They arrived back at the airport that Alfred had come from, but instead of going on a commercial flight they headed to where the smaller private planes were and climbed aboard a black one. Russia checked the cockpit and said, "The pilot's late." He would remember to have him fired but would restrain from making him disappear if he showed up in the next five minutes.
She followed him and stepped into the cockpit, looking around and then sitting in the pilot's chair. "Well then let's leave without him."
"Can you fly this?" America had a tendency to rush into things without really knowing how to do them and if he was going to trust her to get this plane off the ground and not crash he wanted to make sure. A thought hit him and he cautioned her, "This plane isn't the same as the ones you flew in World War II."
The look she gave him could peel paint and actually made even him shrink back a little, "I know, it's not like I haven't flown a plane since then. I flew one of this same model just a month ago actually."
He had a feeling that if he said anything else against it she was going to throw something at him so he just sat frown in the copilot seat and said, "Then I'll trust you to get us there safely."
As she got the plane into the air she asked, keeping her eyes on the controls and sky, "Where is there anyways, you never told me where we were going."
"It's taking place in London this year, five years ago it took place in Petersburg." That had been a good year, though South Italy kept whining about the cold until he had smiled at him and agreed before asking if he could come hang out at his house sometime. He had stopped talking or making eye contact at that point.
She nodded as they passed through the clouds and said, "Right then, let's get this show on the road." Once she was in the air she felt free, the clouds beneath them reminded her of the open prairies of home.
To Ivan's surprise the plane ride went without any problems and the landing was smoother than his regular pilot managed. During the flight he translated a few of the more technical words for her and just watched as she managed everything, with the evening light on her she was exquisite, strong arms guiding them and a loose smile on her face. Some part of him would have been willing to miss the Ball if they could have just stayed up there. But the spell was broken when she turned off the plane and smirked, "I told you I could fly this baby."
He smiled as he said, "I never doubted you." and held out his arm for her to take, she didn't even look at it as she stood and they exited the plane.
Once they got out of the plane Alfred had expected a car to be waiting for them but instead there was a carriage with a team of horses hitched to the front standing on the runway. She raised an eyebrow and Ivan raised an eyebrow right back before getting in. Once they were settled inside, her dress had decided to get a little twisted around her legs, she asked, "Have you heard of an invention called a car?" It would get them there faster.
"This is part of getting into the spirit of the Ball. You'll enjoy it once you're there. My favorite part is the dancing, I never get to waltz anymore." It would also be nice to dance with someone besides Belarus who wouldn't let go afterwards or another man because then they always argued about who was going to lead, he usually won though.
She knew her voice squeaked as she said, "Waltz? We have to waltz?"
"Of course, let me guess, you're out of practice?" The rest of them did it every year at least but he supposed that America did not have any opportunities to do so.
Alfred couldn't meet those violet eyes as she admitted, "No, I never learned." His lilting giggles were mixed with something darker, richer and real and she looked up as she growled, "Stop laughing!"
He managed to stop, "Sorry." She could tell he wasn't actually. "Don't worry, I'll be leading."
Somehow that smirk on his face, how he said he'd be in control like it was only natural and the fact she was wearing a dress made her snap, "See, that's why I don't like being a girl! Everybody wants to lead girls and have us depend on them. I'm the hero, not a follower!"
He took in her expression and realized that she was serious about this and in an attempt to calm her said, "It's just for the dance, don't worry, I know you're strong." That was the reason he felt such an attraction to her after all. "Though when you're one with me we'll both be even stronger." Maybe even strong enough to not need a boss, he could rule better than any of them and she would be his empress who sat at him side.
Back on familiar ground she scoffed, "As if that'll happen." But her temper was already mollified by him admitting she was strong.
He gave his most insincere smile as he said, "Of course I was just kidding." He put an arm over her shoulder and enjoyed the fact that she did not try and get rid of it. They sat like this until they got the place the Ball was being held. They got out, leaving their jackets in the coach, and she didn't take his offered arm again until he said, "Please take my arm so no one wonders if you're really a woman."
