Sealand's still here

As soon as Canada was off the stage, Tex was back at the front and he had a notecard with him. He looked at it and grinned, holding the mic in one hand.

"Alright folks! We've had another volunteer! Please welcome, Peter Kirkland to the stage!"

Tex bellowed into the mic before passing it to Sealand who had already climbed on stage. The crowd erupted into murmurs as Arthur leaned back in his chair, frowning. The kid better not embarrass him and sing some parodied version of the British national anthem or something just as vulgar. But Sealand wasn't smiling as he motioned to the band to start playing.

Surprisingly a slow, even drumbeat started off the song and Arthur leaned forwards slightly in interest, along with most of the other nations as Sealand started singing into the mic. His voice was slightly high but more even and strong sounding.

"I am a question to the world

Not an answer to be heard

Or a moment that's held in your arms

And what do you think you'd ever say?

I won't listen anyway

You don't know me!

And I'll never be what you want me to be."

Sealand looked sincerely sad and somber as he sang into the mic. Startling the nations who were so used to the peppy child.

"And what do you think you'd understand?

I'm a boy, no, I'm a man

You can't take me and throw me away

And how can you learn what's never shown?

Yeah, you stand here on your own

They don't know me

Cause I'm not here!"

Sealand yelled into the mic and Arthur frowned as he saw the way his younger brother looked at him, as if he was singing this just to him.

"And I want a moment to be real

Wanna touch things I don't feel

Wanna hold on and feel I belong

And how can the world want me to change?

They're the ones that stay the same

They don't know me

Cause I'm not here!"

Sealand cried, making some of the nations tear up at the sadness and betrayal emanating from the child, no the practical teenager.

"And you see the things they never see

All you wanted I could be

Now you know me and I'm not afraid

And I want to tell you who I am

Can you help me be a man?

They can't break me

As long as I know who I am!"

Peter sang proudly and strong, clenching his fists hard and Arthur winced at the barb against him. He remembered the day he told Sealand that he was just an immature little boy and told him he would always be that way.

"And I want a moment to be real

Wanna touch things I don't feel

Wanna hold on and feel I belong

And how can the world want me to change?

They're the ones that stay the same

They can't see me

But I'm still here!"

The nations all looked at each other, they were the world that wanted Sealand to grow up, to change.

"They can't tell me who to be

Cause I'm not what they see

Yeah, the world is still sleepin'

While I keep on dreamin' for me

And their words are just whispers and lies

That I'll never believe!"

Peter Kirkland wailed and Arthur winced, he remembered the day he had abandoned Sealand after telling him he would never leave, he had lied to his younger brother. Was that why he hated him so?

"And I want a moment to be real

Wanna touch things I don't feel

Wanna hold on and feel I belong

And how can they say i'll never change?

They're the ones that stay the same

I'm the one now

'Cause I'm still here

I'm the one now

Cause I'm still here

I'm still here

I'm still here

I'm still here!"

Peter stopped singing and let the mic fall to the ground as a pair of arms wrapped around him, Arthur's tear stained face was buried in Peter's neck and he held fast to the teenager. Both of there tears falling together.