The nations stared at the girl in the middle of sunflowers who had her back turned away from them as she calmly pruned the sunflowers and tucked them into the wicker basket that was dangling from her arm and hummed a little tune to distract her while she cleaned up her garden, not seeming to notice that the countries that were standing behind the wooden fence surrounding her and her flowers. For the countries, it was rather awkward just staring at a girl who seemed to be around sixteen years of age at most. They then turned towards the older state, who was also staring blankly at her sister, in hopes that she might be able to tell her that they were there or lead them to another part of the garden where there was a state who was more receptive to them. However, to the countries' displeasure, she continued to focus her attention on the plants. Hasn't America taught any of these states manners?
"I know you're there," the female state said as glanced over her shoulder at the gathered nations. She then put a final sunflower in her basked before she walked out of the tall, golden-petaled flowers and outside the gate with her basket still in hand. "It's nice to finally meet y'all, I'm Dorothy Jones, the State of Kansas," the state said as she made a small nod of her forehead as a gesture of greeting.
"Dorothy?" Germany asked, vaguely remembering an American book where the main character shared the name.
At this Kansas stared at him with annoyance before taking a deep breath before saying in a low tone, "Yes I know what you're thinking and no you are also not the first one to realize that."
"Oh, um," Germany began, but Kansas looks over at the others who had gathered together.
"Continuing on, I want to welcome ya'll to the Fifty States Estate," Kansas says with a kind, bright smile.
"Aw, thank you bella!" Italy said. "Aren't you a pretty thing?"
Kansas gave a small laugh while playing with the edge of her denim sleeve and said, "Oh no. Not really but I do appreciate the compliment, sir."
Italy squealed at that and grabbed the teenaged states to give her a bone-breaking hug. "Aw! Don't say that!"
"Italy, put her down! Can't you see she's suffocating?" Germany cried and Italy looked a the state to see that she was indeed turning blue and was on the verge of fainting from the lack of oxygen. Not wanting to die due to America's shotgun dadism, Italy promptly set her onto the grass where she promptly took in deep, heavy breath while holding her head.
Italy reached out to grab her in case she fell over but she just held out the hand as she continued to breath heavily. "Mi dispacie. Are you alright?"
Kansas looked over at the Italian country and smiled, "It's okay, Mr. Italy. I'm a state." With that she let go of the gate she had been holding and stood up. "See already fine."
Italy smiled and said, "I'm so happy, bella! I hope we can be friends."
"Me too," Kansas replied.
England was the next to step foward, catching the fact that she had called Italy by his name despite him never telling her his name. It was rather strange if you were to ask him. "Young lady, how did you know who Italy was?"
Kansas turned her gaze away from the bubbly Italian who was prattling on and on about something that England and the other countries could barely decipher. "Well, Pa talks about ya'll all the time," Kansas started.
"Good things I hope," Ukraine says in a sweet voice.
Kansas gives a shaky smile but says, "Sure, let's go with that. Also, he used words that I recognize New York, New Jersey, and Illinois using from time to time and since Mr. Romano taught them when he lived here."
"Wait you guys met my fratello?" Italy asked.
Kansas nodded. "Yes sir. He came to live with papa during the early 1900s and if I may say he made quite the impression on Illinois, New York, and Nevada."
"I wonder why he never told me," Italy said, with a bit of hurt in his voice. Weren't siblings supposed to tell each other everything? Then again, he and Romano had always been distant and Italy never could tell why.
Kansas gave a small smile to the Italian, "Don't feel bad, sir. Papa made anyone who lived with us for some time swear on the lives of their people that they would never tell a soul that we exist so Mr. Romano probably never told anyone."
Italy looked over and sighed. "Si, capiscio," he said looking over at her but it was at that exact moment the air turned to ice.
"You have a beautiful sunflower garden," Russia said, standing over Italy which sent the poor Italian running into the arms of a burly German.
Kansas, however and to the surprise of the other nations, remained unfazed by the disturbing aura that he gave off. "Oh you like it?"
"Da. They are my favorite flower but they don't grow well in my country. Too cold you see," Russia said with sadness leaking into his voice in the end.
