(I must confess the Delaware in this story is not mine but in fact the creation of the amazing and beautiful Bindi-the-Skunk on DeviantArt who so graciously gave me permission to use him so check him out on her page when you get the chance)

"This is it?" England asked as he and many other countries stared up in awe. America's main house was a ginormous estate surrounded by a large white metal and red brick gate which resulted in a large wooden and steel gate with 25 stars on each door. The home itself held a distinctly colonial design in the colors of America's flag with the brick red, the shutters a deep navy blue, and the roof a snow white with a mix of a Romanesque style to complement the former. It was actually rather impressive as most of the countries didn't think that America had any sense of well...anything really. Even France was happy about and he was usually the one to spat on anything coming from England as beneath is incredibleness. This kind of attitude usually got him punched in the face.

"That's what it said on the paper he left," Germany said as he held up the paper and checking once again to make sure.

"We should go in!" Italy said. "America's expecting us, right?"

"I still think this is a fucking stupid idea," Romano grumpily said.

"Then why are you even here?" asked The Netherlands after he was done puffing his pipe because he was definitely going to need it for the upcoming day.

Romano turned to him and sputtered out, "Well, um, to make sure this idiota doesn't do something stupid," pointing at his brother, however, something told the other countries that was not the only reason for his attendance. However, it also Romano, so...

Spain looked over before being the first to try and, knock on the gate's door and once he did a small door appeared in the wood and lifted itself revealing a hiding place for a camera and a tiny metallic disk with the former staring straight at Spain.

"What do you want?" came a voice from the gate that scared the attending nations, well, except Sweden and Russia who came as well along with Finland if only out of curiosity.

"Oh, um, hola," Spain began. Was this one of the states? He sounded rather young. "America's expecting us?"

There was silence for a few minutes to the point that many of the nations thought the person on the other end had left them standing there. A few were even about to turn back before a loud, audible groan came from the other end before the voice finally said, "Come in but stay on the path and I'll open the door," and just like that the camera and what they started to think was a microphone disappeared behind the slot. Now silence. Until a large creak frightened Spain who walked back towards the other nations as they look up to see the gate opening before them.

Once the gate was open they saw a long gravel path lead up to white stairs and then the house's patio where two columns supported the blue portico that was lined with red and white roses that were blooming rather beautifully so someone must be taking care of them? One of the states maybe. But for most of the states, they knew there was no going back but no one wanted to walk up first. They were just staring at the path then each other before Russia took the lead with that childish smile stretched across his face.

The nations turned to each other once again before one by one they started to follow the tall Russian until the only ones still at the gates' entrance was Romano, Prussia, and Lithuania. They all gave each other a nervous look before joining the others.

Eventually, they all made it to the crimson double doors that were designed in the style of French colonist which made France gush and England grumble. However, there was the matter of who gets to use one of the bronze knockers. As much as they hated to admit, they knew America didn't want this and many didn't want to be nuked out of existence if America was in a bad mood and answered the door. However, the voice they heard was clearly not America's. The voice they heard at the gate was a bit deeper but still younger and had a slight 'done-with-this' tone and it was that voice that would answer the door. However, nobody wanted to take any chances. Not even Italy.

The countries turned back to just staring at each other before Sweden rolled his eyes and grabbed the knocker and knocked twice on the door. However, instead of a voice being heard it was the sound of a large, continuous bark and hisses that a cat would make and caused Romano to jump into Spain's arms from how ferocious they sounded. Then again it's Romano.

"Come on-" Lithuania began before they heard something else.

"ACE! KENNEDY! GET BACK!" It was the voice from before that was now shouting at what they presumed were America's pets before being met by the sound of the doorknob jiggling and turn before the door swung open outward nearly knocking Germany over in the process. They looked expecting to see somebody but were confused to see they were just looking into the entry hall of America's house which was furnished actually rather cozily. "Ugh," they heard from below which caused them to look around a bit. "Down here!" They do so and see a young man who only stood at 149 centimeters at most or 4'11 and appeared a bit shorter. He was a pale boy with messy, slicked back blonde hair that and blue eyes that were similar shade and shape to America's and wore a brown overcoat that covered a black vest and pants over a white shirt and green tie. However, the most shocking thing was his facial shape. It was one that resembled Sweden. Sure he was shorter and still held traces of his father but if your were to change the hair, eyes, and clothes he could be Sweden's, not America's. Even Sweden took notice of this and made a small gasp. However, the boy himself wasn't paying attention as he was holding back a full-grown Golden Retriever with a bandana that had a design like the American flag who was attempting to lunge at the countries and a white Ragamuffin cat with brown fur around his neck and design around his eyes under his arm. "Sit, Ace! Sit," the voice continued until the Golden Retriever, who they assume was Ace, stopped, stared, before sitting next to the boy who still refused to let go of his bandana.

