Chapter 1
Finally, Alfred thought, slipping out his phone to check it. Only 10 more minutes and I'm out of here man! It had been another one those conferences again, where it wasn't about him or his nation so he just had to sit there to hear everyone else speak about their problems. They wouldn't have problems of they would just let me swoop in and be the hero I am. "This is lame" Alfred mumbled lowly as to let no one hear. Everyone wouldn't have anyways as they were focusing on the slow economic build in Europe…slow but steady, so any tactic of what they were doing must be shared to help another. Even though he ought to be paying attention since his very own economy was dwindling down the drain. Germanys constant scribbling of notes while England prided himself, boasting about what he was doing. It caused England to glow with pride, the only thing Alfred could do was to avert his attention from the situation before he said something he would later regret. He started fumbling with the bracelets on his wrists taking them off and on, rearranging them in different ways. It was the only thing he could do to keep himself entertained and relatively quiet.
England always pestered him whenever he wore them to meetings. "Those look childish, you really ought to grow up," he would say along with other paternal scoldings. Alfred didn't care though; most middle and high school kids in his country wore them. The colors were just bright and vibrant, as well as fitting to any outfit he chose even if it were his 'Oh shit! I'm late for the meeting!' slopped together a button down shirt with a clean white tee underneath along with dark jeans. It was just a fad that was irresistible to not follow. He sighed and smirked at them, naming off every meaning of each color in his head. Such perverts.
A sudden shake on his shoulder broke him from his thoughts and a thick deep voice rang. "Amerika, Amerika! Get out of space before you crash just like ah….what was that one called…oh da, Vanguard!" Alfred jumped out of his seat pointing at the Russian harshly "Hey that satellite was a prototype anyways! It doesn't count commie!" Russia smiled cheekily then grabbed the wrist of Alfred's hand that was pointed at him and dug his thumb into Alfred's pressure point, causing a yelp out of him. "Now now, I'm quite sure you know I'm no longer a communist, which was 10 years ago to be exact" Russia purred out contently. Alfred furrowed his brows attempting to stop himself from yelping in pain as he sputtered out "I know I know man, but you can still act like one at times! Ow! Dude, let go or I'll… I'll nuke you or something". Russia chuckled at the last bit finding it slightly ironic since it WAS Alfred's nation who decided to cut down on their nuclear missiles again for the treaty their bosses created to fix up bad mends. Even though Russia personally didn't like the idea of cutting down his missiles again because it only showed America was slowly falling into paranoia once more just like old times back in WWII and the Cold War. It made him not only more ludicrous and squirrely but caused the other nations to start feeling uneasy as well as tense.
Russia curled a finger around a bracelet of Alfred's, tugging it to feel out its breaking point as he said in a softer tone "Amerika, let's not argue over something so ridiculous, were supposed to be mending our friendship and improving it greatly, instead it seems like you're wanting to…snap it". Alfred stared at his hand in slight panic while his face lightly tinted. "No, not at all, man! I wanna be friends again! I mean after all I am the one who proposed the idea right? So I'm a man of my word! Can I have my hand back now?" He looked around and realized no one was left. Shit, no distractions…. And tried to tug his hand away but as soon as the bracelet tensed he stopped.
"Nyet" Russia said simply, studying over the Americans' ever changing emotions running across his face. Alfred's eyes snapped up in panic before replacing it with a calm expression nonchalantly. "And why not?" He tried to tug his hand again but stopped as soon as the bracelet stretched. Russia smirked. "You must really like this flimsy bracelet, da?"
"No!" Alfred protested instantly. The meaning of that bracelet flashed in his head and shook it out "It's just a stupid bracelet! I have many of them!" Russia raised an eyebrow "Oh really? So what if I-." Suddenly, without warning he pulled his hand back, snapping the bracelet. He looked at it, twirling it between his thumb and index finger. He stared at Alfred, waiting for his next move. Why, was the only thing that ran through his mind. Anyone else but no, it's him. What Russia didn't expect was Alfred lunging forward, wrapping his arms around his waist in a full embrace then running full force out of the room and down the steps. Russia just stood there left in shock pondering over what just happened and a better question, why? He stood there slowly twirling the bracelet in his fingers in thought. America hasn't hugged him since….well since WWII, things got complicated during those times and after. Russia shook his head out of the thoughts in fear of getting a terrible headache and walked out into the hall.
Alfred soared down the steps. When he reached halfway through the flight of steps he jumped the rest. Stopping at the bottom suddenly, remembering that his hotel room was on the conference room floor. They were all packing tonight to head back to their homes before heading to America in two weeks. He sighed. "Fuuuckkk man!" Alfred groaned out before turning around and hiking back up the steps to his room. Well maybe he left already he thought as he walked up the last flight of steps. Reaching the hallway he moseyed down the hallway. It was quiet and beautiful; after all he was in Paris so OF COURSE it'd be beautiful. It's the only thing the French can do after all other than create fruity wines, he thought lightly. Slipping out the hotel key and stepping into his room, he sighed at his mess or, as he called it, "organized chaos".
