I'm surprised at how easy it's become to write for this story… Like I can write 4000 word chapters with no problem… but that would be torture to read, so I'll keep it 3000 and under ahaha…

I'm trying to keep it entertaining and informative. But, that requires me doing research before writing. So…yeah, things might not always be completely accurate, but you can believe pretty much everything I put in here, like how long the first flight was, Russia's current political position, the meaning of the word 'Ruski', a lot of the history…etc.

P.S. This is set in the present day when Russia is just a common country. He's not like…trying to seize all the land around him like he was in the 1800s and he isn't the Soviet Union like he was through the 1900s. He's just…Ivan. I don't think he'd be so psycho anymore…a little creepy, but not like…bloodthirsty.

Song-

'Nothing and Everything' by RED

And yes you should listen to it while reading. It sets the proper mood.

Ivan had had a lot of time to think. Three days staring at a ceiling fan tended to get the gears in one's head moving off track. He thought a lot about his past. He thought about his mistakes and the seldom occasions where something had gone right.

He didn't want to admit it, but he had lost. Alfred was the only superpower left on earth. They had a rocky past, but as countries, it was their job to do what was best for their people. If America was the most powerful country on earth now, it was his job to befriend him.

He tipped the bowl back and drank the broth of his borsch. Alfred was finishing off his third bowl. He'd probably go back for more. Ivan didn't care. Seeing the American again was reminding him how difficult this would be.

What kind of idiot mistakes beets for blood?

Alfred would never be able to be comfortable around Ivan anymore. Maybe eighty years ago, but not now. Not after everything that had happened.

...

February 1945-

"I vant dis half…" Ivan insisted. "I fought hardest. I lost de most men." He smiled pleasantly.

"No way in hell," Alfred snapped, glaring that the taller country. They were allies still…sort of. The Soviet Union's communist government was highly looked down-upon in America, and Alfred could hardly believe that Ivan was just going along with Stalin's agendas. He'd always thought more of Russia. When Ivan had spoken of political changes and his new government he wanted…Alfred had never suspected that this was what he meant…

"You do not have final say, Alfred," Ivan growled. The American was always getting in the way. Ivan just wanted what was best for his people. The more land he could claim, the more resources and the right power. That was the rule in Europe…

"Alright, well...I have the feeling Arthur's with me on this," Alfred countered.

The smaller British man stepped over and looked up at the Russian. "We'll split the property into four parts. France will get a tenth and the three of us will split the remainder evenly. It's perfectly fair." He seemed rather proud of his compromise.

"How's that fair to France?" Alfred demanded.

"Because, he demands a large sum of money as reimbursement."

"Fair enough," Alfred said, shrugging.

"So it's all agreed upon?" the tawny British man clarified.

Alfred nodded. Ivan hesitated, but he signed the parchment as well. Germany and Prussia were tied up in a corner of the room. The three allies drew closer, ready to divide their territory.

…

1945-1946

Alfred was terrified. He watched and re-watched the recordings over and over again until his eyes glazed over. So much damage…so much…destruction…

He'd used it on Japan… Was there really no way out of the pacific war? Was that really the answer? Why did his own decision feel so…torn?

What had he created? This would change the world. Now, instead of shooting a person or bombing a building or flank of soldiers…he could obliterate an entire city in one swipe… Was he ready for the implications of this?

…

Ivan saw the same videos. He didn't sleep for weeks. He needed that kind of power. It was the perfect shield to hide behind…artificial isolation. No one would ever threaten what was his again…not the Mongols, not France, nobody…

He watched the video, trying to pick it apart. He'd put a spy in on the 'Manhattan Project' as the Americans called it. He would have this capability himself soon enough…

There was a loud banging at the window and he jumped. He scattered the papers in doing so. Cursing under his breath, he bent over and stacked them, pushing them under a folder and shutting off the tape.

He answered the door to a wet, frozen America. Alfred bustled inside without a proper invitation. He plopped down on the worn leather armchair from many years ago.

"Vhat a pleasant surprise," Ivan said coldly.

Alfred frowned. When had that voice become so unfamiliar? Ivan might as well be a different person. "Yeah…well, I came to talk about something that I hope will interest you," he said, glancing around the room. His eyes wandered over to a desk with folders and books scattered all over it. He stood and walked nonchalantly to the desk. "Of Mice and Men'? 'To Kill a Mockingbird'?" he said, reading two familiar titles. "Taken an interest in my literature have we?"

"Interesting plots," Ivan said, forcing a smile. It had become a habit lately.

Alfred sighed. "Yeah…I'd imagine they are for you. The thirties were shit for me…bet you loved every minute of um…"

"Ancient history."

"Ten years ago actually."

