Yikes. I really wanted to get this out so I apologize for any grammar/spelling mistakes. I will fix them (eventually)
And who's ready for some good-ol' reconciliation? ;)
(also this may or may not be the last... official... chapter... haha)
Ethan felt like he was waking up from the worst hangover ever. Well, if a hangover gave you an aching pain in your side and the worry of all of your friends- oh wait.
He let out an involuntary groan and internally berated himself for it. He felt like death and wanted to act the part, why did his body have to proclaim to the world that hey, weak little state is conscious! Come aggravate him!
A small part of him wondered if he really wasn't drunk, based on his dry humored thoughts.
"Ethan?" Ethan's first reaction was annoyance -looked like he couldn't pretend to be asleep after all- but his second was shock. He shot open his eyes and sat up abruptly, feeling something tear but (almost) ignoring the new wave of pain wash through his body. He blinked emotionally at the scene before him.
All of the Midwest was there. Even Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and the Dakotas were present, playing what looked like a twist on rummy in the corner. Iowa sat near the back next to Indiana, appearing to have stopped a conversation with the personification after seeing Ethan's change in consciousness, and Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio surrounded his bed.
"Oh man, how did you get kidnapped?'
"Are you okay? Lie down, don't tear the stitches!"
"Duuude, did you really meet the countries? What are they like?"
"Uh…" Ethan blinked at the barrage of questions, his brothers assaulting him with words. "Yes?"
Illinois shot him a scathing look. "If you don't lie down now I will recite, word for word, when the Bears beat the Packers."
Ethan's eyes widened. "The entire game?"
Illinois leaned towards him, face solemn. "All of them."
Ethan flopped back onto the bed instantly and Minnesota snorted. Michigan leaned on the edge of the nightstand, whistling lowly. "Where did you go?"
All of the states in the room were staring at him, the same question written on their faces. Ethan flushed but opened his mouth to explain.
"After I got home, I heard a noise and went to investigate -shut up Dylan it wasn't like a horror movie- and Mexico must have chloroformed me. I woke up surrounded by countries, and got invited drinking, well, sortof -who? Oh, Prussia, Denmark, Germany, and England and France were there too- and then Prussia stole my glasses -no, I have no idea where they are now… yes, I know it's Milwaukee, shut up!- so then I was at his house after I chased him down. Then Germany, Austria, and Hungary were there -Germany? He was cool, I guess, didn't really talk to him- and they were interesting. Hungary showed me to the guest room and cleaned my clothes -Michael don't even start, she will smash you with her frying pan- and I woke up to the sound of gunshots. Turns out it was Switzerland and… ah, Lichtenstein? Switzerland was shooting at someone -shut up Mitchell it doesn't matter if I climbed out my window- and then America was there! And then he got tackled by Spain, and then Prussia was there and they held down America -I don't care if we're a superpower he was held down- and France took me to his house." Ethan started coughing and took a deep breath. The states were enamored with his tale, despite being condensed, and Michigan -Michael- handed him a glass of water. He took it gratefully and continued.
"Monaco wanted to gamble so I drank her down - stop cheering, Dylan - and suddenly these other countries were there? I think they're England's brothers, I dunno. I chose then to escape and them and France followed me, then I found Russia - yes, the Russia, Alaska's friend - and the other countries stopped. Russia has two sisters and they took me to his house, and then, er…" Ethan broke off awkwardly, not wanting to explain his breakdown. "Um, I called you guys but you didn't answer, so I sort of… called… Southern California…" He waited, wincing.
The outcries of annoyance and irritation were instantaneous. After half a minute of listening to the states ranting his scowled.
"Come on, why didn't you call me? Or Cassie?" Allison -South Dakota, Cassie being North Dakota- asked incredulously. A few other states expressed the same and Michael -Michigan- laughed, patting Ethan awkwardly on the shoulder and saying he should take their advice.
