The American Depression (Hetalia)

Building Tensions

It was all talk and no action with these types of problems. They scream and shout about lowering taxes and increasing trade. Arguments rang through the air, filling any silence that may have existed, defeating the purpose of civilized debate and all traces of organization and cooperation that we may have had as a union.

The only quiet ones were Prussia and Canada, sitting in a quiet corner. America wasn't quite sure what they were doing, but they seemed to occupy themselves.

Usually in this situation, Germany would rise and start shouting at people, and they'd listen. That, however, was before the war. Now he still argues for his way, but in a reserved manner. America, a man of few but useful talents, could see through his facade. There was a subtle sullen feeling lurking just beneath today's shallow appearance. He was planning something.

The commotion continued on and on until finally Germany chimed in with something unprecedented and entirely uncalled for.

"America," he said. "It's all America's fault, isn't it? He should be begging at our feet for forgiveness of such economic ignorance."

It was enough to silence the entire room of chattering countries.

America stood abruptly.

"You wanna say that again, punk?"

Saying this, America felt distant from from himself. It wasn't like him to do so,thing like this. Why would he say that? What the hell made him think he could say that, and to Germany of all people?

America knew very well why. It was because he always seems to find a way to screw up, particularly in front of England, of course.

Germany stood abruptly as well, returning the challenge.

His voice turned into a low growl while he repeated himself. "I said, it's all your fault. You should be down on your knees like the dog you are, begging for our forgiveness...."

He paused a moment.

America couldn't quite catch his breath. His heart pounded in his ears, echoing throughout his mind in a cacophony of fear that he couldn't quite shake off.

Germany pushed his chair back in one swift movement, creating a loud screech that sent shivers down America's spine. The face he made quite obviously showed Germany this sound disturbed him. Germany pushed the chair back just a pinch more, creating a sound even louder than the last.

Germany and all of his muscular form did a brisk walk over to America's seat.

He raised his arm, veins bulging at every angle. A clenched fist loomed inches from America's face.

"G-Germany....."

His fist came down, brisk and unforgiving, only to stop just before impact.

I opened my eyes to see England standing just behind Germany, holding his arm back.

"Germany," he said, "seems you haven't learned your lesson. We don't want another war on our hands, do we?"

Germany sat back down, slumped over in his chair, for the remainder of the meeting.

A long silence followed the incident, until someone finally spoke up.

"He had a point."

Each head turned to face Prussia, sitting in his previously-quiet corner of the table.

Murmurs of agreement rang out through the room, agreeing that although the war made a big impact, America's industrialization phase had almost as big an impact.

They stated that America was the secondary cause for this catastrophe. They complained about his poor economic analyzation skills.

It's America's fault, plain as day. America should have been more responsible. America doesn't know how his actions affect the rest of the entire world. America still isn't ready to cooperate with the older nations.

153 years—that's how long America has been independent for. He tried desperately to make up for nearly 500 years of culture and experience that other countries had, and he thought he'd done it all in 1812.

Perhaps not.

Perhaps he'll always be fighting to be seen on the same level as England and France, and Japan and China.

Either way, the meeting was over. They were able to return to their homes.

America had decided. He would work as hard as possible to bring himself out of the depression, and maybe—just maybe—he and England could be equals.