October 1812
Russia is at home lying in bed. He lie unnaturally still not muttering a sound; to most, the nation was bedridden with an illness. Alaska knew it was not true. The French had invaded Moscow a month ago, hoping that by taking the capital, the Russians would give up. Even though St. Petersburg is the capital, Russia held Moscow very close to his heart as his first capital. The city was now abandoned and burned to the ground; Russia has been bedridden and feverish since.
A hand comes to rest atop Alaska's head as he watches his papa. Craning his neck up, aqua eyes rest on Lithuania's face. "It'll be alright, let's get you to bed now. Ukraine will take care of him." Alaska nods and lifts his arms to be picked up. Lithuania is mistaking his expression to be one of sadness, but Alaska is actually angry. Never has Aleks seen Russia injured, and he would not forgive anyone that hurt any part of his family.
With Ukraine busy, Belarus is the one that helps him get ready for bed, but she is much more perceptive than Lithuania. "What is it," her face is grim with suppressed rage, as there's nothing she can do about the state of her brother.
Alaska knows that of any nation, Belarus will understand what he's about to tell her. "I need a gun." A look of surprise flits over her face before she schools it into a more neutral expression; her hands stop messing with the ribbons on his nightgown and she goes to his wardrobe and pulls out a coat.
By the strike of twelve, Belarus had everything prepared and Alaska is well on his way to Moscow. Miska trailed ahead, finding safe trails and warning him of any nearby dangers. Bands of cossack gathered behind him as Aleks walked through the cities; the red aura surrounding him did nothing to dissuade them to stay away from him. His intent was aimed at someone else and they seemed to sense this, willingly following behind him even though his human age was just a mere three years. 'Land god' they called him, an angel come to defend the motherland.
The Cossacks roared when they entered Moscow, which had been plundered by the French. Alaska ignored them, having only one target in mind: the French Empire. And with Miska's help, Alaska does find him. With his back turned, the unsuspecting nation doesn't see Alaska pull out the gun and take aim. Without any hesitation, Alaska fires and the French Empire falls to his knees with a cry, holding an injured shoulder.
France turns around with baited breath, staring out into the night, searching for the one that has attacked him. Pained blue eyes find Alaska staring back with a wicked grin, red aura swirling around him (France would later swear on Napoleon's life that he had seen a demon), and praying to the winter spirit to bury France under snow. France left Moscow that night.
When Alaska arrived back home, a surprise is waiting for him. "Papa!" Aleks is so excited to see the nation standing in the doorway that he doesn't notice how emotional Russia looks.
Ivan weakly collapses to his knees and engulfs Alaska into his arms. Soft platinum hair brushes Aleks' cheek as Ivan's face is buried in the crook of his neck. "Never do that again! It is my job to protect you," Russia whimpers and squeezes him tight, "Please, don't fight." Alaska is taken off guard seeing his papa acting so sensitive. A tiny smile turns up the corners of Aleks' lips and his small arms wrap around his papa as much as they can. Aleks does not regret what he's done.
Winter Palace, St. Petersburg July 25, 1854
To many officials and elite, it might seem unseemly of Russia to be playing outside. They knew exactly what he was and as their representation, they expected better of him. As a man that represented the "infinitely majestic, determined and powerful, hard as stone, and relentless as fate," Tsar Nikolai does not like this side of Ivan.
The weather is nice and warm, with bright blue skies and Russia is playing with Russian America in the royal courts. A ball is being passed between them, but Aleks is so small that he often ends up rolling in the grass to stop the ball. Ivan doesn't mind the dirt so much, he is simply happy to be able to do this.
Because of the Crimean War that Nikolai led him into, Russia doesn't have much time to spare before he has to be on his way again. Otherwise Turkey will clear a path straight through the Balkans and take Crimea. His presence wasn't actually needed for the war to go on, but it did give his men morale.
Ivan's facade has long since dropped in the morning hours and a small smile rests across his lips. A bubble of laughter escapes him, as he spies the odd angles that Aleks' tufts of black and gray hair take after rolling in the grass again.
It isn't until Aleks takes the ball in his hands and sits in the grass with a stoic expression that Russia becomes concerned. Russia wonders if maybe he has kicked the ball too hard and hurt Alaska.
Before Ivan can even act, the next moment absolutely terrifies him. The ball rolls away as Aleks lets it go to grasp at his chest. Alaska lets out a heart wrenching scream so loud that the birds spook from their perches and take to the skies. Tears begin flowing freely down his face. Russia runs to his colony immediately and scoops him up. "Tell me where it hurts, Alaska," Russia tries to stay calm but his voice stutters; he brings Alaska back inside the palace walls.
"Novo-Arkhangelsk," Alaska wails into the coat of Ivan's uniform.
