#aph amerca

Filling requests, tried to keep it all in the same genera. But I did want to include a good mix of characters. (Also to the person who requested 'doin time' by sublime I hope you're alright that I went with Lana's version Canada sang it better, it was a better fit for his voice.)

1p America would be a little confused the first few times but eventually learn to bring out the snacks, blankets and cuddles whenever they’re recharging. He’ll lay with them and ask how he can help them better when something like this happens again, like if there was anything that he could do for them. He has no idea what’s happening unless someone tells him but he’ll try his best to help them however he can because he loves them a lot and wants to make them happy

Comes up with a ridiculous cake every year for his boys’ birthdays...

He likes to challenge himself to make new flavors or combinations of what Al and Matt like. He started this tradition a few years ago when he got really into baking bigger things like tiered cakes. He works really hard to make it fun for them (and he’s always a little too proud when showing it off)...

America is a sick gymnast, he can double flip, he double clicks heels when he is SUPER excited.

He also challenges Russia to a performance competition. America does cheerleading with all the uniform and Russia wears a dancer's belt and tights, when they compete and the other nations judge who's performance is the best.

America:.... no. 

Saint Petersburg, Winter, 1782

The warmth of a blazing fire pushed back against the chilled air of the early Winter St. Petersburg morning. In the cocoon of warmth that was his palace office, Ivan found himself sitting at his desk wrapped deep in his thoughts. The unused quill in his hand brushed back and forth on a stack of papers in front of him as he tilled back slightly in his chair. He should be signing approval forms and responding back to the few of his peers that wrote to him. Yet, he found his mind wandering from his busy work responsibilities. It had been months since Francis had turned up at a ball with America, and since they had started their quiet correspondence. Amelia. The American's human given name echoed in the back of his mind. An uncommon name but pretty he thought. It fit her. Despite being in the privacy of his own office, the thought of even thinking a thought that might be perceived as believing America to be pretty, made his normally pale face flush with embarrassment. Bozhe moy, he thought to himself. The girl was not even yet an independent nation, and they had danced one dance before her men pulled her away in hopes of using her charm to entice the private support of members of court.

Still, her name often flitted in and out of his thoughts since their brief meeting. Human names were so…personal among their kind. They were often only used between family or lovers. Francis had referred to her as Amelia before introducing her to him. Even with America's obvious  annoyance,  they must be close. Where the two just family or.. Ivan shook his head, once again embarrassed with himself for thinking of such things. Nations, all of them, did what they had to do. None of them had room to judge or make assumptions. If his elder sister had been in the office with him and even deduced that he was thinking like this, she would be more than greatly displeased.

He sat in silence. An icy rain began to pelt the glass window lulling Ivan further into a rare relaxed lull.

Bang. Loud footsteps and a voice, an unfortunately very familiar voice, from down the hall took him out of his thoughts. “...Braginsky! Where are you?” The voice of the British Empire rattled the walls like no other. For a man with such a slim, relatively short wispy frame, Arthur's voice could boom as loud as any weapon of war. That mixed with his famous deadly sneer and biting words often made up for anything he might lack in physical authority. Yet, Ivan still did find the other nations bursts of frustration and anger much more humorous than frightening. The lack of fear he felt must be one of the benefits of being, as one the of the Germanic brothers had snapped at him once long ago, ‘the same height and weight as a mountain’.

He stood up reluctantly from his desk, taking his time walking to the nearby door. It was always something. Opening it quicker than was likely necessary, the British nation nearly tumbled into the room. Oh, Ivan thought,  getting his first proper glance at the other man in over six years. He looked more worn out than he normally did. Which was saying something. Arthur's skin was a pasty ill-ish pale color , double dark circles lined his eyes, and it looked as though he had nearly chewed his finger-nails completely off. That must be painful, Ivan thought to himself. There must be some truth to America's statement in her last letter that she and her men had done a good job at running Britain ragged these last few years. Impressive. 