"Shut up, Michael. It's your fault I didn't have their number anyways." Michael blinked, confusion crossing his face. Ethan elaborated, "You ran over my phone, remember? I only had you, Mitchell, Dylan, Liam and Eric's because you know Southern California has an obsession with having everyone's number and everyone having his number."
"Oh." Michael screwed up his face. "Sorry man- ow!" He rubbed his shoulder, shooting a nasty look at Veronica (Indiana), who glared back with just as much fire. Eventually Michael -Michigan- backed down, as nobody was a match for Indiana when she was protecting something. Or ever, really. Nobody knew but the Midwest but Veronica could be scary.
"Keep going," Dylan -Ohio- prodded.
"Well, I thought nobody was coming but then California and Florida were there and so was Iowa and Massachusetts -yeah, you guys suck at being brothers, Iowa is my favorite now- and England showed up? So we went to this room, and England was talking smack with Massachusetts, and-" Ethan blanched at the memory. Iowa fidgeted, images from the room flashing through his mind. Liam -Minnesota- peered at Ethan who was steadily shrinking further into the pillows.
Mitchell (Illinois) narrowed his eyes, trying to remember why he recognized the behavior when it struck him like a bullet. His eyes instantly widened with realization then narrowed with contained anger. "Ethan, he didn't use fire, did he?"
"Um."
Mitchell stood up abruptly, rage seeping from his pores. "Continue the story without me." He spun on his heel and marched out of the room, ignoring Ethan's protests. Liam pushed Ethan back into the bed wordlessly, unwilling to stop Mitchell's rampage but also not wanting to abandon his wounded brother. Nebraska, Missouri, and the Dakotas were a little confused but Iowa was filling them in. Indiana appeared to be struggling on whether or not she wanted to join Mitchell before caving and standing up too. Ethan paled at the sight of her anger and went silent as she stalked out of the room as well.
Mitchell stomped down the hallway, through the break rooms and into the main lobby. It was deserted, which meant everyone was in the meeting room. The door slammed open and the states inside startled at the sight of the enraged Midwestern state. Illinois ignored everyone else and beelined for England, who noticed the state too late. Mitchell stormed towards him and reeled his hand back, socking the country across the face with a satisfying crunch. He brought his arm back to go at the country again but found himself held back by states that had stood up at the obvious anger in Illinois's eyes.
"Calm down!" Kentucky said, pulling the state back.
"Really, mate, I love a good fight but is this necessary?" Louisiana continued.
England had taken a few steps back in recoil but otherwise didn't seem very affected. In fact, he had been almost expecting it, and he set his nose back in place unflinchingly with a sickening snap.
Illinois heaved his breaths, the adrenaline still running through his veins. He shook off both Kentucky and Louisiana but stepped back, rage smoldering behind his eyes. Indiana showed up behind him with a murderous expression on her face. While she didn't attack England physically she didn't rein in her tongue.
"You're an asshole," she spat. England nodded sagely to himself but blinked when he was no longer the direction of attention. "And you," she continued venomously at America. "Forgot about Peshtigo."
"Everyone remembers the Chicago fire," Mitchell piped up. The other states in the meeting room fell into a solemn silence. "But nobody remembers Peshtigo. Ethan directed you to me, didn't he?" It wasn't a question. "And he gained all those scars in the process and nobody remembers, dammit!"
"Can I see him?" America murmured the question, avoiding eye contact with his states in a strange shift of character. Illinois opened his mouth to shut him down but Indian slammed her hand over his mouth and said "If he allows it." Illinois crossed his arms but said nothing.
"I'll ask 'im!" Kentucky offered. Mississippi punched him in the shoulder and slammed him back into his seat all at once and said, "You're not aloud in the Midwest sick bay." Kentucky grumbled and rubbed his arm, shooting Mississippi a begrudging look. She ignored him.
"Will he allow it?" America directed the question at Indiana and Illinois. Veronica gave Mitchell an expected look at he sighed in resignation.