Russia's teeth grit out of anger, "Who." The way the word rolled off his tongue had people flinching and stepping out of his way without any questions asked. Who would dare attack Alaska's heart.
"...England ...France," Alaska is beginning to sound weak. Russia seethes, the two of them are supposed to be fighting his army in the Balkans. So he turns his back on them, and they attack his colony? Are they trying to weaken him by taking Alaska? Russia is going to kill them both.
"B-brother, what has happened," Belarus sees him and begins following out of concern.
"Go get sister," is all he tells her. Russia is going to need Ukraine to watch over Alaska while he goes to kill those cowards.
Ivan gently lays Alaska on his back when he finally reaches the bed chamber. He tries to make Aleks comfortable but there isn't much he can do. Ivan spots Miska on the floor and places the bundle of fur beside her owner in hopes she would take some of his pain away.
"Don't you worry, I'm going to make the pain stop," Russia says as he combs his fingers through Alaska's soft downy hair.
Just as he is pulling away, Alaska grabs ahold of his fingers. "Petropavlovsk is next."
Petropavlovsk? In Kamchatka? If England and France think they can attack him in his own house, Russia is going to show them how mistaken they are. This time, Alaska lets him leave, but standing at the door is Tsar Nikolai.
"Are you really going to leave with Crimea at stake?"
"Crimea is your mess," Russia pushes past his leader; he doesn't mean to be rude, but after spending two decades with him, how could Nikolai not see that Russia cares deeply for Alaska. Of course, he's going to go East. Alaska matters more to him right now than that silly conflict Nikolai had started with Turkey. "If you want someone to go fight, then send Poland or Lithuania." There was also Estonia and Finland somewhere in the palace; the list was endless.
Novo-Arkhangelsk/Sitka, Alaska. Russian America, 1867
Russia never recovered from the Siege of Petropavlovsk, at least not mentally. The petrified look and sound of Alaska screaming haunted him; it reminded Russia of himself when Mongolia and Sweden terrorized him as a child. Looking at Alaska had been a constant reminder of how he had failed to protect his colony. He had realized too late that even behind his palace walls, he could not protect Alaska physically. Alaska was on an entirely different continent, too far away for Russia to defend, and he did not have enough resources to put a military base there. If another conflict were to arise again, Alaska would be indefensible and Ivan would not allow Aleks to be hurt again.
Making colonies in the New World was not as fun as Russia thought it would be. Russia has not ventured to anymore of the Americas since Petropavlovsk, instead his gaze had turned to Asia. That does not mean he neglected Aleks, in fact, Alaska has been glued to his hip since being attacked, which makes this all the more painful.
"Ivan, are you sure you want to do this?" America asked, unsure that this was the right thing to do, "He's going to struggle to fit in with the rest of my children."
Russia focused on America's appearance and pushed the paper across the desk; he knew the younger nation was still struggling with the aftermath of his Civil War; hopefully, Alaska would make him feel better. America still had bags under his eyes from sleepless nights and outbreaks of absolute insanity. Ivan knew he was tired; the kid was only sixteen in appearance, but he'd grown in so little time. This was in Alaska's best interest. Russia just didn't want to think about how he'd failed Alaska; he couldn't afford to take care of his own child. He had failed at being a father.
…Besides, this would benefit America's manifest destiny plan.
Russia's left arm was holding a bundle of Alaska; the child has not grown at all in Russia's care, a result of not expanding into the mainland or building a militia. This would be the last time Ivan would get to hold him. Alaska's head was pressed into the folds of Russia's uniform and he knew that tears were soaking through; all of his soft downy gray hairs had grown into smooth black strands. Ivan didn't bother to coo at him because there were no words that could take the pain away from either of them.
He had to do this. If America didn't take Alaska then Russia would have to consider giving him to England, and he didn't want that. "Please, Alfred. Please sign the paper. You'll be happy with him, I promise." Alfred still looked skeptical. "Do you want me to give him to England?" Russia didn't want to say it, but America needed to understand that Russia didn't have an option in keeping Alaska. If he just abandoned the colony, then Aleks would die and Ivan could not allow that to happen either.
America tensed at the mention of England's name and sighed. In a soft voice he says, "I'm sorry that Britain and France did that to you. They're not gentlemen at all."
Russia hums in agreement, "It is fine. Mr. Monroe was right. I shouldn't be expanding in the Americas."
"Now Ivan, you know President Monroe did not mean it that way. Alaska was already your colony and I never meant to take him from you." America sighs again, "I hope you don't regret this, Ivan. I'll take him because we're friends, but I won't give him back if you ask." Russia nodded in understanding; he knew how possessive America was over his children and what Russia wanted was for Alaska to be accepted into a family that could protect him. America was the right decision.
