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Chapter Text

It was finally time, Reich was more or less filled with pure ecstasy, he was really hosting the games. Yes, it had taken a lot of cleansing of the country, and it had been difficult to establish his military again while also preparing his countries best athletes for the games, but it was perfect! All the homelessness and public prostitution had been finally solved!

With euthanasia.

Reich thought to himself with a chuckle, abruptly cutting off his thoughts when it was time to greet those who had finally arrived by train, plane and ship to watch their athletes compete in the olympics Reich knew his athletes would dominate in, after all, if they didn't, it's not like anyone would notice when they went missing.

First it was Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan he greeted, his best friends of course, then it was that irritating French woman and her closest ally, UK, along with them were three of UK's dominions, Australia, New Zealand, and who could forget, his more suspicion-prone daughter, Canada. She gave him a narrowed glare as he greeted her father, and then was hesitant before shaking his hand before following in pursuit behind the Brit. Reich never really liked that Canadian, she was way too suspicious of Reich, always (rightfully) assuming he had ulterior motives which made it difficult to act on any of them.

He momentarily forgot about the Canadian as he welcomed other countries, including USA, who Reich mentally noted as a dominant power he needed to be wary of, then the two siblings, Belgium and Netherlands, obvious candidates to go through for his eventual invasion of France, then there was the Nordic siblings, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden, Norway and Denmark seemed like his best bet for invasion, Finland was too.. keep to himself of a person, and Sweden had no real value to the Germans but that's okay. He'd surely invade Iceland too, it would give him a great opportunity to get to North America once he took over Europe.

Then there were Austria and Hungary, his second favorite people to Italy and Japan, (although he was already planning to annex Austria, which, he'd argue was because he loved the twin so much) he greeted them with a big and happy grin, there were Argentina and Brazil, the only south American nations he actually liked, and then Poland... oh Poland.. he so wished to invade that nation first, exterminate all the pathetic Jews that lived in his country. He hated Poland and his Jews, he hated his country, he hated everything about Poland, and if he could just tear Poland apart right now-

Czechoslovakia!

Reich had forgotten about him, he would definitely invade his pathetic little country first, then Poland, yes, that sounded like a good plan.

When the many other countries that added to a final total of 48 countries, including his own, 49, arrived, he made his way to the stadium, his gaze somewhat set on figuring out where that suspecting little Canadian was, so he could privately speak with her, and by privately speak, he meant potentially kidnap and force into submission, after all, her country was of great value to him, spacious, full of resources and materials. He would've probably done the same with that damn Soviet Union, but he didn't show up to the games, so that would have to wait, or maybe he'd figure something else out.

Reich unfortunately couldn't find the brat so he made his way to the small booth at the top of the stadium, heading inside and not bothering to greet the fuhrer, Hitler. He instead looked over the world map that was laid out on a table, and he picked up a pen to write down a new note next to the large territory known officially as the 'Dominion of Canada'

'Leave alone to preserve the territory and resources to make sustainable for citizens'

He hummed to himself and then looked at that beautiful and also the largest territory in the world, USSR, or, CCCP, he was very fond of imagining that stone cold man submitting to the German, surrendering his union to Reich's glorious regime and Reich moving his people into the vast territory. It certainly made Reich feel pleasure thinking about that, he would never admit he got off on the thought of ruling the world, but he was a one man ruler, unfortunately he'd have to betray Italy and Japan someday, but he didn't need to worry, that was at the very end, not now.

Canada was getting slightly bored, she cared about watching her people compete, and while she enjoyed watching other nations celebrate, she also was a little displeased by the fact she rarely saw any of her own athletes on the podium despite how hard they had trained and how many had qualified this year. Canada quietly excused herself from her father and left to go to the bathroom. She headed off and as she neared the bathrooms, a hand grabbed her wrist and instinctively, she took out one of her daggers gifted to her by France, pressing the tip to the perpetrators throat, who turned out to be none other than Reich.

"Désolé Mr Reich, I'm a little..." she forgot the word in German and mentally scolded herself, she had been learning the language for so long, and yet, she still couldn't remember the most common of words.

Reich didn't seem to notice her turmoil and just chuckled, keeping his grip on her wrist firm "oh, do not worry, I understand it must only be natural for someone who participated in the great war" he grinned, and if she was annoyed, she hid it. "I didn't participate, I fought on the frontlines of Vimy and-"

"Yes, right, my sincerest apologies Ms Canada, I did not mean to undermine your efforts and achievements" his smile widened slightly and she could easily count most of his teeth, slightly unnerved by the sheer sharpness each one had. "Ah, then I am sorry, I am a little defensive about my efforts, I just don't enjoy when it sounds as though they've been overshadowed or something of the like" she replied, pulling on her wrist slightly, which clearly wasn't a good enough hint she wanted him to let go because he did the opposite.

"I hope I am not interrupting you, Canada, I simply ask if I may privately speak with you?" He asked, wording his questions as carefully as possible to not alert the other of ill-intent.

"Well, I was trying to use the restroom, can the matter wait a moment or two?" She asked, forcing her voice to sound calm when in reality, she was piecing together everything he said and thinking of the worst scenarios that could happen during this 'chat'. Reich didn't seem to notice and just nodded with a grin, finally letting go of her wrist. She quickly headed into the bathroom and paced as she thought of how to get out of this talk, maybe wait it out? No no no, that was stupid, if you were like Canada and knew Reich before the Olympics, you'd know he was one of the more persistent countries.

After washing her hands and drying them, she sighed and left the restroom, Reich was outside waiting, as unfortunately expected, and was immediate to grab her wrist and lead her somewhere more secluded in the stadium, well, the indoor area. He stopped and turned, a grin that had been present on his face the entire time now changing to a serious frown. "Listen, Dominion Canada”

"You are not my father, let's cut the formality, Reich." She cut him off. He rolled his eyes and tightened his grip on her wrist "I'm sure you're suspicious of my intentions, right now, for the future, even in the past. While I don't know how such suspicions are warranted, I've dealt with it, however, you seem to be keen on picking everything I do apart until you're satisfied. I understand you served in the great war, I'm aware you're just a cautious person at heart, but stop meddling with my affairs if you don't want to end up on the wrong side of something." he warned with a slight growl. Canada didn't even seem phased. "If you plan to get me on my knees and suck you, you're in for a rude awakening, Reich, because frankly, you don't scare me, and also, if you plan to kill me, you'll have the commonwealth at your throat in a matter of moments. Britain does not take kindly to his dominions being tossed around by others, you are no exception."

Reich narrowed his eyes "And you believe I'm scared of the commonwealth?”

"Your parents were, don't forget who still has their blood on their hands, and don't forget that the person responsible for their death has manipulated everyone into thinking they died in battle" she said, taking a step closer, her gaze exclusively set on his.

Reich was not about to get put into his place by her, she wasn't even a fully independent nation! How dare she talk down to him, but at the same time, she was right, nobody believed she had done it, they deemed her this innocent and sweet woman who took Vimy back with bravery, not a murderous monster like his parents. The double standards were cruel and unfair and that was another thing he would surely get rid of, unfairness. "I am not my parents" he finally said with a biting tone to it, she simply stepped closer, Reich was sure she knew exactly what she was doing by being this close. The fabric of her glove touched his chin and he was starting to get ideas. "You may not be, perhaps more brave, perhaps more cowardly, but just know, you're never safe from me and what I will do if you try to be any bit like them" she whispered, her face extremely close, her red eye vibrant, almost as a warning to what he planned despite his certainty that she didn't know.

Fuck, Reich was getting turned on by this and he really could not handle it. Just as she was close to touching her lips to his own, she took her hand out of his grasp, smiling and blowing a kiss towards him before leaving and heading back out to the stadium and finding her seat. He pathetically whined, looking around in embarrassment after. Despite it being a metaphor when she had, Canada already said she wouldn't suck him. He clenched his teeth and had to think about his dying parents to get his mind, and his dick, off of that thought of her. He hated her so much, she knew exactly what she did, make him feel a certain way so she could free her wrist and leave, such a clever little brat. He couldn't stand her at all. He wanted to get her on her knees and suck- no, fuck! Beg! He wanted to think of her begging! Fuck fuck fuck!

He headed to the stadium and cursed under his breath as he headed to the booth and just stayed inside, refusing to talk to anyone until after his anger from that previous conversation had faded, which took much more time than necessary. By the time he had calmed down, the Olympics were halfway through and he had missed several of his athletes scoring gold, some scored silver and bronze too, but he didn't care because they didn't deserve any praise for such a failure of an achievement. Second and third place. Reich scoffed, he didn't need such pathetic people in his country.

When he emerged, he had realized something that brought back every bit of anger, Canada, on the field, shaking the hand of her athlete, who had won gold. That stupid Canadian, he imagined her getting shot on the field, unfortunately that never came true, so he just went back into the booth, preferring to look over the map and doodle on it, draw mountains, trees, even little stick figures, it calmed him down enough, although he wasn't sure if anyone would be happy to know he did this, not like they'd speak against him, but they'd show signs of annoyance for sure.

Stupid everyone and everything. Reich wanted to murder too many people for it to not be suspicious, which meant he couldn't. Fuck this. He already had to restrain several people for their protests, this was so- difficult and shitty and-

He needed to calm down. Only another day of this and he could return to his usual business, re-arming his militia, planning and strategizing, he just needed to make it one more day, without losing his shit on another nation, specifically, the commonwealth nations who for an unknown reason, had been pissing him off no matter what they did. In fact, them simply being there made him hate their guts.

Stupid Canada.. She socialized like no problem, in fact she enjoyed talking to people and had no problem interacting with them with a smile on her face, but as soon as it was him, that smile dropped faster than his stomach when he had found out she had overheard him discussing plans with an army general. So far, nobody else had given him dirty looks, so he decided against detaining her since she didn't seem to have told anyone. Good. Perhaps the only good thing about her.

Reich almost threw a chair at his advisor when the mentioned man came in and let Reich know that the Olympics were beginning. "I'm sick, they can carry on without me" he lied, clenching his teeth as the man nodded without question and left. Reich sighed, he wanted.. no, he needed time away from everyone, what a stupid idea, hosting the Olympics? The only good thing was that he could prove his country superior to other countries in terms of athletes, and also.. distraction, they'd also have a positive view of him, meaning they'd underestimate him, perfect, but also, he wasn't too sure if it was worth all the effort he was putting into this, he was tired, he wanted to invade someone's country, fucking take over Europe, not watch stupid games he didn't care for.

He cut his sick act and made his way to his quarters, shutting and locking the door behind him and flopping on the bed, sighing as he tried to think of anything to do, you know, sick things, like read, and sleep and mass murder.. no, the last one is a different type of sick.

Reich really didn't know what to do so he actually did decide to sleep, funnily enough, it's what he disliked doing to waste time the most, but he didn't know what else to do. He kicked off his boots and climbed further onto his bed, getting under the covers. He then placed his military cap onto his night side table and curled up under the blanket to sleep. He didn't really think it was uncomfortable in any way to sleep in his uniform, maybe it was due to the fact he was just notorious for always wearing it, what difference did it make that he was laying down and covered by a blanket? None. He sighed, he hadn't slept since the 1st of August and what, it was the 15th today? He had gotten no sleep because of his paranoia, and no matter how many times he'd had tried to deny it, he knew there was a part of him that was fearful that someone may figure out his plans and stop him, sentence him to a life of torture or something just as harsh, he knew the allied powers had not been kind before, a specific few crossing his mind as he thought that situation over again. He also knew that the torture that could be inflicted upon him that varied between country, was more or less unpredictable and another fear factor.

After turning a bit and still being unable to sleep, he got out of bed and actually turned the lights off, maybe that was why he couldn't sleep, he thought. Nope, that didn't work after Reich continued to groan as every position wasn't satisfactory and he sat up, turned on his lamp, and grabbing a journal from his dresser, he unclipped the pen from the cover and opened it, beginning to write down future plans.

-  Annex Austria

- Invade Czechoslovakia

- Make a deal with USSR

- Invade Poland with/out USSR

- Invade Denmark

- Invade Norway

- Invade Belgium

- Invade Netherlands

- Invade Luxembourg

- Invade Romania

- Invade France

He didn't exactly know where to go from there, he needed to plan it out after these games were over with Herr Hitler, until then, his invasion plans stopped with France, just temporarily. He wasn't sure how the meeting with Soviet would go anyway, the communist prick could tell him to go fuck himself and get lost, which would create problems. But right now, Reich was actually getting tired. This could wait until after he had.. fallen.. asleep.

Chapter Text

He paced around his office. He didn't know how to feel about his soon-to-be meeting with the very USSR. He would be meeting the other in Moscow, his leader Hitler wouldn't be going but instead, his foreign minister would. He'd discuss terms with Joseph Stalin or whoever and Reich would discuss different terms with Soviet Union, okay, he could do this.

Or maybe he couldn't.

One of his generals came in "Mr Reich, you and Mr Joachim Ribbentrop are all set for your travel to Moscow." 

Shit. Reich was still nervous. He looked at the general and mustered up the courage to ask "Could you tell me something to settle my nerves?" The general grinned and almost instantly replied "Mr Hitler's favorite color is brown! He also really likes sweets" Reich gave him a look of disbelief as he looked at his general for while. The other man just blinked a few times in silence as Reich stared at him.

...

...

"Get out."

His advisor quickly nodded and left.

Reich sighed, he wanted to throw something but everything in his office was breakable to some extent, so he simply departed and headed to the train station. He and Ribbentrop got on and didn't speak once the entire ride. Reich had been overthinking everything and the other had simply been reading, and later, fell asleep. Reich couldn't fall asleep, he had a hard time falling asleep when plans like these had so many ways they could derail, just like this train, one single problem and it could derail off these tracks and kill everyone.

Suddenly, Reich didn't want to be on this train, like, he really didn't want to be on this train.

He shook his head as if that would rid his mind of his thoughts, but he knew that was stupid and he mentally slapped himself for even thinking that it would work. He rested his head on the window and looked at the vast landscape. They were currently in Poland, the country he was quite excited to split with the soviet. He couldn't wait to get rid of all of these worthless humans that went by 'Jewish' and create a better race, a perfect race, a perfect Aryan German race. Perfect.

He sighed and spent the rest of the time on the train just thinking about ways his agreement could go over with the Soviet. On one hand, he could accept Reich's terms, on the other, he could decline unless given something more. The latter would work well, Reich's terms were the best he could give without having to take too much from his country, resources, food, all the same things he needed for what he was planning, so he was hoping to God that the communist was okay with what he would suggest.

Because otherwise..

Well, Reich wasn't sure how he could possibly figure that out by himself, after all, he and his fuhrer had organized it together, the same leader who wasn't with him.

Reich's overthinking led him down a lot of path's, most awful, some good, but heavily overshadowed by the negatives. He wished he could sleep, but he couldn't, it was as though his brain was a separate entity altogether, refusing to shut up and stop speaking in his ear, refusing to let him sleep. He couldn't imagine how long he had been overthinking while attempting to sleep against the window, tormented by these thoughts and images. What if Soviet just took him prisoner altogether? What could he even do then? Why was he even thinking about that? He was sure the soviet wasn't just going to persecute or hold the other prisoner, but what if he was so offended he forced them to leave the country?

And this is why he couldn't sleep, despite being the person he is, he knew he was paranoid at heart, and he has been since the great war, when he fought for a cause and ended up watching the life leave his parents' eyes. He remembers that day vividly, seeing- no, he didn't want to think about it, he didn't want to see that again, he couldn't. His point was, he was anxious due to his childhood ending and his adulthood beginning when the death of his parents occurred, it was terrible, having to grow up so quickly because despite Weimar Republic being his legal guardian, his brother was also just barely an adult, which meant that it was harder for him to run a country that was falling into debt due to France's terms in the Treaty of Versailles and care for Reich as if he were Weimar's child. Weimar was dead now though, he had been dead since '33.

"We now arrive in Moscow, Russia"

The voice over the intercom sounded and Reich sighed in relief, his thoughts being put to a halt for at least a little while. He shook Ribbentrop awake and they got off the train, Reich was more confident than he had been the entire ride here, whether that was due to his hatred of being seen as weak. He was anything but weak, at least that's what he liked to prove to others, no, scratch that, he was anything but weak, he had proven this already. He, his country, his people, were all strong and superior to those around, he was sure that others knew this already, especially Austria and Czechoslovakia, who he had already taken the countries of.

He was guided into the official government building alongside Ribbentrop, honestly, he didn't know what to expect, he was in unknown territory that he had not previously visited, knowing that any bad thing that happened here, was out of his control, he understood the risks he was taking, he was confident (at least on the outside) that this would go over well, but that little part of him thought maybe, just maybe..

Reich has to force his thoughts away again as he was greeted by the tall statue of a man and two other men, shorter, who were introduced by the name of 'Vyacheslav Molotov' and 'Joseph Stalin'. Despite his familiarity with the latter, he expected the communist leader to be.. taller.

"It is a pleasantry to meet you Mr Molotov and Mr Stalin, I suppose we can begin our business while our nations discuss outside matters?" Ribbentrop eventually spoke, his German accent struggling somewhat to pronounce the Russian words that came out of his mouth.

"Yes, I suppose that would be wise, let us discuss this in a private room, come follow me and Vyacheslav" Stalin had replied, his accent flowing nicely along with his words. Molotov simply nodded "It is quite nice to meet with you Ribbentrop, I hope we can make sure progress with you and your country" he had said, his voice distant but still audible enough.

"Herr Sowjet Union! It is an honor to finally meet with you" Reich grinned, holding out his hand to shake Soviets, the latter narrowed his eyes and didn't take his hand, keeping both firm at his side. "I could say the same, what entity decided you come here for negotiation?" He asked, crossing his arms, he could see that slightly irritated glint in Reich's eyes as he lowered his hand and forced himself to keep a smile. "It was mine and my equal who decided this was an excellent course of action to take for the future of Germany" his words were slower than soviets, and if the other spoke just a little faster, he'd probably need a translator just to understand the basic words.

"Hm, I suppose we can talk in my office, if you'll just follow me" he said, pressing a hand lightly to Reich's back as a gesture to make him start walking, which he picked up immediately and began walking alongside the former. "What they do not discuss in that room, we will discuss together, after all, the final decision is really up to you, yes?" Reich asked, glancing at soviet out the corner of his eyes. That neutral face was challenging to read, it was as though Reich was attempting to read himself, except a taller version of himself who was extremely left leaning rather than right. Soviet merely nodded and stopped in front of a set of doors, opening them and stepping aside for Reich to enter.

The office was decently sized, he took a seat in front of the desk as Soviet took a seat in one behind it, the files were organized, some decorations here and there, two USSR flags hung up on the wall an equal space away from the golden hammer and sickle emblem that was mounted in the center. Reich found this office pleasing to look at, if he could change the flags to that of swastikas and the emblem to a double headed eagle and it would be perfect.

"I suppose to start this off with simple questions that shouldn't be too difficult to answer, how would an alliance with you benefit the union?" Soviet asked calmly, his elbows resting on the desk with his hands clasped together as he rested his chin on them. Reich smiled "Ah Sowjet, straight to the point? The alliance, per say- is not exactly a typical alliance, it is a non-aggression pact between our powerful nations." Soviet raised an eyebrow in question at 'our' as if doubting the nazi regime was anything of the like, Reich didn't notice this and continued on. "The benefits your union will receive will show as our alliance builds, but keeping this simple, I plan for my country to head into war, whether it happens or not is unclear, but at the moment, I don't believe the soviet union will be too happy getting involved in such a war like the great war-"

"And you expect to do better than your father in the great war? How do you know that-"

"Please, if you'll let me continue" Reich paused and realized it was a little rude to interrupt his host, however, he had interrupted Reich first, so he didn't apologize.

"Right, apologies" Soviet replied calmly. "As I was saying, the soviet union couldn't possibly want such an extreme war again that had, last time, led to the overthrowing of your tsar" Soviet's eye twitched slightly at that statement. He wasn't keen on remembering what he had done to his father. "So, this pact will keep you out of war. It will also divide several territories between us, this includes Poland, the baltics, and Finland, of course, your leader will know very well that the land that has been split in our plan is very generous to you, so I hope I do not have to change it" Reich gauged the communists reaction, but once again, Soviet's face was like stone, and nothing seemed to break his exterior resting face. He wished that so much as a glimpse of something would flare in the other's eye, but nothing.

"How long is the term for?"

"10 years, if neither one of us declare we will back out of it at least a year prior to its end, it will be automatically extended for another 5."

"I see, well, seeing as I have not much to go off of since our people are discussion the actual pact, I don't believe there is much else to talk about regarding it, I can always read it over after this and ask more then."

"So..." Reich's face lit up slightly. "You agree to it then?"

"No"

His face dropped to a frown, he had to hold back a complaint as he asked "No? Why not?"

"There are reasons for me to believe you may tear this up and ignore it, leading to the invasion of my territory." Reich sighed "what makes you believe-" "Well, the Treaty of Versailles, for starters, Secondly, I was aware you signed a treaty with UK regarding Czechoslovakia's territory, and then you Invade the rest of it despite the agreement." Reich's face fell even more. If Soviet knew all this- surely he wouldn't have invited Reich if he didn't trust him and would deny the pact he had suggested. "So.. what could- make you trust me?" Soviet thought for a moment before looking dead straight into Reich's eyes, a slight shiver running up his spine. "What could-"

"Do you believe in God?"

"Of course, my country is predominantly christian, actually, it's entirely christian" because I exterminated those who weren't...

"What are some sins, that you have never committed due to your devotion to God?" He asked slowly, making the other think for a moment, surely this wasn't going to lead to something bad, right? "Well.. there are 7 deadly sins.. it could be greed or lust-" "be specific, Reich." He repeated, tad bit of impatience running through his words. "Well, homosexuality-" "You may stop there" Soviet interrupted "homosexuality will work just fine" Reich raised an eyebrow "whatever do you mean?"

The communist, for the first time, smiled slightly before it died down just as quick. "You see, Reich, I do not believe in God, me and my fellow communists define God, and religion in general, to be an oppressive idea that controls our people in negative ways. If you, an overly religious man, who would bend backwards for God, were to commit sin, I would trust you, because committing sin against god seems to be the worst thing one could do, at least in your beliefs" Reich had to repeat what the soviet had just said a few times before his eyes widened "you want me to-"

"A kiss, touching, I won't make you have sex with me or anything too extreme, just something to prove you'd commit sin for this pact, a bit strange as it may seem, homosexuality seems to be extremely frowned upon as Stalin had mentioned when he studied to be a priest. If you did something so frowned upon that people were killed for it, I'd trust you enough that I'd sign the pact." He stated. "Of course I understand if that's too much for you to do and I suppose we could forget the pact-"

"I'll do it" he mumbled.

Soviet smiled and stood up from his chair, in response, Reich stood up from his. He already felt like he was committing a crime by even agreeing to this in the first place, let alone actually doing it, and the closer the communist was, the more he wanted to run away. He was no coward, but he felt so gross doing this.

Thoughts interrupted, Soviet stood in front of him, lifting his chin up with a pointer finger, those light blue eyes staring into Reich's red. Despite the fact that the sight of Soviet was usually dull, those eyes were so beautiful and reminded him why that was his ideal in his people, blue eyes that could either be the iciest in battle or the softest in love. Blue was beautiful, especially in contrast to the soviet's deep red skin.

"I'll say this only once, you should reciprocate as much as I initiate, yes?" He asked, his words flowing so smoothly that Reich felt like he was in a slight trance. "I get that.. no- touching like-" the other man chuckled slightly, something Reich wasn't expecting from him at all. "Light touches, I said nothing too extreme, remember?" He replied, moving his hand to cup the other's cheek and rub his thumb over Reich's skin, making him subconsciously shudder in a weird sensation. "Yes, right-" he gasped as Soviet pressed a light kiss to Reich's neck, it felt unpleasant in a moral sense, but physically, it felt so nice and delicate, as if Soviet cared about his actions, another little thing Reich remarked about him. 

He wasn't sure who initiated it, but one of them did, and now they found themselves in a lasting kiss, Soviet making no move to push for anything more and Reich was perfectly content with that, he might've thrown up if the other pushed his tongue into his mouth, so this, he was okay with. Reich's hand brushed through the other man's hair as he rubbed circles on Reich's back, his other hand rubbing his thumb along Reich's neck. He.. He was okay with this, his mind ignoring what would soon be overwhelming guilt for this sinful act he was committing with another man, it was peaceful, the communist not once touching him or doing anything that would contradict his promise, Reich noted this, that Soviet kept his promises.

The kiss soon ended and Soviet left little pecks on the exposed skin on Reich's skin, obviously being wary to make sure he didn't leave a mark, as that would cause a lot of issues and questions to arise from their officials. When he had finally pulled away, he smiled softly, those blue eyes melting to soft ocean water, Reich liked seeing that, being able to read the soviet more clearly, and what he realized in that moment, was Soviet seemed to care for Reich more than he had initially believed. Perhaps it was love at first sight, perhaps it was just an act he had perfected, but it was new, and Reich certainly wouldn't mind seeing it again from the other man.

"I suppose that concludes our little meeting" the communist murmured, pressing a final kiss to Reich's cheek before taking his hands off him. "We can go meet with the others for your departure, they are probably done with their own business" Reich simply nodded and followed Soviet as the latter led him to the main hall and they all exchanged goodbyes. When the Germans had left the building, Soviet turned to his leader and Molotov with a proud smile "I believe we can consider the Germans our allies now, we should tell the public" he stated, Molotov gave a grin in response and Stalin gave a slight nod in acknowledgement.

"Did it go well?" Ribbentrop asked when the train had begun it way back to Berlin. "Yes, we can let Hitler know when we arrive in Germany that the soviets are now an official ally" he replied, although twisted in his gut was extreme guilt, he had committed sin and that overpowered any fondness he had built up for Soviet. He sighed and took out a notebook from his bag, clicking his pen and flipping to that page.

-  Annex Austria
- Invade Czechoslovakia
- Make a deal with USSR
- Invade Poland with/out USSR
- Invade Denmark
- Invade Norway
- Invade Belgium
- Invade Netherlands
- Invade Luxembourg
- Invade Romania
- Invade France

Reich smiled at the progress in his list, he couldn't be happier that despite all odds, he had secured an alliance with the very Soviet Union. This would benefit Germany in many ways, now that the allies couldn't take him for themselves, this would be a lot easier.

Chapter Text

The atmosphere was in a panicked state, all the parties talking to one another so loudly that even the speaker couldn't talk over them. Canada was always open to discussing matters like these, but right now, she had a headache and wanted everyone to shut up. The chaotic energy of all the minister's talking, the shuffling of paper and constant noise.

Noise. Fucking noise. Stupid. Fucking. Noise.

"EVERYBODY QUIET DOWN AND SIT DOWN!" Canada finally shouted, immediately stopping the noise as everyone stared at her for a moment and then quieted down and got back into their respective seats. Canada could easily leave this discussion and head back to her office, unfortunately, her prime minister had other plans and wanted her input on the matter, which she had been giving him constant side glares for pursuading her into. She could leave, but then she'd feel bad because she was already here and now it was quiet and it would just be rude to leave.

The house speaker finally stood and began to speak "I officially commence our session, I ask that the honorable prime minister, Mr MacKenzie-King, begin our first order of business" the speaker of the house then sat down and Canada wrote some things down on her paper, her headache worsening. She really should've taken that advil before this, but too late now, like mentioned before, it would be rude to leave during a session in the house of commons. Incredibly rude. "Mr speaker, we have all be made aware of the current crisis, another war has broken out in Europe, specifically the country of Poland. Our trusted ally and crown nation, the UK, has declared war on the country of Nazi Germany, we begin this session on the topic of how will we go about this moving forward and where we will stand in this war. I ask the honorable representative of the country, Ms Canada, to please share our elaborative points for both us and the opposition." He then sat down and Canada shot another glare in his direction as she stood up and grabbed her clip-board.

"Mr speaker, I would like to begin this by saying that I had not intended to partake in this discussion today, my words and opinions will not be as openly expressed as others as I do not have much to say." She glanced at the paper that was clipped against the board and then set it down.

"I start with the outcomes of us joining this war, as well as the outcomes of not. Mr speaker we do not have the largest military, nor do we have the largest amount of people, currently, we have a total of a little above 11 million people, and we have already come to terms that we do not want to repeat of the great war. If we joined this war we could potentially exhaust our military power once again, drain our supply lines, and have our efforts become useless due to the fact the German army is several times larger than our entire military. As for if we stayed away from this war, it may end up creating problems in the future that force our hand to declare war, as well as considering our status as a crown nation, it would be dishonorable to not aid the crown of our dominion, and while we have the choice, the UK has always protected our country when it was threatened, I do not stand on either side of this line, however I believe it is returning the favor if we join this war. Thank you Mr speaker, that is all" she gave a slight bow of the head and then sat back down, already ready for this to be over.

Each party spoke about the benefits and Canada just zoned out most of it, barely keeping herself awake before she was then called upon again. "I ask that the Honorable Representative of the Dominion of Canada please rise and make her final decision."

Shit.

She slowly stood up and looked at everyone before clearing her throat and speaking "while I'd love to make a decision regarding the matter, I believe, seeing as we are a democratic government and country, that we have a vote, when it has been finalized, I will make the decision based on the outcome" she then sat down, Mr King glanced at her, mouthing a silent 'you weren't listening' she simply shook her head and returned to her papers as the speaker began with the next topic. She zoned that out as well, she knew she didn't have to listen beyond the discussion about war, she was the official head of military and was always given the final say in big decisions like joining war, other topics, she had already declared that her prescence would not be opinionated and she would only partake if necessary.

Her headache was getting worse, she really needed advil, or ibuprofen, whatever drug she could use to fix the throbbing pain in her head. She felt her eyes flutter, and slowly but surely, she rested her head on her arms, laying her upper body on her chair's desk. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

"You couldn't be serious.." He said hesitantly. "You think.. the best way to avoid invasion... is-" he sighed "to kidnap." He raised an eyebrow and she simply nodded with a lazy smile. She was a little high from smoking but that didn't matter, she functioned enough to know the best course of action regarding the Nordic nation. "Kidnap Iceland is a very.. delicate term, I'd prefer to say that we are holding him in the country as.. protection" she finalized, obviously not wanting more arguments to come from the prime minister. He sighed "should we make the call-" "a week. If the results come in and we stay out of this war, we don't interfere with Iceland, otherwise, well, you get the idea."

"Are you high?"

"Unfortunately" she replied.

"normally-"

"I know, normally I berate you for accusing me of being high, but I have a bad headache and I couldn't find advil" she shrugged.

"Your idea is not too short of absolutely absurd, we cannot just kidnap Iceland, do you realize how many problems will arise!?" She hummed and pulled open her drawer, pulling out a small book and tossing it to her prime minister. He read it over and looked at her in disbelief "why do you have a step-by-step book for kidnapping at your disposal?" He asked, bewilderment covering his normally calm tone. She just smiled and he sighed and shook his head "unbelievable" he muttered and just left her office, book in hand.

This was one of many things she was able to get away with, which she had no problem using to her advantage, especially when it was rather important she did. Kidnapping Iceland was.. it was like taking candy from a baby. Iceland had never been in a war, she was going to make sure it stayed that way and he stayed away from any of Reich's influence. If that meant holding him in Canada, she was willing to do it, of course, she'd have to deal with the paperwork later, but she would prefer mountains of paper over Iceland being an axis belligerent and give Reich any sort of access to the Americas any day. Considering he had already gotten the communist on his side, she felt like Iceland was the only other country Reich could use to get across the atlantic, and also, if her hand was forced to join the war, she would need Iceland's country to get to Europe if necessary.

She hummed and pulled out a paper, beginning to write ways they could kidnap him, she would assume the child of Denmark had some sort of 'stranger danger' teachings in his head, so she'd just have to figure out a strategy to stop him from protesting his kidnapping...

Who was she kidding? Iceland was a child, a very trusting child who could do no harm, there was no need to force, it would only scare him, she didn't want to scare him, although kidnapping a child is pretty scary, she's had experience being that child, no matter the intentions of your captor, you will be scared, maybe she should scrap the kidnapping idea. Although, she didn't exactly think she'd be able to explain to the Nordic, who had an inexperienced view of the world, that someone bad was going to want to sign an alliance with him so that person could use his territory how he liked. Iceland would never understand why that would occur, and so would begin their constant back and forth of 'why' and reasons why, which, she couldn't stand for more than a minute.

