When Russia woke up the morning after her birthday, she momentarily forgot what had happened the night before as she stared up at the ceiling. It had started out lonely and depressing, but she seemed to recall it not ending that way. Her eyes drifted down to the end of the bed and she saw a scarf draped across the bed post. Then all the previous night's events came back to her.
"America was here…" she murmured thoughtfully. Sitting up, she then leaned over and took hold of the scarf. As she ran the scarf through her fingers, she thought back to the previous night. The two of them had watched a film completely different than what she had been planning to watch. Instead, he had found a film she had completely forgotten she had.
"No way! Halloween?" He had exclaimed. "Really?! You own this?!"
"N-No!" She denied, feeling embarrassed that he found a movie from his country in her house. "My brother thought I might be interested in it. I completely forgot I had it until you pulled it out…"
"Oh."
She watched him carefully. Was he disappointed that she didn't own it? For some reason, she kind of hoped he was.
"Well, have you seen it, at least?"
She shook her head.
"Aw, what?! Man, that's it. You need to be indoctrinated." He wiggled his fingers at her and spoke in an overly dramatic and deep voice.
Russia sighed. Horror movies weren't ever really her type of film. She would still rather watch a comedy or a drama, but for some reason, she went along with it anyway.
"All right. Will I at least be scared by this?" she asked.
He grinned. "Well, I always get creeped out by it!"
That wasn't promising much. Word had it that America got scared by a lot of films.
"Hmm," she murmured doubtfully.
"Aw, c'mon. I'm sure you've watched these kinds of films from Norway and Sweden, right?"
She nodded.
"Well then let's see how this holds up! C'mon, please?"
"I said I would already," she said exasperatedly. "So go ahead and put it on."
He did so, and very excitedly. As the movie began to play, he sat down next to her and squeezed a pillow under his chin. "Haven't watched this in a while!" He whispered and grinned at her.
She merely stared back at him, and they sat there on the couch quietly.
"Want some popcorn?" He suddenly asked as the characters in the movie were driving up to a mental asylum.
She couldn't help but chuckle. "No thank you. I don't think I even have any…"
"Oh." His shoulders slumped in defeat. It looked like there would be no popcorn for this movie.
By the middle of the movie, America was quite nervous while Russia was mildly interested. When one of the teenagers was killed by the psychotic killer, Russia could have sworn she heard a yelp and America grabbed her arm, resting his head on her shoulder.
"Um… Are you all right…?" She queried, gingerly prying his hand off of her arm.
"Uh… yeah! Course I am! What? D'you think I was scared?" He quickly distanced himself away from her. "Psh! Heroes don't get scared!" He scoffed.
"Right."
When the movie was over and America had turned it off, Russia just sat there, silent.
"So what didja think?" America asked, grinning.
She slowly turned to him.
"So that is what American horror film is; a man in a blank mask killing babysitters for no reason?" She stared at him, nonplussed.
America frowned a little. "Well… not all of it is… I mean, there are several other series like that… and all the remakes… but… this is one of the first!" He answered sheepishly.
There was a pause.
"Well, it certainly was… a unique movie," she finally said.
America grinned again. "I'll take that as a good thing."
Russia smiled, thinking back to that evening. The film had been genuinely eerie at times, though she didn't think she would lose any sleep over it, nor watch it ever again.
Ah well. At least it hadn't been a lonely evening.
She sighed and got out of bed, ready to begin preparing for the day. She would have to stop by the Kremlin that morning, so she dressed properly for such an occasion. As she began making a light breakfast for herself, she decided to check her phone in case there were any messages that she slept through.
"You have ten new messages."
Russia winced.
"Message one," went the answering machine.
"Joyeux Anniversaire, ma chérie!" It was France, to Russia's surprise. "I know I forgot your birthday… I am a stupid fool!" He said dramatically. "So I thought I would at least give you a call to show I'm not a completely heartless beast-"
Beep. Anya skipped to the next message.
"Hello? Sestra? It's me, your brother! I was able to find a payphone so I could call you without getting tracked! Listen, are you all right? I heard that Amerika came to your house and-"
Beep.
"Next message."
"Anya! It's me again! Why won't you pick up? My sources said that they saw Amerika at your doorstep and you let him in! Don't-"
Beep.
"Next message."
"He's hurt you, hasn't he? He was in there for over an hour! I'll kick that man's-"
Beep.
"Next message."
"All right, Anya. I'm coming over! I'll-"
Beep.
The rest of the messages were all like that and Russia sighed. She hoped her brother had given up and realized she had just been asleep when he texted her. He wasn't in the house, at least. She would have heard him.
She then put her breakfast dishes in the sink and headed out.
I really hope my brother hasn't done anything stupid, she thought.