"Yeah, Ethan would probably love to see you. I'll evacuate the rest." Mitchell stalked off to herd off the other Midwestern states. A few seconds passed in awkward silence in the meeting room.
"I should be getting back…" England muttered, mostly to himself. Massachusetts stepped up, a hesitant expression flashing on her face. She steeled herself and approached England.
"I know you're better at magic, but can I help you get home?" She prepared herself for rejection from the sharp-tongued country.
England gaped at her in surprise but recovered quickly. "Of course. Strictly speaking, teleportation has never been my strong suit. I gladly welcome the help." She brightened. England leaned in closer, making sure only she heard what he said next. "And it is always a pleasure to meet another mage. Would you mind if I showed you around England some time?"
She looked like she was about to faint from astonished excitement but nodded rapidly, leaving the Eastern states wondering what the nation could have said to reduce Massachusetts to such a raw state. He leaned away in satisfaction and prepared himself for teleporting. Massachusetts rushed to help in any way she could.
Indiana decided they had waited long enough for Illinois to remove the other Midwestern states from the sick bay (most likely by issuing a gun contest) and started leading America out of the meeting room silently. He followed without a sound and the meeting room was less one country. Seconds later England popped out of existence and Massachusetts was an exhausted mess from the strain but had a triumphant grin on her face. The Eastern states instantly swarmed her.
"Well this is excitin', ain't it?" Kentucky drawled. Tennessee snickered on his left.
-x-
"Ethan… don't trust him, okay? He's thrown all of us under the bus at some point," Mitchell pleaded.
Ethan scrunched up his eyes in defense. "He didn't know he was doing it, though!"
"That's no excuse! And if you don't look at him like a country, then look at him like a brother! He hasn't even visited the Midwest since, when? The most recent election?" Mitchell waved his arms around for emphasis. "And that was for politics, not recreation!"
"He doesn't have time-"
"Like hell he doesn't," Mitchell interrupted savagely. Ethan fell silent, his heart turning in two different directions. The Prairie state softened and decided to approach this differently. "Ethan, did he miss you?"
He opened his mouth to fire back a quick Yes, of course he did! when a few thoughts struck him.
"Man, was I pissed when I found out that she had taken one of my own states!"
"Yo it's Alfred F. Jones, the hero of the world! I'm off doing heroic deeds and such, so-"
"I… ah," Ethan cleared his throat and recited something he had been repeated to himself like a mantra: "I sure hope so."
Mitchell opened his mouth to continue when Veronica popped her head in. "Mitchell, you better not be doing what I think you're doing," the Hoosier warned. Mitchell grinned weakly and started walking away from the bed. He paused for a split second and glanced back at his younger brother before stalking out the door. Indiana watched him go and flashed a reassuring grin his way before disappearing behind the door as well.
Ethan blinked at the empty room for a few seconds, reveling in the silence. Then the door opened again, slowly, to show the sheepish face of his founder. Ethan stopped his face from lighting up; as Illinois said, America was in the wrong. It didn't stop the excitement from being noticed, though. Only dampered it with reality.
"Hi, Ethan…" America paused to let the dairy state rebuke him for having the audacity of using his personal name, but Ethan stayed silent and America continued. "I don't know what to say other than that I'm sorry…"
America pondered to himself and Ethan realized this was the third time he had talked one-on-one with America. For some reason he wasn't as joyous as he thought he would be.
"Okay, Wi-Ethan," America started on a much stronger note than before, "I've been an awful brother and for that I'm sorry. My god, you have no idea how guilty that makes me, being the very thing I wanted never to be, absent, like Eng-" he stopped himself and took a deep breath, starting over. "I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you, and the other states, because without you all, I wouldn't be the best country in the world. Hell, I wouldn't be a country. The United States of America is nothing without his states."
America stopped there. Ethan took this all in with a blank, innocent expression on his face, and he furrowed his eyebrows slightly as he thought over his country's words.
