Reluctantly he and his boss had attended America's little meeting. Canada's eyes flickered over his new boss. She was a lady, he had to admit. She carried herself well and he could easily see the steel underneath those soft curves. He knew thirty seconds in that this would not go well for him.
The ideas themselves were a mixture of outlandish and sensible, just like America himself most of the time. On the whole, it simply had sounded like America was going to withdraw from the limelight for awhile to regroup. Very harmless. He even had plans to speak to China, to 'carry the torch for a bit' he laughed jokingly, as in he were handing off a job of putting two parts together for hours instead of the leading world. He laughed like it was so simple a child could do it. And Canada knew China was far from a child, and he was sure America knew it too. Yet he merely gave a bright, confident smile, saying it was a temporary thing.
Canada wondered if China knew it was to be temporary.
Probably not.
Little details, as America would say.
Still, Canada was wary. His boss seemed to be politely listening, nodding when appropriate and asking clarifying questions when the plans seemed vague or skeletal. This new boss… Canada wasn't sure about him. He didn't speak often to his country, opting to keep his own council. Canada had bosses like this in the past without incident, but with all the upheaval, this made him unexplainably nervous. What was his boss thinking? America's offer was unbelievably sweet and advantageous even for their good relations but surely there was a hook in there. Did his boss see that? What if America decided to go to war and dragged Canada along with him? What if America decided an alliance wasn't good enough and wanted more? Since America had limited immigrate strictly over the past two decades, the population had declined, but with this new alliance with Mexico—the open border—America might decide it needed to expand again. He trusted his brother; it was his brother's boss that made him wary.
But when America brought the biggest piece of news to the table, Canada had gasped in outrage and surprise. That… that was a terrible idea! But America was adamant. He would not be aligned in that way until he was an equal player.
'Don't you see? We're all up in each others' business and getting waaaaaaaay too close. I need a break. I love you guys, but I don't want to be like that anymore.'
And somehow Canada felt like he had been dumped back from lover to friendship status with those words. Or worse, it could be equated with the "we'll always be family" line. They socked him in the gut and made him wonder why he felt that way. He shoved those feelings down, still shocked from his intentions.
'This global thing—it's not good. I don't feel like I have room to breathe! And America is all about being different, individual; America doesn't do conformity.'
Canada worried his lip until he felt a sharp pain and a dribble of blood. He lapped it up with a few strokes, barely noticing the copper taste. He wondered exactly how America was going to explain himself.
"Okay guys, I've got some big news for you." America began, putting his hamburger to the side and brushing off his fingers. He pushed Texas up and gave a charming smile of a boy wiggling out of trouble with his looks.
A few snorts and comments rippled through the room.
"What now America? Are you going to end world hunger with jelly beans? We're here to discuss a major pandemic that is currently killing India's entire population and is threatening to spread like wildfire to China and Russia. What do you have to say that is so important?"
"I quit."
Dead silence greeted his statement. Then uproarious laughter. Canada winced and sunk lower in his chair. His blue eyes darted around looking for cover. He hadn't picked his seat very well and his over excited neighbors might get too rowdy.
"No, seriously, I quit. I quit the UN. From today forward, The United States of America will no longer take part in the United Nations either in the form of meetings, decisions or abiding by the rules." America said firmly with his chin up and his eyes steely, "I'm done guys. I need to focus on my country and my economy. It's obvious that I've been too wrapped up in global affairs. Besides, don't you think the UN is slipping a little? Maybe it needs to be shook up and redone… iron out some of the wrinkles of corruption that have snuck in when we weren't looking…"
"What is this isolationist nonsense?" England sputtered, looking shell-shocked. His huge eyebrows had raised to his hairline and his lips curled into a sneer, "You cannot just quit. This isn't a sports team, it's the United Nations!"
"I just did." America responded quietly the congenial smile slipping off his face. He fixed England was a blank stare, "Maybe I don't feel like playing anymore."
France gave a nervous chuckle and started to say something to smooth it over but was cut off by America.
"What are you going to do about it?" America's voice dropped in pitch and everyone in the room was reminded exactly who had a massive military budget at his disposal. "Make me stay?"
Silence.
Canada watched as his brother cheerfully took the stage. His gut clenched tightly and for once he was grateful that he was invisible. Hopefully that meant that when all Hell broke he wouldn't be a target for the massive, inevitable brawl.
"This is blasphemous! What are you thinking in that tiny brain of yours?" "What about your military bases?" "You can't just leave!" "So you think you're too good for us?"
