So much work had been necessary to do in order for me to catch up and then prepare for the meeting. Decisively, I was going to seize this chance to make some real change. America would come to the meeting well-informed and open minded, surprising all with a respectful attitude.

Britain had answered my inquiry about the insects, saying that it had happened last time too as some sort of healing reflex. Something in him had made him poisonous to them, and Britain had warned that it was healthier for me to avoid touching him too much. Nevertheless, nothing had happened to the skin of mine that he had carefully grazed his fingers over.

Additionally, the bruise on my head had disappeared quickly, and so my appearance was long since ready for the world meeting. For the smaller ones meetings as well, whenever I had to pass as America or as a capped Canada. Nevertheless, the full show was about to fall upon me. When I flew to Spain, I came not only as a perfect copy of America, but as a prepared one who had come early.

As a result, I was the first to enter through the open door into the predetermined room. Spain was inside, finishing the last of his preparations and setting a few more folded papers onto the table. Alerted by my arrival, he paused and blinked in disbelief. Then, Spain beamed and cried, "America! What are you doing here so early?"

I smirked. "Well, I've been making some changes to my lifestyle."

"Oh, really?" he exclaimed.

"Yeah," I laughed. "I'm gonna try more now and actually contribute to the meeting."

"Wow, that's great!" His eyes were bright in legitimate encouragement. "I'm happy that you want to help!"

I walked around the large table and found the nametag that I was meant to be assigned to. I left my bag on the floor beside the chair, then looked around at the names around me. Canada was already placed beside America. Knowing exactly how to deal with it, I swung my bag onto the table and squashed the name tag under it.

Spain had had his back turned. He was currently on his way toward the door, stopping only to look back and explain to me, "I'll be back soon! Not completely ready yet…"

The instant that he was gone, I jumped up and grabbed the other nametag beside me. I rushed Lithuania away and dropped it where Russia had been, putting Russia adjacent to me. Then, on the other side of where Canada had demolished, I replaced Germany with England.

The bag buffer between us could make it easy to pass notes. I assumed also that Spain was going to forget that he had even put Canada beside me, even if he knew well that Russia had been meant to be far away from me. Undoubtedly, everyone was going to know that Spain had not chosen that. Everyone was going to be blown away to see him next to me, but I did not mind. If they could see America as being a friend of Russia, it could promote better feelings for him.

Spain came back and did not notice the switch yet. It was only after more had come, that something confused him. He looked from Germany's new location and found Britain's nametag in his original place. Not yet noticing Russia or the disappearance of Canada, he pointed me out in front of the few others for this.

"Hey, America, you switched those two!"

"Sorry." I pulled my lip to the side. "I hope it's not a problem."

I could see that it wasn't really. Spain raised a shoulder and admitted, "I guess so, but you could have asked at least! I could have just done that for you."

The seats filled up over the next half hour. Russia came at some point in the middle of this timeframe, scanning for his name then finding it beside me. He smiled and approached, sliding into the chair and whispering, "Did you do this?"

"Yeah."

Russia smiled more. "This makes me feel more like you care. I will be happy to be beside you today."

He took out his note-taking materials, and I decided to do the same as well. Already, I noticed people giving us the most confounded looks, evidently wondering if we were both acting.

"No glasses again?" he murmured.

"Nah."

"Do you get smarter without them?" he chuckled.

I laughed softly back, "I don't know, maybe. Seems like it though, doesn't it?"

I did not think that anyone else could hear us. Those who watched us appeared ever the more baffled as I shared my laughter with Russia. I opened my laptop, which was a great contrast to Russia's notebook, so he regarded it and teased me lightly. I joked back, remarking on his low-tech option. Amused, Russia explained simply that he had wanted to concentrate.

I shut the computer and took out the spare notebook that I had taken. Matching him, I smiled and tapped my pen against the blank sheet of lined paper. Russia's gaze softened much more, transforming what was usually an intimidating figure at the meeting, into something much nicer. The smaller countries that I caught sight of seemed to be taking an interest to it.

"They like how happy you look," I informed him in a whisper.

Russia gazed across the table, but they had quickly looked away before he could see them.

"They just looked away," I explained. "But they were watching you. If you show them something gentle, they'll like you more."

"Just like what you are doing?"

"Yeah, exactly."

At that moment, Britain strode into the room. He found his place beside me, checking his watch then staring over and finding Russia.

"So you've done it," he exhaled, referring to our tentative friendship. "I have to say, I am impressed."

"Hello, Britain." The smile Russia gave to him showed how he was irritated.

"Yes. Hello, Russia."

"Could ya be a little nicer to him?" I asked, keeping myself in character. "He's officially my new bud. Could be yours too."

That, I hoped, was loud enough to be heard by the others. Russia shifted in pleasure and put his hand over my shoulder for a second. Some mouths may have dropped, but I enjoyed the feeling of his heavy hand after so much time had passed without it. I remembered the power it had to disperse my nightmares, since despite Kumajiro's snuggling efforts, Russia remained the only successful one.

