Story: Beneath the Mask
Summary: "Those who smile the biggest hurt the most." No matter what, America was constantly smiling. He always seemed to ignore the insults and berating of other nations. However, when America begins to act a little strange, England begins to wonder if he's really as happy as what he let's on. Could there be more to this than meets the eyes? AngstyandSuicidal!America. No Pairings.
Disclaimer:I don't own Hetalia.
Warnings: Angsty-Depressed!America, Angst, mild Profanity, Self-loathing,Depression, Anorexia and things related to it.A fair amount of cutting and self-harm, Possible suicide attempt, POSSIBLE touchy topics,and of course blood...and, well, you probably get the point by now, da...? ^J^

PS: NOTHING UAL, NOR ANY PAIRINGS, WILL OCCUR IN THIS STORY, just to set the record straight, unless you consider France's flirtatious personality 'ual'.

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It was not the most typical world meeting, and nobody could help but notice. An eerie silence had filled the entire room, as Germany sighed, gazing over at a certain nation's spot, which was still empty. How long had they been waiting?

Used to, America was always one of the first ones to arrive, but for about four months now, he kept calling in and told them that he had some important business to attend to, and wouldn't be able to make it. However, he hadn't called in yet, so they had decided to wait a little longer. Not that he would really admit it, but it actually sort of worried a certain brit, as England didn't fully buy the git's story.

Suddenly, he could feel several pairs of eyes fixated on him, as though they thought he was suppose to know where the American was.

"Why the bloody hell are all of you staring at me, like I should know where he is?!" he demanded, sticking his nose in the air. "I'm not his babysitter, and nor is he my responsibility anymore."

After a moment, Germany muttered something incoherent beneath his breath. "Very well. We'll have to begin-"

That's when the door flew open and America ran in, smiling. A lot of nations looked up to notice how pale he looked. "The hero is finally here! Sorry, I'm so late, dudes!"

Germany would have normally demanded for an explanation as to why he was so late, however, considering the time, he simply sighed, shaking his head. "No, it's fine... Just take your seat."

As America closed the door, Germany then concluded the beginning of the meeting.

"Why are you just now getting here, you git?!" England hissed, after America took the only seat left next to him. "Where the bloody hell have you been?!"

"Oh, you know..." the America briefly paused, obviously contemplating his response, before smiling. "I was talking care of some important hero business."

England scoffed. "By 'hero business', I bet you mean stuffing your face with those greasy hamburgers, don't you?!"

"No." America insisted, making sure to emphasize it. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but in the end, remained silent. England only grunted in reply, turning his attention to the conversation at hand.

America briefly looked down, his smile faltering, as he quickly shifted his sleeve. Studying him, England couldn't help but notice America's distant look.

"America?" he inquired, causing America to somewhat jump, startled. After looking back up, the wheat-blond haired nation gave one of his trademark grins.

"Yeah, dude? What is it?" he questioned.

"Are you feeling okay?" England finally asked, secretly eying the former colony. Was it just him, or had America seemed different lately? He looked the same, dressed the same, and talked the same, but when he smiled, or laughed, it didn't seem to meet his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" America wanted to know.

England studied him for a brief second, before pushing the thoughts aside. "...Nevermind, it's nothing."

"Okay, if you say so, dude." America looked at him, somewhat confused.

"Hmph..." England silently grunted, then turning to face Germany, who was now speaking.

Why am I worrying?

What was he thinking? It was probably just his imagination. America was fine; he even said so.

But what if he's not? He could be acting.

Well, he supposed America was a good actor when he wanted to be. But that didn't say anything! Ha, the wanker probably didn't even know the meaning of the words 'not fine'.

That doesn't mean he is fine.

In the back of his head, voices kept contradicting him, when suddenly, he mentally slapped himself. Why was he getting so worried over such a little thing, and who even said he was worried?!

He finally managed to push all of his doubts, and negative thoughts, aside, and that was when the end of the Conference came.

"Before I conclude the end of this meeting, is there something anyone would like to say? Any questions?" England looked up, surprised to see that the meeting was over. Germany gazed around in question, before glancing over at America, who, at this time, would normally always comment on something about global warming, hamburgers, fast food, or sometimes even Pizza. "America?"

Said nation looked up, smiling. "No, I'm fine."

"Very well. Everyone is free to leave." Germany announced, after a moment, as he got up.

At every conference, different nations would usually bring a selection of traditional snacks or desserts for at the end of the meeting, in case someone wanted a snack before leaving. After some time had passed, everyone had fixed themselves a plate, but England couldn't help but notice that America hadn't touched his food at all since getting it.

"Hey, fat , aren't you going to eat anything?" he rose an eyebrow. "You haven't touched your food at all."

"Oh, me?" America discreetly shooed his hand, giving a laugh that, maybe it was just him but, seemed forced. "I just ate a little while ago, so I'm not really that hungry."

