Chapter Text
It had been a long while since they had seen each other. The constant meetings, external and internal, with others had occupied their time, and whenever there was an empty spot in their schedule, it was always taken up. The length between their capitals also did not help facilitate their meetings, with a single plane flight lasting nearly ten hours. Despite what both of them desired, meeting face-to-face was essentially impossible at the current time.
Thus, they had to settle for phone calls. While they were actively being developed, having existed some time before World War Two, it was still rather unreliable for them, and they always risked the possibility of both their governments bugging the phones. Just because you’re the personification of a country and essentially its leader doesn’t exempt you from your government’s rules.
--
Soviet was standing next to the window, observing the passerby, but perhaps most importantly he was looking for members of the KGB. Obviously, there should be nothing to fear; they wouldn’t dare attack the Soviet Union himself. Yet he always found that he was acting a bit more paranoid than he should be. Stalin liked to keep an eye on him, and despite the sense of freedom he had permitted the country, it felt more suffocating than the one he remembered from when he was fighting for the revolution.
He took one last glance at the street, before turning back into the room. Everything remained the same it has been. No footsteps were heard out the door; it seemed to be quiet where he was. His face remained neutral as he walked to the entrance, making a quick scan of the room again before he exited. The only objects he touched was the handle, nothing more.
Walking down the familiar path down the hallway, he continued to watch. No one, still quiet. What little soldiers he encountered were met with the typical salutations. Greetings, comrade. Nothing more. He took a left, his pace ever increasing so slightly.
When he finally reached his private room, he slipped in as quickly as he could, locking the door promptly. It was grand; a chandelier hung overhead, though the large window also did quite well at keeping the room well-lit. Whatever books that were not burned in the censorship lined the shelves, and a photo of his children was placed astutely in the center of it all. Soviet gave a small smile at it, finally letting his guard down. Though he has always known with absolute certainty his own room was not safe, at least it was restricted; the information would only go to Stalin and no one else.
He sat down at his table, turning to the rotary phone that lay on the edge. Newest technology, created straight from the fruits of their hard labour. His fingers naturally started gliding over to the number he was rather closely acquainted with. +86. Ring once, ring twice… Ring a third time, and the satisfying click of someone who had picked up on the other end filled the silence.
“喂?” A small pause. “啊，你好，苏联.” He smiled at the usual response.
“Привет, Китай. Have you been doing well?”
“It’s... been a bit rocky. We’re still establishing so many contacts with the other countries. It wasn’t so long ago that Finland came to form diplomatic relations. Though I’m familiar with politics, it feels...”
“With due time it’ll all feel regular; nothing but another chore.”
“I know, I know. But still, the current ones still make me feel nervous. I’m worried I’ll mess up. I’m worried I won’t be able to become as great as you. Despite all the land that I hold and control, the millions of people at my disposal... I’m scared.”
“Don’t worry. It’ll all turn out fine. Just do as I’ve instructed you to. Hold yourself up, take a deep breath, avoid the filler words. Smile, if you want. Make yourself seem confident. There’s nothing for you to fear. Besides, you have me. I’ll protect you.”
“...I know. Thank you. I know I’ve told you this many times, but I’m grateful for you and your support. It genuinely means a lot to me, and it’s what allowed me to become where I stand today.” The voice on the other end started to sob a bit, though the poor quality distorted the sound and made it difficult to hear.
“If you think it inconveniences me, don’t. It’s not. Let us stand as comrades together in this world.”
“Let us stand as comrades together in this world.” There were no more tears.
“If you think it inconveniences me, don’t. It’s not. Let us stand as comrades together in this world.”
“Let us stand as comrades together in this world.” There were no more tears.