"Most of us are pretty independent," Ethan started hesitantly, not sure where he was going with this. "We understand, to a point I guess, what you're struggling with. You just… need to show us that you care, everyone once in awhile, ya know? Mitchell- Illinois has completely lost hope with you and I don't know what to do about it. I just- what happened to the days when you would go huntin' with us once? Just- just real quick and fun football game? Yer so busy with the- with country things that we… well, we miss you." He had delved heavily into his accent and started stuttering halfway through, but he said what he set out to say.
The silence was suffocating and Ethan started fidgeting and opened his mouth- something that turned out to be a mistake, since he started nervously babbling.
"D-Did I tell you about what happened after you, uh, missed me? Haha it's a funny story France took me to his house and did you know he smells like flowers it's kinda weird but y'know and then I told him how he made my name but then he kinda just… put me under yer name but eh. Then this girl was there she said her name was Monacco and she was pretty but also scary like Nevada they should never meet Nevada is scary did you know they gambled me out of cheese once it was a dark day but anyway she tried to get me to gamble and so I just challenged her to a drinking contest, did you know she can't hold her alcohol? Yeah and then-" he was cut off abruptly by America trapping him in a hug, his broad shoulders wrapping around the smaller state's frame tightly.
"America-?"
"When did it become America and not Alfred, Ethan?" he murmured, almost tightening his grip. "Oh god, I missed you guys so much."
Tears filled Ethan's eyes and he returned the hug with just as much vigor, ignoring the strain he was putting on his stitches in his stomach. Alfred seemed to remember his gun wound at the same time as Ethan did and he drew back, placing his hands on his state's shoulders. Alfred's eyes were slightly red and he hid a sniff, smiling at Ethan with watery eyes.
"Tell ya what. Once you get better -and don't you dare try to trick me, I know exactly how long this will take to heal- we'll go do whatever you want, short of murder."
Ethan brightened. "Okay!"
Alfred grinned and pulled him into a much gentler hug, carefully avoiding stretching or breaking his stitches. Eventually the country pulled away and plopped himself at the foot of the bed. "Okay, now tell me everything."
And so that's what Ethan did.
-x-
Meanwhile, it was chaos among the nations. For some reason Belarus and Russia had taken a liking to Ethan, which caused Prussia to challenge them in a weird sibling-ship competition, and of course France had to join (he named the kid!), which created a weird, three-way war that had nations siding. Honestly, these personifications needed to get better hobbies.
"I know him best!" Prussia boasted.
"Yes, but I know Alaska," Russia said. "And so I know states better. Is this where the Western countries say ha?"
"He went to me for comfort!" Belarus snapped.
"Oui, but I named him!" France interjected.
"Yeah yeah, but he asked me to visit him!" Prussia said loudly. The other three countries froze and narrowed their eyes at the germanic nation.
"He what." Belarus growled, voicing the three's mutual thoughts. Not realizing the danger he was currently in, Prussia continued.
"Yeah! And I think I'm going to visit him now!" Prussia made true to this statement and started walking away when he was suddenly tackled to the floor. "Wha-? Francis, get off of me!"
"Désolé, mon ami, but there are no friends in war!" France scrambled off the albino and made for the door. "I think I'll cash that visit in for myself!"
"Nyet!" Russia grabbed France by the back of his shirt- really, it was good he missed, he was aiming for the neck- "I will go to America."
"Big brother, that is where you're wrong," Belarus said, probably the only times the surrounding countries heard her say something against Russia (they sometimes blew her out of proportion… it was only occasionally that she grew crazy with marrying her brother, it's just that always happened when around other nations). "I will visit mini."
A few nations blanched at the thought of Belarus rampaging through America, since they didn't know where the state was, and they only joined this faux-war for fun, and they really didn't want a world superpower getting mad at Belarus right now.
"No! He asked me!" Prussia insisted, narrowly avoiding Russia's pipe. "West, back me up!"
Germany backed away with his arms raised. "Nein, I'll sit this one out."