Britain gazed at him skeptically, then focused on his own affairs. As I looked away from him and back across the table, Russia found my relaxed hand and snuck something into it. Glancing down, I found an individually wrapped candy.

"I bought this before I left," he whispered. No one had had seen what had transpired under the edge of the table, and now I uncurled my fingers to see that he had placed a Russian chocolate there.

"Thanks," I whispered back. "You're awesome."

I unwrapped it carefully then popped the whole of it into my mouth. It tasted almost like a Kitkat, thus I nodded in enjoyment. Russia slipped something different into my hand, and after I had tasted that too, more kept coming until I had sampled everything.

Then, he said, "Tell me when you want more. I have many in my bag."

"Will do."

A few minutes later, Spain formally brought the meeting to a start. I kept quiet throughout the introduction, something that I knew America never did. I ignored the faces turned to me in expectation, clasping only my hands and looking up without distraction. When I was quiet, I noticed, others were quiet too. The meeting went on calmly with many trying to copy my example.

Germany was looking at me with awed relief, but he still cast a wary eye at Russia. Eventually wondering what Britain thought about my abnormal American behaviour, I peeked to my left and saw him writing. Later though, he touched me with one finger from behind the cover of my bag. I looked down and noticed that he had passed a paper to me with writing on it.

I want to see America and drop off some ingredients. Can I come over soon after this meeting?

I gave a tiny nod to Britain. Russia was looking across the table at Estonia and did not notice anything. Britain withdrew the paper and hid it among the pages of his notebook, but then because of him, I came up with an idea of how to amuse Russia. Quietly and slowly, I ripped a page from my notebook then took it under the table. There, I tore it into smaller pieces.

I collected the white scraps in my lap. One was placed on the table, where I went at it with my pen before bringing it back down out of sight. I placed it down onto Russia's leg, who then dipped his head down to see what was there. Grasping it between his fingers and holding it closer to me, I saw Russia behold the words drawing contest?

He smiled, turned the paper over, and wrote an answer over his leg. Then, he passed it back.

Yes

You are very funny.

Russia looked around to make sure no one had noticed anything going on here. I went back to listening, but knew that Russia was carefully tearing off a page for himself and ripping it apart. Every few minutes from then on, I announced the subject through a note, then turned over the paper and did my drawing. Russia also drew on his lap, then we exchanged.

Even when the subjects were simple, such as cat, corn, or pinecone, we were never drawing to impress. It became a game of who could draw the most ridiculous versions of the subjects, and I had to conceal my smiles and giggles. He had even started adding the translations into Russian with bubbly letters on the back of his cards. I could not believe that Russia was really doing this with me, but he seemed absolutely playful now that he was ignoring the smaller countries and no longer staring at them.

Which was good for them. They could relax at the meeting while Russia shifted close to me and passed over his innocent sketches. With each of my pictures given to him, he would then slip it into his bag for safekeeping. Knowing that what I was doing was significant for him and because I was also enjoying this immensely, I also kept his drawings. Since Britain was the only one able to kind of see some kind of exchange going on between us, he took out his paper and slipped a question to me.

What are you doing with Russia?

I wrote on the paper on the table, Drawing pictures. Do you want to join us?

Britain frowned and replied, No, but I'm glad that at least you're distracting Russia.

I want him to have fun and feel like we are friends.

All right.

Britain did not seem upset, but he could not understand the reason for our friendship. I assumed that he did not trust Russia to actually care about me. Russia however, was eagerly waiting for the next subject to draw. I randomly selected an animal, then received a card of a puffy, smiling hedgehog, described as ЁЖ.

More paper had to be ripped up to make more cards. Russia breathed with laughter whenever the game continued, although we paused whenever the time for commentary would come. That was when I announced my well-founded opinions, those that I had practiced saying for today. Russia spoke at times too, as did Britain, but my words were the most atypical. Throughout the hours that this meeting would take, many spoke, and yet my words were the ones that stunned all.

It is what I would have said as Canada, but no one listens to me then. I can't believe this. I have so much power!

Russia passed me another picture, and this time I passed it directly to Britain before storing it away. He took a glance at it, then immediately fought against smiling. He pressed his fingers to his lips at the sight of the badly drawn Germany.

He wrote, That is hilarious.

Russia drew it, I explained, fairly certain that he did not suspect that.

His eyebrows lifted. Wrinkling his forehead, suddenly the picture did not seem funny anymore to him. When he said no more, I put away Russia's carefree drawing. Leaving him be, we continued our game for a while, until the time for a snack break came. Then, I separated from Russia to go off and mingle. With the desire to make an impression on more than just Russia, I found others who did not think so highly of America.

Just as I finally decided to feed myself, France approached me. Clasping a glass in one hand, he glanced around me and asked, "Hey, where is Canada today?"

