Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

America stared into Russia’s eyes. “Take me,” he repeated. “Confed needs me.”

Russia hesitated, and glanced at his leg. “You can’t even walk, you need to rest,” he said.

Ame hardened his gaze. “I know. You have arms for a reason. And,” he paused. “If you don’t I’ll just go by myself.” He knew that if he did, he’d probably worsen his condition, and he also knew that Russia wouldn’t let that happen.

Just as predicted, Russia shook his head and leant over. “Get into my arms,” he growled.

Ame flashed a smile and awkwardly climbed into his arms, wings slightly crooked. Russia kicked open the door and set off down the corridor. He cradled Ame in his arms as if he was precious glass or something.

Secretly, Russia was the only one other than his family whom Ame allowed to pick him up. But he wouldn’t bring that up. That would only inflate Russia’s head.

Flicking his eyes from side to side, Russia found the door and nudged it open with his foot. Ame twitched his wings excitedly. Confed. His twin was waiting for him.

Russia opened the door somehow and carried him in. The hospital room was darkened and Ame assumed it was night. On one bed there lay Mexico, a white bandage covering the top and side of his head, with Spain fast asleep next to him.

On another lay Japan, looking so peaceful she could have been dead. India lay next to her, tear tracks covering her cheeks, fast asleep as well. North and South were also there, also asleep. South had her head resting on North’s lap, and Ame briefly wondered how he allowed that.

On a third sat Sweden, with Finland on the bed next to her. The two were chatting animatedly about Norway, who seemed to be in intensive care. Both were with bandaged arms.

And then. On the last bed in the room. There sat Third Reich, holding a small child-sized thing, who was sleeping. Third however was awake, and watching TikTok on his new phone.

Ame’s breath caught in his throat. Confederate. Finally.

He looked up as Russia approached, still carrying Ame. “Hi Rusky!!” He noticed Ame. “...Oh god, you’re actually okay...”

Russia sat down on the bed, not letting go of Ame. He nodded then gestured to Confed. “How’s she? Last time I saw her she seemed off.”

Third looked down at Confed. “She’ll be fine.”

Ame stared longingly at Confed. “Wake up!” he said. “Wakey wakey!”

Confed’s eyes fluttered open, and focused on Ame. She gazed at him for a few moments before cracking out, “Union...”

Ame grinned. “Yup. It’s me!” Confed crawled over and gave him a hug.

“You scared me.”

“I’m sorry.”

Russia rested his chin on Ame’s head and began to scroll on his phone. The twins began to talk happily, until Ame suddenly fell asleep, head resting again Russia.

Chapter Text

He was on a dark boat. It rocked under his feet.
The water splashed against the hull.
A chill breeze brushed against his hair.
His wings were spread out behind him.
It was peaceful, but he was not. He could not be.
Was it just a simple argument? Or war? He didn’t know.
He leaned over the edge.
The clouds sailed over the moon.
Suddenly he felt a push behind him.
The water engulfed him whole.
He couldn’t breathe.
He stared up. She floated above him.
“Fall with me,” she mouthed.
She was holding a shiny knife.
She swam towards him.
His heart clenched.
Close his eyes.
There was a struggle.
He opened his eyes again.
The knife. Was stuck in her body.
Blood welled up, merging with the water.
No. No. No. Not her. Anyone but her.
-
Ame’s eyes snapped open. Please. Not that.

He didn’t need to think about that! No! No!

His breath came out jagged. He stared around blindly. Something to hold onto. That was a trick Canada taught him.

Canada... Nada...

He saw the water again. Confed’s corpse, sinking sinking sinking...

Deeper and deeper.

“America...?”

Ame froze up. Who was that? What were they doing?

“D-don’t come near me!” he stuttered, curling up. Safety. That’s what he needed. Safety.

“It’s me. Russia.”

“Stay away!”

No reply. Then he felt someone’s hands on him. He whimpered. The person cradled him. Like he was fragile.

“Name 5 things you can see,” they said. Breaking through his thoughts.

Ame stared around. “T-the floor... the bed... my hands... my sunglasses... and the clock...”

“Good. You’re doing well. Now 4 things you can hear.”

Ame paused. “Ticking... you... snoring... monitors...”

“Now 3 things you can touch.”

