A Little Bit Darker

Chapter two

America couldn't wipe the grin off his face! Russia was right, the other countries went batshit crazy the second he outed the alliance!
They were all panicking and terrified. And the sad thing was America had enjoyed it.
Of course they kept with their original plan. Russia started it, launching a missile- a dud of course- that would be picked up on radars in Europe.
The next day, America joined him, launching his own missile.
Europe was in chaos, and China was to complete the plan, cut off all their supplies. That was it, this was their threat.
America was feeling pretty confident.
He was actually laughing at the panic they had caused in Europe.
Of course Europe wasn't the only one panicking though. Several Asian countries were nervous as well. China said he could handle it though, so America wasn't worried.
Damn, he felt untouchable.
Until the first bomb flew. It missed New York City by miles, but it sent water cascading down on his beloved city. So much so, that evacuations were needed.
He found out the next day that Russia was bombed. A small town not far from the Russian-Ukranian border.
America was nervous again. Actually, no, he was scared.
The second bomb didn't miss.
It came from somewhere in Asia, that's all he knew, and his guard was down. He was focused on the east coast. By the time they caught it, it was too late.
Most of western Oregon was destroyed.
So here he was, in Moscow, his arm in a sling and Russia's head bandaged. China was talking, America was pacing and Russia was avoiding the conversation.
"I'm sorry, but this was an active declaration of war. I'm not sitting on my ass anymore." America paused his pacing to interrupt China, who was still trying to find a peaceful way out. Russia raised his head to look at America. "You are right. No more waiting."
China sighed, "Aiyah! We don't even know who attacked you!"
"Someone in Asia." America growled, "Which, speaking of, you said you would handle that. What happened!"
"I tried! Firing nukes into the air tends to make people trigger happy, aru!" China threw his hands into the air.
"Then they shouldn't be messing with stuff they shouldn't!"
"Like you, aru?!"
Russia stepped in between the arguing countries. "I'm sorry China, but America is correct."
America stared at him, "Damn the worlds ending."
Russia rolled his eyes, "China is right too. It seems we made them feel they needed to fire at us." Russia turned back to China, "We aren't going to wait any longer though, China. They attacked first."
"It was provoked though."
"We didn't actually hit something." America grumbled, rubbing his injured shoulder.
"Next time, we do." Russia replied.
"Nukes?" America pressed.
He didn't necessarily want to nuke anyone and turn this into a nuclear war.
China got tense, and replied quickly. "No."
Russia hummed, deep in thought.
America moved to sit back down, his shoulder throbbing. The thought of war made him ache.
Just a little while ago, he was untouchable. Now they were preparing for war.
Again, questions swirled through his head. Who did it? Are they going to strike again? Is there another alliance?
Can I trust them?
America couldn't think straight any more.
"Let's sleep on it. Tomorrow we will decide our next move." China said looking between the two other countries. Russia nodded and left the room without another word.
Can I trust them?
"America did you hear me, aru?"
America looked up at China. The elder country didn't look annoyed, just tired.
It was kinda weird actually. And refreshing.
"Are you alright?" China asked, sitting down next to him.
"Why do you care?" America snapped.
China flinched, "We need to try and get along. It seems like we are going to war together."
America sighed and dropped his head. "'M sorry about snapping earlier. I'm just frustrated." America mumbled.
"Apology accepted. How is your arm?"
"Hurts like hell."
"I have a tea that will help."
America smiled slightly, "I'm sure you do."
China stood up and disappeared through a door.
America finally took in his surroundings. Russia held the meeting at his house, and he was sitting in what he thought was the living room.
Pictures hung on the wall of Russia and his sisters. America stood up and moved to look at some of the photos. In all of them they looked like a happy family.
America's heart seized, maybe there was a little bit of jealousy there. Jealousy because of the family America had lost with the damn situation.
China returned to the room with a tray of tea. For a moment he regarded America, before quietly commanding the American to sit down.
As China poured the tea, America continued to think.
Had he messed all of this up? Pushed his family away? For people he hardly trusts? Hardly knows?
China seemed to notice America's confusion. "Anything you want to talk about?" He asked.
America shook his head, and stayed quiet. China handed America the tea cup carefully, and the American took it from him. America sipped the tea, trying to push the anxious feeling from his mind, but it clouded his thoughts and blurred his vision.
The two sat in silence for a while. After a while, America noticed that he had been staring at one of the pictures on the wall and he sighed.
China followed his gaze. "You miss them, aru?"
America nodded, "Yeah, I guess so."
There was a soft feeling on America's bad arm. America looked down, where China ha d placed a hand on his wrist. America looked down, and then up at China.
"We are going to struggle for a while," China said softly, "but we will learn to get along. And once this mess is over, you will have your family back."
America looked down at his lap, "But will they forgive me?"
China was quiet. America didn't need an answer. When he shook Russia's hand that night he had sealed the deal.
His family, his brothers would never look at him the same way.
America set the tea cup down. "Thank you for the tea." He told China and stood up, walking towards the room Russia had designated for him. He could feel China's eyes on him as he left.
As America closed the door, he knew that he wouldn't be sleeping.