I said, "Oh, he didn't come."

"What?" France gasped. "But how couldn't he? This is a very important meeting!"

Chuckling, I replied, "It's fine. He probably wouldn't've said anything anyway."

Growing concerned, France whispered hurriedly, "Is he sick? Did something happen?"

I looked around me, but only saw Britain heading toward us. I murmured, "He's fine. Between you and me, we're actually doing a test to see if anyone'd notice if he didn't come."

"What?" he gasped. "But that's so irresponsible! How could Canada do this? Are you sure? I don't think that he would do that!"

Britain stepped into hearing range. Feigning confusion, he asked, "What did Canada do?"

Although still quiet enough to not attract the attention of others, France burst out, "Canada didn't come today! For some kind of bet at that!"

"Oh?" Britain's acting was sharp, and he looked at me as if genuinely surprised.

"Yeah," I answered, without really appearing to care about the conservation. "So don't spread it. You guys might be the only ones to catch on anyway."

Britain waved it off, "Of course I won't, to spare him the trouble. But you two shouldn't be so irresponsible, and France is actually right about that! I better have a talk with him if he's planning to make a habit out of this."

France nodded in agreement, and despaired. "I'll talk to him too, to make sure he's okay…!"

France touched the side of his face. As he was busy thinking, I turned away and left while I had the chance. I took some food and tried to hide myself to eat in peace, which became impossible once Estonia had caught up to me. Surprised however by his swift pace and upset expression, I knew straight away that he would say something serious.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Russia!" he gasped. "He's just threatened Lithuania!"

"Wh-what? How?"

"You have to do something about it-"

"Show me," I interrupted, heart pounding shallow beats as I desperately wanted to disbelieve this news.

No, Russia, don't let that be true...

Estonia wordlessly took me down the hall from which he had come. In one of the rooms, I was shown to Lithuania, although Russia was nowhere in sight. Lithuania was silent and holding his arm while he leaned against the wall, but upon my entrance, he looked up at me. In his eyes was a stern message, that I needed to find Russia and punish him.

I did not want to look weak in those eyes, so I was driven into action. I sped down the hall, peeking into each unlocked room, despite how every bit of me was opposed to confronting Russia. In fact, I didn't want to hear their stories, but his instead. Although Lithuania had looked victimized, I felt that I would believe whatever he said about Russia to be exaggerated.

Russia was found by himself in another room. Upon my swift arrival, he spun around and was ready for me. His eyebrows lowered and he stood tall, unwilling to break against any hostility that I might throw his way.

"So you believe them?" he muttered. "So quickly, and you will forget the time we spent together?"

"I haven't talked with them," I murmured as I closed the door. "I wanted to talk to you first."

Russia's shoulders dropped in our peaceful isolation. However, he watched my movements with wary eyes, and did not speak at first.

"I want to know what you said and why you said it." I encouraged him with my continuously calm voice. "I won't punish you."

Russia stared at me for a few more seconds. Then, he sighed, "I wanted to see what you would do. I was telling Lithuania to leave NATO. We started talking about it and I do not know why... And then I just decided to see what would happen. It is true though, that I do not want him to fight against me… After all, everyone seems to be with you against me."

My attentiveness and tranquil composure had let Russia say everything that he had wanted to. Now, I neared him and murmured, "I'm not angry at you."

He passed me a confused expression.

"I know you don't like that NATO exists, for one. And I know that you don't fully trust me, so you took the opportunity to test me. But look, I'm not just here waiting to snap at you. I don't want to fight you anymore."

More uncomfortable and puzzled he appeared, backing off slightly and blinking.

"I don't understand," Russia inhaled. "Just one day a while ago, you started being friendly with me… I want to have trust for you because I like this so much… but I can't."

"Can't what?" I stepped closer, but he wouldn't let me near him for the time being.

"Why are you so different now?" Russia set his full attention upon me. "What has happened to you?"

"What? You want me to go back to how I was treating you before?"

Russia shook his head.

I said, "Everything just happened so suddenly. I realized the responsibility and power I had, so now… I am here to change things."

Russia broke eye contact and replied quickly, "I thought you would yell at me and things would go back. Now I don't know what to do. I am wondering if you are just very smart, and saw my trick. Maybe you are angry with me right now… You are either acting, or you are my good friend."

"Come on, I'm not acting. You gotta trust me- we're friends."

"Maybe we shouldn't be." Russia turned away a bit. "You might be dangerous to me."

"I haven't done anything to you and I lived with you for two weeks!" I spread out my arms in disbelief. "And neither did you! If something bad was gonna happen, it would have! Why are you afraid?"

I came closer as Russia looked down. He murmured, "I do not like uncertainty, America."

"Come on," I sighed, stepping up to him and opening my arms. Russia's eyes widened for a moment, but then his expression relaxed. His eyes shut and he dove into me, hugging tightly and laying his chin on my shoulder.