“... the bed... my clothes... and you...”

“2 things you can smell.”

“Soup... and perfume.”

“1 thing you can taste.”

“...blood. I think I bit my tongue.”

Ame looked up at who was holding him. It was Russia. Russia smiled faintly and ran his fingers through his hair. “Was it a nightmare?”

Ame nodded, and burrowed into Russia’s chest.

Chapter Text

Mexico stared at the bed at the end of the row. Ame had moved there, opposite Confed, and Russia was keeping a watch over him. So strange. Not to mention Ame was literally sleeping in Russia’s arms.

Spain walked in holding a packet of tacos. “I made sure to get your favourite flavour,” she said proudly, handing them over to him.

Mexico murmured a thank you and began to eat it. As he did so, he accidentally made eye contact with India. Who had been zoned out. He smiled.

She smiled back.

Mexico finished up the tacos and whispered to Spain. “I’m gonna quickly nip to the bathroom, m’kay?”

Spain nodded, and Mexico quickly got up. He walked to the bathroom acting as if there was no rush. But the moment he walked in, he locked the door and knelt in front of the toilet. His head buzzed. Noise. Voices. Pressure.

He wanted it to be empty. He didn’t want to think anymore.

The cold tiles pressed into his knees. He closed his eyes...

A few minutes passed. Maybe less.

When it was over, he wiped the back of his mouth and leant against the wall, dizzy and quiet. The relief was temporary.

The guilt was not.
-
Ame awoke, curled up in Russia’s arms. Russia smiled down at him. “Do you sleep with those sunglasses on?” he asked dryly.

“Haha very funny,” Ame replied sarcastically. He sat up and saw Confed on the other bed. He grinned at her peaceful sleeping, and at Third on the edge of the bed happily watching TikTok again.

“Did you even sleep?” he asked.

Russia nodded. “I’m not a night owl like Ukraine. Of course I slept.”

Ame smiled. His wings twitched excitedly as he thought about the prospect of food. Russia prodded one.

“Why did you not tell me you had them?” he asked, still touching the wing.

Ame shrugged. “After Confed died, I... didn’t really like them anymore... because Confed loved them... also I ridiculously lack the ability to hide them. Which means I got picked on a lot... Yeah.”

Mexico walked back in – Ame hadn’t even noticed he had gone out. He looked slightly off. Russia let out a sigh.

“Are you hungry?” he asked. Ame looked up at him.

“Am I hungry? Am I hungry?! Of course I’m hungry!” he grinned. Russia picked him up and took him to the hospital café.

(To those who have never been to a hospital... you are lucky.
To those who have been to a hospital many times... IM SORRY IDK ANYTHING ABOUT THEM ONLY EVER BEEN ONCE AS A PATIENT!)

Ame stared at the menu. And immediately picked out a burger. With a roll of his eyes, Russia went to get him one. Whilst he was gone, Ame heard an exclamation.

“AMERICAAAA!” a voice practically screamed. Ame turned to see NZ behind him. Next to him stood Aussie.

He laughed. “What are you two doing here?”

Aussie grinned. “We snuck in through the laundry... And OMG you have wings?!”

Ame blinked. “Oh yeah I forgot you were 4 when you last saw them.” Russia walked up with a burger and Coke for Ame, and some water for himself. He set it down and sat down next to Ame.

“Oh its these two,” he muttered, staring down. He handed them some money. “Gimme my usual.”

NZ beamed. “Here’s your Honeycomb Nougat Bar!” He took the money and dropped a bar into Russia’s hand.

Ame’s eyes nearly popped out. “You are a USUAL CUSTOMER?!”

Russia nodded and took a bite of the bar. The twins grinned mischievously.

Chapter Text

Ame hobbled into the school, wings in clear view. The nurses told him that hiding them was an extremely bad idea, because that could backfire on him. India walked out to meet him.

“Hi, Ame!” she smiled. Ame grinned back.

“Hello India! So... what’s up? Wasn’t in yesterday.”

Yesterday school had restarted. And apparently there were a few changes:
1 – it was no longer a day school, students had to board there
2 – humans had started attending.