She rolled her eyes and snorted at the irony before she took it. He reminded himself to take shorter strides so that she could keep up in that dress of hers. The doormen opened the doors for them and they went inside. Ivan smiled as he noticed heads turn towards them and stay there, and why should they not? They should admire the woman on his arm and wonder who she was. England approached them to greet them as was proper for the host country and after he said a terse greeting to Ivan he turned the lovely young woman on his arm, frowning a little when he didn't recognize her and said, "It's a pleasure to have you here."
America was about to say something back when she suddenly realized that if she opened her mouth and spoke she would be recognized so she didn't reply and looked at the floor. Fuck, she hadn't thought of this at all, probably all of the countries would recognize her voice too, seemed like she'd be spending the evening mute, except when she talked to Russia.
He figured out the problem seconds after she looked at the floor and made up an excuse, "I'm sorry she's a bit shy."
England didn't believe that, Russia had probably threatened her to keep her silent. "That's fine, who is she?" If he knew her name he could visit her and talk to her then, if she was really in danger then he was sure he could get France and America to help rescue her from Russia. France because he'd save anything in a skirt and America because he had to save everyone that needed help.
He smiled and said, "That's a secret." As England walked away he bent and said in America's ear, "Well that went well."
"Great. Just cover for me anytime someone talks to me." If she had known this was going to happen she wouldn't have agreed to come, she loved speaking her mind but for entire evening she'd just have to let Russia do the talking. The pair headed towards the far wall since the band was still playing quiet music not meant for dancing.
"As you wish." He would have teased her about how she would have to be careful about screaming for help but he saw North Italy approaching them so he straightened up and said, "Hello."
The shorter man gave him a wave before focusing on Alfred, "Ve hi there pretty lady, how are you enjoying the Ball?" From the corner of his eye Ivan saw Germany shaking his head.
He wasn't going to stand for someone hitting on his date, they could look but the idea of them getting close to her was enough to make his smile turn deadly. "Italy, I think you should back off someone else's date. Just saying."
Italy did so, running back to Germany's side. America scolded him, "You should be nicer to him, he means well."
He had no interest in explaining the thoughts going through his head so he commented, "Perhaps you should not be so forgiving, then people would be less likely to walk all over you."
For a moment she wanted to deck him but instead she said, "Right, we are not fighting about that this evening. Bring it up later and I'll show you what happens to people that try and walk all over me when I don't let them." They came close to the wall and stopped there, far enough away from everyone else that as long as she kept her voice low no one would hear her besides Russia.
He saw her clenched fists and knew exactly what she meant and replied, "Sounds delightful." As fun as it was to have her in a dress he did want to fight her again. He was happy to have found someone like her, prefect for events like this or a fight that left them both with ugly bruises.
They continued talking, keeping their voices low until Russia noticed someone watching them. He turned to see England staring at them and smiled at him before wrapping his arm around America's waist. She almost shouted but remembered herself enough that she just hissed, "Hey! What are you doing?"
He didn't look at her, instead locking eyes with England in a silent challenge as he said, "Sending a message to wandering eyes." He didn't give a damn if England was the host, if he tried anything he'd show him that there were consequences for messing with what was Russia's.
She put a hand on his arm and shoved at it a little, not wanting to cause a scene but insisting, "Well do it without touching me alright?" But his arm was really warm and was pressing her against him closer than she would be without a good excuse. She just hoped he wouldn't notice her flush under her makeup.
He glanced down and said, "You sound like Japan." Then he noticed that her ears were a little pink and smirked.
She crossed her arms and looked away from his gaze that she was sure saw too much. "I do not."
The music began picking up and getting louder and several other couples began moving towards the dance floor, Italy was practically dragging Germany along, but the blonde wasn't really struggling. Russian began pulling her to the dance floor too but she stood her ground and said, "Do we really have to do this?"
