Disclaimer: I own nada, nothing, non, zip.
7
Zee Awesome Meets Zee Little Hero
"What the hell were you thinking, Delaware?! Telling her that- you know how she is! She was your best friend for centuries! I can not believe you! What has been going on?! One day you are throwing water balloons off of the Washing Monument onto unsuspecting people, the next you're at each other's throats! And now look what you told her! Have you lost your mind?!"
Delaware sat on the couch in Pennsylvania's living room while the older state scolded- quite loudly- him. They had just got back from the Meeting when Penny threw him on the couch and he prepared himself for it.
America and Tennessee had taken Maryland back to her house- with Tennie calling California and Mississippi since America was now on his way back to yell at Delly like Penny.
"You say you love her, but honestly, I doubt you actually do!"
Penny, used to Mary's outbursts, only blinked when Delaware flew up and growled, "I do!"
"Then why don't you show it?" That made Aiden pause for a moment, "You're going out with Ariana. She's my little sister as well, so don't you forget that you already broke one of my sisters' hearts, if you break little Ari's, I won't even hesitate to hurt you even if you are my brother and I raised you!" Aiden flinched at Ryan's snarl. "If you don't love Ariana-"
"But I do!"
"What about Avara?"
"I love her too!"
"No."
"What?" Dealawre stared at him, confusion written all over his face.
Penny merely glowered at him, "Don't you dare do that. They're sisters and they both love you, and they love each other. Don't you fucking dare say you love them both. You'll turn them against each other, so you better choose one- and choose quick before Ariana leaves you. And I'm pretty sure that Avara- no, she will find someone else that loves her, and can make up his mind."
Delaware's eyes hardened, "She can't!"
Penny sighed in aggrivation, "Yes she can, you dunce. It's not your choice if she falls in love with someone else!"
Before they could continue fighting, the front door opened a bit harshly and they turned to see their father standing there with his arms cross- looking almost as angry as he did when someone attack his children. Like Fort Howard, Pearl Harbor, 9/11...
"I'm going to take Delaware home," He said hastily- which caused Delaware to shiver a bit. Pennsylvania nodded, but before they could even move, America's phone rang. "Hello?"
There was a few moments of silence.
"She what?!"
"Maybe she went to Canada's house!"
Currently, Pennsylvania and America were out searching for Maryland in the rain somewhere around the border to Mexico- knowing she would run that way like she did last time.
America's eyes brightened, "She did mention something about asking if she could go over there!" So he set to call his older brother.
"Hello?"
"Canada!"
"No need to yell, America." Canada sighed, "What's wrong?"
"Is Mary there?"
It was silent for a few moments, "She called me about ten minutes ago. She was going to come over for a few days, but she told me something had come up and she couldn't make it. Why? What happened?"
America groaned, "She ran away!"
"I knew something was wrong... She sounded like she wanted to cry. Told me she was taking care of Nebraska, but I called Kimberly and she was with Clark. I should've known... What happened?"
"I don't know. I was about to take Delaware home when I got a call from Tennie... Turned out when they had turned away for a moment, Avara had knocked them out and took off."
"I'll call France and Cuba and ask if they've seen her."
"Thanks, bro!"
"Uncle Canada?" She said the moment she heard the click of someone picking up.
"Oh, hello, Bear."
"Look, I know that... I know that I'm supposed to come over... But... But something important came up," She prayed he couldn't hear the held back tears in her voice as it slightly wavered, "I won't be able to make it. Can-Can we do it another night?"
"What's wrong?" She cursed mentally, she should've know. This was Canada. "Are you crying?"
"No!" She instantly snapped back, flinching at how weak she sounded, "Nothing's wrong..."
"Bear, I know when you're lying... Did someone say something? Like what Delaware said?"
"It's not important!" She lied as she ran far, far away from the USA. "I'm... My sister is sick," She wracked through her head, thinking of a sister that she could act like was sick. "Kimmy, she suddenly came over crying that Alana was out with Michie and she couldn't think of anyone else! I... I'm worried! So I'ma stay and take care of her... Alright?"
She knew Canada was hesitating, debating if he should believe her or not. "Alright..." She nearly sighed with relief, "We'll do it another night."
By then, she was nearing Mexico's border, "I love you, Uncle Canada."
She knew he was confused, but he answered back, "Love you too, Bear."
And then she hung up.
It had been nearly three days since then and she had already rode on two planes, now she was currently somewhere in Germany- trying to avoid the Personification at all times. She was sure her father was going crazy by now, and she wanted to call him to let him know she was okay...
No. He probably gave up after a day... He doesn't care- as Delaware said, nobody would miss me.
She was sitting on bench, legs together, one hand on her left knee while her left hand was covering her face as she was leaned over.
She looked up when she felt something on her right hand and came face to beak with a small sparrow- which resulted with her smiling.
It was weird actually, her and Sparrows. Her baseball team is called Orioles, but she wasn't actually too fond of Orioles- she liked them, but she liked Sparrows much more and it seemed like Sparrows like her more than Orioles as well.
"Hi there," She whispered to it, holding out a finger for it to land on, "What are you doing all the way here?" The small bird hopped in place and made a tiny noise. She sighed, "I wish I could understand you, Sparrow... Maybe then I could have friends... Well, I guess Flying Mint Bunny is my friend- although Papa said not to tell anyone I can see those things, he sorta doesn't believe me. He doesn't want others thinking I'm crazy as well."
