to tell him what he missed, then boarded a plane to Washington D.C.


Washington D.C., The United States of America – July 6th, 2025

There was a knock on the door. America threw on a t-shirt and went to answer it. He moved rather slowly for him. His leg was cramping. He opened it to Russia. "Hello, Amerika!"

"Hi, Russia," he said slowly, ignoring the feeling in his chest. Russia came in and hugged the younger nation, reaching up to feel his torso. America, aware of what he was doing, stepped back and prevented him from doing so. "Hands to yourself, please."

Russia smiled. "I was only hugging you, da? I was concerned. You missed the meeting yesterday and none of us could reach you on your birthday."

"I just got out of the hospital," was the muttered reply as America turned away. "I had an accident in late June."

Russia pulled out his cell phone.

To: Wang Yao

Do you have access to America's medical records?

America's phone buzzed.

From: Toris

Do you need the records of yesterday's meeting?

To: Toris

I don't know, depends on if Ivan has a copy of them for me.

From: Toris

Alright and be careful, Alfred.

"So," America said slowly. "What's up?"

From: Wang Yao

Yes, I do, aru. They're up-to-date, what am I looking for?

To: Wang Yao

The latest stay.

"The ceiling, da? I have brought you a copy of yesterday's notes." Russia pulled them out of his pocket. America took them, his arm stiff. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, still sore."

He nodded.

From: Wang Yao

It tells me he had the flu. I got into the real record but all it said he had an accident June 28th.

From: Wang Yao

It won't tell me how he was treated, that page is blocked by something I can't get past.

From: Wang Yao

I've sent it to Estonia to see if he can access it.

"Belarus texting you?"

"Da."

America's phone rang. "It's my boss. Excuse me for a minute. Hello? Hey, boss. What? How much did they get? That's not good. Where did it come from? Two sources. I see. It'll be fine since they got that much. Must have been the Nations trying to figure out why I missed the last meeting."

From: Eduard von Bock

Russia, can you hug America if you're still there? I need you to listen for a heartbeat.

"Alright, thanks, boss. Bye." America hung up and went back to Russia, only to be hugged again. He tensed up, waiting for him to try to touch him again, but the other just seemed content to hold him. He was released and his hand taken.

"I have to go now, da?"

"Alright, thanks for stopping by."

Russia saw himself out.

To: Eduard von Bock

There was none. No pulse, either.

From: Eduard von Bock

Shit. Who's hosting the next meeting?

To: Eduard von Bock

I am.

From: Eduard von Bock

I'll lay the accusation down then.


Moscow, Russia – August 5th, 2025

Estonia stood up. "America?"

"Huh?"

"You're a Cyborg."

All gasped as America closed his eyes. He slowly started to take off the t-shirt he had on, revealing that part of his usual golden skin was a dark metallic grey. "Yes, I am." He reached up and wiped something off his nose, revealing more metal. He touched a specific point and a small hourglass looking capsule came out. "This is what's keeping me functioning." He slid it back in. "I couldn't tell anybody because cyborgs have no rights anywhere in the world. I had an accident late June. I couldn't get away from my car before it blew up. The driver's door became embedded in my skin and when the doctors removed it, I had no skin left. It also stopped my heart. Nothing could be done about that. I suffered severe brain damage, causing all functions of my body to cease. I was as good as dead, if it weren't for my citizens' loyalty. So I became a cyborg. My only other option was assisted suicide."

Lithuania fell out of his seat. He headed towards him, concerned. "Stay away from me, robot!" Lithuania cried.

He stopped and retreated, hurt.

"He's part human and part machine, Toris. There's a difference," Estonia corrected his brother.

"I'm not staying in the same room with somebody that has metal skin," Turkey said, leaving the room. The rest followed him. Ukraine was the last to leave, silent tears rolling down her face. America buried his face in his hands and began to cry. Footsteps approached him and he was hugged.

"Katyusha will be the first, after me, to accept you for who you are now. I will not talk her into it, she will come on her own." Russia said softly.

"I thought you left with the others."

"Nyet, why would I leave somebody in need of a friend? Never let it be said that I did not help a fellow Nation in their time of need, even though nobody ever helped me."

"Huh?"

"Ask yourself have I done to them as I would have them do to me."

"Oh. Thanks, buddy." America leaned back into his embrace.

"I will always be here for you."


Damn dreams need to stop giving me plot lines.