A/N: So I'm most likely going to be changing the rating to M in later chapters. But if you guys are against any of that I'll try to keep it T!
It had been two boring days of England's awful cooking, tons of junk food and constant pounding headaches that rattled America's brain like a freight train speeding down a track. He mostly sat around eating sweets with a cold cloth draped over his face and the TV on low with Arthur sewing or reading books beside him. Arthur was always beside him. Alfred thought little of it because he did appreciate the attention he was getting from his temporary caretaker. England was actually being rather kind to him. He cooked-albeit, the food was borderline deadly but Alfred was used to it by now-he kept America's boss at bay and even went so far as to keep cartoons on at all times. Though often Arthur griped and complained about America never paying attention to the rest of the world. This was important, he said. It will determine America's fate but Alfred refused to listen because he had enough nightmares at night about his people being slaughtered on the streets by one another. There was hardly any work to be done either. Alfred started noticing the decline of paperwork and phone calls from his boss due to all the chaos at home. When things were getting too serious Alfred noticed even England would try to shield Alfred from the horrors. That he appreciated. Though America couldn't help but recall how England said Russia was coming along with Japan waiting his opportunity to strike. Alfred didn't keep in touch with anyone this week but Arthur was almost constantly on the phone to speak with other countries and his boss. Sometimes the conversations were civil but there were times Arthur shut the door to his study and angry shouts could be heard down the hall. If Alfred wasn't so exhausted over his headaches and the nightmares he was having, he would be irritated at how much he knew his host was keeping from him. If it concerned the United States wouldn't it be fair to let America know? However, there was one country who Alfred was allowed to talk to and that was his dear brother Canada.
Yes, Matthew did call to talk to Alfred to just chat about hockey or the weather. Anything that would ease his twin's mind. It was the only other contact from outside world England would allow (France did ask for him over the phone but Arthur just stopped answering.) It was another thing that Alfred should be annoyed at; seeing Arthur control who he speaks with and does not speak with, but Alfred was getting too sick to care.
It was this particular afternoon where both men were sitting around being very laid-back with Arthur sewing as he hummed a gentle tune that Alfred recognized from his childhood and the other lying on the couch with an arm flung over his face to desperately try to catch up on his sleep. Arthur stopped his task only to glance at the clock and note it was about time to think about dinner. He made his way to the kitchen and checked his cupboard and refrigerator with a rather loud sigh.
"You ate all the food, Alfred. I'm going to have to get some more," he called into the other room as he snatched up his coat and car keys. It seemed all Alfred did these days was eat due to how restless he was getting. Arthur felt slightly guilty for keeping him locked up all hours of the day but it was for his own good. Someone could harm sweet Alfred.
"Mm," came a grunt from the boy who only wished Arthur would stop talking so loud. "Can you bring back another bottle of painkillers? …or ten?"
Arthur stepped into the living room and gazed at Alfred sadly. "Alright I'll be back soon," he promised. Before leaving he turned off the only remaining light and left Alfred in the wonderfully dark silence of the house.
Alfred may have fallen asleep, though he couldn't remember when or for how long. He just knew there was a painfully loud knock at the front door that mimicked the throbbing in his temples. He wasn't sure if the pain or the banging woke him up first.
This better be the apocalypse, he thought miserably as he unlocked the door and yanked it open. If he wasn't awake, America sure as hell was now.
"Pryvet, comrade."
Russia was giving a chilling grin that shook America right down to his core. Those violet eyes had a crazy glint that sent an involuntary shiver down Alfred's spine.
"England is out," America growled immediately setting his shoulder's back.
Russia raised an eyebrow and giggled softly. "Ah-well that's alright. I came to see you anyway."
Alfred gulped and wished he hadn't said anything. He tried to slam the door shut but Russia was stronger than America remembered and the frightening country had pushed the door open, almost breaking it off the hinges. Alfred stumbled backwards, momentarily letting his fear show on his face but quickly covered it with a defensive scowl.
Russia clapped his hands behind his back and slowly stepped towards the man that was now bracing himself for a fight. Ivan tried stifling another giggle. "Was that American hospitality? Or would it now be English? Since you now live under England's-"
"I'm still America!" Alfred snapped. He felt a pang at his heart at what Russia was insinuating. He was still America. Wherever he was or whatever happens he will always be America.
Russia's smile only grew. "Da, I am aware..." Russia slowly removed his gloves while keeping his violet eyes locked on Alfred's strong blue orbs. Even so broken and weak America was still so proud. "But you might not be for long."
Alfred tilted his head in confusion. Panic was starting to wiggle its way through him and he started taking more steps back, trying to stay clear of backing into a wall. "What?"
"You have said you are America, da? Your strength and power is legendary. Who wouldn't want to bottle up all the wonders that is America...?" He was closer than Alfred realized so he jumped involuntarily when Ivan reached out and ran a thumb down Alfred's cheek that was much too gentle for his liking.
