YOOO WHATTUP? I HAVE RETURNED /proceeds to disappear for months again/

( I still need to write 90% of the requests so stand by, y'all. life is a rollercoaster. )

Requested/Inspired by: Fonix Girl

"Get down here!" Mitchell snapped, arms preoccupied with holding firewood.

"No."

"It's already been half an hour, they'll be wondering where we went!"

"Nah."

"I swear to god Ethan, if you don't climb down in three seconds-"

"It's nice up here!"

"I could not care less, honestly."

"You, my football-less friend, are lame."

Mitchell's eyes flashed. "Ethan-"

"Okay, okay." Ethan laughed and swung down from the tree he had been camping. "But it's your loss." He reached down and gathered his dropped logs before following his brother, who was muttering under his breath.

Spring was a good season, Ethan decided. He loved fall and even winter, but normally he didn't enjoy the springtime, seeing as all of the roads were closed off at some point. The joke that Wisconsin had two seasons, winter and construction, was not just a joke.

Regardless, when he was taken away from roads and the city, he loved watching nature wake up. It was an unforgettable experience.

"Ethan, have you noticed anything strange about Michael recently?" Mitchell commented, adjusting his grip on his armful of wood. He noted with a tinge of annoyance that he would have a few splinters after this.

"Michael?" Ethan thought to himself. "No, not really. Has there been anything going on in Michigan?"

Mitchell shook his head. "Nothing too drastic, I don't think, since the Flint fiasco went viral. Seriously, think about it. Like when Dylan knocked Veronica's photo album over and we started talking about memories, didn't you notice the weird look he had on his face?"

"Uhh." Ethan twisted up his face contemplatively. "Maybe…"

"Or when North Dakota was being accused of having secrets and Liam swore that he never kept secrets from his siblings, and we all agreed?"

Ethan nodded then. "Yeah, and it looked like he had a bad pickle or something?"

"Right."

They trudged in silence for a dozen feet or so.

"So what should we do?" Ethan finally asked.

Mitchell mused for a few seconds. "We could confront him about it, or we could try to get him to slip up when he was drunk or force him to confess in truth or dare or something."

They exchanged a glance and seemed to agree instantly. "Drunk truth or dare."

-x-

Unfortunately, both Ethan and Mitchell forgot one particular detail: while playing drunk truth or dare, everyone got drunk. They would drink straight up alcohol if need be (it rarely got that far, but they had borrowed some Russian vodka from the nation himself, which was close enough).

In short, Ethan woke up with a pounding headache and little to no memory of the night before. He was in a pile of Midwestern states, with Illinois -Mitchell- being half under him and Minnesota -Liam- leaning on him. Ohio -Dylan- was curled into a ball, cuddling with Michigan -Michael-, who was face down and draped over Illinois.

Ethan blinked a few more times and examined his brothers closer. Michael donned a cheesehead while Dylan had a large Bears jersey on. It fit the slight state like a dress, and he most likely only had boxers on underneath. Ethan himself was wearing Vikings sweatpants on top of his boxers, and that was it.

He yawned. It could have been worse. As long as nobody but his brothers saw him in these sweatpants, he was good. Ethan moved his arm out from under Liam's chest and flexed it, trying to bring feeling back into it. Liam barely moved from the shift.

Ethan stared at the ceiling. He really, really did not want to move. But he knew that the headache was not going to go away. So with a groan of annoyance, he disentangled himself and set to making a hangover cure. He ended up giving up and grabbing the container of advil and many bottles of water.

Ethan stumbled back into Michael's living room (that was where they had somehow ended up, even though they had started at Mitchell's house). Liam picked up his head, bleary-eyed, and Ethan chucked a water bottle at him. Liam just barely dodged it and it ended up smacking into Dylan's face.

Dylan moaned in annoyance and reached out to smack the first thing he came in contact with, which ended up being Michael's shoulder and neck. The chain reaction continued and soon enough the whole pile was stirring. Ethan ignored them and popped two Advil into his mouth, nearly forgetting to drink water and almost dry-swallowing the pills.