… … …
"You idiot! I told you to follow me up the stairs!" America bellowed into the mike on his headset as he watched the avatar of England get mauled by zombies. Again.
"Shut up, America. You should have come back to revive me!" He heard England shout back.
The Game Over sign showed up in dripping red letters on America's screen.
"I don't even like this game," England continued to complain. "Why did I ever let you talk me into playing this?"
"Because you can't say no to a challenge," America answered, smirking.
He heard England sigh.
"Yes, yes. You're right. Let's have a go at it one more time."
"Sure thing, buddy," America chuckled. "This time, though, how 'bout you actually listen to me for a change?"
Amidst England's scoffs and objections, America heard a loud knocking on his door.
"Hold on, man. Someone's at the door. Take five."
"Sure. Whatever that's supposed to mean…"
America got up from the couch and padded over to the front door. However, he had forgotten to take off his headset, and he opened the door.
"Yes? Hello?"
When it hit him, he didn't see anything at first. The only thing he knew was that something heavy collided with his midsection and he fell backwards. Everything was a blur of grays, blues and blacks before he finally recognized a pair of dark blue eyes.
"Belarus?" He exclaimed.
"Belarus? What? America, are you all right? I thought I heard something fall!" England said over the headset.
America tried to sit up.
"What are you doing here, man? I don't think I – Oh, crap!"
He rolled quickly to the side as Belarus brought out two long very sharp knives.
"America? America! Hey! What's going on? Listen to me!" England shouted.
"Put those things down, man!"
"Put what down?!" England roared. America didn't listen to him, but jumped to his feet and dodged behind the couch. Belarus was right behind him, though, jumping over the sofa and chasing America into the kitchen area. Belarus threw a knife and America dodged to the side, knocking the headset off in the process. He scrambled to grab one of the kitchen chairs to use as a shield against the knives while Belarus retrieved the tossed one. The two faced each other.
"What's going on, Belarus, dude?" He queried nervously, peering at his attacker from behind the chair.
"You dare ask me that? I know what you've been doing, you American pig!" Belarus snarled. He jabbed the knife into the chair.
"Geez!" America hissed. His eyes widened. "I haven't done anything! You're crazy!" He shouted.
"You can't deny it! I have eye witnesses that said you were at my sister's house last night!"
"Wha-?"
America lowered the chair ever so slightly, but that was all Belarus needed. He swiped at America's throat, nearly slitting it open. America flew backwards, however, and he toppled to the floor on his back. Belarus kicked the chair away and lunged for his prey, but America caught his arm and held him at bay.
"America? America, I'm still here, you know!" England's muffled voice came over the headset near them.
"Nngh!" Was all America got out as he strained to keep the knife away from his throat.
"All… I did … was tell your sister… happy birthday!" He grunted.
"Lies! You were in there for over an hour! What did you do to her?"
"I told you! I didn't do anything!"
"Then how come she will not answer my phone calls?"
"Gee, I wonder why?" America muttered sardonically. "Don't ask me! All I did was give her a present and watch a movie with her." He frowned. He was getting annoyed. "Now get off."
He bunched is legs together from underneath Belarus and kicked him off. The man went flying and hit the back of the sofa, hard.
The knives lay discarded by America near the headset and he picked them up and put them on the kitchen counter.
"You'll get those back when you leave," he told the fallen man, who was slowly sitting back up and rubbing his head.
"I don't need knives to hurt you," he growled.
America rolled his eyes.
"Man, I don't even know what you're talking about. I didn't do anything to Russia."
"How am I to believe that? You are her sworn enemy. Going to visit her on her birthday – when you know full well no one else would – could be the perfect set up to ambush her."
America ignored how much he agreed with Belarus on that and merely said,
"Well… I wasn't planning on ambushing her or anything. I don't know how I can convince you, but-"
Suddenly the sound of a cell phone ringing interrupted him.
"That's not mine," America said.
Surprised, Belarus pulled out a black cell phone and answered it.
"Hello? Sestra!"
America rolled his eyes again.
"What am I doing? I was just making sure that Amerika – No. No, I understand. I was just worried about you… I am at his house and – But sestra, I was just worried – All right… Yes. Goodbye…"
He shut the phone and put it back in his pocket, glaring up at America all the while.
"I am sorry, Amerika," he muttered.
America sighed and stood back, giving Belarus enough space to stand up.
"No problem, I guess. You know you could have just called me to ask what happened."
Belarus continued to frown. "I would not have believed you."
"Yeah. I suppose not…" He took the knives from the kitchen and gave them back to Belarus. The man stored them in his coat.
"So… um… I guess I'll show you to the door…"
Belarus nodded.
"You… uh, don't want a drink or anything?"
"No."
"Okay." America was, admittedly, relieved. He really didn't want Belarus to stay for much longer.