About to start working again, someone rudely barged into her office and she had to refrain from yelling about how everyone loves to bug her during her free time, normally she wasn't snappy, but she was angry about the fact war was happening in Europe because she had told her father and mother that Reich would do this and they hadn't listened, in honesty, she didn't want to join just out of slight spite that they hadn't prevented this by listening to her, she was also mad because now she would have to prepare the country for war, knowing all too well her citizens would never pass an opportunity to fight for the freedom of others and her government would most likely come to an agreement, naturally.

Being high wasn't helping and it was just going to make her headache even worse if she was being honest. She then tasted bitterness in her mouth, she didn't smoke often, only when it seemed like the best option, but it also made her emotional, something that her country didn't need if they were headed into a war. She sighed and rubbed her head, she needed to snap out of whatever headspace she was in and actually be the leader they needed, because if she wasn't, King would be. Not a bad thing, but she knew very well how to navigate through war, she was vital and she knew she couldn't slack in that department.

The man who came in was her official crown advisor, Mikhail Ivanov. He greeted her warmly and then set a binder with papers before quickly heading off, closing the door behind him. She opened the binder and looked through, her heart slowing slightly when she realized this wasn't regarding anything negative, just some discussed issues that took place in the house of commons and were given to Canada to look over before handing it to senate.

That was much better than what she had suspected.

"They've already made a decision!? It's been 7 days and it has already passed through senate!" She exclaimed when her prime minister had informed her of the 82% majority votes in favor of joining the war. She knew her people were selfless and always wanted to help others, but she would've never guessed they were this eager, it was, surprising, they never received such results so quickly.

"Well, you gave our people a choice that you knew they wouldn't disappoint with, I've already broadcasted it which means we have all the more time to figure things out. Anything you've been thinking over the last few days?" King asked. He looked over the map of Europe she had pinned to her wall that normally held a portrait of her and the commonwealth nations. "I have." She got onto her tip-toes to pin the top left corner and then she backed away and looked over it, heading over to her desk and grabbing a red, a black, and a green marker and handing the green and black to King as she outlined Germany and wrote 'enemies' in the corner of the map in red. "Italy is an ally in the axis powers" he stated, Canada outlined Italy and wrote the same thing.

"So.. why?" He asked "you'll see, hand me the green si vous plaiz?" She asked, taking it from his offered hand and outlining the countries later identified as 'allies' "and the black is for..?" "Strategizing" she replied, taking the black from him and setting them all aside.

"I want.. what do I want? I want the minister of immigration, to draft up the most recent, and by recent, I mean last year up to now's, immigrations. I want them brought to me, organized by country of origin." She stated, walking to the other side of her office to grab a folder from her shelf. "Let senate know we will be operating the War Mesures Act for the duration of war" she handed the folder to him. "What are you planning to do with the immigrants?" She cracked her knuckles "does that matter at the moment?" "It does. You could be planning to kill them" he replied, flipping through the folder and stopping when he finally realized "war measures. you want to detain those from enemy countries."

She looked at him with a neutral expression. "Nice job genius, but not just them, anyone who could classify as nazi sympathizers is on my list. The most recent immigrants could easily be spies or sent by the enemy to cause harm to our people, I will not detain those who have been here since before 38, but I will not put Canadians at risk just because the act is controversial for some."

"I thought we agreed to not use the war measures act anymore?"

"We did, but war is back, and I'm not taking chances, we don't have time to modify it and pass it through senate while we gather up those who may be of interest to the act."

He closed the folder "You're not-"

"I'm not high. I promised I wouldn't touch cigarettes, alcohol, anything of the like while at war, I'm not taking chances. Now, let senate know that we are putting the act into place as of now."

"After you answer who classifies under sympathizers."

"So far, I haven't decided, that's why I want all records of immigration from the last year till now, also, we're closing the borders to everyone, refugees will be the only exception but we are to do background checks more carefully before letting them into the country."

He nodded and set the folder on her desk "how should we deal with our troops?"

"..." Canada, for the first time, paused and thought for a moment before answering. "We aren't going to be sending troops to Poland, it's not worth it if the Soviets and Germans are closing in on the western and eastern fronts."

"Alright.. I can let senate know about the act.. I believe we should more thoroughly discuss the measures we will be taking for now and for the future, just to make sure we don't make any past mistakes." He left her office and she sighed. This was going to need a lot more planning than she had initially intended and now, she had to take care of internment camps, exterior influences, and preparing her military.

Not how she wanted to spend the first month of autumn.

"this is quite enjoyable, ja? Just me and you, having a nice drink while our armies invade Polen" Reich grinned, clinking his glass to Soviet's, who only hummed in agreement. "I suppose this isn't too bad, what do we do with Poland once his country has surrendered? Do we simply hold him hostage? Do you plan on taking him?" The former took a sip of his drink and then set his glass down "oh, well, I think it would be quite rude for me to have all the fun, we can surely do some things together that are aimed towards Polen.. However I was considering taking him for the rest of the time, if that is all alright with you?"

"Sure, I do not mind that, besides, I have other plans regarding Finland and I certainly do not need an extra to deal with while that is ongoing."

"Then consider it a deal, Sowjet. I wouldn't aim to put any burden on you, besides, I have a nice area set up for where I can keep the pole, all you worry about is managing your half of Polen and the baltics while I worry about mine" Soviet nodded and a slight grin spread as he raised his glass, the German raising his en suite. "To our invasion" Soviet said, "to our invasion" Reich replied as they finished off the last of their alcohol.

"Your papers" he hummed, handing the folder to Canada, who began to look through it, taking out the papers that were of no use to her and leaving those which declared place of origin to be Italy or Germany, as well as Ukraine, Austria and Czechoslovakia. "Once I'm done organizing these by province and city, I'll need these sent out the the local RCMP so that can be finished. I've been thinking of solutions from our previous problems"

She set the folder down and then grabbed a clipboard. "Starting off of course, prisoners of war" she started. "We need to apparently, according to the warcrimes from the great war, treat them like people" she hummed, looking at the other who looked distraught. "Oh! I had forgotten you weren't informed of that" she chuckled "yeah, well, I may have authorized the shooting of prisoners"

King looked even more disturbed "and nobody-"

"Nobody knew! I also didn't remember doing so until the signing of Versailles and they brought up all the things I did and that was one of them. Moving on-"

"Must I call someone?"

"No. I am a necessity for this war, you will not do so much as detain me." She replied in a threatening tone, a grin plastered on her face that gave what one could only call intimidation.

"So, moving on, we must treat the prisoners like people, we must also be less violent- although that is why we captured Vimy Ridge, so I'm still not certain that was an issue, if the enemy is aggressive then why can't-"

"Morals." King interjected.

"Right, morals, forgot humans had such things"

King sighed "moving on?" She nodded and looked back at her clipboard "well, we are also going to stop using gas so viciously like back then.." King waited for her to say more, and upon realizing that there wasn't any more, he sighed "well, it's a start, we need to discuss more strategic matters, however." She nodded and set the clipboard back down.

"What did you have in mind?"

Chapter Text

"I will only say this once more, we are only taking Iceland with us, no civilians or officials return to Canada, UK has already established he has plans regarding the country if necessary. No force will be initiated against the child, as far as he's aware, we are here on behalf of Denmark and if he questions it, you let me handle it, if he acts out, sedation will be the method we use, nobody is to know about this or guess who has to kidnap Denmark too?"

The soldiers merely nodded and Canada thought for a moment more. "Now, you are all going to tell anyone who asks, that you are here for the protection of me, we all know that isn't true, but when have Canadians not done something in war that they normally wouldn't?" ... "exactly. Now, we will arrive in Iceland in about an hour, if you have any questions, let me know before we dock" Canada called dismissal and they all returned to their own affairs.

The questions seemed to be more or less endless, and Canada was beginning to regret even bothering, as they were all asking about ways to react if something went wrong. Now, she trusted her soldiers and their abilities just as much as her own, however, their questions were starting to make her doubt them and herself. It was finally later when the ship had docked and they all got off. The difference of 7 hours threw them all off due to the fact it was now 9am instead of 2.

"Thomas, Robert, Krizstofski, George and... hold on, why are we missing one, who saw Ludwig last?" Canada questioned, mumbling under her breath in disbelief as she got back on the ship and looked for the German. Unfortunately, to no avail.

"How the fuck did we just lose someone!?" She demanded once she got off the boat once again.

"What if he fell overboard?"

"Don't you make such assumptions George! If he fell overboard-"

"Oh! There he is!" Thomas exclaimed. Canada turned and saw the man, who looked rather ill. "Don't tell me you're seasick..." she mumbled. She cursed in french, not even turning to face the rest of her soldiers as she soon called out "George. You are going to babysit Ludwig." Footsteps were heard as the called man came and held up Ludwig as he walked the latter back onto the ship and out of sight.

"Great. Six down to 4, that was not a problem any of you asked, and now I'm not sure how to prepare"

"Really?"

She turned and looked at them. "No. I've lost half of my men before and still managed to be victorious, come on, we have to get that Icelandic kid."

They followed in pursuit as she began to walk to the officers who stood at the port, they showed them their IDs and then one officer asked Canada "And what is your business here?" She smiled innocently "We are here on behalf of Denmark, who has asked me to pick up his son, Iceland." The officers looked at each other but allowed that excuse to pass and let them by. "Luckily I've been to Iceland enough times to know Rekjavik isn't far. Iceland lives right in the heart of the city." She stated as they walked. "If you do not mind me asking, how many times have you been to Iceland?"

"Once"

"Ah.. I see"

The soldier glanced at the others but they didn't comment on her answer, just continued following her as they soon made their way into the city. Once arriving, they received some glances from strangers but otherwise, it felt more like a sightseeing than a mission if the Canadian was being honest, but she wasn't complaining, this would be the only time it would feel like sightseeing she was sure.

Iceland was busy making tea after having woken up only half an hour ago, whistling softly to himself while he poured some sugar into his cup, at least, tried to. He ended up dropping the little container - that he poured sugar from - onto his cup, spilling hot tea onto the table, himself, and the floor. He set the container down and tried to stop himself from crying but it was inevitable. He just wanted tea and now it was all over him and stained his favorite sweater as well did the tears that were pouring down his face while he tried to grab a napkin to clean the mess. Curse that stupid caregiver, where even was she? Leaving him alone all by himself? Rude.

While he tried to grab the napkin, and ended up ripping it instead, he didn't even have it in himself to cry more than he already was, he wiped his tears and began wiping up the floor when he heard the doorbell. Maybe it was the caregiver? About time, Iceland really wanted tea and she was the only person who looked after him and made him tea. He made his way to the door and unlocked the opened the door. It wasn't his caregiver, but he certainly knew the woman.

"Nada?" He asked softly, Canada grinned and messed up his hair, which made him start crying again. "Oh! I'm sorry Icy" she said immediately, fixing his hair with concern "is it okay if we come inside?" He nodded and stepped aside as he wiped his eyes for the who knows what time. Canada entered the house along with her soldiers. "Hey Icy, what's wrong?" She asked softly, kneeling in front of the child. "I-I just was t-trying to make t-tea and I spilled it on my favorite sweater a-and the t-table and the floor and t-then I ripped the n-napkin and-" he fell into tears again and Canada wrapped her arms around him.

"Icy it's okay, how about you go change and I'll clean up the mess and make you some tea?"

"B-but I w-wanted to w-wear this-" he sobbed.

"Oh- well, how about you change, I'll get one of my men to wash your sweater and have it ready for you after me and you have some tea together?"

"... but the mess"

"I'll clean the mess, don't you worry" she replied, letting go of him when he pulled away and looking at Robert "you are in charge of washing his sweater" she told him. Robert nodded and followed Iceland upstairs as Canada turned to the remaining two "one of you stays at the front, the other stays at the back door, if Iceland decides to run, he has nowhere to go" she then headed into the kitchen and began to clean the mess and make some tea for her and Iceland, who came rushing down the stairs moments later and stopped behind Canada, hugging her waist while she poured the tea into his cup.

"How much sugar do you like?"

"3 teaspoons" he mumbled

"Alright, milk?"

"Just a little.."

"How much is a little?"

"Till it looks like honey"

Canada hummed in acknowledgment and grabbed the milk Iceland had left out, pouring just enough and mixing the tea for the desired color.

"Here is your tea good sir" she chuckled, setting the teacup down as Iceland got into his chair, Canada sitting in the chair across for him.

"So, I was speaking to your father a little bit ago"

Iceland hummed a soft 'mhm' into his tea while he drank some of it, kicking his legs back and forth.

"He asked me to come and take you with me back to Canada, he didn't specify how long, however."

"My babysitter didn't tell me that" he said, setting his cup down.

"Who's your babysitter?"

"Mrs Viola!" he replied with a grin.

"I see.. well, it was a recent decision between me and Denmark, I was supposed to bring you with me today, so I wanted to talk to you about packing your things and what you'd like to take" he took another sip of his tea before puffing his cheeks out in thought and narrowing his eyes. "My papa would've told me even if it was recent" She quietly sighed, alreayd planning out each way she could drug the kid and take him with her. "Look, your papa is very busy right now, he didn't have time to tell you." She replied, maintaining a calm level in her voice. The child, being the non oblivious type, shook his head, "liar!" and then furrowed his eyebrows. Canada had to admit, he looked ridiculous like that but extraordinarily cute, he was, a really cute kid, which almost made her feel guilty about this.

"Fine, Denmark doesn't know, but you don't either, there is a terrible force in europe that wants to attack others, this includes your father, and if they got hold of him, they may get a hold of you and use you as a pawn in their little game of war. You've never experienced war, I don't want you to either. If you decide to evade me, go ahead, you're not going to get far and, it's best if you just cooperate. You know me, you know that Denmark trusts me, so trust me when I say I am only taking cautionary measures"

The kid's gaze softened to slight shock "war?? Like the bad thing papa talks about?" 

"Yes. Exactly like that. If your papa gets injured or taken as a prisoner, there's no telling what may happen to you, I simply want to keep you safe and sound. Please, just cooperate with me Icy, I don't want you hurt, and you can write letters to your father whenever you like, sound fair?"

"Hmph... I guess so" he murmured, puffing his cheeks out, causing the Canadian to laugh softly at how ridiculous he looked. "You're such a cute kid, how about you go pack everything you need, clothing, stuffed animals, toys, whatever, and put it into a suitcase and then we can head out." She said it in such a soft and even tone that Iceland had to make sure this was still the woman he knew and not a clone, but following her command, he drank the rest of his tea and then headed upstairs.

"Thomas, you're alright to come back to the front, Iceland isn't putting up a fight as expected." She said this, but she had to be honest, the small amount of protesting in the beginning took her off guard, she would never expect a child to be so suspicious of someone.

She finished the rest of her tea and then grabbed her's and Iceland's and washed them, set them onto the counter to dry and headed to the front.

"How long can one child pack?"

"A million years.. luckily Iceland only takes around 5 minutes. He has a very simple mind and knows what he wants" 

"Might I ask how long you have known him?" Kristofski asked

"Since he was an infant" 

"I see.." 

Iceland made his way downstairs, his little suitcase thumping against each stair it hit, grinning to himself and then stopping in front of the three.

"Time to head out then?" Thomas asked, receiving a glare in response from Krizstofski "forgetting someone?" The latter asked.

"..."

"Robert!!" Canada shouted, the soldier rushing to the opening at the top of the steps "you require me?" She huffed "where is Iceland's sweater?" "Ah, one moment please!" Canada's eyes followed the man as he disappeared then reappeared with a light blue sweater in hand. He stepped down the stairs and gave it to Iceland, who was very happy and put it on immediately. "Thank you!" He grinned to Robert to smiled back.

"Alright, you want me to carry you Icy?"

He pouted "no! I can walk!!"

"You'll get tired, it's a long walk"

"How long..?"

"One thousand steps"

Iceland gasped and shook his head "Okay you can carry me" he mumbled, holding up his arms for Canada to pick him up, holding him right against her and then gesturing for the other three to follow her out the door, one of them grabbing the small suitcase that belonged to the kid.

The walk went by pretty quickly as the four distracted themselves with talking. Iceland had fallen asleep in the Canadian's arms and when he awoke he was laying on a bunk. He was barely conscious but he heard Canada's voice, perhaps she was comforting someone? That's what her tone implied.

"It's okay to be seasick..... I won't make you........ on another ship or boat.......... I'll write it down that you only........ I'm dearly sorry Ludwig......... And I'll make sure you fly from now on......."

Iceland didn't try to wake up any more than that and just fell back to sleep.

TW : GRAPHIC CONTENT (seriously, please skip to the end if you can't handle that)

He knew he wasn't going to win this war. His troops were falling, the nazis and soviets were nearing the capital... the polish army was exhausting everything they had just to not see the flag of poland fall. 

He didn't know how much longer they'd be able to fight, his last resistance army was already faltering, he had been trying to get as many civilians into refugee camps as possible, others were too proud and said they would stay with the country till the very end, and while he admired this, pride should never override safety, he wished he could've convinced the Poles of this, but they wouldn't have it. He almost hated their stubbornness, while it was brave, it was foolish too.

knock knock knock.

No.. They couldn't possibly be here so soon..

KnocK KnocK KnocK.

He didn't know what to do. Either he opened the door, or they did.

He stood up from the chair, making his way to the door. As he walked down the entré, he passed by photos. One was with him and UK and France, another of him and Lithuania, and then lastly, one with him and Canada. That photo was taken when he had become an independant. They hold their flags together, forming an X. A rare smile is seen on Canada's face, one of pure joy and pride, a smile that he had barely seen from her again after that day.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Poland sighed and turned to the door, his hand barely touching the handle, and then gripping it tightly as he unlocked the door and turned the handle, opening it barely a centimeter before it was forced in and Poland was met with the two faces of his country's destruction.

"Ah, Polen! So very nice to see you" Reich grinned, his dagger-like teeth not helping to settle Poland's fear. "Yes, I believe we have not formally met, I am the honorable USSR" Soviet stated "Und I am the very honorable Third Reich, or Deutsches Reich." The other added. "Not very honorable to be slaughtering my people" Poland couldn't help himself remark.

The perpetrators glanced at eachother and then back at him. Reich chuckled "oh- you are more snappy than I suspected, this will be much more fun"

He was doing something with his hands, and upon looking down, Poland saw a rope in his hands, subconsciously taking a step back and eliciting a snicker in response "perhaps more blind than I suspected as well, also more fun, right Sowjet?"

The other just nodded.

He couldn't tell you how it even happened, one moment he was speaking with those monsters, the next he was chained up in a dark room, the mentioned men standing above him, Soviet staring boredly meanwhile Reich still had a grin plastered on his face, busy cleaning a knife. Poland internally wondered if holding such a smile for so long hurt, but then again, Reich was probably the biggest sadist/masochist switch ever, he probably laughed in the face of pain as well as laughed at those who suffered.

"Sowjet isn't this so fun!? Getting to do the most fun of things together!" Reich exclaimed, looking up from his knife and at Soviet, frowning for the first time when Soviet simply shrugged. "That was a yes or no question, Sowjet" Reich huffed, going back to cleaning his knife.

"Now." He began, a smile returning to his face as he held the knife up "while this isn't a dagger, it will do for Canada's techniques she taught me" he said, stepping closer to Poland who immediately replied "Canada's techniques!? What do you mean she taught you techniques!??" Reich frowned again "stop stalling! This is the best part!!"

"When and why would Canada teach you techniques on fucking torture!?"

"Well-" Reich groaned "Sowjet go get a gag while I explain this to Polen."

Soviet shrugged and left to somewhere else in the room, no longer visible in the singular light that was above Poland and Reich.

"So, you remember the great war, your stupid little independence celebration" Reich said with a bitter and mocking tone to it.

"I do.."

"Right! Well, to put it into simple terms, I didn't get such a happy ending. I instead lost everyone I cherished. My parents, my allies, my comrades in war... everyone was gone just like that.. all thanks to your allies" 

Poland could see that normally sociopathic look dim down with what looked like genuine pain.

"I watched that Canadian create suffering for my parents... I watched her take those daggers and stab out mein vater's eyes, pierce his throat and vocal cords because he was being 'annoying' according to her. I watched her blind my mother, then stab every area of her face, till she was nothing more than cut flesh and blood... She laughed, she giggled, she grinned while doing all of this... She was disgusted in having German blood on his dagger and wiped it off in my mother's hair, and then, she finally killed them. I saw it all when I was 17."

Poland couldn't help but feel extreme empathy for Reich, losing his parents when he was barely an adult, having to witness something so gruesome like that...

"Reich I'm so deeply sorry, that shouldn't happen to anyone, you shouldn't have had to witness that or even have that happen to your parents, I can't understand directly but I know how it feels to lose your parents so young, it's not fair, not for anyone, you didn't deserve that, Canada shouldn't- If I had known she'd done such a thing, I would never have even been near her... I'm sorry, Reich, I sincerely am."

Reich's eyes looked back at Poland's before averting themselves to the knife at his side. He didn't like that Poland seemed to know exactly what to say to make him question himself, and that infuriated him. He was supposed to be torturing the man in front of him, but here his captive was, empathizing with Reich instead while he told his sob story about his parents death. It wasn't fair. Why couldn't have someone like France or even UK had the largest population of jews in their country?

Stupid Poland...

"Whatever... That day I learned several ways to cause pain... Several ways I'm going to hurt you..." he said, although, more hesitantly than before.

"Reich.. you don't have to do this... Don't stoop to that level in anger... It won't do anything to help. It won't bring back your parents or help you feel better, it will just be a placeholder for your emotions and-"

"JUST SHUT UP!!!" Reich hissed, any previous hesitation vanishing from his expression. "You have been such an irritant since your stupid independence! You are a country that houses jews and that is unacceptable. You deserve to SUFFER!"

Poland quivered slightly at his suddenly harsh tone. He thought that he could potentially reason with Reich, obviously he couldn't, seeing as the German was keen on doing what he wanted, and despised negotiation.

"Sowjet where the FUCK ist that gag!?!?" He demanded. "Would you shut up? I'm trying to find it, didn't you know it's harder to do that in the dark?" Reich growled and turned his attention back to Poland, hearing a soft mutter from the communist: "whiny kraut.." which pissed him off even more.

"Fine. I will do this myself. Polen, you deserve everything I do to you, it's all your fault for having jews in your pathetic country, pathetic people shouldn't be allowed to breath the same air as everyone else." He stated, stepping closer and crouching in front of Poland. "So. How about I show you just what that stupid Canadian did." Poland's eyes widened and he shook his head.

"I found your stupid gag" Soviet said, coming back into visibility under the light and tossing it to Reich, who mumbled 'finally' and tied it around Poland's mouth, tighter than he normally would just because he was so angry. It made Poland whine and squirm a little which Reich just snickered at.

He raised his knife and held it under Poland's left eye. "Such pretty blue eyes... perfect eyes for an Aryan... too bad you won't have them much longer" he grinned and soviet suddenly interjected "don't take the eyes."

Reich scoffed "oh ya? And why?"

"If you see what's happening to you, it will seem as though it hurts more.

"Ach! What wunderbar ideas you have Sowjet! I will leave Polen's eyes then, which means I can move to his face" he giggled and caressed Poland's skin with the tip of his blade. "Soft and delicate skin... Shame it will be all red and bloody" he giggled again and lifted the knife, stabbing it into Poland's cheek and receiving a muffled scream in response, tears already forming and rolling down his victim's cheek while Reich really dug it into his skin until he touched the bone and took it out. He moved the knife along the man's skin and pierced near Poland's lips this time, making sure to cut through so much that when he took it out, he could see the Pole's gums underneath.

More screams and crying was heard at the top of Poland's lungs as Reich pierced his forehead next, pushing the knife it until all that was visible was the handle. He wanted to make this slow and agonizing, it was better that way, at least in his opinion it was.

Blood poured out each new gash he left in the man's face, and once he grew tired of it, he stuck the knife into another area and pushed it into all the way and left it there, standing up and huffing. "You do what you want, I need an axe and a bat.." he said to Soviet, leaving the light as the scarred man cried in anguish. The communist shrugged and pulled out his sickle, deciding that what he wanted to do was carve his emblem into Poland's neck, he didn't really care too much to torture him, whether out of boredom for the sport or deteste.

The soviet came forward and crouched in front, lifting the other's head and slowly carving his signature hammer and sickle in the throat of Poland, who screamed again, muffled, again.

Once satisfied with the bloody image of his symbol, Soviet stepped away and just stared at Poland, perhaps wondering when he would pass out from pain, or waiting for Reich, he didn't really know.

"Po-len!" Reich said in a sing-song voice, holding a black bat in his hands "you'll never guess what this is für!" He giggled. "Oh, Sowjet, I require you to lift his legs, bitte"

The communist shrugged and stepped back in front of the Pole, crouching down and resting the leg above the ground on his thigh "Oh! This is so enjoyable! I'm so glad we are gut friends!" Reich exclaimed, raising the bat and striking Poland's knee, breaking the bone and causing his leg to bend backwards. It grossed Soviet out somewhat but Reich continued to bash the leg until he gestured for Soviet to holding the other leg up, ignoring the constant screams and crying of extreme pain coming from the third man.

And so Soviet held up Poland's left leg this time, despite being disgusted by it, he watched every single time Reich lowered that bat on the captive's leg, listening to the mix of giggles and muffled screams with neutrality.

Reich soon tossed the bat away and picked up the axe he had brought "I am getting a little bored of breaking the usual bones, cracking skulls is much more fun sounding" he said with delightment, raising the axe above his head and hitting it down on Poland's head.

Craaack.

Poland shrieked at the top of his exhausted lungs. When he stopped, his head lowered, finally passing out from the pain.

Reich huffed and tossed the axe to the side "suppose we'll call it quits.. torture ist no fun if the person if unconscious."

"You giggle a lot" Soviet commented.

"I know! Because this is just so much fun!"

"... да"

-  Annex Austria
- Invade Czechoslovakia
- Make a deal with USSR
- Invade Poland with/ out USSR
- Invade Denmark
- Invade Norway
- Invade Belgium
- Invade Netherlands
- Invade Luxembourg
- Invade Romania
- Invade France

Chapter Text

"Ja ja whatever, just ensure they have enough resources and send them on their way, we don't need to plan anything else out, Denmark is a.. how to put it? Small, pathetic, weak, truly they don't have much use besides better access to Scandanavia, anyway, we won't have much of a fight with those.. danks."


The words came out pretty smoothly for someone currently occupied with an entirely different matter that was in his hands : Norway.

"Ach, also, bring Mr Quisling to me at once, I must discuss some things with him." He added, not looking up even upon hearing the footsteps and his door shutting.

Reich tapped his pen on the paper, truthfully, he had no actual need to invade Norway, sure, he'd had thoughts about it in the past, it was put into consideration, but the actual reason he didnt just cross it out of his mind, was the very man he called for, Vidkun Quisling, who had informed Reich and the fuhrer of the British's plans to move forces into Norway to counter Germany. He wished he'd thought of that first, he'd never admit that to anyone but himself though. Him being influenced by those disgusting brits? How embarrassing!

He huffed and pushed that all aside. Out of mind, out of sight, right? No, other way around.


He groaned and sat back down in his office chair. Where the hell was Vidkun? How long had it been now? More than 5 minutes, it shouldn't take more than a minute most, 30 seconds at least.

Perhaps Reich accidentally had him executed? No.. He doubted his fuhrer would allow such a thing to someone with such valuable intel.


He shook his head and set the papers down, pushing them aside and cracking his bones that had been more than tense the last year or so, maybe he should see a chiropractor? Who was a good chiropractor that he knew he would be able to visit soon? Ah! He knew just the person, he could definitely visit them soon enough.

"Isn't it so nice to meet, Denmark?" Reich grinned, the mentioned not returning it. "Come on, say anything you-" "Do not dare call me whatever you are about to" he retorted suddenly, a grin reappearing on the other's face.

"Please, leave us be" Reich said, fixating his gaze on the seated Dane while he waved the two soldiers away.

"Tell me, Danny"

"Denmark."

"Okay, Denny. Tell me, where does your son reside now? Because it's turned out that little bitch simpleton UK, has invaded the country... so where does that scared, little, innocent-"

"You will not get such information from me. Even if you threaten my life, my dignity, my freedom, you will not hurt the only person whom I cherish." He hissed.

"Oh Denny! You have it all wrong" Reich pouted mockingly, crouching down in front of the man. "Iceland must be so, afraid for his papa- I mean.. What if he's lonely? Or hungry or thirsty or scare or he just wants his daddy.. to read him a bedtime story.. or.. comfort him, because he had a bad dream... who will be there for him if-"

"Shut your mouth, your pretending of concern hurts my ears."

Reich frowned, dropped the act, and sighed. "I figured you'd be this way.." he said, pulling out a pistol and pressing it to Denmarks head, then he sighed again upon seeing no change in his expression and lowered the pistol back into his holder "well- what am I supposed to do with you? I need to know where Iceland is! Why must you be difficult?"

The Dane shrugged and he grumbled to himself "fine. You can stay in this cold-"

"Warm"

"Cold"

"Warm"

"Kalt!!! Es ist kalt in hier!!!"

"Still warm"

Reich stomped his foot and Denmark chuckled slightly at the childish action. "Do not laugh at me!!!" Reich cried, stomping away in frustration as the other continued to chuckled quietly.

How humiliating

"Iceland please.. I'm trying to work" Canada sighed, looking down at the nordic who was yet again tugging at her pant leg. "You aren't paying attention to me!!" He complained, puffing out his cheeks which forced Canada to hold back a laugh as she spoke up again, "I know, but I am trying to write up a draft for the financial minister" "a what now?" He gave a look of pure confusion and this time she laughed a little.

Canada moved over a bit and patted the created space beside her, which Iceland happily climbed onto, sitting down right beside her, giggling as she lightly rubbed his back while writing once again.

A few knocks at the door and Canada sighed "you may enter" she said in response to the second pair of knocks that followed.

The door opened and Canada wasn't expecting to see Mikhail at the door, actually, it was abnormal to see the advisor, usually he went to King first, and if it wasn't something the PM could deal with, Mikhail brought it to her. She didn't mind Mikhail, he cared for her when she was younger and new to managing a country. "Ms Dominion, this is very bad news" she eyed the newspaper in his hands and held Iceland a little closer to her side, preparing for some pretty bad news if even Mikhail, usually the most calm, was frantic.

"For us or europe?"

"Both."

"Ah... go ahead." She held Iceland a little tighter.

"Denmark and Norway. Hitler, Reich, whoever is in charge of this operation- has had the wehrmacht invade both countries- Denmark was unprepared and they've already gotten a good chunk of the land claimed, the UK is too busy trying to block the Germans from Norway to aid-" he paused when he finally noticed Iceland, that quivering child with tears now rolling down his cheeks would surely haunt the man for the remainder of the war. So fearful all because Mikhail had been stupid and used Denmark, despite promising Canada he would always refer to the former as 'Mark' as to not alert his son.

"We can discuss this later, Mikhail." He was way too quick to shut the door behind him as he rushed out the room.

"I know..." she murmured, not even having to listen to what Iceland was about to say as she set him on her lap and hugged him. She wouldve made a joke about how 'now I have to pay all my attention to you' but that was neither acceptable or kind to any extent at this moment in time.

She knew that.

"Such... pretty! Ja, pretty, icy blue eyes... und soft, delicate skin... oh- silky blonde hair... du bist perfect" Reich purred as the Norwegian trembled in fear, her wrist still unable to break free from the German's firm grip on it, her head getting tired of having to keep up her chin due to the knife that threatened to cut her skin below.

"Please- I don't know what y-you want from me-"

"Shh.. sweet Erika. It can all be pleasant for both of us.. if you simply, comply"

"How could I possibly find this pleasant you-" she shut her mouth as the knife broke the thin layer of skin, just enough to be felt, just not enough to bleed.

"Reich please don't do this-" she pleaded

"Oh how I love to hear you speak my name... would it perhaps sound better screaming it instead?"

How many tears...?

How much pain...?

How many pleads to stop...?

How many sinful kisses on her skin...?

How many diseased touches on her body...?

How long had she passed out for...? 

How long would it take for her to get rid these memories...?

Could she get rid of them...?

...

She was tired, she needed to sleep, which, would be the only decision she liked.