England gave him a strange look and that's when he heard a soft grumbling. "Did your stomach just growl?"

"What are you talking about?" America once again looked at him, confused. "I didn't hear anything."

"Mmn, I see, maybe it's just my imagination, then." England reluctantly admitted, once again turning back to his food. After eating several cheese crackers, he suddenly felt his cell phone vibrating.

Taking it out, he discovered that he had a new message from his boss. It kind of took him by surprise, as he wasn't used to receiving text messages from him of all people. So he assumed it must've been fairly important.

He quickly scanned over the text. It read,

Due to some issues at the Airport in England, you're going to have to stay in America for a few weeks while I straighten things out.

In America? Why couldn't the meeting have been planned in Japan instead...? He would have preferred staying there... The Asian and him actually got along fairly well. He reluctantly let it go, as he supposed that there was no use in complaining.

He turned to Alfred, swallowing. "...Say, America?"

"Yeah? What's up, England?" America then faced him, questioningly. England shifted awkwardly in his seat.

"C-can I by chance stay with you for a few weeks...?" he asked.

"Sure, I guess." America shrugged, smiling. "Why?"

"It's nothing important. Something just came up, and I can't go back to England right now. That's all." England told him matter-of-factly.

"Oh. Yeah, that's fine." America said, standing up. "Anyway, I'm going to the bathroom. I'll be right back."

England took another bite of his food, when he was suddenly 'hugged' from behind.

"Angleterre~" France chimed, causing him to blush in embarrassment.

"What the bloody hell are you doing?! Get your dirty hands off me, frog!" England exclaimed, pushing him off.

"Well, that's no way to greet someone!" France huffed, backing away, as he folded his arms.

"Hey, France," England mumbled, catching his attention. "Can I ask you something?"

"Oh? Of course, You can ask me anything~" France told him, obviously referring to more things than one, and England somehow managed to ignore that fact.

"Is it just me, or does America seem a little pale today...?"

France's face turned more serious. "Oui, you noticed it, too?"

"Yeah, he didn't eat appear to eat anything." England said, averting his gaze.

"Honhonhon, Is this worry, I'm sensing, Angleterre~?" France smirked, once again hugging him.

"I said to get off me, frog!" England exclaimed, jabbing him in the stomach.

"Well, you don't have to be so rude!" France stated, now clutching his stomach.

"Hmph." England immediately turned away, irritated.

"I'm a bit worried, too, you know?" France told him with a genuine smile, as he placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes, well, we are family, I suppose." England reluctantly admitted.

"Oui, it is only natural for a big brother to be concerned for his fellow siblings, non?"

"I'm back." They looked up to see that America had returned.

"Oh, hey, France, what's up?" he beamed.

"Nothing much, Amérique." France answered, giving a sly smile, as he wrapped an arm around him. "What about you? How is my little brother? Doing good, non?"

The corner of America's lip twitched, awkwardly. "...Yeah, I'm doing great, dude."

"That's nice to hear." France beamed, backing up. "Anyway, all though I would to stay here a little longer, I should probably get going. You two take care~"

"Sure thing." America replied.

"Right." England rolled his eyes a little in response, finally finishing off his plate.

"I'm about ready to go. Do you have anything left to do?" England wanted to know, after throwing away his empty, and America's untouched, plate.

The American shook his head. "No, not really."

"Alright." England said, bending down to pick up his suitcase.

"Man, could you British people be any slower? Come on, dude!" America said, grabbing his wrist.

"I am not slow, you bloody git!" England retorted, as he was pulled towards the door. "H-hey!"

~ End of Chapter

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A/N: What do you think so far? Review, if you will. By the way, If any of you have me on your alert list, you have noticed that I write a lot of depressing things like this. Just thought I'd let you guys know why.I suffer from a lot of Anxiety, and (what I think is) anhenomia, a form of depression which pretty much disables me from feeling good about things, or, in my case takes away any emotions in general. My PDD-NOS (A form of High-functioning Autism) only makes it that much worse, as I also have a very hard time understanding others. While I'm alone, I want to be with friends, but when I'm with them, it puts me under so much stress that I want to be alone. I have a very difficult time saying 'no' to people when I'm face-to-face with them. In other words, I'm very 'under-assertive'. So considering that everybody I try to talk to about my problems (especially my mother) either pushes them aside, ignores my feelings, doesn't consider my problems, OR, claims it's all for drama and is just 'attention-seeking antics', it seems that writing fanfiction is the only way I can at least relieve someof my stress. Even though the characters from Hetalia, or any other Anime for that matter, are not real people, I still feel I can relate myself to some of them, and because of that, when I read and write sappy (Sad-Happy, or Sad-with-a-happy-ending) stories, It gives me some sense of reassurance. Anyway, enough of that talk... What do you think so far on this story?