The two stared each other down, the tension so thick it reminded Russia of the Cold War. Only an American could remind him of that feeling.
But another American personification, how was that possible?
All the sudden the pieces began fitting together, making Russia smile more. He felt like an idiot for not figuring it out sooner. "You must be Molossia."
At hearing his name being spoken, Molossia felt like sinking into the floor. He's never felt such a menacing aura come from one being, but what can he expect from the older brother of Natalya?
"So what if I am? The hell are you doing here?!" He yelled, pushing his fear down further. Even while wearing dark sunglasses, Russia could see the same cold glare he loves to hate so much.
He enjoyed watching Molossia desperately try to hold his resolve, only for him to crush it again with his aura or gaze alone. Though the fact that the micronation hadn't yet collapsed to his knees in fear was admirable.
As much as he wanted to test out if this "Molossian" had the same fire as their ruling nation, Russia had more pressing matters to attend to.
"I am having reason to believe my sestra is here, can you tell me about that?" He asked as he took a step forward, now in the doorway. Molossia blocked him from getting inside as he responded, "no clue what you're talking about. Go away."
As he tried closing the door on the nation, Russia held it open and peered down at Molossia with a devilish smirk. "You do not lie nearly as well as America."
Moving his head down closer, he burned holes into Molossia's face with his electrifying purple eyes. "I am knowing you are hiding her. Where. Is. She?"
Molossia began to feel extremely cold, to the point where he could see his breath. It didn't help that he was a desert nation, not shivering was damn near impossible.
"Like I said before, she's not here. Now leave," he spat. Russia was unamused by the threatening tone and simply walked through Molossia, sending the micronation falling onto his butt.
Russia basically ignored him as he wandered around the house. Molossia quickly got up and followed him. "Get your ass back here!" He yelled in embarrassed rage.
Before Russia could enter the living room, Molossia got in front of him and stuck his arms out. "Seriously, you need to get the fuck out, you can't just trespass on someone else's property!"
"I will be leaving as soon as I have my sestra," Russia argued while stepping forward. This time Molossia put his hands on Russia's chest and shoved him back. "I told you this already, she's not here. I have no clue where the fuck she is, get that through your thick skull!"
Anger flashed in Russia's eyes but he quickly masked it with an eerie smile, then reached forward grabbing Molossia by the throat and pulling him close to listen. "Then we look for her together, da?"
Molossia tugged and punched at Russia's arm while kicking his feet around to get free, but it didn't do much as Russia dragged him into the living room.
Peter, who was giving the door a questioning look when he first heard yelling, became terrified once he saw Russia with Molossia locked in his grip.
He shakily turned to his friend as tears started to form in his eyes. "Molossia?" Molossia looked back and grunted out a response. "I'm fine just... g-go to the third floor, I'm sure Tony needs some help on some science shit or something."
Peter darted his eyes between the two, not sure what to do, but when he saw the serious look in Molossia's eyes he trusted that they knew what they were doing.
As Peter ran out of the room, Russia decided to follow as they might lead him to his sister. Surely the scared kid would run off to the nearest adult.
But as he started walking out of the room, Molossia saw what he was trying to do and struggled against Russia's grip.
Russia looked down angrily and squeezed a little harder, hoping to make Molossia cut it out. Instead Molossia squirmed more and eventually got a good kick on Russia's face, making him loosen his grip a tiny bit.
"You stay the hell away from him you commie fuck!" Molossia choked out. Russia gritted his teeth and tossed Molossia across the room, sending him crashing into and falling behind a couch.
As Molossia coughed and rubbed at his neck, Russia wiped his nose, seeing a smear of blood on his glove. He almost smiled at that, almost. He was still pissed at the cheap shot and insult.
Slowly Molossia got to his feet and smirked back at Russia, now also spotting the blood coming from their nose. "What's wrong, that all you got?!" Seeing Russia injured gave him a major confidence boost.
Russia rubbed his nose and glared at the micronation. "Why are you having to make this so difficult? I see my sestra, I leave. Simple as that."