Blond hair tickled my eyelashes while I breathed calmly and touched my face into his scarf. But then, a thought must have spooked him, since his grip tightened. It began to hurt, so I carefully moved back from him. Russia unlocked his hold, but grabbed my upper arm before I could part a metre's distance from him.

"Do not trick me," he muttered. "I will find a way to hurt you if you are lying to me."

The dark shift in his tone frightened me. Trying not to show my anxiety, but beginning to sweat under America's coat, I hushed him.

"I'm serious," I whispered. "Relax already. I won't do anything bad to you."

I needed him to relax because he was really starting to hurt me. Believing me to America, he was likely expecting that I was stronger than I really was. Russia probably thought that I could shove him off right now if I wanted to, but I realized then that I couldn't pry off his grip even if I wanted to. Not wishing to show him how weak I was, I patted his back instead.

Coaxed, he let go and dropped his arms. Russia stayed near me though, looking everywhere except for into my eyes. One of his hands crept into his pocket, but it didn't look as though he knew what to say now. I chose to hug him instead, stroking the plane of his back and at last easing his tensed muscles. Then, I heard a quick crinkle as Russia moved away. On the verge of saying something to him, I felt his hand on my cheek before a piece of chocolate was slipped in between my teeth.

Russia walked past me and opened the door. He turned into the hall and disappeared just as I bit into the treat. I chewed hurriedly as I trotted to the doorway, but he had gotten too far for me to call after him. I instead walked toward the busy tables in the hall as he found himself a drink. Before coming close to him however, Lithuania caught up to me.

"Did you finish it?" he whispered.

"Don't worry; it's handled," I replied, before waving him off. I couldn't even come any closer however, before Lithuania was replaced by Germany.

"America." There was no useless discussion. "What is going on today? Are you alright?"

"Of course," I answered. "What wouldn't I be?"

"It's just… You've been quiet and participating a lot today. Your behaviour around Russia is interesting as well… I heard rumours that you stayed at his place for two weeks?"

How on earth do you know about that?

"Well, as you've also probably heard, I don't want to be an asshole any more," I chuckled. "So, that includes Russia yes. Popped over for a visit and he showed me around. Wasn't bad actually. You could try it."

Germany tilted his head forward and to the side. "But you made him sit beside you, did you not? What is that about?"

"Worried that I might be friends with him?"

Taken back, he stammered, "Er, well… It would not make sense considering-"

"I don't care. How about we don't care? Russia's nice as a person, you know. Don't compare him to his government. He can't really control that."

Now Germany was stunned and he hung back as Spain jumped in.

"America!" he called, then quieted down a tad. "What's with you today?"

And I tried to explain it all to him as well, but then France supported the inquiry about Russia. Then another came, and another still. Soon I was surrounded by a crowd and holding my own, but past their bodies, I saw Russia striding back into the meeting room. He looked back at the crowd once, aware of how they swarmed me, and allowed me just one glance of a neutral visage.

When the time to recommence came near, they left me. I hurried to retake my seat beside Russia, and was everyone was back in place, I began writing to him again.

Man, they are so wild about our friendship! They can't believe it!

Russia slipped me back a message. I am happy they know now.

Yet when I looked up at him after reading the note, he gazed back at me with a saddened expression. In fact, he looked weary, bending to the side as though he would collapse into sleep on my shoulder.

I quickly wrote, What's wrong?

Russia replied, I do not want to be alone anymore.

The next note that I wrote was caringly patted into the palm of his hand.

You won't be. I'll be there for you.

But, he had argued. You will go home soon.

It's not forever.

Russia nodded slowly. Since he still looked sad, I decided to write, Can I have a chocolate?

Russia found another one in his pocket and passed it to me. I opened it, kept my eyes on the current speaker of the meeting, then put the exposed chocolate onto his leg.

"Take it," I whispered from the corner of my mouth.

Russia inconspicuously sneaked it past his lips. After, he drank some water from the cup he had taken with him, with his eyes looking brighter than before.

I gave him another note:

Give one to Brit.

Russia wrinkled his eyebrows while reading. He replied, They are for us.

It's good to be nice to the others

Russia complied and passed me a candy. I in turn, slipped it to Britain from behind the backpack's cover. Britain inspected it and quickly noticed the Cyrillic writing on the wrapper. He looked at me instead of Russia, and did not open it at first.

I mouthed the words for him to eat it. Britain exhaled through his nose, then finally opened it. He ate it for my sake, and then did not speak even after swallowing it. He went back to his notes and ignored Russia.

Russia wrote to me, This is why I do not do things for others.

You have to try, I answered. You have to treat them nice and eventually change will happen

I do not believe this.

Please treat them good. You have to stop scaring them like you did today, then they'll all like you.

Russia insisted, I do not care about them.

Why not? I do.