The doorbell rang and he paused, water bottle on his lips as he prepared to chug the rest of it. Who in the world would be at the door?

Actually, it could be many different countries based on one of the most powerful sources in the world: boredom. Maybe Belarus went to visit and found that he wasn't at home, so she went to every Midwestern state's home (god only knows how she discovered the location of every Midwestern state's home) to find him. He liked Belarus a lot, honest, but she could be a little… overbearing sometimes.

He had this elaborate thought process as he trudged towards the door, yawning again and scratching at his bare stomach. He ran his free hand through his hair, messing it even more so than it already was. He opened the door, blinking at the person across the threshold.

He stared. Whatever he was expecting, this was not it. Before him stood, against all odds, a girl.

The instant she saw him she started stuttering, a blush becoming prominent across her cheeks. Ethan was so surprised and caught off guard that he just stood there and stared. His hazy mind was not good for quick comprehension. Meanwhile, her face was growing darker as she tried to look anywhere but Ethan and he glanced down at himself to find out what was the problem. Oh. His scars were there bright as day. He was still shirtless. Was that why…?

He looked back up to her. She was slightly shorter than him and had long, slightly-frizzy brown hair. She was wearing a decorative camouflage headband. He didn't see why someone would wear a headband if it didn't hold your hair back. He supposed it did look nice, anyway, so that was probably the reason.

Oh, and she was saying something, but Ethan's woozy mind and headache that had not yet gone away was preventing him from comprehending her words.

Finally he shook his head. "Sorry… I'm sorta out of it… uh, who're you, and what're yeh doin' at Michael's house?"

She stumbled to a stop and gnawed at her lip. "U-uhm, he told me to… uh, to visit. D-did he tell y-you about… me co-coming?"

"Uh…" Ethan rubbed his face tiredly. "Dunno. I don't 'member anythin' that 'appened… last night."

She nervously played with the thin strap of her shoulder bag. Ethan sighed. "Wanna come in?" She nodded quickly and he turned around, leading her into the house. She carefully avoided looking at his chest but he barely noticed. He focused most of his attention on chugging that water bottle.

She fidgeted awkwardly until he finished, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and letting out a deep sigh. Now, of all times, he did not want company. "I wan' a bloody mary…" he mumbled to himself.

"U-uhm, where is my br-brother?" she asked timidly. Ethan's gaze shot to her, his eyes wide and suddenly attentive. She flushed again at the attention. "Er-"

"Brother?" Ethan furrowed his eyebrows and looked her up and down. "Brother?"

The girl- who was probably only two years or so younger than Ethan himself, so around fifteen, perhaps- fumbled with her words. He ignored her and stomped into the living room. She followed very hesitantly, peeking into the room before shooting her head back. The states were all in various states of disarray and every one lacked at least one clothing article.

"Michael, you've got some 'spaining to do!" Ethan pounded into the room, arms waving around haphazardly. "Th're's a girl at the door sayin' she's yer brotha! Get some clothes on, ya pigs!"

"Shut yer trap, Ethan, yer no better," Dylan mumbled. He was clinging to Mitchell's leg and refused to let go, no matter how much the Prairie state begged him to get off.

"Ugh, jus' tell South Dakota or 'ndiana to go 'way," Michael moaned, face-down on his couch.

"You moron, I know who those two are! I dunno this girl, she's too quiet! An' before you say it, she ain't North Dakota either!" Ethan snapped.

"Wait…" Michael's whole form froze. "Was that TODAY?" He jerked, trying to get to his feet. He ended up falling off the couch with a thud, but he jumped back to his feet instantly. Michael wavered a bit where he stood, blinking rapidly and mostly likely getting a massive headrush.

Despite this, he still stumbled around Ethan and came face to face with the girl. Recognition lit up in her eyes and Michael went red, looking quite sheepish. "Uh… was that today?"

