Hello and welcome to my oneshot fic! This will have a ton of AU's, all USUK/UKUS.

Feel free to critique!

America wasn't really one for tradition. I mean, sure, there's some traditions that really rocked off socks. Like memorial day hamburgers or fourth of July fireworks. But the rest of the traditions were just total old man stuff, dude.

Except maybe one.

Everyone knew of America's super off the hook not-traditional Christmas parties. But no one knew what he did after said party.

It was December 24th, Christmas was right around the corner and America was almost done setting up his super awesome party. The cake had been ordered (it was glow in the dark this year) the decorations had been put up, and the DJ was plugging in his speakers. All was well in the world. Soon countries started arriving. Pretty much everyone was invited as long as, y'know, America wasn't in a war with them at the time. (Last time that happened things got a little messy. Stupid Vietnam.)

Around dusk things really started kicking. France showed up in a slutty little outfit as per usual. It was frickin' cold, dude! How could he stand being in that? Right behind him, no doubt yelling profanities and insisting that he was a proper gentleman, was England.

Alright, slow down, back story here. England was...England. And America loved that. Like, really, actually, for reals loved him. I'm not gonna get into the juicy bits and emotional sap because...well, I'm sure you all have read enough fics to know that shit by heart now. So yeah, America loved England. It was no surprise when his cheeks reddened (it's the cold!) or how he bounded to the Englishman's side and took his jacket just so he could see that sleek form better. It especially explained why America was just so delighted in receiving England's gift. He tore it open right there, and he wasn't even surprised when he found a dictionary staring right back at him. Maybe it was because it was Christmas, maybe it was because America had already downed way too much eggnog, but he just laughed and gathered England into a hug.

That's when he realized it.

He didn't have a present for England in return.

Sure, even if England's gift had just been a gag it would be totally uncool not to give something back! That's like, the whole point of Christmas! So, thinking quickly, America whispered into England's ear: "I'll give you your gift later on tonight. Just stay somewhat sober, alright?"

Then he ran off in a panic, not looking back to see England's face go completely red.

So the party carried on with America floundering about his house, looking for something, anything, that he could wrap really quickly and give to Iggy.

He couldn't. Besides the fact that the dictionary was only to be prude, it meant something. It was almost like an inside joke. It was something the two of them understood and shared. How could America give something like that to England? Maybe he should give him a cookbook...

Ugh! It was too late now! He didn't have any cookbooks in the house and he certainly couldn't go out to buy one. (But he was saving that idea for next year.)

Hours passed. The music seemed to get louder as the night grew darker. America's house was really big, but it was packed. People were dancing, kissing, singing. There was food everywhere. Someone (Prussia) had spiked the punch. Half the world was drunk and the other half was laughing at the first. America would have felt proud of himself for throwing such an awesome party had it not been for the fact that he was totally freaking out on the inside.

But before he knew it, he was eating, dancing, and drinking in order to take his mind off of things. It's like writers block, he told himself. If you step back for a while you'll find inspiration somewhere.

America got himself a plate of chicken wings from the buffet. He was about to bite into one when-

BOOM!

HOLY MOTHER-

Oh, right. The fireworks. America smiled and rushed outside to see them. Damn, he loved fireworks. It was really cold, but he didn't care. There were fireworks! Alfred brushed some snow off of a brick railing and sat, staring up at the sky and quietly devouring his plate of wings.

But his peaceful mood was shattered when England appeared at his side. "Hullo, America."

America was once again reminded of the need to find a present. "Oh! Hey there..."

England managed a small smile and sat down beside the American."You owe me quite a lot, you know. For staying sober. France makes that very difficult."

America just tried for a lopsided grin. God, he couldn't think of anything to say when he needed to be thinking of ideas!

The fireworks were so distracting.

"Oi, America," England prodded him in the side. "Can I have a wing?"

America nodded numbly. England liked wings? Oh, whatever. You can't wrap those. Probably. America found himself staring at England as he ate. The blonde wasn't really paying attention. He was watching the fireworks, the lights softening in his green eyes so they looked like millions of lanterns.