You do? He dipped his head and examined me.

I want to take care of all the nations of the world.

Russia looked up and then down to his lap. He wrote, Latvia said that you were nice to him.

I was nice to him. Could you be too? Don't scare him.

Russia stared back across the table at the Baltics, shook his head, then scratched a note.

They have done nothing for me. But, I will be nice if it will make you happy.

He touched my knee for a moment, spreading his fingers over the bone. Then, his hand went back to his own lap and he pretended to be interested in the meeting. I began to participate again, where Russia took extra time to randomly give me detailed drawings. I made none for him when I became busy, but occasionally I received cute images of characters from what seemed to be a cartoon.

I was given what looked to be a bear cub with abnormally large ears, who was also holding a flower. What came next was a crocodile standing and wearing a coat and hat. I examined Russia as he drew the next picture, and saw that there was a permanent smile on his face. He covered it from my prying eyes, then laughed softly whenever he gave me something new after that.

On the next break, I asked him about his drawings. Russia stood next to me, smiled broadly with a light in his eyes, and purred, "Cheburashka."

"What's that?" I asked.

"We'll watch it sometime, America." He looked at me with utter tranquility in his features, as he hinted at his desire to see me again.

"I don't know the next time I'll be free," I murmured. "To uh, go to your place again. I just took two weeks off."

"Mmm, I understand."

The others were bothering me less now. I could speak with them without Russia being brought up again, right until the meeting proceeded. Our busy day lasted all the way into the late evening without any major issues arising, and with a surprisingly successful end result. Nevertheless, no one new acted friendly to Russia, much to my distaste.

"Will you go to the club tonight, America?" Russia asked quietly in the conclusion, when all were packing their things.

"Why you asking?"

"I do not like going, but I will go if I can go with you."

I knew that America always went to these events. Although I wanted to deny the whole thing, I said, "Of course! Tag along with me, though I'll probably stick around Britain for the most part."

"Yes, yes. I did not mean to make you alone with me. I just do not want to be alone. If there are others, I hope they will be my friends too."

I gave him a thumbs up and a wink. I knew as well that other nations had seen my actions without hearing my words, which was all for the best. We left the room, and Russia went away on his own before Britain found me.

"What were you talking about with him?" he asked.

Keeping in character, I replied with America's voice, "He was wondering about the party thing tonight. He wants to come with us. You're cool with that, right?"

"I suppose there isn't any choice," Britain answered, a tinge of bitterness in his tone. "But I don't know how Russia will be. He hardly ever comes to these events, instead choosing to sneak off goodness knows where."

"You can pick who else will arrive with us. We're all going to the same spot but hey, whatever makes you feel comfortable."

He regarded me apprehensively, but I would not let his judgments bother me. We went back to the hotel room that we had booked together, and did not mention him again. We instead fooled with the Internet on our computers, allowing ourselves some time alone before the excitement that would come later that night.

As a pack, I moved in with Britain, France, and Spain. Britain had chosen France, France asked Spain, then the rest was only a met-you-there arrangement. With at least a secure group structure to always return to, we entered prepared into the colourful scene of music and alcohol. And here, was the very place that America thrived in better than me in front of all these countries.

I was not ignorant about partying, since I myself was North American. Although, normally I would be utterly embarrassed to act unintelligently in front of the others, I could do as I pleased with this American and radiating confidence, I sauntered up to the bar to order a beer. Drinking was a necessity, but I could sip so that it might not be noticed that I was saving on how much I would buy. Perhaps if I danced hard enough, I could even sweat myself into sobriety.

As a backup, Britain had been commanded to escort me out if I became drunk and started blabbering. He promised that he would be extremely careful with his alcohol tonight in order to be able to guard me. Believing him, I acted relaxed- so in other words, boisterous and laughing. I swung the beer to my lips, but moved my throat with the empty swallows as I saw more familiar faces entering the vicinity.

Without hesitation, I yelled at each of them even if it embarrassed them. They greeted me back, mostly energetically, then lined themselves up at the bar one-by-one. Preparing themselves, all began pouring drinks into them to blur away the business of the day. I glimpsed how even serious Germany was deeply gulping beer and beginning to undergo the standard transformation.

I didn't feel drunk, but the music was accelerating my heart. Blood pumping and ears drumming to the beats, I began tapping and bouncing as the lights in the club seemed to grow brighter and brighter. I drank some more, then sprang from the stool. I snatched Britain and tossed him out into the dancing crowd, pushing out France and then Spain, then crying, "Come on already! Get dancing!"

Spain clapped suddenly and whooped, one of the first to begin to give in. Britain looked a little unsure, knowing that there was still a darkness hiding under my act, even if now the fun felt real to me. I turned away and raced down the bar, grabbing and throwing random nations toward the people. Eager for exercise and a reversal from sitting all day, many yipped out in joy and began jumping with fists in the air.

