Facades [Hetalia AU]

n i n e

Alfred F. Jones was a simple man in standard ways. The thought of him being the personification of the great United States of Ameria should have been impossible in the first place. They deserved better than a guy with the mental age of a toddler, too childish and so, so naive in the face of the cruel, fake world. Sitting at the center of the long, encompassing table in the too-large conference rooms was an insult to anyone taking a seat there. With his untidy, expensive suit he certainly does not deserve to wear in the first place and his large packets of cheap and fatty MacDonald takeout, he seems like a small child out of place in the professional and essential settings. Fat continued to gather around his stomach and tired limbs as he continued to stuff himself full with oily junk food that would make them more "cultured" representatives puke at the sight of it. Throughout the meeting, he would doze off, not even sparing an ounce of attention at the enlightening presentation born out at the front of the room. When he was asked regarding his opinions, a segment that should have been cut out of the planned schedule, his words are brash and easy to counter. In other words, they were useless, and Alfred should have shut up at the very beginning. 

The thought of the world's very superpower choosing to be represented by a mere child was a hilarious one in itself. The country carrying most of the world's economy and one of the leading pioneers when it comes to developments in much various technology was represented by such an incapable person was a laughing stock. It was a common consensus that Alfred F. Jones does not deserve the seat in the first place, too "underqualified".

It was so simple, to ignore the fact that he was the king of the world, the central superpower where the world's economy and development rotates on. It's so easy to forget of his technological advancements, of the fact that he has most of the world's weaponry and the reality of the slightest retaliation when he's displeased of them. Their own foolishness leads them to underestimate the lazy figure in front of them, the monster who had their lives on a leash as most of their economies depended on the sleeping clown. For now, it was almost a rhythm, a pattern of motions that they all danced to without realizing as if they were in an entrance of a blinding spell. 

The meeting that carried on for the rest of the morning finally took a lunch break, much to the delight of most of the country's representatives. Alfred simply woke up from his sleep with a blinding smile and joined his faction, which was not consensual for its members. Throughout the hour, he continued to pester them with stupid, yet deep questions that should just appear at 3 AM but it's noon and it's just so, so loud for the rest of the group who can only give out fake smiles.

"Yo, have u guys wondered why Russia isn't appearing at the meetings?" Alfred stammered out as he unwrapped another bulging burger roughly as they walked towards the spacious lounge. 

"I thought he was your enemy though?" replied Arthur as he rolled his eyes at his former colony's antics. 

Francis gave out a teasing smirk as he commented, "Maybe our mon cherie is just missing the sexual tension?"

Alfred appeared spaced out with an artificial, dumb grin, "It's nothing like that, I just feel like punching him in the face again. Do you know? Like the usual? Like that dumb grin of his means nothing but trouble and let's not mention his ideals. They're absolutely ridiculous, can't believe his people fell for them."

"He's not that important though," Arthur stammered out, "There's a more important thing for you to focus on like the current wars on Vietnam. Don't you have a bunch of losses there?" 

"Whatever you say, Iggy!" Alfred replied cheerfully as he waltzed cheerfully into the canteen probably in ignorance of the disgusted looks from the rest of his so-called allies.

Another day, another clowning. It's so tiring, so infuriating to just keep calm when all he wanted to do is land a fist in their stupid faces. He hated them so much. Hated their careless disdain, the sneering looks they would give if he wasn't looking. He hated the fact that they had to invade his country, drive his brothers and sisters away, destroy the peaceful life he had before, where all he had to worry about was whether he had enough corn and potatoes for winter. He hated the moment, where he could feel his people dying, the unknown diseases ruining the beautiful, simple balance nature had provided for them. He hated how his people were considered dumber and ignorant and uncivilized for not abhorring to their so-called "developed" standards, on how his colonizers completely disregarded the culture, their tradition that had always been their way of life. He hated how that day, his body, his bones and blood ached and trembled for the intrusion, for the chaos that had never been a part of him till then. He deeply despised how he was no longer a home for his people, how they no longer felt serene, and had to drove away, to be confined in small areas when they used to roam across the continent. He detested on how to this day, he had to struggle to regain his heritage, his identity. 

Alfred could only endure, to pretend to be the object of their fantasy and play along as the ignorant fool. He laughed loudly, not because their jokes were funny but because it was so, so hilarious that they could fell for it, their small brains not big enough to comprehend that they have fallen into a trap they could not get out.

 It was a game, trying to see who was the bigger fool in the room. 

He could only hope the best for his Russian partner, his friend, and love who he had fought, had played with ever since the beginning. He remembered visiting his place, a land cold sunflower, and eternal snow. He loved the instances where they hugged over the fire and shared tales of their ancestors, of their adventures across land and against fearsome beasts. He remembered feeling so happy and free, being able to think carelessly for those few hours he spent with him. It was a warm memory, something that would always bring a genuine smile on his face, something to remember that his comrade was always humane till the end and he was someone so, so brilliant and radiant that it warmed his heart too. 

He could only wish that his comrade is safe and rescued by Belarus peacefully. He wanted to be the one to storm into the place, burned the whole chamber into nothing but pitiful ashes, and make sure that those people who dare to touch at his love felt nothing but pain. He wanted to make them howl, to shout, to experience torturous pain hundreds of times more powerful than what they inflicted on him. He wanted to make them regret living, make them regret that their fingertips manage to graze his sunshine. Most of all, he wanted his comrade to be alive and healthy, to go back to his previous shy, smiling self. 

After all, he wouldn't know what to if his comrade is gone. 

They were yin and yang, a combination that would prevail all time. They were the only ones who could correct each other destruction, who would tie each other and remind each other that they were humane and that it was ok for them to take a breath, to not be tied down by the harrowing darkness the world could offer. They would complete each other, the softness to such ugly destruction. Without one, the other simply could not function. 

That is why Alfred could only wriggle in his seat at the fancy restaurant his allies have taken him. He was everywhere but there. His mind could only think of the strategies and all of the probabilities that were busy counting, trying desperately to make them higher, to make sure that his Ivan was alive. He must be. 

A/N: 

hi there! first of all, thanks for reading this fic? like ty for all the comments and reads and everything like holy shit, i never expected to go this far? like everyday, i am constantly reminded that i have published whatever this thing is and that you guys have find enjoyment in reading it (hopefully), like all those small notifs gives me happiness and i loved to read all your amazing comments (im sorry for not replying aa) . nee ways, i hope yall are safe and healthy during quarantine, i love yall sm !! 

feel free to follow my twt in @/aoicults and i would love to talk to u guys n hear ur inputs? these days i've been binge watching n reading a couple of anime and like currently im in a bungou stray dogs brainrot? i would love to hear ur recs on what anime i should watch next tho :D

love yall sm <3

olive