"Icy... please..." The weary beg fell to deaf ears, the child continuing to cry and cry while she tried to sooth him. She had been trying to sooth him for well over a couple days now, she wasn't sure how long she could take this.

"Icy... I need sleep just as much as you do..." she murmured, brushing through his hair "it'll be.. fine..."

"It won't!" he sobbed, burying himself under the pillows of his bed.

She felt like she might cry, holding it back, she spoke again "what do you want so you'll just... go to sleep...?" No response was heard, but his head lifted from under the pillow and sat up, wiping his tears.

"Can I... sleep in your room?" He asked, fiddling with his fingers as he forced himself to look at the other, although he was nervous she might yell at him, he knew he was wearing her out, he couldnt help it, he was in clear distress.

A soft smile and Iceland knew he was in the clear, walking with her to her room and hearing the silent prayer Canada made when he snuggled up beside her in bed, falling asleep quite quickly after wearing himself out from the constant tears he had shown.

"Bonne nuit..." she murmured, although she took much longer to fall asleep due to her guilt, she could've taken Denmark to Canada too... 

She was the reason Iceland's father was now in the hands of Reich. All.. her fault.

Chapter Text

He drew his gun.

She drew her sword.

They grinned at eachother, murderous daggers for teeth and blood-hungry eyes shining back at each other as if it were a mirror they both looked into and saw the other instead of themselves.

"Konichiwa, Reich, what brings you to Kyoto?" Japan asked, sheathing her katana and bowing slightly in greeting of the German. "Ach, is it so wrong to visit a friend?" He placed the gun back into it's holder.

"I see, I've become a friend now, I hope this does not change our relations?" He chuckled. "You've always been a friend, don't be so stuck in the past of our first meeting," she bowed her head slightly, "sumimasen" she replied, to which Reich waved his hands in dismissal, stepping forward and lifting her head back up with a gentle touch. "There is no need for such apologies, you must know you do not need to take such blame for habits"

"..." Japan brought her hands up and pulled his away, but she allowed them to hold hers as she spoke. "I see, it is engraved into my culture to apologize, however. Expect many apologies from me going forward, now, may I ask, what brings you to Kyoto? Do not reply with what you did before."

"Ah- I suppose I just do not want to seem as though I only visited for a favor"

"I do not mind if you have come here just to tell me hello and leave, what is this favor?"


Reich hesitated, letting go of her hands and clearing his throat. "Recently I have noticed my bones, muscles too, have been quite tense and I know you have practiced chiropractic, so I wanted to ask if it was possible for you to aid me?"

"Muscles too? Would you like a massage to go with chiro?"

"Ah- yes, that would also be great."

Japan nodded with a soft smile that Reich could probably fall in love with 10 times over. He'd never admit it, but he was definitely enamored by the woman. The way she carried herself, her ways of leading her soldiers into battle, her cruel torture and murder of others, it was a dream, one that Reich doubted he could ever have. They were allies, perhaps a little more than friends, but nothing that would classify a relationship type status.

Japan guided Reich down the path by grabbing his hand and leading the way, her reasoning if he asked would be to make sure he didn't stray from the path, but her actual reason was because she liked the feeling of holding his hand. It was a peaceful silence between the two, the sakura trees still blooming despite it nearing the end of cherry blossom season, and the atmosphere a tranquil nature that could put you to sleep in a matter of minutes. The path was deemed the 'path of love' by the Japanese, due to the amount of citizens who'd wander it for hours alongside their beloved. Reich was not her beloved, but she'd like to pretend as much.

"It smells delightful in here" Reich remarked as they entered a room in the building. "Yes, the leftover smell of the candles burning never truly leaves, which means it always smells like this." Japan replied, going over to grab a box of matches, lighting one and beginning to light the candles.

Reich simply walked over to one of the massage beds and then paused. "Am I supposed to undress entirely or leave some things on?" He asked, turning his head to look at Japan, who was still facing the candles, now more so to hide the blush on her face from her mind going to such a thought of the other naked. "Normally it's entirely.. unless you'd like to keep something on." She responded, trying to hide any waver that may appear in her voice.

Reich simply hummed and began undressing, the other blushing a lot more at the sound.


Once done lighting the candles, Japan blew out the match and turned to look at Reich, who was laying on his stomach, face down on top of his arms, a towel resting over his waist. Japan felt so odd seeing him like this, they had never really... been in this type of situation together, it gave her a tingly sensation she didn't really know how to ignore.

She walked over and stopped beside him, her hands hovering over his smooth skin. "You have a lot of muscles" she muttered absentmindedly. Reich chuckled and Imperial immediately corrected herself "tense, muscles... you have a lot of tense muscles..." Jesus, she needed to watch what she was saying before she ended up confessing her love somehow.

"Would you like me to start at your neck and work my way down, or down to up, or-"

"Whatever you wish to do" he hummed.

Japan nodded and left her fingers meet the soft skin at his neck, massaging it gently and then pushing his head a little bit to each side till she heard a light popping sound, eliciting a soft groan from the german. She felt so perverted for wanting to hear more of those sounds come from his mouth but she pushed the thoughts away while massaging his shoulders and repeating the process, earning another soft sound from the other.

She was liking this far more than she'd admit, if she even admitted to liking this.


She massaged her way down his arms and stopped at each hand, cracking his knuckles and then rubbing soft circles into his palm which were rewarded by quiet moans of relief. "How long have you gone without this?" She questioned, "too long" was the muffled response she received.

Oh I'm such a pervert... Japan thought to herself as she got tingles in her skin from the sound of his voice, trying to ignore it as she continued to massage his back, easing up the knots in Reich's muscles and always receiving soft moans or groans from him. Frankly, Japan must've had better willpower than she originally believed, because otherwise she figured she'd probably be getting weak in the legs from this entire situation.

"Your hands are like magic.. you know how to use them so well..." Reich mumbled, receiving a soft smile from the woman "I know how to use many other things well" she said before she had time to process her words, quietly sighing in relief when he just chuckled in amusement and replied "mhm, I wouldn't want to be an enemy.. I'd like to not be sliced in half by a sword"

Japan merely chuckled at the remark "I like you far too much to consider you being my enemy" she hummed, moving her hands to massage his lower back.

"Would you like.. an oil or lotion?" Japan asked, sorting through the different scents.

"An oil, please"

She grabbed one of the oils, smelled it and smiled, that was a scent she would enjoy smelling on Reich. Japan made her way over, tapped some oil onto her hands, rubbed them together to spread it, and massaged it onto his back. "That feels nice.." he murmured, a sigh leaving his lips. Japan continued to massage his skin with the oil, eliciting some more sighs and hums from him.

"I'll need you to turn over please" she said.

Reich lifted his head and turned over so he was laying on his back. Now Japan could see the slight blush on his face, choosing to ignore it, however, as to not point it out and potentially embarass him.


It was.. difficult, to say the least. Trying to hide any blush that made it's way onto Japan's cheeks while she massaged his chest felt like her trying not to kill someone who was stuck in a trap. It was even harder to conceal the blush when she massaged over a more sensitive area and Reich let out a soft moan, and then proceeded to turn his head to the side. This would sound much more intimate if it was without context and heard by someone passing by.

She began to oil one of his arms, and then began with the other, only pausing when Reich's hand moved to caress her face, and then his other hand moved to do the same.

"Reich?" She asked, although she was sure he knew what her mind was fantasizing at the given moment.

Reich wasn't even sure what or why he was doing this, but some force convinced him to make a move. And so he pulled her face down, connecting their lips together, silently thanking god when she kissed him back.

This was, a lot better of an outcome than Reich expected if he was being frank. He had his muscle and joint pain solved, got a massage, and is now kissing the woman he's been crushing on since they became friends.

He was glad he came to Kyoto.

Awaking to Reich in her bed was not on her bucket list, well, maybe it was, but it wasn't what she thought would happen anytime soon. But here he was, arms wrapped around her, the scent of the essential oil she had massaged on him now leaving it's scent on her bare skin. She would never say that them being so intimate or having sex was on her bucket list either, only in her fantasies which she always discarded as bad influences that distracted her from her duties.

Japan turned over and snuggled closer against the German, she enjoyed this a lot, maybe even more than killing prisoners, yeah, definitely more than that.


Reich eventually woke up too, but just like Japan, he didn't want to get out of bed, so he held her closer, pressing kisses to her forehead, cheeks, jaw, neck, and then when her eyes opened, they shared a long and sweet kiss together, just the same as they had in the massage room.

"I'd like to be more than friends" Reich murmured against her lips, one of his hands moving from her back to her cheek to cup it in a caring manner. Reich wasn't kind to many, but the woman who returned his gaze with her own smile, could make him swoon all over again. "I'd like that too" the words sent a flutter through his chest as they kissed again.

Throughout the entirety of the war, everything had been so chaotic in Europe and Asia, it was like time had stopped when they were together. They both could subconsciously agree that they enjoyed it just as much as the other.

A day or two turned into two weeks that Reich stayed in Japan. Passionate and blood-thirsty lovers who seemed to do everything together.

Reich dearly loved killing the Chinese with Japan, just as much as Japan enjoyed all the stories Reich would share about his conquest in Europe.

When they were alone they were always all over each other, waking up in the other's arms the next morning.

And when it was time for Reich to leave, she gave him a bouquet of sakura and a processed photo they had taken together.

Reich refused to leave without giving her something in return. An iron cross, was his gift, a symbol that would remind her of her love all the way back in Germany.



A final kiss and they parted ways.



Reich and Japan both would cherish those weeks forever until their paths crossed once again.

Chapter Text

Did you hear about Belgium!?

Oh c'est tragique!!

Belgium was unprepared!

Belgium is no match against those beasts!

Belgium

Belgium

Belgium

...

"Citizens and soldiers alike of our proud dominion of Canada. Today, we send our troops abroad and begin our fight in Belgium!"

At the brink of dawn the ships arrived, Canadian soldiers ready and eager to fight. They unloaded their equipment off the ships, each commander directing their respective infantry.

Canada had wished it wouldn't come to this, she'd had too many sleepless nights already with the constant fret her government was in and her being forced to overwork herself to keep things running smoothly despite everything. It had only been one damn month since the invasion of Denmark and Norway and now here she was, in the country of Belgium, because Reich doesn't know what the word 'calm down' means. Stupid kraut.


"Royal Winnipeg Rifles!"

"North Nova Highlanders!"

"Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry!"

"Royal 22é Régiment!"


The constant sound of commanders calling different regiments almost felt surreal. Like nothing had truly changed. Canada was back in the Great War, and she did not like that at all.

"Royal Canadian Regiment, you're with me" She soon called out, already feeling the worst level of nostalgia possible, several soldiers rushing over towards her, a reminder of everything she wanted to forget.


"Listen up. The RCR is no regular regiment. This is the regiment that won Vimy Ridge back for the allied powers in the Great War, this is the regiment that is considered the best in the country in terms of what our army provides. I expect you all to follow in the footsteps of those who served before you, and I expect you to fight until there is no other option but to surrender or evacuate. The RCR was my regiment, I have always led this regiment, you will not take orders from anyone but me and whoever is in command of your battalion once you all have been split up. I have told this to my regiment back at Vimy, if you want to do something that may end up constituting a warcrime, I will authorize it as long as it is not against a POW. Everything is on the table besides the previously mentioned, but if you make a mess, you clean it up, and you give your victim a proper burial. No mass graves."

Canada thought for a moment before ending her monolog with "I will often act like my main focus is the war, of course it is, but if you have a concern, bring it to me and I will fix it. You are not my enemy, you shouldn't be scared to voice something that bothers you. Do any of you at all have questions before we go kick some nazi ass?"

There was a straight and direct 'no ma'am' from them all and Canada smiled "wonderful, let's go make our country proud once again"

"So my troops finally report! Go ahead, speak."

"Allied ships dock the ports of Belgium sir. Troops are being released at alarming rates sir."

A grin crossed his face. "Which allies?"

"By the looks of the roundels, British and Canadian forces sir. French support is also crossing their border rapidly into Belgium sir."

"Hm, good. Excellent, even." He replied in amusement. "Soldiers, don't bother too much with them, capture them, you know the drill. But I want head of country captured with first priority if they are within sight."

"Understood sir." The soldier replied, although he was uncertain why his leader seemed to think this was a good thing, he took his leave without questioning further.

"And stop saying sir so much, it feels degrading after a while" he huffed as the soldier left.


In simple terms, Reich saw this as the easiest win against the allies. They'd realize they were no match for his superior military and their expertise, and eventually surrender or retreat. Both were amusing to the thought, Reich would prefer to see the Canadian surrender, however, out of all the allied nations, just because it would be an excellent message to the world that even those who were one of the bravest, are no match for Reich's regime, besides, it would be a good middle finger to that brit, his most loyal and first dominion suddenly falling to the hands of Reich. How amusing that would be!

He grabbed his pistol and put it on his holder. He wouldn't actively fight, but he'd watch it play out. So enjoyable of a movie this would make!

It felt like the fighting never ceased anywhere. Naturally due to the size of the country, that likely would always be the case, but the way that everywhere you went there were gunshots and havoc, Canada despised it.

"Stupid fucking fascists" Canada mumbled, pulling the pin out of the grenade and tossing it towards the gunfire. "We're moving out of this area, everyone head-" she paused, listened to the screaming, the firing, the running and stomping around, and finally pointed to an area, the only area she could call somewhat peaceful "east. We are going east as soon as-" An explosion, more screaming and more ash that filled the air, she didn't have to say anything for her regiment to begin heading in the direction she commanded.


Running around past fallen buildings, bloodied bodies and a war torn landscape seemed to give everyone the same feeling: despair. Despite it all, Canada knew they had to keep going. This wasn't a time where they could dwell on everything around them. This was war.

"Royal Canadian Regiment, 1st battalion, numbers." Canada called, each soldier calling a number by line. There should've been 300 numbers called, but suddenly, there was 294. "Why are we missing 6?" Canada asked. Nobody could give an answer and she almost lost it. This happened then too, exactly six went missing, and they never came back until the end of the war when it turned out all six had died at the beginning of the war. She wasn't having that again. "Get water into your systems, I will not have you dehydrated while fighting. I am going to look for those we lost, you will remain here unless there is an active threat." With this said, she left.


The ground smelled of blood and gunpowder, dirt and decay. The air barely looked habitable, just like the sky that now dimmed from all the fighting that encircled the country. Bodies, everywhere, bloodied, torn, lifeless bodies that once held life in them, that once showed a prosperous soul, brave and strong, now just more to add to death's list of fallen soldiers.

It hurt her heart. To see all these men fall, some of them being as young as 16... it was a terrible feeling. A terrible feeling that was all the same as when she fought in Belgium all those years ago.

An experience she wanted to forget forever, an experience that would never truly be forgotten, but she had tried to push to the furthest part of her brain to not remember it, to not be tortured by it.


She remembered it vividly. Her soldiers, bloody and tired. She had called out for those who were left, most of them had some broken bones, gashes or gunshot wounds, the medics they had were limited and two of them had already been killed. They wanted to go home, back to their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives... some of them didn't have a family to go back to, the military was their only true family. So many young men, crying in the arms of others, just wanting to live to see tomorrow, so many... bodies... so many graves, so many war torn faces, the faces of those who would never be able to live on, knowing what they'd done, knowing what they had seen... Some tried suicide, at least 5 had succeeded with that plan within the last month of fighting, not realizing that war would soon be over, all were dead. 4 years of dread and grief, 4 years that her soldiers would never get back to make better choices, 4 years that showed the world the extent of human brutality. It was all the same now.

All. The fucking. Same.

Canada stopped in her tracks. A tear, falling down her cheek. She had found them, four out of the missing six... bloodied, dead, their lives stripped from them. It looked so gruesome too.. as if the perpetrators thought that just killing them wasn't enough to fuel their bloodthirsty hunger, no, they had to be cut up too.


All. The fucking. Same.


She had to continue looking. There was still that hope the other two were still out there, they had to be... She needed this to be different. She needed at least one to still be alive. She needed it. Her heart, her sanity, her wellbeing, they needed this to be different... to remind her that this wasn't the Great War, that this was a different world war, that something had changed, because something had to change. This couldn't be the same. This just couldn't be the same fate of those soldiers in WWI. It had to be different.

"Please... just be alive" she whispered under her breath as she searched around what used to be tall buildings, forests and pleasant greenery. Belgium was a wreck. It was all the same.

No. It couldn't be the same. Canada could never deal with this again. Something had to change, she'd do anything just to see a change, for this to not be the same as it was. She didn't want it to be the same. All the years she took to get over what she had done.

"Please... I can't do this again, I need you two to be alive, even just one of you" She spoke to herself, trying to prevent the tears that threatened her every step she took. She looked over every soldier she saw, hoping to god she'd see either one of hers, still alive, even barely conscious was better than dead.

Nothing.

She had searched, through all the blood, the smoke and the soldiers that shouted at each other and the enemy. They were gone, she needed to accept that. But she couldn't.


More and more searching, she was losing hope, tears falling as she realized it truly would be the same. That she really couldn't save the last two that could really make the change she needed.


"Ma'am...?" A quiet and hesitant voice called, her head snapping to the side. She felt like she'd cry again.

"Oh by god's miracle you're alive" she said, rushing over and pulling them into a suffocating hug "oh- you have no idea how glad I am to know you two are okay" she said, finally pulling away.

"Are either of you injured? Let me get you back to the others-" her words came out so quickly, relief taking over her entire being as she helped them up, leading them through the path she came, only stopping when she approached the other four soldiers to take their tags so she could get a burial arranged for them.

This wasn't the same.

This wasn't the Great War.

This was WWII.

"It never ceases to amaze me how long the damn Jerry's fight when they want blood" UK grumbled, firing more rounds of his gun and then stepping back down into the trench. It had been going on for longer than he or any of his men had expected. Natural for the Germans to persist but this quick? Never would he have guessed they actually learned to be fast with invasion for once.

UK was actually more pissed off than anything. Not only had the Germans decided to invade Belgium again, they invaded the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and France right after. "Germans sure love to take on several fronts at once" one of his troops said with a laugh, UK smirked slightly at the remark and reloaded his gun. "Well, damn Jerry's just don't know what 'too much' means, I suppose it's no worry, we'll teach them once again what it means to be a loser." He stated.

But despite the joking. The idea that the Germans seriously would be able to actually win these battles they started, was making itself more prominent in his thoughts.

"Are we expecting allied backups in Netherlands?" Reich chuckled as he gazed over the map of Europe, placing a little pin on top of the country. "well, too bad, they'll both be mine soon.." He grinned. The fighting happening basically right outside his door was a pleasant noise. He knew he was going to win this as long as he had his fuhrer to help guide him.

"In your fucking dreams" the other hissed. "Belgium will never fall to the likes of you bastards" he continued, struggling in the binds Reich had put him in earlier.

"See, that's where you're wrong, sweetest Belgium. The allies value France over your stupid French descended country, they will leave once they realize I'm serious about invading France and your people will have no choice. Anyway, I've been thinking, I'd like you to be under my command, as the leader of your country, but, well, you get the idea."

"Like I'd ever do anything under your power"

"Well, naturally you're just as stubborn as Denny, so, anyway. Yes, you will. If you want to see your people alive and well, you will submit to my power, and continue to lead your country under my rule. Don't you want to lead it? Be with your people once again... be with those you love?"

"Not enough to be okay under your filthy command" he scoffed.

"Alright, so, prison works? How would you like to share a cell with Denny?"

"Anything is better than working under you."

Reich, turned around to face Europe's map again and raised a blade, stabbing the territory of Belgium on it. "Gott verdamnt!! You ignorant piece of sheiße!! Just ficken choose the obvious choice and not suffer!" He turned around, his red irises a deeper shade. "You and Denmark mein gott! Stubborn for what cause? To prove you hate me!? I don't care how much you hate me! Why not make your life easier and accept my ficken offer!" He snapped.

"A question, to your question, why do you seemingly care so much that we accept your offer? Do you really care so much about us submitting, or... awww you like us so much that you want us to all work with you so you can be around us all the time. That's so cute of you Reich. I didn't know you just wanted to hang out with your bffs" He snickered.

"Argh- you make it so-" Reich groaned loudly "Fine!! Cell cell!! You'll go in a ficken cell!!! Shut up!!!!"

He already hated everything French. No, everything Belgian.

Chapter Text

"The Netherlands? Are we sure it's even-"

"Do not question my decisions or whether it is worth it. We are headed there to be of help."

He sighed "alright, I'll get everyone in order to move past the border." He saluted and left the Canadian's sight, who rubbed her temples. She wasn't sure if she was making a decision that was worth what she knew would end up happening. She just knew that it was an effort she was willing to make in case it was worth it.

She knew it wouldn't be worth it, the nazis had pushed into and occupied most cities in the north of the country, but all the naval ships had left the Belgian docks on her orders due to the artillery that was firing at all the allied ships. She had already made a choice, she just prayed to whatever god could hear her that it wouldn't all be in vain.

Although it wasn't the longest trek to get to the border and then past it, Canada and the RCR alike definitely saw enough to make them want to go home. Canada couldn't tell them such a negative thing, she knew that those men knew that once the leader gave up, it was time to give up and leave. She couldn't do that to them, not after everything. They'd been fighting too long, only to relocate to the Netherlands, only having her word to go by that this was the right call. They didn't know what the right call was, they barely knew if they'd make it out without a permanent injury or make it out at all. They had her, that's what they knew, they had her word, her leadership. She knew that.

"Search every building, you find a German, you kill it, you find a citizen, you take them with you. I've decided we are turning this into an evacuation. I hate to admit it, but I don't believe this will end up being the most successful thing we've done." She said to her troops, most of whom understood it, others were a little sad, but the unison response was 'Yes Ma'am" and they all spread out into smaller search groups, each assigned leader with a small radio to communicate with the other groups.

Canada led her group through several different areas, the covered area barely making a quarter of the overall country. She had key ideas on where she wanted to go, and most of those areas were German occupied.

It was, irritating, to put it in short terms. It felt like this entire idea was falling apart with every step they took, every mile they marched, every building they searched. She was going a little nuts if she was being honest with herself, just wondering if she should just take all her forces back to Canada.

This all seemed in vain anyway.


How many days had it been? Since this entire thing began? 8, 11, 13? They'd killed soldiers, they'd taken civilians back onto their ships. But, it seemed like the losses were worse than the positives of this plan. Was it even a plan? Canada could barely consider it one, more like a last minute decision that was putting so much more strain on her soldiers than really necessary.

"Nazis... again" she muttered, switching her rifle back off safety and aiming her scope. One two three four nazis down, the prisoners they were taking now looking around for their savior. At least it warmed her heart to see people so thankful, she supposed it wasn't in vain what they were doing, just, it wasn't turning out the best it could've been.

Canada called the shaken citizens over, and as they drew near, her eyes widened ever so slightly.

"Netherlands? Holy- you're so far away from the capital!" She exclaimed, placing her hands on his shoulders "why are you all the way out in- wherever this is?"

"Amsterdam... has regretfully been.. sieged" He replied softly, as if he were embarrassed, which, he was, he felt it was his fault for letting it be captured. "Ah... Dominion..."

"You may call me Canada"

"Right, Canada, do meet the, royal family of the Netherlands" he said, gesturing to the shaken family. Now Canada understood why they looked familiar, and instinctively, she bowed and then called "Royal Canadian Regiment, salute" and almost in sync her soldiers did just as told, lowering their arms when Canada stood up straight again.

"It is an honor to meet you all" Canada stated without missing a beat.

They all gave bright smiles and it made Canada suddenly feel so terrible, that so much as words could cheer them up, it put the war into a perspective that she knew all too well herself, but had forgotten until just now. 

She thought for a moment as she faced her soldiers. She had gotten them all formed back up, and now it was time for her to make the next biggest decision. With the Dutch family and Netherlands himself already telling her that the Netherlands will end up having it's hand forced to surrender with the current air raid threats against Rotterdam, they concluded that to keep her soldiers there would only end up in a heavy loss.

This meant that this was a decision that had to prove itself to be better than the last. She had come up with it while heading back to the Dutch docks where the naval ships were and she hoped and prayed it wouldn't end up breaking apart like the last. "Royal Canadian Regiment, 1st Battalion, we have two ships here, more ships are in Belgium, other ships dock France. The ship on our left, will take you back to Canada, away from the fighting here, in Belgium, and in France. The ship on our right, will head to France. With a show of hands, who here will go on the left ship?

For some odd reason, there was no hands.

"Fine. We will make this easier. Those who are 19 and younger are heading back to Canada, along with the Dutch family and Netherlands. If you have complaints, I don't give a fuck, 19 is still a kid in my opinion, anything below 19 is still a damn kid. I am not going to lose those who didn't know what they were getting into, still don't know what they are getting into and still have the chance to live a life without any trauma. I admire how patriotic you all are, and it irritates me at times how stubborn you can be, so get on the fucking boat before I make you wish you had chosen the option before." As she called dismissal, those who were singled out, all left and headed onto the left boat, Canada had some of them guide Netherlands and the family onto the boat as well.

"Alright. The rest of you, with me" She said, leading them onto the second ship. As it left the port, she held a frown. The last time she'd ever be in that country when it was still free.

"Guess who has finally fallen"

"Guess who doesn't care"

"Who said that!?!"

"Between the French and the Scandinavian accent, I thought it would be easier to tell"

"Well-"

"Well what? You weren't listening? Or you think they sound the same because everything that isn't German, is all the same, ouais?" Reich growled at the Belgian's retort but calmed himself and plastered a large, toothy grin on his face to keep some level of calm.

"Ach, well, I'm sure you, Belgy, of all people, would be most delighted to know that the Netherlands. Has. Fallen." Suddenly the mocking look on the other's face faltered, and Reich's grin turned to one of pure pleasure at what he knew was genuine disbelief and anxiousness. Denmark didn't seem to look any different than his bored look, although he moved his hand to lightly rub Belgium's back.

"Isn't it delightful?" Reich laughed "Your very cousin, in my clutches. You'll never see him again! Doesn't that just-"

"Je ne va pas sumit à toi juste parce que tu as capturer mon cousin et maintenant il est dans une de tes prisons. Mourir dans un trou" Belgium snapped. His teeth were clenched, as well as his hands into fists, he actually looked like he was about to be in tears. Reich's grin didn't falter, infact, the sight of Belgium's held back stress, fueled his pleasure. "Alright, well, I suppose that's that then" he chuckled, enjoying the fact the Belgian had finally lost his snappy nature that oh so deeply pissed him off.

"So what? He'll just be thrown in this cell too?" Belgium scoffed, trying to keep any bit of sarcasm he could maintain without crying at the thought.

"No. He, unlike you and Denny, has gladly joined my cause." Reich snickered at the sight of Belgium's face dropping completely, a sense of betrayal. Reich knew his lies would cause tension between the cousins, and he found that amusing, especially because he had no idea where the dutchman was, just that the government had surrendered and the Netherlands were now another victory Nazi Germany could claim.

"Well, goodbye lucky charms" Reich said with giddy, so very pleased about this encounter, finally having been able to shut up those brats.

Belgium could take any insults thrown his way, but what he could not handle, was the thought that his own cousin, was now working under the monster, he was sure that it was out of fear or pressure, but he knew the dutchman, he never held fear or allowed pressure to push him around.

Maybe something changed? Either way, it was too much to bear, and Belgium found himself sobbing in Denmark's arms, the other trying to console the Belgian to the best of his abilities, imagining it was Iceland, which really just dug deep into his realization that he'd never see his son again. And that alone, almost made him cry, but Belgium needed comfort, and crying was not something the Dane would do.

Maybe he actually felt some comfort in imagining it was his son, just because at least he could comfort the image.

They would be alright, as long as they had each other.

Poland wasn't as fortunate.

Chapter Text

"France, la pays d'amour, et Paris, le capital d'amour, ouais? Parce que c'est tout amour moins la guerre." Canada mumbled to herself. It was dark out, the voyage had been longer than she had thought. The entire country had probably fallen already, just another reminder of how much of a damn failure she was, unable to protect even her own mother. She remembered how proud France had been of her when she'd taken Vimy back in the WWI, Canada had been praised so highly, it always put a smile on her face to think of it.

She just wished she could do anything close to that now.


Stupid Reich, it was his fault she was even like this and not more aggressive when fighting or calling orders. When she met him in the Great War, after slaughtering his parents, she started to feel something different besides anger. She never knew the name of it before, it had been odd for her, she hadn't experienced such emotions for the entirety of that war. Said emotions ended up being empathy, remorse, guilt. She began to feel terrible every time she thought about what she'd authorized her soldiers to do. About what she herself had done. Suddenly, Canada had a heart that she'd been missing the entire war, all because Reich had given her part of his.


Why had he even done that? He witnessed the death of his parents, he witnessed the way she used anger as an excuse to be as cruel as possible, the way she laughed about it after... Why would he give her heart when she didn't deserve it? She never understood it, but because of that incident, she had made a promise to herself to treat him with utmost kindness, something the Treaty of Versailles wouldn't bother with.

She always wrote to him during her free time, he'd write back, although it wasn't super often, postage stamps were one of the many things that were often too expensive in Germany. She remembered first learning about that, so when she sent letters, she'd send postage stamps too, just so that he could write back. She remembered the last time she sent a letter, just before the great depression, that was her last ever letter, she couldn't write any longer, the dustbowl just like the market crash had ruined her country, which relied so heavily on trade. It took a years worth of sleepless nights in parliament and so much careful budgeting along with reducing demand that she never had time after that.


After getting her country back into a stable order, she remembered writing to Reich, mostly about what she'd heard, that his older brother had been killed in a fire. She felt so terrible, and... Huh, she couldn't even remember why, but after that fire, she'd begun to grow increasingly suspicious of the German. She didn't write to him anymore, infact she never actually mailed the letter, she knew exactly where it rested, in the top drawer of her desk, buried underneath other documents and letters. She liked organization, and normally she'd throw out something that would never be mailed, but she'd kept it. Never knew why.

Now arguably, what also didn't make sense, was Reich, targeting different countries that were older than himself. Why was a kid fighting with adults? Some of these adults had kids the same age as Reich, like UK. UK's kids, Canada and Australia both were the same age as Reich, and, the German was fighting with him? It didn't make sense, maybe Reich was trying to prove something, but constantly going after those older than him? Did he think they suddenly were old and frail and they became easy targets? The only country Canada could think of that was relatively the same age was Norway, even then, she was still older. Reich really was just a kid in adult clothing doing adult things. Okay, that made her laugh a little, imagining a kid-sized Reich wearing a business suit too big for him, commanding adults around.

She would definitely have to tell her soldiers about this revelation, because it was all too funny to not share.


She thought about some other things, hoping Netherlands and the family had made it safely to Canada, as well as how Iceland was doing. Shit! She completely forgot who was in charge of the kid. Now her mind was focusing on him. She thought she had put Mikhail in charge of the kid, maybe it was a secretary? Or had she hired a babysitter? Was Iceland worried? She'd been gone for a while, oh dear- what if Iceland can't be consoled? Canada seemed to be the only person to be able to reason with him to stop crying. He didn't know anyone else in Canada besides for herself, was he even okay?

Fuck, how could she get so caught in war that she barely even remembered if the child of an ally of hers was alright!? Fuck. Canada felt terrible. Denmark was probably stuck in one of Reich's shitty prisons, not even sure where his child is, and yet, the person who was supposed to be keeping the Icelandic safe, didn't even know who she put in charge of him while she was away.

She was doing too much, it was stressing her out.

No, she couldn't be thinking this. She needed to get back into that headspace. And although she hated the idea of that, it was the only way she could make it through this war like she had all those years ago. She needed to be that Canada. Because she was Dominion Canada. She was the all vicious and cruel war criminal who fought until she won, she was the Dominion who helped earn the title of victory for the allies. She was a bloodthirsty killer who sought pleasure in seeing the enemy fall.

She was the Dominion Canada that you heard the name of and had shivers run down your spine as a result. She wasn't an innocent crown nation who seeked peace, she was the destruction that triumphed peace. She was done pretending she was any bit innocent like those whom Reich had already captured.

"Just like before, come on everyone off the boat! We are not losing France. If we are losing anything it's our sanity." She yelled as they made their way onto the land. It already looked depressing and it wasn't even half as bad as Belgium and the Netherlands were.

