America liked to watch movies, but not with his kids. That may sound bad. But listen. Over fifty kids. In the same room.

No one was even watching The Emperor's New Groove, the states were busy talking in giggles and whispers. And the younger states and territories crawled all over him. It didn't bother. America too much, but with the chatter and the tv noise and the territories using his person as a jungle gym- it really didn't add up well.

He let it slide though.

"Dad?!" Hawaii yelled right in his ear.

America forced himself to not yell back. "Inside voice."

"Oh ya." Hawaii blinked. "Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Can we invite people over?"

America sighed. "You already know the answer to that."

Hawaii pouted. "But why not."

America raised his hands to his temples. "Because we don't want to spread the virus. And we also need to set an example. We have to follow our own rules."

Hawaii looked up at him with big eyes. "But we can't get the virus! And humans don't even know we exist!"

"But it might hurt you guys more."

Hawaii snorted. "But I'm booorrrrreeedddd."

"Then watch the show." America turned away to pry Guam off his leg.

"Uhhhggggg." Hawaii flopped down dramatically on the couch. "Can we just please have someone over? It can even be one of your boring friends."

America wrinkled where his nose should be. "My friends aren't boring."

"All grown-ups are boring," Florida said, balancing on the top of the couch. "You always have to do what they say and then when you try to do anything fun they get all worried." He wobbled slightly and nearly fell on America's head.

America stood up and plucked him off the top of the couch. "Be careful."

Florida wiggled around as America set him down. "See!" He grumbled. "Boring."

"I am not boring." America grumbled.

"Then let us have someone over so we can bother them!" Florida grinned a toothy grin.

The country sat back down (almost on Nebraska's head). "Tell you what. I'll invite NASA and NATO over on one condition."

This phrase caught the state's attention. "What?" Florida said cautiously.

"Clean the entire house."

A chorus of groans filled the room.

"But pa!"

"The WHOLE house!"

America let out a fake sigh. "Alright. I guess NASA won't tell you about finding water on the moon. And NATO won't give any of you a piggyback ride until after UN says we can start socializing again."

The states went quiet for a moment.

"You're not joking?" Florida tilted his head. "It's not a trick?"

"Nope." America stretched his arm out to ruffle Florida's hair. Florida giggled and swat his hand away.

Hawaii frowned slightly, chewing on her lip. "We need to consult."

The states turned around and huddled, their voices in hushed whispers. Nevada stayed next to America, using his mind-reading to listen in.

"Alright." Maryland said.

Alabama nodded. "We've decided."

"We accept your offer." Connecticut folded her arms.

America smiled. "I'll let them know they'll be coming over for dinner tonight. I can easily cancel, so chip chop chip."

The states zoomed off into different directions, leaving America alone on the couch. He picked his phone off of the little stone table.

wanna come over and eat dinner tonight?

been busy

ya nato is

America smiled.

Hey come over for dinner tonight?

haha maybe

decided to start breaking the rules again

6

ya nasa

America relaxed and closed his eyes. He should help Dixie make dinner. Or he could maybe stay here and take a nap...

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Dixie frowned at the recipe book, dusting his flourey hands on his apron. Bread sticks were harder than he thought. He was taking another shot at spaghetti, but he may have put too much yeast in the dough...

The states were busy gambling for chores in the dining room, leaving Dixie to figure out how to fix dinner. America had fallen asleep in the media room, hopefully putting an end to those dark shadows that were beginning to form under his eyes again.

A soft creak came from the kitchen door. Dixie turned around to see who it was and saw his sleepy brother walk through the doorway.

"Mourn' sunshine." Dixie said, turning around to face America.

"Uhg." America rubbed his eyes with the back of his wrist, yawning. "What time is it?"

"Two fourt' one." Dixie folded his arms across his chest. You didn' sleep a wink last night a, did ya?"

"Maybe." The country sat up a bit straighter and stretched his arms up. "Where are the states?"

"Gambling for chores."

That seemed to wake America up. "What?"

Dixie blinked. "You know gambling. But with chores."

America opened his mouth to scold Dixie, but was cut off when a shout came from the dining hall.

"Cheater!"

The country shot the battle flag a dirty look as they both hurried towards the source of the noise.

Missouri was standing on his chair, glaring daggers at Nevada, who was sitting rather calmly with a smirk on his face.

"You're using your mind reading!" Missouri accused.

"No I'm not." Nevada snapped back. "I happen to be really good at gambling."

"What's going on here?" America sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Nevada's cheating!"