"Well, would you like one?" Kansas asks.
"Really?" Russia asked, just as surprised as the other countries who stared gaping at the state holding the sunflower-filled basket.
"Sure. Why not? I have plenty to spare and I'm always willing to share with another sunflower enthusist," Kansas said as she reached into her wicker basket to grab one of the flowers, she felt something very sharp and metal pressing against the slightly tanned skin of her neck.
"How dare you speak to big brother, you little bitch?" came a very angry, Eastern European accent.
Russia who was scared stiff just stared and only Ukraine rushed up to try and stop Belarus from causing an international incident. "Bela, please! She was just trying to be nice."
"She is trying to seduce big brother with those flowers. I must protect big brother from other girls. I will be the only woman for big brother. Big brother will marry me. Big brother will only love me," Belarus said in a tone that petrified the already shocked and disturbed nations.
"What is wrong with you?!" Kansas cried, dropping her basket as she tried to break free of Belarus grip around her waist and trying to avoid the blade pressed against her throat. Sure it wouldn't kill her but it would hurt a lot.
"My love for big brother is strong, you little slut. No one will take him from me. No one," Belarus said to the state who only gave her a confused look.
"I don't want your brother! I was just trying to be nice," Kansas cried.
However, instead of pacifying the irate yandere, it only made her darkened her aura and her eyes small, crazed pupils, "How dare you!? Big brother is perfection! No other man compares to him!"
The other nations were being scared into silence since anyone who could terrify Russia into submission was not someone to be trifled with. However, Virginia who had been watching all this with an unamused expression was the only one to walk up to the woman who was currently holding a knife to her younger sister's neck.
"I must ask that you remove that weapon from Kansas's person," Virginia said in a cold, professional tone.
"Oh, and what are you going to do about it?" Belarus said to the unfazed teenager who.
"I won't be doing anything but I can't exactly say the same for him," Virginia continued pointing behind the Eastern European state. This confused the nations and even Belarus gaze turned from insane to cold trying to read the teenager's expression or lack thereof with the only change being her eyes had shifted away from Belarus who out of curiosity turned in the direction of the state's gaze. However, maybe she shouldn't have done so because she was facing the muzzle end of America's gun.
"I'm giving you two seconds to take the knife away from daughter's neck before I fire," America said in an ice-cold voice.
Belarus blinked before narrowing her eyes at the superpower, "You're bluffing."
America with an expressionless face took the safety off the gun and then asked, "When it comes to my babies and their safety, I never bluff."
While that standoff was going on, the other countries were still debating whether to get involved or not. First, it was just Belarus but now there was a crazed American with a most likely loaded gun and a teenager trapped between them. So yeah not the easiest situation for them.
As they continued to mentally debate the circumstances, Ukraine rushed forward to America. "Oh, please, Mr. America. She's still my little sister and I'm sure she'll let go of Kansas soon enough," Ukraine pleaded. America looked at the older sister for a moment before turning back to the younger. "Right, Belarus?" Ukraine said, matching the American's gaze.
"She was flir-" Belarus began.
"Right, Belarus!?" Ukraine repeated herself, yelling this time which surprised all of the countries (including Russia) and both states.
Belarus, who was just as surprised, dropped Kansas from her grip who fell to the ground gasping. America seeing his child in distress immediately put the safety on his gun and rushed over to help her up. Belarus looked over at the state before scowling, "Not even worth it."
Kansas looked down for a moment and began to brush herself off, "Thanks, pa. You too Ms. Ukraine," she said.
"Oh, my baby!" America said pulling the Sunflower State into a bear hug, that again cut off circulation. "Did that mean lady hurt you? Do you need an ambulance? Want me to call the cops?!"
"No...I'm fine..." Kansas gasped out. "Maybe...not...in...the next few...seconds though!"
"Oh," America blushed before setting Kansas on the ground before turning to Russia. "Congrats, commie, first you try to steal from my child, and then your sister tries to slit her throat. Have anything to say for yourself?"
"She has beautiful flowers," Russia said with a scared smile as Belarus was now creepily close to him.