Russia smirked, pleased that America had sharply moved his head away and let out a low growl. "Why do you think little England has taken you?"
"He hasn't taken me. I'm here by choice."
Ivan hid his chuckle behind his scarf. What a simple-minded boy. "I am surprised! I did not think England would be able to play such mind games!"
Alfred's widened slightly and all the color drained from his face. "Wh…what?"
"America's stupidity never stops amusing me!" Russia didn't bother holding off the next giggle that slipped from his lips. He took great interest in the confused and insulted look on America's face. "England is your old caretaker, da? But if memory serves, you left him. What a cold, cold thing for you to do, America. I'm sure England has not forgotten-"
"That was hundreds of years ago!" Alfred shouted but could feel his fears of Arthur holding him here forever creeping in.
Russia addressed the outburst with a smile he hid behind his scarf before continuing, "But things like that are painful. After taking care of you all that time, you decide to abandon him? Takim surovym…"
"I-I didn't abandon him! He didn't need me!" America tried to defend himself but he was afraid his tone only came out as panic.
"Nyet, he did not need you. But he wanted you. And you left him. Now you are here, on your own will, when you are so weak." He sighed happily as he gazed at Alfred with almost a longing for the young country. "Nevinnyĭ, nemnogo Ameriki. Don't you understand? England is taking advantage of you. You are only here so he can become as powerful as he was. Think of all that he could have once he has America back to himself again."
America almost felt as if he was going to vomit. His stomach dropped at the Russian's words because those were his fears. To hear them said out loud and spoken with such certainty made him want to crawl away and cry and scream and throw up all at once. He was angry at England but also heartbroken that his once trusted friend could be criminal to this treachery. Though at the same time…there was a part of Alfred who wanted to deny it all. He tried moving his mouth and tell Russia to go fuck himself because this was all nonsense. Alfred wanted to repeat what he said to France. He's completely harmless. But was he really? That was what Francis had been trying to say and what Ivan had been telling him. England wasn't safe… But why would he bother going through all that trouble to keep him safe?
Chuckling brought Alfred back from reality and he glowered at Russia for laughing at him. "You're expressions while you think are very funny, America! But we will be going now."
Alfred's expression could only be described as utter horror. "WHAT?"
"Has it not been obvious? I am here to take America." He pulled his pipe out from his coat and smacked the end against his palm. "We can do this easy or hard way."
"I'm not going anywhere with you, fucking bastard!" America snarled standing up tall to try and match Russia's height.
The bigger man smiled. "Hard way it is." He raised the pipe to whack his opponent but Alfred grabbed it with one hand. The almost matching strength made the pipe quiver between their grips and Russia frowned. "Po-prezhnemu silʹny," he muttered in disappointment. The translation barely registered for America before his feet were kicked out from under him and he instinctively put his hands out to catch his fall. However, he had released the pipe and didn't even get a moment to react as the metal crashed down against the side of his head.
Arthur arrived home with his arms full of grocery bags. He was surprised it had taken so long and hoped Alfred wasn't dying of starvation-metaphorically speaking. Though when he walked in the door, he realized Alfred wasn't lying on the couch. It was good to see because that meant the boy must be feeling better but at the same time…
"America? Where did you go?" he called throughout the house. There was no response and he glanced around suspiciously. He was probably hiding away in his room taking a nap.
England made his way to the second floor still calling America's name. "Alfred-I brought food! Come down and help me put it away." Arthur grasped the doorknob but before he turned it there was a crash in his study. Expecting the worst, he hurried down and flung open the door only to see Alfred sitting on the ground with a pile of books from Arthur's bookshelf on top of him and Texas sliding off his nose.
"Alfred!" England snapped. "What the bloody hell were you doing?" Those books weren't exactly cheap and now some were probably ruined.
There was no response and England sighed annoyed. "Alfred-bloody hell-pay attention when I'm talking to you!"
Suddenly he jerked his head up and looked at England like he was surprised to hear him speak. "Oh," he said and stumbled while trying to get to his feet. "Sorry. I'll clean this up."
"Yes, you will." England folded his arms across his chest with a deep frown. "Right now help me get dinner ready. After we eat you can fix this mess."
Alfred made a very obvious look of disgust. "…how about I cook?"
England was taken aback from the offer but waved his hands in the air. "Fine, fine. I suppose for tonight you're allowed to cook. Though don't cook any repulsive hamburgers or anything fried and bathed in grease. I don't want to get sick later."
Alfred raised his eyebrows and rolled his eyes. He brushed himself off and walked ahead of England into the kitchen while Arthur pointed, "Oh, I see you found your glasses."
A/N: Used Google translate for the Russian. I really hate Google translate because I know it's usually incorrect but ya know. I don't know any Russian so I'm on my own… Please correct me if anything is wrong!
takim surovym-so harsh…
nevinnyĭ, nemnogo Ameriki-innocent, little America.
po-prezhnemu silʹny-still strong.
