Author's Note: This chapter contains mentions of the Yeonpyeong bombardment.

Chapter 14

The family ended up staying at Matthew's house for another two days before bidding each other farewell and going their separate ways.

Alfred returned home to the Pennsylvania countryside, tired from driving but thankful to be able to finally relax in his own home. It probably wouldn't be long until he was called on again to go take care of something in Washington or somewhere else in the world, but the least he could do was chill in his own home until then.

For the next several days, he didn't do much of anything. Most of his time was spent playing the game Matthew had given him—Call of Duty: Black Ops. It was some good ole mindless-shooter fun to take his mind off things.

And he had a surprising lot to take his mind off of. Even with his trip to North Korea over and Christmas behind him, the news stations were abuzz with conflict around the world. North and South Korea were still rattling their sabers at each other. Anti-government protests had erupted in Tunisia. Politicians in his own country were still arguing over the best way to solve the current financial crisis. He could only hope that the New Year would be better.

On New Year's Eve day, Alfred caught a crowded train from the station in Philadelphia to New York City. No matter how busy or stressed or tired he was, he'd rarely missed a trip to New York on New Year's Eve to watch the ball drop. There was nothing better than standing in the crowd amongst his own people, chatting it up with strangers and sharing in their excitement.

From the station, he took a taxi to his apartment near Times Square, where he dumped his backpack containing a change of clothes and laptop computer. He was perfectly content to relax for a while in his room, where he had a nice view of the city, and watch the people file in for the celebrations that night. Only later, as darkness began to fall, did he leave the relative quiet of his apartment to join the masses in Times Square.

Despite getting there hours before the New Year, the place was packed, as expected, but he was just close enough to have a view of the ball. Between chatting with random people, Alfred texted other nations as the New Year arrived in their countries.

When the New Year finally reached America, Alfred joined in the countdown and subsequent cheering. There was no bigger party than the one in New York on New Year's Eve, and of course, no place he'd rather be. The only bittersweet moment came when all the couples around him kissed, and Alfred, alone, tried to share in their happiness anyway, despite knowing that as a nation, he would likely never fall in love and raise a family like them.

He returned to his apartment in the wee hours of the morning tired, but satisfied.

Only when he'd arrived did he realize he'd forgotten to send out a New Year's text in the midst of all the post-ball drop partying. Was it too late? He glanced at the clock.

2:48 AM, but that was for New York. It would soon be the New Year in California. So, twelve minutes later, he sent out a text to everyone in his phone's contacts.

Alfred: Happy new year from America!

He didn't wait for responses though. Instead, he just climbed into bed and called it a night.

When he awoke the next morning, he had several responses wishing him a happy New Year in return, as well as a few good-naturedly chastising him for being so behind. After all, it had been the New Year in some places for almost a whole day before it reached America.

He also had a message from Yong Soo asking when he was available to go on a bathhouse retreat with him.

Yong Soo: you should start your new year by getting refreshed at the bathhouse with me. ㅡㅂㅡwhen are you free?

Alfred: idk man it's hard work being the world's hero

Alfred: i seem to be quite popular lately :D

Yong Soo: …soonish?

Alfred: yeah, I just gotta check with the boss. I'll do that today.

Well, he'd get to it. Right now he had a greater concern—breakfast. He could feel the empty, sucking feeling in his gut telling him it was time to eat. After untangling himself from his sheets, Alfred went to see what, if anything, there was to eat in this place.

Due to the fact that he'd been pretty busy over the past month, he hadn't spent much time in the New York apartment, and the only unspoiled food remaining in the residence was a box of stale Poptarts. It would have to do, Alfred thought, and he went ahead and ate them, not minding the slight chewiness as he settled down to relax for a few hours in front of the TV.