Hips snapped out and rocked, and yet I had to be the wildest of them all. Whooping louder than anyone else had, I leapt into the middle of the dance floor and gathered attention onto myself. The booming music was fast, and with the eyes upon me I needed to move. There was no time to think about technique- I leapt and twirled, punched the air, and made an incredible amount of noise. Cheers and claps arose around me, encouraging, and I spun until the faces and lights became a streaked blur.

I skipped and tapped my feet until the clacking of many other pairs of feet joined me. Then came a moment of clarity, where I whirled around to observe the effect I had caused. In a circle around me were the nations dancing without restraint; there just on my left, was Denmark as an energetic blur, Hungary spinning Austria, Poland jumping with Lithuania, and South Korea latching onto Thailand while screaming for him to dance faster. Some were heading to the bar and others resided there- Latvia chugged from a mug nearly the size of his face, Finland collected empty shots around himself under Sweden's eyes, and Germany was drinking as as though today was his last day.

I flicked sweat off my head and danced back to my seat. The beer was swung to my lips before I slammed it down and whipped out America's phone. I called Russia despite the noise, wanting to shout and be as crazy as America would be while calling someone from a club.

"Hey!" I hollered. "You! Where are you?"

Russia said something, but I couldn't hear him over the music and yelling.

"You gotta scream, man! I can't hear you!"

"I do not want to go anymore."

"What?" I shouted. "Why?"

"I does not feel right."

France was coming back over in my direction. I smiled broadly and cried to Russia, "Get yo ass over here already! We're just getting started!"

"I don't know…"

"Come on! You're gonna have fun! Show me how you dance, you russky cyka!"

Russia stammered, "Ah-ah, okay, America… I will come."

I hung up and threw myself into the crowd, who screamed in pleasure upon my return. Dashing into the middle, I danced fervently and made some more noise which the others echoed. The power was mine- I had become the party itself, and with this realization, I only heated the flames. I could feel the energy spiking, my heart shrieking in excitement as my sweat rained off me.

My beer disappeared and another one arrived, vanishing as well before Russia slipped into the club. I spotted him from afar in casual clothes. Grinning, I skipped to him, knowing that he had come prepared to sweat.

"Russia! Finally! Why'd you change your mind?"

"I was worried," he responded. "I didn't want everyone to reject me."

We headed to the bar, where he ordered some liqour. I talked over him, crying, "Are you crazy? Everyone's getting tanked and going nuts! They're gonna forget to hate you if you just start dancing!"

Russia swallowed the shot quickly.

"You are right, I think," he admitted. "Just stay near me please, even when I am doing dancing."

"Of course, dude! Drink up then show us what you've got!"

Russia drank one more before he stalked out during the beginning of a fast-pace song. No one had expected much from him when he strode normally out into the middle, and in passing by other nations, they hadn't even noticed him. Excited to see what would happen, I trailed him until the center.

Russia did not hesitate there to drop down into a squat and begin whipping out his long legs. Instantly and initially, the attention of normal people was grabbed. Multiple immediately shouts rang out:

"Whoa, look at that guy!"

"Oh damn!"

"Shit, how's he doing that?"

And just like that, a sea of cheers and timed applause complimented his moves. With admirable balance and strength, Russia kicked out and spun in circles, himself clapping and performing tricks with his arms. Those that I knew marched forward now, pushing for a better view where they then stood out, clapping for him. The nations that usually feared or despised him, absolutely relished him now. The buzzed Baltics clapped and hopped, Germany called out to him, and Nordics and Benelux countries stamped and leapt, dancing in pure elation.

Russia sprang to his feet and stuck a pose, allowing himself to be showered with cheer. At that point, Belarus had driven Ukraine into the center beside Russia as he gasped for breath. She wobbled, infected by all the drinks she had, yet was driven by the roars.

She too, dropped down and kicked, balancing perfectly on her toes as she went faster and faster. Russia smiled and clapped with them, until the crowd cried out to him.

"Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!"

They pounded the floor, seeming to shake the very air. Russia fell down and copied her current move, changing when she changed, the two of them smiling and sweating as they concealed their fatigue. Ukraine performed just as well as he did, since this male Cossack dance and its renowned athletic skills was present among both their cultures. And the two truly made a show, for now they could dance back-to-back and in circles, providing the ring with a constant view of the dance.

I must have been the loudest, overwhelmed with rapture and pride. They loved Russia, and no one was even speaking about their rivalry. There, the two siblings had forgotten it all. There were no more governments and military confrontations for here, there was only the pure human delight of culture and fun.

They jumped up together, hands held together and raised into the air. Their frees arms opened up to the crowd, inviting the applause and daring anyone to attempt to beat them. A few drunken teenagers hopped in and tried to copy the feat they had done, falling promptly onto their backs and inciting laughter from the crowd. The mood was so light and free; the laughter soon turned into claps for effort, and eventually some other people moved in to show off their robotic dance moves.