Canada loaded her rifle and that was that. She was done being merciful. Her troops definitely saw that when she first told them that everything was on the table, she didn't care if they surrendered, she wanted them dead if they were German and she made that clear. If her soldiers chose to spare someone, she wouldn't force them to kill the person, but if they wanted to kill someone, she wouldn't tell them off for it.

They knew that this wasn't going to be pretty, if the Canadian - who after the first world war was trying to keep the peace and improve herself - was now back to her former self. Many of them were not in the military when WWI was ongoing, but they'd heard stories, most refused to believe it would happen again and she'd never revert back to her old ways of war, but those pessimistic few knew it would only be matter of time, and they ended up being right.


One, three, six, nine, thirteen? Canada had lost count already of how many German's she'd already killed, let alone how many had been killed in cold-blood. She didn't bother count. A death was a death and one more towards victory. It wasn't like she was just doing this because, if she saw soldiers she killed them and that was it. No, she had one simple goal, find France and get her back to Canada safely. If there was one thing Canada wanted, it was to keep her family safe, and if that was France, her thoughts were solely on her mother. The capital would most likely be where France was, after all, she had been spending most of the invasion of her country settling her people and getting them to safety, France was never the 'fighter' type during WWI either, and Canada knew this. It was a similar situation, she used to say 'like mother like daughter' just because the situation for why Canada wanted to settle for peace was also the same situation for the reason for France's lack of wanting to fight.

After Napoleon, France tired of fighting, it felt like the Napoleonic Wars had really taken any willingness to fight, France wasn't weak, she was exhausted, she didn't want to start wars anymore, to fight others over petty things.

Unfortunately this meant very well that during the Great War, France was reluctant to fight and gave Germany the upper hand against her until UK and the dominions had come to help. It appeared that Reich had at some point learned this, because his current strategy was ruining any sort of defense the French could maneuver, meaning that his forces were pushing into France at more of an alarming rate than his father ever managed to do.

"Germans..." Canada mumbled under her breath with a tone of disgust she hadn't even used since Vimy, but that made sense, all that hatred she'd pushed away now returned at a greater force than before. It had been about a week, everywhere her soldiers went, German soldiers dropped dead. She had used any insults she could conjure in her head while this entire thing went on.

She'd never say such a thing to the German's in her country, no, they were honorable, unlike the Germans her soldiers fought against.


Was it fair to see disgust in Germans? Canada thought so but maybe it wasn't. She knew some of the people in her military were German, there had been an increase in German immigration during the Great Depression, expected since most countries, despite how hard they had also been hit by it, still managed better than Germany. Huh.. Canada found it strange, how the Germans suddenly got out of debt... What was it her nickel company had told her those years ago? Something about trading... with....

Germany...


Oh that pissed her off so badly.


Her own nickel company? Funding Reich's damn war!? What kind of traitors-... Canada didn't care, well, she did, it made her angry. She felt some sense of betrayal, her own people, working to fund the war her own soldiers were dying in. She'd discuss with them when she made it back to Canada. They'd receive an insanely angered lecture from her. Probably spend some time in prison if she was angry enough.


But right now, she was still in France, fighting a war. Oh she was just way too angry at the realization she'd just made, and next thing she knew, 18, 20, 25 Germans were dead. This was more of a killing spree out of hatred and anger than it really was a fight. She was too in her angered mindset, however, to really care anymore. 29, 34, 37. More Germans fell dead as her army progressed through the area. And what really made her hold her breath to stop herself from just straight up blowing up the entire country of Gemany, was the information she received.


Paris had fallen.


"This entire thing... a waste of damn time." She murmured under her breath, trying to keep her calm. "Go let everyone know we'll be heading back north... I need a minute to calm down." The informer nodded and went back to speak with her regiment.

Canada was mad, but she also extremely worried now. If Paris had fallen, what would happen to her mother? She could lose France. Oh she would never mentally recover from such a thought, that the Germans had gotten to her mother, that Reich had gotten to her mother. She felt a tear prick her eyes and that turned her sadness into anger. How dare those stupid, evil, everything bad Germans take away someone she loved. No. She was not going to lose her mother. She'd either find her, or die trying. She was okay with both of those options.


Canada finally cooled down enough to be within distance of other people and met with her regiment so they could begin their march back to the beaches so they could go home. Canada wasn't going to mention her plan to look for France, and she didn't plan on telling them either. That was her business, not theirs. They didn't need to risk their lives for someone that was guaranteed to be out of German hands.

Walking and walking, it felt like it never ended. More Germans shot at them, they shot at more Germans. Then they reached the beaches and it was chaos and nothing else. The Germans were closing in on the beaches, Dunkirk seemed to be a main option along with some other beaches for evacuation only.

The fighting was completely active and it was harder to get to the ships. Belgium had apparently surrendered in the days that the Canadians were in France and it was impossible to get near the border without rapid fire. This further solidified the fact that this was not WWI, because Paris never fell then and France wasn't being closed into, the Germans weren't forcing allied powers out of the country and they definitely weren't winning. WWII was a force to be reckoned with and Canada despised that.

"I want you on the boats, I don't care about capturing anyone, I don't care about the fighting, you keep yourself alive and get on those fucking boats!" She shouted, but the constant fighting was so loud she doubted most of her soldiers heard it, especially those who were further away from where she was. Where was France? That was the only thought that was going through her head. But she needed to put her soldiers first right now. Resorting to throwing a grenade towards the beaches and pointing there seemed to be the only method that would convey to her troops where to go, and once they started on their way there, she began her search for her mother. The only person she truly wanted to find right now.


"MAMAN!!!" She shouted over the gunfire, rushing around, searching through the smokey region that used to be so beautiful with such clear blue skies and dark greenery.


"MAMAN!!! OÙ ES TU!?" She shouted, coughing as smoke filled her lungs. She searched through torn buildings, through what remained of forests.


"MAMAN!!!" She cried, the foggy nightmare that was now France blocking any method she could use for navigation.


"Ma'am, please, we can't leave the boats without you" one of her soldiers had come up to her and said, startling her. She almost lost her mind.

"You tell them I gave direct orders to get those damn ships en route back to Canada! I don't care if I am not there, you all are going home" she hissed.

As the soldier left, she thought this over. In a way, she was home. She had lived here as a younger child, that was before she ever even knew UK, she remembered such places looking so pretty as a child. Now it was ruble and smoke and horror.


"MAMAN!!! SI VOUS PLAIZ" She shouted again, closing off her thoughts. She was coughing so much more frantically now, so much damn smoke that was filling her lungs but she didn't care. She cared about her mother.


"MAMAN!!!" She cried again, tears started to fall down her cheeks. Where was her mother? She didn't know. But as she coughed into her hand, blood splattered on her glove. She knew she'd end up dead if she didn't stop searching and stayed in this hazardous environment, but she was in distress, she was scared for her mother, she wasn't thinking rationally.


"MAMAN!!!" She cried, coughing out more blood onto her glove as tears stained her face. She just wanted to see France, even if her mind made it up it would soothe her.


"MAMAN!!!" She repeated, how many times had she called out for France? How long had she even been searching?

She saw a figure in the distance and her eyes widened as she rushed over. She didn't care who it was anymore, if it was an ally or enemy, she just needed comfort. She wrapped her arms around the man and started to sob. The soldier, a German who was nothing but confused, stared at her, feeling quite sad to see her in so much distress, even if she was his enemy. He didn't have the heart to take her captive, even if he knew he'd get into trouble for it later if it was found out he had the opportunity to take the very Canada prisoner, and made the decision not to, he just couldn't. He let her cry, even wrapped his arms around her to try and comfort her, he didn't know what came over him, he supposed she just reminded him of himself, scared and just in need of comfort.


"Où est maman..." She asked quietly, still in tears as they just stayed there like that for a little longer.


The soldier couldn't tell what even happened, he was comforting her and then some soldiers came up and dragged her away, he met eyes with the very culprit of this operation and immediately knew that he was in so much trouble if anyone knew he met with two nations who were incredibly wanted for capture, and didn't do anything to stop them. He thought it was nice enough he was allowed to leave without harm, which he chose to do immediately.


As Canada struggled in the grasp of the soldiers, unwilling to give up her search for her mother, she felt something prick her neck and that was it. Her vision blurred and everything around her went quiet. It had to have been the most peace she'd had since before the war, it was quiet, dark, a nice combination that she could easily get used to. She didn't even know who had grabbed her, it could have been other German soldiers, maybe French or British ones, perhaps even her own soldiers who had refused to leave without her. Either way, she could rest for as long as whatever had sedated her kept her asleep.


Who knew how long that'd be.

"Guten tag!" Reich greeted his prisoners, noticing how the Dane's clothing was soaked in what appeared to be tears, just using the clue of Belgium's tear streaked face to make that conclusion.

"How are you both doing?" Reich asked, expecting the silence that followed. "Well, alright then! Nothing new with me other than the fact France has fallen to my hands because of Vichy France and you have a new friend to cry with." he snickered, stepping to the side as two soldiers dragged in a weary France, who barely looked conscious.

Belgium's eyes widened the slightest and Denmark looked rather concerned, the soldiers were rather gentle with her though, a contrast to Reich's nature of 'who cares'. They sat her down and then left and locked the cell door again.

"Have so much fun while I enjoy my new territory!" Reich grinned and as he began to leave, Denmark was tired of wondering and finally spoke, "where the hell is Poland? He's your prisoner too, no? So why isn't he here!?"

Reich only chuckled "well.. if you must know, Poland is only, half mine, I share him with Sowjet, that is why he does not stay in this prison with you. Besides, he's a fun toy to play with, a prison would make it harder for that to happen." Reich left with his soldiers and Denmark felt like he might be sick, what the hell did 'fun toy to play with' even mean? In Reich nature playing meant torture.


Denmark felt like he'd throw up now, he subconsciously held Belgium closer against him and moved over to the wall where France sat, allowing her to rest against him and get sleep.

Denmark couldn't imagine such a thing happening to anyone, naturally it went to the thought of his son ending up as one of Reich's 'toys' and he quietly sighed. If anyone knew where Iceland was, it would be UK or Canada, only because of the fact UK was occupying Iceland according to Reich and Canada was the closest country to Iceland.

That gave him the little comfort he needed to calm himself, and soon, fall asleep.

Iceland would be alright... Poland most likely wasn't and wouldn't be for a good while.

-  Annex Austria
- Invade Czechoslovakia
- Make a deal with USSR
- Invade Poland with/ out USSR
- Invade Denmark
- Invade Norway
- Invade Belgium
- Invade Netherlands
- Invade Luxembourg
- Invade Romania
- Invade France

Chapter Text

Was this even reality anymore?

She couldn't tell.


Waking up and sitting up, immediately feeling nauseas after, and lying back down. Her eyes opened and looked around for her. Dolls sitting on shelves, polished floors, walls that held artwork, of... her, and some others. Jewelry boxes, music boxes, mirrors, and mannequins that wore beautiful gowns much too short for her now. A vase of flowers, white and pink roses, to be precise, just beside it a frame that she couldn't make out the photo inside. Light pink decorations that reminded her of only the past, a light gold canopy that hung off the ceiling just above. A bed so comfortable and a blanket so soft, feather-filled pillows that lay just under her head. A scent from those blooming roses and an atmosphere of calm.


Would it matter if she just decided to go back to sleep? She doubted so, but decided to try sitting up again.


She winced but made it and then slowly got out of the bed. She hadn't been in this room since she was a little girl, long before she had been in the Great War, long before she was given the ability to manage the Dominion of Canada with her father's guidance, well, more so Mikhail's guidance since he was actually present when she had. She couldn't remember much of what had happened, it was all a blur, she was in France, yelling something, and then she was here. It was never a good sign when her memories started to fade, that meant she was falling back into post-war mind, the mind that made her, for a short period of time, forget everything that she'd done. Back to Reich, she hates to admit it, but he was the reason for that too.

He was the reason for a lot of things, she realized.

But this wasn't about Reich. If she was in her old room back in Buckingham Palace, she was sure to find UK somewhere, and ask questions, or maybe demand- demand? Who was she? USA? She never demanded anything of UK, she asked politely, what was going on with her? Ask politely for some answers. Why would he bring her here anyway? Shouldn't he have just sent her back to Canada? It made more sense that way.

Making her way out of the room, she walked down the polished halls, no longer wearing her boots that normally clicked against the tiles made it easier for her to avoid the staff, that eventually began searching for her in worry. She didn't care if she was meant to stay in her room or rest, she needed answers, she needed to see her father. Walking around, looking into different rooms, and finally finding UK in an office, looking over a newspaper as he rubbed his head. "Knock knock" she said, opening the door and leaving it slightly ajar. "You may enter without asking, Dominion. You know this." He replied, his eyes fixated on the paper, and she could see his eyes skimming rather quickly over the text. He was stressed and she could recognize that fairly easy.

"I do not mean to worry your staff, but I needed to speak with you, if you are not busy, that is." She said, entering the office and closing the door behind her. "Good riddance, you are just like when you were a child, avoiding the staff like the plague because you thought they'd send you back to your room." He muttered with a sigh, setting the paper down and underlining something with a pen before turning his head back to look at her.

"Do speak, I have matters to deal with, but I'd like to get away from them for a while and have some sort of distraction." He said.


"You look-"

"Yes, I'm receiving word about some damn bombers apparently being destroyed in a raid, let's discuss what you wanted to ask, please."

Canada nodded "I figured you would send me back home" she began "this is your home too, is it not?" He interrupted "father..." UK nodded "apologies." He said, silencing himself and allowing her to continue. "I figured I would wake up in Ottawa, where my official residence is, I am not against being here, it brings up fond memories, however it does not make the most sense to me." She stated "I wanted to ask your reason for that" she added as an afterthought.

UK sighed and rubbed his head "is it wrong to just want to have one of my children in the presence of myself when all my allies have been taken captive? I was planning to send you back to Ottawa, I was, but I just wanted to see you and remind myself that I hadn't lost everyone." He continued, Canada suddenly feeling horrible to not even consider that. France was someone she cared deeply about, she knew the nordics to an extent, she was friends with Netherlands and she knew Belgium, but she hadn't even thought of the fact that all these nations, were all close to UK in one way or another, she couldn't imagine how terribly alone UK must feel, having his allies all fall into the hands of his enemy.

"I'm sorry for asking.. I did not take that into consideration, I also apologize if it sounded as though I did not want to be here, I enjoy my time spent in the UK, and I-"

"It's alright, Canada, you don't need to explain yourself, I am not taking offense that you are simply curious about something that would usually be different."

She nodded and wanted to leave, but argued with herself to do that or ask about the paper. The latter eventually won and she cleared her throat "is.. something about the paper bothering you? I just noticed you were looking over it rather quickly and you tend to do that when you're a little stressed or anxious..." He glanced between the paper and her and chuckled softly "Good to know I'll have to be wary of my habits if you've caught onto them already. The papers are... just regarding some air raids on the Royal Air Force bases in Britain, you should not be worrying yourself over it-" He paused and sighed when she rushed out of the room.

"That's never good..." He mumbled, picking the paper back up and finding the underline text so he could continue reading, mentally noting to stop reading it so quickly.

Canada, on the other hand, was heading back to her own room. She knew she had some maps in there, probably some notebooks where she could write what she was thinking down onto. Opening the doors reminded her of when she'd get angry and barge into her room, actually, it was almost exactly the same situation, she was pissed, Reich had captured her mom and now planned to damage the country of her dad? Screw that!

Grabbing a journal after some searching, a pen, and a map of europe she had for some reason, well, no, she had stolen it from her father's map room when she had been a young child, he never found out it was her, at least, he'd never addressed it with her, she wondered if he ever got a replacement or just managed without it, but the former seemed more likely. Canada took the pen and began to scribble down some things, it was a talent, really, being able to read whatever the fuck it was she wrote when it looked like complete scribbles. She had excellent handwriting, but when she was in a rather panicked or angry manner, it turned to mush in mere seconds.

Scribbled scribble scribble, all you could really hear was the aggressive writing (if it could be considered that) of the Canadian, then she began to write things down on the map, more scribbling and drabbling until she took both and rushed her way back to UK's office, somewhat out of breath as she entered his office again and held the map and notebook in front of herself. His response?

"Is that the map I lost back in 1902?" He asked.


"How the fuck do you remember the year!?" She asked in bemusement.

"Language"

"Apologies, jesus-" she mentally slapped herself "shit- sorry- oh- holy!"

UK looked somewhat amused by the amount of profanity. "Go ahead, tell me why you have drawn all over the map you apparently stole from me and why you have scribbled on a paper like you forgot how to write" He finally said. Canada nodded and grabbed a pin from her pocket and stuck it against the wall "do I want to know why you have that accessible in your uniform?" She was angling the map correctly so he didn't expect an answer. "Canada, if this is about the issue regarding the air raids, I've told you that you mustn't worry, I will deal with it, you need to take time away from the war, I am getting a little concerned by your behavior because of it."


Canada didn't reply and finished with the map, then handed him the notebook, which he looked at in utter confusion. "What does-" he began, narrowed his eyes at whatever the hell was written down. "What part can you not read?" She asked, walking over and glancing at it "how about you just read it sweetheart" he said with a smile, she took it and walked back over to where she pinned up the map.

"Alright, you said that all the bases are being air raided, which means you have nowhere to test your planes or train pilots. I was thinking you move all of them to Canada. The Dominion has so much space and is away from active war in Europe, it would be beneficial to have them in Canada so that the Germans are unable to destroy them, and then use Iceland as your way to get them all over to the UK again and fuel up, and have a better defensive technique against them" she explained "and I can, if you'd allow it, train one of my RCAF squadrons to aid yours." She added as an afterthought.


"I think you've lost your mind" He said, creating a frown on Canada's face. "And I mean that in a way that there's no way you would've just immediately thought of such a thing if you hadn't. It's a brilliant plan, I just couldn't imagine you suggesting this if you were in a proper headspace." Canada smiled again

"So..." UK sighed and nodded "I'll make plans for it." Canada grinned and went up and hugged her father tightly "Thank you!! I'm so glad I could be of use!!" She said, and UK couldn't help but be slightly surprised. He could remember the last time he'd hugged one of his children, and that was New Zealand, and it was years ago. He enjoyed this hug, so he hugged her back and they stayed like that for a little while.

He sipped his tea quietly and continued reading his paper, the back of his mind paying strict attention to the tapping of Canada's foot while she looked around as if she was unaware of it herself.

Normally he would let it go and just continue with his own affairs, but it just didn't seem right to let her deal with whatever was conflicting her.

"Dominion..?"

"Ouais?"

Already a bad sign.

"You're tapping your foot a tad bit much.."

"Oh, hah, just a subconscious thing, I didn't notice" she replied.

"Canada."

"..."

"Talk to me, please, what's got you so worked up?" He asked, setting his paper and cup down, patting a spot beside him on the couch he sat on. She glanced at him and then made her way over, avoiding his gaze as she sat down next to him, leaning up against his side. "Nada.. you're my daughter..."

"I'm adopted by you, you're not more my father than Soviet is Ukraine's."

Ouch

"Yes.. I'm well aware of that... But I consider you as much my child as Australia or Malta."

"I'm still not a blood relative."

"Dominion Canada- good lord, why are you trying to argue with me about this? I have never seen you so adamant about you not being a blood relative in my life." He paused, finally noticing she wasn't even zoned it, it was as though she were saying such things out of habit, which, hurt more than UK would ever admit to himself. "Is this about your mother?" He asked in a softer voice, she barely glanced at him but he could tell she would've said yes. "Oh Dominion.." he said softly, pulling her into a hug "it's going to be alright.. Your mother is a strong woman, she will continue fighting as long as she knows that in the end it means she'll see you again, she wouldn't want you sobbing over her, she'd want you to stay calm, dear." He said, lightly rubbing her back as he felt her break into silent sobs. "Alright, it's alright... France will be alright..." he reassured her, feeling her hug him back in a tight hold that he slightly grimaced at but didn't say anything about.

"Où est maman..." she finally spoke, her voice filled with pure misery and it really hurt him to hear it.

"Mimi, please, she'll be okay.." he said softly, using a nickname he hadn't in years just hoping something like that would help soothe her.

"Je veux maman... je veux elle trés mal..." she sobbed, and he could feel her tears soaking through his uniform and touching his skin. This hurt him so much, forget about the fact she'd reminded him twice of the fact he'll never really be her father, but now she looked as though she were still New France, sobbing in the arms of UK as he took her away from her mother back when she was just a child.

"MAMAN-" she screamed, the tears streaming down her cheeks, UK Britain didn't care. He knew two things, that he was the victor in this pathetic war France had started all because Britain's territory was too close to her's, and that her child was now his. Nouvelle France was a stupid name for such a child, she didn't look like a 'New France' besides her blue eyes and skin, and those stupid French flowers that settled themselves on her cheeks and forehead. Britain would name this child something that made sense, and actually treat her like a child should be treated, and also make sure she stopped speaking French.


"Maman si vous plaiz- je ne veux pas va-"  she cried, but France was quite helpless at the moment, pouring from her mouth was blood and held by two British soldiers was her arms. "Grande Bretagne, si vous plaiz- elle est ma seul fille" France said in a weak voice, he refused to listen and held Canada tighter "say it in the proper language." He said with a look of disdain. "Britain, please, she is my only daughter, you can take my territory, but don't take my child" she pleaded. He narrowed his eyes and waved his hands to tell the soldiers to let go of her. "You may hold her, and after that, you are not entitled to see her ever again." He stated harshly, stepping forward and gently placing the crying child into the arms of her mother, who hugged her tightly and placed kisses on her to soothe her tears. Britain made a mental note that kisses seemed to work to stop tears.

New France fell asleep in France's arms and Britain, with a tone of irritation, spoke up. "Alright, now hand her back over." France got this weird look in her eyes and it was too late when he realized what, because New France now screamed and cried at the top of her lungs, a sharp metal now piercing her left eye, France stared him down. "Now do you want her? Surely you don't want a unpresentable child because that's all you care about" she hissed, pulling the piece out as her daughter continued to sob. "You are the most psychotic woman I have ever had the misfortune of meeting, you are a disgrace against god and the worst possible mother anyone could ever have." He said with disgust. "Tie her up." He then ordered, the soldiers grabbing France and tying her up to a beside table while he carefully picked up the crying child,. "The only thing you know how to do is console tears" he said, but even that was said with disgust, and he walked out of the room, pressing light kisses against the small child and watching as her cries slowly died down and she curled up in his arms.


"Such a small village this is..." He muttered as he looked at the burning homes of what used to be the colonies' settlements. "I'll name you Canada." He said, pressing a final kiss to the sleeping girl as he made his way out of the town.

UK, finally brought back to reality by the arms of Canada which squeezed him harder as her crying increased, finally remembered why he had even zoned out : to find a way to console her.

If she was still any bit like her child-self, this was sure to work, and UK was counting on it, lightly pressing kisses on the top of her head, then her forehead, then her cheek, he could feel her soon relax in his arms, the crying stopped, and UK thanked his memory profusely. He glanced down at Canada who had her eyes shut and her head resting against his chest, more specifically looking at her 'coat of arms' patch that she had worn on her left eye for as long as he could remember her living with him. He pushed it up, and Canada opened her eyes and looked up at him as he did, seeing that blue eye, which had never quite lost it's hue, reminded him that he really was never her father, and the way he had taken her, was truly more like a kidnapper.

He hugged her tighter and pushed the patch back down.


She was his daughter.... right?

Chapter Text

Click click click. That was the sound his heeled boots made as he paced slowly on the floor in front of the mass amount of Wehrmacht soldiers who stood in formation.

"My soldiers, we have secured France! So why, oh why are there still allied powers operating against us?" He asked, not really wanting anyone to answer his more rhetorical question as he continued to walk back and forth. "Who here came into contact with British or Canadian soldiers? Raise your hand." He stopped pacing and stared at all the hands that were now held high in the air. Those were good numbers, he figured.

"How many of you caught a glimpse of either Ms Dominion Canada, or, better yet, Mr United Kingdom?" Many hands lowered but others did not falter at all. Those were.. also good numbers, Reich thought. "

"How many of you came into brief contact with them, or, complete contact with them?" Every hand dropped except one singular arm of a soldier. That was an excellent number, for the wrong reasons.


"The soldier who raises his arm high, come up here. Now." He demanded, his sharp eyes following the soldier as he quickly marched up in front of Reich, saluting him and in return, Reich slapped his arm down and spun him around, keeping a tight grasp on the man's shoulder.

"What is your name and rank, soldier?"

"Corporal Hans Schmitt..." he replied.

"Alright... Soldiers of the German Army, Hans Schmitt says he has been in direct contact of- who?" He turned and looked at the man again, who replied 'Dominion Canada' "The very Dominion Canada. Now, you must all think that I am going to demand you all be just like Schmitt here, but, I have a question for this soldier. If you came into contact with her, how come she was not brought to me?" He asked, a venomous grin spreading along his face. "Because she was taken away by British soldiers." He replied.

Oh if looks could kill, the entire squadron would have been turned to ash.

"And why did you not, let us say, stop them? He asked, squeezing the shoulder of Hans somewhat tightly. "My gun was jammed." He replied, and although not a lie, he was very certain that the explanation that 'she was distressed' would get him kill, that was, if Reich wasn't already planning his death in the moment. "Well, corporal Schmitt, turn around while I speak to the rest of the squadron for a moment."

In that moment, he knew he wasn't leaving this place alive. He slowly turned around and faced a wall.

"Now, Schmitt here is an example of what you should and shouldn't be like. You should be forcing yourself to push past the soldiers and get to the important people we truly want, which are the official allies, however, you should not be letting others claim such an easy victory from you. I will re-enforce this a hundred times, and if that isn't enough warning, surely this is."

A bullet to Hans' chest made him gasp in pain and fall to the floor as his blood began to leave a puddle underneath him. Reich simply blew the smoke from his pistol and put it away "you will end up like corporal Schmitt here if you let any of the official allies escape your grasp if you come into contact with them. No exceptions." He left the room and the soldiers finally moved from their positions, some of them coming over to help Hans up and get him to a medic. Despite the bullet in his chest, he didn't regret not capturing the Canadian when he had the chance.

"The reason why the allies still have freedom is because my soldiers are incompetent. Otherwise, you all would have a lot more friends... actually, would you? That depends if Canada and UK decided to endure prison or actually work like the puppets they, as well as you all should be."

Belgium barely spoke anymore, it was a nice change from his constant snaps towards Reich, he enjoyed the silence, Denmark didn't speak up either, it was so nice, and then that frenchie had something to say.

"Ne parler pas à propos ma fille comme si elle est seulement une objet pour être utiliser pour toutes tes stupide plans!" She said, her tone biting and obviously pissed off. Reich was getting really agitated from his prisoners always talking back upon first arriving, he decided that a little physical 'lesson' would surely shut her up. "Hm, I'd prefer you speak German, everyone else does it, so, why don't you repeat that?" He asked, grabbing a ring of keys and unlocking the door.


Quite honestly, he didn't know what he was expecting, but that door opened and suddenly France was at his throat, the only thing stopping the blade she apparently had on her and his neck from touching was his arms holding her's back.

"I will kill you! I will rip you apart until the last thing alive is your heart! I will feed you to Satan's hell where such a monster like you must have come from! You will never talk about my daughter in any way possible that degrades her or I will show you exactly why you would not have survived Napoleon's wrath! You think you will win this war but you do not even know the full extent of how many feet under you will be once your military grows weak and falters. Mark my words you creation of hell, you will not survive this dammed war." She hissed, and Reich knew far too well she was promising a tragic fate.


Eventually, some soldiers rushed over and pulled her away, getting her back into the cell, where Belgium looked almost horrified and Denmark had a slight smile on his face. He knew that anger all too well, someone disrespecting his own son and he would've been exactly the same as France had been. France, meanwhile, glared at Reich, who now looked in a more panicked state than anyone had seen him in, he actually looked scared, instantly turning to look over and seeing France's stare could've given him a heart attack. He quickly got to his feet and rushed away from sight.

He couldn't believe he'd actually say it, but he was fucking terrified of experiencing that again. In thought, it doesn't seem so scary, but when you're the one in such an experience, it's horrific.

If he could just figure out a proper plan, something to turn the tide in his favor against that Canadian or Brit, anything was possible after that. If he captured the brit, all the colonies would be turned over to Reich, right? Or was it a situation where all the colonies under British rule become independant? Reich preferred the first idea better and stuck with that, after all, he was already crafting his newest checklist of invasion after discussing it with his fuhrer.

- Invade Yugoslavia
- capture Canada
- Invade UK
- betray USSR

Chapter Text

"Papa... j'ai reçu un coupe de papier..."

"English, Dominion."

"... I... got.... a... cut of... paper..."

"A cut of paper? A papercut ?"

"Ouais... it.... hurt... et... is.... bleed"

"Here, I'll get you a bandage for it, alright? Just wait a moment."

"Daddy! Look what I have!!"

"Oh great heavens- Australia what in god's name happened to you!?"

"I know right?! It's super awesome!!"

"I may just pass out, wait here, I'm calling a doctor for that gash you have"

"Quit firing that thing in here, you're going to get us all killed! Take it outside, go hunt with it, anything to get it away from me immediately!

"I will do whatever I want and you can't stop me!"

"Thirteen-"

"... ow....."

"Christ almighty child! Look what you've done! This is- oh- just come here"

"Dad it hurts so fucking badly-"

"Well no kidding, you've got a bullet hole in your stomach! You better hope that it doesn't cause you any problems, you need to learn to be more careful with these things!"

"I know- ow... I'm sorry-"

"Just breathe, please..."

"More air strikes..." he murmured, skimming over the report he had just been handed. "We can't keep this from the public, we're going to have to file a national emergency..." He added, glancing back at the general.

"Dominion, please leave.." he said softly.

"..."

he sighed "Dominion, I don't want you here while I'm discussing this, just, head into the living room, I'll send someone to go make you-" he paused when she got up and left the room. It was, weird. Canada always waited until he was done talking before she left, but this was a constant recurring theme of her leaving before he finished talking. He wondered if her not being around him for a while, or maybe even the war, was taking a toll on her manners? Perhaps.

"Do you have children, McArthur?"

"I do, your highness."

"Do you ever feel as though you're doing everything wrong no matter what you do?" He asked

"Yes, it happens to the best of us." He replied.

UK nodded and sighed, glancing at the door then back at his general "alright, let's get to talking about these air strikes I suppose..."

"Pourquoi je ne suis pas désirée?" She mumbled, walking around the palace as she frowned, as if her candy had just been taken from her. She frowned as if- Ah, enough with similes, it wasn't helping her thoughts. She simply wanted to be around her father, and it was as though he wanted to rid of her presence every chance he got. She despised that. She despised being pushed away. It wasn't because she wanted to be the center of attention, but because she was going through a mental crisis and had been upon learning France had been captured by the Germans, it left a horrible taste in her mouth and depressive thoughts in her head and a knot in her stomach.

She wanted to pretend she was alright, but there was still that little part of her that was still tender and soft and vulnerable, a part of her she had tried to get rid of which had refused to leave the entire time. It was getting on her nerves. The fact UK was pushing her away constantly wasn't any better. One day he was holding her while she cried and later fell asleep, and the next week he had been so busy with the constant raids that she barely made his list of importance. She knew it wasn't fair, perhaps a little selfish, but she wanted to at least be tenth, anything, something of enough importance to warrant attention from her father. She needed to just be around someone. Spending most of her life alone in the vast territory of Dominion Canada had been so terribly lonely no matter how much she pretended otherwise.


She just needed someone. Anyone.


Was it possible to just talk to UK without being interrupted by something new about the raids? She was certain they had covered all the air bases in the UK and were now just stalling to get rid of her. She hated that thought and any implication that it was true.

"Dominion?"

She turned around and rushed into the room, more than happy that she had been called, but the looks on both UK's and his general's face destined for this to be bad. "What did you require me for?" She asked, her smile still prominent despite the opposite expressions from the other two.


"We've discussed... and, it's best if you are sent back to Canada." He said simply.

Canada had never had her smile falter so quickly. "Send me back...?"

"Back home, yes."

"You said this-"

"It was your home. But a home is meant to be safe. The United Kingdom is not safe. Constant air raids are going to get worse, I will consider your idea of bringing the RAF training to Canada, but you are to go back tomorrow morning. Zero complaints, I don't want to hear a single 'but' or plea from that mouth of yours." Oh how bad her thoughts were becoming. Naturally, her mind ignored the safety measures he was taking and instead, figured she was being ostracized by her own family.


