Operation Red Herring (Countryhumans Alternate History)

Chapter 5

America stared at the ground of Japan's office, silently fidgeting with the sleeve of her jacket. Japan had gone to get some water, and had told her not to go anywhere (and that if she touched anything she'd break her fingers). She sat on the floor, leaning against Japan's desk, sitting cross-legged. She was wildly aware of how unprofessional she was at the moment, but she couldn't bring herself to care. All she cared about was how she had once again managed to be tricked. By her father, of all people.

That was what really killed her inside. Her relationship with her father had always been rough. Even after she gained her independence, conversations between them were rare, and were filled with petty insults that looking back she found rather ridiculous. She had been fine without him. She had France, Spain and even the Russian Empire to write to, always asking them to visit her on her lonely continent. She didn't need a father. She had herself and her long-distance friendships, and that was enough.

But then things changed, as they always do. The Great War had happened, and Britain had gone out of his way to warn her about Zimmermann Telegram. He had gone out of his way to help her. He was the one who endured the mud and cold in the trenches alongside her. He was one of the few who understood why she started drinking so much during the 1920's. He was the one to understand when she started crying on her first birthday after the war.

America was a grown woman. She didn't need someone to kiss her boo-boos or read her bedtime stories. She was independent. But everyone has an inner-child, and her's seemed hellbent on having someone who cared about her. So, when he started caring about her: Started telling stories to distract her from the horrid smell of the trenches. Started staying late after events- where she would drink herself stupid, of course- to make sure she didn't pass out and choke on her own vomit. Started telling her that it was okay, and that he didn't like fireworks anymore either. She started believing that he had changed. That he was better. That he WANTED her. And of course, the stupid little girl inside of her had clung to that hope- the hope that he wanted to be her dad again.

So she had listened to her heart, and let him back into her life...

...She should really stop listening to her heart. It seemed want her dead.

America's gaze slowly went towards the door once she heard it open, watching Japan as she walked into the room. Japan stopped a few feet away from her, looking at her for a moment.

"America, why the f*ck are you on the floor?"

America shrugged, "Wanted to sit down."

"What? But-" Japan sighed, gesturing to the chair behind her desk. "America there is literally a chair right there."

America looked over, tilting her head slightly. "Huh. I guess there is, isn't there."

"You're such a dumb*ss." Japan said in an exasperated tone, handing America the cup of water she had been holding. She looked down at the country for a moment, before sighing, sitting on the floor next to her.

"What about the chair?" America asked, looking down at the water in the cup.

"I'm not having a conversation with you from that much of a height difference. It's weird." Japan readjusted her position. "Regardless of the back-pain this may cause me."

America smiled slightly despite herself, muttering the phrase "old lady" under her breath. Japan glared at her, lightly smacking the back of her head.

"Watch it." She warned, "and drink the damn water! You already look like sh*t. I don't need you passing out on the floor."

"Damn, blunt as ever, eh?" America chuckled half-heartedly at Japan's words, silently guzzling some of the water.

"Well what do you expect? You look like you haven't slept in days."