65 - Nothing To Fear

[chosen_end_post]

Title: Nothing To Fear
Characters: Russia/America, brief appearances by Poland and Prussia.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: 1983 - The United States and the Soviet Union have their closest brush with nuclear war since the Cuban Missile Crisis. America notices after the fact.

TCE is co-written by wizzard890 and pyrrhiccomedy.

Comments

[rissa_ichigo]

LKFKSDHFKSDGKFGJK!!!!!!!! Oh man, Russia baby! Take a deep breath. It's sweet how he said 'I couldn't' <33333

I love your Poland XD

[pyrrhiccomedy]

I think a lot of the Cold War could have been averted if everybody had just taken a deep breath and hugged it out.

[pyrrhiccomedy]

It's a hard reminder of how pointless and tragic the Cold War was. Neither side was actively seeking to be the aggressor, and most of the plans made were in case the other side attacked first. If they were to blow up the world, it would only be because of some cruel accident.

I really love this assessment, and it's so, so true. Nobody wanted to start a nuclear war! All the preparation and the bombs and the tension and the drills and the mind games, that was because both sides were scared the other guys would start a war. It's easy to not be scared of the Cold War now, because we know that war never did happen. But a couple times it was pretty close.

it seems Russia has spent a lot of his time building things up just so he can lose everything he has.

It is hard to read Russian history without a bottle of liquor on hand, sometimes. ._.

It's really the only reason I can come up with to explain why America would think an exercise like that would not make Russia upset. I agree. It was mostly naivete. The Americans (including Reagan)

[pyrrhiccomedy]

I have the strangest feeling I should be sending Mr. Petrov and the commander of the Russian sub during the Cuban Missile Crisis yearly "thank you for saving the world" flowers.

Oh God, me too. Vasili Arkhipov. Thanks, bro, for keeping everybody un-killed. ._.

I've always found America's reactions to Communism fascinating. The American public wasn't entirely against the idea, since Socialist candidates did, at times, do relatively well in elections. Yet even when capitalism pretty much exploded and left 25% of the workforce unemployed, people still voted in FDR. Though to be fair FDR was a fairly convincing guy.

I've always found that so interesting, too! I think communism is just not compatible with the American psyche, not widescale. When you get right down to it, you'd have to replace pretty much everything that makes America America to get communism to fit right. Individuals can recognize the merit of a lot of Marx's ideas, lots of individuals, even. But America at large is, you know...it's a country of rabid individualists,

[zalia]

Oh man, so tense O_O

First, I really love Prussia and Poland here. It's really easy to get caught up in Russia and America and their epic dysfunctional love (not that getting caught up in it is a bad thing!), but it's nice to get an inkling of how this is affecting everyone else, especially those who have to deal with Russia every day. Because what they do doesn't only affect them, and I really do like seeing that and seeing America be forced to confront some of the results of what he'd done.

And then, oh Russia :< My heart breaks for him. He's so paranoid here, understandably so and gah, it hurts to see him that way and to know that America really did underestimate that aspect of him. I did love his grudging acceptance of America's overtures. Wanting so much to believe him.

Awesome chapter!

[pyrrhiccomedy]

We relish any opportunity to bring in Poland and Prussia. ♥ And I really do like seeing that and seeing America be forced to confront some of the results of what he'd done--God, us too. Sometimes the kid needs a whack. ._. The worst thing is, America was being a total dick with the mind games, at this point: flying fighter jets straight at Soviet airspace, then peeling off at the last second, that sort of thing. Just to keep the Russians jumpy. And then they were ~totally shocked~ to discover that the Soviets were actually scared they might try something? Just...America. =/

[wizzard890]

It's really easy to get caught up in Russia and America and their epic dysfunctional love...but it's nice to get an inkling of how this is affecting everyone else

Oh, absolutely! Nothing happens in a vacuum, especially not for two superpowers. And I've always wondered, you know--what is it like for those nations living in Russia's house? Shut up together, always having to watch their step. Their boats are rocked, by these altercations between Russia and America.

it hurts to see him that way and to know that America really did underestimate that aspect of him.

I think it's less paranoia than it is---a logical reaction to what he saw. Yes, it was a rather, um, strong reaction, but Able Archer was designed to look like the real thing!

[meganinhiding]

"Yeah, I think by now I know how you would start an invasion--"

This was my favorite line in the entire story; even though this series is about America and Russia there are all these countries with extensive histories with each other. Its always good to hear how other countries are affected by Russia and America's issues.

Hm, I never knew about the near misses in 1983 but you hear about the Cuban Missile Crisis almost everytime when the Cold War as a whole is discussed. Thanks for including this.

[pyrrhiccomedy]

even though this series is about America and Russia there are all these countries with extensive histories with each other.

We've talked a bit about Poland and Prussia; I think they have one of the most interesting and complicated relationships (not good, but...interesting! and complicated!) of any two nations I can think of. I sort of wish somebody would tackle a 75 chapter epic about them. They deserve it.

Its always good to hear how other countries are affected by Russia and America's issues.

We agree. Sometimes I wish TCE were more of a general history of the Cold War, so we could cover more of that stuff (although that would make it even longer x_x).

Hm, I never knew about the near misses in 1983 but you hear about the Cuban Missile Crisis almost everytime when the Cold War as a whole is discussed. Thanks for including this.

Welcome!

[carcharias1130]

Your characterizations of America and Russia are consistently amazing; I love them so hard for it. But it's when you guys bring in other characters, like England or France or Prussia or Germany or the rest of the Soviet Bloc, like here--that I really notice that your ability to characterize transcends the main dudes. Honestly, Poland stole the show here. Because that's what he does. XDI feel only a little guilty in thinking that that slap came a few decades too late. But it was needed all the same. If only Poland had been around before to slap America. (And not get nuked for it

[pyrrhiccomedy]

Poland stole the show here. Because that's what he does.

HE CANNOT BE STOPPED.

CAN

NOT

BE

STOPPED.

If only Poland had been around before to slap America.

I know, right? Come on, Poland. It's your calling. Smackin' fools and tellin' it like it is.

I also love the characterization of the Cold War here; how at this point the USSR was declining in the offensive attitude, how America was slowly but surely rising to take the center stage it occupies today, how we as Americans felt secure and sure of ourselves and our methods but we were blind to the rest of the world. The rest of the world was less sure of us, more afraid of what we could do--especially the USSR.

*Sigh* I wish it weren't as true as it is.

at least they're working it out?

I think so. They're in a much more mature place now than they were twenty years ago.

Thank you for reading! ♥

[carcharias1130]

BECAUSE

HE'S

LIKE

POLAND, BITCHES.
<3
Like, totally.
Yet another reason for Liet to stay under his sheets where it is safe and quiet. :D

*Sigh* I wish it weren't as true as it is.
Isn't that so with most history, though? :/

Tis my pleasure! :)