At lunchtime, he got himself dressed and went to the diner around the corner, which was still open despite the holiday in order to take advantage of the abundance of tourists. After placing his order, Alfred sat down on one of the barstools and pulled out his phone. There were no important looking emails or text messages waiting for him. Maybe it would turn out to be a quiet week? As far as he knew, he had no pending meetings or appointments. It might be his only chance to arrange this spa trip with Yong Soo. Feeling hopeful, he scrolled through his contacts for the ever-important president's number and sent the following text:

Alfred: sup big man, you got anything important I need to come in for in the next couple of days?

He waited for a few minutes, during which his name was called to come pick up his food. When he returned to his seat with a classic burger and fries, his phone was buzzing with a text message:

Brobama: Not yet, but something could always come up.

That was just vague enough that Alfred couldn't be sure whether it was safe to go on this trip or not. He squirted some ketchup onto his plate and started munching on fries as he typed up his next message.

Alfred: what are the chances of something big coming up?

A few minutes later, he got another vague answer.

Brobama: It's hard to say.

Alfred frowned through a mouthful of burger. Oh, the struggles of being a nation! Always immersed in the politics of the world as well as his own… He rarely got to visit other nations strictly on a tourism basis. Usually, if he wanted to visit someone, he had to do it on the side as a part of a larger political visit. If he just asked if he'd be able to take a trip to South Korea, would the president suddenly come up with some business for him to take care of while he was there? Maybe Alfred could just paint the planned visit as something political in the first place…

Alfred: I wanna take a trip to seoul to discuss some things with sk, seems better to do it in person

Alfred: call me if something comes up?

He could totally discuss politics with Yong Soo in the comfort of a bath house surrounded by nude strangers! Why not? It was a subject that was bound to come up anyway, considering North Korea was still making headlines weeks after the attack that had triggered this whole mess. All Alfred was doing was some additional damage control. Surely the president would see the merit in that.

He'd made it through about half of his burger before the president finally seemed to decide the trip was okay.

Brobama: How long will you be gone?

Alfred: I was thinking 4, maybe 5 days?

Brobama: That long?

Alfred: relationships with your allies are important boss.

Alfred: besides, if there's nothing else going on what's the harm?

Geez. It was like Obama was his mom or something.

Finally, after Alfred had completely finished his burger and fries, another text message came through.

Brobama: Nothing big scheduled until Hu Jintao's visit on the 18th. Be back before then.

With a smile, Alfred sent back:

Alfred: roger wilco

And now, to tell Yong Soo!

Alfred: checked in with the boss and it seems cool so I could fly out Wednesday or something

That would give him some more time to relax too. He wasn't exactly in a hurry to get jetlagged again.

A moment later, his phone buzzed.

Yong Soo: sweet see ya then!

The rest of the week went by uneventfully. Alfred wasn't complaining. He'd had enough action during the last month to last him at least half a year. In the days leading up to his flight out, Alfred returned to his Pennsylvania home to relax in the quiet of the countryside. When he wasn't playing videogames or shoveling snow off his driveway, he made trips down to the animal shelter. For the past two years, he'd managed to convince the owners he was just a local college student in need of volunteer hours for his fraternity. So far, they'd bought it, despite the fact that he always showed up alone and never with his supposed frat brothers. It didn't matter though. They got some free labor and Alfred got to play with puppies.

After three days of video games and walking dogs in the woods, Alfred was ready to fly out to Korea. He'd packed for five days, but he was sure Yong Soo wouldn't mind letting him use the washing machine if by some miracle he got to stay longer. Alfred boarded his plane that afternoon, popped in his earbuds, and settled down for a long flight.

Fourteen hours and a big time change later, Alfred was in line with Yong Soo for coffee.

They hadn't even left the airport yet.

"Nothing like a cuppa joe at four in the afternoon, huh?" Alfred said groggily. He'd been asleep when the plane landed.

"You know how it is here, Alfred," Yong Soo said, giving him a pat on the shoulder. He was all smiles, as usual. "People here drink coffee all day long! You fit right in."