"Honhon, even your flesh and blood don't want to help you," France said snidely.
Prussia narrowed his eyes at Germany from underneath Russia, who was sitting on his back contently holding off France and Belarus (mostly France though), and whispered not-so-quietly, "Traitor."
"Ve… I never even met him…" Italy said sadly. From all the fuss the other countries were making this boy must have been really great.
"He's great! About ye high, runs faster than the wind-" Scotland snickered from behind a table (it wasn't shameful to be taking precautions; nearly every nation had some sort of shield from the four destruction nations having a war in the front of the room).
"Can drink like nothing else-" Denmark added on.
"He's German-!" Prussia tried to interject.
"Likes guns," Switzerland stated monotonously. The other nations stared at him and he stared right back, unfazed by the attention he was suddenly receiving. Well, to anybody else he was unfazed. Liechtenstein could see the slightest tinge of pink on his cheeks.
"Yeah! He's really kind, and him and big brother seemed to hit it off!" she proclaimed, unaware of what she just said. Switzerland stiffened.
"Hm?" Russia cocked his head to the side. "You as well?"
"More competition," Belarus snarled.
"This only makes it more interesting," France said with an aloof tone. Switzerland groaned out loud.
"Do you know where he is?" Spain asked innocently, attempting to drape himself across Romano, who smacked him so hard he fell to the floor. Unperturbed he popped back up and plopped himself on Romano's lap, causing the italian to turn bright red.
"Of course we do!" France exclaimed indignantly.
"Ja, Toni, it's like you don't even know us!" Prussia scoffed.
Russia bore his cold gaze into Spain's, who wasn't looking in that direction anyway. "The small is in America, of course."
"But…" This time it was Italy that spoke up. "Where in America?"
The dead silence that met his question answered it just fine, and countries in the midst of WWIII exchanged glances. It was almost awkward, the room had gotten so quiet.
A puff of smoke appeared in the middle of the room and there stood England, who looked startled to find so many countries in the meeting room, since the meetings were over. Prussia, seeing his chance, glomped England and muttered something to him, causing the country to go red and gain an infuriated expression at the same time, though the blush was obviously not from embarrassment.
"Even if I could, I would not. But I am unable to teleport for another 24 hours, unfortunately," England said scathingly, sounding anything but distressed. Prussia glared at the former empire through red eyes, threat showing. England rolled his eyes and pushed the dissolved nation off of him. "Before you protest, I truly cannot use that specific type of magic for 24 hours. Teleportation has never been my specialty, regardless."
Someone popped up behind Prussia with a teasing smirk plastered on their face. England's gaze grew murderous at the sight of the nation, who clapped Prussia on the shoulder and declared, "S'okay mate, all brows' get the ability of magic!"
"Australia," England ground out. "I am telling you right now-"
"Ay, we can help ya too," Scotland snarked out, always one to jump on the annoy-England train. Wales and Northern Ireland quickly entered their approval, Ireland right behind their affirmations. England groaned aloud.
"Please, do not encourage him-"
Scotland shut his brother up by slapping him harder than necessary on the shoulder. "I assume ye remember how to transfer?" the redhead directed this question at Australia, as he knew his siblings remembered; he had taught them long ago.
"'Course!" Australia said quickly, slipping behind England to get into position. The shortest Kirkland protested again but he was ignored as the others pressed their palms to his shoulders. A soft light glowed under each palm, every color different per person. Prussia was elated and France, Russia, and Belarus tried to get in on this only to be held back by a barrier.
Russia shot a dark glare in the direction of the spellcaster but Ireland smiled impishly, her vibrant red hair settled softly around her shoulders. Her whole being glowed a pale violet and the barrier reflected the color in a mirror-like fashion.
"Too bad we don't know where the National House of States is," Wales mused. "Otherwise we could have gone, too."
