Please R&R

I do not, and I repeat for all purposes, I do not own any of the characters within this story. Never will either. Enjoy.

Leaving the conference room first, America stood off to the side, rocking back and forth on his feet, biting his lip. As soon as Japan left the room America grabbed him roughly by the collar and dragged him down the hallway away from the others, "Are you trying to tell me that people are trying to slander my name right now?"

Japan stumbled forward with the rough American and stuttered out, "America, there is no need for such rough actions towards me, I honestly didn't mean to touch such a sensitive topic..."

America let go quickly and brushed of the smaller man, "No dude, I'm totally sorry. I just wanted to get away from there. Anyways, like I asked, someone is trying to ruin the great American valor?"

Japan nodded in response as America scratched his head. It just didn't make sense. America hasn't really start any conflicts recently, at least none recent to effect him now. Looking back at the smaller man he frowned, "And you're sure it was me?"

"Well, it sounded like you over the phone..."

"Over the phone?! Are you telling me that you trusted someone over the phone who said it was me? What were you thinking Kiku?" America forced out.

Japan looked at the floor in disappointment, "Well America-kun, it seemed like you. All the mannerisms were there, I just figured that it would be something you would do..."

America sighed and roughly brushed a hand through his hair. Turning a little circle, America thought to himself: So obviously someone is trying to make me look bad, okay, we got that. Now we know that the guy sounds just like me, so he is gonna be anyone that has had plenty of time to study my personality. "Kiku, where did he have you send the goods?"

Japan quickly reached into his jacket and pulled out a notepad and read it over quickly, "He told me to send it to a small post office in Honolulu, Hawaii."

"Kay, that will be the first place we investigate. You try to get a hold of him again and see if you can get any more information. I'm going to head over to Honolulu and see what I can dig up. Thanks Kiku, I'll get this all figured out." America said, patting the man on the back and stepping quickly into the cold that welcomed him outside.

No matter how thick his gloves and jacket were, they never really seemed to protect him from the cold that was present. Pulling his scarf over his chin, America trudged to his hotel, his mind cluttered with all different thoughts. Just who was this mysterious person that would want to slander his good name? As he took another step forward, he felt his foot give and just noticed the ice patch as he slipped backwards. Expecting the hard concrete to welcome his blonde hair to the ground, America gritted his teeth together and braced for the impact. It hurt just as much as he imaged. A loud crack was heard on the street and a pain shoot through his entire being, his gloves actually getting torn a little bit from the rough ground. Groaning, America made no attempt to move, just letting the pain cover his entire being, his eyes slowly shutting, the light irritating his irises. "America, are you alright?"

Slowly opening one of his eyes, America looked above to see the large Germany hovering over him. Closing the eye again, he groaned out a response which was lost within the pain. Germany grimaced, and knelt down to the pained man, "That sounded painful, would you like some help?"

America let out another groan, but slowly nodded his head. Germany placed a hand behind his back and pushed gently for the man to sit-up. As the man's head left the pavement, a frown grew on Germany's face, "You're bleeding."

Reaching behind him, America felt the back of his head and felt warmth spread through his fingers. Pulling them back to his face, he saw that, indeed, he was bleeding. Letting out another groan, America slowly twisted onto his knees, "Just my fucking luck..."

Germany quickly grabbed America's arm and back and helped the man onto his feet. Quickly slinging the man's arm over his shoulder, Germany literally lifted the man off of his feet and carried him, "We should get you some medical attention."

A rough laugh bubbled from America's throat and he shook his head, "Nah, it's fine. Just take me to my room, I want to rest for a bit."

Germany stayed quiet for a moment before also letting a laugh out, "Ja, nein. We're going to the hospital."

America grimaced and pushed lightly against the German's arm , "Dude, no. I don't have time to be in the hospital right now. And it's not that bad, I've had worse. You should know, you were there for that too..."

Cold silence fell in between the two nations, Germany's face hardening at the statement. His grip on the other nation loosened and his jaw clenched, "I have. But because I didn't help you recover back then, doesn't mean I won't help you recover now."

"Oh trust me, Germany. I'm resilient. Like... Like, weeds. You can pull me out as many times as you want, spray me down with as much weed killer as you can purchase, but you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll still be poking my head out somewhere," America said, twisting the tiniest bit so he could look his blue-eyed friend in the face.

Germany sighed, closing his eyes, his jaw still clenched. His head shook lightly, "An idiot is always an idiot I see..."

America chuckled darkly, "Yeah, well. What did you expect? I'm the moron in the group after all..."

"I would say you were wrong if you didn't always have such incompetent ideas all the time. Have me ask out loud who was trying to slander your name? What kind of moron would consider such a thing?" Germany berated, finally looking at America with a scowl.

This must be what Germany actually wanted to talk about... "I don't know, I wasn't thinking while I wrote it... I mean, after I did actually think about it, so like, the moment I realized you were reading it, I regretted it. I guess I didn't realize how non-existent my brain-to-mouth slash hand filter was..." America retorted his head slouching a bit. "If anything... If you care to know, maybe, but this was the first time I actually realized something I suggested was stupid. It was the first time I felt embarrassed by something I thought."

Germany stared at his blue-eyed companion, his jaw still clenched, and his eye's stone cold. His mouth moved to say something, but America interrupted swiftly, "It was such a weird experience too. Like, I don't think I was worried what Japan thought, 'cause we're always together and stuff, so I knew he wouldn't think any less of me. Japan knows who I am, and what I'm about. But, like, you don't. And, I don't know, and I don't know why, but I didn't want you to think I was completely without sense..." America turned to look Germany dead in his eyes, "Is that weird, or like...?"

America could almost see every thought that went through Germany's head through those blue eyes, starting with a hint of confusion, to a sense of embarrassment, to even a twinkle of pride. It was almost funny to imagine Germany letting his emotions run so wild in his eyes. Endearing almost. Finally Germany sighed and started to walk down the street towards America's hotel, "It is... not weird to want to have the respect of your fellow peers. It is, in fact, what I strive for mostly. However, it is not without its' fault," Germany paused, both in his speech but also in his walk. He quickly started back up again, "I do say you should keep what your peers think of you at the back of your mind, as it will shape what you will be able to do in the world and your life... However, don't let it dominate who you are. I will be honest with you, as you have been honest with me, but I will admit that sometimes I am envious of your brash behavior to speak before thinking. Not because it's a wise decision, but because you do not care of what others think. Yes, it will not get you far in the world, as the world is superficial, but it shows that you care more about being you than what they want you to be."

Silence fell among the two nations again, America staring at Germany in disbelief. Germany held his face fast in front of him however. "If only you had the mind capable to use the brashness correctly, though, than you would truly be a powerhouse," Germany quickly added.

A small smile crept onto America's face, his gaze eventually turning to in front of him. The cold engulfed the two lonesome figures, lights flickering above, streetlights just not as they use to be. It's always a bit peculiar when you realize something about yourself, even if it's something as insignificant as coughing before you sneeze. It's so strange to think about it.