Russia and Ukraine wandered off, controlling their gasps to keep an impressive air. Both wanted water at the bar, but contrarily both wanted alcohol after. I pounced on Russia, grabbing him from his back and shaking him.

"Oh my god, you guys were awesome!"

Russia smiled and gave me a light shove back. I knew that he was completely pleased with his decision to come, and once he finished his drink, he patted Ukraine.

"Let us get Belarus," he proclaimed. "We will drink together!"

He got up from his chair, but before I could wander off anywhere, Russia held me by the back of my shirt's collar.

"You too, America! You will join us!"

Once Belarus had eagerly come over, the game of shots began. I was dragged into it, but Britain had kept track of all of my movements and came over now to watch over me. No one stopped me from this friendly competition, but Britain, while acting as though he was entertained, was really scrutinizing my actions.

"More, more!" Russia insisted, touching Belarus's glass from the bottom and rushing her hand to her face. She swallowed then coughed, cuffing him then hugging him tightly. Belarus regarded me from that position, but something about her was different. Her eyes were soft instead of very sharp, and her face appeared smoother. There was no hostility in how she looked at me, making me realize why she had never asked me about Russia like the others had.

She likes that I'm his friend. She wants me to be his friend and doesn't want to get in the way!

From thin air, Finland appeared at my side and piped up, "Is this a drinking contest?"

"You bet it is!" I laughed. "Wanna join?"

I abandoned my seat and made Finland sit there. He was happy to oblige, and Russia was far more interested in Finland to accuse me of bailing out. Ukraine and Belarus perked up as well, eyeing up the two and excited for the upcoming challenge.

"It will be vodka," Russia chuckled. "You can handle it, yes?"

Sensing the taunt, Finland cried, "Are you kidding me? You will not stand a chance against me!"

And so it began. Groups of nations rushed over and Denmark cut in to cheer on Finland, just as Sweden, Norway, and Iceland looked over and supported him. I backed off now to stand with Britain, who tapped my back in relief that I had gotten myself out of that situation. We hung around until the groups which were divided between Russia and Finland expanded, pushing us further back. The competition was becoming so intense that Belarus and Ukraine gave up on drinking competitively, so consumed they were by what the other two did.

"Destroy him!" Belarus growled in loud encouragement.

The entire bottle of vodka had been given to them to serve themselves. No matter how expensive it was becoming, neither would yield.

"Hey, are you forgetting something?" Spain called to me, approaching with France and waving my forgotten beer in my face. And they did not leave me alone until I had finished it. Britain stumbled back as France laughed and Spain danced around me, both waving for me to come back to the dance floor and enthrall the crowd again.

I moved with limits again, shouting to the ceiling and raising my hands to it. I spun until even more than before, the colours blurred themselves. I swayed more and hopped about, but the whoops that echoed through my ears and in my mind drove me on. France crammed a bottle into my hand and I swung it reflexively down my throat. Hands felt at me, touching the bottle and trying to lower it. A chuckle escaped me, but then the colours formed shapes for a moment so that I could see Britain there.

"Ahaha, what- you want some too?"

He tried to yell as quietly as he could, "You shouldn't have so much-"

I watched the pink lips moving, then pressed the glass to them. Britain spluttered when beer splashed into his mouth, backing off offended and wiping his mouth, then returning to snatch the bottle away from me.

"Honestly!" he exclaimed. "I don't know if you're acting or just really drunk! Enough's enough!"

Britain swished the bottle and frowned at its nearly empty contents. He marched it back to the counter, his gait radiating such sass that I snorted and held my hand to my face. I tittered and stumbled forward after him, but before I could come near his back, someone grabbed my shoulder. In slow motion, my head turned until my eyes could focus in on Poland.

"America, you're going to have to help Russia out!"

Lithuania crashed into Poland. "Help Russia? No, it's Finland you'll have to help!"

They sounded so bubbly. I smiled and tilted, making out pinkness across their cheeks. I pattered after them as they took me to Russia and Finland, forcing me beside Russia where Ukraine had been earlier. I flopped over the table then straightened up as Russia dropped an empty glass beside me.

"We will finish bottle!" Russia cried. "Come America, you will drink!"

I watched water pour out into the glass in front of me. Laughing at the offer, I shot it down my throat only to feel stinging fire.

"Shit, that burns!"

Russia giggled and poured more for the three of us. Glasses blended into each other and I forgot about the motions I was taking, until Britain grabbed my shoulder, finding where I had gone.

"America," he sighed. "It's getting late. Didn't you have an early flight tomorrow?"

"Whuh? Noo, evening. Evening…"

Why were his eyes so wide? I imagined the paper of my flight confirmation and remembered that the time had been something p.m. Britain frowned and insisted, "It's in the morning." He tightened his jaw. "Right, America?"

