Short chapter is short. ^^;

Disclaimer: Hetalia's not mine.

The phone rang early. Way too early. Russia had a feeling he knew what it would be about, as he reached for the bedside lamp then picked up the phone. The caller ID indicated Canada. Who was... ohh, right. Well, better than England, he supposed. He answered with a polite greeting, wincing at the worry in the other nation's voice.

"We can't find America anywhere," Canada said, and Russia could practically hear him pacing around. "He just disappeared after the meeting. Nobody can get a hold of him. Have you heard from him?"

"I am sorry," Russia said gently. "I have not. But I will let you know the moment I hear anything."

He hung up, turned out the light, snuggled back down in his blankets. And he was just about to doze off when it hit him like a bucket of water. He sat straight up with a strangled cry.

What had he done? He had lied! When he didn't even need to! He hadn't kidnapped America, America was his guest! Just because the idiot wanted to play along didn't mean Russia should... incriminate himself!

Goddammit so much. And damn whatshisname for calling so early...

It was past noon when Russia's "prisoner" finally wandered into the kitchen, still wearing—Russia looked away quickly—only his boxers. He hadn't exactly had time to pack pajamas, of course. Russia would have to head to the store and purchase some clothing in his size. America had missed breakfast, but Russia hadn't really expected him. He always had been a late riser, and a time difference of eight or so hours took some getting used to.

"Mornin', y'all," America said, still sounding half asleep.

Russia threw him a perplexed look. "Excuse me?"

America tilted his head, smiling. "Good morning."

"Did you address me in plural form?"

"Oh." America's laugh was hearty. "No, no, silly. The plural would be 'all y'all'."

"I see." Just when Russia thought he understood English...

"So what's for breakfast? Er..." America noticed the clock on the wall. "Lunch?"

"A lot," Russia warned. "I like a big lunch."

America spread his hands. "Hello. Did we just meet?"

"Ah. Right. Sorry." Russia scooped a generous amount of food onto plates and bowls and set everything down on the table. He was a little relieved that America wasn't insisting on gruel, or some other prisoner food.

"Thanks, big guy!"

Russia tried not to scowl. There was that somewhat rude endearment again. Well, two could play at that game. "You're welcome, little one."

America winced, but smiled anyway as he dug into the food. Russia poured himself a drink to go with lunch and settled down across from his odd guest. They ate in silence for about two minutes.

"So I've got a Moscow in the US," America commented idly. He paused, chewing on his lip in thought. "Like, fifteen or sixteen of them, actually."

Russia's lips curved. "Yes, I know."

"And a couple Saint Petersburgs."

"I know. Our Saint Petersburgs are twin cities."

America nodded. "The one in... er..." He trailed off, and Russia could have sworn a tinge of pink dusted his cheeks.

"Florida," Russia supplied.

"Y-yeah."

"I would like to see yours someday. I shall have to visit Florida."

America's mumbled response was undecipherable. He did, however, seem to grow redder. This was quite the change from the take-charge America who had burst into Russia's home as a 'captive'. It was... cute?

"Anyway!" America said quickly, stabbing something with his fork. "So, uh. What made you pick me?"

Russia took a sip of his vodka. "Excuse me?"

"You know... to kidnap." He grinned. "Why me?"

"Oh." Russia swirled the liquid in his glass around, thinking back to the train of thought that had led to his plan. "Well, I was lonely."

"Yes?"

"And I knew nobody would come stay with me willingly."

America looked amused. "So kidnapping was the answer?"

Russia shrugged. "Yes."

His dining companion leaned closer, smile growing. "And you decided you wanted me?"

"Well, I thought about my options." Russia paused to have a bit of soup, not noticing the smile fade a little. "Since nobody likes me, I realized I didn't have many. But then I remembered that one guy who's nice. The one above you? Your brother?"

America stared at him. "Canada? You were initially going to kidnap Canada?"

"I only thought about it briefly. I realized that you would come rescue him, and that wouldn't work. So that was how I ended up thinking about you. And I realized you would be the best choice. Because you're my equal, and aren't mean or terrified of me, and you would be... Where are you going?"

America didn't answer. He left the rest of his lunch behind as he stormed off toward his room, leaving a very confused Russia sitting alone at the table.

"You called everyone?" England said, forehead creased in worry. Canada and Japan nodded. "Where did he go?" What a bizarre thing. Where could America have gone? He hadn't returned to the hotel, nor gotten on his flight. Nobody they had contacted had seen him after the meeting. He wasn't answering his phone. They had figured out that the last one to leave would have been Russia, but he hadn't seen him, either. They were holding off on calling his boss so as not to cause a panic, but...

"I still think he got lost," France said. "And dropped his phone."

"Even he could figure out how to get to the airport," England grumbled.

"China did say he thought he saw America later at the hotel," Canada said.

"That was you!"

"Oh."

England's phone rang, and everyone stared at it for a breathless moment before he answered it. "Hallo?" When there was no excited exclamation of the missing nation's name, they sagged in disappointment. "Uh huh. I see. Interesting... Yes, come on over. What price are you talking about, exactly? Whatever, just come over." He hung up and tossed the phone aside.

"Well?" France said.

England scratched his head. "That was Prussia."

"Prussia?" Japan tilted his head. "He wasn't even at the meeting."

"No, but apparently he already knows about the situation. He said he has some interesting information on America, for a price."

"What a vulgar man," France said with a sniff.

"Better than nothing," England said, and the four nations waited for the ex-nation's arrival.