Well, this was kind of unexpected. A certain guest review asked if I continue this, adding in Alfred's perspective after Biden's win. (Thank you for reviewing, by the way!) So, here it is! Again, I tried to stay neutral in this with politics and all the like. Enjoy!
"Al. Al, wake up."
Alfred woke up to the sound of his brother's voice dripping with urgency. He felt a headache blooming on the side of his skull. Was it the stress?
"Ngh… okay, hold on." Alfred sat up from the bed and began searching for his glasses. After looking for a few seconds, he found them laying on a nearby throw pillow. The maple-leaf embellishment on said pillow instigated a nauseous feeling in his stomach.
The election's going to end, soon. I need to be back at D.C. when that happens, at the very least. Also, the inauguration.. There's only 74 days left.
It was almost like their was a countdown timer inside of Alfred's brain, ticking down every millisecond until—
Until what?
Until something else went wrong?
Many people truly believed that the globe was near the brink of starting World War III in 2019. Who's to say that it couldn't happen? Who's to say that it wouldn't happen?
Alfred shoved the glasses onto his face, glad that his environment no longer looked like a blurry haze.
Matthew looked on-edge.
"Come to the living room. You need to see this," the Canadian ordered.
Alfred scratched his head.
See what?
The cold feeling of anxiety numbed his heart.
Did North Korea send their nukes? Is Iran planning to wage war? What is it?!
"Wha… what happened?"
Alfred threw the covers to the side and eased himself off the bed. It felt like he was getting ready for battle, ready to face whatever the enemy had to throw at him.
But who really was the enemy here?
His own fear? His own distress?
His people's distress?
The thought of it made him sick.
The election. That must be what it's about, Alfred thought as he followed Matthew out of the guest bedroom. He didn't even bother to rearrange the rumpled sheets.
It's America's choice. It's America's choice. It's America's choice.
Whatever happens, happens. It's a choice to make. My choice. Their choice.
Things might change… but there's nothing I can do about it.
Once he reached the living room, Alfred didn't even bother to take a seat on the couch, despite the fact that his legs were shaking like a leaf in the middle of a hurricane.
Matthew reached for the remote on the coffee table, his hands quivering in a similar way.
That's weird. What does he have to be worried about? This is American politics.
Alfred remembered what Arthur had told him many years ago.
American politics is practically world politics.
He was one of the largest superpowers on the global stage, along with Russia. Every decision the government made, whether it be good or bad, was scrutinized carefully. Especially when it came down to something as monumental as an election.
An election during a pandemic, on top of that.
Matthew gave Alfred an odd glance, then held out the remote towards him. It was an insignificant act, just turning on the television. But what certainly was significant was what he might find once the television was on.
Alfred didn't want to. He had wasted so much stress over this election, as was the custom. The outcome would have an impact on his citizens. Was it going to be a good impact?
The only way to truly find out the answer to that was to take the remote and see for himself.
Alfred extended his own hand and accepted the remote warily, as if it was an unknown biological specimen. His index finger hovered over the power button, marked in bright green.
Was he just being dramatic? It was only four years, after all.
No; four years really could make all the difference. Under the right leadership, America would be able to pick itself up from the economic downturn as a result of the pandemic. But under the wrong leadership, well…
Who knows what could happen?
"America."
Alfred turned his attention to Matthew, who looked oddly solemn. Did he know? Surely he knew the results.
That would only mean—
"I know you're scared. I get it. This is super important for you," Matthew said. "Right now, you need to be America. America's strong, right? America's the hero, right?"
"Yeah. America's—" Alfred caught himself just in time. "I'm the hero." He didn't make the declaration with as much zeal as he normally would. But somehow, that just made it even more convincing.
He may have been "just Alfred" yesterday, when he was on the phone with Arthur. But now, he was a nation. The United States of America. One of the world's superpowers. Someone that powerful would surely be brave enough to turn on the television, right?
Right?
A spark of courage flickered in his heart, soon growing to a blazing flame.
Alfred wasn't a child. He needed to face the facts; sticking his head in the sand like an Ostrich and ignoring all potential problems would do no good in the long run.
Alfred tightened his hold on the remote, noticing his knuckles whiten at the pressure.
He pressed the button.
The television turned on almost immediately, displaying a random news station. The lady from the previous night with red lipstick now was wearing white.
"And, there we have it ladies and gentlemen. The first to reach 290 electoral votes is Joe Biden; our soon-to-be president!" The lady pointed to the map coloured in red and blue and displayed a tight-lipped smile.
"Now, now, Stephanie, there's still a district in Georgia that hasn't been counted yet! Although, if I'm being completely honest, the chances of one county having much of an effect on the standings of this race are pretty slim," said the other news anchor, this one being a man with graying hair.
"Of course, Harold. Moving on to our Senate, we're receiving updates that the Republican Party has the majority of the seats down, leading on a 48 to 46."
Alfred didn't pay too much attention to what the anchors were predicting about the final turnout for the House and Senate. All he could really hear were those few words:
Joe Biden; our soon-to-be president.
Our soon-to-be president.
Our president.
The race was done. For the most part, anyway. There were recounts going on Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin. Most of them were swings.
Even so, it would take a miracle for the recounts to show any significant difference in the final tally.
It was over. But, at the same time, it was far from over.
Alfred really didn't know how to feel.
Maybe we can start fresh with a new administration. New future. New reforms. New hope.
"America?" Matthew received no response. He tried again.
"Alfred?"
Alfred blinked a couple of times, and nodded. "Yeah. It's over, Matt. Now that it's all been said and done… I feel like I just want to be Alfred again."
Matthew smiled. "Makes sense. I, uh, was making pancakes… they might be kind of cold by now, though."
Alfred gave him a wide grin in response. Normally after going through such an experience, one would have lost their appetite. However, he felt like he could eat a horse. "Awesome, dude!"
Matthew left the living room and entered the kitchen.
The feeling of something incredibly important happening was odd. It was almost anti-climactic, in a way. Alfred felt the same as he always did, but with the added ember of hope building inside his heart.
He knew what that meant. Alfred represented his people. If his people were nervous, he was nervous. If his people were hurting, he was hurting.
And most importantly,
If his people had hope, then he had hope.
Suddenly, the Star-Spangled banner began to play. It was his ringtone, naturally.
Alfred ran to get his phone (which was still in the bedroom) and checked to see who was calling.
England.
No. Not England. Just Arthur.
He answered the call.
"Alfred? Have you seen the results? Are you doing alright?" Arthur bombarded him with questions, too concerned to keep up with his tsundere front.
"Yeah. Looks like we're going blue for the next four years!"
Arthur tsked at Alfred's immaturity, but was secretly glad that the American wasn't in a bad place emotionally.
"So it seems," Arthur remarked casually. "Then… do you know what's going to happen next?"
Alfred thought for a few moments. Did he know what was going to happen?
"Nah. But, y'know, Artie…" He smirked to himself. "Whatever happens, happens."