Ivan rolled his eyes. He watched the American closely as he set down the copies and kept his eyes on the desk. Ivan's heart stopped. Alfred picked up the manila folder, reading the notes hidden under them. The American was silent. He lifted the papers, files, photographs. They were stacked neatly and curled downward as he read them.

"Ah…those are-"

Alfred set down the stack. He removed his glasses and rubbed his forehead in thought. "Ivan…is this because I got there first?" he said carefully.

"Nyet."

"Well…you realize why this can't happen?" he clarified, tapping his fingers over the papers.

"No," Ivan said, challenging the American to continue.

And he did, "These weapons will change warfare, Ivan. If we're not careful…they might end the world. Do you want to take this road?"

"I do not intend to use them, Alfred. I simply vant to protect vhat is mine. You vill not be the only one with these weapons. Others vill follow soon enough. I vill not be left behind."

Alfred fell back into the armchair. "Ivan…what if I got rid of them…?"

"Vhat?"

"I want to destroy them. The whole arsenal." Alfred closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair. It smelled more and more like cigarettes in here every day. "I want to erase this entire thing from history before it can even happen. I never wanted to go there. I didn't intend for this…I didn't even do it to have a leg-up on everyone. I just wanted to stop fighting with Japan…"

Ivan was staring at him, speechless and furious.

"But, I'm not going to leave myself unprotected if you're planning on gaining nuclear capabilities. So…if I destroy all my nukes. Will you promise to never make any…to never even try?" Alfred said hopefully. he knew that if Ivan was trying to make nukes, he'd probably succeed soon enough...no matter how much he wished he wouldn't. He opened his eyes to see Ivan glaring at him.

"You are truly an idiot," the Russian growled. "No one vill ever threaten you again. You could get your way in any fight…you people vill always be safe…"

Alfred stood angrily. "They'll be safer if this type of technology didn't exist!" he spat. "You said it yourself. Others will get ahold of nukes too! What if one of my enemies got ahold of them? What if Germany had had these things just five years ago? You would probably be dead!" he shouted.

"You cannot take back vhat you have already done!" Ivan said, voice rising. "There is no going back on it, Alfred! You made a commitment to your people and to the world order vhen you dropped that first nuke on Hiroshima. It is a competition now…between those who can make shadows permanent, melt buildings, and make glass drip from the sky like rain."

Alfred glared at him. "You stubborn bastard… You could never let things be easy could you? I'd bet every other country would agree with me in this, but you've just got to dig your feet in the ground."

"I am not stopping you. Destroy your arsenal if you so wish. But I vill create weapons for the sake of my people."

"To keep them safe?"

"Da."

"Safe from what?" Alfred shouted, balling his fists. "Me?"

They both paused and stared at each other. Ivan would never admit to being afraid of America. But, Alfred could see it in his eyes. Russia was afraid that America would act rashly and attack with nukes to stop the spread of communism. Alfred was offended. He'd been seen as strong before…but he'd never been seen as dangerous.

Alfred tensed. "Ivan I-" he leaned forward, letting his head fall into the crook of the taller man's neck. "I'm not stupid. I can tell that you hate me. But…don't think I'm immature… I'm not treating this like a game. I know what it means…we need to come to some sort of an agreement. No one should have the power to destroy the human race, right?"

Ivan could tell that Alfred was trying not to let this turn into a fight. He lowered his shoulders to make himself smaller. He put an arm around the smaller man's back. "Of course."

Alfred straightened up. "So…we agree that the ultimate goal is to keep everyone safe in this. I know you're not crazy about the UN, but we kinda play by their rules right now, so…"

Ivan was hardly paying attention to the American's words. He was watching him talk more than anything; watching his lips move. He suddenly wanted to be kissed, and that wasn't likely to happen. It would be a victory if it did. He wasn't sure how, but if he could get Alfred to kiss him he would be winning somehow.

Alfred continued, "So I was thinking that we make some laws. Put up some safeguards. We've gotta actually enforce these laws too…like we can't let things slide, cause slips of hand aren't options with nuclear power…not when the stakes are this high. I mean like no vetoes between you and me especially…"

Ivan closed a few inches of space between them. It had been so long since they had done anything. Alfred just kept going on and on about UN procedures as if he didn't notice Ivan moving to touch his neck.

"And there will have to be inspections of course…" Alfred was saying.

Ivan halted, halfway through kissing behind the American's ear. "UN officers then?" he demanded, a knot of anger forming in his stomach. The UN was always in his business…

Alfred shifted uncomfortably. It wasn't like he hadn't noticed what Ivan was trying to do, cupping his cheek like that. And he wasn't impartial to it himself. He had to be careful if he wanted this to get anywhere. "Well…yeah…I mean…you are part of the UN. If you have a better idea…?" he said, playing with a lock of the taller man's hair.

