Chapter Text
For as long as Alfred could remember, he would always try to be nice and befriend other nations. When he first saw Russia he had thought Oh wow, can't wait to have yet another friend! he had walked over to him with the friendliest smile he could make and had introduced himself.
“Hi there, I’m America. You must be Russia” He held out his hand anticipating a handshake.
Russia didn't say anything, he just gave him a blank look. After a good minute Alfred slowly reeled his hand back and placed it on the back of his neck. That was awkward was all he could think as he just silently walked away.
—--
It was a chilly winter morning in 1964, he had woken up at 0600 because of Boss calling America in at 0730, Alfred got dressed in his uniform and went over to his office. He was always nervous about going to meet boss, rather if it was a meeting or just a simple call in. He was even more nervous especially because of the war, he was scared he would be sent over there.
He went into the lobby and went up to the secretary.
“He should be right with you in a moment. Please, take a seat.” The secretary gave him a warm smile.
He sat patiently in the seat, he made sure his uniform wasn’t messy or had a string hanging from it. He heard a door click open, he looked up and saw the Boss come out signalling for Alfred to come in. He got up and walked over to him. When he arrived at the office, Boss was already sitting at his desk. He seemed.. Off, which only made Alfred feel even more nervous. The Boss was looking down at his desk with his elbows resting on the table, America went to sit down.
“Uh, good morning sir.” Alfred greeted. America hesitated to talk too much during this type of nervousness, it prevents him from throwing up.
The boss lifted his head and looked him in the eye.
“You have to find Russia, to end this before it becomes something irreversible.” The Boss let out a sigh. “I know this will be hard to do, but if you don’t…” The boss stopped. “If you don't, millions might die” He said sternly, he had that desperate look in his eye.
Alfred swallowed a shaky gulp, sure, he killed people during all the wars he's been to, but kill a nation? He wasn’t even sure if he could do it. Everyone around him would view him so differently. Matthew would probably never talk to him again or any of his friends in fact. He hated Russia, no doubt about it, but he wasn’t sure if he could kill him. They were friends before, well mutual actually, it was during WWII. When they were forced to work together, he seemed so fake, that fake smile that would haunt him and would curse at. It gave Alfred a chill every time he thought about it, Russia always had some weird aura about him. Especially when they had first met, ignoring him? How rude.
“What if I don’t?” Alfred was meant to keep that as a thought but it had slipped out. Either way he waited for the answer.
“You know the war happening over in Vietnam? I know you don’t want to go over there, so I’m proposing this instead.”
Fuck was all Alfred could think, he had to make a choice between killing innocent people or killing a nation that could kill innocent people. Great choice to make, wait Alfred realised something, Boss never said kill Russia.
“You want me to bring Russia to you?” Alfred wanted to make sure he heard right.
“Dead, you must kill him to end this. If we do it, he’ll just come back like frankenstein.” The boss leaned back in his chair.
Of course Boss can lean back and relax, it’s not like he has to kill a whole nation that could destroy lives. But Alfred didn’t want to go to war, not again so soon after the last.
“Alright, I’ll do it. I’ll go find Russia.” He couldn’t look Boss in the eye, he felt ashamed. Maybe Matthew would understand, he had to.
“So what will I have to do?”
Boss leaned forward and reached into his pocket, he pulled out a cigarette pack and offered it to Alfred. He took it and lit it, taking a moment that felt like a fridge got lifted from his chest.
“So, next major meeting between nations. You’ll get friendly with him, you know become his friend. Then you’ll have a few options, but as long as you're behind him alone at some point you’ll be alright.” He dabbed his cig in the ashtray and got up over to a file cabinet, he opened and flipped through them eventually pulling one out. “Alright let's see…” He scanned the page. “Next meeting is next week in Canada, the following attendees areee…” he glanced over the names searching for one “Russia, Russia will be there. The sooner you do it, the sooner it’s done.” The boss turned back to face Alfred and handed Alfred the file.
Alfred took the file still not looking Boss in the eye, thanks to the cigarette, it stopped some of his anxiety but only some.
“We’ll plant a gun in the bathroom, we’ll update you with the details. Remember, you can’t tell anyone this. No one might even know you did this.” When Boss sat back down, Alfred got up, made his way to the door with the file.