Her headspace was terrible.


"Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, father." She replied, not a single waver in her voice, somehow, but her expression told more than words ever could. She took her leave and closed the door behind her, she didn't cry, because like mentioned, it was only that small part of her that was still soft and tender, but now that part was smaller, actually, it wasn't there.

Her conclusion is she wasn't being enough, enough as in, aggressive, persistent, helpful, strategic. Since that small part was gone, she was coming up with all sorts of ways to prove she was enough to UK, and if that meant doing some pretty unethical or downright inhumane things, she'd do them, as long as she was worthy in his eyes because of it.


Her headspace was terrible.

Chapter Text

First it was silence upon arriving.

"Canada! It is so wonderful to see you back here!" He had said, Iceland in his arms as the sleeping child clung to him. She didn't reply, a depressed expression on her face. He wondered if the war had really been that awful? He had heard that she'd been taken to the UK for a little while, quite possibly for rehabilitation? Or very well so just for some family bonding between the brit and Canadian, but even that was strange. If she was busy spending time with UK, what reason could he think of that she'd be so... quiet, for?

"Is everything alright?" He almost gasped when she pushed right passed him, making him readjust his grip on the Icelandic. He would've made a comment with faux offense, but he really didn't have the guts to even pretend to be angry at the woman. Either she snapped at him and he lost his head, or she'd snap and he'd have to see her turn into a sobbing mess, neither sounded like a pleasant experience, so he kept his mouth shut.


Then, it was reluctance to speak while preparing and eating dinner.

"Would you like some help?"

"..."

"... okay... It looks quite good, what is it, if I may ask?"

"..."

What was even up with her? He remembered her being much more bright than this. It was a different persona entirely and it was making him feel queasy, the normally happy and kind Canadian now being distant, and if she was talking, he would have been cursed out several times by now.

"Well.. I'll set the table, how does that sound?" He didn't expect anything but silence and lightly patted her shoulder before looking through the cabinets in her kitchen, finding plates, cups, and then grabbing utensils from a drawer. Wanting to say more was a stupid thought he was getting, one which he ignored after setting the cups down.


And finally, it was after Iceland had been put to bed did she speak.

"Nada? You're awfully quiet... actually you have been nothing but quiet since you arrived..."

Canada didn't reply, simply staring at an old photo, of her and her mother, although that was when she was still Nouvelle France, so it did little to soothe her. "And... you know, you look quite sad.." he continued will a soft frown, placing one of his hands on top of the photo and pushing it down "would you like to talk about it? Iceland has gone to sleep already... I know we aren't the closest bunch but.. I'm willing to listen to you.." Canada stared at his hand on her own, taking it off and then setting the photo aside.

"If you're not wanting to speak-"

"Netherlands, si vous plaiz... stop... talking..." Her voice soft and awfully quiet, but it was a start, he thought.

"I'm sorry. I just want to help" he replied, finally pulling his hand away from where she'd put it, but it was then grabbed tightly and squeezed so hard he grimaced.

"Don't leave... I've already lost one and been distanced from the other..."

"Lost one and distanced from the other... who is one and who is other?"


Canada fell silent again, staring down at her lap, squeezing his hand even tighter. He winced but eventually managed to ignore the slight pain as he moved closer to her on the couch. "Nada, it's not alright to keep emotions bottled up, I'm speaking from experience." She kept her silence and he sighed, moving closer and now sitting right beside her. His hand was still immobilized by her's but she had loosened her grip, which gave him the ability to move his hand enough to interlock their fingers together. About to say something but deciding not to, Netherlands figured comfort may work better, lightly running his thumb along her knuckles, noticing the intentionally subtle glances she took at their hands, still keeping her gaze down, however.


"Maman n'est pas içi... probablement dans un de Reich's prisons...." she murmured "and UK won't even let me speak with him... Am I not deserving of love from my parents? Es-ce que ça c'est pourquoi vie a decidé de prend ma mère et a forcé mon papa d'ignorer mon existence?" She asked, barely above a whisper.

"I'll be honest with you Canada, I don't understand the french half of that, but you don't have to repeat yourself because I understand what you're talking about. Life isn't trying to take your parents away... Reich is, but he won't succeed at taking UK, I know that even the bastard couldn't make that brit fall to his knees, and eventually, you'll have your mother back as well, just give it time, UK is under a lot of stress, the air strikes on the airforce's bases is probably taking a toll on him and he most likely doesn't want to have you deal with him and a potentially terrible mood." He explained calmly, watching as she finally lifted her gaze from the ground and looked at him.

Netherlands didn't want her to cry, he wanted with all his ability to not see her cry once while he stayed with her in Canada, after all, he'd been the one consoling Iceland while she had still been fighting in Europe. He had seen enough tears, he had seen enough pain to know he never wanted to see someone else in such a state.

"... merci" she murmured softly. He smiled, assuming it was a thank you, hoping it was a thank you after he replied with "you're welcome" and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. He didn't comment on the light blush that crossed her cheeks, actually, he found it quite cute. Anything was better than sadness though, so he had other reasons for enjoying the sight.


"Do you get kissed a lot?" He asked, cupping her cheek in one hand.

"By my parents sometimes to calm my nerves, other times out of affection, but otherwise, no."

"Would you like to be?"

"I'm grieving over my parents you bastard- and you want to kiss me!" She said with annoyance, but when he kept his calm look, she eventually gave in and nodded. "But I don't love you. I just like kisses." She murmured after, looking away and then back at him. She thought maybe a kiss on the cheek, forehead, the top of her head, that was where her parents kissed her, and she was fine with that, and then he kissed her lips and hell froze over and she was enjoying it.


To say he was thrilled wouldn't do his current emotions enough justice. He couldn't actually put into words how joyful he was that she had reciprocated the kiss. Despite her mother being nicknamed the country of love, Canada was rarely interested in romance, she had made that clear to anyone who gave her the impression that they were hitting on her, and also frequently snuck it into her phrases just incase subtlety was how someone would get the hint. Like Netherlands had said, they weren't the closest friends, they were good friends, but nothing like the close relationship between Canada and her siblings, or her and Czechoslovakia. He would say they were best friends but even that was pushing it. Yet somehow, he seemed to have cracked a very difficult code she had made and now he was kissing her. And god did he enjoy it.


Canada pulled away after some time, snuggling against him "like I said... I don't... love you..." she murmured, but it was the worst lie she could tell and she knew it based on the pauses in her sentence. She held his hand and interlocked their fingers herself, then held it against her heart and soon closed her eyes. Nothing really wore her out, but the closure paired with comfort that he had given her was enough to finally soothe her, which finally gave way to her mind to stop blocking the actual tiredness she felt.

Another soft kiss to her head and Netherlands held her a little closer and closed his eyes to rest. He'd probably get up eventually to bring her to bed, but right now, he was perfectly fine to stay here, like this, with nobody but her...

And Iceland who had quietly snuck down the stairs and snuggled up against the two.

"Nous pouvons riot" France had suggested, more softly than she bothered to have her words spoken at.

"Just relax, we are not rioting and definitely not against the tyrant of a man."

"Pourquoi pas? C'est une très bon idée! Nous riot et aprés nous courons et partir cette prison." She stated simply, seemingly thinkng this was a perfect fool proof plan.

"Our safety will be-"

"Oh dear lord-" Denmark soon cut himself off to exclaim, waking Belgium, who yawned softly and snuggled back against the Dane unbothered. Horror filled France's eyes just the same as Denmarks, seeing as a bloodied, unconscious, and washed out - in color - Poland, was dragged in by soldiers. They opened the door and set him inside, France immediately cradling the poor soul in her arms, almost acting on instinct, as if it had been her own child.

The soldiers left and now Denmark and France were checking over the unconscious Pole, Denmark being more careful to not wake Belgium who continued to sleep curled in his arms.

"Oh- Pologne... ma petit enfant... oh- qu'est ce que Reich a faire a toi? Oh- quel horreur! Tu es juste une enfant... oh ma petit Pologne!" France cried, lightly tracing the badly healed scars that littered his face, Denmark was looking over the other injuries. Clearly Poland had had time to heal enough that nothing was really life threatening anymore, yet showed the sheer brutality at which Reich - and whoever else - had hurt him at. His legs had been broken, that much was obvious when Denmark felt the lumps of bones that continued sticking out even after they had healed.

"How horrific..." He murmured. France had some tears roll down her face "oh ma petit pologne! Oh quel horreur- oh ma petit cheri!! Quel horreur Reich avait faire!" She continued on, holding him closer to her. Denmark moved over, Belgium continued resting on his lap while Poland rested in France's. The two conscious nations sat side by side, holding the younger men as they slept or continued their unconscious state.


Poland eventually shifted, finally his soft blue eyes fluttered open and met France's tear stained gaze. "France... am I.... dream?" He asked in a broken question, his language skills weren't the sharpest, and he struggled to often keep conversations, except in German, so it was nothing new, but it further signified the youth of the poor child.

"Non... tu es vraiment içi ma cher... oh... Pologne... que'st qu'il avait faire a toi?" France asked in despair, holding him closer while rubbing light circles on his back.

Poland had quite honestly forgotten how being cared for was like, along with being shown affection, kindness, empathy, you name it, it had been locked away from him back in that torture chamber Reich had kept him in.


"Suppose the German bastard lost interest in him.." Denmark murmured as he brushed through Poland's matted hair, frowning as he truly took in the state of the man, quiet, the color drained from his skin, scarred, it all made Denmark want to cry. "Am.... safe ..?" The Pole asked quietly, France began to sob again "oh- ma cher- oui, tu es protegé, tu vas etre bien, je te promit!" She replied, hugging him tighter in her arms.

"... safe...." he repeated, his eyes fluttering closed as he fell asleep against the woman, whose tears had eventually stopped.

Denmark moved over a bit and France rested her head on his shoulder, soon falling asleep as well.

He honestly couldn't be any happier with this arrangement, Poland was finally safe with them, and they had eachother to socialize with meaning they wouldn't go insane or such. He was continuing to be able to be a source of comfort, which is one of the two things he truly wanted, the other being to see Iceland again, but this was just fine too. To add on, Reich didn't seem to be terrorizing them any time soon, having blabbered about his plans to invade more countries, which meant he'd most likely be occupied.

Denmark leaned his head against the cement wall and eventually drifted off to sleep as well, a nice quiet sleep that wouldn't end for hours.

"Aren't you so sehr sexy" Reich purred, pressing more kisses to her jaw that the blood painted. He could not even begin to explain how hot it was to him to see the woman in a blood-stained manner, not so much if it was her blood, as that would mean she was hurt, no no, the blood of a man she had just tortured to death was incredibly desirable to Reich, who had witnessed it and immediately began to feel hot all over his body.

"I couldn't imagine anything more wonderful than seeing you take the life of another" he added, pecking her lips and then standing in front of her and frowning "what's with the silence? Is something wrong?" He questioned, wiping some blood from her cheek and sucking it off his thumb, that was when she finally spoke "It is... abnormal to show such affection in public." She stated "and especially in times of war, it is frowned upon." She continued. "So I cannot show mein leibe affection? My, I shall invite you to Germany some time so that we can show nothing but" he joked with his signature grin. Japan held an affectionate smile but dropped it soon after. "Do not make me laugh. I do not want to be perceived as having a weakness" she said, pressing a kiss to his lips before wandering over to the noise that had begun to get louder.

"Displays of affection, frowned upon?" He said quietly, questioning the logic behind it. However, he'd never question his dearest Japan, after all she had a reason for everything, like murdering Chinese, fillipinos, Koreans, etc, it was all due to her belief of the Japanese being superior warriors, as well as a superior race in Asia. Reich could never blame her for such reasons, those were his exact reasons for what he did as well. Slavs, jews, physically or mentally disabled, gay, all of it was inferior, a disgrace to Europe. The only worthy race was the Aryans and, with the exception of his beloved Japan and her people, no one else.


It sounded like somebody was being slaughtered, Reich would never take an opportunity to miss the sight of that, but upon arriving...


"Mein leibe!!" He cried, feeling like his heart could have exploded when he saw her lying on the ground, unconscious and bloody, along with a man bloodied and dead as well. Reich felt like he'd pass out, perhaps pass away if his heart was bold enough to try. He crouched down and was about to feel her pulse when her eyes shot open and she smiled, losing it and standing up, which Reich helped her with. "What the hell was that!?" Reich demanded, she simply laughed "you said you enjoyed to see me with blood." Reich shook his head "other's blood, and secondly, not when you look dead!"

Japan shrugged "anyway, we can go somewhere private if you really wanted to show me affection," she said, and of course, Reich had to immediately accept the offer. So they walked for a bit, and finally stopped in a village, full of bloodshed, scattered bodies, and destruction, except for some few structures which she guided him inside. "One of the few houses I left.. although there is some blood, hopefully that is alright." Reich simply didn't care and turned her around to take her lips in a kiss, and quite honestly, if the village they were in wasn't so close to her own soldiers, he'd fuck her right there.


"You are very eager" she murmured, pulling away from Reich which made him frown.

"Aren't I allowed to be? There is so much killing, and I am nothing but supportive, but I also love being so affectionate towards you, my dear Japan." 

"You'll have to learn to not be so openly eager to act that way, however, my people will stare, and after years of order, I do not want them believing it is okay to act such a way so suddenly. To have others follow rules-"

"You must follow them yourself. I'm aware," he cut her off, and then immediately felt guilty and awful when she narrowed her eyes somewhat and stepped back one pace.
 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so rude in regards to your system. It is all just so new to me and somewhat frustrating to adjust so quickly. I meant no disrespect to how you run your empire, I am just having some troubles as I enjoy being close to you and showing you love that it's an inconvenience at times when I can't or aren't allowed." He explained, stepping closer, trying to test the waters to see if the now silent woman was still mad at him or not, however, she didn't seem so when pressed his palm to her cheek and felt her lean against it.

"Forgive and forget?" He asked with a smile

"Only because you are cute when pleading for forgiveness."

"That works too!"


Reich then pressed his lips back against her's, which she eventually did reciprocate, resting her arms around his neck while his wrapped down around her hips, tracing circles along her uniform.

"We are not-"

"I wasn't implying we should" He cut her off in a whisper.

"You need to stop cutting me off."

"I'm sorry, I am just-"

She then cut him off as she continued the kiss, how very sly she was, Reich thought.


But he'd never have it any other way.

He couldn't remember how he had fallen asleep in a bar and awoken in his bed, beside a woman, no less. Although that wasn't too unusual, one night he would be drinking so much that he'd pass out, and then awake beside a woman in the same place. It was troublesome, constant, recurring, and most of all, exactly like how his leader was. Of course, said leader was much more happy to express how many women he slept with. He preferred to be more quiet about such a thing, mainly because he knew that the german would call him rude names and insult him for a lack of dignity.

Suddenly, there it was, his true love. The glass of wine that sat on the nightstand in all it's glory. He got out of bed and picked up the glass, swirling the red liquid around in the glass before drinking it all in one sip.

True love is wine, is what he says. Who wouldn't agree?

Dear FI.

I hope you are having a wonderful day. When this letter is mailed to you it will have passed 4 days since I wrote it. I hate that it takes such a long time to mail letters to you, but we are both aware that to surpass the mailing system here, I must have this letter mailed to Sweden before he gives it to you. Why this is how it is? I couldn't explain. I hope you are doing well and enjoying your summer, even if it can still be somewhat chilly up north. I wanted to say it is most unfortunate that you lost part of your territory in the war, I am proud you managed to fend you know who off so well! I wanted to just remind you how much I miss you and I can't wait until my country is free from the union and we can be together again, otherwise, this is the best I can do.

Sincerely, EE.

While reading the letter, he smiled to himself. Oh how dearly he wished they could be together again, but that was not important, he had a letter from her, that was just as good given the circumstances, however, it was still sad that their love had to be limited to single letters every few weeks. If it had been different, if the dammed communist had never touched the baltic countries, she would be in his arms while they talked.

Unfortunately, that day would have to wait a while, at least until the previous war had cooled down between him and the soviet, and she was given more permission to travel outside of the union.


Until such a day arrived, he managed to find happiness in the letters she was permitted to send.

Chapter Text

"You are weak. Pathetic. A disgrace!"

Who knew so much hate could be uttered to such a young child? To hear it from your enemy was one thing, they were always trying to bring you down. But to hear it from someone your age, somebody you had spent previous time getting to know, somebody you could and would have called a friend...


It stung.


"You call yourself of Germanic blood, you consider yourself a third empire. That is your name? Third Empire. For an empire, you pale in comparison to everyone around you. You are no greater than those who came before you. The Germanic empires lost their spirit after your Holy Roman Empire collapsed, being generous was to say it was Prussia who was your last hope to turn the german family back to it's glory. You are pathetic. Weak. A follower of those who are nothing but useless! A waste of air! A waste of the land you claim! A waste of territory that only inhabits those who are destined to fail! "

How could one be so cruel to brutalize and murder those you love, and then continue to shout disrespect? How much hate could one possibly accumulate in the span of a war? 4 years, no less.

"Bitte-"

"You continue to speak that filthy language? You either speak the language of the land that colonized my own first or you speak the righteous language of the English. I will not listen to your pathetic pleas and your objections as long as you continue speaking that language that has done nothing but disappoint and fail you."

He trembled slightly. Keep in mind, they were both the exact same age, he understood that her upbringing was much more different than his own. He wondered if she had seen the same love he had? His parents loved him unconditionally, but she... well, even when they were simply children, she seemed like she had been forced to grow up much faster. This often meant she felt older and took on responsibilities that he could only imagine. He knew this, he knew her, he just couldn't ever figure out what her issue was, maybe that patch she wore over her one eye irritated her so much she took it out on others.


So odd, isn't it?


"Speak. Or I'll cut your vocal cords out just the same!" She hissed with distaste.

"I-I'm sorry- I just-"

"How pathetic must you be to not even be able to come up with an excuse? It would be just as awful as you are, I'm sure, but perhaps you could at least think before you speak."

"I AM TRYING TO SPEAK AND YOU CONTINUE TO CUT ME OFF!"

Reich almost immediately cowarded in fear. Did he want to be killed? Did he welcome death so much that he dared to retort back? What had gotten over him? She narrowed her eyes further, he was certain she might leave him with a gash for dead now that he had yelled at her, oh what the fuck was he thinking? Yelling at someone like her!? Did he enjoy the thought of torture? Followed by a death sentence? Absolutely NOT.

"You dare raise your voice at me? I will not second guess my choice to rip your organs out if you think disrespecting me will make me lenient on you. The fact you're the result of those two monsters is already giving me the urge to end your life just as terribly as I took theirs, and yet- hah, you raise your voice at me. Pathetic and no manners. What an ugly mix." Reich's eyes widened. Monsters? She dared to be so hypocritical? "My parents are not any more monsters than you are!" A force of habit made him yell back, once again, cowering back a little when those eyes shot daggers back at him. "Don't be so stupid. All those with Germanic blood are the monsters of this world. Destined to ruin lives and destined to always fall in the end. You are no different, and neither are your parents."

Reich had nothing to say, out of fear she would slice his throat made him shut up.

"I'm sorry."

"You should be."

Reich woke up and sat up rather quickly at the sound of his alarm. Why was he dreaming of that woman? What relevance did that memory have? It didn't matter, at least he pretended it didn't.

Good god, he had a meeting today! That was important. He'd be meeting with one of the coldest nations this world had to offer, a Nordic country by the name of Finland. And what was so great about making a deal with the icy man, is that they would be having the exact same enemy soon, if his plans for invasion went well, that is. Another great thing, is he knew the weakness the man had, seeing his lover was something Reich would definitely use to his advantage, as it would give more reason to accept and sway Finland to incline more to complete acceptance of the german's established terms.

How exciting! He loved manipulation! Oh he so enjoyed to see any argument anyone he made a pact with suddenly falter upon listening to something that hit just the right point to make them compliant. It was a method he was no less fond of then physically torture, it made him giddy all the same.

Reich got out of bed, rushing through the making of his bed, and then getting pissy at the sight of it not properly done, so he redid everything to clear perfection/until he was completely satisfied. He grabbed his dry-cleaned uniform and got it on. Pulling his knee-high socks up all the way, buttoning up his crisp-white dress shirt and then wrapping his tie around and under the collar of it, tying it up into a double-windsor knot. He got on his pants, zipping them up and pushing his belt through the attached loops and buckling it up, smiling at the silver buckle that was as shiny as the glint in his eyes. He got on his coat and did it up with the attached belt, smiling as he pushed his hair back and placed his military cap perfectly centered on his head.

"A lovely sight" he hummed, after all, he believed that the uniform of the germans were the most perfectly designed and the black of color made them look imposing and dominant, like the superior race they were and would continue being for the 1000 years the Third Reich would rule Europe, and a little more ambitious, the world.

For now, he'd have to stick to just europe, at least until his biggest threats, UK and USSR were neutralized and under his command, then he could move onto the other continents, minus Asia, just because Japan would have already conquered the continent so they could rule Eurasia together.


"I want the leader notified of my plans to visit Finland today, and that I will not be back until perhaps a day later. I want him to let the people know that we will have a new ally in this war." Reich had said to a general of his, who nodded and rushed off while Reich was led to his BMW. He got in and almost immediately drifted off back to sleep while the chauffeur drove.

"Finland." He greeted with a proud smile, the other nation nodded in greeting, continuing to clean his rifle while wearing a soft blue sweater and white pants, a patterned scarf adorned his neck, his blue gaze fixed on the marksman rifle which rested on his lap, disassembled.

At least Reich knew that it was unlikely the Finn could shoot him, although the presence of the marksman trophies that rested on some shelves along with other, more intimidating rifles, resting on shelves right above, did give the German a sense of unease. As expected to know, the Nordic was rarely seen speaking of his achievements with the weapon, he was quite humble in that respect, as well as quite private, but it was common knowledge amongst everyone that he was a prized and dead-accurate marksman, and his country produced talented snipers, one particular man, by the name of Simo Häyhä, known as 'The White Death' within the soviet forces, had come to be a very prominent sniper during the winter war, a confirmed 500+ kills within a little less than 100 days was information that spread like a wildfire. Reich knew the soviet would never admit that it was really the Finnish who came out of that war victoriously, but based on the losses, it was obvious, just as much as it was clear that the Finnish were the allies that would fit like the missing puzzle piece into the German military.


"You've supposedly come to talk about a term you've created?" He asked, setting the butt of his rifle aside and looking up at Reich, who grinned again with a nod. "I have. I was quite happy making my trip here to your country today, it is a very lovely place, I'm sure I'd enjoying traveling here." He said. Finland narrowed his eyes but nodded with a soft "thank you" and gestured to a seat opposite him for Reich to sit down in. "Oh I am perfectly alright to stand" he stated, although that was mainly because he'd be able to escape faster if the other tried to grab one of the rifles and shoot him.

"If your fear is because of what covers my walls, rest assured, they are all unloaded, besides, they have a lock on the trigger, and the keys are in unaccessible places if I was in a rush to kill you. Sit." Almost like he'd read the german's mind, he responded quite calmly, Reich wondered if it was common for others to feel uneasy in his home that he had gotten used to saying this? Either way, Reich felt like he could trust him enough and sat down.

"What are these terms? Or, was it a contract? Pact? That communist tried to get me to sign so many things with different names that I have lost tract of what is what anymore" he stated, and Reich couldn't hold back a slight laugh "of course he did, it's only natural for him to do such a thing out of desperation, after all, you were draining his resources so quickly." He chuckled again and Finland narrowed his eyes once more. "Speaking of USSR, you two are allies. Did he send you here?"

"Oh- absolutely not! This treaty I've created is actually made to go against him."

"You are... trying to rid of him?"

"In simply terms, yes."

"So how will I trust that you will not just get rid of me when you've decided you don't need me? You are not exactly convincing me to allow me to put faith into what you've come to propose." He countered, raising an eyebrow, and when Reich couldn't formulate a response immediately, he sighed and picked another part of his rifle and set it on his lap to begin cleaning.

"Because it was always my intention to go against Soviet. He is, in long terms, just not compatible with anything I stand for. It is the same with you, no? He wanted to control you and your people, but you stood up and said no! And then you both went to war and let's admit it, you were the true victors of that war, not the soviets." He hoped that his argument made enough sense, but Finland didn't seem too likely to believe it, and he almost considered bringing up Estonia but that was much too soon.

"It is normal, to not trust someone like me. I've betrayed, hurt, and I've lied to those to get my way. But here is nothing but the truth. You are Soviet's enemy, and soon, I will become his as well. You will hate me as you will, but I simply ask you become my ally so a common enemy can no longer be a threat. If you still disagree, that is perfectly fine, I just want to be able to eliminate threats to my own people, to keep them safe, and I'm sure you were thinking the same thing."

"The difference was what side I fought on. Offense is harder to justify than defense. With offense, the only acceptable excuse would be they were an active threat, however, even then, you have no such evidence of it. Defense means you can explain it was to save your people from what threatened to otherwise take it over."

Reich nodded and handed him the Treaty. "Read through it, if you disagree with my terms, simply tell me so. We can always change things as well, that is, if you choose to agree to the basis of it."

"What would I get out of this anyway? My resources have been extremely thinned since my war had only ended a few months ago-" He paused and narrowed his eyes at a section of the paper.

"You are planning an invasion of the baltics?"

"I do. Is that a problem?" And here is where things were going to turn the tide in his favor.

"..."

"Please, if there a problem, perhaps a loved one lives there or something of the like, let me know."

"... Estonia is my only problem."

"How so?"

"..." he was almost reluctant to say it, almost like he suspected Reich was planning an ulterior reason for this 'invasion', which, honestly worried Reich that the Finn would see around this scheme and immediately reject it and send him home without Finland as a newfound ally.

"She and I are very close."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I have.. been unable to see her since the war with Soviet. If, you are true to this treaty... I would like to ask for the addition of her being free to visit my country again, and the freedom to visit anyone, for that matter."

"I see. Well, I will arrange for it." Reich said. "Does this mean we have a deal?"

Finland, uncharacteristically of him, smiled softly, grabbing a pen and scribbling his name onto the treaty, then handing it back to Reich. "It does."

Well, clearly emotion had for once taken over the opinion of the Nordic, of course, Reich had hoped for it, but it was unexpected to see his hopes become reality, especially when the man he was making this deal with was known to be neutral and only ever truly be on the defense.

But he wasn't complaining!

Chapter Text

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet."

"Shakespeare?"

"Yes. I have been thinking, considering, even."

"Well, that is bound to be interesting"

Canada hummed and leaned back in her office chair. "King... what are your thoughts on Reich." A look of confusion cross his face "whatever do you mean?"


"What do you think of Reich? Do you think he's mentally unstable? Crazed? Depressed... what?" She elaborated, kicking her feet up onto her desk. "What do you think about him?" "Well. Being that I am not the one who has met him, I feel as though I am the wrong person to ask such a question." She nodded in thought "then, Hitler? The fuhrer of Nazi Germany. What do you think of him? You've met him. Do you think he's strange? Crazy? Lucid?" King sighed and crossed his arms.

"Mr Hitler is... rather hard to really describe in that sense. He seems, well, how should I put it? Two faced? He puts on this front, that makes him seem like someone you could befriend, someone who you'd seemingly bond with over the smaller things. He enjoys art, he is very patriotic, an optimist, some may say... Overall, he seems as though he was just someone who wanted a better life for his country and people..."


"And the other face?"


"... dirty. I mean that in the way of manipulative, not cleanliness, infact, he is an insane clean freak, one time I was visiting his office and something was out of place. He dropped the entire conversation we were having to fix it, and then fix pretty much everything in his office. Back to being dirty, he's manipulative, he guilt trips, you listen to him speak when he doesn't believe you're paying attention and suddenly it's another man behind his face, as if he's suddenly on autopilot, revealing his true nature, no longer using his placaded persona. He's a psychopath-"

"Ah! But is he?"

"Why would you counter that statement? Do you think he's worth redemption?"

"Non, tu sais-... this why I was actually quoting Shakespeare in the first place. Psychopathy and sociopathy. A rose truly does smell the same even if given another name, but a sociopath could not be called a psycho and vise versa." She began, taking her legs off the desk and standing up to pace around.


"I asked if he was a psychopath, because the line of determining that, is extremely close to a sociopath, the only difference, is conscious wise."

"How so?"

"Neither can be reasoned with. However, it is believed to be easier to reason with a psychopath than the other. A psychopath doesn't believe they are doing anything wrong, actually, they are comvinced they are doing the right thing. A sociopath, on the other hand, knows quite exactly what they do is wrong, but continue to do it because they seemingly don't care to admit it. A psychopath is, difficult to, but not impossible to reason with, a sociopath, is almost impossible to reason with due to their conscious already knowing what they do is wrong, but they simply don't care. A psychopath thrives where a sociopath cannot, which is reasoning. A psychopath can, hypothetically, be reasoned with by showing them evidence how what they're doing is wrong, the latter, however, cannot be proven of anything, having already known it beforehand, making it less likely to pursuade them out of their ways unless they suddenly had a change of heart."


"Well, don't you ever interest yourself in psychology."

"Psychology is modern warfare, that was what one of the provinces mentioned to me when we were discussing provincial measures to take. With psychology, it's easier to get into the mind of someone. Psychology is a modern form of torture, which will surely end with being a warcrime when this war is over, unless, the axis win, which is unlikely, moreover, I could determine some basic things about the pair that would make it unlikely that, excluding Italy and Japan, would give the axis powers a chance at true domination."

"Pair?"

"Hitler and Reich."

"Ah yes, go on."

"They're.. how should I put this? A lamb without predators. Now, it sounds weird, but just listen to my analogy and it'll make sense once I explain. A lamb, it is an animal of prey, however, not everywhere you go, there are predators to follow lambs. Lambs can get... stubborn. If there is no natural predator, a wolf, humans, even a coyote, the sheep will thrive in its environment, and become stubborn. A stubborn sheep believes it is invincible, that it can do as it pleases. A stubborn sheep, does not fear anything because why would it? It's environnment has provided absolutely nothing to put it into a state of fear."


"This isn't about sheep, is it?"

"It's not. Think of this sheep... as before '39. Now. What happens if say, a predator is introduced? Now, you have fear arise. The prey may not realize this at first, but soon, they will become wary. This predator... it is not a sheep! Which makes it a potential threat. The sheep slowly worries, slowly grows cautious, grows afraid. The sheep is now on high alert. This high alert, is, unfortunately, the sheep's demise. High alert means this sheep is so anxious to protect itself, it forgets it's needs. Sleep, eat, drink... suddenly, their basic needs are not being met. The sheep slowly weakens, their needs haven't been met for days, potential more than a weak! The sheep has to eventually take care of itself, otherwise it will simply die, but the presence of the predator makes it fearful to do even the most basic of things. Your predator and prey are confined by a border, which means this prey can never just run away and care for itself. The presence of this predator in the same vicinity drives the sheep to absolute fear, in a state so powerful, your body ignores your needs. The sheep slowly but surely, meets it demise. Either one of two outcomes become the fate, the sheep succumbs to its lack of nutrition, sleep, etcetera, or it finally gives into it's needs, and it is killed by the predator."


"... are you sure you're not going a little off the rocker?"

"This predator is introduced after '39."

"Right... okay, so you mean to say that the two are eventually going to neglect their needs and die.. or give into their needs and be overtaken by the enemy, the allies."

"I didn't mean directly neglect their needs. I meant, they will drive themselves into worry. I know Reich and have known him since first meeting him in 1917. He would argue that he's changed completely, but there are parts of him that are still the same even after two decades. If you say the right thing, he falters until he manages to compose himself, but that doesn't matter because what matters is he faltered, and the fact he falters, means he will continue to falter throughout this war, just at the right times. If something angers him, disturbs him, perhaps even saddens him..."


"Fuhrer Reich! Berlin has been bombed! It was reported to be by a British plane, seeking to hit the city directly!"

"WHAT!?"


"Either he or Hitler will act out of the ordinary. They'll falter and act rash."


"Can you believe the absolute cruelty those brits must have!? I cannot believe they think that bombing the head of country will do anything but ruin the lives of our dear people!"

"I agree with you absolutely, mein fuhrer."

"We will not stand for this! Consider the civillian cities of the dammed United Kingdom destroyed! We will have our forces aimed towards nothing but the cities! We will turn them into ruins! Reich, I require you to prepare all the Luftwaffe to act on this at once!"