"Well…the UN is filled with your allies…isn't that unfair…?" he reasoned, speaking softly into Alfred's ear.

The American shuttered. "Didn't know we were such enemies that it would matter…besides it's not like I'm out to fuck anybody. I'm trying to cut you a deal."

Ivan smiled. 'Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me you idiot...' He couldn't focus on much else. He didn't understand why he wanted it to happen so badly. "A deal that leaves me powerless and exposed? Vhat if you share the blueprints vith your allies? How can I trust you vill keep your end?"

Alfred blinked. They were silently at war with this kiss thing, weren't they? Whoever gave in first, would lose… But, Ivan was asking for clarification that he would be willing to keep the goodwill…

So Alfred leaned in and connected their lips gently. He opened his mouth and deepened it quickly and Ivan responded gratefully. They pressed together and a silent agreement tried to urge through them…it was intercepted somewhere along the way. Maybe a bad connection, or maybe just some static on the other line.

They broke off. "So you vill destroy the nukes?" Ivan confirmed.

Alfred nodded. "If you stop whatever program you're starting with this," he said, tapping the pile of notes. "No nukes."

Ivan frowned. "You first. I vill follow…"

Alfred stared at him. "What?"

"Destroy your nukes, then I vill agree not to make any."

"No…agree then I'll destroy them…"

"Set a good example if you are such a 'model country'…" Ivan demanded.

"No! I'm not going to let you step on me the second you get a nuclear advantage!"

"You are being a child."

"No, I'm bein' smart!" Alfred snapped.

"You're trying to excuse yourself from the situation. You started this mess, so you must begin the movement to end it. If we are going to control this then we have to make sure that these nukes are in the proper hands."

Alfred glared at him. "Proper hands? I suppose you're talking about Stalin then?"

Something bolied under Ivan's skin. Was it his blood? God, he was angry. He wanted to strangle the American. He understood nothing. Stalin was a sadistic, evil tyrant. He tortured Ivan on a regular basis, taking pleasure in finding new ways to leave scars. But, despite all that…he was Ivan's boss. He couldn't change it.

Alfred continued. "Why do you even want them? Nobody's going to attack you. We won the war, you've got half of Europe claimed as protection. The only person that could even think about attackin you is-"

"You," Ivan finished of him.

Alfred winced. Ivan didn't have very many strong arguing points, but there was that. "But I wouldn't…"

"Why?" Ivan demanded.

Alfred was taken aback. "Because…because I care about you…" he admitted. It was the first time those words had passed either of their lips. "I would never…harm you in any way…I don't want to hurt anyone, especially not you…"

"Do not make choices through emotions. That is not enough," Ivan said firmly.

Alfred sighed. He might have been making a strong argument, but this was like trying to convince a wall to change colors by yelling at it. Alfred was ready to recognize a lost cause. He'd seen this sort of determination before. But, the civil war had been bloody and almost ripped him completely in two. If this was the beginning, then he had a bad feeling that they would never see the end of this war. Even if the fighting ended…the emotions behind it would never go away.

Some wars were short and easy to forgive, but this…this felt long. It was hard to bounce back after years of hostilities. Look at France and England. They'd fought nearly their whole lives. They still had trouble seeing eye to eye, but at least they were finally getting a little better…after seven-hundred years.

Alfred didn't know if he could wait that long to be back in the Russian's arms…

…

Ivan sighed and plugged up the sink. He glanced over at the happily eating American. So many things had gone wrong that he doubted they could ever be fixed.

What if he could have just agreed to Alfred's deal back then? Would they have achieved world peace by now?

He closed his eyes, running the hot water with his hands lying listlessly in the sink. The water steamed and burnt his skin pink, but he didn't even care.

He wondered if an apology would be enough. He could never quite bring himself to do it. He didn't want to admit to feeling any guilt over the Cold War. And, Alfred acted like he was always so innocent. Every time Ivan considered trying to start the apologies, Alfred would act blameless and Ivan would get pissed off. They would just fight again.

But now he was here; in Alfred's home for the first time in almost a century. It was now or never.

No translations this chapter.

Wow. So I'm going to go ahead and credit 'The Chosen End' on Livejournal. It's kinda my inspiration for this. It is amazing. Never read so much history in a fanfiction story~

So yea…Take a vote. It's not happening next chapter yet, but when it does- who should apologize first?

If you ask me both sides were at fault. Neither side handled the situation properly. I still believe the whole thing could've been avoided and that's what makes it fascinating.

Anything in italics is automatically in the past, but you'll have to read the context to see if it was one person's memory or dream. Otherwise it's just a universal flashback. Just there for the reader.

Please Review?