Reluctantly, America signed his name across the dotted line, starting the chain reaction of the land transfer. Russia felt Aleks shiver against him; he knew it must have felt weird to belong to a different nation. Russia felt his own weight become considerably lighter and the languages, culture, and voices that accompanied the land were gone; it made him feel a little empty inside. America's face was scrunched up at the added weight; Alaska was not a small territory.
Alfred tried to look at Alaska from across the desk. "What's your name?" His voice was smooth and quiet; Alfred knew how to handle children, he had many of them.
Aleks sniffled into Russia's coat before looking at the American nation and wiping his eyes. He frowned and looked up into Ivan's face, and it dawned on him that Alaska couldn't understand English yet. "Tell him your name," he whispered in Russian. Ivan had to wonder if Alfred would change Alaska's name.
"Aleksandr Ivanovich Braginsky." His voice sounded so tiny and full of sorrow that it pulled at Ivan's heart.
Russia stood up, carefully placing the child on his feet and avoiding the ever present puppy that stayed by Alaska's side. Russia grabbed Alaska's small hand in his larger one. "We should go watch the changing of the flag." Alfred nodded once and stood too.
The changing of the flag hadn't been any less painful. While the Russian flag was coming down, one of the soldiers tripped and the flag ripped. Russia felt his heart spasm painfully at the sight; it was a shot to his already broken pride. A tiny hand squeezed his finger and he looked down at Alaska.
Surprisingly, his features had already slightly changed. The shape of his eyes resembled that of America's, eyes that now stared up at him sadly. His nose was less prominent and smaller against his face. Everything else was the same, but it was clear that Alaska was no longer his colony. Losing him was unbearable. Ivan snatched his hand away like he'd been burned; he turned away from Alaska and away from the flag changing.
"Ivan," Alfred said in a quiet voice; a hand was placed on his shoulder, but Ivan shrugged it off. Russia couldn't let them see him like this; he couldn't let them see him cry, and he was very close. Russia began walking away without another word.
"Papa? Papa!" Russia felt his heart squeezing, like it was being wrung out like a weeping cloth. He continued walking and tried to ignore that painful ache in his chest. A weight suddenly attacked his leg and Russia looked down at the child attached to him. "You said you wouldn't leave me. You promised!"
Russia's face shifted into an emotionless mask, one that he'd never looked at Aleks with; it was hard and baleful. Alaska gasped and stumbled back, falling in the snow; tears were already streaming down his face.
It hurt Russia more than anything to know he caused those tears; he wished he could say something sweet and calming, but what could he possibly say. Russia could not keep his act for much longer; this is not what he wants Aleks to last remember about him. Ivan crumbled to the ground like melting snow, his face portraying nothing but sadness now. "Alyaska, the British Empire was going to steal you from me, and there's nothing I can do about that. I wouldn't get here in time to protect you." Alaska doesn't say anything.
"Now, you are not my son. You are no longer Russian America; you are the Territory of Alaska and you belong to the United States," Russia said as he picked himself up.
Violet eyes watched as America slowly picked the crying boy up in his arms and cradled his face in the crook of his neck. "It's okay," America cooed in one of Alaska's native tongues, "I'm your daddy now, and you have lots of brothers and sisters waiting for you at home." Alfred looked up and met Russia's gaze, nodding once.
Ivan turned away pitifully and walked away with tears streaming down his face. They would never know how much pain he was in.
His Russian America was gone…
Omake
Virginia - Washington, DC. June 12, 2011
Russia was just a little wary that he was in America's capital; usually the young nation hosted his meetings in New York. Ivan was only slightly worried because America had asked him, and only him, to stay behind after the meeting. To his knowledge, Russia hadn't done anything recently to make America upset; the American said he had his reasons, but Russia could never be too sure, especially since they were currently walking around the White House. No men in suits were following them, but that didn't necessarily mean anything. Russia loosened his scarf just a little, he was beginning to feel hot in his suit.
"Hey dude, relax... nothing bad is going to happen," America says with a wink and one of those twinkling smiles of his; it does nothing to calm Russia's nerves. After all these years, Russia isn't entirely sure if America is his friend, so he has no idea what to expect. This is the closest they've been in awhile, maybe America just wanted to catch up?
They came across a room with a solid oak door, the sound of scuffling and... yipping? echoed from the other side and Russia gave America a questioning look. Was there a dog here? "They must have found Bo," America chuckles and Russia is even more confused. What is a Bo? America twisted the doorknob and oak sweeped across blue carpeting. Immediately, a young teenager came into view; he looked a lot like America except his eyes and hair were brown, there's a mole under the left frame of his glasses and his skin was paler. "Good, you're back," the strange person... no, nation... no, state, glanced up from a book he was reading, "If you're done playing, I have work to do."
