Tw: bullying, tics, anxiety, implied death

He should've known something was off by how quiet it was. He wondered briefly why no one else noticed before finally deciding they prefered the quiet... for as long as it lasted. As it turns out, meetings are much more controlled when Florida manages the focus on one topic instead of allowing multiple little arguments among different states.

It isn't going well, Florida's tugging at the hem of his shirt with a blank expression while the others yell around him. California looks close to tears and surprisingly so does New York while Louisiana and DC are struggling to keep Texas from starting a fight.

It isn't until someone mentions getting rid of one of them that Florida seems to come back, letting out a strangled cry as his hands begin to shake.

It's silent for a moment after, the only sound being the small creaks of the chair as Florida shifts uncomfortably, hiding his face in his hands and doubling over.

"What the fuck was that?" He isn't sure who said it and honestly doesn't care, being too focused on watching Florida's reaction to pay any attention.

"'m sorry," he whimpers, "didn't mean to yell like that."

New Jersey swears he can see Florida's hands begin to twitch.

"Are you... crying?" There's a short laugh next to him and his expression darkens as it lowers and joins various other snickers.

"Shut up." He can tell Florida's trying to be threatening but it comes out as more of a pained whine.

"You are!" They don't bother trying to hide it this time, letting out a loud laugh next to him and Florida sniffles, somehow managing to curl up even more as he buries his hands in his hair.

His partners are watching with wide eyes, all frozen in place. There's muffled laughter and small snickers from some of the others while Florida shakes.

"That's embarrasing." It's directed more towards his partners.

It's more obvious now, his head jerking to one side and his hands twitching. This prompts even more of a reaction. Several comments calling him weird or saying he needs to be fixed or something along those lines and he finally snaps, shouting a quick "be quiet!" and letting the meeting room fall into silence once more.

He stands up, ignoring the questioning looks and rude remarks from the others, and goes over to Florida.

He crouches down to Florida's level, "are you alright with touch?" Florida nods, shrugging his shoulders up quickly and leaning towards New Jersey who places a hand on his back, "why don't we go back to your room so you can calm down a bit?" Florida nods but makes no move to stand.

New Jersey shoots one last glare up at the others before standing and gently guiding Florida up with him. He walks as fast as Florida can go, using his free hand to take one of Florida's, trying to reassure him that he is safe and alright as they walk.

Florida freezes when they get to the door, staring at it with a distant look in his eyes. New Jersey pauses, confused, it doesn't look like anything's wrong. The door is open as it always is and there's nothing on the door or in the hall with them, so what's the problem?

"Florida?" He asks gently, giving his hand a gentle squeeze as he does.

"Scared." Florida's voice is hoarse and his hand tightens for a moment before his grip loosens again. "Can we go back?"

New Jersey blinks slowly, "you want to go back?"

Florida nods slightly, watching New Jersey's reaction carefully. "I want to go back."

"Why?" New Jersey isn't sure what he's expecting, he knows when Florida has his heart set on something he won't let go, but somehow he's still surprised at Florida's reply.

"I want to see my partners."

New Jersey's brows draw together and he frowns, "but... you looked anxious?"

Florida nods, giving New Jersey's hand a light squeeze, "I am."

New Jersey opens his mouth to reply but nothing comes out. He turns, staring at the floor like it has the answer he's looking for before looking back up at Florida. He stares for a moment, Florida looks awfully calm for someone that just broke down and cried in front of the entire country, but he isn't and New Jersey knows that. He can see it, how Florida's struggling to keep his expression steady, lips twitching and threatening to frown, eyes scanning New Jersey's face anxiously. It's obvious, he's still shaking and his hand squeezes New Jersey's every once in a while, only for a second, but it's long enough.

So again he asks, "why?" He isn't sure about what and neither is Florida so they stay for a moment, silence falling between them, before Florida finally decides what he's replying to.

"It feels worse."

"What?" New Jersey is struggling now, there's a lump in his throat that seems to get worse the more Florida stays in the hall with him.

"It feels worse, being away from them." Florida swallows thickly, looking down and squeezing New Jersey's hand once more, "it scares me," he pauses, blinking quickly, "I don't have any way to know if they're alright until after the meeting."

New Jersey nods despite the fact that he still doesn't quite understand. He would much rather be alone if he were in Florida's situation and he couldn't see why anyone would choose to go back into the meeting room after those reactions, but accepts, figuring he would at least be there to stop it from getting too out of hand.

Florida can tell he's trying to understand but doesn't comment, allowing the walk back to be silent. He lets go of New Jersey's hand when they get to the door, giving a small smile at New Jersey's look of concern, reassuring him that he'll be alright.

New Jersey is ready to scream when they get in, expecting a reason to, but most states can't even look at them, staring anywhere they can to avoid looking at Florida. DC looks slightly disheveled, as does Texas, while California, Louisiana, and New York all look rather smug. New Jersey shoots a questioning glance to Florida who nods over to DC in return.

New Jersey looks back over, taking in how DC is panting, his face slightly red, and he realizes DC must've gotten angry. It wasn't often they pushed the fed to his limit, there was a silent agreement between all of them to avoid it to the best of their abilities because, quite frankly, he could be terrifying when he was angry. Most threats seemed empty, he never tried to add any real authority to meetings where it wasn't needed, getting the answers he needed without having to threaten or yell at anyone.

New Jersey had never pushed the fed himself, but he knew a few of the others that refused to after seeing it once. He decided through some of their reactions that it wasn't going to be worth it, even if he was curious to see it. By most of their reactions he's glad he missed out on this one.

He watches Florida walk over, pulling his chair with him and promptly sitting down next to DC. He leans over whispering something that makes the fed let out a small chuckle, shaking his head with a fond smile before he leans over and whispers something to Florida who flushes slightly in return.

New Jersey nods to himself at this, satisfied and sure that Florida will be fine.