That's it! America almost jumped off the railing in excitement. Why didn't he think of that earlier? It was perfect!

"Do I have sauce on my face or something?" England asked.

America snapped out of his trance and looked at England's lips. Nope. Just a bit red from the cold and absolutely tantalizingly sexy as usual. "No. Why?"

"You were staring at me and smiling like you just found the funniest joke or something. I don't know."

America lent back and ran a cold hand through his hair. Jeez, winter can suck on his jingle bells! He was trying to have a conversation, not freeze to death!

"Oh. Sorry. I was just thinking of your present!" America grinned. "You'll see it soon. Promise."

America winked, left the wings with England, and proceeded to get everything ready.

Of course by the time he was done the entire world was completely plastered. He'd have to congratulate Prussia on that later. People were passed out in random places, others had gone back to their hotel rooms, and others still were laughing far too loudly or getting into horrible fistfights.

"Iggy?" America called. "Iggy! Ready for your present?"

England appeared at his side, holding his head. "Oh, hush, America! Prussia spiked the punch and I'm a tad tipsy. I did try to stay sober."

America clapped England's back. "No worries, dude! You're still standing, and that's all you need to do! Follow me!"
America took England's hand and led him out to the roof. It was a bit difficult getting a slightly drunk country up there, but he managed. It was worth it when he saw England's face.

The man's eyes widened and his mouth dropped into a lovely little "o".

America had this little tradition. After every Christmas party, when the nations were drunk or leaving, he would sneak up to the roof and light paper lanterns. For each one he would make a wish. Then woosh! They'd fly away like little stars when he cut the ropes.

America had already lit and tied the lanterns with red and green ribbons. There wasn't much wind. They were just tugging at their leashes, wanting to be free.

"Wow, America..." England breathed.

America smiled. "Yeah. It's just a little tradition I have. Usually I don't go all-out like this but I figured I would this year because it is your present."

England gaped at the lights. "You do this...every year? By yourself?"

America walked over to a lantern. "Yep. I have this thing where each lantern is a wish. So I set each one off and hope they come true."

"Have they?"

America turned to look at England. The blonde was wrapped in a thick coat and a gray scarf. America's eyes softened. "I've only ever wished for one thing. But so far it hasn't come true."

England smiled a bit and walked over to the lantern. "Well, let's hope this year will be the year, yeah?"

America nodded, and bowed a bit. "My kind sir," he said in a deep voice, "would you care to honor me by bestowing this lantern with it's first wish?"

England looked surprised, smiled, made a comment about how America was already putting that dictionary to use, and then closed his eyes. He appeared to be thinking very hard. A light blush spread across his cheeks, and then he opened his eyes once more. "Alright, I wished."

America smiled, and brought some scissors from his pocket, snipping the strings. The lantern soared up, so happy to be free. But then the wind caught it and it slowed down, drifting away like leaves in a creek.

England and America continued this way. England wishing, America snipping. When they were all gone the sky was swirling with lazy shooting stars.

"So...what'd ya wish for?"

England blushed. "I only wished for one thing, actually."

America cocked his head. "Really? What?"

"I just...I..." England fumbled for words, his hands flapping a bit and his eyebrows scrunched. "I...Oh, damn this alcohol! I wished that you'd...k-kiss me."

What.

"What?"

England blushed deeper and began frantically waving his hands. "You don't have to! I mean, I get it if you don't feel the same way but...I just...I've started to like you even though you're an idiot and the lanterns were just so pretty..."

America smiled. So he hadn't misheard. America shook his head, blamed it on a Christmas miracle, and tugged England by this hips so he was pressed against him.

"Well, Iggy," he smirked "I think it's only fair you get to know my wishes. I only ever wished that I could be with you."

And then he dipped down and captured England's cold lips with his own.

Despite the cold weather, America felt as if he could melt right then.

So I guess I was feeling for a little Christmas in July, yeah?

If you don't know what paper lanterns are, either google them or watch Tangled. They actually exist in real life, believe it or not. America's tradition is actually my tradition. I do it every year on Christmas. Fun times, bro.

Sorry for any mistakes! I'm American!

-Mallory