"Ginni," America places a hand over his chest, "you wound me."
"Virginia," he corrects with a wag of his finger, and stands up, taking the book with him. "If you don't need me anymore then... Bo!" The state whistles and a big curly haired black and white dog lifts it's head from one of the chairs in the room. The dog barks and with a wag of it's tail, leaps out of the chair and follows Virginia. "Hello Mr. Russia," the state bows his head as he walks out the room.
Russia is completely lost. "Why did you bring me here," Ivan questions America, who is closing the door behind them. The nation doesn't even have time to answer. The only warning that something is amiss is the whoosh of air Russia hears before he is knocked to the ground like a sack of potatoes had just landed on him. "Papa!" Violet eyes widened at the sound, and Russia looks down to see the head of black hair nuzzled against his chest; Ivan's heart began to swell at the feel of arms wrapping around his torso. Russia pulls himself into a sitting position and holds the little form up. Alaska had grown a lot; he looked like a nine year old child now. There was a little tag pinned to the front of the state's shirt, reading 'Alexander Braginsky-Jones' and a smile pulls the corners of Russia's lips up; America had left Alaska's name alone. "Alik! You've gotten so big." A bark sounded from right next to him. "You too, Miska," Russia laughs breathlessly as the fluffy malamute pup bounded into his lap and began licking at his cheek.
"Happy Birthday, dude!" America cheers from behind them, and Russia feels like he could cry.
"Y-you," Ivan doesn't know what to say. No one had celebrated his birthday in decades; he wasn't even sure the other nations knew when it was, but here he is. America had presented him with the one thing that had left a hole in his chest. This is all Russia could ever ask for. Ivan buried his face into Alaska's soft black strands of hair, and they smelled very much like the salty sea that surrounded Alaska's home. "Thank you so much," Russia finally says, "thank you." The nation embraces the state for all the years he went without so much as a word from the one he held so dear in his heart. Russia had truly missed his Russian America.
A/N: 1867 was supposed to be the end, but my heart wouldn't let me end this there. And yes, I know what the Heta wiki says, but Russia day (Russian Federation's B-day) is June 12. The date on the wiki (December 30) is the Soviet Union's birthday.
Headcanon: A colonies features changes depending on who is in charge of them(like England's eyebrows on most of his colonies. Hong Kong definitely did not have those before England took him from China). In this case, Alaska gains American influence (his nose) because most of the Russians left (mind you, Russian America only had about 700 Russians). The features they have when gaining independence are the ones they keep.
Translation:
Novo-Arkhangelsk (Russian) – New Archangel (This was Sitka, Alaska)
Fun Fact:
Russia almost owned Hawaii(1816); Fort Elizabeth was set up there. A German by the name of George Schaffer, affiliated with Russia, wanted to overthrow the Hawaiian king to take control of a sandalwood monopoly. Tsar Alexander I would not allow it because he did not want to ruin Russia's relationship with America, who bought the sandalwood monopoly while the argument was going on between Russians and Hawaiians.
Russians (and Ukrainians/Belarusians) do not have middle names, they have patronymics, which is their father's name with a suffix added.
It's Braginsky with a -y/-iy. Braginski with an -i is Polish.
Historical Notes:
The French invaded Russia in 1812. Moscow burned down in September, even though that was not the goal. The French empire wanted the Russians to give up and when they didn't the French left in October because they were beginning to starve, and yes, Cossacks did ambush the French while they were leaving.
July 25, 1854, France and England felt like their California trade was being threatened by Russians(even though Russia didn't claim that area anymore), so they attacked where they thought Russian bases would be in the North. Sitka was one but there were no Russian warships there. Petropavlovsk was another and Russia defeated the English and French there.
The Crimean War was a conflict fought from 1853 to 1856 in which the Russian Empire lost, as a result of Tsar Nikolai micromanaging the army, to an alliance of the Ottoman Empire(Turkey), France, Britain and Sardinia. Nikolai was also the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Finland.
In 1867, Russia gives Alaska to the USA. Russia thought about giving Alaska away ever since Sitka was taken during the Siege of Petropavlovsk. The first candidate was England but the Russian Empire despised England. The next and only option was the USA. The Siege also caused the Russian Empire to stop exploring the Americas and focus on Asia instead. Russia, having never explored most of mainland Alaska, had no right to sell the whole territory because that land belonged to the tribes, which caused problems for America later.
Manifest Destiny: a term coined in 1845, that settlers of the United States were destined to expand across North America.
Monroe Doctrine: a United States policy of opposing European colonialism in the Americas beginning in 1823. Russia was the main target at the time because it had expanded its territory from Alaska down the west coast of the US, and prohibited any vessels near its coasts unless they risk confiscation (Ukase of 1821).