Playing the Fool

Chapter 29

Something felt off when Minnesota greeted them at the door, British accent aside it felt like she was almost... too bubbly? If that was even possible for the girl, maybe just a different cheerful then  normal? America couldn't quite place his finger on it, but the fact the house seemed to be filled with cupcakes wasn't helping. Though D.C. didn't seem to notice anything was off, this was proven by the fact he rushed right over the second the door had been opened. Scooping the slightly shorter girl up into his arms he spun her around in a tight hug.

"SARAH! It's been too long! How have you been? Indianan hasn't been picking on you again right? How's George doing? Have you and Wes been fighting? Did you get the letters I've been send-"

Covering the excited teens mouth with on hand, Sarah said in a slightly overwhelmed voice.

"One question at a time, poppet. I can hardly think straight to give you a proper answer if you don't give me a moment to breath."

Sam's face flushed dark red, rubbing the back of his neck after setting her down again the teen mumbled.

"Sorry... I've just really kinda missed you...."

America noticed the torn expression that flittered across Minnesota's face, before she simple smiled again.

"I've missed you too love, how's about you coming in out of the rain so we can catch up? I'll make us a spot of tea and we can get started on these cupcakes?"

Glancing over at the country Sarah gave another off smile, her normally dark eyes looked almost light blue.

"Would you care to join us America? Or are you too busy saving the world?"

Normally when Minnesota teased him about this before it didn't hurt to hear, but something was just wrong with the way she had said it. Her voice seemed to get darker, more like she was mocking then joking. Once again D.C. didn't seem to notice, not that this surprised America. The capital had always had an enormous soft spot for the cheerful state, it always took him awhile to notice if something was wrong...

"I'm never to busy to enjoy your cooking Minnie, besides you haven't made sweets in such a long time. We had a running bet that you'd make your toffee first, so that means Wes and Danny owe me and Kentucky-"

America was cut off by a dark look from D.C., realizing his mistake after thinking back to what he'd said. Crap...

"NO! This wasn't like last time, we just ah... sorry."

While Sam looked positively livid, Sarah only looked mildly confused. Shrugging she lead them to the living room.

"I'll go and make the tea then, be back in a flash."

She said happily before practically skipping out of the room, once she was gone D.C. glared pointedly at America. The teens voice was low laced with anger and disbelief.

"Al, how could you say that after... don't you remember last time? I don't want to go through that again, I don't want to lose her again. Please be more careful."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorta running on fumes right now. You know how I get, that I just blurt out the first thing that's on my mind."

America said sheepishly, D.C. only sighed then offered his country a weak smile.

"Yea I do, it's fine as long as she's okay with it."

Popping back into the room as cheerfully as she'd left it, Sarah set the tray down on the coffee table. Pouring three rather large cups of tea she passed the American flag one to Alfred and the dark blue with white seahorses to Sam. Who looks really surprised at this, staring at the now confused girl with a shocked expression.

"Your lucky cup? Your letting me use your lucky cup?"

Taking the pale pink one herself, Sarah raised an eyebrow at him.

"Why wouldn't I let you use it poppet?"

Sam stared at it in disbelief, then back up at Minnesota who was giving him a weird look, while drinking out of the cup she'd dubbed only for annoying guests. He could hardly believe it she never let him even touch the thing before, now he was given the honor of drinking out of it?! Maybe he was over thinking this... Slowly taking a healthy swallow of the warm tea, D.C. didn't notice the victorious glint in Sarah's too light eyes. But America did, he also noticed the smirk half hidden behind her raised cup as well. 

(To be continued...)