Molossia smiled and opened his mouth to speak, only for Russia to interrupt with a dark burst of his aura. "I have lost all the patience for your stalling. Oh, and before I am forgetting, here is how I am knowing you are a lying piece of shit."
He pulled out a manila folder from his coat and slapped it down on the coffee table, which Molossia took and opened. His eyes widened as he read over notes and observed pictures, specifically one of him driving the RV with Peter in the passenger seat.
"You were... spying on us? You're a fucking creep!" Molossia shouted. Russia didn't notice as he continued ranting. "For the many weeks I have chased you fools throughout this ugly stain of a country. Through deserts, my lost territory... I am the sick of it. I am just wanting my sestra back!"
He was so frustrated with himself for even letting this happen in the first place. If he just stood up for her, or had been more patient, or had not lost his temper and harmed his sister like a stupid bastard.
Molossia was distracted from the tirade as he read over another note. It described something about a strange house in the desert and an annoying man who told him about the RV and the direction it was headed. There was also an unsettling comment about having to "squeeze the information out of him."
"Baugh..?" Molossia whispered to himself, which Russia didn't hear as he began leaving the room to look on his own. He didn't get far as the next thing he knew he was getting sent to the floor with a punch to the face.
"What the fuck did you do to my boss you freak?!" Molossia screamed while holding up a fist for another punch. Russia got to his feet and faced Molossia. "Nothing I have not done to you. It is not my fault you all have been the difficult."
While very frustrated, he couldn't help but think as he rubbed his cheek, "he has got the strong punch. I will be giving him that.'
Molossia put his fists up and sneered at the Russian, ready to fight. "You hurt my boss... I'll kill you for that!"
As he threw a punch Russia caught it and stood tall above him. "I do not have the time for this." Then he threw Molossia back in the living room.
Meanwhile, Peter sprinted as fast as he could to the third floor, bursting into the science room and startling Tony. The alien dropped the beaker of liquid they were holding, causing it to shatter and begin burning a hole in the floor.
He turned around and glared at Peter. "You better have a good fucking reason for being the fuck up here."
Peter nervously nodded as he looked back with eyes full of terror. "Yes. Apparently Russia has arrived and now he's hurting Molossia."
Tony's eyes widened as he broke out in a sweat, then started shaking both in fear and anger. He's always hated that creepy bastard, especially knowing how he treated Lithuania.
Before Peter could react he was being dragged to the panic room and set down on a bed. "Stay the fuck here," Tony demanded as he started closing the large door.
Peter agreed and curled into a ball, as Tony ran back through the house. Once he reached the second floor he stopped in front of Natalya's room, she was the best bet to either calm the Russian down or at least scare him off.
In his rush he swung the door open without thinking, in which he witnessed a very peculiar sight.
Natalya was sitting on her bed facing away from him. He could see the edges of something brown draped on her front, while her face was bent down and buried into it. Her back, however, was completely exposed. Not just exposed from whatever she was holding, but her clothes as well. She was naked.
Her butt was conveniently covered by the folds of the blanket she was sitting on, but she was naked all the same. Her pale, slender back shifted between hunched forward and arched backwards as she repeated an odd gyrating motion.
There were also very quiet, muffled sounds coming from her, but for the most part it sounded like deep breaths. Though every once in a while there was a shudder in her voice as her whole body quivered.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Tony called out. Natalya's whole body jolted violently at the realization of another person in the room. She snapped her head back to him, then as they made eye contact she screamed and fell backwards off the bed with a loud thud.
Downstairs, Russia froze mid-punch to look up at the ceiling. "Did you hear that?"
"No," Molossia responded as he kicked Russia off.
Back upstairs, Natalya sat up and began fumbling over her words as she tucked the brown object to her chest, which Tony now realized was Alfred's bomber jacket.
He also noticed that she was missing her bow and the hair above her bangs was disheveled. It was a strange fact to focus on, but something about it seemed familiar.
Realizing what she was covering herself with, she pulled the blanket off the bed and tucked it to her chest while hiding the jacket under it.