"Oh of course mein fuhrer"


"They'll do something that they don't care if it will have consequences or not. Acting out of pure anger, hurt, fear, anything of the like. Emotions are often underestimated, they truly control our actions when they become too powerful to control."


"Our poor people of Berlin... our poor German people! Monsters! Monsters those dammed British are!"

"Absolutely. What an outrageous thing to do!"


"Such feelings lead you to believing you are doing the right thing. Even then, sometime your feelings may falter. So, I ask again. Do you believe Hitler is a psychopath, or sociopath? Do you believe perhaps that he is an unidentifiable mix? Sometimes acting on something he believes is right but is the opposite, other times acting whilst knowing it is wrong what he is doing?"

"Christ, now you've just made me question everything"

"Psychological questions do that to a human mind"

"And what about your mind?"

"Countries differ most of the time, but it is usually influenced by others growing up, and I don't mean to say humans don't deal with that as well, I mean that genetically, we as countries, are forced to act like puppets of those who rule over us."

"However do you mean?"


"I read some articles regarding it, they were all written by the ancestral countries, it was perhaps one of the greatest pieces of information and studies that could be created regarding country embodiments. A country will always act as a replica of their parent or parents, it is meant as a way to avoid the influence of non-relative type countries. The downside to this was that if the parents were bad influences themselves, the only way to prevent a country from replicating that, was to take them away from said parents before they were the age of complete development. If this did not happen, it was set in stone that they would forever replicate their parents. There was only a few exceptions where a nation could not replicate their parents. If one parent had been attacked or weakened, that country will become a half or completely like the attacker unless the parent is freed before the age of complete development. The latter is only if there was only one parent to begin with, but most nations end up with two due to colonization or something else. If both parents are weakened, or attacked, the country will solely replicate the attacker and their behavior. If both parents are killed before the age of development, the country will replicate immediate family such as siblings, however, if they do not have any closely connected immediately family, their behavior will mimic the country's leader, this will happen even after the age of development, but will be much more noticeable before it."


"That is quite a lot to take in." He paused. "Then what is your situation? With France being overtaken and the like"

"Because I already completed my development, my replication has already being finished. What I mentioned before about replicating the enemy, is only before that, however, I suppose I forgot to mention after that completion. After you have completed the development, it is still possible to replicate the attacking country, but rather than half of my mind changing, it is a quarter. After completed development, the replicating of such people is divided in half."

"So, if we are being technical, a quarter of what you choose to do, replicates what Reich would have done."

"... unfortunately. But, what is interesting, is that I technically replicate Hitler himself"

"What!?"

"Yes. Reich's parents were killed by my hand, his brother killed in '33 in that Reichstag fire... He has absolutely nobody to depend on except... his fuhrer. Despite him having to replicate the monster of a man... I have still seen some bit of what I call hope for humanity, that is, him seeming to have his own thoughts at rare times... and if he has completed development before Hitler was in power, it is only until Hitler is no longer around that Reich will be able to manage with his own thoughts, emotions... which... from what I remember... are scared, and..."


"Well," she trailed off, finally stopping her paces to face King eye to eye.


"I don't think this is the right decision...."


"I'm not entirely sure right now.."


"... innocent lives......"


"He has changed... and while I said he still has parts that remain the same..."


"..."


"I have to be honest. I'm not entirely sure which parts those are."


"But it's for a greater cause... one that I should not question..."


"I just hope he hasn't lost the empathy I remember him having before the 30s."


"Hitler and I are doing the right thing..."


"Because if we meet again..."


"It's for the better that they are killed.... it's to avenge our own people..."


"I hope by god that he isn't a sociopath."


"It's the right thing."

"Tippy tap tap. How long until he goes insane?"

"Well, that could take minutes or hours, depending on his willpower."

"How do we speed something like this up?"

"Be quiet. If all he hears is that drip, and all he feels is that water... he will lose his mind before we know it" the man chuckled, Japan merely huffed. "How boring. Is there nothing else psychological we can do to torture someone? I want something knew that doesn't take long."

"I don't mean any disrespect, ma'am, but most psychological methods are rather slow, it has to break apart the mind of man, and that doesn't always take the shortest amount of time."

"Most? So there are ways to torture one and have it quick? What are they!?"

"Ah- ma'am, it only takes short amounts of time if they have already been weakened."

"Ugh. You are no help. Go away!"

"Yes ma'am."

He rushed off and Japan sighed, "psychological torture... physical is so much more fast and it makes my blood pump... psychological torture... pfft, so stupid. Who even talked me into this... I do not have such patience in war. 'War methods'... so so stupid." She muttered with annoyance, walking away from the man who was tied down, unbothered by his muffled pleas as the water continued to drip down.


Actually... perhaps the please were amusing enough to stay, so she walked back over, watching the water drip down. Actually... this was quite amusing, it was strange how she hadn't seen the beauty before. She actually liked this method, it was effective to drive someone crazy rather than get information out of them, mainly because otherwise they wouldn't have gagged him before this.

"Psychology is so funny..." she chuckled softly, watching as the man's pleas grew louder, clearly beginning to go crazy already. Maybe it wasn't that slow of a process. And it wasn't that boring either.

Chapter Text

God, tell me why I feel like I'm doing something wrong?

Reich sighed. What was he thinking? Asking god for help on a moral subject, was he doubting his leader? He didn't want to say it, but he felt like he was doing something wrong.

Why? Why did he care? Those brits made his people suffer... they terrorized his own kind, bombed Berlin... they were cruel! They deserved this. They deserved to have revenge taken out on them. Who did those nasty brits think they were? Taking out their anger on the Germans? His civilians had no part in this war! Those dammed havens could burn in hell, the hell he would emit with bombers. He'd destroy those cities, tear them down, he'd remind them who was in charge of Europe, and that was him.


Reich stepped away from the window and began marching with a purpose, anger was fueling every step he took closer to the board room in the Reichstag, every step fueled with the desire for revenge, the desire to hurt those who hurt him, his people, his beautiful country and home. A desire to see the cities of the very United Kingdom fall to ashes, crumble at the sight of his Luftwaffe, shake in fear as the horrendous sirens that signaled the air raids to come would blair all day and night, as no hour would be spared as long as Reich saw fit. No time of day would be safe, no cities would be safe from the tirade that the bombs would surely act upon, speaking for the German people themselves.

Mercy would not be an option, infact, Reich would erase it from his vocabulary, every bomber sent to the UK would do nothing but destroy. Forget about the British airforce bases, those cities had to go.


And they would.


Reich had gone inside the board room, putting up a small map of the UK that was stored there, having gathered up his main commanders of the Luftwaffe. Naturally, it didn't take long for them to guess why they were in there when Reich began talking about British cities, although he'd like to believe he didn't sound to... well, not composed, his commanders had more or less spent half this meeting listening and watching him rant on and on about how he wanted the cities to suffer the germanic wrath, and that he didn't want the luftwaffe resting until the cities had been decimated from the sheer brutality of it all. Of course, none of the men dared to tell him that he had repeated himself a few times in anger, majorily out of fear for being snapped in half by Reich's words, so they kept their mouths shut to avoid scolding from the man who was clearly going insane already.

"You are all dismissed." He finally growled, leaving the room in an angry march, which, they also made no risk to comment on.

Reich was so mad! They really thought he didn't see the looks they were giving eachother and him!? He would yell and berate them for hours, but his voice was already slightly parched from so much talking, and talking while such anger filled his head made him talk more than he should, repeat himself, and speak louder than reasonable. He had no need to berate them anyway, he was focused on his plans, and he wanted nothing more than those cities to burn. Berating his commanders would just take more time that could be used preparing the pilots and sending them off to the UK.

A day.


Days.


A week.


Weeks.


A month.


Months.


Aberdeen. Bath. Belfast. Birmingham. Brighton. Bristol. Cambridge. Canterbury. Cardiff. Coventry. Dundee. Edinburgh. Exeter. Glasgow. Hull. Leeds. Liverpool. London. Manchester. Norwich. Plymouth. Portsmouth. Oxford. Sheffield. Southampton. Swansea. York.

Blitzed. Again, and again, and again.

All in the name of anger, revenge, vengeance, any word that Reich could think of, that was what the blitz was now being acted upon in the name of.

In the name of the fatherland, in the name of the third Reich, in the name of the German people, in the name of-

The list wouldn't stop. Anytime a question was posed, it was deflected and another word was put as a placeholder to excuse this act of terror.

Illogical. The Blitz was illogical, but he was done seeing that. He was blinded. By anger, hurt, sadness, and the ever so close prescence of his fuhrer Hitler. The blind leading the blind, as one says. Hitler guiding the path that would lead to both of their demise. Hitler guiding the path that Reich followed with so much trust it could be drawn as a picture of Reich putting all his eggs in one basket. Because that was what it was.

Massacre, mayhem, destruction, chaos. The quartet of words that came to UK's mind when it had first broke out. It wasn't the british's fault. It was a miscalculation made by a pilot who couldn't see due to the clouds in the night. Having meant to hit a military base but ending up over Berlin instead. UK could only partially blame him, mainly the fact his equipment wasn't working right and misguided him, however, the pilot shouldn't have followed through had he not been certain of the location he flew over. Perhaps that would have prevented this all, prevented the Blitzing of the UK, oh, the poor people of the UK, hiding in the sewers, underground, some fleeing England and heading to Scotland or Wales because despite them being technical British land, they weren't receiving nearly a fraction of as many raids as the English cities were. Truly, this was a blitzing of mainly England, Scotland, Wales, North Ireland, seemingly a second, third and fourth choice in the decision.

"I killed your Red Baron. I took back your strongest point in Vimy. I took all that you possibly had, and yet you still act as if there is some god... waiting for this god to save you. Do you know what my soldiers serve to? God, king, and country. Your god may be the same as my own, but even he has nothing but disdain for your people. How could any god love a man who creates and uses mustard gas? What god would love a man who acts on brutality and cruel? What god would love a man who was filled with German blood. No god. No god would love any of those men. God has no love for any of you, yet you continue to hold your faith. Pathetic."

"And you believe God loves you." GE hissed weakly.

"Heh... did I say he did?" She replied with a growing smile, never a good sign.


"Do you believe God loves a man who takes advantage of the enemy who they've settled temporary peace with!?"

"Do you believe I care what God had to say about my methods? You krauts and the allies declared temporary peace during Christmas, who said my soldiers celebrated Christmas? Perhaps they are Jewish? Perhaps immigrants from a non-christian country.... I was simply recognizing that my soldiers will not be forced to celebrate a holiday they wouldn't typically."

"That's utter bullshit"

"You're right, none of those soldiers were Jewish, not in that infantry, at least. However, war does not rest, why wouldn't I take advantage of unsuspecting war criminals?"

"Those men had families!"

"And their families live, no? What's one less person at the dinner table during family gatherings?"


"You're sick!"

"I'm angry. I'm unable to use proper words to describe how angry. Starting from the time I was forced into this war, to now. I am mad, angry, pissed off. You germans don't know what keeping peace means. You germans hurt my mother and her people, you germans shot down my father's people-"

"Manfred Von Richthofen has a ficken name!"

"Heh... 80 people, and now he's dead. See where brutality gets you?" She chuckled

"You're a sick bastard."

"Hm, sure thing! It's better than being called German. Anyway, as I said, I'm angry. You ruined the lives of innocent, you killed, you brutalized, you invented a fucking gas specifically to torture those who died from it. You forced my people into trenches with your war, most of those people were dying of sickness, or close to death already. My people made so many efforts that should have never had to happen... all because someone was too touchy when it came to their stupid Duke."

"Franz... Ferdinand" AH muttered weakly

"I don't care. He was pathetic, like you. Isn't it such a funny running theme I see amongst you germanic people? Sharing the trait of being a waste of Europe, a waste of the world land. If the German Empire, heh, if the Austro-Hungarian Empire disappeared... Nobody would miss you.... and guess what? I plan to erase you like the parasites you will go down in history as. Nobody needs parasites in this world. In a parasitic relationship, only the parasite benefits. The host suffers."


Canada awoke and sat up quickly, Netherlands mumbled something sleepily and woke up as well, yawning softly and staring up at her "what's wrong?" He asked softly, sitting up in bed beside her and lightly running the tips of his fingers up and down her back, planting a soft kiss on her shoulder, neither seemed to snap her out of her trance-like state of staring down at the bed. "Earth to Canada" he said, walking his fingers along her shoulder, and then just giving up and tickling her side. She barely reacted and shook her head "I need a moment" she muttered, climbing out of bed and heading into the bathroom. Netherlands frowned, wondering if he had done something wrong perhaps? No, he'd merely tickled her, and normally, she'd laugh, she was ticklish there, and when he did it just now- she barely flinches? Something was up and he was beginning to fear the worst.


Canada, meanwhile, stared in the mirror, trying to find anything about her that looked even remotely the same as before, naturally, nothing had really changed about her despite her hair having grown out since cutting it to her shoulders back in 1914. She sighed, looking at her roots. She needed to get them done again at some point, the top of her hair being blue was not favorable at the moment. It wasn't even her fault, along with her eye apparently her hair didn't like change and she'd been stuck dying it for several years. Who would she even be? Going around with blue hair, might as well be New Zealand.

To be fair, she didn't mind blue hair that much, it was a reminder of her French heritage, however, now it seemed to piss her off greatly. Was she mad at her heritage? ... psychology... hah, how could she have forgotten? Of course she seemed to have a slight dislike for the blue, Reich despised French people with a burning passion, mainly due to the Treaty of Versailles, well, it was more so Hitler who despised it, and Reich replicated he and she- why was she getting off track? The point was the blue was fine. She didn't hate it.

She didn't hate it.

She didn't hate it.

She didn't hate it.

And yet, no matter how many times she repeated that in her head, the irritation that was crawling up her spine remained and she had to just surrender to the fact that she hated the blue hair. Pfft, surrender? She didn't surrender. This was merely acceptance.


Canada took off her coat of arms patch and set it on the counter, washing her face with water and then drying the water off with a soft towel. She kept her face in the towel for a while and then looked at herself in the mirror, eyes going wide.

"No.... no- no absolutely no fucking way" she cursed under her breath, dropping the towel and leaning closer to the mirror.

"God tell me why the fuck my eye isn't blue anymore-" she whispered, staring in disbelief as the once prominent royal blue in her eye was slowly fading to a bold red. Was this part of the damn changes she was getting? What kind of bullshit was this? Her eye was scarred! It was never meant to change color, shape, anything! And now it was turning red? At least the fleur-de-lis was still there, but still! How in the hell was a scarred feature of her's changing? And why wasn't it changing to the deep shade of red like her other?

"Fuck!" She basically shouted, covering her mouth to shut her up. Was she trying to alert Netherlands? She put her coat of arms back on and used one of her canines to cut her finger, sucking on the blood and just after did Netherlands come into the bathroom with a concerned expression. "Nada are you alright? I heard you yell, are you hurt?"

She showed him the fresh cut and simply replied "I accidentally hit it on a corner," chuckling softly to really play up the supposed 'accident'. He sighed in relief "Good god, I thought you hurt yourself really badly, perhaps a broken bone or something just as bad" he opened the medicine cabinet and grabbed a bandaid from a box, taking off the backing and wrapping the bandaid around her finger "all better?" He asked, which she replied to with a pout. He got the hint and lightly kissed it "and now?" Canada smiled softly. "Merci beaucoup." He smiled back and pressed a kiss to her lips.

God, tell me why Reich is affecting me more than he should.

Chapter Text

"Oh! Do you have plans to invade Sowjet? Why of course!"

"Oh? So shouldn't you be putting this into action already? Why of course I should!"

"So why aren't you invading the Sowjet Union, Reich? BECAUSE OF AN INCOMPETENT BASTARD BY THE NAME OF ITALY!"


Reich sighed and laughed, a way to cope with anger. He had the papers on his desk. He had already had his army move east. And Finland was already busy, getting his country ready for the fight. But of course. An Italian IDIOT, screwed everything up, AGAIN, by invading Greece AND Egypt, and thought he was even remotely COMPETENT enough to do it himself... and NOW, once a-fucking-gain, the IDIOT came to Reich, complained and pleaded with him to send his forces to both the countries, and NOW, because they were damn ALLIES (oh Reich regretted having Italy as an ally so fucking much), Reich had to postpone his plans, and move his soldiers to fucking Egypt and Greece.

"INCOMPETENT IDIOT!" Reich had cursed at the top of his lungs.


He sighed and looked around. His office was just as neat-freakish as himself, however.. He might as well take out the anger in his system on something. Cleaning was a relaxing thing. Since he was a child he had always been nit-picky, whether due to how he was raised or because he just hated mess, he couldn't really distinguish, what he knew, was that it was a way to help calm himself from going mad, breaking something, or just give him something to do in his free time, although the last reason was quite often not the case, since Hitler's plans to invaded Poland first arised, Reich had been constantly working, organizing, going to meetings, etc. It somewhat pissed him off in a way. Of course, his fuhrer was working just as hard, but Reich being the one to direct the wehrmacht, the luftwaffe, and the kriegsmarine, totaled to a larger abundance of work overall, so, reasonably so, he was constantly stressed out.


"Start with the desk..." he said under his breath, taking everything off the desk and setting it on the floor. He had recently gotten a new vase of flowers so he supposed it was time for a rearrangement.

Reich hummed a soft melody as he began to re-place everything in different spots. Although he'd normally play music, since Hitler banned most music in the country since it was 'foreign' and 'inferior', Reich had also been forced to give up most of his preferred music. Although he still had music from 'racially pure' composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Wagner, Reich found himself getting a little sick of it after a while, of course he wouldn't tell his fuhrer that he gritted his teeth every time he would discuss with him and classical music was playing, but he preferred soft melodies that his parents would often sing to him, he enjoyed the music they would play for him that was from a country they had recently visited. Unfortunately, he would have to live with the man's choice of music until he found his own way to work around it, or until he went insane. The latter sounded more probable than the former.


Knock. Knock. Knock knock. Knock

The familiar sound was something he had grown used to hearing during his free time, irritating knocks that always planned themselves to ruin whatever Reich had taken upon himself to begin, this time, he was rather annoyed because he had been trying to sleep, at least- trying to get as much possible sleep as you could with a desk being your resting place.


Reich seemed satisfied enough with his desk, angling a vase of flowers somewhat to keep it from being too overwhelming with the straightness of everything else. The little files stacked, the book he had finished reading a bit ago but kept off the bookshelf for whatever reason, the little trinkets, the... oh? Why had he only recognized it now?


"Italy what horrific news do you bring me now?" Reich grumbled inaudibly as he stood up from his chair, stretching his limbs with a soft yawn, extremely soft compared to the growing anger. Imagine trying to sleep and your ally is disrupting you? You'd be angry too, especially if you knew it was because they needed assistance. Quite frankly, Reich would have invaded the Italian Empire and taken the country altogether, however, do to the tripartite pact between him, Italy and Japan, Japan would, due to being so honorable to the word of agreement, declare war against the Reich. This of course, became a scrapped idea when Reich had thought about it, so he just attempted to avoid Italy as much as possible. The truth was, Italy had been a wonderful ally to Reich.... that was- until WWII became about and Italy suddenly lost all the favorable traits in the German's eyes.

Right! Italy had bad news waiting at the door! Reich snapped out of his thoughts and stood in front of the door, grimacing and hiding it as he opened the door, a tear-filled and pitiful Italian looking back at him and breaking into sobs as he held onto Reich's arms. The latter never knew if that was to keep him from walking away, or if Italy just needed physical touch whenever he was having difficulties, but it was not.. the most appealing thing when Reich himself didn't enjoy people touching him, and he had been that way all his life, except with parents, and friends he actually liked.


Reich picked up the little trinket. When had he received this? Back in the 20s? A small box. But- why would he even keep this here? The red maple leaf front and center was a good indication where it was from, his eyes fixating on the trash can, however, he didn't really.. want to throw it out.. just- do so for dramatic effect... as if the Canadian would know he had thrown it out by some magic and be disheartened. He wondered if it would actually make her sad to see him toss out a gift? But who knew. The real question was why he had kept it himself.


"Reich! Oh Reich- I am so so sorry to come so unexpectedly!"

And looking so pathetic... Reich thought.

"I did not know what else to do- oh Reich- I started the war in Greece- but the Greeks are kicking my army's ass! And then we tried Egypt but damned Australians and their stupid neighbors came to fight for it back and my armies are not as trained for such heat as those hot-weathered monsters are! They somehow manage to cover so much land and-"

"Italy- dear friend and ally, you are talking so much, I am half asleep, get to the point, please." Reich interrupted with a soft yawn, his eyes having been drooping the entire time the other had been talking.

"Ah- mi dispiace, Reich. I know it is so much to ask, but please, I really need your help- the Greeks- ah I underestimated them! I assumed they were still acting as they were during the Roman period- when my soldiers were great warriors and the Greeks were no match- I got cocky- truly am I sorry, I bit off more than I could chew, and all the other expressions that mean I did too much than I could- but please, I do not know what I could do- I fear the Greeks may push into Italia- and that the Australians will do the same! So please-"

Atleast he's self aware... "It is alright, do not say please anymore, we are allies, I will have equipped soldiers sent to Egypt and Greece by the next week. Alright?" Italy hugged him "oh thank you Reich!! I will repay you, I promise!"

Sure you will... because when have you ever. "Oh no- that is alright. Just go and don't worry about a thing." He managed to force out despite the nagging thoughts.

"Oh- thank you so much! You are a greatest friend of mine!"


He carefully spun the box around, it didn't have anything important written on the outside, so he pried the lid off, which- proved to be quite difficult because it took him a little extra strength to open it. Inside, a bracelet, a gold fading into silver, perhaps due to never being worn, or it was made that way, Reich couldn't tell. On the inside of the top lid, a message read: 'Une bracelet tout forte comme notre amitié.' Which, he could roughly translate to: a strong bracelet like our friendship. Huh. Friendship? Yeah, this was definitely sent to him before the 30s.

His gaze landed on the braclet, on the silver side, a golden maple leaf charm, on the gold side, a silver iron cross charm. It was clear that thought had been put into this, and he truly enjoyed the contrasting colors being put on the same side so it would always be silver/gold and gold/silver. It was a nice touch to the overall thoughtfulness that this gift had even been sent, but the message also made a smile appear on his lips. He took the bracelet out, set the box down, and was delicate with the jewelry as he unclipped it and fastened it around his wrist. He quite honestly didn't mind it, and it was adjusted to his wrist size. Damn Canadian, how could he even forget how much effort she put into gifts? He had a bit of an urge to search through his desk to see if he could find more of those gifts, and, eventually, he put that urge into action, rummaging through his drawers and the like.


Damn Italy. Why the hell can he never get his act together? Does he purposely act dense towards how strong others are? Or does he simply not care to figure it out and perhaps, strategize, weaken them, SOMETHING beforehand?

Whatever. He wanted sleep and he was going to get some. Walking back over to his desk, he stared at it for a moment and then sat down on the chair, resting his head on his arms that were folded on the desk. He yawned a few times and his eyes stubbornly kept themselves awake and then, eventually relented and allowed him to doze off.


So.. perhaps he had gone a bit overkill, however, he hadn't even realized how many things she had truly given him, now looking at it all, she must have liked him much more than he had ever remembered. Several dozen letters, various items which included: some small bottles of maple syrup, a small photo book with several photos of them - which he had no recollection of being taken, some happy birthday cards, a book that - weirdly enough - Reich remembered him telling her he had always wanted, and various little boxes that he hadn't opened yet.

What was he even doing this for? What purpose did this serve? And now there was- eh.. he didn't have the heart to call it junk, it did mean something to him, otherwise he would've thrown it out, he'd like to believe.

Reich sighed and put everything back in his drawers, organizing them so they were at the back, just to avoid anyone from seeing them and thinking he had some weird obsession with Canada. He did, however, leave out a birthday card, only because he wanted to, see, per say, why he even bothered to keep them around, surely they were to some extent kind, they were probably a bit over the top knowing the Canadian before she had grown distasteful of the entirety of his existence.


Reich awoke and whined. Why, again? He had woken up. It was all due to his body's stupid force of habit to not allow himself to sleep if not everything was done, so naturally, he'd have to get his army prepared and sent to stupid Egypt and Greece before he could get some night's rest. Good lord was that Italian EVER a pain in his ass.


Reich read over the letter a few times, then refused to believe what he had read about 4 times and read it out loud and still didn't want to admit he had read what he had. "Damn you, Canada." He grumbled inaudibly.

Dearest Reich,

Who starts a happy birthday that way? Reich certainly didn't know, well, it was her, she did, but he supposed it wasn't out of line, she was.. rather formal, the only times he ever saw anything different was when neither France nor UK were around, that was when she was the most expressive.

Tu es un de mes plus meilleur amis. You are a delightful nation who enjoys the best in life and sees the good in everyone, myself included. You are respectful, a kind and sweet soul who deserves nothing more than the best in this world. I hope everything in the future turns out in the best for you, as well as Weimar. Bonne fête, you are very special and I hope your birthday is as well. I apologize for not being able to visit, but if I had, I would be giving you the tightest hug, you have gone through so much, don't ever let it bring you down.

Au revoir,

Dominion du Canada.


So maybe.. he couldn't convince himself this wasn't written any other way. The truth was, he loved the message, too much, and that caused problems. He wasn't supposed to be smiling at a birthday card from his current enemy, the fact they were friends when it was sent has no significance at all. He should have thrown these all out, but he hadn't, so, as he set the card into a drawer and closed it, he wondered if he should send a letter to her? Eh. Why should he bother, she'd probably think of it as a threat.

One, another, and another.

How long had they been in Egypt now? He seemed to have lost track, but honestly he didn't care. They were busy derailing trains with cargo for the Italians anyway, so as long as that didn't stop, he had no reason to focus on anything else.

More explosions, more shouts, more Italian, it was kind of like music, in a strange, morbid way, hearing the Italians cower and run off like feral kangaroos amused him a lot, and he absolutely did not mind seeing more of that from them. The Germans, on the other hand, well, since they had arrived, they'd been kind of throwing a wrench into their plans, of course, they were actually competent and so it made sense they were actually doing something to get the allies off their backs.

"Scaredy-cats aren't they mate? Act all tough and once confronted, the dammed idiots cry for the Germans who, because are tied down with an alliance pact, end up fightin' the bastards' battles for 'em. I bet ya a hundred dollars that they don't have any guts inside 'em, or brains, just plain ol' emotions that tide 'em over 'till the germs arrive." Australia said to his sister, aiming his rifle again as he heard her laugh. "Aye what's so funny?"

"You are! You've been making it your seperate mission the entire time we've been in El Alamein to take every possible dig at the Italians you could every time the opportunity arised. I've never seen someone with so much spite in them!" She replied with another laugh, reloading her gun and cocking it as she stood up. Australia looked away from his own rifle and smiled at his sister, "well, someone's gotta do it. Anyway, I couldn't imagine how well the german's are refraining from just killing the Italics altogether, they must have been pissed to hear the damn plan to come to Africa." Australia said, lining his scope up as he aimed the weapon to another explosive as a train was passing over it.

"Hey what about Rommel?"

"Bloody who?" He asked, firing the bullet that set off the explosive, exploding yet another cart of cargo.

New zealand shrugged "Rommel.. though I suppose everyone's been calling him the Desert Fox or whatever, yknow-"

"Ah! Right, Desert Fox. What about 'im?"

"He seems like he'd make sense on our side, no?" She asked, lining her rifle up and hitting a different explosive. "Did an Italian knock you over the head with stupidity or something? What are you rambling on about 'he'd make sense on our side'?" She hit her rifle a little to knock out a bit of gunpowder that had leaked from the bullet, a bad sign. "Well I spoke to him-" "WHAT!?" Australia shut his mouth real damn quick and kept his gaze on the soldiers who were still around, making sure none of them were coming over, then turning his attention back towards his sister and asking, much quieter this time, "what do you mean you spoke with the man? Why are you talking with our enemy?" New Zealand shrugged "I was wandering around, I saw him, he was just kind of busy smoking."

"Smoking? He wants to add more heat to this forsaken desert!?"

"It was night, I guess he just wanted to get away from the fighting, like I did. Anyway, that's not the point. I figured I would be nice, I waved to him, he kinda stared at me with a weird look for a while but he eventually came over when I called his name. He actually was pretty nice, we talked about some things together, he told me how the Germans even ended up in this place, and- yeah, I mentioned Hitler and he kind of shut down, clearly not wanting to discuss it, I asked him why a few times and he eventually gave in, saying how he didn't even agree with Hitler's ideas and beliefs, and was against what Hitler was for, but how he couldn't go again the leader or he'd be killed and his family may possibly be hurt in the process. He's really not too bad a guy, just in a bad situation is all." She explained, and if looks could kill, Australia would be a genocidal murderer.


"How could you possibly think he's a good man? Montgomery's a good man. Rommel's a nazi, Zea, he lies through his teeth as long as it benefits 'im! You can't be trusting 'im! And then the cherry on top is you went out in the middle of the night? Alone? Come on Zea! Thought pops taught you better than this! From now on, I don't care whether it's the hottest time o' day or the middle of the night, you stay with me. I ain't hearing any buts from you either. I'm older, I'm responsible for ya until this war we're fightin' is over, you listen to me. Got that?"

New Zealand wanted to start yelling at him, but she knew he wouldn't see her perspective, if it had been him, she knew he would have taken Rommel prisoner, so it made sense how angry he was. "Alright alright." She muttered, aiming her rifle again as a way to end the conversation before he started scolding her again. Ugh, scolding, something that parents should be doing, not siblings.


Australia narrowed his eyes but went back to using his rifle as well. He figured she may try and find loopholes, so he'd probably have to add a few things to his 'dos and don'ts' list to avoid her inevitable betrayal of running away out of sight and meeting up with that Rommel man again, which Australia had somewhat mixed feelings about, but more or less still saw as the enemy, and a threat to his sister. He made a promise to keep her safe, and he was going to keep that promise damn well if it meant anything.

"I'm just tryin' to care for you, 'right? I want to keep you safe, this war is no joke, and I know- you can care for yourself, but it's not always so bad to just have an extra to help watch over you, y'know?" He said after a moment's silence.

"Sheiße-" she immediately froze as the words left her mouth, unable to take them back, and most certainly unable to look at Australia now that she had.

"Zea. What? Was that."

"Ah! I missed the-"

"The curse."

"..."

"... You're done leaving out of my sight. I will tie you up to me if I have to, just to prevent you from leavin'. Stop speakin' with our enemy."

"I'm sorry."

"... ah, I can't stay mad at my lil sis, I just want you careful. You're free to leave, just not during the night, 'right?" He said, but New Zealand had gone back to aiming her rifle. He sighed and did the same "siblings..." he muttered as he shot yet another landmine.

"Stupid Italy. Stupid- Greece, stupid war stupid- ugh! Everything is stupid" He grumbled.
 

He really really really wanted to not be in Greece at the moment, however, damn Italy ruined that all and now, here he stood, just a little ways away from the border of Greece. Hitler had made the oh so wonderful decision to invade Yugoslavia for good measure, well, it was actually because they had gotten a 'pro-allied' government into power and Hitler did not want them getting any ideas or causing the Germans any trouble, so naturally, invasion came to mind, of course with the support of Hungary and Bulgaria. Now, Hungary made sense, after all, he was the twin of Austria, and, considering Austria was related to Reich, it only made sense. As for Bulgaria, he didn't know as much, but his fuhrer clearly did so he didn't question it, but he might as well figure out that situation when this was over and Greece was an axis belligerent. He wondered if Greece would be just as stubborn as his other victims? Greece had been stubborn in the last war too, Italy clearly couldn't catch a break with the Greeks kicking their asses, which Reich had to admit, it was quite comical. The Roman empire, fierce and brave, and now their sworn enemies (the Greeks) were ruining the remaining pride they had transferred to modern times, now.

How could he even be sure this wouldn't be the end of nazism altogether? Greece could probably put up a good enough fight to wear heavily on German resources, thus creating a problem when the allies are still in the country and Reich has to back out.