However, this answer did little to cool America's boiling temper who formed a fist and was about to throw it before his arm was caught by Kansas. "Pa, I'm fine. No reason we should cause an incident, besides he wasn't trying to steal the flower, I was giving it to him."
"But, sweetie. He's a commie," America began.
"No, Pa, I mean it," Kansas said.
America grumbled a bit but finally relented, "Alright kiddo, for you."
Kansas smiled back and everything seemed to have finally cooled down and settled. Then something exploded. The nations and the state followed to noise to see it had come from a large, warehouse-like structure where expletives could be heard.
America immediately took off running for the warehouse-like building, followed by Kansas.
As they left, the nations turned to the quiet state once more. "So what's in that building and should we be worried?" Germany asked Virginia in a stern tone.
"That, sir, is the garage where we keep our vehicles such as cars and bikes, and no you don't have to worry," Virginia said in an equal tone.
"Could we see!?" Italy cried, eager to see what types of cars America and his states possessed. Of course, they could never compare to Italian cars but he wanted to see them try.
Virginia pondered for a bit but sighed, "I suppose it wouldn't cause much harm. Follow me." They all began to walk in the direction that America and Kansas headed off into.
Once they made it there they saw the garage door was already opened to reveal three more presumptively states being scolded by America. The oldest seemed to be of a similar age to Virginia and was also another fair-skinned blonde (though his hair was paler) with dark brown eyes that were hidden by silver-framed glasses and on his body, he wore a bright red vest over an off white button-up with a boho tie around his neck and brown boot over black pants. He was also (for some reason) wearing brown gloves on his hands. Next to him was also a boy with blonde hair and brown eyes, however, he was very tanned and bore a striking resemblance to America that some of the countries had to do a double-take between America and the boy. It was on that second take did they see that he looked slightly younger, maybe 17 too, and wore an electric blue and white racing suit. The third state they couldn't tell what he looked like as only his brown boots were revealed to them as he was underneath a car. A car that the two others were standing over as their father yelled at them about as it was still smoking.
"What were you three thinking!?" America cried. "You could've hurt Hedy!"
"Hedy?" England asked.
"It's his car," Kansas told him as she just watched the scene unfold.
America upon hearing this turned towards her, "Hedy is not just a car. She's a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible. Honestly, I can't believe someone of my own family would say something so horrible."
"I'm sorry, Pa," Kansas replied. She then turned to the countries and said with a bit of sarcasm, "I think Pa's relationship with his cars outweighs any relationship he's ever had with another person." The countries just shrugged.
"And besides Papa, you really think I would let a beauty like that be trampled on?" the boy in the blue racing suit said.
America turned to him, "Well then what was that explosion?"
"Alabama's trying to fix my car but he's incompetent," he replied.
"If that's what you think, why don't you come down here and do it yourself then?!" cried the state under the car who the countries presumed was Alabama. Alabama, huh? Now, many of them will admit they don't much about America's states (this entire visit should be proof of that) but from what they've heard about the infamous state, they could only assume the boy under the car would be a racist, backward hillbilly the countries think they're called. Well, great.
"I have my reasons," responded the state that had been talking to America.
A loud, audible sigh resounded before being followed by the sound of tools clanging against metals.
"Anyways, don't worry about Hedy, she's already been covered," the blonde said pointing to a car in the far back wearing a blue tarp.
America looked over and breathed a sigh of relief, "Alright fine, but be more careful next time. We don't need a repeat of 1982."
The teen scowled before nodding at his father. The boy's eyes drifted from his father to behind him, "Oh, you must be the countries who came to visit us."
"Uh, ja," Germany said surprised that they noticed them. "I'm Germany."
"Nice to meet ya, I'm Indiana Jones," the state said. "And yes dad is lazy when naming us," the state continued to the bewildered company who turned to America who just shrugged. "That quiet guy's North Carolina," he said pointing to the red vested state who gave a small smile.
"My human name is Jonathan Davis," North Carolina responded. My God, it talks, thought the countries.
"And underneath there as you probably heard is our brother, Alabama or Atticus if you prefer his human name," Indiana said, pointing towards the car.
"I can introduce myself, thank ya very much," Alabama muttered from underneath the car.