Russia poured more for me. I argued, "Noo, no, I'm sure that it's the evening!"

Britain looked nervous now, his broad eyebrows rising like holy caterpillars that made me laugh uncontrollably. I fell over the table and chortled until his hand seized me and pulled. I clung with all my might to the table with one arm while reaching desperately for the last shot. The entire group of nations, on both Russia's side and Finland's, burst out laughing. Some, so uproariously, that Britain began to blush.

"Come on already!" He grit his teeth, but the laughter around me infected me too and now I was giggling horribly at him.

Denmark had been bent over the counter, but now he stood up with tears in his eyes. He hollered, "'Ey, America! You better listen to your mother!"

Everyone howled and as I quaked with laughter, I finally lost my grip. Britain yanked me away and I followed, catching a blurred glimpse of his deeply reddened face.

Spain called out from somewhere behind us, "Ameerricaaa, we're you going?"

I stopped but Britain dragged me, snapping, "Don't you even think about it!"

He forced me out the doors and into his car. I dropped down beside him and felt wind all around me, until something struck my head. I lifted myself from the dashboard as car doors slammed around me, then looked blankly at Britain as he sat beside me and started the car.

"Put on your seatbelt," he commanded me.

I pawed for it and dragged it down, missing, missing- then a click of success. For no particular reason, I snickered as we began to pull away.

"Canada, get a hold of yourself already. You're done now."

"Mmmm."

He sighed heavily and took us back to our hotel room. Britain unlocked the door and I stumbled in, but he grabbed me before I could flop my sweaty body onto the bed.

"Give yourself a shower," he advised me. "You reek like the club."

I hazily looked around. "Where… where are my things?"

"I have them. You didn't see me holding your bag?" He lifted it up now into my sight, appearing from nothing and amazing me.

"Whoa man-"

"Enough of that America voice now. You're with me."

Britain found some clothes for me from my suitcase and left them in the bathroom. I was directed into the shower and had the door closed quickly behind me. Soon here, basic knowledge of the shower returned to me, and I managed the soap and shampoo bottle despite dropping them both constantly.

When I came out dressed, Britain told me to take out the contacts I had forgotten that I was still wearing. He watched me as I got rid of them, but before I could go the bed, he led me back to the sink.

"Canada, at least brush your teeth! Bloody hell, you shouldn't have let yourself get so dysfunctional!"

He didn't sound angry, only stern. I chuckled and fumbled for the toothbrush and toothpaste, giggling, "Alright, mom."

"Don't call me that- I'm not your mother!"

I laughed, and now with the froth of the toothpaste swirling in my mouth, I choked. Britain sighed and tapped his arms, but watched me in the mirror until I was clean. Only once I was in bed, did he leave me to take care of his hygiene. Then, he came back as a smear as I was on the verge of falling asleep.

"Canada," he murmured as he fell onto the bed. "I want to be honest with you-"

From America's phone came a loud bling of a text. Britain glanced back in irritation then continued.

"Your acting is spot-on, but-"

Another bling came, followed by another. He shot up and strode to the bag, fishing out the phone and silencing it aggressively.

"Canada, I am disturbed by just how good you were tonight." He sat back down beside me. "You didn't have to be so good, as you already act less like America in other circumstances."

Into the pillow, I mumbled, "Wanted to make friends..."

"They might not remember what you did."

"I think they will…"

Britain looked down. I closed my eyes and clenched against the cold, and immediately Britain straightened the wrinkled blanket and tucked it around me.

Comfy and calm now, I murmured drowsily, "I tried to make them like Russia..."

"I know you did," he whispered, patting my shoulder. "But I don't think what happened tonight will make a difference… Canada."

Upon the repetition of my name, I felt calmer still. In my quiet and gentle voice, I asked him, "Mmm, did it make a difference for you?"

I don't know how long he hesitated because my perception of real time was warped.

"I… don't know," Britain replied softly. "Maybe."

"Russia's… nice…" I breathed.

"Perhaps…"

"Say yes already…"

"I can't. I do not know him well enough."

I grumbled weakly, but he pet me in consideration.

"But," he argued. "You are nice for sharing your kindness with him. You've done a great job."

"Mais il est gentil… mon ami…"

"Yes, as you've said."

"Moy druk," I smiled in the basic Russian that I knew. "Rossiya moy khoroshiy druk."

Ignoring my rambling, Britain exhaled, "It's time to sleep now, Canada."

I turned into the warm hand he had left on my face, growing too tired to hear anymore. He might have said something else, but I only felt the weight on the bed disappear when his hand did. Another human hand that I did not want to be without. I weakly peeked after him, longing for his return, but then my eyes fell shut without my control.

The lights went out and sheets ruffled, then it was quiet. The echoes of the club faded away until all I could think about was Britain far from me in the other bed. But my loneliness could not last, for when all of the music had faded from my mind, and when peace reigned supreme, my day was concluded with sleep.