 
Ugh! Such thoughts were not warranted in his brain, why was he being so pessimistic? After all, he had the opportunity of a lifetime. Having heard Canada had gotten involved and sent her troops to Greece, aiding the British who, somehow managed despite the fact Reich was still busy ruining their country, actually, he had been noticing a falter in his air commanders, along with the pilots in general, unacceptable, of course, but it made sense considering Reich had pushed them to such exhaustion in the first place. Was it his fault? Sure, he would take full accountability if ever confronted, in his main defense, however, it was because he was mad and it was an act of the moment, later becoming the excuse of his pride wouldn't allow him to back down from what he was doing. Was it wrong? Absolutely! Did he know that? Well... He didn't not know, but he did only really come to the conclusion when the falter in his forces had begun to show the signs of their limits being pushed over.

Ah, back to the opportunity. He figured that... If UK wasn't around, due to him still being stuck in the UK to manage the blitz that still continued on in the country, that left Canada, having known it was Australia and New Zealand in Africa, along with Indian troops in both Asia and Africa, and America was off in lala land as a neutral nation, leaving Canada as the sole country actually in Greece, great news! This meant if he could just surround her military along with her, she'd, more or less, be forced to surrender! It was perhaps the only good thing about Italy's incompetence in this war, giving Reich the perfect opportunity to rub it in UK and the rest of his prisoners' face that Canada, the all so brave and strong and free, was now under his leadership, and he decided, no matter what, she would be under his command. He just refused to have her as a prisoner, he needed to send a message to the world, to the commonwealth, that he was so great that the woman who was so clearly distasteful of bowing before anything but the English crown, was now bowing before none other than him.

 
Italy's incompetence... Hm. Incompetence- it was an odd thing. Italy was older, mature, he was a proud standing nation, full of ideas and plans. He is quite competent, and then... War happens and Italy has suddenly turned into a turtle and has hidden into his shell. Surely he'd had more experience in competence? Why else would he have been in power since '22? Reich had gotten in in '33 and managed to know more about this stuff than the man who preceded his experience by 11 years. Perhaps a good thing? At the olympics he had told himself that he'd have to end up betraying his allies, now, more than ever, he was excited at the prospect of owning the Italian Empire, of owning Italy himself. Japan was harder to commit to doing such a thing to, with the reasons of how he'd rather not be on the other side of her blade and also due to their relationship which he really didn't want to lose all because he got greedy and wanted Asia all to himself.

Reich, after mentally drooling over his thoughts, came back to reality, and decided to take a stroll around. After all, this would be yet another piece of land he could greatly use for vacation, such beautiful historical landmarks Greece possessed, and it was no doubt that Hitler would enjoy such a sight as well, considering he had a love for architecture that remained as beautiful as it was when first built, that was another thing, Hitler had been planning many projects to create monuments, artifacts, and structures that would be visually appealing 1000 years from now, Reich, of course, was more fond of painting than physical design, but to each their own he supposed.

 
 He walked around for a little while, having run into Italy at one point, then some of his troops in another, and.. now?

 
Well, now he was staring directly at the very Canadian, hiding near a ruined building as he watched her talk with a group of soldiers. He waited until they left or were dismissed and then emerged, looking around to see if there were any threats, and as he got closer- "I do not have time for your antics" She stated, grabbing his wrist and turning it around so forcefully Reich stumbled, now facing the woman as he turned that glared back at him.

"I thought as much. Although I was expecting Italy over you" she said, tightening her grip on him. "Ach! You brat- let go of me immediately!" He scowled. "Speak English. I'm done speaking your language." Reich grimaced at the mere thought of speaking that language. The truth was, his English was.. well- it wasn't great. As in- terrible. He remained silent and he could just barely see the gears turning in her head. She looked a lot angrier- and, strangely enough, her glare reminded him of himself. Perhaps.. just to try it out.. he could maybe possibly appeal to her in another way?

Ew! Why was his first thought to seduce her? He was a man who was loyally committed to Japan, although the Canadian fit his aryan a lot better... no! He loved Japan, why was he trying to draft up reasons why it wouldn't matter?


"Canada... so good to... see.. you" he said, her frown deepened "that couldn't have been any worse to hear. Go back to your stupid German, your English is an insult to my father's land" she said, twisting his wrist further, ignoring his whimper of pain.

"Okay! Okay- Canada- ach! Please stop doing that! You'll snap my wrist!" He pleaded, clenching his free hand to try and distract him from the increasingly angonizing pain. Since when did she have the motive to crush bones?? That was always his thing... perhaps, he could appeal to her in similarities then? Maybe, all it took was for someone to be like her and she'd realize he was the better choice to be the ally of?


"Canada- you win, alright? Listen to me- atleast before you fracture something!" He said, although the pain didn't completely lift, he felt it ease up a little. "If you were in charge of the country, your throat would've already been cut. Lucky you that you only manage your military, otherwise you'd be as brutalized as I found some of my soldiers back in Belgium to be." She snarled, Reich merely flinched, but a flinch was a flinch, he was hoping she didn't recognize that like she didn't recognize the pain etched on his face.

"Okay- look, we've had our differences- most bad, but others, very good! We were friends back in the Great depression, we had met eachother before the Great War, we got along so very well during those years, and, I've thought, we really aren't so different! We both have annoying neighbors, we both have siblings, we enjoy being more vicious when it comes to killing someone, we would do absolutely anything for our countries-" he said the last part with a certain tone to it, almost like he was implying that 'doing absolutely anything for our countries' meant joining his side. Of course, Canada cut him off before he could continue such a list.


"Respectfully, almost every country has atleast one sibling. America may be off-putting at times but I'd never have the heart to call him an annoyance, he is my step-brother, for viciousness, I was always worse than you, don't even pretend like you enjoyed that until your stupid leader decided it was a better method, you've always hated violence since the day you saw me kill your parents, and as for doing anything for my country, I have limits. We are not alike, do not wear such rose-tinted glasses."

"Do you think I am stupid? You may believe these things, but you do not understand. We are the same, similar in many ways, so many ways! Canada, it makes nothing but sense for us to see eye to eye and become the greatest-"

"Nope."

"Greates-"

"No."

"Greate-"

"Non."

"Grea-"

"Absolutement pas."

"GREATEST" he shouted, clearing his throat and then saying at a level volume, "alliance, this world will ever see. We are so understanding of eachother, and of course, we will have a wonderful bond, we will restore order in the world, and you will be my equal, not an enemy, a friend, someone who I can trust and you can do the same- put your trust in me, I will not betray iT-" Reich's breath caught in his throat and he had to hold back the urge to cough fanatically as her dagger pressed firmer against his chest, right on his heart. "I should kill you just for this pathetic suggestion you have dared to speak of to me. What a little pathetic brat you are, trying to get me to betray my own crown.. years of my loyalty, devotion, admiration, all spent strictly towards the crown of my country, and yet you believe you can change it because-"

Reich zoned out her words.

Pathetic.

That was... hah... something he remembered her swearing to never call him, well, that was before all of this... His parents were the people she called pathetic before, now it was.. him. Did it hurt to be called pathetic? Knowing exactly what the intent behind the word is? Well, no. But.. yes. It hurt more than he'd admit to even himself. Those words came from a place of hate, hate that he hadn't seen since WWI. But he still remembered how it was said then, the same tone, same person, same.. the only thing that had changed was her coat of arms during the Great Depression.

"Earth to the germanic parasite" the sharp voice cut him out of his thoughts as he suddenly felt the dagger press further against his chest.

"No-! If you kill me my soldiers have direct orders to kill all the prisoners, that includes your mother- Belgium, fuck- denmark, poland-"

Her eyes widened the slightest, although barely recognizable, Reich saw it, and he knew he'd walk out of this alive no matter what. "You are so very dirty." She hissed "perhaps you are more like me than suspected."


Reich internally smiled at that last comment, infact, he was quite pleased to hear her say that.

"Like I said. We are more alike than you think. And- you're perfect, you have land and resources like no other in Europe, an abundance of everything that would make an economy thrive! The only problem is.. you have so much land but barely any people... wouldn't you want to lend space over and- then, you'd have more people, making your economy better, and my people would have more resources, more jobs, more everything! It sounds wonderful, no? An alliance that would make the most sense possible?"

Canada narrowed her eyes and then sighed softly "Reich."

"No.. shh, just consider this... a world ruled by the axis... you included- a perfect world that would show everyone what a better planet looked like.. the appeal of living in a better future overriding any fear they may have!"

"Except that fear has already been instilled. You cannot pretend like everyone will fall in love. That's the problem. You believe that everyone will understand, but they won't. They won't understand and they will dislike you, your regime. What happened to Archduke Ferdinand? He was killed. You will fall into the same fate, and so will the leader you follow so willingly without question. A perfect world is one that you do not rule."


Reich was kind of really damn close to losing his shit right there. "A perfect world only has me to rule it! You cannot be speaking of a perfect world! UK has twisted your brain into a submissive colony that obeys him!"

"... Do you not see how you yourself fall into the same thing under Hitler?" She replied softly. He paused and looked at her in absolute anger. "Do not call my leader anything but the greatest man to rule Germany!" She sighed and loosened her grip. "If this area weren't occupied by either of our forces, I'd have you brought back to Canada right now. Psychology! So funny.." she stated before briefly adding "and not your nazi version of it."


Canada expected to get yelled at. And then he got closer and she internally grimaced and backed up, tightening her grip again on his wrist. "Canada... oh Canada.. if you simply stepped away from UK, you would finally understand that you are a puppet to him... is he even your true father?" He couldn't possibly know about her past, could he? "He is really my father. As much as France is my mother." She stated, but he shook his head and lightly caressed her cheek. "Hands off." "You first" he retorted, then changing back to that admiring gaze and light touch. "Canada... you may be honest... you are not fooling anyone by claiming UK as your father... you said it yourself, America is your step brother, which means that you're adopted. France is your mother.. but UK- well.. he's just filling in a role that wasn't filled in before. Isn't that sad? To gain a father you had to lose a mother?"

"You read a lot of history on me do you?" He nodded and a smile crossed his face "We are so similar, I've read your history.. Do you not see the similarities between us? Between our people?"

"Supposedly..."

"I'll take that answer. Now.. don't you realize, that with such similar ideals.. similar plans.. similar childhoods... that we would truly make a better team? A better alliance... a better future..?"

He was.. much too close for her liking, and she wondered if it was that quarter of her that was making her feel like he was right? No he was wrong. Infact, she needed to get out of here, maybe have her soldiers take over this area if possible to stop it from being unoccupied so that she'd never have to encounter Reich and be unable to take him prisoner. She let go of his wrist, backed up and said firmly "Reich. It's not happening, and whatever you're trying to do, it's not going to work. UK may not be my father by technicality, but he was better at raising me than anyone else could have. We may have similarities, but many nations have similar traits and hate one another with a burning passion, this is no different. You're not dead right now because of your previous threat and because this zone is unoccupied so I'm not allowed and will be persecuted if I do. Stay on your side of this war, I stay on mine. You are not my friend." She walked away and while Reich really wanted to follow, he was still processing her words.

"Fuck you Italy. If you weren't such a curse, Canada would have been my ally by now. God you are the biggest pain this world has" Reich said bitterly, returning to his own side.

The worst part about Italy is-

"Oh! Hello Italy, I didn't expect to see you over here!" Reich suddenly said.

Italy nodded and then shrugged "I didn't know where else to go, the British forces have disrupted my own and now they are pushing my soldiers back through Greece, ah! It is such a bother, I know, but we need more troops in the south, if Athens falls then the country will be ours!"

More like it'll be mine... "why yes of course! But you do understand that just because the capital falls, does not mean the country has. We must force the allies out of the country entirely. Now. I'll start moving more troops south, but you need to start pulling your weight around here, alright? My soldiers are strong but not invincible."

"Why of course! You have my country's support entirely!"

"Yeah.." support.

Chapter Text

"Commotion? What commotion?"

U2 submarines have been reported in the Atlantic.

"That's not us. The 'Atlantic' doesn't mean-"

Submarines have been reported being closer to the east coast of Northern North America, nearing the east coast of the maritime provinces.

"Maybe they mistook the states for provinces?"

Found near New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

"*sigh*"

"What if we sent submarines over to North America... and we used that to infiltrate the country! We could kidnap Canada... whoever else she's hiding..."

"You are awfully obsessed with her, no?"

"Am not! She is the head of a country full of viable resources- spacious land- scarce population- her country is perfect! Just as much as the USSR is a main target. Not that many people occupying the country, especially not the east, as well as having-"

"Alright- I understand I understand. You're not obsessive over her, just her entire country."

"Precisely!"


He nodded and looked over as the German began scribbling some arrows. "These will be our routes to the country, any difficulties otherwise will be accounted for and there will be a plan for every single issue that is likely to occur. We will have no faults as long as what I know now does not change before the route is set. There will, of course, be icebergs, other sailing ships, but no naval forces should be expected by the Canadians or British. In conclusion, no errors, faults, or problems should occur without an ability to deal with it."

".. so the thought that the.. people in the maritime... would notice the submarines and alert officials of them never occurred? Is that what you mean to say?"

The 2 commanders nodded and she sighed. "Well. Now we have high ranking officials in the country, working for the enemy. I'm sure we can clearly work our heads and understand what follows this revelation."

"..." they glanced at eachother, neither wanting to acknowledge the inevitable. She glanced between them and raised an eyebrow "it shouldn't be that difficult." Still, silence remained and it took a moment before she smiled and chuckled "oh, that's fair, you're worried about getting tortured. Well.. if you don't tell my generals what they want to know, that will be what you encounter, so.. I think it's quite simple, if you don't want to see your own limbs mailed back to Germany... just tell them what they want to know." She shrugged simply and with a nod, the soldiers dragged the now-panicking germans out of her office. She laughed softly upon hearing them start to speak in panicked voices as they were led down the hallway. "Stupid Germans..." she sighed with another soft laugh right after. "Unfortunate they can't speak English... they'll have a fun time I'm sure" she murmured with another chuckle, then turning around to face her map and continuing to scribble some notes down.

"So what? We didn't account for the fact the Canadians would spot them. But I know that canadian, she doesn't do that torture stuff anymore, too soft hearted. She wouldn't harm a fly." He laughed and continued on with his work. Then he frowned, looked up and raised an eyebrow. There was.. nobody there. Was he going crazy? Someone was just there, speaking with him.

Oh well! He continued with his work, filing reports, signing his signature, etc. He figured that if he were going crazy, he'd probably be hallucinating more often. He doubted he was-

...

Where did his paper go?

He could have sworn he was writing a paper. He remembered- alright. Maybe he was hallucinating, but surely it wasn't chronic? He was likely just tired. After all, he hadn't gotten too much sleep the last week or so, which, wasn't his fault, busy running all over the place because Hitler was busy settling matters with another issue, so he was put in full charge of the country.

Never again! He really did not need to lose so much sleep running the country. Maybe she was right, telling him that no world should have him running it. Although he hated those words.

He needed sleep.

"Teeth. Hair. A finger... and yet they still won't speak in anything but German." The man stated as Canada inspected the envelopes, each containing the mentioned, each having a different address written. "Isn't it so nice we have the address of practically every high official in Germany?" He added with a slight chuckle. Canada didn't laugh, simply looking over through the one-sided mirror, watching as two of her men continued to shout at the sobbing Germans. She knew that the only reason they had the addresses was because of the established trust between her and Reich back before this whole war. She knew this just as well as the fact that those Germans would be tortured to death, unable to speak a drop of English. She knew they couldn't speak English when they wouldn't speak it and kept pleading in German rather than English.

Normally, she would never have had them interrogated, normally, had they been interrogated, she would have gotten a translator, normally, she wouldn't have lied and told her soldiers the prisoners could speak english but just refused to. But was this normal times? No. This was war times. And during this war, she had locked away her heart and didn't care if they suffered until death. She didn't need or want information from them, she wanted to send a message to Reich, to show him exactly what happens when he tries to put war on her country's front. If two men had to die because of it, so be it.

She walked out and decided to leave the building altogether. Netherlands was waiting for her, along with Iceland, although, Iceland had recently been acting a little strange, likely due to Reich's newfound influence over him through Denmark, but she would figure out a way to deal with that later.

"Oh dear god..." he whispered, being wary to keep his expression from looking any more concerned than he was, after all, he was their leader, he needed to keep a composure, even if his stomach was twisting and making him want to throw up.

A finger. A FINGER!

There was also a note but it wasn't as important as the finger he now held with disgust, well, maybe it was a little important.

Dear T. Reich,

It has come to my attention you think you have a right to leave your filthy submarines anywhere near my maritime provinces. Not only am I angry about this, but so is Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, along with PEI. They are not fond of having germans spy on them and neither am I. Let this be your only warning that if you decide to bring more of your naval fleet anywhere near the maritime or the St Laurence, that I will be cutting off more than just feeble limbs.

P.S. Your commanders screams are quite funny to hear throughout the night. Too bad they can't speak English, or maybe, one of them by the name of Klaus Herbert, wouldn't be losihisanither part of him as I write.

Sincerest hate,
Dominion du Canada. ♡


That little-

"Oh? So this is how we're playing?" She laughed with irritation as she received an envelope labeled 'payback'. She knew this had something to do with what she had mailed to the German, it was surprising he thought of something so quickly, however, no worries, she had the U-2s' other soldiers, if she ran out of limbs on the generals, she'd start mailing them, infact-

"Go get a spoon."

"I'm afraid to ask-"

"Go. Get. A. Spoon. And. Scoop. Out. One. Of. Their. Eyes." She demanded. "I will not ask again. If you do not have the guts to do it, I will." The soldier had, however, already left after she'd given the order, so there was really no point in adding the last part.

If Reich wanted to declare a proxy war with prisoners, she'd gladly play at that game herself. What was a couple hundred more Germans dismembered and mailed to Germany? Definitely not important enough for him to just agree to back down and keep his navy away from her country.

Oh well, that was his choice, and if he wanted to continue this, so be it, she didn't care, she was making her point. And knowing the German, he was likely to quit soon if it meant preventing more deaths of his soldiers. Those poor men, being tortured by her hand because he was a cruel, stubborn prick, maybe she was being hypocritical saying he was the one acting that way when she took into consideration that this fight that she wasn't going to back down from was at the cost of her own soldiers just as well as his.


That wasn't a pleasant thought. Some of those men had been very young upon capture, the idea that the sons of families of her country's were being tortured as young as 17, was... a very unpleasant thought.

Despite everything, despite her not wanting to be the first to surrender, despite how much she wanted to prove her point, the lives of her own soldiers were at stake, that fact alone overruled any anger and pride she had to make a point.

She needed to stop that order, not because she was sorry for torturing the germans, but because she wanted to keep this from escalating into the massacre of prisoners of war.

He was sure he was going to be sick for at least a good while. If not physically, then mentally.

First it was a finger, then it was blood-stained teeth, and now?

An eyeball? An ear? An elbow? What the hell did 'E' stand for? He didn't want to find out. What kind of sick game was this anyway? Writing a single letter and making him go through every single body part possible starting with that letter until his mind got the best of him and he figured out what (dried up) bloody limb was in the envelope or box that day? She was really testing out how cruel she could be, and that possibly could have made everything worse. If she wasn't going to stop, he would have to admit surrender, write Canada off as a country to never put any military force near unless necessary.

He didn't want to continue thinking about this. He took the envelope and was about to shred it, then realizing that it may break his shredder, and if not, he'd hear the unpleasant noise of a body part being shredded.

He needed to stop thinking or he was definitely going to throw up on the spot.


Reich took the envelope, called for one of his commanders, and handed it to the man for it to be disposed of properly, maybe even be used for one of Mengele's experiments or something.

Reich then sat down at his desk and grabbed a lined piece of paper. He stared at the blank sheet before pressing his pen down on it and beginning to write.

Maybe- she'll just leave my soldiers alone...

But he didn't really think so hopefully, knowing that any certain trait of hers was when she started something in spite or in an act of warning, she refused to stop if the person on the receiving end didn't fold the first time.

Dear D. Canada,

Despite the hostilities between us right now, especially due to the current situation going back and forth between us, I send you this letter in hopes you will read it and please, for the love of God, put an end to this. I hate to see parts of my generals mailed to parliament here, it disgusts me to imagine what you have already done, and I have too much guilt to bear the fact that my soldiers' blood is on my hands because I retaliated and because I sent those submarines over to your coastline in the first place. I know we have our issues, I know you'll likely toss this in the shredder either after reading it or before, but I don't want my people being put through torture any longer. I won't touch your soldiers again, I don't want to continue this charade of brutality.

I'm sorry.
Sincerest regards,
T. Reich.

Canada read it in surprise, having just sent a letter to Germany herself she was a little.. off put that they had really thought the same thing, just another thing that reminded her of that encounter back in Greece.

She looked back at the two germans, both of them having pure fear in their eyes, as well as rather weak expressions, full of tear-stained cheeks, their wrists cuffed to the table. One of then had part of their ear cut off, the other was missing their middle finger, both of them, although not visible, had had hair ripped out, sometimes drawing blood, so if you looked real close, you could see some crimson red in their hair.


She set the letter down and gestured for her men to leave, then turned back to the germans and sighed, sitting down in the chair across from them.

"You speak German. Don't waste my time and pretend you can't." She said simply.

They both nodded vigorously and she thought for a moment before speaking again "look. You are prisoners of the Canadian side now, you both, along with your crew, will not be let go until the end of this war, and in that time, you will likely be placed into another prison, and later integrated into the country as a Canadian citizen, if you have a problem with that, I don't care. Now. The torture will stop, it is clear you do not speak English, and as requested by the head of your military, Third Reich, quite desperately, I might add, you will not be harmed any further and you will receive medical attention soon. I have been informed of your names, but not your ages, so I want that, along with your rank, and that is all my business here."

They looked like they were close to crying again, likely out of relief. What wasn't relieving, was the answer she received.

According to them, the one, 'Hans', was 26. 26! The other, 'Klaus'... 24! These men were so young, and Canada almost lost her mind. She purposely set them up, had them tortured, all this out of spite, all while these men were some of the youngest generals she'd seen on the german side. Normally they were late twenties at least, usually thirties, so she didn't feel as bad because they had had years of doing military work, but 24 and 26?? She couldn't really think properly, and she cut them off shortly after a moment of shock where she had missed their ranks.

"Alright. That's, really all I need. I'm-" she looked at them confused as Hans began to cry and Klaus began speaking unintelligible German, which she soon began to understand after it became more clear as a bunch of 'thank you's' and some other gibberish. Canada felt nothing short of horrible. She did this.

It was good she had an eye-opener before she had one of her soldiers scoop out an eye.

Dear T. Reich,

I send this letter in hopes you have not already taken another limb of one of my soldiers you have prisoner. Despite my anger towards what you did, I realize I acted unnecessarily and could have simply sent you a warning rather than resort to such violence. I have called off all orders for any continued torture of the soldiers I have taken prisoner, do not expect to have them sent back, and do not expect your submarines to return, New Brunswick has always been fascinated with the things anyway, so he voted to keep them. In conclusion of this letter to you, I am declaring peace with you, and calling this fight off, it is petty and cruel and I am clearly aware you do not want your people losing limbs just as much as I.

Somewhat sincere regards,
Dominion du Canada.

Reich read this and almost wanted to hug the Canadian. He wasn't sure if this had been mailed before she'd received his letter or after, but he didn't care. He trusted her word, that was something that was clear, she kept her promises, and despite the tension between them, between their leaders, and between their countries, he still trusted her word because she was still honorable to an extent.

He pressed a kiss to the letter and then opened his drawer, folding it up and putting the letter in the drawer beside all the other things he had from her.

Maybe things were a bit better than he thought they were going.

Chapter Text

"This is just..."

"It's just what? Your highness?"

He looked up from the paper and narrowed his eyes at the woman who now wore an amused smile. "Don't call me that." She chuckled and looked back at her files "with a name like 'King' you have to be called it at least once in your life." She stated, whistling at the information on the paper. "Are these my newest crimes?"

Not registering her question he replied to her statement, "I heard it enough in- wait-" he paused, eyes widening as she looked back at him, her smile growing again. "You can't be serious. Already? They weren't even in war-!!" He complained, rubbing his temples as she laughed. "Why are you laughing about this!? What did you do?!" He asked, his gaze filled with concern, knowing the Canadian, it likely was something extreme. "I started a little proxy war with Reich, hehe... cut off some limbs and then we kinda called it off when he started using my soldiers to level the field."

King almost screamed, but kept it down with a deep sigh. "Canada. You are playing mind games with our enemy." "And so what?" He shook his head "you think it's funny, but he's a loose cannon, he agrees with whatever Hitler says and if that means bombing the country- I think we can conclude what is likely to happen! You need to focus, or-" she shot a glare his direction, the playful manner she had expressed earlier nowhere to be found.

"You don't have the guts to take me out of this war. If you managed the military and the country by yourself you know just as well as I do that you'd fail at it."

King just sighed "I just-... I need you to focus on keeping the tensions from getting too high. If you go off the rocker- do you understand how the Germans could end up getting leverage?"

"Mr Mackenzie-King, you are wanted in senate." A voice said after knocking on the door. "Please... just try to keep our country from having to fight a front we can't afford." He somewhat pleaded before walking out of the office and closing it behind him.

"Leverage...." she hummed, glancing down at the papers before setting them aside.

"Those prisoners would know a good thing or two about the military..." she added under her breath with a slight chuckle "don't worry, your highness. Can't get leverage if you have to even the field first." She laughed quietly at the name and smiled with genuineness this time. "I will never stop calling him that as long as this war goes on." She murmured, opening the door and slipping out of the office, making sure nobody noticed. After all, she was sort of banned (by Mackenzie) to leave his office, since he was worried she was going a little off-task.


She left the building and breathed in the fresh spring air. April had already come to an end and soon May would as well. It was almost hard to believe it had been almost a month since her forces had been sent to Greece and north Africa... and in a few weeks, it would be a month since her forces had been forced out of both the country and continent, both by German advances. It was quite funny, had the Germans just stayed out of Greece or North Africa, the allied forces would have been able to stop Italian advancement with as simple as a time crunch of a week. Unfortunately, the latter were allies with the former, which meant a week was extended to several, and even then, it proved useless because they were forced out anyway.

She found it interesting, however, how her mind just then drifted to the thought of Soviet. Was he not an ally of Reich? She hadn't actually heard of anything related to him after the invasion of Poland, as well as, who could forget, the Winter War. After that entire fiasco, Soviet seemed to have just disappeared, as some would say. Canada wondered if they were even allies or if they just had a one-time agreement for the sake of invading Poland and the baltics. Keeping that in mind, Canada was starting to think she could get herself- and the country, some pretty good leverage over Reich... if she, say, made her own little agreement with Soviet. It was a little thought, and she could be damn persuasive when it mattered, so surely... if this mattered-

She had to pause her thoughts as she arrived to the camp. It was her idea of a nice setup for POWs. After all, if they were unhappy with it, they weren't allowed to leave, that much was clear if someone tried to escape, which she noticed, as she entered, that someone had clearly tried. Obvious from the fact he was dead on the ground with a gunshot in his head. Maybe he should have been smarter, but that wasn't important, she was here for leverage.

That was it.

"So. High in command... a good position in the government's SS command... A part of Hitler's little circle... all of that information is right here." She began, setting the folder that had a large [CLASSIFIED] stamped in red. "Now. All of these.. details, per say, about you, are useful, others useless, and others, very incriminating." She trailed off so that the officer could take in the full extent of her threat, and when she saw that little bit of fear flash in his eyes, she noted part-victory.

"I can have these all destroyed, have your identity reinstated, and once you're eventually out of here.. you'll be an ordinary citizen of the Dominion of Canada, doesn't sound so bad when the alternative is being put on trial and a possible execution occurring. After all, my people are not too happy about Germans like you being so destructive towards the freedom of their home. So. This is quite simple. If you just tell me anything at all that would give the Canadians leverage, I will have all of this cleared at the end of the war. You will be off the hook if you just, cooperate."

He stared at the folder and then back at her, speaking in the broken English which was rather hard to understand under his thick accent, but she'd listened to worse (Reich) speak English so she was able to get the gist of it.

"If.... tell you- uh.. things.... give leverage... but Germany win war- and.... I am... traitor-!"

She hummed, taking some time to put his words into proper grammar before responding in a relaxed voice, a tactic she hoped would settle his nerves so she could just get what she wanted. "I understand your fears. They are reasonable, you will be seen as a traitor if, say, Germany did win this war. However, I am not going to use this leverage until I know they have made a mistake and that mistake will be their downfall, that, is when I will use this information. I can assure you that none of this will be used until necessary, all I want, is leverage against your country." She finished and sat down in the chair across from him. Propping her head up on her hand as the officer looked down in thought before looking back at her and leaning forward slightly, a look in his eyes that told her she had gotten full-victory.

"... month ago.... before- Greece... Hitler.... interested in.....East.... Soviet Union."

Hitler? Interested in taking the Soviet Union? How. Shocking.

"Said... we take...... big land-.... expand for.... Germany people..."

What else did I expect?

"Operation-... Barbarossa... is name..... of... plan attack."

Operation Barbarossa eh? I'll keep that in mind for sure...

"Is that all? Actually, don't worry, that's all I'll need from you. I thank you quite sincerely- uh... your name again?"

"Yaroslav Hunka"

"Noted."

"Canada. What the, excuse my language, FUCK, did you think you were doing, running over to one of our POW camps-"

"Leverage"

"STOP CUTTING ME OFF!" He shouted, and for once, Canada was getting this.. no. Don't say that word... she wasn't-... maybe if she broke it down....

"əˈSHāmd" is the correct textbook pronunciation. The textbook definition is : embarrassed or guilty because of one's actions, characteristics, or associations. That wasn't her.. was it? She didn't feel.. that word. She did something she had to. Leverage was important, important enough to go against the suggestions.. or were they instructions? She couldn't remember. It was reasonable what she did, he was just getting angry for-... wait. Why was he angry again?


Oh. Was he still talking?


"worst of all-"


Yes. Still.. talking. Maybe I should have listened to that...

"Sorry for interrupting. Could you- uh.. I wasn't listening to any of that."

"..." King looked like he wanted to scream at the top of his lungs but held back, composing himself, taking a long pause, and speaking in a much more level tone, which, Canada recognized all too well, having learned to do that herself many times before. Because that was proper etiquette, even if people pissed you off to the very core, you took deep breaths, thought out your words to avoid insulting or name-calling, and spoke in a calm and polite tone which nobody would take offense by. She knew that all too well from the constant reminders from UK as a child, when she'd get into fights with her siblings, but to be fair, America always picked those fights... She should probably be listening!

"And all it is- is my concern. You've proven how well you can handle yourself, you've proven you can run this country damn well better than I ever could, but during war, and I saw it even during my time in office in WWI, you turn into a fanatic. I hate comparisons, I hate comparing you to anything at all that isn't good, but you have a habit of going a bit far off, you go a bit extreme, you do things that would make others, and even yourself, gag in disgust, but you do it with pleasure and.. I just don't want to see that. Let me rephrase that, I don't want to see you, falling into that pattern a second time."

"... so about that leverage-"

"NO! NOBODY IS-" he took a deep breath "nobody, is using any leverage on anyone. You- are going to actually listen this time, and you will stay in this office, because I spent my time, and used the time of several people to find you, only for one of them to find out you were visiting a prisoner camp. You are going to do anything but focus on whatever leverage this is. Is that clear?"

"..."

She narrowed her gaze but gave an over-the-top sigh of defeat and then smiled as he just shook his head, clearly tired of this. "Yes. Clear as day!" She promised, watching as he nodded and left the office.

"With pollution..." she murmured.

Chapter Text

"Alright let's do this! We've been preparing for far too long to let it go to waste!"

The sounds of his commanders preparing their soldiers for the invasion into the USSR was nothing short of marvelous sounds that Reich was pleased to hear so loud and proud. The thought that he was really the one in charge of this warfare, was beautiful, it was amazing, it was perfect.


It was an exciting but tense atmosphere, clearly the weight of what the Germans were about to do was settling in and Reich could see some of the men were looking rather conflicted or tense, which, made sense. This was a large ally that they would be taking, but Reich already knew that Soviet would surrender by the fall. Having worn out his resources in the winter war, the soviets would prove useless against Reich's prepared blitz of the union. He would do what Napoleon failed to achieve and that was to take the entirety of Russia, well, he shouldn't discredit the man so much, he did make it to Moscow, but he also didn't really have anything to conquer after so they left, also, there were no resources to survive with. Reich knew all of this so he made sure that his men were well equipped beforehand if the Soviets prepared to create a second 'burn and run' escape like back then, but maybe not, Soviet was nothing like his father, RE, besides the russian blood, and keeping that in mind, Soviet wouldn't be likely to do something his father had done just out of spite to prove he didn't need his father at all.