Now with her thoughts collected, veins bulged in her red face as she glared back at the small alien. "Vychodź z majho pakoja, čortavy vyčvareniec! Koĺki razoŭ ja mušu nahadać vam, kab vy, pa-čartoŭsku, stukalisia?!" She screamed in unrestrained wrath while throwing a pillow at Tony's face.
He sat still as the pillow hit him and slid down to the floor. He didn't really know what she said nor cared. "Your psycho fucking brother is here. Go do something about it."
Natalya's face went completely white and she instantly stopped yelling. "W-What? Oh God. Get out, now!"
Tony put his hands up and began turning to leave. "What the fuck is up with you humans? Every fucking time I catch one of you naked you freak the fuck out. Meanwhile I'm always naked yet none of you say a fucking thing."
As he finished the mini rant, he closed the door and left Natalya to get dressed. He only got a few feet down the hall before she bursted out of her room wearing her dress and acting like nothing happened.
After correcting the bow on her head, she sprinted downstairs as fast as she could. When she couldn't find Russia waiting in the foyer, she ran throughout the house until she found him.
At hearing commotion coming from the living room, she bursted in to see Russia with a fist raised while holding Molossia by his neck. The micronation had one hand gripping Russia's hand and the other balled up to punch back. His shades were also missing, showing off a nasty black eye he received.
"Big brother stop!" She yelled. Russia turned around to look at her, then immediately let go of Molossia. "Sestra," he muttered as he reached out for her, but to his devastation she took a step back. It hurt knowing she was still afraid of him.
He lowered his arm and stared at the ground, he didn't want to see at the look of fear and betrayal on her face.
Molossia bent down and picked up his shades, then slid them on to hide his black eye. Looking between the two nations, he could see they had something personal to talk about. "I'll leave you guys alone. But if you even think about pulling anything weird I'll come back and kick your ass."
Russia chuckled and glared at Molossia. "You continuously lied about my sestra being here, do not be talking to me about who will be getting the ass kicked."
Molossia glared back at him. He was no longer afraid of Russia, he just really REALLY hates him. "Fuck you," he spat while leaving the room.
As the door closed Russia stopped smirking and stared off into space while rubbing his neck. "I am knowing this is probably not the meeting you were expecting... or wanting... but could we talk?"
Natalya was barely paying attention as she looked around at the destroyed living room. 'Alfred's going to be so pissed when he comes back to this.'
Finally she looked up at her brother and nodded. "Very well." Russia nodded back seriously as he walked next to a knocked over couch and set it back up to sit in.
He watched as she slowly walked to and sat on a chair opposite of him. Now that this was actually happening he felt like he forgot everything he wanted to say.
His hands began fidgeting together as he tried to formulate words. After taking a deep breath he decided to wing it and let out everything.
"I wanted to be apologizing... for everything. Not just for the last few months, but the way I had been the treating you for years. . . I never took into the account your feelings or happiness. I was selfish and only caring about my fear of the proposals and stalkings, not considering why you are feeling that way. It was hypocritical for me to claim having the loneliness while causing yours, I should have been there for you.
While I should have been smart and be telling you and sestra about my relationship, I had not and instead led you on for the many years out of my childish fear. And worse yet, I was the very foolish again by rushing to apologize, putting you in the situation you were not comfortable in. You were right to be upset and wanting to leave, and when China had acted out of the line I should have done the right thing and been defending of you.
I was the furious when you killed him but I. . . I never should have hit you, or had been bringing out the metal pipe of pain, or telling you to not be returning home, o-or..." he paused as his voice got more shaken up. Even while pouring out his emotions his pride refused to let him break down. He gripped his hands together tightly and bit his bottom lip as he fought back tears.
"I am sorry for being such a horrible brother. A big brother is supposed to be protecting and caring of the younger siblings, and I have not done that, all I have done is cause the pain for you and our family. But I am promising that from now on I will do everything to be making things right. Nyet, I will not be marrying you, but I will be the best big brother I can be. I will be giving you all the love and affection you had been attempting to show me all these years, and you will never be lonely or separated or banished from me ever again. So please, come home. Me, our sestra, the Baltics... we all are missing you. It is not the same without you there."
