Russia paced the concrete floor of his prisoner's solitary confinement cell with sure steps, hands folded behind his back in a thoughtful manner as he ran over the previous day's events in his head another time. They were all at war with each other because of the rising issue of an elite group of Chinese communists that spread all over the globe to enforce their views in a most unsavory fashion. Bombings, kidnappings and riots were spreading through many of the first world countries like wildfire and despite England and America's attempts to quell the growing flame of rebellion, it was already steadily burning.
The war started about three years ago, not long for most wars in the Russian's observations, but its mysteries were still slowly emerging and every day proved to be more trying than the last. Ivan had offered Yao a chance to be helped with his massive army and plentiful military resources, but the older nation had declined quickly and made it a point that he would rather suffer a horrible fate at the hands of any other than ally himself with him. Unfortunately, the Gods were not in Yao's favor and his denial all for naught.
Russia smiled brightly to himself, a small giggle escaping him when he thought of how China had gotten caught in his country. He had to hand it to the other, that disguise was quite... suited to him. If only he still had it on right now, it would cause him greater amusement to see him in a dress.
"China~ Wake up, I'd like to have a word with you~" He said sweetly, that always cheery disposition of his not hiding his masked intentions as he slowly stalked over to the man lying on the ground.
China slowly roused from unconsciousness, a painful throbbing sensation pulsating in the back and sides of his head. He felt sore and his entire body ached, making him aware that he was on some cold, hard surface. Cracking his eyes open, he could see a blurry figure and by the size, the other was much larger than he was. Once his vision began to refocus, he realized that the man in front of him was none other than the Russian himself. "Wha-What is this and why am I here?!" He questioned quite loudly, though he regretted it immediately when the headache roused again.
Russia smiled down at the other, pleased that he was awake so he could have even more fun at his expense. "You are here because you were spotted among my citizens, trying to gather confidential information about my battle strategies that is none of your business. And this is the game of war that we all play together~"
China sat up slowly, brow furrowed as he remembered his purpose for being in the Russian's country. Never in his life would he have guessed he would've been discovered under his disguise and knocked out, only to be woken up by him in such a setting. "So what are you going to do about it? Are you are just going to keep me in here until the Westerners stop my people?" He asked lowly, his dark orbs glaring at the towering man in front of him. He truly did not want to get on the other's bad side, remembering events that he had not to taken too lightly, yet he didn't want to stand down and let him get his way. After all, he was a large and powerful country himself, someone who did not go down without a fight.
"Maybe," Russia shrugged nonchalantly, as if they weren't talking about something as serious as forcible captivity. "It's not like I am on their side or anything. But when you are here in my country, with me. Going back to your nation in one piece is a privilege, not a right. You of all people should know that." He chirped in response, a slight laugh heard in his tone as he eyed the Chinese man from a foot away. He really did enjoy the heated look the other was giving him right now, it made him smile brighter as he thought about how he could destroy it into utter nothingness with a simple movement.
"And you should know as well that I will not succumb to whatever plans you may have unless you are as clueless as the Westerners, as I have emphasized repeatedly after all of your invitations, aru..." The Chinese man countered slowly, choosing his words carefully. It was hard not to bite back with as much venom as he could muster, though he wasn't sure whether it would be effective enough on the childlike nation.
For a silent moment, nothing happened as the Russian just stared down at him, an unidentifiable emotion passing over his face before it was swept back into his default serene smile. "I never expected you to, as you say, succumb to any of my plans. You never were the type to listen to what others had to say unless you fully trusted them," He stepped closer to where China lay, holding out a hand for the other to take as he continued looking down at him. "Maybe, if you had trusted me, you wouldn't be in this situation. Though I do not expect you to understand what your decision will mean in the future, I will offer you my trust once more for a pact deal. Think about it this time, hm?"
The Asian stared at the outstretched hand critically then back at the smiling face, all the more suspicious of what his motives were. The deal did seem a bit appealing, especially in the state he was in right now. If he accepted, he could get out of the dingy, cold prison and possibly come to an agreement with Russia. But then again, it could all be a trap and bring him and his people down with shame. After a few agonizing seconds of silence, pondering over the pros and cons, Yao answered quietly, "I will trust you enough to discuss the deals in the pact, though I will not guarantee that I will agree with most of the conditions, nevertheless all."
