Prologue

Keeping his scarf wrapped securely around his neck, Feliks exhaled and it created a translucent cloud of air, reflecting the cold temperature that had rained on his country. He checked his watch and decided that he should make haste. For a rather self-centered person, Feliks did not tolerate tardiness, especially if caused by himself. Perhaps one might even argue that his egoistical ways had mellowed over the periods of hardships.

Stepping into the café, the Pole glanced across the room and spotted a familiar blonde. He walked over and plopped onto his seat, setting his wallet on the table.

"Poland! Good afternoon and it's great to see you again, pal!"

"Likewise, America," Feliks responded with a brief hearty wave himself.

Alfred and Feliks weren't the closest of companions but the former had aided him through times and their shared time together had made Feliks acquainted with his presence. Normally, Feliks would have attempted to find an alternative rather to meet with a stranger or a distant person. It was no longer simply shyness that prompted the behaviour but wariness too.

After ordering an iced coffee for himself, Feliks folded his arms atop the table and stared at Alfred, waiting for him to begin their topic. It was Alfred who proposed this meeting of theirs.

"So, how's it going?"

"It's been great. The economy has been booming and we're continuing to promote the establishment of private firms. The economy is going free now."

"Geez, I was asking about you, not your reports."

Feliks raised a brow in surprise. That was not what Alfred was here for? He assumed that the American organised a meeting so that he could get a scope on his developments since they had recently begun stronger bilateral ties and more trades.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he decided that he still hadn't fully recuperated from the war or that his mind was still obstinate in maintaining certain changes in him. Overcoming betrayal had come with a price. Feliks had found himself to be less willing to trust others and only seemed so on the surface. Amiability? Such a term seemed distant in his mind now that he was exposed to the utter betrayal shown by his allies. Alfred wasn't involved but could Feliks be blamed for adopting his new attitude towards anyone?

He waved his hand in a casual apologetic manner.

"I thought you were here for that. As for me, uh, I guess I've been doing fine too?"

What else could he say? It had been clear as day that Feliks was anything but fine. A lie would do him good in avoiding divulging his terrifying nightmares and daylight blackouts to an acquaintance.

"Not everyone is hard on business. You know me. Easy going and just really into the fun stuff. I have way too much hard situations on my hand to talk about it on my day off."

"I've watched the news." Feliks sipped on his iced coffee from a straw immediately after it was served on his table. It was a good distraction from his discomfort. "Sounds like things are becoming more hectic on your side."

"Sure is. We're getting all the help we can. Oh, thanks for your assistance with Operation Simoom. Our agents and the foreigners wouldn't have made it out there without you."

It felt pleasant to have his efforts appreciated for once, Feliks decided. Therefore, he could respond with a small smile and a quick tilt of his head. "No problem."

There, Alfred could gradually discern the changes Feliks underwent. He was no longer the oblivious man he had heard Arthur talked of. There was an aura of forced tranquillity surrounding the Pole and he seemed neither the forthright and boisterous nation Toris had mentioned either. It could be attributed to Feliks's reserved nature as he also recalled his current guest saying how Feliks often avoided speaking to strangers because he was shy.

Yet it was also a fact that Feliks had matured over time. His fundamental personality stayed but his attitude had been affected tremendously. While he was still terribly blunt in his speech, he had significantly avoided topics of his own suffering. Feliks still complained excessively but he hardly mentioned of what had truly hurt him.

The obscure knowledge of the man before him made Alfred wonder if it was appropriate to bring out his request, which was the true reason for his visit. Alfred did, however, as he was not a man who became too wary over such complications.

"By the way, I need you to do another thing for me."

Still sipping from his straw despite his growing comfort for Alfred, Feliks leaned his cheek against his knuckles. "Sure. What is it?"

"Could you let Toris stay at your place for a while?"

"Oh, you mean let Lietuva stay at my place—Wait what?!"

Feliks had really tried not to choke on his drink.

Of all requests, Alfred just had to deploy one that would render him speechless. Feliks knew that Alfred was not as oblivious as certain others pegged him to be. His recent fallout with Toris was as conspicuous as Ivan in a cramped room. In fact, the two once close friends had completely severed any bilateral establishments between their countries and hadn't spoken for years.

Considering Feliks's still ongoing liking for Toris, the vicious time apart had made him numb towards any notion of speaking to him again. It would be incorrect to say that Feliks had come to abhor or forget about Toris but it was simply so that the Lithuanian didn't participate in a majority of his thoughts anymore. Feliks had more productive matters that he must tend to.