She nodded and bit her lip, pointing at his upper body. He glanced down and laughed. He was wearing one of Dylan's shirts. It was too small on him and said "oHIo". Liam walked over to the two states with a dangerously cheerful smile on his face. "Michael? Can I speak with you?"

"If you took advil," Michael bargained.

Liam nodded and the two walked a mere half a dozen feet away. The Minnesotan visibly sighed and rubbed at his face. "Why, pray tell, is there a girl- your sister, apparently, which makes her our sister as well. Why is she here, and WHY did you not tell us about it?"

"Well-" Michael tried to defend himself but Mitchell popped in.

"Have you been keeping secrets from us?"

"Uh-"

Dylan sauntered over to Ethan and the girl. "Yo."

She stared at him. He was the same height as her and falsely appeared to be around her age as well. He was also still wearing only a Bears jersey.

Ethan let out a deep sigh before taking a breath. "Okay, all of you losers better be fully dressed by the time you get to the kitchen, because this is just embarrassing! Liam, I'm using your shirt, because there is no way in hell I'm wearing something with the bears on it." Ethan snatched the plain green cotton shirt from the side table and dragged the girl into the kitchen. He heard scuffling in the living room.

He sat her down at the counter and pulled the shirt on while grabbing some orange juice. He was just going to drink it from the container but glanced at the girl and asked her if she wanted any instead. At her denial he shrugged and just drank from the carton anyway. Her eyes followed him and he sat down heavily at the counter next to her.

"Want anything? Coffee? Water? Beer?" he groaned to himself. "Not beer. Pretend I never said that."

She giggled. "Um, water would be fine. B-but I can get it!" She insisted as Ethan brought himself to his feet. "I know where the glasses are."

"Well, that gives me another slew of questions," Ethan grumbled, going back to his orange juice. She got her water and sat back next to the dairy state quietly. Her eyes were wide and curious.

"Are you Minnesota?" she questioned.

Ethan turned to her in surprise. "No, I'm Wisconsin. Why?"

"Oh! I'm sorry, Michael told me that Minnesota was the most responsible of you four. I just assumed-"

Ethan waved her concern away. "He usually is. I'm just tired is all, usually I'm more… patient."

She nodded in understanding. "It's nice to meet you Wisconsin, I'm Michigan."

Ethan did a double take. "Uh-"

She flushed instantly. "I mean, I'm Upper Michigan! I'm the representation of the Upper Peninsula!"

Ethan stared at her. "How long have you… existed…?"

"I'm not sure…" She looked thoughtful but also sheepish. "I don't remember much from early on, but I know not that long… maybe a year?"

"Jesus." Ethan took another drink from his juice carton. "I'm going to pretend I never heard that."

"Er… sorry…"

Ethan cut in right there. "Not your fault. Michael better be getting an earful right now, though."

As if he had summoned them, Michael and his other idiot brothers stumbled into the kitchen then. Dylan was two seconds away from face-planting but Liam grabbed his collar and shoved him into the counter instead. His grunt was covered by Mitchell complaining loudly about something or other and slumping into the counter stool next to Ethan, taking his orange juice. Ethan protested loudly but gave it up, too tired to truly care.

Michael sheepishly approached the girl, apparently Upper Michigan, and leaned against the counter.

"So, uh… nice weather we're having?"

Ethan chucked an empty cup at Michael's head and he just barely dodged it, ducking his head in shame.

"Do you care to explain, or will I?" Ethan said it like a threat. He saw the girl glancing between him and Michael and he realized what a first impression they were all making on her. Fantastic.

"I will, I will." Michael held his hands up in surrender. His brothers went quiet and inconspicuously leaned forwards.

"This is Thalia, and she is the personification of Upper Michigan."

And then all hell broke lose.

/~~/

Requested/Inspired by: N/A

Ethan scurried around his house, frantically finishing his house cleaning. For being in the middle of the woods, he managed to keep up his place pretty well, but not enough for anything more important than animals and unexpected nations. Copper followed his master around with a wagging tail and lolling tongue.

