Updated 12/11/24

"FUCK YOU!"

America sighed as he heard someone's shout echo throughout the house.

"Who is it this time?" James asked, an amused tone to his voice. America sighed.

"Hopefully, I'm not about to find out," he said as someone burst into his room.

"Dad!" Minnesota said. America groaned.

"What's up?" America asked, hoping it wasn't a fight revolving around the state's borders. Those were typically the ones that he was asked to deal with since he was "unbiased."

"I think they're just doing it to annoy you at this point," Caleb joked, and America could practically hear the grin on his face.

"York and NJ are—" Minnesota began before America cut her off with a groan. He loved the triplets with his entire being, but damn, no one could fight like they could.

"Let me guess. Their border." America said. Minnesota nodded, causing America to sigh, "Those two have been arguing over their border for years. Every single time I think we fix the issue, they find something new to argue about."

"So they act just like Congress then," Minnesota joked. America snorted.

"There's a reason Congress acts the way it does, and that's because of you guys," America said. Minnesota crossed her arms.

"Hey, they have the excuse of being siblings. Congress doesn't have that," James said, causing Caleb to begin laughing.

"It's not our fault if our people are stubborn," Minnesota argued. America laughed a little at that, knowing there was some truth to her words.

"We're Americans. Did you expect us to be cooperative?" Wisconsin called from the hallway, the open door allowing anyone to hear their conversation.

"Fuck off, Connie!" Minnesota yelled back in reply. America held back a laugh, smiling at his daughters. He didn't think Minnesota meant to prove Wisconsin's point, but she had regardless.

"She's got a point," America said. Minnesota scowled.

"Yeah, but she's Wisconsin," Minnesota said. America sighed. He hated the state rivalries. Aside from the more obvious one, there were too many to keep track of, and they just made everything more complicated.

"It doesn't help that you don't have a state to be loyal to. Really on the outside looking in," Caleb muttered as if he wasn't in the same boat as America.

"Can you try and get along?" America asked, knowing it was a futile effort, but would perhaps convey how tired he had been recently with his insomnia worsening. Minnesota gave him a blank stare.

"No," she said, smiling softly before walking out of America's room. America sighed, petting his cat a few times before stretching his arms and preparing to leave his room.

"Gude Mariye Daed," Pennsylvania said as she saw America leave his room. She stood behind Ohio, holding him back, while Delaware similarly restrained Michigan.

"Again? Gosh, everyone woke up and chose violence today, didn't they?" Conch Republic asked, sounding highly amused.

"Hello, Penny, Del. Ohio, can you and Michigan relax, please?" America asked. Ohio scowled, and if his arms were free, America had no doubt he would have crossed them.

"I'll relax when you tell Michigan th—" Ohio began before America cut him off.

"I'm not getting involved. You know how it is. Just...please be quieter when you fight in the morning. I struggle with sleep enough as it is," America said.

"You've gotten better recently," James pointed out.

"We know, Dad," Ohio said, "Sorry. We'll take it to the church next time."

"And incur Papa's wrath?" Delaware asked, smiling as he released Michigan. Ohio rolled his eyes.

"He won't get that mad," the Buckeye state said before turning to Michigan. "Are we done now, or do you want to continue?"

"I can't believe you're acting like these fights are a job you two have," Pennsylvania said before deciding that she was going to end any opportunity of a fight herself, throwing Ohio over her shoulder and walking away as the younger state complained.

"Gotta love PA," Caleb said, his tone light.

America sighed and continued heading to the kitchen, hoping that he wouldn't have to deal with any other nonsense. He was too tired for that.

"Hey, Dee," America said as he walked past the district, who looked like she was about to commit a murder.

"Good morning, Father. Someone let Alabama's bastard son into the house," she spat, hatred in her voice. America felt himself begin to scowl as well. He had decided to let the man live—

"A terrible choice, I think," James added.

America had decided to let him live since he saved America's life during the Second World War, but that didn't mean America was willing to place nice, as he had banned the man from entering his home without his permission.

"Where?" America asked, hoping to give the man a piece of his mind.

District of Columbia nodded her head in the direction of the kitchen. America's hands closed into fists, and he marched into the kitchen, hoping to drive the man off before picking up his coffee for the day's UN meeting.

When America walked in, he saw Florida and Louisiana sitting there alongside the Confederacy, whose eyes narrowed upon seeing America.

"Fucker," America heard Charlie spit out, and he knew that the man was near the front because of the Confederacy.

"Hola, America," Florida said, looking away and refusing to meet America's eyes as if he knew he was about to be scolded. America let some of his anger fade away. He was mad at the Confederacy, not Florida.

"Buenos dias, Florida," America began, "Yo no estoy enojado con tú."

Florida brightened some at that, and Louisiana seemed to be put at ease, although the Confederacy still looked confused. America didn't care. It served the bastard right for never learning Spanish.

"Confederacy," America then said, his voice cold as he addressed the intruder. Florida then began to slip out of the room, seemingly not wanting to deal with the fallout of whatever happened here.

"Hello Union. How'd you sleep?" Confederacy asked as if he were a guest, welcome in my home.

"I thought I told you that you were only allowed to enter my home with permission," America said, ignoring his attempts at pleasantries.

"I had permission from my Father," Confederacy said.

"Don't get too mad at Bama about it," Caleb said. Charlie scoffed.

"He should. The traitor shouldn't be inviting more into our home," The man said, his voice angry.

"You need permission from me. That was the deal we made," America said, wishing he had a weapon to make his point clearer. "If you want to go back on it, we can, but I hope you understand what that means for you."

"Father—" Louisiana began before cutting himself off. America turned to his son, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, Lou?" he asked.

"If we ensure he's gone by the time you return from your meeting, can he stay?" Louisiana suggested.

"Then we don't have to put up with him," James said.

"I don't like it. He can still mess with our stuff, or take something, or...or whatever. I don't like not being here to keep an eye on him," Charlie added.

"So long as someone keeps an eye on him and keeps him from my room, fine. But ask me next time," America sighed.

"I would have if I knew he was coming," Louisiana said something off in his tone. But America nodded and backed off, grabbing coffee from the machine.

"Have a great day, Louisana," America said before checking his watch and realizing he might be late for the meeting, leaving and bringing himself to New York City.

Hopefully, the rest of the day went better than this.