Disclaimer: I don't own APH!
England sat in an enormous rocking chair near the fire, staring out the window. It was beautiful tonight; the moon was clear and bright, and the stars gleamed and twinkled merrily, as though saying, nothing could dampen us tonight! England smiled softly, a gentle breeze bringing fresh, warm air from the outside. It was indeed a perfect night.
Until a loud, childish scream ruptured the calm.
England jumped up, alarmed, recognizing that as the voice of his young colony. He was worried; had Russia discovered their location and was coming to take the boy? Surely not! He'd only let France know their location, and he, while an annoying perverted frog, was one of the most trustworthy people he knew. Did this mean he'd been betrayed?
England was about to start running towards the colony's room when he was stopped by a little boy tripping the rest of the way down the stairs. The boy stumbled slightly, before catching sight of England. "I-I-Iggy! Dad!" He wailed, running over and throwing his tiny arms around England's waist. "I had a bad dream…" Alfred whimpered, fixing England with a tearful, blue-eyed stare.
England sighed, subconsciously calming his pumping heart. It was only a nightmare.
"It's alright…" England crooned, sitting down to fully hug the boy. "Do you want to tell me what if was about?"
Alfred sniffled, and raised his hands in the usual, "pick me up" motion. England instantly obliged, if only to give more comfort to the terrified boy.
"I was lost in the forest…" He said, nuzzling into England's chest. "But this time, Mattie wasn't there. And you weren't there, but the big man with the scary eyes was. He told me to come with him, but I said no. He threatened me, but I told him I w-wasn't afraid. Then he got Mattie and you and told me that if I didn't come with him he'd k-kill you guys. And I told him I was going with him, but he pretended he didn't hear me and…"Alfred let out a thin wail and buried his head into England's chest.
England's mouth curled slightly. "Sh, don't worry, my boy. That corrupted old king couldn't do a thing to me, and the frog is looking out for Matthew. Shh, shh…" England slowly rocked back and forth, until Alfred's wails diminished into weak whimpers and the tears slowed. England blinked in surprise as he realized that, even with his tiny hands clutched tightly on England's vest, Alfred was asleep.
The country let out a soft sigh, smiling slightly at the peaceful expression now adorning Alfred's face. Despite the tear tracks carving their way down his face, you never would have thought he'd been so distressed moments before. Rubbing the offending water off Alfred's face, England allowed himself a large grin. "Perfect." He murmured, before standing and heading over to the rocking chair near the fire again.
He sat down, gently holding Alfred to him, frowning. The content of the child's dream was disturbing, he admitted. He was sure he'd shielded the budding country from Russia as best as possible; Russia, the greedy king, was always looking for new countries to take over. The only reason he hadn't made England live in the castle with him was because the fiery nation was more powerful than the other countries; it wasn't good to have a powerful country like England on his bad side.
England gave a start when he heard Alfred murmur something. He blinked in surprise as his green eyes came in contact with two drowsy, blue ones. The boy reached out for England's hand, almost in a trance, and repeated, "Promise you…won't…leave…" England just tightened big, weathered hand around America's tiny, soft one. "I promise." Alfred gave a satisfied smile before dropping to sleep again.
Yeah, so there it ends…cute fluff. NOT! This is not the end, foolish human! Bwahaha!
England jumped in shock when he heard the doorbell ring. Slowly standing up so as not to jostle Alfred, he whispered, "Now who would be calling at this time of night…?" He hurried upstairs and quickly put Alfred in bed, before rushing down the stairs again. This time whoever it was knocked impatiently, so England called out, "I'm coming, hold your horses!"
Throwing open the door, he growled out, "Who the hell is—"
His mouth dropped open in surprise.
What the hell was Russia doing on his doorstep at this time of night?
"Come in, sire." England murmured his customary greeting, bowing slightly and allowing Russia to walk past him in the living room. Then he straightened and regarded Russia's back with one of almost pure hatred, face twisted into a malicious snarl.
Russia was as he usually was; tall, cold, arrogant and radiating power. He had his customary white scarf, and his long tan trench coat nearly touched his giant feet. His hair was almost as white as the snow, and the purple eyes missed nothing as they roamed the room. Finally, he turned and examined England with an innocent, creepy smile. "Hello, my little underling. I suppose you have the plans prepared?"
England bowed low, though he was very confused. "Yes, sire, but I thought that the plans were due next week…?"
Russia gently fingered the rocking chair, hands playing with the smooth wood. "Yes, I suppose so… it is good you are such a hard worker then, da?"
England silently noted the diminishing deadlines and grimaced. Even though Russia couldn't make him live in the castle, he could still make him do whatever he wanted. "Is that all you came for, sire?" He asked, and resisted spitting the word sire into Russia's face.
Russia smiled coldly at England, almost sensing the barely suppressed defiance. "Yes, little underling."
England bowed deeper and muttered something before running up the stair to get the plans he had finished for Russia. They'd been strategy plans for taking the last resisting countries; Switzerland and Liechtenstein, France, Spain, Prussia, Germany, Italy, Japan, and China. He'd made sure that Russia would only gain a few countries instead of all of them; that was his way of resisting. Bitterly he gathered the plans into his arms and rushed downstairs. Yes, that was all he did. Mussing a few battle plans.
He bowed again to Russia as he held out the plans, saying, "I hope these are to your standards, sire."
Russia smiled and patted England's lowered head, examining the papers with mild interest. He seemed satisfied, and tucked the papers under his arm. England was very glad to have Russia leaving; now he could relax, because of the young boy upstairs. England smiled softly, imagining the peaceful face…
Just as Russia was about to shut the door, he turned and paralyzed England with his violet stare. "I would be worrying about your little friend upstairs right now, little underling."
England felt his heart skip a beat. Alfred!
He forced himself as fast as he could up the stairs, ignoring Russia's cold laughter following him, and threw open Alfred's door. He managed to catch sight of a young girl holding a big bundle easily in her arms, perched on the windowsill. As she caught sight of England, she smiled widely, before waving and leaping out the window. England rushed to where she'd been moments before, tears streaking down his face and cursing Russia's name.
As his mournful wail reached Russia's ears, the giant country grinned. He didn't react as his sister dropped from the trees behind him and stalked over. "Belarus…Natalya…" He murmured, touching her face almost tenderly. "You have done well tonight, sister…" Belarus beamed, holding up her prize happily so Russia could get a better look. He regarded the sleeping, peaceful face with a blank look, before breaking into a large smile.
Obviously this is an AU. Basically Russia has taken over most of the world, and every country he owns lives in the castle with him except for England. England pretty much does what he wants, and he finds Alfred and the New World. Knowing that Russia would corrupt the child, he takes Alfred home to protect him. Russia discovers about the child, and uses himself as a distraction so Belarus can capture Alfred. End of story ^^.
No, I'm not continuing this story, though if anyone wants to they can. Maybe if I have enough time I'll make a story out of this, but for now… just imagine the ending.
This is raw, unbeta-ed work, so… if the grammar and stuff sucks, you know why.
IceEckos12