Downfall: Peace
Title: Падение (Downfall)
Characters: Russia and America
Rating: PG
Summary: Time to reset.
Restart.
Reset.
The day wasn't filled with snow or sunshine or even rainbows promising a brighter tomorrow. No, it was just a normal day with clouds peppering the dull blue sky and the usual hustle and bustle of a city. The only difference was this city, this country, was on the verge of a breakthrough. Well, what reporters and people were saying as such. Ivan would disagree.
The people acted like he had been under some spell or had some disease and had come out of therapy healed of his problems. There was nothing wrong with him. There never had been anything wrong with him. He was always the same little boy as from before. His dream to be friends with people was still there, although he was a little bit more wary of just who he would deem a friend.
If he had to pick, he'd definitely say America wouldn't be one of them. So why was it he was being forced into such a friendship now? Of that's right, because America had spoke of "restarting" their friendship and today, would be that day.
America had to make the situation so much more elaborate than it really was, adding his Hollywood flair and making a red (Red. It had to be red) button and creating a big fanfare about the ordeal when Ivan thought it was perfectly fine to just shake hands and go home. And so it was that Ivan stood on the stage, looking out at the citizens cheering this new friendship.
While Ivan wasn't at the status of a "Special Relationship" like England was to America, there was still that hope that someday maybe there could be. Ivan hated the idea of even having such a cheesy title attached to his friendship with America, but if he could persuade the superpower enough, maybe his dream would come closer to a reality.
There was a sudden cheer as America and his new boss appeared on stage. Ivan's own new boss went to greet the two and turned to Ivan with an expectant smile on his face. Ivan stared at America, watching his cheerful antics as he waved to the people, almost as if he were at some rock concert. He toned it down when he glanced at his boss, a twitch of a smile and an uncertain look in his eyes. Ivan had to smile at this, knowing that half of America was fully on board with his new and hopeful boss, while the other side was concerned this man was lying as much as past presidents.
It was then that America shoved his hand out in front of Ivan. The brilliant smile he always wore to the public that somehow defeated Ivan's own icy smile.
"Hey there, Ivan!" America said all too cheerfully. Ivan refused to wince at the cheeriness the boy always brought with him.
"Privyet America." Ivan didn't shake or acknowledge America's hand. Instead, he kept his focus on the other that was currently in America's pocket. Was there a gun hidden away in that pocket? Ivan wondered.
"Come on. You usually shake. I know you know how to do this." America pulled out his other hand, waving at the crowd. His smile remained the same, but his tone took on a sly under bite to it. "And you wanna make a good impression, right?"
Ivan slapped his hand into America's palm, shaking him tightly and hoping it hurt. He made it quick and effortless.
America pulled away with a laugh and waved towards the platform where the button was sitting atop. "All right, let's do this!"
"I am correct in assuming you were the one who came up with the button, da?" Ivan sighed, looking at the button. He could only see the red, internally growling at the stupid thing. He felt as if it were mocking him and his people; the same ones cheering for it to be there.
America laughed, walking up to the button. "Of course I was! This is a big symbol back where I come from. I totally had to use it. We even wrote 'restart' on the button in Russian! Come and see!"
Ivan started. "Wait, YOU wrote Russian?"
"Yeah! Thought I'd give it a try. I know how to speak it, but my writing's a little rusty." America laughed nervously.
Ivan smiled slightly. "You speak Russian? Since when? Did you pick up Russian for Dummies somewhere?"
"Wow, Ivan." America rolled his eyes, his smile losing a touch of his shine. "For claiming you're smarter than me you don't realize we've been speaking Russian the entire time? O did it through-out all of the Cold War too."
Ivan flushed, embarrassed his intelligence was being challenged and that he had, in fact, failed to notice their change in language. "Your accent is deplorable. You might as well just speak English."
America shrugged off the insult. "I still speak it, so get over it. You don't see me making fun of your accent when you speak English."
"That's because you like my accent when I speak English." Ivan smirked at America, unable to let that opportunity pass. He had heard of such a rumor from France when America had gotten a little too tipsy at one of his Christmas parties a few years back. Seeing the flush on America's face was proof enough that France hadn't been lying.
America looked back at the red button, reminding Ivan that it was still there. He had been told to push the button with America, the ultimate symbol of their friendship and unity. With a low groan, Ivan walked up to look at the stupid device.
And then he began to laugh. Really laugh.
America was confused, but laughed along with the Russian. Ivan kept looking at the button and laughing harder. Here America was, in all of his fame and power and glory, and he couldn't even write "Reset" correctly.
"America," Ivan managed between his laughs. He pointed at the button. "You wrote 'Overcharge'!"
America's eyes widened as he instantly stopped laughing. He looked, adjusting his glasses, and blushing all the more. He had been called out and now everyone would see it. Ivan laughed even harder at America's childish reaction as he tried to cover it up. It was just as bad as when one of America's bosses had spoken German wrong all those years ago.
Ivan came forward, his hand on the button. America stopped to look at him. It was at that moment that Ivan let it all go; all of his frustration and hope to completely destroy America's shining moment. How he wanted to botch America's subtle propaganda at getting Ivan's citizens to love him and his new boss, to respect them and see them as amazing beacons of hope. How he wanted to tell the world how much of an idiot he thought the blonde was.
And yet, it was there. That sincere touch of kindness. America wasn't upset he had been called out. No, he was upset that he had messed up writing Russian and tried to make the situation as perfect as possible. For the both of them. He really was trying and that's all Ivan could ask of him. After all, isn't that all he had wanted from himself?
"Just push the button with me, Alfred," Ivan mumbled.
America's smile returned in full bloom, relief evident in his eyes. "You got it!"
Ivan reset.
Hoshiko2's cents: Sorry for updating a day late! Studying took up my entire day (and yet it was a holiday here in America. What?)
Anyways, this is my favorite chapter (and yet it's the end) as it's just so silly. Yes, this really did happen. March 2009. America's boss is Obama and Ivan's is Medyedev. And to those who may not know, the older boss and his botching of the language comes from JFK's speech of "I am a Germaner" back around the Berlin Wall fun times. Good stuff. The best humor comes from history.
Anyways, thanks for reading this series! Sorry it was so long to update. orz
To anyone that is interested, I will be writing another short story series like this for England and China soon. I think next up will be China, but his will not be ready until probably after Thanksgiving in America. England's will be after the New Year. And, as always, if you like what you see, feel free to read my main series!
спасибо!