America the Mysterious (United States of America #1.5)

Children of the Land

Scotland didn't know what he was thinking when he decided to visit the lands of England's charge, but it was too late to turn back now. He was here, wandering these unfamiliar lands and watching as his foolish brother's fleet took whatever resources they could from this country.

He almost pitied the country England took in.

"Who are you?" a male voice asked, and Scotland jumped in surprise before turning around to face a young boy, and he was then stunned by his appearance.

The boy almost looked exactly like England, except his hair was amber blonde and his eyes were a sky blue. He was also looking upon the older nation with curiosity, which reminded said man of when England was still a child.

"Who are ye lad?" he asked. "Where's yer mother?"

"Down there." The boy pointed to the ship docks, and Scotland spotted a very tall man with the same amber hair as the boy. He was watching the ships leave with a sort of distaste that Scotland recognized even from where he stood. It seems that he too had a dislike for the British Empire.

But he saw no sign of the boy's mother.

"Who are ye lad?" Scotland asked once more.

"Felix," the boy answered. "My name is Felix Jones."

Scotland nodded. "And where exactly is yer mother? I do nae see her anywhere."

"She is down there," the boy repeated. "She hides very well, so it isn't surprising that you weren't able to spot her."

Scotland didn't know why he felt offended by that, but he didn't dare say that to the boy. He was, after all, just a child.

Felix looked out over the horizon, where the boats were still making their progress of disappearing. "You really look like that man," he uttered.

Scotland looked at him. "What man, lad?"

"He usually visits Mother's home when we least expect it," he explained, still looking at the horizon. "He's shorter than you, and has blonde hair, but it isn't hard to find the similarities with the both of you. Are you his brother by any chance?"

This boy surely had a way with words. "I am lad," he answered grimly. "Sadly."

"Why's that?"

Scotland looked to the boy, somehow finding it hard to speak up at first. Was it because he was talking to a child? That had to be it, because normally he had no problem in explaining his horrible relationship with England.

"Me brother is...complicated," Scotland decided. "Now, I am sure ye saw this yerself but me brother is not exactly a good man. He has not been treating our family well, and even I am starting to become afraid of where this might lead us."

Felix nodded. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's me problem now. It's getting late, so go home to yer mother now."

The boy looked to him before nodding and walking away. Scotland watched him go, until he disappeared, and when he looked back to the ocean, the boats were gone, and so were most of the people at the dock.

He sighed to himself. "Foolish brother. I pity ye."

~~~

When Scotland visited the American lands again, he never expected to meet the young boy again, except now he was accompanied by two other boys and two girls. One of the boys looked suspiciously like Netherlands, except he had the same blue eyes as Felix, while the other boy also looked like England, except there also appeared to be a mixture of someone else in him.

The girls were clearly identical twins with their black hair, white bonnets, and blue eyes, though one girl had straight black hair that was kept long and she wore a black dress, while the other girl's hair was wavy, brushed her shoulders, and was wearing a bright colonial dress. 

It didn't take long for them to spot the older nation.

"Hello," Felix greeted. "I never thought I would see you here again."

Scotland wasn't sure if he should reply to that or why he was surprised.  It had already been 10 years since he last came here, and the boy didn't look like he even aged ten years. Sure, he looked a little older, but other than that not much had changed the last time Scotland saw him.

Not to mention the children accompanying him appeared to be related to him in some way.

"Felix lad?" Scotland asked as he knelt before him. "It's been ten years, aye?"

The boys behind Felix cursed, while the girls looked concerned. But if Felix was feeling the same way, he was doing a very good job at concealing it.

"Yes, it has," he replied. "Is there something wrong sir?"

Scotland shook his head. "Never mind. I suppose I was being foolish again." But even he knew that he was anything but.

Felix nodded, but his face still expressed concern. "I suppose. So what brings you back here sir?"

Scotland thought about it for a moment. But that was a good question; Why did he come back here again? He obviously wasn't here to visit England (that would be a complete waste anyway), but at the same time he wasn't even sure if he wanted to visit his brother's charge, whose appearance or name he wasn't sure of. 

And he certainly had not expected to once again meet the boy, who barely changed from the first time Scotland met him.

That could only mean one thing, but that was impossible.

"Where yer mother lad?" Scotland then asked.

Felix gave him a weird look. "She isn't here at the moment," he answered. "Do you need to speak to her?"

Scotland shook his head. "I do nae believe I do," he replied before regaining his footing. "I have to go now lad. Take care."

Felix gave him an uncertain wave of the hand as Scotland walked, clearly as confused as the older nation was.

~~~

It's been a long time since then, and Scotland wondered how he could've been so stupid.

When America, the very nation who declared independence from England, was revealed to be a woman and so different in personality, Scotland had to admit that he was stumped. That, and the fact that she was the mother of 51 children also blew his mind.

He was an uncle. A goddamn uncle! And he didn't even fucking know about it!

Damn that woman and her cunning ways. Still, Scotland couldn't help but admire that. It was one of the things he admires in a woman.

Now...

"You seem surprised, I'd even say shocked," remarked the very young man he met all those years ago. Felix Jones/Kirkland, or the state of Massachusetts, stood before him, looking so much like his mother and yet so alike his father. He had England's personality, but he was a true gentlemen, so unlike his old man.

"I'd be lying if I say I'm not," Scotland admitted, before taking a long drag of his cigar. "In fact, I'm surprised that ye managed to stay hidden all this time."

"So are we, but we're glad all the same. It's what helped protect us. Listen Uncle, I'm sorry we kept this from you, but like Mother told the nations who are close to her, it was better if you didn't know."

Scotland opened his mouth to retort, but quickly shut it. Knowing can only take you so far after all.

"Still, it would've been nice if I had known of ye lad."

"I know."

To be honest, I couldn't resist writing about a meeting and interaction between one of the states and Scotland.