Updated 1/26/25

The house hadn't been this much of a mess in years. But with Texas's dumbass move, it was like that one time Delaware and Maryland released hundreds of crabs in the house for last year's April Fools. Everyone was running around trying to get things done before getting out of the house and the country world as fast as they could, and Dad slowly began to be crushed under the stress of it all.

That's why North Dakota had to check on Dad. Because North Dakota was afraid of what would happen if no one did. Dad and high amounts of stress were never a good combination.

So, with a small amount of nervousness, North Dakota opened the door to Dad's room and walked in.

"You look like you need ibuprofen," North Dakota said as he walked in. Dad looked exhausted, at least from an emotional standpoint, and was lying on his bed with his cat, Coffee on his face.

"I need my dad to learn to mind his own fucking business," Dad said. North Dakota sighed. Of course, it was Britain. Regardless of whether or not he and Dad were allies or enemies, Britain always had some degree of influence over his moods.

"I can help with that, but he might not survive," North Dakota told him. A new Britain would be better for the mental health of most of the world anyway.

Even though North Dakota knew killing him wouldn't solve many of the issues he created. And he didn't know what killing a replacement would do anyway. Could a soul be reused a third time?

"We can't kill allies, Kota," Dad said, his voice full of resignation, as he had given this lecture many times before. Mainly to Texas, New York, and Massachusetts, although all of them had been given that speech before.

Well, everyone but Hawaiʻi. Dad would probably just help her cover up the murder. But then again, Dad always said she was more deserving of the privilege of murder than the rest of them because they had a history of abusing it.

"But it's Britain!" North Dakota argued simply for the sake of doing so.

"Still can't kill him. I don't feel like going to war on top of all my other bullshit." Dad said, "Besides, if the others find out that they were being stupid about the fact that they were ignorant to the existence of my kids, which is already hurting their pride enough, and then said 'secret' kids murder a powerful country, I will get in a lot of trouble. And even if Unie really doesn't control shit here, it's still not fun having him on your ass."

"Fair enough. I guess our pent-up anger towards other countries isn't going to help you anymore. I heard about what Lou and New England did. Are you okay?" North Dakota asked, knowing that he probably wasn't going to get an honest answer from his dad. Dad snorted.

"Am I ever?" Dad asked in a resigned tone.

"Dad."

"I'm stressed. And frustrated. And...and I really wish I could be human." Dad said, his voice full of longing. It was something that they all wished for. A lot. Humans had it easy. Even if they didn't think they had. Or thought that they had it better. But there was really nothing fun about living forever. All you got was more pain.

"Don't we all? Sorry about causing you any unnecessary stress, though. If I have." North Dakota told Dad. Dad waved his hand dismissively.

"You worry too much, Kota. It's fine. Trust me, I'm used to it."

"Funny. You once said the same thing after being shot." North Dakota said, crossing his arms as Dad scowled in response.

"Oh, come on, you're taking that out of context." Dad protested. North Dakota snorted.

"Sure I am," North Dakota said sarcastically with a roll of his eyes. Dad scoffed but didn't say anything else as he moved to sit up, picking up Coffee off his face.

"Are you sure you don't want any help? Like maybe I can help stop—wait, never mind that they won't listen to me." North Dakota said, realizing that he would be no help in stopping conflicts as his siblings barely listened to their father, let alone each other. It was one of their many charms.

"Kicking people out would probably help decrease fighting between each other but cause a great increase in the amount of dead countries. There's nothing we can do, Kota, aside from ride it out and hope for the best." Dad said. North Dakota crossed his arms.

"I hate that plan. It always makes me feel like something bad is about to happen. Especially with how some countries will be." North Dakota said. Dad waved a hand dismissively.

"I'm sure Rus—"

"You know that's not who I'm talking about." North Dakota said, prompting Dad to look away as his breath hitched, "I'm talking about Britain. He—"

"He won't. He's been getting help," Dad said, in the tone of voice he always used when trying to end a conversation. North Dakota ignored it. Dad needed to hear this, even if he didn't want to.

"That doesn't mean he won't do something stupid," North Dakota said, meeting his father's eyes. Britain still had way too much impact on the emotional states of his former colonies, something that all of them seemed to collectively agree to ignore. It wasn't healthy, and it was biting them in the ass. All of the newer states could agree on that.

But even with their combined efforts, with the help of the states from other countries, nothing seemed to be able to break denial's hold on them.

It was one hell of a fucking drug.

"Yes, I can, Kota," Dad said, standing up and taking a step forward. North Dakota took a step back, wings stretching out, brushing against the sides of Dad's bedroom.

"The fact that you call him father says otherwise," North Dakota pointed out. Dad scowled at that.

"He's my fa—"

"You know that doesn't matter when it comes to us. And that it's better if we don't have family. You disowned him once—"

"And I realized my mista—"

"Was it really a mistake?" North Dakota asked, finally shutting Dad up as he paused. He bit his lip, and North Dakota could practically see the others talking to him. Dad then shook his head and vanished, disappearing into the human world. North Dakota sighed.

So much for that conversation.