Alfred got home around 1130, he had stopped at a diner to hopefully try to stuff that anxiety feeling that seemed to not leave. When he got home he had kind of forgotten about the file. He just threw it aside on his table and fell on his couch. What am I getting myself into? By now if something had happened with Boss, he would call Matthew to vent but he couldn’t. He can’t, if he said “Hey Matthew, just wanted to vent about boss. Yeah he just told me to go to war or kill Russia so obviously I chose to kill Russia😅” he would never be able to face Matthew again.
Alfred laid an arm over his face, he felt a headache coming. He sat up and looked around, he had photos of him with his friends, his war medals and random decor that seemed to be popular. He then remembered the file, Who will even be there?. He got up and wondered to the table, he picked up the file and stared at it for a second. If someone saw me kill Russia who would it be. He flipped it open and scanned the names, the first thing that caught his eye was a name crossed off, Australia. Alfred felt a pit in his stomach, he was sent to go fight. Alfred had the luxury of picking of going or not and chose not to, leaving his close friend to fight alone. Well probably not alone, New Zealand was most likely there with him. Either way they had fought together during Korea and Alfred felt like they were his brothers.
He closed it, he didn't want to know who else would be in the war. He checked his watch 1200, lunchtime. Alfred opened his fridge and took out ingredients to make a sandwich.
He could barely focus on making the sandwich, he was so distracted by everything that was happening. Each decade has some sort of war happening and he always had to fight in it cause of patriarchy or something. He finished his sandwich and silently took it to the living room to watch tv and enjoy his sandwich. For the first time today, he laughed. The tv show he was watching had played a funny joke. He finished he sandwich and just continued to watch tv for the rest of the day. He didn't realise the sun had fallen until the program had shut off for the night.
He woke up at 0600 from his alarm. He yawned as he got up and shifted around the house as he did his daily routine. He glanced over at his table and saw the file. Right, he forgot about it and the anxiety and guilt came flooding back. Fuck, when even was the meeting. He grabbed the file and opened it, avoiding eye contact with the names in it. Monday, today was Saturday. That's just great, wow my life is so great. He should get a phone call today telling him even more details about the whole thing. In the meanwhile, he should check his mail.
He went to his mailbox, opened and got the mail out. As he walked back inside he flipped through, there was average stuff like bills and random advertisements. There was a letter, he dropped the rest of the pile. It was by Boss, guess it won't be a phone call. He opened it and read the letter,
'Gun is in 3rd stalled stashed behind the gap between the wall and toilet.'
very descriptive. He threw the letter in the bin. Guess I should start packing.
Before he knew it, it was Sunday and he was about to go to the airport. He check his mail and saw a single letter, by Australia. He put the letter in his pocket and drove to the airport. He wanted to read it then and there but decided to read it during the flight, just for something to read.
Once he was seated on the plane, in first class. He pulled out the letter and opened it, it read
'Dear Alfred,
Well here I am, in yet another war. I'll have to say I'm surprised you're not here yet. Thought you would've been here before me but I guess maybe you'll be coming soon. Anyway it's terrible here, always to hot or to rainy or to cold or all three combined. I don't want to be here to be honest, but I'll go home soon. I'll see you later. -Your friend, Australia'
Alfred couldn't help but smile to himself, the way Australia writes always made him laugh. Although Alfred could only smile softly, he was glad to hear from him. His smile slowly faded, he was here on a plane. He should also be in a plane, not fighting over in Vietnam. The guilt felt heavy again. Guilt started to feel hatred, hatred towards Russia. Why, why couldn't he just... Alfred couldn't find the word but he understood, all these years trying to understand and befriend him. Alfred couldn't help but laugh at himself, how was he so blinded. Russia was heartless, he didn't care how others felt.
Alfred arrived in Canada around 1600, Matthew was going to pick him up. He went out to the main lobby of the airport and spotted Matthew in an instant. Hard to avoid someone waving vividly at you. Alfred waved back and made his way over to Matthew.
"Hey Alfred, how was the flight?" They hugged and started walking out
"pretty average, I got a letter from Australia though. He got sent to Vietnam, I feel bad for him." Alfred pulled out the letter and passed it over to Matthew.
Matthew studied and read the letter for a moment.