India smiled nervously. “Well... it hasn’t been too bad I guess. We have boarding houses for each year. Ours is Form 1. The dorms are separated into 4 floors. And we all have roommates. And its trio-ed up as – humans with humans and countries with countries. And Confed has no roommate as we have 31 students now... mhm!”

India grabbed his hand and lead him in through the school. To the building. Ame stared up at it. It was huge! And looked oddly like a hotel.

Russia and Ukraine walked out arguing as usual, when they saw Ame.

“Ame!” Ukraine called. She ran up to him. “How are you??”

“I’m good, Ukie. How about you??”

“I’m good too! Wow! Your wings are so so pretty!”

Russia rolled his eyes at her enthusiasm and strolled up. Before he could say something, a familiar human walked up.

Ame froze. The bully leader smirked. “America is it?” he asked. “Never properly introduced myself have I? The name’s Chase.”

“Chase,” Ame repeated, his voice carefully flat.

Chase took a moment to look him up and down. “An avian. Hm. Interesting.”

“Uh Ame?” India asked nervously. “Can we go? I need to show you around and give you the new map.”

Ame nodded and let him get dragged away. Russia and Ukraine followed. As they entered the building, they saw Japan and Confed watching something on the tv in the common room. The moment Confed saw Ame hobble in, she jumped up in excitement.

“Union!” she called. Japan nodded a hello. Her neko cat ears twitched happily as Confed flung herself at Ame. “You’re finally back!”

Ame grinned. “Yup! Good to be back!” He grinned and sat down on the sofa, his wing wrapped around Confed. On the tv, Demon Slayer was playing. Japan appeared to be enjoying it. That was good.

Suddenly, South Korea jumped in through the open window. “SOMEONE HELP ME I ACCIDENTLY BROKE NORTH’S PHONE!” she screamed, looking panicked.

“North has a phone?” Russia asked curiously.

“How do you break a phone?” India deadpanned.

“Why did you break his phone?” Ukraine giggled.

Ame slumped against the couch. And then North jumped in through the open window as well.

“SOUTH! YOU BROKE MY PHONE!” he screeched, fuming.

“Well, this can’t end in a 4 hour argument in our common room,” Confed muttered, turning the volume of the tv up.

What happened next was a 4 hour argument in their common room. Ame had managed to fall asleep, Russia had plugged in his headphones, and a few female human students were eating pizza on the carpet whilst discussing their crushes.

Chapter Text

Japan watched as Russia poked Ame in the neck. “Wake up idiot. Its dinner time,” he said gruffly, before shaking him. Confed rubbed sleep out of her eyes and glared up at Russia.

Ame also woke up and yawned. Japan giggled at how cute he looked. Like an eagle chick. She briefly wondered what was under his sunglasses before getting pulled up by India.

North and South glared at each other before walking off to the dining room together. Her adopted siblings were honestly ridiculous...

Ukraine tripped over Russia’s feet and landed on one of the female humans. Japan vaguely remembered her name was Pandora. Pretty name for a jerk.

Pandora sat up crossly. “Do you not look where you are going?” she yelled. Ukraine flinched.

“Damn, I’m sorry!” she replied, before getting cut off.

“You CountryHumans think you own this damn school! If only Central High hadn’t been burnt down, then maybe I would be going anywhere but this place with its shitty students who don’t look where they are going!”

Russia glowered at her. “Shut you mouth before I make you,” he threatened.

“Rus, its okay...” Ukraine mumbled. She looked very embarrassed. The humans watched on uncomfortably and the countries sat in shock.

Pandora smirked. “Aw. You need your brother to help you. But aren’t your governments like, having a war?” She giggled. “Not gonna lie, I’m glad I’m not your citizens or something.”

Japan saw Russia’s jaw tighten as Pandora and her group of girls stood up, and swaggered out of the building. He leant over and and help Ukraine up.

Her eyes flicked over to Ame. He was glaring at the door, his hands clenched into fists. Japan and India walked over.

“Ugh. Humans sure know how to treat us like dirt,” Confed growled, glancing at Ukraine, who was obviously fake smiling.

“The thing is... they aren’t even trying that hard...” India added thoughtfully. Japan would have agreed if she could.

But getting hit on the head meant...

Japan gestured to the door. Dinner would be great at the moment.

India hesitated at the door. An unreadable expression flickered in her eyes. Japan frowned slightly.