Natalya hung her head low as she thought hard about it. It can't be that easy, Russia just magically shows up on her doorstep with an apology and promises of fixing everything he's ever done wrong to her? It's too good to be true. And even if she agreed, could she really be happy knowing she was leaving Alfred?
"If..." Russia raised his head up as she began to speak. "If I do return, and that old bastard insults me again, what will you do?"
"I will be calling him out and demand he stop," Russia answered seriously. "And if he continues, what will you do then?" She asked.
Russia remained silent for a moment, before looking at her with a grim but earnest expression. "It would be hard but I would be breaking up with him. Family always comes first, as I should have been realizing before."
Natalya nodded slowly in agreement, then continued. "Now one more thing I want you to understand. Over the past two months I have done some thinking, and realized that we don't have to become one..." she paused as she saw the bright look appear on Russia's face. It slightly angered her, but she could care less when she has a new man to go after.
"But that does not mean I accept you and China together. I think he's a horrible match and will only manipulate you to grow more powerful. However, if you keep him away from me and not be all gross and affectionate, then I will at the very least tolerate him."
While it sucked, Russia understood that his sister would need a very long time to warm up to China. But that was fine, toleration was more than enough for now.
"Da, of course. So... will you be coming back then?" He wondered hopefully, intently watching as Natalya began to look around the living room.
"Could you give me a few minutes to decide?" She requested. Russia, for once, took the patient route and agreed. As she stood up to leave the room, she turned around and stared at him with a disappointed look. "And clean up this room while I think. It's rude to intrude and destroy a person's property like this."
Not wanting to anger and sway her decision, he did as he was told and began cleaning as she left.
Slowly she walked through the empty halls, growing sorrowful as she remembered all she's done here: being chased by Alfred with water balloons, planting flowers, movie and game nights, messing around in town, sparring matches, going on vacation, and the spontaneous events he drags her in just for the hell of it.
In only two months she's done and learned so much, yet at the same time nothing at all. She still has so much she wants to learn about his history and land, and so much to learn about him as a person. What he likes, what he hates, his favorite things, what makes him tick, and hopefully later... what turns him on.
In addition, she also wants him to learn more about her. According to him he learned a lot about her and her family's history, and he has a decent grasp of her personality, but he wants her to learn everything. Especially what she experienced throughout her life, the good and bad, just like she had done with his journal.
After making it back to her room, she picked up Alfred's bomber jacket and held it as she sat down on the bed. Going back home with her brother, reuniting with their sister, the three of them living together happily. It sounds like a dream come true, but is it worth leaving her new love? She hasn't even won him over yet.
She pondered this greatly for a while, until almost fifteen minutes later she came to a compromise. Even if Russia didn't arrive and she stayed with Alfred, it would only be for about another week before the next meeting. From there the same talk with Russia would've happened and she would still have to decide between going home or not.
On the other hand, going back with Russia now didn't inherently mean she would be barred from returning to Alfred, now that she wasn't obsessively chasing her brother down she had way more free time. Free time she could use to chase after the new game.
It was settled then, she would return to Russia, take some time repairing her divided family, then spend as much time as possible visiting Alfred.
She got up from the bed, walked across the hall to Alfred's room, and neatly set the bomber jacket back where she found it. Then she finally returned to the living room, where she saw Russia sitting down on the couch and tapping his foot.
As he noticed her enter he shot up to his feet and stared silently, awaiting in extreme anticipation. He could barely contain the feelings of hope and fear battling her within him.
After taking a moment to scan the now tidy room, she looked back at Russia with a small smile. "Very well, I will return home."
Russia smiled a massive smile as he reached forward and wrapped her up in a deep hug, laughing victoriously as he swung her around. After he stopped spinning and Natalya hugged back, the laughing slowly died down and the smile started to wobble.
He put a hand on the back of her head and started to slowly pet it while resting his head on top of hers. The emotions that had been haunting him for the last two months finally reached their breaking point as he quietly let his tears fall.
"I am so sorry. I-I don't know why... *sniff* why I was ever thinking it was right to be laying a finger on you. I am a *choke* f-f-fool, a f-fucking fool!" He had broken down into full on sobbing, grieving so intensely you'd think he killed someone.