"Like hell you're going to there," England snapped, shaking off the no-longer-glowing hands swiftly. He grabbed on to Prussia's upper arm unwillingly and scowled at the group still standing. All of his siblings and his former colony had matching smirks, which forced his scowl deeper as the two nations disappeared from the room.
-x-
Ethan sighed in contentment. While America- no, Alfred, while Alfred was catching up with the other states, he was revelling in being alone. Already it had been an hour of pure bliss and quiet. He was even able to read a bit!
The dairy state gazed at the ceiling, thinking about nothing in particular. He knew that a few of his siblings would disapprove of his quickly-trusting nature, but he knew that spending time with the other states would straighten out any spur-of-the-moment lies the country had spouted to console the state. If there were any spur-of-the-moment lies, anyway. Ethan sure hoped there weren't.
He let out a deep sigh and he heard it. The silence was so thorough that he could hear his own breath and the rustle of the sheets under his skin. The calm was so present that he could close his eyes and feel completely relaxed without needing to fall unconscious.
The door crashed open and so did his eyes at the sudden sound, landing on someone he thought he wouldn't see for a long time. They widened their eyes at the sight of Ethan and rushed forwards only to pitch forward onto their face. The nation scrambled to their feet and launched themselves onto the bed. Expecting this, Ethan curled into himself to prevent his stitches from falling out. He healed fast, sure, but it was still twice as slow as the nations.
"Wisconsin!" Prussia yelled, wrapping his arms around the state both desperately and exuberantly. "Save me from your crazy bros!"
"Wha-?" Ethan sputtered before Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois (Michael, Liam, and Mitchell) barrel through the door. They erupted into argument, obviously unwilling to enact a physical fight on Prussia while the country was attached to their brother.
"Get off of him!"
"Oi, where did you come from, anyway?
"And what do you want with our brother?!"
"Wisconsin~" Prussia stretched the word obnoxiously. "Don't make me leave, after I forced England to get me here!"
"I…" Ethan faltered.
"He just appeared in the middle of the meeting room with England!" Liam -Minnesota- blurted.
Michael hid a grin as he added, "Then he yelled for you and sprinted out of the room."
"Of course, we had to follow him! We have no idea who he is!" Mitchell -Illinois- finished.
Ethan opened and closed his mouth. It had been so quiet.
Then he stared laughing. Loud, wholesome laughter that filled the room. Prussia grinned, not letting go of the state even for him to bend over laughing in bed. His brothers bickered a bit amongst themselves but Michael was already laughing along. Liam and Mitchell followed and soon the room was full of the joyous sound.
Yes, it had been quiet before. But Ethan much preferred being surrounded by his loud friends and family than the dull silence.
Wow, I think I finished it. Of Nations and Cheese actually has an ending. Guys, this is a big deal for me- I've never finished a story before. Hetalia has done things to me no other fandom succeeded in doing.
Few notes: Lots of states and not enough, obviously didn't get many in here- I'm thinking about making side-chapters featuring a few states I wanted to add in (such as Northern California, who had a lot of mentions but no appearances, now that I think about it. Also Kentucky). THERE WILL BE AN EPILOGUE! fyi. :D not leaving my bby Ethan quite yet!
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR REVIEWING! IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU I CONTINUED THIS, otherwise I would have run out of steam pretty fast.
SonoSvegliato: I don't know what's going on but I like it XD *headbanging* what are we dancing to XD?
MisfitMadhatter: Yayyy Wisconsin's all happy now :D hope you liked the update!
deadlydaisy808: Oh man, you're so nice T^T thank you for reviewing on... pretty much every chapter, I think. Super consistent and really helpful! Hope you didn't think it was too fast... I tend to finish things a bit quickly... so that's why I made the epilogue (oh no, America isn't getting off as easy with Florida/Cali/Midwestern bros). On the metaphor thing, that's really a lot deeper than I intented but that's really cool and now that I think about it, it works! Lol not anymore I guess with reconciliation tho XD
Thank you all for reading and reviewing, and until next time, which will not be as soon, since I have nothing written XD.