Something was wrong.
-
The canteen was loud and and rowdy. Ame sat in between Russia and Confed, his wings tucked neatly behind him. He could feel judging looks being thrown at him, but to be honest, he didn’t really care.

He devoured his pizza. It was a Hawaiian one, his favourite flavour, but down the table Italy was glaring at him. He wondered why – Hawaiian pizza was the best!

Confed nudged him. “You’re gonna choke on that,” she muttered.

“I’m not!” Ame assured her. Suddenly a girl stalked up.

“Can you not like, hide those wings like normal CountryHumans?” she asked, looking down at Ame. “It’s kind of distracting.”

Ame stared at her incredulously. “How is it distracting?”

“The fact that they are out,” she replied. Ame realised that this was a Karen out in the wild.

“Can you not butt into my business?” he said. “If I want them out they will be out.”

“It is my business. Its very distracting.” The Karen looked him up and down like he was rotten milk.

“Well, it appears to me that you’re the only one who thinks so, Karen, so can you leave me alone?” The Karen gasped.

“How dare you! My name is Valentina!”

Ame snorted into his juice. “Valentina?! That’s an utterly ridiculous name! What do you parents call you, Valentine’s Gift?”

Valentina went red. The table laughed. “Nice one,” Confed whispered with a smirk.

(If there are mistakes, I apologise I thankfully have never met a Karen before.)

Chapter Text

North mumbled to Estonia, “This is getting boring, can you guys like actually do something but read?” Canada and Estonia ignored him. That was odd. Not normal for them. “Can you hear me?”

“Who are you talking to?” Canada asked, entering the room. North started.

“Wait a... never mind.” The hallucinations had disappeared. Canada looked worriedly at him.

“Are you okay North?” he said, sitting down next to him.

“Yes. I’m fine. Where is Estonia?”

Canada shrugged passively and spawned a Nintendo. North stared. The English family had a weird power or habit or quirk or something, that they could just spawn whatever they liked. They didn’t appear to notice that though.

Strange.

North watched as Canada began to play Minecraft. It was an... interesting game. All Canada was doing was killing animals with his out-of-control wolf in his and Ame’s realm though. Utterly ridiculous.

His hat fell off and North noticed two moose antlers on his head. “Oh. Didn’t notice my hybrid parts were out,” Canada commented, not really bothered.

North smiled secretly. Canada was a pretty chill guy.

But something in his expression changed when he saw Ame’s giant Minecraft castle. Interesting.
-
Ame, meanwhile, was playing Minecraft with Russia in their shared world. They were PVPing and Russia was clearly winning. Just then, Iceland walked in, holding a kitchen knife and a tomato.

He sat on his bed and dropped the knife on the tomato. It exploded in a burst of red. The knife was stained with tomato juice.

Ame’s breath hitched slightly. It looked like when he had...

No. Mustn’t think about it.

“You okay, idiot?” Russia asked mildly, looking up from his game. Ame nodded and looked down at his phone again. Iceland just ate the tomato. Weird child.

Ame suddenly, on a whim, clicked off their world and into his and Canada’s realm.

What he saw made him stop breathing.

His beautiful castle was being burnt down. Lava.... It was everywhere... He had worked ages on that castle!

Russia leaned over and glanced at Ame’s phone. “Oh my God...” he whispered. “Who’s is that?”

“Its mine,” Ame replied. His eyes behind his sunglasses were tearing up slightly. He had built that as a tomb for Confed when she had died.

Who did it?

Iceland leant over. “Damn,” he said. “That’s careless lava placing.”

Ame blinked back the tears. “I know,” he mumbled quietly. “It wasn’t me though.”

He would find out who did it.

Chapter Text

Ame woke up to Iceland apologising to Russia. “I’m really sorry, I was on a sugar rush last night...”

“Yeah yeah its okay, but like how is your war against Netherlands and his electric chicken going?” Russia asked interestedly, looking up from his phone. Ame sat up, having fallen asleep with his sunglasses on, glanced at Russia’s phone. And screamed.

“Why are you FACETIMING your electric chicken!” Ame screeched, pointing at the other’s phone like it was personally offending him. How did the chicken even know how to facetime Russia?

“It gets lonely,” Russia replied. Ame spluttered.