“What do I owe this pleasure?” Ivan quipped playfully as he stepped back towards the desk. He leaned his back against it while crossing his ankles and arms in front of himself. Arthur glared at him, just now gathering his bearings and  straightening himself out to try and match Ivan towering figure. “Why do you think, Braginskey? I have written you at least three letters in the last five year, and not once have you responded?” Arthur let out an almost sarcastic sigh,  “truly unprofessional behavior for a nation of your station…” Ivan smiled, “All this way because I haven't responded to your letter? I didn’t realize you were so fond of me England…” he paused, waiting to strike, “ or does this have anything to do with you losing the battle in the Americas? America seems like such a component girl, I wasn’t sure at first and truthfully hadn’t been following the developments all that closely, but she has nearly convinced me of her ability to win against you!”

Arthur stood there, for a moment nothing but blank shock on his face. Ivan glanced out the office window at the rain. He was not one to gloat, but it did feel good to take the words out of the English nation's mouth for once. Arthur had done a good job at hiding his charge from Europe. Until recently, few in Europe outside Francis and the man's own siblings likely even knew she was a girl, let alone knew how quickly she had grown. Unlike Francis and Spain, Britain rarely spoke of his charge outside of occasional references to how the colonies were thriving. Unfortunately for him,  his closely guided secret was out, and the curiosity of their peers had been peaked.

Seemingly suddenly attempting to regain his voice, Arthur took a step closer, face going from white to red to white again, “How did…she was here? Have you spoken to her”. Ahh, he didn’t know about America's little trip to the mainland. Interesting. He had been sure after all these months Arthur would have received word, or at least the gossip.  Ivan shrugged casually, “Indeed she was, just about hmm…” pulling a paper from the stack on the desk behind him and glancing at it “...a week or so after your second  letter arrived, it appears. What a funny coincidence!" Arthur's eyes fluttered, and his mouth opened and closed a number of times before words actually came out. “That...that is why your queen has denied my king's request for men? Because America, my colony must I remind you, somehow snuck past an entire block aid and I don’t know, convinced you she is anything more than a belligerent child who doesn't think before she acts?”. The other man was now on a tangent and continued, “how could you be so foolish, Russia? I understand Francis has a bone to pick with me, he always does. And the lord himself knows that Prussia and Spain just enjoy inconveniencing me whenever possible. But you, falling for whatever act America has going on?” He took a step back now that it appeared, for a moment, he had got what he needed out of his system.  

The British man began pacing back and forth in the office, “I do not understand, for the life of me, what could possess you to be manipulated so easily” Arthur's voice trailed off, becoming almost silent,”...how any of Europe could be so manipulated” Ivan, glancing away, avoiding the other man's confused pain filled eyes by staring out the widow.. He almost could pity the other man. In early years of his perceived adulthood, he had found it difficult to push away the sister who had tried to protect him from their own kind and humans much longer than was safe for her to do so. It was never easy to see the closest thing they would ever have to a child leave their care. Truthfully, it's why the entire concept was rejected by most. It completed things, love, that is. Familiar, or romantic. It was best to never even entertain the idea. 

Ivan clasped his hands back in front of him, and laid them on his lap. “England, I can empathize with your situation- who among our kind wouldn't respond in the same manner? But even you…It should be of no surprise to you that after a time, one must admit defeat- ” he shrugged casually. “In my time with America” he needed to be careful with his words, no need to escalate Arthur from sad to violent, “..she came off young? yes, but the potential is undeniable who chooses to see it"

Ivan continued, “I was made aware of my queen's decision myself several days after it had been decided, and I must say I am not in disagreement with her. My men have seen enough battle in recent years, we could not justify  sending them to your aid”. I Arthur signed, and rubbed his forehead. A nation's lack of influence over their leader and the decisions that impacted humans and nations alike, that he understood. He turned towards the door, “Thank you Russia, for even the consideration. I am glad that I need not worry about you at least”. Ivan followed him to door and pushed it open, “Of course England, I am not who you should be worried about…” a smile snuck onto his face as he pushed Arthur to other side, “but if it were me, and America was my colony, I would keep an eye on our peers..they do seem quite interested in becoming more personally acquainted with, what the what is she calling herself? The United States of America.”

With that,  the door slammed in the face of the now once again sickly looking and speechless nation. Ivan settled back at his, reaching for his once neglected quill. Pulling from the draw, he pulled a blank paper from the draw and began to write. 

Dearest America, 

I was quite pleased to read in your most recently arrived letter that you have gained ground.

Cw: Pregnancy, fertility, death mentioned, Texas oc