He pressed her head into his chest and glared at the wall behind her with his watery purple eyes. How could he do this to her, his little sister. "My little sestra!" He bawled as he collapsed to his knees and clamped around her waist.
Natalya was slightly startled when he fell, but seeing him desperately hug at her waist and cry made her realize that he was just utterly defeated.
She sighed in pity and lowered onto her own knees to hug and pat him on the back. They stayed in that position until Russia had cried everything out, and a little more after that so he could fully get his composure back.
"Ok, I am thinking everything is alright now," Russia assured as he wiped his eyes and cleared his throat. Natalya let go of him and stood up. "Then I will pack my things."
"Right. I will be staying here to calm down more. I am not needing to show any more weakness," Russia said as he wiped another tear away, stopping as he realized something strange with what she said. "Wait, but you had not been bringing anything from home. What is there to be packing?"
"I got stuff while I was here... even though I only ever wear one dress," she shrugged. Russia didn't think too hard on it as she left to pack.
When she returned to her room, she began looking at all the stuff she had to pack, with no suitcases to put them in.
Eventually she realized her only option was to borrow Alfred's. Surely he wouldn't be upset about that, he would do anything to act like a hero and help out.
Fitting all of the clothes into the suitcases proved to be a daunting task, as entire suitcases were used exclusively for bows and ribbons. There was also the infamous hello kitty onesie, which took up about half of a suitcase with the ridiculous head part alone.
Once she had somehow managed to cram it all in she had to take a breather. It was so hard to fit it in, and she has super strength, going through the airport and getting it searched would be a bitch. 'Oh shit, what's big brother going to say if he sees the pajamas?' She thought while growing incredibly nervous. Hopefully the special ID card would allow her to get past without a search.
After the break was over she went on to pack the souvenirs she had collected, including the petrified wood, orchid, and a little laminated package she made. What that is isn't important... until she gets home at least.
She was extra delicate with the orchid, and made sure it was very secure in the suitcase. If she gets home and finds it damaged she may have to go on a killing spree.
Once she was finally done, she left her room to drag everything downstairs, but stopped as she stood in front of Alfred's room. There was one last thing she had to do before she left.
Running into his room, she stayed for a few minutes before leaving and taking the suitcases downstairs.
Notifying Russia, he followed the foyer, where he was surprised by the numerous amount of suitcases. Moreover, she made him carry all of them except for one out to the car.
Taking one last look at the house, Natalya closed the door behind her and started walking to the limo, seeing the two agents guarding it while Molossia eyed them skeptically. So this is where he's been this entire time.
Molossia turned and watched angrily as Russia passed him, then his expression became unreadable as he saw Natalya with him. "You're actually going with that asshole?"
"I had to eventually. Now go get something for that eye, it looks like shit," she advised. After putting the suitcases away, Russia stepped next to her and smiled coldly at the micronation. "We should be doing this again, you are almost as fun to be beating up as the American."
Molossia only sneered in response. "Yeah. Trust me, this isn't over." The two stared each other down for another minute before Natalya intervened by dragging Russia to the car.
As the limo doors closed and it began driving out of the driveway, one of the car windows lowered and Russia stuck his arm out to wave goodbye.
Molossia's frown deepened as he lifted his own arm and gave them one final middle finger as they left the property.
Russia watched all the way down the road, looking up to the windows to find a small gray alien staring at him from inside. While surprised, it at least explained the missing third person his sister was with. Though why does that alien seem familiar? He shrugged it off for now, too happy to have his sister back.
After making sure they were long gone, Molossia finally went back inside, only to be tackled by Peter immediately. He latched onto the taller micronation's waist as he started shrieking, "I thought you were dead you bloody git! I was so worried, never do that again!"
Molossia tried pushing Peter's face away as he grumbled in frustration. "Dammit let go of me!" When Peter didn't budge Molossia eventually gave up and lightly patted their head while looking away with a small blush. "Don't worry kid, it's safe now."
With everyone gone from the front yard, a bush began to rustle as noise came out of it. Inside it was the Detective Trio, all baffled with what they had witnessed.
