Glass Half Empty | probably gonna get renamed

Prologue

France.

The long black train of her dress bounced up and down behind her as she sashayed, wrapped in one of her white fur boas.

Her rosy cheeks lit up as she caught wind of America's own growing smile, bringing him into a tight embrace.

"Oh, my Meri!" She cooed, kissing him on both cheeks.

"I'm happy to see you too." He grinned.

A single file line of cameramen walked from behind her, branching off to the either sides of the room and surrounded their table.

Their cameras snapped as UK, holding both Australia and New Zealand by the hand, entered the room. They all matched in their gray suits, making US out to be the only outlier.

UK stepped forward to shake his hand, exchanging an amused smile as he playfully shook off New Zealand.

"My, have you grown! You're no longer a little boy." He said aghast.

"You seem well off your business trip, Father." The American remarked, taking a hold of his gloved hand.

"Yes, however, do take off those shades," UK chuckled, gesturing to the venue. "You should be enjoying the view."

"My apologies."

USA kept a smile, and once shielded from the cameras, he tucked his sunglasses away and joined France. Interlocking their arms, he proudly led her to the table first. She giggled softly to the cameras, touched. "I've raised quite the gentleman!"

"That you have." UK added with the hint of a grin, taking a seat by his wife.

"Not without you, my dear."

The two lovebirds exchanged a small peck as the twins snickered in their seats. They were a sweet couple, it was hard to believe the marriage was arranged with how well they got along.

After they truly settled in, the lead cameraman stepped up to interview, clicking his pen. "So, how long have you two been wed?"

"Long enough," UK swooned, keeping his eyes on France. "I can barely keep count."

"-It is about over a decade!" She teased, hugging his arm while she nodded in agreement.

"Aww. What a lovely couple. How are the rest of you?" He moved on rather quickly, to patronize their sons.

America cleared his throat, speaking up first, "I'd like to say I'm very honored to be here with my family. I'm happy to see that all are doing well." He nodded to the twins. "Especially those two - the troublemakers. My father's quite the strong man for having to deal with them." He earned a polite laugh from his father, messing with the tie Australia had undone.

"Heyyy, I haven't even done anything today! No pranks, nothing!" Australia chimed in and stuck out his tongue.

NZ was silent. He just stared ahead, fixating on the food as the waiters arrived with their platters. As soon as his dish was set in front of him, he quietly flinched in horror. It was a plate of a chunky lamb cut, soaked in a puddle of lemon sauce. Freshly clipped herbs were stacked against its side, the only thing he would bother eating.

He received a soft shoulder nudge from US, who nodded to the cameras pointed at them. Your turn, NZ.

New Zealand tried his best to forget the slab of meat in front of him, offering a shy smile to the interviewer as he mumbled an answer. "...f-fine. I'm doing fine."

And as soon as the cameras shifted after, he leaned towards America and whined. "Ame... I can't eat sheep."

Ame continued looking straight ahead with a smile, trying to causally mouth his response. "Kiwi. You should at least take a bite, it's to be respectful."