“It zapped me, you can’t convince me that Thunder Nugget gets lonely!” Ame yelled, flinching comedically when the chicken turned to him. It squawked once.

“He says that you deserved it for jumping on him,” Russia smiled, and Ame was flabbergasted.

Just then, someone strolled into the room uninvited. Chase. Ame stared. Not him again. “You countries can’t help but make a loud commotion, can you?” he said, staring down at them. Russia stared back up, then stood up.

“Out,” he said coolly. “Get out.”

Chase snickered. “Wow. Giving me orders, are you?” He leaned against the wall and smirked. Russia stalked up, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, flung him out through the door, and slammed it in his face.

Ame whooped. Iceland grinned lazily. Russia looked as though nothing had happened.

“I’m gonna go have some breakfast now!” Iceland said cheerily, jumping out of the window. Ame rushed to the window and watched wide eyes as Iceland swooped down with his grey falcon wings.

“Hey, America?” Russia asked, sitting down beside Ame. “Can you fly?”

Ame nodded. “I should be able to. Obviously I haven’t flown in 4 years so Ima need some practice.”

“Got it.” Russia leaned against Ame’s red and blue pillows and began to watch his phone.

“Off my bed!” Ame whined. Russia grinned and Ame spent the next five minutes trying to push him off his bed before giving up and instead leaning against the wide open window.

A bee flew in his face and he jumped back. And out of the window.

A wave of terror flooded over him. Think. Think. Think!

He spread open his wings, but then Russia grabbed his ankles. “Before you do something stupid, look where you are, idiot.”

He got pulled up and Russia shut the window. “This is right above you, we aren’t opening this until you relearn how to fly. Imagine if I wasn’t there!”

Ame nodded.
-
Canada sat guiltily in his seat. North, beside him, shifted uncomfortably. “Are you... gonna tell him?” he whispered.

Canada hesitated. “No,” he eventually replied.

“Why’d you do it?”

“You... you wouldn’t understand.”

North stared at him. Canada suddenly wondered why he had an eyepatch. But then North looked up. “I see my sis, I’d better fetch her, save our seats.” Canada watched, bemused, as North jetted off after South.

His thoughts drifted off to what he had done last night. Lava. Ame’s castle. He knew why he had done it. But the reason... he was ashamed of the reason.

North reappeared with South. South grinned as she chirped, “Hii Canada!”

“Hello South,” Canada replied. North sat her down and began to chew on his breakfast. Canada tried to concentrate on his food but all he could imagine was Ame’s face when he saw his castle. Burnt. To the ground.

Ame, Confed and Russia walked in. Ame appeared to be talking animatedly, but Canada knew his brother well. He had seen the castle.

“Where’s Mexico?” Canada asked. North shrugged passively.
-
Russia kept an eye on Ame all breakfast. And he noticed Confed glaring at him the whole time. What was her problem with him? Ame didn’t appear to notice anything and Russia was relieved. Whatever Confed’s problem was with him, it was probably his own fault anyway.

Ame leaned against Russia satisfied and Russia’s face softened slightly. For some reason, he actually liked the idiot. So different from the start of the year.

Japan breezed in and sat next to Confed.

“Talk today?” Confed asked. Japan shook her head. “Okay that’s fine, take your time!”

Russia wondered what was up with Japan. He missed her sarcastic voice. Ame grinned at her. “Don’t worry, the head injury will heal!”

A head injury. From... the attack. The attack he failed to stop. So it was... his fault then. That Japan couldn’t talk. His fault. Of course it was. He could never do right anyway. He can’t even control his government.

Ame got up suddenly. “I just remembered! I left my spare sunglasses upstairs! I’m gonna go get them!”

Russia watched Ame leave.

Chapter Text

Ame ran out of the building and up the stairs. Sunglasses sunglasses. He was ashamed to admit it but after the Dodgeball Incident he liked to have 2 sunglasses about his person.

As he ran up the thick carpeted stairs, he tripped up and fell hard. His sunglasses skittered away. Where were they?!

He sat up. He needed to find them now! He needed them! He couldn’t be seen without them!

“Woah. What happened to your eye!” Ame froze.

No... Not him. Anyone but him. No!