"Good enough for me," Ivan responded quickly, swiftly hoisting the other up off the ground before stepping even closer to him, not giving him any room to escape if he so dared. "What exactly are you expecting my conditions to be for this pact?"
Yao took a step back, trying to keep his personal space away from the man. Still glaring, he replied simply, "Well for one, nothing that will damage my land and people more than it is right now." He didn't like how Ivan spoke to him in such a manner, he didn't like how he was forcing him into a tight situation and he especially did not like how he was smiling down at him. He knew that this was a pessimistic way of thinking, but in his current situation, he didn't really care.
"And besides that?" Ivan asked, his smile never wavering at the other's clear distaste of what was happening. It was refreshing to feel the waves of hatred surging onto him from Yao's glare, the flimsy foundation of the Allied Powers having bored him with the familiarity of it all. But this was something he had long since wanted to feel again, the feeling of undeniable authority that he could place onto others. He might have lost a little bit of his sanity in the process, but who cares when he was having so much fun?
"And anything else that does not cause me to be involved in any of your ridiculous and unpredictable plans," He continued bluntly. Oh, how he really wanted to get away from that childlike smile. It wasn't scary or anything of the sort, but it did make him uncomfortable. And vulnerable, weak almost, as if the actual expression was sucking away his confidence and strength to fight against the nation.
He didn't think it would be that easy to get him to agree, but if that was everything he wanted from it, then that wasn't hard to do at all. Except, he needed to know if that was everything or not before he could say what was on his mind. "Is that all?"
China thought for another moment, making sure that he hit all of the major points that he needed to make sure came up to have complete agreement between the two of them. With a nod, he replied, "For the most part, yes." The intensity of his glare lowered, though still clearly visible.
"Okay. Then it is agreed that I will help keep you safe from harm and in return, you owe me greatly." Russia said, moving away to allow him some space but not much else. There wasn't much that he wanted, though he had enough time to think about it. This war wasn't ending any time soon and China would have to stay here for quite a long time.
He was relieved to have his space back, being able to breath a little easier without the Russian sending an unpleasant aura near him. "And what is it that I owe you oh so greatly?" China inquired slowly, eyeing the larger man with slightly narrowed eyes. He knew that things wouldn't go as smoothly as he would have liked since nothing in this world was as simple as that.
"Your word to this agreement that you will not betray my trust and something... more personal of yours." The violet-eyed man said vaguely, a shift in his smile to something more sinister becoming visible in a few seconds of observing his face. And if he didn't agree to that, then he would just keep him down there for as long as he felt necessary.
Yao raised a brow in question, puzzled by the unclear meaning of 'more personal'.
What could he ever betray that would be personal to him? Japan and his other siblings? No, they weren't involved in any of the major skirmishes with his people. Then what...?
"Would you mind explaining, aru...?" He asked slowly.
"What I mean to say is that, as I pledge myself to help you, you will also help me as well. In whatever way I want you to, da~" The still unclear message hung in the air as Ivan continued to stare at the other, a moment of deafening silence passing between the two.
A soft defeated sigh broke the heavy silence, the Chinese man's shoulders slouching a fraction. "If it means getting my part of the deal, then I will oblige to whatever you need..." He wanted to take back those words, but he knew that he had no other choice unless he wanted to spend an eternity here in the cold, dark prison.
"Then you understand what I mean. Good," Russia nodded to himself, heading towards the exit of the cell as he looked over at him. "I will return in the night to seal the deal. So, don't pretend to be asleep if you know what's good for you." Taking one last long look at China, he left the underground prison, locking it up as he left the area at once, already certain he knew exactly what was going to occur that night.
China let out a sigh once the Russian had left, hearing the lock put in place and giving him no other escape route. Sitting back down on the stone floor, the nation tried to get some rest, or in this case, meditate while he still could before the pact became official. It seemed like this year's luck hadn't been as strong as he thought it would be.