"You talk to bird as vell?"
She jumped, letting out a small squeal, and the Sparrow took off.
"Sorry," A loud laugh sounded around, "I vas looking for Gilbird and saw you over here."
She looked up to be met with a tall man. Hair that could be as white as snow and blood red eyes. Sitting on his shoulder was a small yellow bird.
She shook her head, looking down and quickly wiped the tears she didn't know were there until then.
"Vhy are you out here zhis late at night?"
"What time is it?" She asked softly.
"Close to midnight," He answered.
"I... I'm getting some air." She lied quickly, avoiding eye contact. But then she looked up at him, "What are you doing out?"
He laughed loudly once again, "I told you- I vas looking for Gilbird," He gestered to the bird on his shoulder. Ava nodded and they sat in silence for a few moments.
"Who are you?"
"Me?" The red eyed man asked, slightly grinning.
Ava rolled her eyes then stared blankly at him, "Yeah, are you gonna tell me your name- or will I have to keep calling you 'red eyed man'?"
He laughed loudly, "Kesesesese! I am zee awesome Gilbert!" He then crouched down to be face to face with her, "Now, are you going to tell me the truz of vhy you here zhis late on zee bench?" When she shrugged and turned her head away, Gilbert sighed, "Alvright zen, I guess I should take you to one of zee Countries, zhey should tell me vho you are."
"No!" Gilbert raised an eyebrow at her exclaimation. "Just, please... No..."
He stared at the small girl as she stared blankly at the ground, "Fine. But don't stay out here."
"Huh?" She blinked up.
"Come vith me," He explained, holding out a hand, "Safer zhan staying out here avone in zee dark."
She looked at his hand fore a few moments before nodding, "Alright..." She took ahold of his hand.
"Vill you tell me your name- or vill I have to call you something else that I make up?"
She laughed as he placed a warm cup of coffee infront of her, "That depends. What name would you give me?"
Gil smirked at the challenge, "Hmm, vell..."
Ava raised an eyebrow while Gil stared intently at her.
"Sparrow."
"Eh?" She merely blinked.
"As you said, Sparrows seem to like you und vell," He leaned closer to her, "I like Sparrows."
She laughed, "Well, I guess I could like the name," And then she picked the cup up, "The name's Avara Riley. You can call me Ava, Riley, doesn't matter to me."
"It's a unique name," Gilbert complimented, then as a quick afterthought, "Not as awesome as me zhough!"
She rolled her eyes, "Thank my dad for it," She shrugged, taking a drink.
"Vho is your dad?" He instantly regretted it when he saw a flash of pain... or was it guilt?
"It doesn't matter," She shugged, "I ran away from home, I don't plan on going back. Nobody'll miss me."
"Are you sure nobody vill miss you?" He asked, trying to get her to look at him again, "If it vere me, I vould miss you."
He grinned as a blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Gilbert!"
They both looked towards the living room when a german voice yelled.
"Germany?" Avara whispered.
"You know my brudder?"
"Your brother?!" She stood up quickly, knocking the chair over. A knocking came upon the front door. "Please, don't tell him I'm here!"
Gilbert stared into her pleading eyes, "Alvright," He whispered. "Go up zee stairs, down zee hallvay. Last door on zee left is mein bedroom."
Once she disappeared up the steps, he headed from the kitchen to the living room to open the front door.
"Hey, Vest!" He greeted his brother when he walked into the house.
"Hallo, Gilbert," The personification of Germany nodded back.
"Vhat are you doing home so early?"
Germany casted him a suspicious glance, but brushed it off a moment later, "I vas vondering if you have seen a young madche around?"
"Vho?"
"Her name is Avara Riley," Gilbert tried to keep the shock off his face. "She's one of zee daughters of America."
"One of zee states?" Gilbert gasped out.
"Ja, she's Maryland." Germany continued, "America just called me about an hour ago, she ran avay from home and somevone said zhey saw a madche zhat looks like her board a plane headed here."
"Vell if I-"
"You have seen her."
Gilbert froze.
"She's here, isn't she?"
"Verdammt, Vest," Gilbert whispered, "I told her I vouldn't tell."
"America's vorried sick, Gilbert," Germany whispered-growled back.
"She's honestly scared about somezing," Gil glanced towards the stairs, "Just vet her stay here for a bit, and I'll take her back the moment she's ready."
Germany and Gilbert seemed to have a stare off before Germany sighed, "Alvright, alvright." He turned to leave, and groaned, "I am going to regret zhis, but since you say she's scared, I'll stay vith Italy for a bit."
"Zhanks, Vest!" Gilbert laughed loudly, patting Ludwig on the back a bit hard.
"Ja, ja," Germany grumbled as he walked back out the door- Gilbert shutting it.
"I suppose you want me to leave..." He jumped when a voice spoke suddenly. He turned to see Ava playing subconciously with her sleeve.
"Of course not!" Her eyes widened as he grinned-smirked, "I'm zee awesome Gilbert, vhy vould you vant to leave?!" He felt pride well up when a genuine smile spread across the little girl's face.
"So...?"
"It gets lonely vhen Vest is gone, so I don't zhink I'm getting rid of you yet." He rubbed the top of her head- causing her to scowl when he made it a mess. "Stay as long as you vant, you're welcomed here. But," He started, "To varn you, I'm zee awesome Gilbert- so you follow my rules."