Chase stepped closer and grabbed Ame’s face, tilting it up to inspect it. Ame’s breath caught in his throat. A drop of sweat trickled down his face. He couldn’t move.

“Aww, are you scared?” Chase hissed. He gently caressed Ame’s face, before grabbing his hair, pulling him towards him. “Look at you, you’re all shaking, and I swear, you’re about to cry!”

Ame’s eyes began to water. Chase chuckled. “You’ve kept this secret well. But... I could tell someone...” He smirked.

“No- no- please- no don’t!” Ame choked out.

“You’re so pathetic. Hmm... lets see... I won’t tell anyone if you do what I want you to, will you?”

Ame nodded quickly and Chase released him. “Good, good...”

Chase walked down the stairs and Ame began to look for his sunglasses again.

What had he done...?

As he picked up his sunglasses and put them on, he choked back a sob. Then he trailed to his dorm and collapsed onto his bed in a crying mess.

Why Chase? Why not anyone but Chase? He wrapped his wings around himself.

After about a few minutes, he wiped his face, grabbed an extra pair of sunglasses, and went downstairs.
-
Ame sat idly in EU’s economics class, fiddling with his pencil. Russia who was behind him, was texting someone in secret, Confed was snoozing, Japan was watching anime on her phone, and India was reading some romance book. Ame decided he’d watch some YouTube shorts but as he took his phone out, a paper ball hit his head.

With an annoyed sigh, he picked it up and read it. ‘Take notes for me to copy – Chase.’ Oh. Of course. Ame sighed, picked up his pencil, and began to furiously scribble everything down.

EU wafted up, glanced at Ame’s book, and saw something a bit annoying. A doodle of an eagle. She cleared her throat. “America?”

Ame looked up. “Yeah, Mme EU?”

“These doodles. Get rid of them.” EU’s voice was a bit snappy and Ame proceeded to Tippex it out. But instead of Tippexing it off, he knocked the Tippex onto his book.

“Oops.”

Luckily the Tippex didn’t reach his notes. Thank goodness for that. Ame dabbed at it with a tissue before giving up and turning imploringly to Russia. Russia sighed and got it off.

“Confederate! No sleeping in class,” EU rattled on. Ame felt a pang of sympathy for Confed. That meant detention.

The bell rang and the students began to pack up. Ame was one of the last people to leave, because the others were impatient. As he made off to PE, he was grabbed by Chase.

“You got my notes?” Chase demanded. Ame nodded, and handed his slightly damp exercise book over, before running after Japan.

Japan grinned down at him and gave him a questioning thumbs up. “Yeah I’m fine!” Ame smiled.

Japan patted him on the head before he headed into the boys’ changing rooms. Russia had saved a space for him and he got changed like a flash as usual. Someone had decided to make the rooms bigger thankfully so he didn’t come across Chase.

Good.

Chapter Text

Ame fidgeted in the living room as Russia next to him turned on the tv. The girls of the class were organising the swim team against other schools and the boys were being boring. So Russia and Ame were hanging out.

“What do you wanna watch?” Russia asked, turning to Ame.

“Uh... how about a horror?” Ame suggested. He actually really loved horror.

Russia shrugged and turned one on. Ame spawned some popcorn. “How’d you do that?” Russia asked.

“Do what?” Ame replied, oblivious, as he offered Russia some popcorn.

“You- never mind.” Russia took the popcorn and dimmed the lights. Ame leaned against Russia, curled up cosily, as he ate his popcorn. This was the perfect way to take his mind off things.

Suddenly a girl walked in. Her hair was shiny and black, her skin ivory white and her eyes sparkling. Ame leaned over to Russia. “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” he asked.

Russia turned. “Yup. She’s new. Her name is... Oil... I think. She’s pretty quiet.”

Ame couldn’t stop the blush on his face. Russia noticed it. “Oooh does a certain someone have a crush?” he taunted. Ame hid his face.

Oil turned to them. She waved cheerily.

Ame’s soul left his body. Breathlessly, he waved back. Oil grabbed a manga book and left the room. Every movement was poised... graceful...

“She didn’t even say anything...” Russia muttered.

“I love her,” Ame breathed back.

“She doesn’t even know your name.”

“I’d carve hers into the moon.”

“You barely know her.”

“I love her.”