"Just follow my lead and everything will be okay." When her frown deepened he sighed and said, "Sometimes strength is in the process of sitting back and learning." For years when he was younger he had done just that, had suffered so he could learn, had followed Peter to Europe ravenous for knowledge that could make him stronger.
"Fine." She let him bring her to the dance floor and for a moment all the couples stood still and then they began to dance. She felt like a little girl again, England had once tried to teach her the steps and she had stood on his shoes as they shuffled about the room. But this was different, now a warm hand was on her back and directing her enough that she wasn't too bad.
Francis smiled as he saw Alfred dancing with Ivan, for a long time he had known America was a woman. It was only natural that he, a lover of beauty, would notice it when no one else did. It had been a private joke of his that the Statue of Liberty was also a woman. But she looked so happy at the moment that France wasn't going to let her know he knew. Besides he could vividly imagine Ivan bringing his pipe down on his stunning face and breaking teeth as a warning that he didn't need not to tell. He looked around until he spotted Arthur and went off to bother him.
After five dances America had finally convinced her date that they should take a break and Ivan had went to get drinks and Alfred had returned to the place they had stood before. Latvia approached her and put a consoling hand on her arm and said, "It's okay, me and my brothers survived staying with him, I'm sure you'll survive."
Something in his tone didn't sound so sure of that, she tilted her head to one side in a questioning gesture, damn it Russia needed to get back here or else she might actually have to speak.
He fidgeted and for the first time America noticed how short the kid was. "Well you're dancing with Russia so we assumed..." Years of living with Russia had taught him to never speak his mind.
She suddenly got his meaning and shook her head from side to side vehemently.
The fact that she was not saying a word confused him but maybe she was mute, or maybe Russia had done something to her. But she didn't seem to think she was joining with Russia so he said, "Oh I see I'm sorry, please don't tell him! You won't right?"
She nodded her head and he looked about ready to say something until he saw that Russia was steadily approaching them, two glasses in his hands. With a hastily goodbye he quickly left. When Russia came close he handed here her glass and asked, "So what was Latvia saying?" at the same time.
She took a drink, wincing as vodka hit her tongue when she had been expecting water and replied, "He thought I'd be moving in with you soon, which I won't."
He smiled put his arm around her waist, "Of course not."
They finished their drinks and then Ivan dragged her off for a few more dances before it was time to go. As they walked down the stairs Alfred admitted, "It was a nice evening."
"I'm glad, the dancing wasn't too bad?" He would see if he could bully her into dancing with him again, with some practice she could be very decent at it.
She couldn't help by smile as she said, "It was the worst part." Though it hadn't been bad at all to be wrapped up in his arms.
A loud slurring voice shouted, "Hey, you whore! Hey!"
America turned to see at the bottom of the steps was a drunk, staggering under his own weight and carrying a jug. But just because he was drunk didn't mean he could say that and she began, "Now listen—" before promptly being cut off when she was drenched with whatever was in the jug, it seemed to have been mostly full.
"Serves you right. I hope you freeze!"
Russia smiled with rage and said, "Wait right here while I teach him why no one messes with my date." It was a pity he had left his lead pipe at home but he could make do with his hands.
Alfred declared, "I can handle myself." She rushed forward, used to the way she had to move in the dress, and punched the man on the nose. Ivan heard the crunch of bone and then watched the man run, howling in pain and clutching his nose. He made a mental note to have his people check the hospitals and police for him; as usual America had been much too merciful. But for now he simply moved forward and draped his suit jacket over her shoulders, which had begun to shake from cold.
His suit jacket settled on her shoulders, still warm from his body heat. It smelled like him too and she didn't mind the scent at all. When they got into the carriage she left it on under her real jacket and as they rumbled down the streets. He encircled her in his arms and she didn't struggle, there would be tomorrow for things like that but for now she was content to just be his girl.