"Then do so," Indiana said with a smug smile on his face.
They heard Alabama audibly sigh and the Europeans mentally readied themselves to deal with such a rude state. They watched the state pull himself out from underneath the car and to say they were flabbergasted when they saw his looks would be an understatement at best. First of all, he wasn't white as they were expecting but was, in fact, dark-skinned with curly black hair and dull brown eyes. On his body, he wore a plaid, red checkered button-up with the first three buttons undone on his legs were faded blue jeans that hid well-used brown sneakers. "What are ya'll looking at?" he asked with suspicion clear in his eyes.
The countries looked away muttering 'Nothing' in their languages. Alabama looked at them before rolling his eyes before turning back to the brown-eyed blonde in red. "Could you hand me the wrench to your right?" North Carolina nodded and once the tool was in his palm he ducked back under the car.
Indiana then turned to the countries, "So are you guys leaving soon?"
"Why?" Germany asked suspicion in his voice.
"We're busy," Indiana replied, gesturing towards the car Alabama was currently under which upon a second glance was a racecar.
"You know if you hadn't pushed her so hard maybe she wouldn't need to be worked on," Kansas replied which earned her a dirty look from Indiana.
North Carolina walked around, "Maybe we should call Michigan down here. I hate to admit but when it comes to cars, she's an expert."
"So am I!" Alabama argued as the clanking of machinery nearly drowned out his voice. "And if that's what you think, why ask me in the first place?"
"You were available," North Carolina and Indiana said at the same time.
Now before Alabama could come out, America rushed up, "Besides Michigan is grounded right now."
"Ohio?" the three boys asked.
"Ohio," America confirmed.
"Would you like me to help you guys?" Kansas asks, stepping towards the car.
"I can do this myself," Alabama replied as he came out from underneath the car to grab a socket wrench from the tool bench and ducking back under the car.
Kansas, all the while, just watched her defensive brother before sighing, "Okay, Alabama. Do whatever you want then."
"You know she's just trying to be nice, 'Bama," America said, as the countries watched the display of tension before their eyes with the only sounds being the resumed clanking of metal turning or wrenches.
Italy unable to take this anymore said, "So what are you guys heritages'? Or are you heritageless and cultureless?"
"Italy-san," Japan said next to him in a scolding tone.
Ignoring the part where the last part, "Well, if you must know, I'm French, Native American, and some German I think."
"Really?" Germany asked.
"Yeah. Lots of Germans in the 1890s," Indiana finished. "Sir Grumps-a-Lot actually has a lot of French and German too."
"Thank you, Indiana," Alabama said in a sarcastic tone as he continued. "You still don't need to speak for me but yes, a lot of French, German, and African heritage."
"I'm mostly French too but I do have some English from my Ma since she came from Massachusettes," Kansas answered with a smile.
"Wanna talk about where that French comes from, Dorothy?" North Carolina said in a teasing tone.
Kansas gave a surprising scowl as she tugged on the sleeves of her jacket. "No, I don't believe I do."
"Come on Missouri's not that much of a bitch," Indiana shrugged, grabbing Kansas's shoulder.
Kansas gave a side glare before sighing, "We have guests Indy, and I'm not getting into that." The countries looked over at America for help on why she would say that or what a Missouri was but all that they saw was him looking deeply uncomfortable by the discussion.
"Anway, I suppose my heritage is mostly English along with Cherokee," North Carolina replies.
"Oh great you're another of the thirteen," England said. "So, let me guess you want me dead too?"
"All I'll say, is that while you're here sleep with one eye open," North Carolina said with a sly smile and a wink. For some unknown reason, that didn't make England feel safer.
"Besides what does it even matter what are heritage is, we're American states," he said, gliding out from underneath the car.
"Well, I think it's cool which I know you're adverse to but I'm not," Indiana told his brother.
Alabama glared at him before saying, "You know I can still break your car if I wanted to."
"Not Cheryl!" Indiana cried.
"Don't even joke like that, Alabama!" America scolded him. "How could someone of my own family say something so horrible!"
"On that note, I think it's good to know where we come from," Kansas replied, being the mediator.