Russia threw some popcorn at Ame’s head.

Chapter Text

Ame couldn’t sleep. Whenever he shut his eyes, all he could see was his castle burning, Confed dying, or Chase. He wrapped his wings around himself and tried to sleep.

Useless. It was useless.

Russia stood over his bed. “You can’t sleep,” he said. Ame immediately pretended that he was asleep.

Of course, Russia then proceeded to ignore him and Ame sat up. “Fine! I can’t sleep.”

“Knew it,” Russia sighed. He set a jar of lavender on Ame’s bedside table. “You can use this... or I can chloroform you I guess.”

“No I’ll take the lavender,” Ame said quickly picking it up. Russia smiled at him.

“You want me to stay?”

Ame paused, thinking. He picked up the lavender and sniffed. It was calming... but...

“Yeah,” Ame replied. Russia sat down next to Ame.

It was peaceful. Just the two of them.
-
With a loud crash, North tripped up. “Ow,” he muttered, getting up. He grabbed his books. And that’s when he saw.

The newest one. South. But not really South. She looked mad. Not like South at all. But then again, South was pretty unpredictable. So. Could be South.

South smiled creepily. Her eyes bore into him. He blinked. And she was gone.

North backed away.
-
Canada leaned on Mexico. “Where were you yesterday?” he asked.

“Uh you know. Spanish Empire turned up and demanded to see us. So. Yeah.”

Canada knew their relationship was rocky. It had been anyway. He didn’t press further.

“Wait. You’re telling me that America has a brother?!”

The exclamation came from the living room. Canada froze up.

He existed. He was in their form. How come they knew Ame and not him?!

Deep down he knew why. But still... it hurt.

He existed.

Ame was the popular one. Everyone knew him. NZ was known for his love of candy – he was the one who started advertisements for his and Aussie’s business. Aussie was known for her multiple business schemes – petting zoos, candy emporiums, trading card hubs, so on.

Canada? He was just Ame’s brother. He was the forgotten one. It wasn’t fair. He existed!

Why couldn’t the world accept that?

Chapter Text

Ame sat slumped on the sofa alone. The rest of the gang were busy and he was bored. Reaaally bored.

Suddenly, Spain walked in, swinging around a rifle. Ame glanced at her. “Ooo is that new?” he asked.

“Yup!” Spain grinned. “I was looking for you! I promised to teach a boy in my class how to shoot, and you need to help, because he is stupid like you.”

“I’M NOT STUPID!” Ame screamed, throwing a pillow at her. Spain picked him up by his shirt and took him outside.

He found himself staring at a tall boy who looked a lot like Chase... As if he was Chase’s brother...

“Hello! I’m-”

“He’s Notebook!” Spain said cheerily.

“No I’m not, stop calling me that,” Notebook replied. “I’m Jay, my brother is in your class right? Chase?”

Ame gulped and nodded.

“I hope he steps on Lego,” Notebook began. “I hope both sides of his pillow are hot. I hope the seams of his socks are uncomfortable.”

Ame stared confusedly at him. He wasn’t another Chase. That was good. But... why was he threatening his brother like that?

Just then, Kingdom of France sparkled onto the scene, chucking glitter everywhere. Ame paused.

“KOF! Stop! You’re littering!” he yelled.

“Hello to you too Ame! Been a while hasn’t it?” KOF grinned, showering glitter on Ame’s head too. “Omg shooting?! I used to love that!”

Spain grumbled, “We were only meant to teach Notebook...”

KOF grabbed a gun, aimed, and shot down a duck. Ame stared. Spain gasped. Third, Confed and Soviet, who were hanging out with KOF, ran up. Notebook grinned.

Confed saw the duck. “Oh. False alarm. Thought KOF shot someone.”

“He’s high on sugar,” Soviet explained apologetically, picking KOF up and walking away. “Too much of Aussie and NZ’s candy.”

“Oh btw tell them it delicious!” Third yelled. He and Confed then followed Soviet away.

Notebook watched them walk away. “Aren’t they like the main four former ghosts in the rumours?”

Ame nodded. “Unfortunately, I’m in one way or the other, related to exactly three fourth of them.”

“What?!” Spain asked. “How?!”