Prussia had his hands to his temples, Hungary was covering her mouth with both hands, and Japan was floored. No one could put into words what they had just seen.
"Vait, so... Belarus? B-But she's zhe murderer, vhy is she in America's house?" Hungary almost screamed.
Prussia put his hands up in defeat and shook his head. "I'm lost. Ve have been trying to solve a murder mystery and who America is dating, and ve somehow ended up here."
"So is Berarus who we are rooking for? She's the one dating America?" Japan asked.
Prussia sighed and shook his head in disbelief. "Zhere's just no vay. For some reason he took her in despite her killing anozher nation. Zhere's somesing odd going on here, but it can't be zhem dating, she hates him too much. And how zhe fuck does Russia know about zhis place?! America made sure Russia could never be zhis close to his capital."
"I sink ve should go back to Europe. Ve need to figure zhis out," Hungary said, rubbing the bridge of their nose.
So now beyond confused, with their investigation in chaos, and not even Alfred here to ask for some clarity, the defeated trio turned off the tracker placed on Peter and started to pack up and return to home base.
Alfred arrived back home three days later, excited to tell everyone about his bizarre trip to Russia, mostly on the fact that Russia wasn't there for most of it and surprisingly Putin didn't try to poison him.
"Yo Nat you're not gonna believe what happened," Alfred began saying as he walked throughout the house. As he walked into the living room, however, he was surprised to find an empty room. Usually she spends all of her time here.
'Maybe she just went to the study or something,' he thought as he strolled to the other side of the house, only to come up with the same result.
He scratched his head in confusion. It's the middle of the day, surely there aren't that many other places she would be.
While he was heavily inclined to go looking around more, he couldn't do anything until he got out of his suit. So he made his way up to his room and began changing into something comfy.
As he started lowering a T-shirt over his head, he caught a glimpse of something sitting on his bed. It was a folded piece of paper. He reached out for it and sat on his bed before opening it.
Discovering that it was Natalya's handwriting, he began to read.
Dear Alfred,
I wanted to thank you again for everything you have done for me over the past two months. If not for you I would probably still be lost in Boston or wandering aimlessly around my own country. Instead you took me in, provided for all my needs, and went above and beyond to cheer me up and take my mind off my problems. Then once again when I had my second falling out with big brother, you came to my rescue once again, this time taking me on the most spectacular vacation around your wonderful country. I know I have not been the greatest of guests, given my past hostility toward you, but I'm grateful that you tolerated me despite our differences. More so, you became my first true friend, which I'm forever thankful for. I don't know how a loudmouth child like you had managed what the other 195 nations could not, but having someone not be afraid or uncomfortable to be around me is a splendid feeling. Additionally, you had also brought two others I have grown fond of, three if Tony had not barged into my room uninvited a few days ago. Sadly I cannot avoid my family or nation duties forever, and must now return home. I do not want this to be the end of our friendship, however, and intend to visit often. So while you may not be here when I leave, I want to make sure that you know how much I value the time spent and fun we've had together.
Farewell, Hero.
- Sincerely, Natalya Arlovskaya
P.S. Here's my phone number. Make sure to give me a call or text sometime.
P.P.S. Show anyone this letter and I will end you!
Alfred quietly laughed as he finished the letter. Her ability to flip between happy to threatening will always amaze him.
That laughter didn't last long as he looked back at the letter. "So she's really gone..."
'Don't be a baby, she'll be back. It's like Japan or Molossia,' Confederacy reassured, surprisingly.
'Yeah...' Alfred trailed off as he reread the letter a few more times.
'But it's not da same, is it?' Confederacy asked, already catching onto what Alfred was thinking.
Alfred delicately folded the paper and set it on his nightstand. 'No... no it isn't.'
The two Americans sat in silence for a while, not wanting to confront each other on what they both knew.
'...'
'...'
'So when did ya catch feelin's?' Confederacy finally broke the ice, to which Alfred nearly choked to death on his spit.
'F-Feelings?! I didn't catch feelings!' He stuttered out, his whole face catching fire.
He could hear an audible sigh in his head. 'Don't lie ta me Union. I know when yur lyin'.'
