Chapter 7:

Early 1950's

A New Russia

Alfred sat alone in the dining hall of the White House. His half eaten burger sat on his plate next to a few fries that were cold. Just a few doors down, his new boss was being informed of the large plate he was being dealt. Eisenhower may have known the basics, but America was sure that all the details would make him high tail it out of there. But surprisingly the new president walked out of the briefing with a smile. He smiled and the young nation and took a seat next to him. If the news of raising communism and nuclear war didn't surprise Eisenhower, then the fact that the man sitting next to him was his nation personified surely did.

"It's a pleasure to meet you America." He extended his hand.

"Same here, sir." Alfred faked a smile as they exchanged a firm handshake. "And please, call me Alfred."

The president nodded. "Of course Alfred." There was a slight pause as the man asked a waitress for a glass of water. "So how have you been holding up though all this, Al?"

America shrugged. "I'm not so sure anymore. This whole situation just really sucks."

Eisenhower chuckled. "Yes, it certainly does, but don't worry Al. We'll pull through this and in the end, we'll be stronger because of it. Russia is weak at the moment and we are certain to take advantage of it." The gave the younger man a warm smile. Alfred couldn't help but smile back. His new boss seemed like a nice guy. He was very determined to help him, that's for sure. Just like every other American, Eisenhower wanted this ordeal to end and to live without fear.

Just then, one of the president's advisors rushed over and whispered something in his ear. He nodded and stood up. "I'm sorry Al, but duty calls." He smiled again and gave a reassuring squeeze of the blonde's shoulder before following the other man down the hall. Yes, he definitely liked his new boss.

Over in Russia, Ivan was still struggling to replace the man who had rebuilt him from the ground up. Stalin had created this vast communist empire and to find someone to replace him was proving to be impossible. To the many outsiders who had despised him, Stalin was just the Russian version of Hitler, but Ivan took that as a compliment. To him, both leaders only wanted what was best for their respected countries. And that was what he had wanted too. Ivan wanted his people to live comfortably, even if that sometimes got caught in between his little rivalry with America. Oh, but it had grown into so much more now. Russia had heard that Alfred had completely lost it, but he had yet to see it. He hoped that he could see the broken spirit of the American close up soon.

Several months after America's new boss was inducted, Russia had found a new leader. Some guy named Nikita Khrushchev that Alfred didn't even try to pronounce and even when he tried, it sounded like he was choking on something, which made him smile knowing that his leader won the 'better name' war.

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Another meeting, this time for NATO, was called for late in the year. Alfred certainly wasn't thrilled about going, but knew he had to. He did, after all, create the organization. It wasn't going to be long though; just a briefing of where all the nations were and if and help was needed anywhere. Sometimes, it really felt like America was carrying a 'big stick'.

Nations and their respected leaders each arrived to the hall where the meeting would be held, the same hall where Alfred first realized Russia's intentions. He shook his head as he followed Eisenhower inside. He knew that he needed to keep his cool and be a composed as he could. He was the hero the world needed and if he still claimed that title, he would need to act the part because God knew he couldn't in reality.

The bosses and personified nations each went into separate rooms. Afterwards, they would all rejoin. For now, however, the many nations that belong to NATO all sat in their regular seats and waited for America to lead the meeting. Alfred slowly walked to the front of the room. Behind him on a board was a map of Europe. Some countries were in blue and others were in red. It was obvious that the continent was divided between the two sides of communism and democracy. All that was left to do, according to NATO, was to make sure everyone was blue and eliminate any red.

Alfred lined his papers up all nice and neat in front of him. He glanced around the room and saw that everyone was present. Before ushering for everyone to quiet down, his eyes fell on Arthur, who was talking, civilly, with France. He looked at the side of his jaw where he had punched him and wondered if it left any mark. Not just on his physical body, but on his decision about the atomic bomb. He would find out when they discussed it later.

The young blonde called everyone to attention and the room quieted down. "Alright everyone, let's not make this a long one ok? We just need to hear a quick briefing on how you all are holding up and if there are any other countries we think need our assistance." He was being very formal for one and almost immediately Arthur had picked dup on it. Not only did Alfred wear a suit, which he knew the younger nation despised, but his speech was also different. His usual hyper self was toned down and no one dared question why. They all knew. It was a rhetorical question. England never took his eyes off his former colony as he spoke, wishing he would drop the act. His had unconsciously reached up to his jaw, the slight sting Alfred had left behind made his jaw clench.

France had begun telling of his situation. He had improved, yes, but there were some cities that still needed to be rebuilt. Though the mental scars were still there, France said his people were slowly recovering. Alfred softly smiled and nodded for the other man to continue his report.

He was interrupted by the door swinging open. Everyone's attention turned to the intrusion.

Russia peaked his head in with that childish smile of his.

