Fic trade with SakuraIchigo15

San Marino stood in the yard, as far away from the house as she could possibly get without going off America’s property. Her excitement could be seen through the grin on her face, the way she shifted from foot to foot impatiently. She did a little dance, joy bubbling up at the thought of spending more time with America; he’d invited her over for his birthday so they could light fireworks together. In one hand she held a lighter, the other one resting in her pocket.

The sound of gravel crunching underfoot announced America’s arrival, as he came around the corner with his arms full of fireworks. “Oh, San Marino! Sorry, I’m late, I wanted to go grab some more fireworks so our show would be extra pretty tonight!” He dropped the fireworks in a big pile at his feet.

“It’s fine, America! You don’t need to apologize.” She smiled at him, waving the lighter. “It’s nice that you went to the extra effort of getting more, just so it would look cooler.”

America shrugged, taking out his own lighter. “Well, if we’re gonna do this, we might as well go big, right?” He grinned at San Marino. “Let’s get this party started! Happy birthday, me!”

---------

San Marino looked at the two fireworks, contemplating which one to take. The red one wasn’t that big, and wouldn’t have as many colors, but it was guaranteed to be loud and noisy. On the other hand, the rocket-shaped one would definitely make a big show, what with all the colors it had. Making a decision, she put the first one back into the pile, choosing the rocket-shaped firework.

America had gone back for refreshments, and San Marino was looking to surprise him with an exceedingly awesome firework as he came back. Though it wasn’t as loud as she’d like it to be, it was loud enough to be heard easily against the distance; it would show up well against the night sky, and it was just the right colors too: red, white, and blue.

Absentmindedly she flicked the little wheel on the lighter, letting the flame spring to life. She anticipated America’s excitement when he would see the firework, and rush to their little spot, mouth running a mile a minute talking about how awesome it was. Not paying attention, she didn’t notice how short the fuse had become, until she shook herself out of her daydream and looked down. “Oh, crap! What should I—”

The rocket shot out of her hands, heading straight in the general direction of America’s house. San Marino froze, mouth forming a small “o” for a moment before she snapped out of it, racing down the gravel path towards the house. She’d only been running for a little bit before she ran into something, which promptly dropped whatever it had been holding and grabbed her shoulders.

“San Marino! Hey, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“America! Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to do it! It was an accident! Please—”

“Whoa whoa, calm down, okay?” America shook her shoulders a bit, trying to make sense of her words. “Sorry for what, what was an accident?”

San Marino took in a few breaths, shaking and trying to calm herself down. “I-I accidentally set off a rocket…towards your house…headed there…it’s really colorful and…I’m so sorry!” She buried her face in America’s shirt, trying not to cry.

"A….A firework? At my house?” San Marino nodded, still not looking up. A thought suddenly struck her.

“We…we should call the fire department, shouldn’t we?” She reached for her phone in her pocket, pulling it out ready to dial 911.

“Wait!” America put his hand over hers, preventing her from dialing. “I…um…Yeah, we definitely should call the fire department! But before that, I gotta do something, okay? Be right back!” With that he left, running back down the path and leaving a very confused and apologetic San Marino standing there, staring at him with the phone still in her hand.

-------------

America raced out of the house, clutching a paper in his hands and coughing from the smoke. San Marino stood outside to intercept him, helping him over to sit on a bench.

“Are…are you stupid?! What kind of idiot are you, running into a burning house just like that?! I already called the fire department, they should be here soon. Honestly, America…” San Marino fussed over him, until he could speak again.

“Heh…sorry, it was something important.”

“Important enough for you to risk your life over it?”

“Hey, I’m a country,” America replied with a smile. “I may get hurt, but I’m not going to die just like that. You shouldn’t worry so much, it’ll make you old.” In the distance, the sound of sirens could be heard as the fire trucks drew closer.

“Just because you’re a country…” she muttered. “I still worry about you, you know. I’m a worrier, and I’ll worry as much as I want to!”

Laughing, he patted her head, discreetly putting the paper he was still holding into one of his pockets, careful not to fold it. His blonde hair fell over his eyes as he turned to look back at his house, which now had flames bursting from every window, lighting up the area with an orange glow. “Well…I don’t remember getting a firework this big, do you?”

San Marino stared at the burning house, eyebrows drawn together and a guilty look on her face. This had all been her fault; it had been her who’d lost her concentration while lighting the firework and sent it into America’s house. Even if he wouldn’t die, he could have been seriously injured by running into the flaming building. Maybe he wouldn’t want to be friends with her anymore after this, how could he forgive someone who’d both ruined his house and put him in danger?...

“Hey.” She turned to look at America, who’d put his hand on her shoulder, looking at her with concern in his blue eyes. “Don’t worry, okay? It’s not that big of a deal. I’m fine, aren’t I?” He gestured to his body which, though covered in soot and ash, was unhurt.

“Y-yeah…”

“Yeah!” He beamed at her, and she couldn’t help smiling back at him. “I needed a new house anyways,” he said. “That one was getting a bit too old-fashioned for my liking, y’know?”

She rolled her eyes, shrugging. “Of course it was, everything is too old-fashioned for you, America.”

“And maybe you can invite me over for your birthday!” he added, patting her back. “I won’t set your house on fire though. What do you even do on your birthday?”

-------

America kicked back on the sofa in the hotel room he was staying in for the time being, as his new house was being built. His old one had actually been one of his favorites…but he wasn’t lying when he said it was getting too old-fashioned for him.

Reaching into his pocket, he took out an envelope, opening it up to take out a faded letter. His thumb traced over the neat writing, the graceful signature at the bottom, and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

It had been a while ago that he’d gotten this letter, the middle of the Civil War, in fact. It was amazing how well it was preserved, but then, he’d taken very good care of it. Although leaving it lying there on the mantle may not have been the best idea, but at least it was easy to find while his house was burning down around him.

At that moment, his stomach gave off a loud grumble. He looked down at it in surprise for a moment, before putting the letter back inside the envelope, and the envelope back into his pocket. “Lunchtime! Glorious golden arches, here I come!”