The nations clamored over one another, shouting in rage at the superpower. He simply stared back levelly, taking their abuse and accusations without a change of expression. That unnerved Canada the most. Normally by now he'd be slinging back insults and proclaiming that of course he knew best and they should all do what he said. Instead he said nothing.
When the noise died down, mostly with help from Germany, who gathered his wits remarkably fast, and Switzerland, who probably approved of America's move for autonomy, America gave a small, sad smile.
His brother was a brilliant actor, Canada had to give him that. He was tugging everyone along like a world class charlatan. Pretend to regret his plan, giving mock crocodile tears that were just real enough to be legitimate. He would have bought it if he hadn't been forewarned. And he was remembering exactly why forewarned was forearmed.
"So you're just going to stop playing the hero, you git."
"I'm sure you guys have it handled." America gave another false megawatt smile, his face slipping and his brows furrowing slightly, "I'll just play the hero a different way. After all, there are plenty of victims."
He didn't say another word as he strode out of the room.
"Is he planning to bring down all of our economies, aru?" China said unhappily staring at the closed door.
"Maybe he's planning something else. He's always been coveting natural resources after all."
"I don't think that's what Mister America is doing!" Lithuania said, slightly desperate to keep the situation from spiraling out of control. He trembled a little at the dark glare Russia shot him.
"No, obviously the lad is quite full of himself." England frowned. He tapped his pen sharply against the desk letting the ink well click in and out as he thought.
"Perhaps he wants all to become one with Mother America, da?" Russia rumbled not even bothering with his trademark childish behavior. Dark waves of discontent and seething anger rolled off him and filled the room. Lithuania shivered and edged away slowly. It was a horrible notion, but Russia of all the countries present would know exactly what it was like to pursue the notion of forceful unification. "He has been approaching many of my countries."
Lithuania didn't point out that they no longer belong to Russia, and hopefully never would again. Voicing corrections like that generally ended badly, and Russia was already angrier than Lithuania had ever seen him. And did he know about Estonia's meeting and Lithuania's lunch date unless he had been spying on them…? A slight shudder ran through the Baltic at the thought.
"He has been placing fingers in many pies, true, but this is America we speak of." France said slowly. "It is simply how he is."
"Yes, and he just turned down the perfect opportunity to meddle in India's affairs!"
Everyone in the room considered that. America was famed for sticking his nose in other nation's businesses and he had just ignored a prime target in favor of leaving.
Lithuania's mind flickered to India; the last time he had seen the other nation, India was covered in sickly sweat and coughing blood, the liquid streaking the corners of his mouth. The yellow tint to his eyes indicated liver damage and he could barely swallow because his throat was blocked with inflammation. That had been weeks ago, when the super flu was first recognized. He probably looked far worse now, as it was estimated that over two-thirds of his population was infected by H4N2. Frantic medical efforts hadn't even slowed the death rate and the whole nation was in lockdown. The airports were shut down and no one was allowed to come or go. The air over the nation was black with the smoke and ashes of the deceased and the piers continued to be built.
"This is highly serious business. Perhaps we should discuss H4N2 instead of America? If it spreads...-aru." As perturbed as China was about America's abrupt departure he could see there were other concerns. And of course he was probably pleased that the current superpower left him room to maneuver without too much opposition.
"Or how European nations keep turning up missing!" Belgium muttered loudly, "Or is that just the elephant in the room?"
Estonia nudged Lithuania with his elbow lightly, "Did Latvia ever contact you?"
"No. You?"
Estonia frowned, "I hacked into his email. He had been talking to America before his disappearance."
Lithuania didn't know what to say. America's word victims kept ringing through his head, coupled with Russia's ominous sentence. But America hadn't been anything but normal to him during their lunch. In fact, he had been his easy, goofy self, talking about his new boss and commenting on the cheeseburger he had ordered. Despite his pleas to go easy on the wallet, he had chosen a fairly nice restaurant, which was a far cry from McDonalds.
When Lithuania had asked about his conversation with Estonia he paused for a moment, deliberating. Then with a halfhearted shrug he explained his boss wanted him to be on better terms with the other nations. Lithuania told him that threatening probably wasn't a good way to do it and he shook his head, insisting it was all a misunderstanding. And of course, Lithuania was more than welcome to the same deal, if he wanted it.
"Order, order!" Germany bellowed in vain. He had been trying to gain control over the meeting for five minutes and was going hoarse. "Fine, we will speak of the disappearance, but we need to all be focused on one topic!"
The side conversations died down.
"Who is missing?" Finland asked, "We need a list if we're going to make any progress."