Ethan cringed and sent his dog outside, his heart breaking internally. Normally he would take a walk with Copper at his time, but he had to finish what he was making, and he was going to have a guest. Ethan assumed that his guest would not appreciate a sloppy, untrained-in-the-fine-arts dog jumping all over him. Perhaps he should get a poodle…? They could hunt too, right?

Therefore, he had to put Copper outside on his rope out back.

His oven beeped obnoxiously and he flinched on command. There was much glaring involved with taking his dish out of the oven. After a few more… finishing touches, it was finished, and he stood back proudly. It had been a while since he had made this, but it looked fantastic.

He tapped a spoon onto the top and it cracked perfectly. Everything was done. It was all perfect. Now, all he needed to do what wait-

The doorbell rang and he scrambled to the door, a bright smile on his face. He flung the door open, opening his mouth to greet-

"Prussia?" Ethan paused. This was not who he expected to see, and his smile faltered in surprise.

Prussia made a broad gesture with his hands. "Francey pants said he couldn't make it, and sent me as a messenger. Idiot, he got all caught up in the past and forgot about texting, I guess."

"Oh…" Ethan wilted slightly but caught Prussia's look and waved his hand carelessly. "That's okay. Wanna come it?"

"Sure!" Prussia grinned widely and sauntered into Ethan's home, examining the walls and furniture. "Wow, you really cleaned up the place." He stopped by the mantle and leaned in, scrutinizing. "Did you polish the wood?"

Ethan flushed and turned so Prussia wouldn't see his cheeks. "No."

Prussia was silent and Ethan didn't turn to see the former germanic nation's doubtful expression.

"Wait… you made food!" Prussia bounded over to Ethan's kitchen and widened his eyes. "Damn. Francis really missed out, huh?"

He sighed and followed Prussia, who was staring at the dish. "It's not real crème brûlée. It's crème brûlée cheesecake. I thought that, well, he would like the Wisconsin twist on crème brûlée. Anyway, since he's not coming… want some?"

Prussia was dead silent, staring at the dessert with an unreadable expression on his face.

Ethan shifted awkwardly. "Um… Prussia?"

The former nation finally turned and clapped his hands on Ethan's shoulders, who yelped quietly in surprise at the sudden contact. "First off, call be Gilbert, we're friends, 'kay 'sconsin? And you are the singularly most awesome personification on this planet, and I'm not a personification anymore really so that dubs me more awesome than you, but your very awesome."

He abruptly let go of Ethan and plopped himself down at the island, placing his elbows on the countertop head on his hands and staring at the food with stars in his eyes. "And I love food."

Ethan laughed and moved to get a knife and plates, knowing that Prussia would consider forks too 'unawesome' for him to use (and Ethan personally preferred using his fingers as well).

He was glad for Prussia. Wait, Gilbert. He hesitated ever so slightly while reaching for the plates. Giving another personification (Ethan considered him a personification regardless of what the albino said) your name was a sign of trust and ultimate friendship.

He placed everything out and served it, grinning when Prussia- Gilbert, complimented his cooking loudly and with a full mouth.

"Oh, and Pr- Gilbert? Call me Ethan."

Until then, he had never seen Gilbert smile so broadly.

I cri. A few notes: Upper Michigan (who is adorable/loves nature/is protected violently by the Midwest) was going to be named Lilly but then: Lilli/Liechtenstein came to mind, so rip that idea. Thalia is pronounced Tah-lee-ah.

Prussia and Wisconsin bro-ness. It was going to be them going to Francis and stuff but I started writing it and it was so .. boring. BUT my friend had made crème brûlée cheesecake and it is SO FREAKING GOOD OH MY GOD. (psa: I don't know if it's a wisconsin twist or not but it seems like it so)

Bonding. fun stuff to write. Requests are still open but ye be warned, it'll take a while. :D