The States

things that cannot be long hidden

or, 20 times America almost told the secret of the states, and 4 times he did

(Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth- Buddha)

1: Virginia, America; May 1754
Arthur is in his house for the first time since he'd found the colonies, and Alfred was fully-prepared to tell him.

He wants to tell him about their sons and daughters. About how he named Elizabeth for their queen. About Wesley's middle name. About how very much Samantha looks like him sometimes.

But then he remembers that not all of those beautiful children are Arthur's.

That two are Netherlands' and two are France's, and Arthur has been fighting wars against those two Alfred's entire life.

He will not see his children used as pawns.

The idea is only cemented when Arthur brings a war into their childhood home.

(1) York, Pennsylvania, America; October 5, 1777
Alfred has gotten used to not telling people about the states.

But now, Prussia has Sam and he has her by her hair and he can feel Sam's fear flickering through the bond that links him to all his children.

He has no choice.

"America. What are they."

Scarlett and Ginny bristle at his tone. "What do you mean, what are we? We're not the ones with the red eyes."

"You are not human. I don't know what you are, but you're not human and you aren't nations."

It's alright, America lets that thought sink through the bond.

Connie tilts her head. "Of course not, we're states."

2: Paris, France; September 1782
America reads over the Treaty France hands him.

As he sets it down on the table, and looks up at France.

He imagines the scenario in his head, where he tells France exactly what he's thinking: Vermont has the same eyes, but where his are honest and open, yours are full of deceit and lies.

Instead, America opens his mouth. "Goodbye, France. John, Benjamin, let's go."

He goes to England that day, and asks to negotiate with the British directly.

3: Paris, France; August 1783
England is ignoring him as their officials work on the Treaty.

He wants to say, Elizabeth was fencing yesterday, I think she got that from you.

He wants to say, Samantha has your eyes and your temper.

He wants to say, Daniel has a way of looking at you that can make you feel horrible, and it's like David is looking right at your soul sometimes.

He wants to say, Scott doesn't hate you, he might be the only one that doesn't.

He wants to say, Connie is the gentlest soul I'd ever met and they said you were there when they hung Nathan Hale, please tell me it isn't true, tell me you didn't watch them execute that sweet boy, Connie loved him more than she loved herself.

But Alfred can't say that, so he says nothing at all.

4: Washington DC, America; 1804
France comes to visit in 1804.