Arthur immediately looked at Alfred. The American stood tall, his face completely unreadable. England, however, was sweating like a pig. This was not good.

"Good morning comrades! I haven't seen you in such a long time. How have you all been?" Ivan made his way inside and walked to the opposite end of the table from where America was. He stopped and turned to look at the blonde.

"Ah, America, I see you are doing much better than I have heard."

"Why the hell are you here Russia?" His face held firm like a rock. He would not break, not in front of the world.

"Why? Why, I wish to join NATO!"

Silence.

"I am a changed nation, Alfred-" "Don't call me that." My new boss is much more compassionate that Stalin. He wishes to join your organization to preserve peace in Europe and who am I to go against him?" As he spoke, Ivan had made his way over to the unreadable nation. He walked past him and stood before the large map on the board. "Ah, our warfronts. It seems you have quite a few, yet you still fear of mine expanding." He turned around and was met with America's back facing him. It was then he noticed his attire. "A suit, Alfred? You really have lost it." Alfred stood still, not moving from his position facing the others. He dared not look at anything except the grey wall before him or fear breaking his constraint to not beat the shit out of the Russian.

Sky blue eyes plastered to the wall, Alfred spoke. "Germany, would you continue the meeting? Russia and I need to have a conversation in private."

Germany rose from his seat quickly and nodded. "Of course."

For the first time since Ivan arrived, blue met violet. "Please, follow me Russia." The larger man smirked and followed America out of the room, waving off to the others as he did so. They walked past the other meeting, which had also been interrupted, and down the hall to a room far from the others. No one needed to hear them. Once Russia was inside the new room that looked just like a carbon copy of the one they had just left, America slowly closed the door. He cleared his throat to hide the sound of the large wooden door locking. Russia had taken the seat that was right in front of the door. He smiled up at the American, who leaned on the door. His hands were still on the doorknob, lest they be wrapped around the other's fat neck.

"Now, why are you really here?"

"I already told you Alfred, I wish to join you."

"I told you not to call me that and you're full of shit."

The Russian shook his head and sighed. "My new boss has some wonderful ideas, Alfred. He wishes to change me for the better, or what you would perceive as better. I am a broken man, just as you are. My people need the support of NATO to sustain their way of life."

"Which is communism." America interrupted.

"At the moment yes. My boss may change that, however."

"'May' is not 'will'. I can't just go off of what your boss may or may not do. I'm not an idiot."

Russia smirked. "Could have fooled me." He rose from his seat on the table and walked the few feet to Alfred. Ivan was half a head taller and much broader than the younger nation, but that didn't intimidate Alfred in the slightest. "So what will it be Alfred?"

"No." His voice was firm and his eyes burned into Russia's with an unnamed passion.

Ivan pouted. "Well that's too bad. Here I had hoped we could become friends again."

"We were never friends."

"Oh don't lie to yourself, Alfred. It will only make you lose your mind." Russia bent down so that he was even with America's face. The last three words practically oozed with dark intentions. "But you already know what it feels like, don't you? To have no one to talk to, no one to trust. It's a sad, lonely world we have created, you and I. I can only imagine what our future holds." Russia stared into Alfred's glasses as he said all this, never once blinking. America felt his grip on the door tighten and sweat trickle down his left temple; his blood boiling.

Suddenly, Russia grabbed a hold of the smaller man's neck and forced him up and into the wall, his feet just dangling above the carpet below. Alfred gasped for precious air as Ivan lent to the side of the American's head, whispering in his ear. "You can't do it, can you? I can see it in your eyes your utter hate for me, how much you wish to just rip out my heart, yet you hold back. You are a coward. The world has no further use for you. I will take your place as the only superpower and I will create the empire that Hitler could only dream of."

Alfred felt as if his head was swelling and his lungs shriveling from the lack of oxygen. He clawed at the larger man's strong arm, leaving tiny blood trails behind. Russia tightened his grip and smiled wickedly at America. He began to laugh and Alfred could take no more. With some unfound strength, Alfred kneed the other man in the stomach, causing his neck to be freed. He rushed at the hunched over nation and forced him back into the table. Russia opened his eyes to find his back lying on the table and Alfred returning the favor. His hands were not clamping down on his wind pipes. America was breathing heavily, still trying to recover his breath.

"You don't know what the fuck you're talking about! How many times do I have to tell you that we're nothing alike! You will never replace me! The other's need me more than ever to protect them from you! Even if you somehow bested me, your empire would be built on lies and deception. It would crumble faster than you would be able to build it." He forced all of his weight onto the Russian's neck, which gave him a sputtered gasp in reply.

Alfred smirked. He could end Russia right here, right now. It was what he had dreamed about for years. Russia was the cause of all his problems. Within a few minutes he could be rid of them all and restore peace to the world. Alfred smiled just as Russia had to him and lend down. He rested his head on the table next to Russia ear.