Alfred collapsed onto his back as he crossed his arms. "Asshole."
'So really, when did ya?'
Alfred sighed, seeing Confederacy would be on his case until he fessed up.
'Well... I had a thought about it way back when we fought in the meeting in Boston. But when I first started to actually think seriously about it was probably after she saved me from falling off the mountain. Her overly angry way of showing concern is adorable, and the way she turned and looked at me after I put an arm around her... something just clicked.'
'Booooo! Could ya be more cheesy? Starin' inta each other's eyes n' shit?'
'Oh yeah, well what about you?' Alfred shot back.
'Me..? I'm not quite sure. Probably somewhere between fightin' da gator and seein' her insult dose ladies. All I know is dat her snappy and violent behavior is startin' ta grow on me.'
'Well you're a freak so shut up, my reason's better,' Alfred shrugged.
Confederacy cackled loudly. 'Ya say it like ya don't like it.'
Alfred tried to argue but then stopped, remembering all the times she would yell or harmlessly punch and slap him. It was much closer to playful hitting then actually trying to hurt him. And her aggressiveness toward those girls and others would be hot if it's because she's defensive of him. His face heated up and he gulped nervously, but quickly shook away his thoughts. 'In any case, we both know the problem with this.'
Confederacy quieted down as he felt the sadness coming from Alfred's heart. 'Even if we wanted to, we know we can't. Our countries have horrible relations, Russia would never allow it, and...'
'Amelia,' Confederacy finished the thought. 'Ya don't want ta lose doll face like dat. I get it.'
Alfred tucked into himself a little bit. As amazing as Natalya is, he just couldn't bring himself to go through a relationship again. The pain and sorrow that would come from losing her would be too much. His trust and confidence in dating was broken with Amelia, but something going wrong with Natalya would shatter all that was left.
'Maybe one day Union. . . Maybe one day,' Confederacy comforted, which made Alfred chuckle almost silently.
'Don't think I didn't realize how much nicer you've been since Nat arrived. It's very unlike you,' he teased.
He could hear Confederacy sputter at the affront. 'S-Shut up dickbag. Like I'd ever care about ya.'
'Yeah well, thank you anyway... Dixie.' Alfred never used that name ever, deeming the Confederacy too evil for nicknames. But he supposed he could make an exception now for their "good" behavior.
He could faintly feel the surprised joy Dixie felt, which made him feel joyful as well. It wasn't often both sides of America were happy together.
With Dixie silenced for now, Alfred could think on more important things, like visualizing what him and Natalya will do when they next see each other. 'Maybe one day,' he repeated in his head.
Just when he thought he had a moment to himself, suddenly there was a knock on his bedroom door. "It's open," he called out.
Molossia then entered the room and walked close to the side of the bed. "I guess you realized by now that Belarus went home or whatever."
Alfred nodded and sat up to face the micronation. "Yeah, though I kinda feel bad for being gone and— hey what's that on your neck?"
He grew alarmed as he saw the discolored bruises all over Molossia neck, which to his credit were almost entirely healed at this point, but little bits still lingered.
"Take a guess," Molossia said as he looked back at Alfred seriously. Said nation got to their feet and observed closer, before his whole face darkened and his hands balled into tight fists. "Russia!... I knew there was something wrong when that bastard didn't show up until the last meeting."
He stared at the floor while thinking about everyone else. "So he's why Natalya's gone? And everyone else, is Peter and Tony alright?"
"Yes and yes, also I was the only one that got physical, but I guess it wasn't for nothing," Molossia said as he tossed a small white object to Alfred.
Catching it in his hands, Alfred looked down at it, seeing that it was a tooth. "Yoooo, you knocked out his tooth?!"
Molossia gave a cocky grin as he crossed his arms. "What else do you expect from the superhero?"
Alfred laughed and ruffled Molossia's hair, making him flinch but quietly look away as he flushed in embarrassment.
"If I was your dad I would be so proud," Alfred bawled as he wiped away a fake tear. Molossia's eye twitched at the joking. "So what, you're saying you're not proud?"