That done he finally turned his attention to the nations. "You actually came," he unenthusiastically said as he took a deep breath before looking up. "I suppose introductions are in order," he continues before cautiously letting go of Ace who still sat and was now panting and put out his hand for an expectant shake. "I'm-"

"My beautiful, amazing firstborn!" a familiar, American voice cried as the boy was lifted off the ground and engulfed into a bone-crushing hug.

"Where the bloody hell did he come from?" England cried.

"I...can't...breathe," the boy managed out as his father continued to give him a bear hug and even snuggling his blonde locks. "You're...being...creepy...again!"

"Okay, okay," America finally said as he set the boy on the ground where he desperately grasped at breaths before looking at America, wondering what was wrong with him. America then noticed the other nations and his attitude immediately soured but he said, "Oh, you guys are here. Well, guess come on in or whatever."

The nations proceeded to file in as soon as America and what they assumed was one of the states pushed the pets aside to make room. "Let's try this again," the boy said once they were inside before looking at his dad, "without the death hugs dad."

"I just want you to know how much I love you," America said with his arms around his neck as the boys just gave the most emotionless stare.

"Dad."

"Fine," and America let go before going to sulk in a corner.

The boy sighs before turning to the nations and holding out his hand and going around to each country and shaking their hands while saying, "Welcome to our home, I'm Delaware or Derek Jones."

"Delaware?" England asks.

"Yes, I was one of your original colonies," he says in a monotone.

England blinks. This was not what he was expecting. In fact, he was expecting the thirteen to try and nuke him. Odd. "You don't hate me?"

"Nah. I hate you," England saddens at this, "but not enough to actually want to attack you. However, if you want to keep your testicles in tact, I would suggest avoiding Massy or York."

England's eyes widened at that before lowering them and tried to avoid the boy's, Delaware's, gaze before he finally said, "Noted."

Finland and Sweden who were still shocked by Delaware's appearance tried to rack their brains before Finland finally said, "D-do we know you from somewhere?"

Delaware shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. I think maybe New Sweden but who knows."

Sweden's eyes widen at this before he walks over and stares at him for a moment which causes America to stop from his sulking to scan the situation and jump in if needed. "N'w Sweden?"

"Yeah. Is there a problem with that?" Delaware asked looking him in the eye as some nations coward backward.

"Why did I not meet you?" Sweden continues as he bends down to meet his height. He seemed familiar but then again not at all. It was odd, to say the least.

Delaware shrugged again. "Maybe you did. Maybe you didn't. Who knows? It's nice to meet you though," Delaware continues holding out his hand which Sweden awkwardly shakes.

"N'ce to meet you t'o," Sweden continues.

"You aren't scared?" Finland asks, a bit confused because while he knew that Susan was just a big softie at heart, people didn't know this and when they first meet him they usually get the wrong impression. Yet, this boy was as relaxed as he was when they had walked in. It was strange, to say the least.

" I live in the same house as the Californias and Texas during election season, nothing scares me anymore," Delaware bluntly said as he took his hand back. "Now does anyone have any other questions or can we finally get started?"

Italy raises his hand which causes Delaware to roll his electric blue eyes but nods to affirm his question. "Well, if you're one of America's states why are so well...um...well..."

"Short?" Delaware asks.

"Well, si!"

America appears with a shotgun behind Delaware. "How dare you insult my baby!? He's very self-conscious about that!"

"Aah! Germany!" cried the Italian as the other nations looked in shock. Note to nations, don't even imply something about the state that could be even slightly taken offense by America.

Delaware cupped his face in his hands and took a deep breath before swing around and grab the gun from his hands and threw it behind him, smacking England in the forehead on its way. However, besides France and possibly Germany, no one noticed.

Delaware looked his dad in the eyes before saying, "It's fine, dad. There's no reason to start World War Three over it since I'm used to it." Delaware then turned to Italy and by extension the other nations and said, "My state doesn't have a lot of landmass, so I don't have a lot of height but I'm still the oldest and if you've seen my little brother Rhody, then you won't be saying crud about me. Now if we're done playing 20 questions, we still have states to meet and lunch to eat," Delaware said and the countries nodded in agreement.

"I guess follow me," America said and most of the states started to follow him out leaving Delaware, Lithuania, Romano, and Prussia in the entry hall. Delaware turns to the men and in a twist to what Delaware has shown earlier, he gave the faintest, smallest of smiles which was returned a cheerful wave from Prussia, an eye roll from Romano with a blush on his cheeks, and a small nod from Lithuania. However, when they looked up again, Delaware was following the other nations including his father into the living room where Beethoven's Ode to Joy was being beautifully played in C-major by a teen sitting on a bench.