"I will kill you but you do not deserve the quick embrace of death I would deliver. No, your death will be slow and painful. I will destroy any hope of you ever returning."

Russia said nothing for the longest time as the two did not move. Alfred loosened his death grip on Ivan's neck, but did not remove his hands completely. The two stayed like this as the seconds ticked by on the grandfather clock adjacent to them.

Suddenly, Russia let out a hearty laugh. Alfred jumped slightly and stood back up, leaning over the other as he cackled. His eyes narrowed behind his glasses as he quickly ended the laughter by tightening his grip.

"Why do you deny the obvious still? I could have sworn my twin was speaking to me just then. Oh how you have changed, America!" He continued to laugh even as Alfred pressed down on his throat. "Shut up!"

The doorknob shook behind them and there was a knock on the door. "Alfred, are you in there? Is everything alright?" His eyes widened behinds his glasses that clung to the tip of his nose. It was Arthur.

"Yea, go back to the meeting Arthur! I'll be there is a sec."

Russia chuckled and stared up at the other man. "This front of your will only last for so long. Soon, everyone will know just how psychotic you have become. They will see me when they look at you." Russia finally changed their position and slammed America against the door. He made sure to keep him in place by his shoulders. Choking the life out of each other had grown to be boring.

"America! Open the door!"

"Shut the fuck up Russia!"

"Ahh, you finally see."

"See what? Alfred, what the hell is going on?!" By now, several of the other countries had all but abandoned the meeting to see what the commotion was. Apparently they hadn't gone far enough. America knew this would happen that the two of them would fight. He knew because he was finally thinking like the Russian. He hated to agree with the other man, but every word he has spoken was true. Alfred had finally stooped to his level. There was no different between them now other than one was blue and one was red.

But even now they had started to become purple.

Alfred felt someone banging on the door on his back. "Open the door America!" This time it was Germany. Alfred said nothing as he and the Russia exchanged glares and smirks.

"Looks like the gig is up Russia. I have back up."

"As do I, but all will be revealed it time."

The young blonde gave a puzzled as, without warning, Russia grabbed Alfred by the collar and threw him with such force towards the door that the American burst through and landed on a few of the unsuspecting nations on the other side.

"What the bloody hell?" England said as he rubbed his head from the impact. He looked down to see America sprawled out on the floor, also rubbing his head. Texas had flown a few feet farther and laid broken on the floor. Upon further inspection, Arthur saw several marks along Alfred's neck. Russia unlocked the door and emerged as if there was no man sized hole in the oak. He smiled at the American and grabbed his arm, helping him stand. Alfred shook his hand from the other's grasp and managed to stand on his own, thought everything was now extremely blurry.

"Get out." Was all he managed to say.

Ivan smiled and patted the smaller nation's shoulder. "When the weight gets to be unbearable, you know who you can crawl too." He smirked and squeezed his hand on Alfred's iconic bomber.

Again he pushed the other away and sent him a glare that Arthur swore could kill. "Go to hell." America stood firm, as was his usual portrayal of himself when in front of the others. There was no way he would allow what Russia had said to become true. They would not see his weakness.

Ivan flashed his childish smile and adjusted his scarf. "I'll see you there, comrade." He walked through the crowd that had formed around them. The nations parted like the Red sea, not daring to come in contact with the large Russian. He stopped just before reaching the outer ring of the circle and looked over his shoulder. His eyes fell upon another blonde nation.

Arthur.

"As well as your allies."

The statement was directed towards Alfred, but Russia's icy cold eyes stared at Arthur, who had finally stood up. The chill that went up the Englishmen's spine was enough to knock him back down, but he too stood strong. Ivan tilted his chin up ever so slightly and continued down the hall. He met up with his new boss and the two left the building as quietly as they had come.

The meeting was abruptly ended as soon as they had left. The leaders needed to return to their homelands as soon as possible to decide new tactics against the growing communist nation. As many of the nations were reunited with their bosses, England walked over to Alfred, picking up the broken remains of Texas on the way.

"Here." He silently handed the glasses to their owner. He could feel they were of no use anymore and hurled them at the nearby wall, further destroying the bifocals. Arthur stood still. He really didn't know what to say to his former colony. There were no questions, as England could pretty much guess what had happened in the room had only spilled out into the hallway.

"Fucking communist."

"We'll get him, Alfred. Don't you worry." The warning was long overdue. They both knew this, yet said nothing of the comment.

"I will get him." Without even looking at the older nation, America simply walked forward down the hall to find Eisenhower.

England knew that even though the battles had spread across the world, the war was still between Russia and America and that Alfred was determined to keep it as such.

The doomsday clock was ticking closer and closer to midnight.