"Goodbye, Amerika."
"Yeah. Bye."
Once Belarus was gone, America turned back to the paused game.
"Aw crap!" He grabbed the discarded headset.
"England? Yo, England! You still there?"
"Yes, I'm here," England responded, though he sounded quite put out.
"What was all that about? Did I hear Belarus attacking you?!"
America grimaced. He wasn't sure how to explain everything to his friend.
"Uhhh… Just a little argument is all. No biggie. You know how Belarus can be."
"Heh." England snorted derisively.
"Yeah, so, anyways… Wanna get back to the game?"
… … …
Belarus' visit was only the first of several questioning notes and rumors concerning the night of Russia's birthday. America got plenty of emails and texts demanding answers about why he visited Russia's house after sundown. He was even questioned by the President and his administration!
The Russian government was just as bewildered, and also a little worried. Half believed America was up to something and half believed it was just what it looked like: one of the representatives offering a hand of friendship to the other after years of strained relations. Both countries were so confused over the whole scenario that they decided to hold a small meeting to discuss the issue.
America sighed as both he and Russia waited outside the meeting hall while inside their officers were discussing things. He glanced over at his fellow nation, but she didn't say a word to him. Instead, she focused on the newspaper, shaking her head and tutting every now and then.
He sighed again. "All this over a stupid visit…" he muttered.
"You acted foolishly," she responded, not taking her eyes off of the paper. "You should have at least told your president where you were going."
He frowned. "And what about you, hm? I don't remember you ever calling up your president to inform him of my visit."
She gave a little toss of the head and snapped the paper up closer to her face.
"This is embarrassing…" He heard her mutter.
He snorted. "You're telling me!"
"I don't even know if I like you that much," she continued. "What with you and your people always sticking your noses into our business…"
"Hey now," he said tersely. "Watch it, Russia. You know I could say plenty about you – nothing good, either!"
She lowered the paper and just smiled coldly at him.
"Could you? Pray tell me, what would you say?" Her dark eyes held a challenge in them.
He huffed and folded his arms across his chest. "I'm not going to tell you. I am a gentleman, after all."
He heard her snort derisively and his fists clenched. Once again, this woman had managed to piss him off, and he hated that about her. Sure, there were other countries he didn't get along with every now and then, but somehow it was always Russia who was the one that got under his skin the most. There were times he just wanted to scream at her and shake her till her teeth fell out. Only problem with that was, she was every bit as powerful as he was. If he hit hard, she'd hit back just as hard. And he knew she wasn't afraid to do so.
"I really hate you sometimes," he groused out. He heard a light tinkling laughter and tried to hold back a shudder.
"The feeling is mutual," she responded. He looked back at her but she had gone back to the paper. "Hopefully, we won't have to deal with such things as this in the future, yes?"
His frown deepened. He understood her words perfectly. She wanted him as far away from her as possible. Despite the somewhat enjoyable evening of her birthday, the relationship between the two of them seemed to remain cold. But he couldn't help it! He did hate her! She drove him crazy! She made him want to tear his hair out!
She had once claimed that they had a lot in common, despite their governments being the exact opposite… But that idea scared him. Russia was insane, everyone said. She was a murderer. All she cared about was gaining more land and more power. He didn't want to be like her. He wanted nothing to do with her…
But even so, memories flashed through his mind, reminding him he was no less innocent of bloodshed than Russia was. They both had wanted so much… Tried to gain the entire world… They had just gone about it in different ways… His eyes slowly turned back to the woman sitting next to him and he studied her profile solemnly. Why were things the way they were? Why couldn't they get along?
Suddenly the doors to the inner office opened, and Alfred and Anya's bosses came out.
"Everything is fine," Alfred's president said, clapping a hand on his nation's shoulder.
"You have worked things out?" Anya asked, looking at her president. He nodded.
"We shall be meeting to negotiate further understanding in Ireland in a few months," the Russian president answered. He politely shook America's boss' hand. "Until then, safe travels."
America's president nodded as he returned the handshake. "Thank you for having us."
As he left the building with his boss, Alfred turned back to see Russia smiling at him with a sort of triumph that made him set his jaw. But suddenly, an idea came to him – an awful idea – a marvelously wicked, awful idea.
He grinned back at her. So you don't want to have anything to do with me, do you? He thought.
Well… welcome to your new nightmare, baby.
A.N.: Ahhh another chapter! I had a bit of difficulty in the middle of this, but I've fixed it and it's all good.
When you write these two in a modern setting, you've gotta be careful in talking about current events, since things can get a bit... personal... eheh. So I skirted around those issues, since I don't think talking about them in a Hetalia fanfic is appropriate. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just google current American/Russian relations.
Yep. That's it, I think. thanks for keeping up with this so far! ;u;