Not Over Yet
Part 9
"So Russia has every reason in the world to make you disappear?" Matthew asked again, for the umpteenth time, and, as usual, Arthur nodded in response.
Arthur had explained it numerous times all last month after their long night at Alfred's Virginian home and yet the Canadian still did not seem to grasp it, or, at the very least, accept it. Arthur was pretty sure that any rational person would have told him already that he would die a very painful death because he was considered a terrorist in the eyes of the Russian nation, but either Matthew was too kind or too noncommittal for that. Then again, he might have just been in denial about the whole situation.
"Can you explain it again, eh?"
That was very possible. He supposed that was for the best, though. He had managed to keep a cap on Alfred's secret this time around. Matthew was too confused to do much of anything regarding the matter so he had been calling all of the shots, via phone because they were all in their respective homes, Alfred and Russia included. Arthur had actually considered visiting Alfred, especially with the next world meeting coming up fast, but had not gotten the nerve to either call or surprise him. He had not had any contact with Alfred, or Russia for that matter, since that night. Nikkita, too, actually. He had not seen Jackson in even longer. It pained him a bit that he was doing this to himself, but he just could not do it. He figured that he could just speak with Alfred after the meeting if he had to, which he did because even with common contact with Matthew, he was still so lonely. He had gotten accustomed to his frequent visits, and now that he did not have them it took its toll.
"I believe I have explained it enough times, Matthew." Arthur assured him, patting the younger on the arm, "Now come on, we should not be late."
Arthur began his walk while Matthew was stuck in place, before breaking into a sprint to catch up with the other nation.
"B-but, Arthur! Alfred knows and is stopping him, right?"
Arthur sighed, "I suppose. I have not seen either of them since."
Matthew shook his head, "How can you be so calm, eh?"
Arthur smirked in response. In all reality, he was anything but calm. Of course, Matthew and the rest of the world did not need to know that. He had spared a thought to skipping this meeting in all actuality, but he was not about to go back into isolation. It had not been as splendid as he sometimes claimed. Some things were worse than a demonic, pipe-wielding Russian. Besides, the world meetings themselves were too chaotic to foster any kind of true apocalyptic anarchy. In a sense, there were some rules to the madness even if they did turn on each other.
"Years of practice, lad." he finally answered, "Now hurry up, we may be able to speak to Alfred about all of this before the meeting begins."
And with that the two set off at a brisk pace towards the meeting building. This round it was being held in London so Arthur was the host. He had originally planned on being the earliest one there, but he had gotten involved with Matthew and lost a little time. As they proceeded through the halls to the meeting room they did not recognize any countries wandering about, which confused the two. Once actually in the room, they realized that they were some of the last to show up. Well, that was odd.
"What is everyone doing here so early?" Arthur heard himself asking, quite sure he was still pretty early.
"Alfred's presentation." Germany stated rather harshly, "It has been put off twice now and by popular vote it will be the first thing on the agenda today. If you had been checking your emails, texts, voicemail, or even mailbox, you would have not only known, but would have been able to vote."
"I did not get anything." Matthew murmured shortly before completely disappearing into the background to find his seat.
Arthur on the other hand managed to look like the most put-upon person in the room, "If you really tried all that hard to get ahold of me, then why did none of my officials tell me about it, hm?"
Several nations broke into laughter as Germany gestured for Arthur to go on as he took his own seat. Arthur snorted in response, finding his assigned seat as well. Sadly, it was by Francis and—Alfred. Where was he?
"Has anyone seen Alfred?" he found himself asking, surveying the layout of the room.
Germany quirked an eyebrow, "He is not even late yet, so give him some time. He did not answer either, actually. He better be prepared."
That settled Arthur's nerves a little and frenzied them at the same time. He still felt like he was missing something as well.
"Who all is here, then?" he hissed, not in the mood for Germany's attitude.
Said German seemed a little caught off guard, but recovered well, "We have not done attendance yet, but I venture as far as to say just about everyone."
Arthur still could not shake the feeling.
"Then we might as well start the headcount already, we can mark anyone who enters the room during. Naturally I am here, so Frog?"
"Oui?"
"Germany?"
"Ja."
"Japan?"
"Hai."
"China?"
"Aru."
"Italy?"
"Ve~"
And it continued on like that with Arthur going through the list of countries. He would check off a few as absent here or there, but they were usually the ones that never attended anyway. Nothing unusual was coming up, so why did he feel so uneasy?
"And Alfred is not here yet, so that leaves Russia." he finished, "Russia?"
"I'm here, da?"
Arthur jumped at the noise appearing behind him, turning to realize that Russia had just walked through the door. How had he gotten in so quietly?
"V-very well," Arthur stuttered, "Take your seat, Russia, we have to wait on the others."
The Russian smiled, "No, this will do. I have urgent business after all."
Arthur began to feel immense dread swirling in his stomach, but the rest of the nations were curious as to what the generally quiet nation wanted to say. He normally just sat back and observed the meetings, participating only when forced or in arguments.
"Give him the floor, Arthur." chided Francis from his seat when Arthur did not respond.
He shook his head immediately. No. Something was wrong about this. He was not giving up control here. However, Russia did not particularly care about his internal debate and moved right on past him to the head of the table: Alfred's seat. One head of the table was always for the host and the other for Alfred because he would usually throw a fit if he did not get it. It just kind of became an uncontested tradition to have him there. This was just too wrong, Russia could not be there.
"Listen up, I have an announcement."
He did not actually have to say that. All eyes had been on the Russian since he had entered and their curiosity held their tongues. Even Arthur could not say anything, but he certainly did not sit down.
"There seems to have been a little incident involving the questioning of Russian ability."—CLANG!—"And I feel I need to remind you who exactly I am."
All nations froze, eyes firmly trained on the pipe that still sat on the part of the table it had cracked into two separate pieces. Arthur's heart dropped.
"You see, back during the Cold War I signed a treaty with America to protect something precious to both of us, and this incident has called into question whether or not I can really hold up to my end of the agreement. Naturally I can, but not all Americans see it that way. So I apparently have to prove my point. We can all drink to that, da?"—Russia pulled out a flask of what could only have been assumed to be vodka and moved as if to drink from it, but poured the clear liquid all over the table instead—"What is mine always and forever will be mine, and I will not let anyone take it away for themselves. Remember, that I may not be a superpower anymore, but I do not have to be one to drag everyone down with me."
In one swift movement, Russia tossed something that shined before it hit the table. While all eyes were distracted by the light, the Russian had already slammed the door behind him. That was when they realized what he had thrown: a metallic lighter. The table immediately became consumed in flames and the nations finally roared to life in panic. Arthur instantly went for the door, twisting and pulling desperately at the knob, but it was the August meeting all over again. He could only assume that the pipe was in place once more, its black magic working against them.
"The windows!" someone screamed.
No one was quite sure what they themselves were doing at that moment, much less what others were, as the flames grew with each passing second.
"They're locked!"
"Bust them out!"
"NO! The oxygen will cause an explosion!"
"But we will die if we don't!"
"We will die either way, so I would rather explode than burn to death!"
"Ve! Germany, I'm scared."
CRACK! BOOM!