Ame shrugged, spawning a gun. “Well, Confed is my sis, KOF is my uncle and Soviet... well its very complicated but one of my kids, Alaska, is his sibling. I adopted her.”

“You have kids?!” Notebook gasped. “But your... your... 13!”

“Eh. My states. Its weird Country logic okay? Do NOT ask. I don’t even know myself.”

“We are not turning this into a ghost family reunion-slash-duck massacre,” Spain snapped, yanking Ame’s gun away. “Now. Notebook. Let’s see if you even know how to hold this thing.”

And then. To worsen the situation. Chase appeared. Right behind Ame.

“Boo!” he cackled. Ame screamed and dove to the ground before looking up and realising it was just Chase. “Hah! Got you there.”

“Leave us alone!” Notebook sighed, pointing the gun at his eye.

But too late. “Come!” Chase grinned, grabbing Ame’s wrist and dragging him away.

Ame didn’t resist. This was better than having himself exposed.

Chapter Text

Ame sat down gingerly on Chase’s bed. Chase himself was rummaging through his bag, and another boy lounged lazily on the floor next to him.

Chase looked up, clutching something triumphantly. “Aha! Found it.” He turned to Ame.

In his hand was a bottle of swirling green liquid which looked like it was from the black market. The boy next to him perked up.

“Heyyy, that’s not... Where’d you get it?”

Chase smirked. “The Ottoman Empire. And Logan, where’s Jasper? He was meant to get that spellbook.”

Logan shrugged, and side-eyed Ame. “You sure he’s up for it?”

Ame’s stomach twisted. This was a bad idea. A really bad idea. He should make up an excuse. Maybe he could say California burst into flames?

Suddenly Chase sat down next to him. A little too close. “Are you having second thoughts, sunshine?” he asked. “Remember our deal. If you don’t do this... you know what I’m going to do.”

Ame shivered, his wings twitching. He nodded quickly. “I- I’m in.”

“Good.” Chase smirked and patted Ame’s head before turning to Logan. “Did you get the chalk? The glow in the dark one from Pandora?”

Logan nodded. “Yup! Bae didn’t even ask why.”

“Sometimes I forget you two are dating,” Chase sighed. “Keep forgetting Sky’s now your ex. And she’s such a sweet girl as well. May ask her out soon!”

The door opened, and a boy with freckles and short blond hair strolled in. His inky fingers gripped an old dusty book. Probably Jasper. “Sorry!” he gasped. “Book tried to eat me.”

As he said that, the book leapt out of his hands, making for Ame’s face. Chase deftly reached out and caught it. “Wouldn’t want you getting hurt, sunshine!” he beamed, before turning to Jasper. “Thanks, man. Are you hurt?”

“Nah,” Jasper replied, sitting down next to Logan. Chase opened the book to a page and then began giving out orders in quick German. It was too quick for Ame to understand.

The furniture was pushed to one side and they drew a chalk circle in the middle of the room, lighting candles around it and closing the curtains. Chase grabbed Ame and lead him to one side of the circle.

“Okey, sunshine! You stand there and hold his candle!” he said. “You can chant this when we give the signal. ‘das Portal zur menschlichen Welt muss sich öffen! Schwöre auf den Schatten!’ Got that, sunshine?”

Ame nodded, his head reeling slightly.

The hell...

(I’m sorry all German speakers, couldn’t think of anything better lol)
-
Canada glanced at North. He didn’t seem himself, and Canada was beginning to feel a bit worried.

“North?” he asked. “Are you ok?”

“What if,” North answered blankly, “you saw things that weren’t there?”

“What do you mean?” Canada said nervously. This wasn’t right... North... he wasn’t ok.

“What if you saw things that didn’t exist. What if you didn’t know what’s real and what’s not? What if everything you though was real was a lie?”

Canada thought for a second. “Did something happen?”

“South told me that I don’t deserve to be alive, that I was a mistake. But I don’t know whether it was South. It could’ve been an...”

Something clicked in Canada’s mind. “Hallucinations...?”

“Hallucinations,” North confirmed. He suddenly turned to Canada, and he saw that his eye was watering. “Do you- Do you think South-”

“No,” Canada replied gently. “South would never say anything like that.”

North smiled and wiped away some tears.

And then

there was a shockwave.

A ripple through the air.

A disturbance.