Alfred realized the mistake in his wording and apologized. "I'm just kidding with you, this is awesome. And since you most likely punched it out, it will be a bitch to regrow."
Meanwhile, somewhere in Russia, Russia was licking at a painful gap in his teeth where a new tooth was pushing through the gums. 'That little bastard.'
After talking with Molossia a little longer, Alfred was once again alone in his room. Problem now was he was panicking about Natalya's well-being. Russia just came in and took her away, who knew what was happening.
Looking back at the letter, he dialed in her phone number and called her, he had to make sure she was safe.
After a couple rings she answered. "Hello? Who is this?"
Alfred was thrown off with how close her voice was to his ear. "O-Oh uh, hi Nat. It's me." Natalya instantly recognized his voice, making her heart flutter.
"Oh, hello Alfred. So... I see you read my letter." She felt like she could faint at any moment. Even though it was just a phone call, something about it felt so intimate.
"Yeah, so uh... I heard about what happened with Russia and everything at my house," he responded, internally smacking himself for being so awkward.
"Oh... da. I'm sorry for what happened to Molossia," she apologized. "It's fine, he's chilling. . . Anyway I was just checking in and making sure you got home safe and everything. Russia's not pulling anything weird, is he?"
She smiled at his concern but assured him she was alright. "In fact, you should have seen how sestra reacted when I returned home."
(Flashback to a few days ago)
"Sestra I'm home," Russia called out as he entered the house and set down all the suitcases. Natalya looked around at the quaint kitchen. It felt so odd being back after so long.
"Brother you had never been telling me you even left, I was the extremely worried you..." Ukraine said, her worry clouding her judgement from her no speaking to Russia rule. As she entered the room she paused once she saw Natalya looking around, seeing the grin on Russia's face and the suitcases everywhere, she understood then and there that her sister was back for good.
As Natalya made eye contact with her sister, Ukraine covered her mouth and began bouncing in place as tears threatened to fall. It quickly overwhelmed her as she dived forward and tackled her sister in a bear hug.
"Dear God I was so worried!!! Never be leaving me again!" She screamed as she rubbed her face against her sister's, not even sorry that she was drenching her sister in tears.
Natalya gave her a pass and awkwardly weaved her arms out of the hug to hug her sister back. "I missed you as well."
(Back to present)
"She spent the next two days asking me about the vacation," she reminisced.
"I'm confused how you got everything home. Where did you get so many suitcases?" Alfred wondered, making Natalya remember. "The suitcases are actually yours. I'll have to return them at the next meeting, sorry."
"It's alright... glad I could help you get home to get strangled by your sister," he laughed. Natalya giggled softly into his ear, making him feel prickly all over.
"I'm sure the Baltics gave you just as hard of a time as your sister," Alfred teased. Natalya gave a sigh of relief. "No thank God. They were conveniently not there. If I had to deal with that cat shit bastard the second I entered that house I might have fled back to you."
Alfred laughed slightly at that, though it still irked him that she could somehow hate Lithuania this much.
"So what are you doing now? If you don't mind me asking," Alfred asked as he relaxed in bed a little. He could talk to Natalya all day like this.
"Trying to get all the work done for the next election. I got quite the earful from my boss for being gone so long," she rolled her eyes while setting a finished document on top of all the others.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure we could've found out a way to bring it to my house," Alfred apologized, which Natalya quickly shot down. "Don't be sorry, it isn't that big of a deal, it's not like I have that many people anyway."
"I guess you're right... So I guess that means I should probably get going and let you get back to work," he assumed, a little disappointed they couldn't talk longer.
"Actually could you stay?" She requested. "This paperwork is horribly boring. I could really use some entertainment right now."
Alfred chuckled while shaking his head. "Jeez, needing a hero's help again? You're becoming way too reliant."
Natalya laughed as well and put the phone on speaker. "Quit being such a smartass."
Vychodź z majho pakoja, čortavy vyčvareniec! Koĺki razoŭ ja mušu nahadać vam, kab vy, pa-čartoŭsku, stukalisia?! - Get out of my room you fucking pervert! How many times do I have to remind you people to fucking knock?!