A half hour later he was packed and heading to the elevator. Why he didn't take it in the first place he didn't know. He stepped in humming to a tune and throwing his bags in the corner while pressing the button. The elevator stopped at the second floor. Russia entered in dropping his luggage at his sides, his scarf tightly wrapped around his neck. "I thought you weren't coming back till later tonight to pack since you were in such a rush" he said casually smiling and glancing down at Alfred's bracelets then staring back at him. Alfred hid his arm defensively behind his back. "Well, you know, just eager to get back to the land of the free! And not the land of the Oui'". Alfred didn't know why he followed the stupidrules of the bracelets, he just did and that was it, I mean it could be fun but….yeah, not going to think about that.
"I'm curious" Russia announced, breaking the silence as the elevator started going down. Alfred looked up, "Hm," staring at Russia, who was staring up at the ceiling in thought.
"What happened back there? You…haven't had the slightest intention to embrace me in years, many many years". Alfred frowned but then plastered on a smile. "Oh, it was uh... nothing. You know me, I get spontaneous at random times dude… don't worry about it!" Russia stared at him blankly. Did he really think he could get away with cheap façade like that? Sighing he switched to a more…slightly forceful tactic. Or well at least for Alfred that is. "I don't think it's being spontaneous, Alfred"
Alfred tensed slightly at his real name being used; it made him feel weird whenever it lightly trickled out of the Russians mouth. He's always had that odd feeling since… well, since whenever he could remember, but only his real name. It just felt to intimate for their current tightened friendship, not much when they were an item. That was a while ago though. He merely shrugged and noted that the elevator really should move faster. Russia furrowed his brows then pressed the elevator button that stopped the elevator completely. Taking a step toward Alfred he said lowly, "you can't fool me, Птичка. Why are you so intent on keeping these out of my reach?" He grabbed the arm behind Alfred's back and held it up thoughtfully staring at the colorful rings around his arm. "You just seem so attached to these things. How come? I've seen your people wear them all up their arms and giggling over something to do with them…"
"It's no big deal, it's just child's play" Alfred said smirking and added challengingly "… it's only a game". Russia perked up a bit at the thought of a new competition with the American. As much as he would deny it to himself, he did miss those games. America was after all one of the few if any able to scale it up and not show the slightest intimidation of the other. "Hmmm. A game you say?" he trailed a finger around one of the bracelets playfully. Alfred nodded slowly turning everything he did in his head making sure not to give anything away. "yes… a 'try me' kind of game, but like I said it's child's play. Only school students play and tease with it". Russia raised an eyebrow looking at the overtly cautious blue orbs. "By the way you act, it's not only school girls and boys who play at it da?" Alfred flushed lightly. "I just know the rules and am alert in case anyone is, you know, playing along with it is all, man." Russia wrapped his pinkie finger around a vibrant orange one smirking at it. "So, what if I were playing?" Alfred tried to pull his hand away. "What? Why? You don't even know how they work or anything! I-I mean you don't know the rules." Russia merely smiled and leaned in so he was face to face with Alfred. "Learning as you go, I know you know that better than I do". Alfred blushed, suddenly nervous and uncomfortable at the sudden intimacy in their positions in the elevator. Half of him wanted to just flee and pretend this all a sick dream of his, but his competitive half held him in place firmly. Russia stared at Alfred's face, eyebrows becoming knitted together as the other conflicted amongst the thoughts in his head. Russia lightly tugged the bracelet, in that instant Alfred's face cleared to a neutral almost daring look.
Russia's lips curled upwards "I wonder…" He pulled back his pinkie and snapped the orange bracelet. Alfred stared at it a moment, calculating and planning. He reached his hands up, grabbing onto the tails of Russia's scarf, pulling him down slightly. He started turning, walking backwards while leading the Russian forward playfully. Alfred knew his charms, knew how to mesmerize and trick someone or at least get them where he wanted them. He guided the other by the scarf until he bumped against wall with the elevator buttons, pulling the scarf farther down guiding Russia's head down until America was able to be only centimeters from their lips touching. Russia kept his eyes steady and blank, not giving away his thoughts because he knew that's what America wanted to see. After seeing no reaction from the other, he lifted his head up causing their lips to finally meet in gentle touches.
Alfred released one of his hands placing it behind him pressing the elevator button so it moved downwards again. Russia felt the movement of the elevator and tried to part but the other wasn't letting go that easily. Instead, refusing to let go, Alfred deepened the kiss even more, to the point of bruising. Once Russia relaxed again, not trying to let go did Alfred soften his kisses brushing his lips across the others as he turned his head slightly to get more at the Russians lips. He would never admit it but he was beginning to enjoy it, instead of it just being a distraction as to escape. As soon as the elevator door opened did he brake the kiss and stared at the Russian boldly before saying firmly,
"Let the games begin."
Okay footnote time!
*Vanguard was Americas first satellite to be constructed, its usually not mentioned or brushed aside because to America is was an embarrassing failure
*the Treaties Russia was mentioning was the New Start Pact which included the Nuclear Arms Reduction Pact
*Птичка= little bird
*Oui is pronounced as 'Wee' what America said rhymed and a bit sing-songed
*Band meanings:
Yellow=Hug
Orange=kiss (no tongue just light kisses)
~i know i havent used Ivans name in this chapter, its all based on how the character sees them at that moment
sorry this started out a bit serious...throughout the story it lightens and gets amusing
~ note that in certain parts they do mention a past relationship or at least tight friendship, so in a way this is pre and current Rusame~