"I still don't see how that's important in the grand scheme. Why should it matter what flows through our veins or what we were in the past?" Alabama asks.
America walked up to step in between the states, and said in a calm voice, "I think we all made our positions quite clear so..."
"Besides why would I want to be associated with Europeans of all people," Alabama said before America held his hand to his mouth the keep him quiet.
"What do you mean by that?" England said with an anger blazing in his and the other European nations eyes besides Russia who just smiled.
Alabama raised his right eyebrow and looked between his father who was shaking his head at him then back at the infuriated countries and just shrugged. "Well, why should I? You all treat us Americans like the scum of the Earth then when it's convenient for all of you you hold your hands out like beggars and expect Pa to dig you out of the holes you dig yourselves into then play holier-than-thou when we do something wrong."
"Young man that is a horrible thing to say," England said walking over to the state. "You don't even know us then make assumptions about us."
"And what did you think I'd be like? Some hillbilly who fucks my cousin?" Alabama said in a cold tone. This made the Europeans the blush because as much they didn't want to admit, that's exactly what they assumed and this did not go unnoticed by Alabama, "Uh-huh, so what gives you the right to judge me for thinking badly of you when you think the worst of me? Especially because all I here about ya'll is that you think we're idiots. Oh and by the way, I love how people like to make fun of me for cousin-fucking when your royal families are worse than I'll ever be. Remember that Charles the Hexed guy?"
"Hey!" Spain said in defense of his past king.
"Right. Now, Pa, if you don't mind I'm gonna get back to work."
With that Alabama pulled himself away from his father and went back under the car. Well, that was...unexpected
"Ah, man. Now I feel guilty," Italy said with slumped shoulders and while the other nations wouldn't say it, they had to wonder if the other states agreed with Alabama. They looked over at America who wasn't looking at them and instead looking down at the state.
"Um, how about I help Virginia walk ya'll out," North Carolina said which shocked the dazed states.
"J-ja, that might be best," Germany said and they followed the two blonde states outside.
"Don't mind Alabama. He can be jerk but I know he loves Papa and is just really protective of him," North Carolina said. "He also hasn't exactly had it easy growing up." The countries could've sworn they saw a flash of guilt in the state's brown eyes when he said that.
"Do other states think like he does?" Ukraine asks.
The two states looked between each other and after a small pause, Virginia said, "I won't lie to you since that would be insulting but some of us states don't particularly think well of you guys."
The countries looked between them before back at the states, "And you two?" asked Germany.
"We don't know you so we have no real feelings toward you, neither hate or adoration," North Carolina replied and the countries let out a sigh. "Except for England. All of us Thirteen hate him to varying degrees."
"HEY!" cried England from the sidelines.
"Anyway, a word of advice if you see me wandering around in a blue vest and missing glasses that's not me. That would be my brother, South Carolina and be careful, he's a little...eccentric and he hates it when people get us mixed up," North Carolina said.
"We'll keep that in mind. Thank you," Finland said to which North Carolina smiled at before walking back inside the garage as America walked out.
"Is everybody okay?" he asks with a curious tone.
The countries looked at each other before nodding, some more half-heartedly.
"Oh, good," America said with his all-American smile. "So are we ready to go?"
"Actually, Papa, with your permission I'd like to head back inside," Virginia said to America.
America looked, "Eh, okay kiddo. Go on ahead." Virginia nodded at this before walking away from the group. With that the group followed, America through the field with Alabama's words rattling around their heads and caused them to occasionally glance up at America who was just continuing to walk ahead.
However, in their daze they didn't think to look up at the house as a window on the sixth floor was opened and a long rope made of sheets fell out dangling from the side followed by two young girls climbing down before the one with short black hair jumped down and landed on one of the countries, specifically Germany who fell onto the ground.
"FREED-" she began before seeing the gathering of countries. "Ah, man!"
"Great job Arizona," the other girl who jumped down, also onto Germany said.
Author's Note: My apologies to anyone who had been offended by Alabama but the way I characterize him is that he doesn't mince words and tends to think the worst in people as a protection method thanks to his past which we will learn about more later.