After getting their coffee, the two nations went straight out to the parking lot to find Yong Soo's car. Being so crowded, it was unlikely they would have found a place to sit inside the airport anyway. It was better to just get out and get home a little sooner.

An hour or so of fighting traffic later, the pair finally managed to park on the street about a block away from Yong Soo's Seoul apartment. When they got upstairs, Yong Soo helped Alfred get his stuff settled down in the guest room and waited patiently while Alfred got changed into a fresh set of clothes.

When he was all changed, the two of them relocated to the couch in front of the TV. Yong Soo, being a very dynamic TV viewer, was thoroughly invested in the drama that was currently playing. Though Alfred had no idea what was going on, Yong Soo's enthusiasm was contagious, and Alfred couldn't help but laugh every time a plot twist sent the Korean into a series of loud gasps or objections.

After a few episodes, the plot seemed to deviate away from the constant, shocking revelations and settle into an even tone. Now, sitting in near silence with the lack of excitement, Yong Soo seemed to grow restless. Something was clearly on his mind.

"So, uh…" Yong Soo began. "You haven't really told me about your trip yet."

"Yes, I have," Alfred said. "I told you while we were in line for coffee!"

"No!" Yong Soo objected, turning to look at Alfred. "I meant the North Korea trip. How was it?"

Alfred hesitated. There were a lot of things that could be said about that trip, but no one word really summed it up. Had it been successful? Well, Korea wasn't at war, so maybe. But had anything really changed? As far as he knew, no.

"I mean…it was okay, I guess," he said, toying with his glasses as he tried to figure out how he could elaborate. "It wasn't good. It was frustrating. We'd talk with them all day and at the end of it they'd kind of just nod and say, 'we'll think about it.' And then we'd wake up the next day and do it all again. But you're not at war so…"

Yong Soo was watching him intently. Alfred got the feeling that the Korean was looking for something more descriptive. After all, this was his country and his future they were talking about here. "Uh, maybe you should ask about specifics."

Yong Soo was silent for a moment, his eyes flitting to the TV as he thought. "How's my brother?" he asked finally, his eyes still fixed on the television.

Alfred glanced over at the other, trying to get a read on him, but the Korean's face was unreadable, his eyes blankly watching the moving figures on the screen. What was it North had said? Something about Yong Soo telling him he was unfit to be a nation? You don't know that side of him, Alfred remembered North saying. If Yong Soo really had said those things, surely he hadn't meant them. Or if he did mean them, surely he didn't mean that North should disappear, or else he wouldn't be asking about how North was doing now, would he?

"He seemed fine to me," Alfred answered after a pause. "But I guess I probably don't know him as well as you do."

"Hm," Yong Soo simply grunted in response, his eyebrows drawing together.

Alfred frowned. "Are you okay?"

Yong Soo was silent for a moment. "Yeah," he said. "It's just…the North Koreans have been asking and asking to talk ever since you guys got back. We finally rejected them today."

"Why?" Alfred asked, a note of concern sneaking into his voice. It seemed like such a step backwards! If the North Koreans were ready to talk, then why shouldn't they?

"Because he's not sincere, Alfred," Yong Soo answered, finally turning to look back at Alfred, his eyes serious. "It's all propaganda. He's only offering because he wants to look cordial. If we did actually talk, it would just be more of the stuff that you went through."

Despite being all too familiar with the frustration of dealing with the evasive North Koreans, something about this conversation still didn't sit well with Alfred. "You should at least try," he said. "What harm would it do to try?"

Yong Soo seemed to grow more agitated. "It rewards him for bad behavior," the Korean grumbled, voice low. "Alfred, he attacked my people. He talks about how he's so afraid I'll attack him, but who is it who ever actually does that?" Yong Soo's voice grew louder. "It's him, Alfred! He bombs a civilian area and then tries to make himself out to be the victim? We can't just go and talk after he does something like that!"

"Yong Soo…" Alfred sighed, unable to find the right words.