Now, Alfred's request had seemed as though he had opened the Pandora box. What had been kept at bay were beginning to peek from its shadows and Feliks wasn't sure he appreciated the reminder of how their passive belligerent issue existed.

Alfred must have been mad to propose this absurd idea!

"Alfred," Feliks started off slowly and carefully. "I think you, of all people, should know that we have… kind of a difficult situation between us. We wouldn't even speak to each other, much less live together and playing house."

"Toris needs to return to handling his economy at a closer distance now that it is improving and he's not ready to be, you know, living so near to Russia. At least I know that he'd definitely be safe with you."

"Right. I think he still have funny ideas about me wanting to seize Vilnius."

Then again, Toris couldn't be blamed for that.

"But you don't," Alfred argued. "You gotta do me this favour, pal. I know that I am threading on a thin line here but I don't have any other alternatives. Estonia and Latvia are still in the midst of recuperating and it'd be worse if I made Toris go to someone he doesn't even know."

"I think that it would still be a better choice than sticking him with someone he completely doesn't trust and vice versa."

Was it a lie? Feliks thought briefly. Had he became untrusting towards Toris?

"I know that it's hard and unfair to stick the both of you together after all of that happened. I wouldn't have asked you for permission if Toris was violently against it either."

Surprise reflected in his expression at that statement. Toris wasn't against it? Then again, Toris might have been too polite to refuse any attempts that Alfred produced to assist his friend. Feliks could imagine that he would have difficulties in coming to term with Alfred's suggestion but perhaps it was the centuries' worth of tolerance that might have convinced Toris that a few short years wouldn't do much harm. Besides, they were merely not talking rather than brawling against each other.

His digits came to massage the growing migraine on his forehead. It was a simple request and Feliks recalled that his leaders strongly advised him to attempt assisting Alfred in any way he could, considering that they desired for America to be one of their biggest trading partners.

"What exactly did he say?" Feliks asked.

"He said he is alright with it as long as you're cool," Alfred responded eagerly and honestly.

Blowing a restrained air past his lips, Feliks relaxed his shoulders and fixed a thoughtful gaze on Alfred. Truly, it was one of the most absurd – or perhaps not 'most' – request he had received. He was never comfortable in dealing with post arguments with a distant friend. Heaps of awkwardness were bound to emerge from this new arrangement, he could just sense it.

"Fine. I'll do it," Feliks finally replied although there was a drip of reluctance in his tone.

"Really?!"

Feliks flinched and leaned back in shock at the loud outburst of joy from Alfred. His eyes were wide at the sheer luminance emitting from the man and discomfort was piling on him as more patrons were turning their attention towards them. Feliks was typically shameless when he was doing his own act but to have someone else putting the both of them in the limelight was nothing that he was accustomed to.

"Geez, I said yes! Must you be so loud? You're acting as though I'm giving you my entire property!"

"You're the best, dude! I knew I could count on you!"

Before Feliks could react, Alfred had rounded the table and pulled the Pole into a tight brotherly embrace. Alfred didn't notice him flinch, which it was due to Feliks becoming truly reluctant to participate in any physical contact with anyone ever since the most vigorous storm passed. All attempts to shove Alfred away was proven futile when he was outmatched by the absurd strength.

Hence, all Feliks was left with were thoughts of how his days would come to a gradual downfall.

I haven't written a multi chapter fic for a long time but here I go again. I honestly have no idea how frequent I will be updating this because of my busy schedule but we will see.

Take note that I use countries' human names in narration when I am referring to their personifications because it's more comfortable for me that way. Some people do tend to forget that I am writing about characters, not countries and their people. In dialogue, characters who are relatively close will use each others' human names and their country name if they are distant or in a formal setting. Feliks won't be calling Lithuania 'Liet' any time soon.

Prior to World War II, Poland had attempted to seize Vilnius after its request to reestablish the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was declined. Because of Poland's growing apprehension towards a possible invasion, it attempted to gain as many land as it could so that it could fortify itself. Thus, the Polish-Lithuanian war was staged and after Poland seized control of Vilnius, Lithuania cut off all diplomatic ties with Poland afterwards.

There were actually upturns and downturns after the Cold War was concluded but in the present day, the two countries are beginning to seek for stronger ties.

Operation Somoom, as mentioned, was the name given to top secret Polish intelligence which was conducted in Iraq during 1990. It was deemed as a dangerous operation as it involved investing the movements of the Iraq army and recreate contact with the six American spies along with aiding them to move out of Iraq. They also assisted the foreigners, who were held hostage by Iraqis, to escape.