Names of smaller European countries flew across the room. Some of the nations were actually present at the UN meeting, making it easy to see that they were not truly missing; however, many were not. And only a few had called to say they weren't going to make it.
"Ukraine." Belarus said low and dangerous. Despite her rocky relationship with her siblings, the look on her face threatened a painful death when the blond nation found out who had her sister. "She has not contacted me recently."
Lithuania practically threw himself to the side to get away from Russia. The big nation was dropping the temperature around him, his face set in stone and his eyes hard. He and his sister had strained relations over the past few decades, so it made sense he wouldn't be in as close touch as Belarus had been.
"She was last seen with America." Belarus added with a cold, detached air.
Lithuania thought he heard someone say something that sounded like, "No she wasn't! She was with me!" But he couldn't figure out who 'me' was.
He fought the notion that maybe America was responsible. He wasn't that desperate… was he? Lithuania felt his insides coil with nervousness. There was a way to find out. He slid his phone out intending to text message.
The double doors banged open and America walked back around the side of the room. He made his way back up to the podium, where Germany was watching with his mouth open, and grabbed the flimsy paper-wrapped burger.
"Sorry, don't mind me. I just forgot my burger."
He had almost made it back out the door when Russia caught him by the collar of his leather jacket and dangled him six inches above the ground. He grunted in surprise and made a small choking sound before spinning and kicking out at Russia. The bigger nation gave a furious growl as America's heel caught him in the thigh and shook him like a dog toy.
"What the FUCK is your problem?" America managed to spit out despite the lack of air. "Put me down Russia."
Russia gave another spine-breaking shake, making America's head whip back with an audible crack. The blond nation gave a disoriented shake of his head then twisted around, punching and kicking at his captor. The angle softened his blows but everyone in the room could clearly hear the force behind them and see how Russia's body bowed as he took them.
"Je-sus… can't—breathe—ass-asshole." America hissed before sinking his teeth into Russia's wrist in a snake-like motion.
"Where is my sister." Russia snarled, "What have you done with her?" He hardly noticed the blood pouring down between America's teeth.
"D-don't k-know." America coughed.
"Mr. Russia, he can't breathe like that." Lithuania pointed out in alarm. America's face was changing colors and his blue eyes were rolling back.
"Russia, put him down!"
The large nation ignored them, intently waiting for the answer he wanted to hear.
With a loud rip, America's jacket tore, and he crumpled to the ground. Instantly, still choking and gagging, he rolled to the side, avoiding a rib-breaking kick. On his feet, he glared at Russia from a few yards away.
"Bastard. What the hell was that?" America snarled back, his shoulders tense as he gently massaged his neck with one hand. His other hand was clenched in a fist, white-knuckled and ready to fly, "You owe me a new jacket!"
"Where is Ukraine. What have you done with her?"
"Nothing. I don't even remember who the hell that is—oh, that sister, the one with the big ones…" America barely missed getting his jaw torn off. He retaliated with a strong punch of his own that clipped Russia hard enough to make the big nation stumble back slightly, "Would you stop that! You don't want me to fight back Russia. I'm not that weak."
"You simply choose to pick on the weak then?"
"Hey, that's none of your business. When are you going to stop spying on me anyway? The Cold War is over buddy. I was just offering a deal. Are you jealous or what?" America frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. He made a few rude gestures with his fingers and added, "Because I'm not interested in having that kind of relationship with you right now."
Lithuania quickly darted forward grabbing America's upper arm urgently. He had no doubt he would make good on his threat if push came to shove and the two nations didn't need to tangle in the middle of the meeting. Lots of other nations could get seriously hurt.
"Mr. America-."
"Alfred."
"Mr. America," Lithuania said more firmly, "Come on. I think you need a break."
"I'm not the one attacking random innocents." America glared and pouted at Russia, not at all intimidated by the slow smacking as metal met palm.
"Please?" Lithuania suppressed a shivered, hoping that if Russia did decide to attack that his skull wouldn't be bashed in.
"Hey, I don't know where your sister is. I didn't even know she was missing until yesterday. You Europeans seem to be having a lot of problems. Why do you figure it out and leave me out of it?" America said over his shoulder as he let Lithuania tug him out the door. He gave one last mournful glance at his jacket then gave a slight nod and mouthed 'don't worry.' Lithuania looked in the direction of who he gave the nod to and was surprise to see no one there.
Confused, he shoved it aside. He and America were going to have a talk. This obviously couldn't wait for him to get up the courage to do it. If America had any idea of where Latvia and the other missing nations had gone, Lithuania had to find out. He just hoped he wouldn't be the next to disappear.