"Am not!"

"Ya huh!"

"Nuh!"

"Alright alright!" America said, looking at the group of states around the table. "Since you think gambling for chores is better than just doing your normal assignments, I'm adding cleaning your room into the list."

"WHAT!"

"No!

"¡Madre de dios!"

America folded his arms. "Better get moving. I don't care how you split up the chores, but ill be checking every room before dinner tonight. Have I made myself clear."

A couple of depressing-sounding "yes sirs" filled the room.

"Get to it." America turned around and walked through the kitchen door. Dixie followed him.

He found America digging around in the snack cupboard. He pulled out a bag of sour cream & onion potato chips. The country hopped up on the counter, already munching on the strange smelling food.

America held out the bag to him, but the battle flag only wrinkled his nose and said, "I don't get the point of those things."

The country shrugged. His face had a "more for me" look about it. "There is no real point to it. Just for eating."

"Ugh." Dixie made another face. "They smell disgustin'. You need to eat real food."

"What ya making?" America said, changing the subject.

"I'm trying to make spaghetti again."

America tilted his head. "Trying?"

"Sorry I'm not a gourmet chef." Dixie grumbled.

"I haven't cooked in a while, but I think I could manage." America scratched his chin. "You go help the states with their chores and I'll make dinner."

Dixie frowned. "So you want me to clean your house for you?"

America grinned, a bit of green caught in his teeth from the chip flavoring. "Ya."

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Dixie grumbled as he sucked through the house, checking rooms and poking his head in to see if the states and territories were keeping their word. He walked down the thin hallway, observing the photographs that hung on the wall.

One was of them was of Texas. It was black and white and faded around the edges. Dixie paused to look at it a bit longer.

Texas was grinning from ear to ear, one of his eyes bandaged up. Next to him was America, looking a bit younger, but still the same sweepy hair. He was smiling too and had his hand on Texas' shoulder.

Dixie took the frame off the wall and took the photo out, being careful not to damage or crumble it any more. He flipped it over and in small, sprawled, blue cursive handwriting he read:

February 3rd, 1848

Dixie stared at the photo for a bit longer, then put it back.

He continued to walk down the hall. Dixie supposed America kept that picture up for Texas. He didn't know too much about the Mexican-American War, but he knew that America hated that day to the depths of his soul. He had yet to figure out why.

He shook all the loose thoughts away, and pushed another door open. He was met with Arizona and New Mexico, lounging around in their room.

The two boys' shared room was a large square with a bunk bed pushed against the left wall. To the right there was an interesting set of art and what he assumed were Native American relics that he couldn't begin to describe. They were neatly spread out. Two dressers sat, one tall one squat, one pushed against the wall with the bed, the other next to their small closet. The sunlight filtered through a window that took up some of the other wall. There were a few mini cacti and desert flowers sitting in pots, accompanied by a few terrariums. It was organized but it wasn't clean.

What was he supposed to say? "Uh... You two cleanin'?"

"No." New Mexico said with a yawn. Arizona looked at the battle flag and shrugged.

"Well clean." Did that sound too imposing? Too demanding?

New Mexico seemed unfazed. "I wasn't thinkin' amigos de papá were gonna be in our cuarto."

Dixie snorted. "America said you'd say that. And he said to say that with all the cups and plates in here there may as well be."

New Mexico peaked an eye open. "Fine." He grumbled. The state of enchantment leaned over and started to pick up bits of trash around the room. Arizona however wasn't moving.

"Arizona?" Dixie said. "You gonna help?"

"Uh ya sure!" Arizona shifted like he was gonna move, but stayed on his bunk bed top.

Dixie gave him a look of concern.

"Don't worry." New Mexico shrugged. "He's just trying to keep you from seeing Copper."

Dixie gave him a confused look as Arizona yelled, "You weren't supposed to tell him!" The battle flag looked back at Arizona as he lifted up his hoodie and Copper, his ringtail cat, rolled out.

"Lo seinto, hermano." New Mexico went back to cleaning as Copper flicked her ear in annoyance.

"You're not allowed to have pets inside." Dixie sighed.

"I know." Arizona stroked Copper's back and she arched into his palm. "But it was just for a bit." He looked at him with big eyes. "You won't tell Papá, will you?"

"I..." Dixie drifted off. "Alright. I'll let you off this once."

Arizona gave him a huge smile, showing his fangs. "Gracias tío."

I butchered the Spanish in this don't hate me hahahaha-