Updated 1/20/25

"Why would they decide that that was a good idea?" America asked, backing in the front as he paced back and forth, trying to calm his frayed nerves now that he was in a safe place.

"Dad, please try to calm down," Unorganized Territory asked.

"What do you think I'm doing, Nize?" America snapped before sighing, "Sorry. I'm just very stressed right now, and the headache isn't helping."

"It's probably from all the switching happening earlier. Let's lay down and take a break," Easport said. America shook his head.

"In a minute. I have to talk to them about what they did, and then talk to Michi and Wai and everyone else that had trauma-related personal reasons to make sure they know what happened—"

"But laying down won't hurt. Your states will understand. They know we need breaks sometimes, and the world isn't on your shoulders. They're mostly mature adults who can handle themselves," Lydia said, her voice soothing America.

"And use your support system. Ireland already offered to help if you needed it, and plenty of people you know have always known about the states and would be willing to keep Canada and Britain away," James added.

"I don't want to bother anyone. It's my business." America said.

"It's our business," Unorganized Territory said. After a brief moment, she began talking again, "You should talk to Morocco. It might help take your mind off the worst-case scenarios you keep thinking of."

"I'm not thinking of worst-case scenarios!" America protested.

"Yes, you are. I can hear them." Unorganized Territory said. America groaned, not liking the reminder.

"I'm not going to bother Morocco," America said. Morocco was a good friend, and he didn't deserve to have to deal with America being unable to handle simple issues like his father and brother being mad at him on his own.

"Your father abused you," James said.

"That was years ago. I've been independent for over two hundred years. It shouldn't be affecting me like I'm just a colony," America said, sitting down as he buried his face in his hands.

"It's your body's natural response to Britain being upset. You're not being unreasonable for fleeing a fear he instilled in you. You never got the chance to heal because you've always had to interact with him. And it's going to suck, but blaming yourself for being a hurt child and having trauma from that is stupid," Rebecca said, voice impassioned. America sighed, knowing that she was right.

Even though he didn't want to admit it. It was easier to blame it all on himself. Better than the alternatives.

"You wouldn't bother him! Probably. I just...Dad, you can't ignore things you don't want to deal with. Talk to him...or you could talk to Britain and Canada and clear things up that way," Unorganized Territory said with a tone of voice that promised if he didn't do it, she was going to.

"Nope! Talking to Morocco seems like an excellent idea!" America agreed quickly.

Morocco wouldn't mind. It would hardly be the first time he had given America advice on his relationship with his dad.

America could do this.

"Of course you can. Morocco won't judge you for this," Lydia said.

"Morocco is safe and trustworthy. He'll help," James said, high praise coming from him. America opened his mouth to say something else when he saw movement in the corner of his eye.

"LIBERIA! You leave this house, and you are in even more trouble!" America called over to his son, who was trying to sneak out the window with the help of Illinois.

Liberia had shown up at his house about fifteen minutes after America had returned home. America guessed he would rather have confronted the anger head-on.

Until he decided to do this.

"He is a country now. He can do what he wants," James said.

"Weren't you the one that grounded him?" Eastport asked.

"He came to apologize, so he can stay to do that," America said as Liberia swore and Illinois began laughing.

"Sorry, little bro. Guess you aren't escaping Dee and Dad's wrath today." Illinois said. Liberia flipped him off.

"I was going to visit Morocco, but I think I need to assign you and Texas your punishments for causing this shitshow first. Better me than some of the states that will want your hide for this. Noi, can you find Tex?" America asked his other son, who nodded and gave a small salute.

"On it," Illinois said before pulling out his phone and calling someone, probably Nevada. If Illinois were trying to sneak Liberia out of the house, then Nevada would probably be doing the same with Texas.

"Hey Vady. Change of plans." Illinois said as he walked off. America then turned to Liberia.

"Why was today's shitshow necessary, Lib?" America asked. Liberia shrugged.

"It was," Liberia said. America's eyes narrowed.

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"The sooner they know, the less the reaction will be. It's better to do it in a more controlled environment and not wait until a time of war or something like that. Plus, you and your kids are almost dangerously isolated from others of our kind. I know you have your reasons, but it's...harmful in the long run," Liberia explained.

"'He has a point, Dad." Unorganized Territory pointed out. America sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I noticed Nize."

"I agree. While I think certain states should have been warned...better when it's a time of peace rather than war. After all, we were grateful the USSR knew before the Cold War began, weren't we?" James added.

"Noticed what? That I have a point? That I'm right?" Liberia pressed. America lowered his hand.

"You do have a point. But you could have told me that point to make sure everyone was on board. A lot of states preferred being secret so they didn't have to interact with certain countries. You could have told us your concerns. We could have decided on it!" America countered.

"Well, if there's one thing I know, it's that what's done is done. We can't undo what the dumbasses did, but we can figure out how to adapt to this," Nevada said as he walked into the room, followed by Texas.

And Illinois, who was filming Texas on his phone.

"Will you stop that?" Texas snapped. Illinois shook his head.

"Not a chance, little bro. I'm not missing this blackmail opportunity." Illinois said. Texas and Liberia both groaned.

"Pa, make him stop this," Texas asked.

"Please don't. It's funny and can be part of their punishment," Rebecca chimed in, amusement in her voice.

"Becca, I like the way you think," America said. Texas groaned, and America smiled, enjoying the normality of the moment.

It was always nice to have a moment of peace before everything changed.