280 Days

By CheshireCat2010

Disclaimer: I don't own APH. Also, this is my first APH fanfic, so please be nice…I'll give you a panda…

Summary: 280 days. In which a process takes place. In which a relationship is put to the test. In which England regrets ever having thrown that spotted toad into the fire that Hong Kong started…

Chapter 1:

In Which Arthur F*cks Everything Up

It had been a long day.

Actually, it began last night at dinner when Germany broke several plates, then tried to force Russia and China to clean up the mess. This, of course, earned him a 'KolKolKol' and a welt on the shoulder-Russia said later that he had aimed for the head but had, in fact, missed.

The next morning, China caught Sweden attempting to put coins in his shoes; he insisted "'t's f'r g'd l'ck." (Translation: It's for good luck). China reluctantly allowed Sweden to continue but made a note to take them out later. In a similar incident, Italy was caught by Russia while trying to put a piece of iron in his pocket. Italy, of course, panicked upon discovery, and Romano ended up having to explain that it, too, was intended for good luck.

But now, as slowly as it had come, the ceremony had come and gone, but not without…distractions. When the priest had asked if anyone had objections, it took all of the Baltics and Ukraine to hold Belarus down. If that wasn't enough, after Russia had vowed that he and China "would be one, not as two countries, but as two people…" Italy stood up and clapped, clearly emotional, as Germany forced him to sit back down. Even after "You may kiss the bride" when Russia had whispered "Now we are one, da?" into China's ear, he said nothing; he just turned as red as the "dress" Taiwan had painstakingly sewn together.

The reception was also just as crazy. Upon entering the reception, Poland put a really weird-looking hat on Russia's head. Thankfully, Russia was in too good a mood to care. Canada managed to catch the bouquet, although it took everyone a few minutes to figure out that it wasn't America. And Korea caught the garter and ran out of the reception with it. He wasn't seen for the rest of the night.

And as Russia and China were about to leave for their wedding night, Hong Kong lit off fireworks, effectively scaring a drunk England (who called America a baka for laughing) AND starting a fire. Right before Latvia started the car, Denmark broke a bottle of champagne over the front bumper. As they drove away, Belarus chased after the car, but only made it a few meters before falling.

Now, in the dead of night, England was now dancing around the fire, singing a song that sounded like a cross between My Jungle Love and Boom Shaka Laka. In his drunken stupor, he found a small animal; a spotted toad.

"Hello, Mr. Toad…" England slurred.

"Iggy, put that down! You don't know where it's been!" America shouted.

Disgruntled, England threw the toad into the fire. Upon impact, the smoke turned green. No one could figure out why it did that. England muttered something about looking it up in his magic book before passing out in the front seat of America's Ford Focus.

As for our married couple? Well, let's say the wedding night was a success, and China was safely asleep in his Russia's arms…until France and Seychelles showed up at two in the morning blowing air horns and singing/screaming Sur le Pont d'Avignon until Russia told them to leave and that they could come back in the morning.

A/N: Okay, that's the end of chapter one. Now I will explain the nations' weird behavior…

Germany: Apparently it's a wedding tradition to break a bunch of plates and then force the bride and groom to clean it up.

Sweden: Two coins are put in the bride's shoes for good luck.

Italy: A piece of iron is carried in the groom's pocket for good luck and to ward away evil spirits.

China: Traditionally, Chinese brides wear red dresses.

Poland: Upon entering the reception, a funny hat is placed on the groom's head to symbolize the wish for the marriage to be filled with happiness and laughter.

Hong Kong: Another Chinese tradition to ward away evil.

France and Seychelles: A tradition called Chiverie, friends of the newlywed couple show up after the reception and blow horns, sing boisterously…basically, make a lot of noise until the groom invites them inside.