Part of him agreed with Yong Soo. If someone attacked his own country, would Alfred be eager to negotiate with them? No! Of course not. After all, Alfred prided himself on not negotiating with terrorists. North had hurt people, and despite all North said about self-defense, Alfred still had a hard time believing the attack had been completely and totally reactionary. It made him angry. Why would North go and do these things when there were better ways to get attention? Ways that didn't hurt people? If it had been Alfred's people, he wouldn't have wanted to talk either.

But there was something else about this situation that didn't make it so black and white. Someone in North Korea had made the conscious decision to fire upon a civilian-inhabited island, and that was unacceptable. But there were thousands—millions of people in the same country who had played no part in that decision. And it was no secret that North had a problem feeding his people. A big part of that was because he was so isolated. No friends, no allies, no consistent trade partners. Among nations, he was a social reject, an outcast. But here he was, making an effort to reach out—and effort that could, in the long run, have some sort of benefit for his people. Just the simple act of talking. It wasn't a contract, it wasn't a condonation of his behavior. It was just an offer to talk.

And something about his conversations with North told him that this wasn't purely a part of some propaganda campaign.

"What if he wasn't okay?" Alfred asked, finally figuring out what point it was that he wanted to make. "What if he needed help and this was the only way he could tell you?" Considering the brothers did not have each other's phone numbers, had no emergency hotline, and probably couldn't send snail mail across the border, Alfred did not feel like his assumption was unrealistic in the least.

"You said he seemed fine, so it doesn't matter," Yong Soo replied coldly, drawing his knees up to his chest.

"But what if he wasn't?"

Yong Soo looked back at the TV in silence. For a while, Alfred thought he just wasn't going to answer, and was about to give up when Yong Soo started speaking again.

"I still would have said no," he said, softly this time. "I don't care how much he's hurting. I don't want to talk to him until he takes responsibility for the things he's done."

That wasn't the answer Alfred was hoping to hear, but at that point, it was probably best to drop the conversation until later. So, after about a minute of silence, he changed the subject. "Hey, I'm starting to get kinda hungry. McDonald's delivers, right?"

"That's right," Yong Soo replied, beginning to perk up a bit. "You want your usual, or do you want to try something new today?"

Despite being a total McManiac, Alfred still had not met his goal of trying everything on the McDonald's menu in every country, in part because he grew so attached to a certain few menu items. In South Korea, his favorite was the Double Bulgogi Burger, a Korea exclusive.

"Uh…you wanna pull up the menu for me on your phone?" Alfred decided. "I can't remember everything that's on it here."

In the end, he settled on a Double Deluxe Shrimp Burger, which he had never tried before, and Garlic Butter Fries, a favorite ever since he'd started getting McDonald's in Korea. Yong Soo meanwhile, ordered a very tame regular cheeseburger, having tried most of the things on the menu already.

The two spent the rest of the night munching on fast food and playing Mario Kart. For an added twist, Yong Soo suggested they raise the stakes—five races, best three out of five wins, and the loser has to drink a shot glass full of Sriracha.

Alfred could feel the burning in his stomach well into the night.

Author's Notes:

- I don't feel like a lot happened in this chapter and I'm sorry about that. I wanted to write a shorter chapter in hopes of getting it out faster. I also spent a lot of time figuring out how to dance around some of the touchier topics in the second half. I definitely want to handle these things tactfully, as I know North Korea in general can be a pretty touchy subject. If I'm ever not handling these things with tact, please let me know how you think I should change it.

- roger wilco: This is American radio lingo meaning "Roger, will comply." It's just a fancy way of saying yes.

- Coffee culture is really big in Korea. Like, really big.

- McDonald's really does deliver in Korea. And I actually did go on the McDonald's website to figure out what the differences were in the Korean and American menus... The Korean menu is much smaller, but includes things that I can't believe aren't on the American menu (a Cajun burger? but it's not on the American menu?).