"He didn't mention New Zealand, maybe he wasn't sent?" Matthew passed the letter back to Alfred who put it back in his pocket.
Alfred shrugged
"You should write to him, it'll cheer him up." They arrived at Matthew car.
"I will when I get back" Alfred gave Matthew a soft smile and got into the car.
They drove over to Matthew's place, Alfred looked out the window and could see the mountains of snow shovelled off the road. Matthew lived out in an average suburb that was covered in snow. Alfred was always so shocked at the amount of snow that was in Canada around this time of year. It was literally a winter wonderland, unlike Australia. Matthew arrived at this average one story home, he led Alfred inside his home and led him to the guest bedroom and left him alone to settle down. Alfred laid flat on the bed, tomorrow is the day. Think about the lives that will be saved. It was the only thing that was keeping him going.
He went out, had dinner with Matthew, talked about sports and then went to sleep. He had a big day tomorrow.
He woke up earlier, before his alarm would go off. He had shit sleep, about 4 hours. He kept tossing and turning, waking up really warm. He decided 0500 is a reasonable time to get up and get ready. He got dressed in his nice and neat uniform and went to the kitchen. He didn't want to be to nosy to wake up Matthew. He made some cereal and went out for a smoke, only he forgot it was freezing and still pitch black outside. Nevermind I guess, Alfred let out a harsh sigh and say on the couch. 3rd stall, the gap between the toilet and wall.
Before he knew it Matthew and him were driving over to the meeting. Alfred felt shaky, goddamn he could use a cigarette.
"You good Alfred? You seem really shaky" Matthew glanced over at him.
Alfred adjusted his glasses.
"Yeah, yeah just nervous is all. You know with just, everything." Alfred waved Matthew off, he wanted to spill out about everything but he knew that he couldn't. The world depends on him, at least that's what he believes.
"Just take it easy with this meeting Alfred, I know you're nervous and all with the war." Matthew paused for a moment "Please just take it easy." Matthew quickly glanced over and patted Alfred's shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah you worry to much." Alfred laughed trying to ease the tension.
They arrived at the office at 0930, it was quite literally in the middle of nowhere which always amazed Alfred.
They entered and immediately saw Arthur, he was tapping his foot on the floor.
"Hey Arthur, whacha doing" Alfred approached with his hands in his pockets.
Arthur flinched and turned his head to Alfred.
"Bloody hell, you scared me." british accent
"heh, sorry, but really what are you doing. You waiting for someone?" Alfred inquired.
"No, I just have a bad feeling about today. I saw on the telly that it was suppose to blizzard today. I don't want to be stuck in here."
A blizzard wouldn't be ideal, especially if he needed to get away fast. Today has just been a bad feeling in general.
"I'll be going now" Arthur seemed to want to say something "See you at the meeting" he said quietly and walked off.
"He seemed off" Alfred couldn't help but comment
"Yeah... Well I have to go find someone, I'll see you when the meeting starts." Matthew waved as he walked away.
Alfred was now alone, guess he should go get the gun then go to the meeting room.
He went to the bathrooms and went into the 3rd stall, he reached in the gap between the wall and toilet and got the gun. It was a pistol, he check it out made sure nothing seemed to be jam and was in working order. No silencer, not sure how i'm suppose to be quiet about this. Unless they don't want it to be quiet.
"Fuck my stupid life" Alfred stashed the gun away and made sure it was hidden out of sight.
He left the bathroom and made his way to the meeting room, he opened the door and saw the long table with name plates in front of each seat, he was the first one there. He went to find his and sat in it, he didn't realise how much his legs had felt heavy till he sat down. Now he had to think, how will he get alone with Russia without making him suspicious.
They've never been friends and barely interacted, it wouldn't be any easier now since they were basically enemies. Maybe he could say how he wanted Russia to look at some files privately and only be discussed with only between them. Make it seem top secret, his first thought would probably be secrets? Wow I can't wait to share this with the glorious leaders of the Soviet Union. Alfred snickered at himself, god he was so funny. After this he should become a comedian.
Alfred was pulled out of his thought when the click of a door made him flinch. He turned to see who was there and was met with the eyes of him, those damn eyes and in his stupid uniform with that same fake smile that sent a chill down his spine. Suddenly nothing was funny anymore and Alfred wanted to disappear.