AN: Okay...this is going to be my one shot/songfic place. I take requests for either. Don't be shy! I just ask that the songs be in English. Otherwise, have fun!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the song "Just Like You" by Three Days Grace.
Notes on this story: Cold War tensions between America and Russia. More than implied Alfred/Ivan. About the German Occupation after World War II: Germany and Berlin were divided up into four different sectors, each occupied by either America, Britain, France, or Russia. When America, Britain, and France were ready to leave, Russia wasn't. Russia occupied the Eastern part of Germany, which used to be known as Prussia. So, I'm calling it Prussia, da? Enjoy!
I could be mean
I could be angry
You know I could be just like you
Russia's crazy, America tried to convince himself. You can't believe a single word that comes out of his mouth. He's psychotic. He's been that way for many years; he's not going to suddenly be sprouting off deep wisdom with meaning. He probably just drank too much vodka. Or he's starting to feel the cracks in his 'grand' empire.
America wished he could believe those two, solid reasons.
I could be fake
I could be stupid
You know I could be just like you
"America, are you all right?" England asked, coming up behind him in the hall. "You look very strange—"
America shook off Arthur's hand. "I'm fine."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "You sure as hell don't look fine. You've looked strange since Ivan came up to you before the conference. What did he say—"
"He's a crazy communist bastard. You really think I'd let him get on my nerves?"
"You seem to be proving the point."
You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
"Look, stop trying to all brotherly and protective. I can handle this myself."
You're wrong if you think that I'll be
Just like you (Just like you)
"Forgive me for trying to help."
You thought you were there to guide me
"Just leave me alone and we'll be fine."
You were only in my way
"Fine."
You're wrong if you think that I'll be
Just like you
England walked away, looking pissed off. That was not his concern. America couldn't care less how England felt. They'd always had a weird relationship. Somehow it managed to survive. Well, they hadn't killed each other yet and America always helped England out, so they were fine. That hot-cold system worked in the past. It would work in the future. They both just chose not to look at how broken the relationship was. If they couldn't admit that it was broken, they couldn't fix it, or talk about it at all.
I could be cold
I could be ruthless
You know I could be just like you
Alfred loosened his tie one handed as he dumped ice and scotch into a cup. He tossed his suit jacket over a chair as he collapsed onto the couch. He drained the glass and started crunching ice. Damn it. Damn it.
The Cold War was not fun at all.
I could be weak
Alfred drank more.
I could be senseless
By midnight, he couldn't feel anything. The alcohol stripped his body of the ability to move, so he was forced to lie helpless and watch the events that he didn't want to see.
You know I could be just like you
Russia coming up to him so long ago and placing a hand on his shoulder. Russia smiled down at him with eyes that sparkled. Russia asking Alfred if he was happy.
Alfred said, "As long as you're here with me, I'm happy."
You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
Ivan coming up to him and kissing him hard and possessively. There was need and fear in that kiss and in their night. Alfred hadn't realized that that was a premonition.
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
"Ivan, I love you," Alfred said, blushing and looking at the ground.
Ivan lifted Alfred's face to his. "And I love you."
You were only in my way
"I have some bad news for you, America. Russia has become communist."
You're wrong if you think that I'll be
Just like you (just like you)
"We can't see each other anymore," Ivan said simply.
"Why?" Alfred asked, confused and upset.
Ivan smiled harshly. "You're everything I hate, darling."
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
"I will stop you. No matter what," Alfred growled.
You're wrong if you think that I'll be
Just like you
Today's stupid conference. The conference.
Alfred sat in a chair, at ease. France, Britain, and Russia were coming to discuss what would be done with the city of Berlin. France, Britain, and he felt that it was time to reunite Germany. They weren't sure what Russia would say, but they had a feeling it wasn't going to be nice.
On my own, because I can't take living with you
I'm alone, so I won't turn out like
You want me to
Britain and France were chatting pleasantly with Germany, who seemed calm. Russia came in, alone. Prussia wasn't with him. Alfred stood up and walked over to him.
"Where is he?"
You thought you were standing beside me
You were only in my way
Ivan clicked his tongue. "Prussia is not ready to be…linked up yet. We request more time."
Alfred pushed Ivan. "You don't get more time. You're not keeping him."
You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
Ivan's eyes turned stormy. "I'm not keeping him. I just think it would be best if there was more time."
"You've had a ton of time. I'm not going to let you keep do this!"
"Doing what?" Ivan asked, a seductive smile on his face.
You were only in my way
"I will make sure you are stopped. I will destroy communism and all it stands for."
You're wrong if you think that I'll be
Ivan's face got darker. "You won't be able to do that."
"And why's that?"
Just like you (just like you)
Ivan slammed him against the wall. Ivan brought his face down slightly so they were looking eye to eye. Ivan's hands were against Alfred's throat, not quite choking him, but pressuring his neck.
"You'll have to destroy yourself if you want to eradicate me."
You thought you were there to guide me
You were only in my way
"W-Why?" He hated the way his voice trembled as he felt Ivan's breath on his face and one of Ivan's hands falling from his neck and trailing down his torso.
You're wrong if you think that I'll be
Just like you
Ivan leaned closer and whispered in Alfred's ear. "You and I…we're one and the same, darling."
I could be mean
I could be angry
You know I could be just like you
Alfred woke up the next morning with a severe hang over. He made a fist in the new morning light and said, "We're not the same. You just wish we were."