New Life

Holidays

When Prussia woke up, America's bed was empty. He jumped from the chair and raced from the room.

"America?"

He practically ran into Germany in the kitchen. He looked to Germany, panic settling in his chest.

"Where's America?"

"He's fine," Germany reassured him.

"He's not in his bed. How-"

"He got out of bed because he didn't want to wake you."

"But, he can't see. He-"

Germany interrupted him quickly. "Imagine the trouble he had." He smiled at his brother nodding his head behind him. "He's in the living room. I gave him a pair of my glasses until we get him his own."

Prussia nodded, rushing to the living room where America sat on the couch, the television on. Prussia let out a sigh. He kept himself call as he walked over to the couch and sat by America.

America looked up to him and smiled, the glasses slipping down his nose a bit. "Hi," he said cheerfully.

Prussia smiled. "Good morning." He put his hand to his forehead, relieved to find it was no longer hot to touch. "Feeling better?"

America nodded. "Everything still looks blurry, though."

"We'll go and get you some glasses of your own today."

It was around ten when they went out. At the clinician, they were able to see them and give an accurate prescription for America. They got out soon after, walking down the street.

The next few weeks were carefree for the brothers. America was always cheerful throughout the days. The months seemed to fly by and soon enough it was September.

Fall rolled in, the leaves changing colors before snow descended from the sky in the winter months. Then came December and Christmas came quickly.

America seemed more excited to decorate the tree and the house than for Christmas Day. All through the weeks leading up, there were nothing but blessed smiles from everyone, even when Germany came home with bunches of work to do. They always managed to bring some cheer to their little family.

Prussia could hear his name being whispered. As he listened it gradually grew in volume. He fires his eyes open to see blue-red of America's eyes meet his.

"America, something wrong?"

"It's Christmas," he said softly, a wide grin expanding over his face.

Prussia smiled, suddenly remembering as he pulled himself out of bed. America took his hand, pulling him to the living room. "Come on, come on, come on!"

Prussia just smiled to himself. In the living room, Germany was already on the couch, a mug of coffee in his hands. "He wake you up first?"

Germany nodded, taking a long sip from his mug. His eyes were partially closed, and he looked as if he would have fallen asleep if he could.

"Here!" Prussia ran over to both of them, pushing a small wrapped package to both of them.

Prussia sat down on the carpeted floor and carefully pulled apart the wrapping paper, small pieces of tape covering it. Pushing aside the paper, Prussia found a small cardboard box, a picture of a snow globe on it. He opened the box up and pulled out the snow globe, inside, a city view of Berlin. He shook it up to see a sparkly dust descend on the city.

Prussia looked up to see America watching in anticipation. "It's awesome."

He smiled wide before rushing over to Germany. In his hands he held a box with a picture of a city landscape on it.

"It's a model of Berlin," America said. "Do you like it?"

"I love it, America. Would you like to help me put it together?"

"Sure!"

Around noon time a few people came over. Austria and Hungary came and soon after there was another knock at the door. Prussia answered it and let Italy and Japan in. The three of them joined everyone else in the dining room where they were all helping in putting together the city model.

America looked up at the extra footsteps and smiled. He jumped down from his seat and raced towards them. He ran up and hugged Japan suddenly. Japan froze for a moment, surprised by him.

"Merry Christmas, Japan!"

Japan quickly forced himself away from the shock and hugged America. "Merry Christmas, America," he said, a smile creeping over his lips.

On New Year's, the boys went to Austria's for the holiday with Hungary. The five of them played games together. Hungary had some decorations up in Austria's house.

By ten in the evening, America had fallen asleep on the couch. The remainder of their party drank with each other, all sharing smiles and laughter. Prussia couldn't quite completely enjoy it, though.

He looked to America, a blanket tucked around his sleeping figure. His glasses still on his face. Prussia hardly noticed when Austria sat beside him.

"What's wrong?" he asked quietly.

"He always hosted these parties," Prussia said softly, almost as if in a trance. "He always made it a point to bring everyone together for the holidays."

"He always tried to help."

"And I failed him."

"Stop. It wasn't your fault."

He had said it numerous times. Though, no matter how many times Prussia heard it, it never did anything. He was going to protect America. Do whatever it took. But, there was a part of him that wondered of it would he enough. Could he really protect him from everything?

He would. He wouldn't watch America go through anymore pain. He couldn't.