After all, Soviet was incredibly stubborn like that.


Stubborn, and far too trusting.


Reich had already given his commands, making them as clear as possible. He didn't need to do much else but oversee the first few steps of his plans to make sure they went stable. Hitler had stated quite clearly that he didn't want Reich participating in this, not because he wanted to keep the pleasure of this away from the German, but because Reich was simply too valuable to lose alongside a bunch of soldiers. That sentence, although not outright said, irritated Reich to a certain degree. Those soldiers were just as valuable, maybe not to the fuhrer, but to him! They were his men, no matter how brutal he could be with them, he cared deeply for them, in that respect, he and Canada were almost identical. He despised having to mark more burials for more men, he despised it with all his heart to lose his soldiers in combat. He knew that they weren't perfect, that they wouldn't always survive everything, but sometimes he wished they could be like the Canadians. They were some brutal people in war, the Germans were, but those Canadians proved to have something in them that just got them victory every time. Maybe that was a reason the Germans were rather fearful of those enemies, because the Germans hardly cowarded against any challenger... except them. They even had a nickname, 'sturmtruppen'

What was it about them anyway? He couldn't say, he just knew that they wouldn't be able to interfere with his operation, and that meant that he would be perfectly

"FINE? YOU THINK THIS IS FINE!?"

"I-I'm sorry... father- it's just-"

"No. I don't want to hear your excuses. Just- leave before I actually get mad."

She nodded and hurried out of the room. It wasn't really her fault, was it? She was just delivering news of what was happening in her country. It wasn't her fault the Germans were invading Ukraine, sure, she should have been prepared for anything, but she was just a kid, barely a teenager. He supposed that if it had been anyone else like Belarus or Russia, he could have been much angrier, they were older, Russia was old enough to already be second in command to his father, so it wasn't really fair to say much regarding little Ukraine. She was trying her best, but her best wasn't good enough, that's why she had someone else running her country instead of her.


It was really his fault. Trusting a German? Just because he defied his beliefs? People did that all the damn time and could still be pathetic liars. That was a good reason why Soviet wasn't religious. Religious people were all liars who used God as a way out. That's why he hated Christians and catholics, and Muslims, and Jews, it's why he had considered banning religion in the union one time, but decided not too. After all, his father was heavily Orthodox, and despite what he had previously done to his father, he respected him and what he did, or at least tried to do. Unfortunately it wasn't enough because at the end of the day, his father still allowed for the monarch to waste the money of its people. That was one of the many reasons why the revolution happened.


Why was he even thinking about that? There was an invasion on HIS land and he was thinking about the revolution he led? Was he scheming for another revolution against the Germans? That really couldn't happen anyway because the Nazis had already gotten rid of every last royal blood in the country, they clearly didn't like the idea of a higher up that was above the chancellor or Reich. Which was also interesting since Reich's parents were monarch, and from what he had heard, Reich deeply loved his parents, so he must've had some sort of complaint regarding that ordeal.


Why did he keep thinking of monarchs? HIS UNION WAS BEING INVADED AS HE THOUGHT!!


Soviet sighed and stood up from his chair, ignoring the work that had yet to be done. Right now, he needed to focus. He needed to talk with Stalin, after all, he wanted the Georgian's input on what measures to take. Of course, Russia and Belarus were probably already preparing their own militaries, they were quite smart in that regard and definitely further trained compared to Ukraine. Ukraine... he'd likely have her moved somewhere in Russia instead. After all, she was a child, and his child no less. If the Germans ever got hold of her, he'd probably burn the country of Germany down just to get her back. Seriously, he did not joke around when it came to his children, the country's they ran and the people who lived in them were different, he could throw the entire population of Ukraine into war without a care in the world, but if Ukraine herself was among them, that's where he'd worry. Just like Stalin, he had detached himself from the people in his union, the only exceptions really were his children, unlike Stalin, who, had a son, and didn't even acknowledge it.

Soviet heard the commotion, the cries, the yelling. He ignored it because he knew it would be questions upon questions. Questions he couldn't answer.

Why did the Germans betray us? How did we not see this coming? What do they want from us? Why were we so foolish to sign a treaty with them? What will we do now? Are we going to war?

The questions that he couldn't answer and he really hated that he couldn't. They were reasonable questions, questions he was now asking himself. Why did they? The obvious answer would be that Hitler and Reich thought the soviets were useless allies, or a dead weight, or the fact that their ideals and beliefs would never align. They couldn't have seen it coming because Soviet had unfortunately done the one thing he swore not to, and that was to put his full trust into someone. He still remembered his father's words, words that were now a memory, words that led to his own demise...

"You must remember this one thing, however." He then added. Soviet looked back up at him, those wide eyes, pale blue in color that matched his father's. "What is it?" He asked, his father, in response, turning back around, a delicate smile featured on his lips, one that never meant Soviet any harm. "Your biggest enemies, will use your trust against you. If you put all your trust into another, they gain the power and ability to take it and crush it up, stabbing you in the back when you don't expect it otherwise." He stated softly, a gentle tone that did not suggest in any way that he would deliver something so harsh but true. "And what happens if you do? And they betray you...?" He asked. It was an innocent question at the time. "Then you get over it, and you fight them. Your trust is valuable, if you let it get broken, you fight the man who broke it, and you put it back together, stronger this time, so nobody can break it again." He replied, kneeling down to be eye level with Soviet. "But believe me, I don't think anyone would ever try to mess with your trust. The great Soviet of the Russian Empire, nobody would dare try" he said with a large smile, ruffling Soviet's hair as his son giggled and fixed it. RE pressed a soft kiss to the top of his head and stood back up "anyway.. I think that's enough of my talking.."

Soviet thought the same thing. Muttering bitterly to himself. "I wish you had been right.."

"This is perfect!" She stated with joy. "I can work a treaty much easier with him now that his ally has gone against him!"

"Do you even think he'll trust you?"

"Believe me. I will have this thing signed when I return. And if not, it's likely because I've died on the way back. Don't do anything too important without me!!"


That was the conversation she had had with King, upon hearing the news which the Germans had broadcasted about the invasion of the USSR, she had known it was her key chance to get the leverage she had waited so impatiently for. She had already boarded a plane, which, besides the pilot, nobody else was on. It was a.. strategic move, she'd call it. Not bringing anyone with her was her way of showing she trusted the Soviet already not to do anything to harm her, a way of showing she trusted him already and just needed his trust in her. Another reason was actually because she didn't want, in the chance that she actually had been wrong to trust him, for anyone of importance in her country to be held in the Soviet Union without being able to leave. After all, she knew she was playing it risky doing this in the middle of his war, but if not now, when would she do it?

Besides the risk she was taking even visiting, there was still that underlining hatred she still harbored for the murder of her ally by his hands. While she never spoke of it because she didn't want to seem weakened by it, but she had had a moment of silence with her soldiers after WWI had ended specifically for the fall of her ally. Sure, the monarch wasn't the greatest and she understood the reasoning behind the revolution, however, the killing of RE was not deserved, and she had been far too bitter about it and bitter towards Soviet because of it ever since. She needed to get her mind off it though, she did not need to be so angry towards a potential ally, after all, maybe this would be just like her alliance with RE.

Canada closed her eyes and rested against the window of the plane, she still had a while to go before making it to Moscow anyway.

"You're a dirty little traitor!! How could you do this!? My ally- your father!! How could you be so cruel- so heartless!!! To murder the person who cared for you!! Do you have no mind!? Have you lost it in your stupid revolution!? How can someone be so damn cruel- HE RAISED YOU!! This is how you repay someone-?? MURDERING THEM IN COLD BLOOD!?" She shouted. Anger, distress, disbelief, anguish, all coating every word she yelled his way. Soviet honestly couldn't imagine how she could have such a strong reaction. It wasn't like... well.. to be fair, RE was practically a second father to her. He cared for her, showed her love whenever UK would come to visit Russia. He couldn't exactly say it was her fault for having such emotions, for sobbing the entire time she'd confronted him. It.. honestly made him feel quite guilty, although he'd never admit such a feeling, he felt it all the same whether he cared to acknowledge it or not.

"I didn't even say goodbye- DID YOU EVEN APOLOGIZE BEFORE YOU COMMITTED SUCH A MONSTROUS ACT!? DID YOU FUCKING LAUGH!? oh god, for all it's worth I hope you never know the feeling of pain from this like I do-! Oh god... oh god WHY??!" She continued, dropping to her knees, burying her head in her hands. Soviet couldn't understand such grief. He was sad, remorseful, even, for killing his father, but he'd never shown such grief like she was now.


"... I'm sorry, Dominion." He said sincerely, although he might as well have not, apologizing to the Canadian who was lost in her own sobs, having come to Russia only to witness the funeral of RE and ended up crying on the polished floor of St Petersburg castle. Her cries drowning out his thoughts, making it impossible for him to even know what to say. She had been far too close to losing her composure at the funeral service of RE, only managing with the constant soothing gestures of UK and France and their whispered words to keep those wet eyes from letting the tears fall. The only other person Soviet had seen so heartbroken had been Serbia, but even he wasn't as grief-striken as she was now, or, maybe he hid it better.

Soviet stepped forward and crouched down in front of her, offering his arms for a hug, which, he quite honestly expected to get another angry response of 'why would I hug the murderer of my ally!?' But was met with her teary gaze, one that, without words, actually gave way to how much she truly felt like she'd lost part of herself with the death of his father. She looked at him and then hugged him back, after all, a hug from him was still better than nothing. They stayed like that for a good while, sometimes people would walk by, but think nothing of it except how kind it was he was comforting her.


Perhaps that memory only surfaced because of the absolute shock Soviet was in after learning about the arrival of Canada, only a few days after that terrible news about the invasion. It was strange, the Canadian visiting him? For what? He hadn't heard of her at all since the Great War, well, since that memory of his took place.

It was weird, but he'd have to greet her eventually, because he knew her, she was stubborn when she put her mind to something, and that was being light about it.


Three solid knocks, no different from years earlier, she really hadn't changed much since the Great War, or maybe she had, who was he to judge anyway?

"Come in" he said, his voice steady as he watched the door open, the woman he hadn't seen in years walking in, a crisp appearance, which he hadn't expected any less than. "Dominion. How unexpected to see you in my office, let alone my country. Quite the risk taker, aren't you?" He asked, his eye watching her as she stopped, the door shutting behind her. "I'm sure you remember me from before, have I really changed when it comes to daring things?" She replied, her tone sharp but not in an unfriendly manner, clearly the war had gotten her back into her more military persona. That didn't surprise him.

"Please, sit, I'm sure your travel was quite long, no?" He gestured for her to sit in the chair on the other side of his desk, watching her gaze fall on it before she even made the move to pull it back and sit down. "Nothing I couldn't sleep through" she stated once having sat down. "I see. Well, do share what brings you here, I doubt it's to offer condolences or just to visit my unfortunate situation" he leaned back in his chair, watching as she silently grabbed a rolled up paper from her bag and slid it over to him. "How... Royal of a way to wrap this" he remarked as he undid the ribbon around it. "Yes. Maybe I should start this by saying 'hear ye hear ye'" she said with a rather amused tone of voice. Soviet cracked a slight smile "that sure brings me back."


He undid the ribbon and unrolled the paper. "Ah.. a.. treaty..." "a potential alliance." She stated. Soviet already lost any consideration of signing this. "Alright. An alliance. Explain to me why I should sign this, after my last alliance with Reich was just ripped up and he turned on me and it. Why should I trust you won't do the same once it benefits you?" That was a reasonable question he believed, and it seemed she thought so as well, probably thought about a response too, wasting no time in a response. "You know me. And if you know I haven't changed, I have always been honorable to my word. Several times I have been given the option to go against it and not once have I. Nobody knows that you killed RE because I haven't said anything regarding it, nobody knows the secrets I've been entrusted with by America, UK, yourself, etc. I have never given you a reason to doubt my loyalty to my word." "Neither did Reich." "But we've also had history, you know you can trust my word. We also have a common enemy! An ally in the east would be extremely beneficial for me along with my other allies." Soviet could tell she was starting to lose her composure, which is what he wanted.

"And how would such an alliance be beneficial to me? What could an alliance with you give me that another in country Europe couldn't? Disregarding that, sure, we have the same enemy now, but what happens when we don't? Does the alliance cut off?"

All these questions were clearly ticking Canada off more and more. That's all he wanted. If she was willing to lose her composure to prove herself, he'd probably sign it. What did he really have to lose at this point?


"Soviet. Do you understand who you are talking to? What could I give you that others in Europe couldn't!? My country could give you everything! My country could give you more than Europe could combined! Natural resources that you don't even have to go far down to get, resources that I know could benefit your economy, your industry, your infrastructure,  ten times over. Our alliance wouldn't just disappear once the threat is gone. We could have a strong alliance that could prove to be better than any other! My country could give you more than Reich could even now with all the resources of the countries he's taken! I could give you far more than another alliance could even think of!!" She snapped, absentmindedly having stood up from her chair during her argument, which Soviet was quite pleased to see.

"Why make an alliance with me? My country is currently on the defense, surely it would just drain your materials?"

He figured that if, despite his arguments against an alliance, she would persist with this, he'd sign it.


"Look. I am not going to say you're wrong, but you don't understand! I want Reich to surrender as soon as I can get it! He's turning me into this- terrible person! I'm loosing my mind and- he's becoming a part of me!!" She exclaimed, and in an unexpected motion, grabbed the patch over her eye, took it off and slammed it down on the desk. "I WANT HIM OUT! You do not understand how bad I want him to just surrender! I am reminded of him every day and it's ruining the relationships between me and my friends and I want him gone and I will give you everything my country has to offer if it means you become my ally and I have a strong point in the east!" She continued, clearly having gone partially insane, and Soviet could see why. Her left eye, normally a royal blue and gold, which he remembered from the rare time she had been vulnerable enough around him to show it in the past, now a vibrant red, a swastika taking form of the pupil that once held a proud french flower which he could never remember the name of. Reich was literally imposing onto her in a physical manner.

"I apologize. I am acting quite out of-"

"Don't. I'm glad you're acting out of the ordinary, it's different than how Reich is, so I'm glad you're not acting so composed." He replied in a relaxed tone, grabbing the paper and a pen. As he signed it, she grabbed the patch and tied it back around her head. He rolled the paper back up, tied the ribbon back around it, and handed it back to her. Canada smiled and took the alliance back "did you even read over it?" She asked. He nodded "when you were in your rant about what your country could offer. I must say, it was clearly thought out."

"My father would be proud to know that we had an alliance again." He added as an afterthought.


"Yeah.. I guess he would have been. Put the past behind us?"

"Believe me. I have waited quite patiently for that day."

Canada smiled again. "Glad to know I have an ally in Russia again."

"I can't believe you went to war again just so that we'd be able to see each other.." she murmured, her - what he called 'melodic' - voice muffled by the sound of his uniform as she messed with a medal on his breast pocket. She wasn't complaining, infact it just made her fall further in love with him for going through such an effort just to see her again.

"Love makes you do absurd things, but the least absurd thing I've done is love you, Stonia" he replied in a soft voice, pressing another kiss to her cheek as he rubbed little circles in her back. She sighed softly and snuggled up further if that was possible. She liked this atmosphere. Away from the control of Soviet, resting on the lap of her lover while he held her. Hearing the soft beat of his heart which would occasionally pick up every time she said something that flustered the other. He was so cute when he wasn't being that indifferent marksman who rarely showed more than a smile, having reserved anything more than the basic emotions strictly for Estonia.

"Do you have to go back to everyone else soon?" She asked.

"Trying to get rid of me already?" He joked, squeezing her lightly.

"Noo, just want to know how much time we get to be together for..."

He smiled softly again and pressed a kiss to her head, removing his hand from her back and combing through her hair as he then spoke again, "well.. until my radio goes on, asking for my presence, I will stay right here with you. Promise." He pressed another kiss to her and she giggled, lifting her head to meet her gaze to his, which held nothing but adoration as he looked back at her. "You're the cutest guy ever" she said with a big smile, one that really warmed Finland's heart to see. She cupped his cheeks in her hands and kissed his lips, which he spent no time in reciprocating, wrapping his arms around her in a proper hug. She pulled away and he kissed her on the forehead, then pulled her back against him like before.

"I love you, Stonia.." he said, quiet but loud enough for her to hear. That was another thing she loved so much about him, he was always the first to say it, never shying away from admittance.

"I love you too, Finn.." she said back, closing her eyes as she tucked her head under his, right against his neck.

The sound of the radio didn't go unnoticed, and his mood soured immediately at the sound of the crackling before a voice came on.

"Finland, Finland do you copy?"

"I copy. What is it?"

"Permission to move sniper point further north." The voice spoke back, which gave Finland some relief.

"Permission granted."

The radio turned off and he went back to resting his head against Estonia. "Does that mean you have to go?" She asked barely audible. "Absolutely not." She smiled, although barely, it still infected him and made him smile. "Don't even worry about that radio." He said, closing his eyes as the silence lulled him into a light and peaceful rest.

Chapter Text

"Coal mines, cell towers, you get the idea. They are our main target. We will-..." he trailed off and sighed "Mr King. How many hours did she get?" Churchill then asked. King raised an eyebrow and glanced over at the Canadian, fast asleep, head on the table, resting between her arms, breathing light. Although not surprising, it was rather abnormal to see her dead asleep. She normally was so composed.

"I couldn't give you a definite answer. I'd say nothing short of less than 30 minutes..."

UK looked over with confusion and slight annoyance. "She shouldn't be so tired from one sleepless night."

"One? No. It's several dozen sleepless nights that she spent scheming with a new crazy idea each night. She only got the bit of sleep because I made her stay in my office and forced her to." Churchill exchanged a look with UK and then glanced over at the two others present. Norway and the monarch, Haakon VII. "She should be perfectly awake after a few hours of sleep." Norway stated simply, glancing over at the Canadian and then looking back at Churchill. "I can have her escorted to her room, Churchill." UK offered. "It's alright. I've known her from before, a mind like hers probably listens to information when she's fast asleep. She can stay."

He went back to discussing on the mission, King had been subtly glancing at her every so often to see if she was close to waking, all attempts to believe so crashing down upon still seeing that unconscious image of hers.


"And we will call it.. well, what?"

"Operation Gauntlet. A gauntlet is.. A challenge! This will be a challenge against the Germans.. no? We would be.. throwing down a gauntlet- throwing down a challenge."

"Brilliant idea! Now. For our route-" he continued blabbering on. The Canadian had yet to awaken. Norway had noticed it too. The way she acted so calm.. like the calm before a storm... maybe there was a storm somewhere that was going to happen during the plan, after all, a main reason she had advocated for Canada to be part of this was because she knew the latter would prove to work well, and Norway wanted her act of revenge against the Germans.. for what they did to her people.. for what Reich did to her.... yes. Revenge. To see the Canadian wake up was a breath of relief from everyone. King was starting to think she needed actual medical help. Norway and UK were less relieved because they knew how their respective systems worked, Canada's was working just fine without fail. Simply tired, she was.

"So. How much of this must I repeat myself on?" Churchill asked after she'd fully woken up.

"Eh?"

"How much... must I-"

"Apologies, I was registering that question. Je suis d'accord... j'ai entendu la plupart des choses que tu avais dis..."

"May I have a translation..?" Churchill turned to UK in confusion. "She heard most of what you said." He replied. "What part didn't you hear? Part of the plan- the reasons- locations, maybe who's involved-"

She cut him off with a quiet yawn and the response of: "the name.."

He hummed "Yes, well, as it was suggested, this will be a challenge, so it is to be called 

"Operation Gauntlet, eh?" She said under her breath, looking at the notes that King had handed her to get a brief idea. "So how do we want to organize the military? What resources are we to be using- are we using-" King was attempting to ask but she cut him off before he could continue his questioning.

"That.. I'll quite honestly let my father decide how to organize that..." he looked at her in confusion "now what change happened while you were asleep to give me an answer such as that? Did your brain reset?" She shook her head and handed the notes back to him. "It's quite simple, I'm still tired." She yawned, resting against him and going out like a light.

How.. peculiar... King thought, unsure of how to get out of this situation, figuring that they'd call him over for further discussion and now trying to find out how to leave without disturbing the sleeper.


After a few moments, UK appeared, glancing between the two and laughing. "How do I.. go about getting out of this..?" King asked, the other just continued laughing before holding his composure again and responding quite simply: "Oh no, you're stuck like that until she decides to move. She's quite fussy if woken up by someone else, I unfortunately learned this the hard way. I'll notify Churchill, perhaps we can move our further discussions here, unless of course, she wakes up before then." King wanted to interject but UK gave him no time to speak before leaving the room. If only he weren't afraid of the vague description UK had given, or he'd be more inclined to escape this situation. Perhaps he could, if he just-

Canada stirred awake and he immediately gave up on the idea. "Nevermind..." he sighed quietly as she shifted and held onto him, not tight, but he knew better than to test his luck, knowing full well she'd tighten her grip upon resistance. He could have woken her, but it seemed she already had the idea to wake up as she spoke "we'll get the navy involved.. and air forces too.. but we don't want any armed forces because that could leave room for capture.. we don't want anyone captured, if we're just destroying coal mines, we use- hm... has UK not already discussed this...?"

King nodded. "What he'd do with the RAF yes, but not-" "Okay.. so we can do kind of the same thing" she began, cutting him off. "It's just that we have to use Iceland as a forefront and-... mm... that will let us get our planes to and from Norway.." she mumbled. King barely heard her. It was so rare to see her so blank from lack of sleep, so tired. He hoped she'd rest up enough to know what she was doing when the plan was put into action, or he had a feeling it would go to shit on the Canadian side.

It wasn't like Canada was being irritable on purpose. Everything was just kind of pissing her off. She wondered if Reich was feeling this way the same time since her emotions partially reflected his. If they were, it had to have been some strong irritation to make her feel it to such an extent.

Located in Iceland, a hot August day that found itself colder in the country. Canada liked that, it was better than the heatwave Ontario was experiencing. The province had been complaining about it all week. As if she could control the weather! Ridiculous. Ontario tended to exagerate things but she found it seemingly as hot as he described. It was so ironic, Canada being known as this freezing country yet having such heat. She couldn't imagine how America was dealing with it, especially considering the heat was always so much worse in the US than in her own country. She'd opt to migrate to Yukon if she really wanted to, but she needed to be a good example and act like the heat didn't piss her off to a great extent. Well- perhaps she was irritable because of the weather, likely that was why.


Quebec was always irritated. Maybe she was influenced by the anger that practically radiated from him. She couldn't say, but there were too many factors to count, along with the fact that the initial plan was all over the place because several bombers went out of service, which minimized the efforts of her country. She hated feeling like she wasn't doing good enough, no matter the reassurance from her father, Makenzie-King, or Norway, she still felt the same way.


"Canada. Everyone has been briefed once more."

"What? Who the hell briefed them!? I was supposed to brief them! I always brief the soldiers!! I always-"

"You need to calm down."

"Calm down!? You want to tell me to calm down!!? I am perfectly calm!! Everyone else is the problem by angering me!!!" She snapped.

King's face contorted into doubt as he raised an eyebrow. It was unlikely that was the case.

"Is something the matter? You were in a substantially better mood earlier this morning. The heat is certainly irritating most of us but you don't usually snap during the heat." He said, and continued before she could retort for a second "and don't tell me it's nothing, or that I just didn't notice your irritation earlier, because it didn't exist. You're angry for reasons I'm not aware of, I don't meant to pry, however, it's better to not be so angered when you have multiple soldiers on the verge of snapping because of anxiety, or their own irritation, tiredness.. usual things that really do not require an angry leader to intensify."


She knew he had a point, yet, she scowled and walked off. She was a little too angry to listen to such a reasonable statement, King could tell.

He would have just let her cool off, but that was, using past experience as reference, a typically bad idea. She normally got herself into trouble in such a heated mindset, he'd seen that before during the Great Depression. So much work, and time, and more work, and difficulties left right and center. He'd been prime minister during that time too, so naturally he saw the frontlines of such anger. She snapped a lot. She tried to work it all out, budgeting and cutting off so much. A country that relied so heavily on trade like Canada, was devastated when nobody could afford to trade as much as before. The dustbowl har just made everything worse, no longer was there any export or import, and no longer was there any way to grow crops. She'd never admit how many times she stayed awake in her or Makenzie's office, trying to find anything that could make things just a little bit better.

As for the trouble part, every time she snapped she'd be in such a troubled mindset she would then make a mistake. Mistakes that couldn't be afforded to be made were, and as a result, it was like watching a pencil break in half. Isolation would follow, and then she'd act like nothing had ever happened. Of course, Mackenzie had been in opposition when the dustbowl had really cleared enough that she didn't have to stress any longer, but so much stress lost her so much time that he believed had one of the most lengthy impacts. The other being WWI.


"I don't want to talk." Canada said when he had caught up to the country. "I am taking a walk," she answered to his unasked question.

"You need to open up, you know. What's got you in a fowl mood?"

"You're about to be my main reason if you don't quit asking." She retorted. She didn't want to discuss anything, now, had she known why she was even upset, she would be more inclined to, and quite honestly, she didn't mean to be so rude, she didn't like being as such, but she couldn't help it.

"Canada."

"Mackenzie." She replied, turning around to face him.

She looked just as mad as she acted. So it definitely was something making her so bitter, at least that's what he suspected.

IM NOT PROJECTING IM NOT PROJECTING IM NOT PROJECTING IM NOT PROJECTING IM NOT PROJECTJNG

A look in her eye gave it away the most. Tired, fatigue, on the very last strand before snapping in half.

Like a pencil.

A pencil.

Again, here he stood, after returning from a session in the house of commons.

He should have expected it, he really should have. He should have said that the session could wait, he should have said he was too busy to partake, he should have given an excuse to stay in his office.

He should have known he would find her here. She had her own office, she used it most of the time. Though, she didn't like being in her office at this moment in time. She didn't like being alone. He should have known she would be in here, just like every other night. Asleep. Most times she couldn't sleep. This was one of those many nights. A bottle of drugs sat on his desk. He should have known. He should have done something about it.

Most times he found her she would be awake. This was not one of those times. Every once in a while she needed sleep. She couldn't function properly without it. So every once in a while, he'd return to his office, seeing her passed out, that same bottle always resting the same distance away.

He should have done something... but what could he really do? She refused to listen. She knew she needed to take time for herself. She knew she was draining herself to keep the country just the slightest bit afloat. Neither wanted to see the country plummet like they'd seen for Germany- destroyed by so much debt, or Australia- which also heavily relied on trade much the same as the Dominion of Canada... but keeping the country afloat, trying every possible thing she could to just improve the lives of her people even the slightest- it was something that was ruining her. She barely existed, replaced by the soul of a nervous, on the verge of breaking apart, snappy, tired, Canadian, who refused to put anyone but her people and country first.

A pencil.

It rested in her hand. Snapped in two. That was almost a normal occurrence when things got especially bad. Even the slightest failed harvest in the country could throw off every bit of planning she'd make. Any mistakes made, she lost her mind over. She never snapped at anyone, he always noticed that. She never ever gave someone a snarky look, or said something that betrayed her internal feelings. But he always saw that subtle look in her eyes, sometimes it told him she was quite close to throwing a fit, other times told him it had already happened, sometimes it told him that she was teetering between the lines of escalation or de-escalation of the irritation.


He should have known not to wake her. He should have. He should have known. Why did he? It was.. a stupid idea. She deserved the rest, but he woke her up because.. why? Why had he? Maybe he wanted to talk with her, it certainly wasn't to berate her like she'd seemingly assumed, startling him as she lifted her head, eyes widening, as if she'd been caught doing something wrong. She began to cry, apologizing, apologizing! Apologizing for sleeping, apologizing for not working to fix the economy, to fix the country. Crying. Crying and crying.

Thinking it was her fault for trying to get much needed rest, for needing sleep.

This Depression had ruined her. Snapped her in half.

Like the pencil she held in her hand.

A pencil.

"If you don't want to discuss it, that's alright, but you shouldn't hold on to things that are causing you to lash out." He said softly. That eye didn't change, the look remaining the same.

...

"I don't know why I'm upset." She began. "Everything is just.. going wrong. The bombers out of use, the heat, the travel here being delayed, the entire plan several times almost falling apart-! It's so... frustrating-! And I don't even know how to fix it- and I can't burden others with my problems.."

"Would you like a hug?"

"You think a damn hug would make this any better!!?" She snarled.

"...?"

"Of course I would like a hug."

1. 2. 3...

11. 12. 13...

21. 22. 23...


The trips there and back kept numbering. During times like these, Canada was quite glad her country was so resourceful in everything required to make all these efforts. She was happy to be of use in that regard even if some planes were in repair in her country. She couldn't provide much for air support except the fliers, having such willing-to-volunteer citizens was very useful at this point. None of them really knew what they were getting into but they'd volunteer, take the course, and fly those planes to Norway and back nonetheless. It made her proud, seeing such determination amongst her people. Very proud.

She was also glad that her anger had dissipated, leaving only the other emotions that she could actually control. It was much better, commanding her soldiers like this rather yelling and snapping at them at every question. Those who were also glad to see that anger fade were her soldiers and King alike. After all, King had dealt with most of the glares, verbal jabs, and outright hostility, not having wanted to worry or concern UK or anyone else into the matter. Her soldiers had noticed the attempts to hold back her mood but the expression she held the entirety of the time betrayed them otherwise.


The plan, or, whole operation 'Gauntlet' was simple. Restricting the Germans' access to coal, mining, and their shipping infrastructure and stores. It was a little complex, but the basis of it was pretty simple. It was an operation that didn't take the longest time to plan out, a little longer to get preparations done, and would severely impact the Germans. Norway had been one of the main ports of the Third Reich to use for naval purposes as well as exploitation of the resources. Destroying these resources would put the Germans in a panic for a good while until the raids ceased. Of course those involved knew it could result in heavier bombings in the UK after the operation was over, but they were prepared to take such a risk.

The operation also made sure to suppress their wireless stations to prevent any information regarding the weather, meaning they couldn't even try to retaliate since they wouldn't be aware of whether they'd lose a bunch of materials due to being wasted on a stormy day. This meant that they wouldn't risk it. She knew Reich. He wouldn't risk it. Hitler, he was a different case. Sometimes she wondered if he was the one putting so many deaths into battle. Of course, Stalin did the same. She knew that. Stalin was arguably worse when it came to sending deaths into battle, because he knew that they wouldn't come back, maybe they would, but it was sometimes 50/50, or 30/70, or 0/100.


She at least hoped Reich wouldn't do such a thing. He cared for his soldiers, she knew that as well, the way he was rather cautious of his actions, but then again, he may just risk it all and send his fliers into a front whether with or without information on weather. Thinking about it, they really were screwed without weather stations. They could look at the weather, but it could always change, and change in weather was very bad.

Canada often wondered how it would be to fly one of those planes, bomb the fuck out of an oil rig or coal mine, it would be a thrill, she believed. She knew how to fly a plane, she was rather skilled at it too. Many countries had learned to fly planes when they first came into use, it was mostly for them to understand most dynamics of how it worked, giving them further knowledge of how to guide and direct them. Of course, there were officials to actually guided such aircraft, but every once and a while, Canada liked to direct them, play air traffic controller, just to do something out of the ordinary.


Unfortunately her hopes of getting to fly a bomber was never going to truly be fulfilled, due to the fact that King specifically said she shouldn't. Now, countries didn't die like.. typical. A plane crash wouldn't kill her, but if she were stabbed straight through the heart, she'd die. She figured that out quite quickly when that was all it took to kill AHE and GE. She also learned quite quickly that since it was the heart that needed to be lost. A country could suffer forever, bleed out forever, be tortured, beheaded, and yet, still remain breathing. Countries were odd in that way. But back to that situation where King wouldn't allow her to fly, it was out of fear of her crashing and being unable to seek help, hit by an anti-aircraft gun or something of such and being set on fire, being captured, perhaps by some rather cruel people, and suffering. She'd educated King on most of how these deaths worked, so it was reasonable he wouldn't just assume she'd die from a crash, because she wouldn't, and it was reasonable that he wouldn't assume she'd die from the torture, because she wouldn't.


But once in a while, she'd like to imagine herself receiving the orders rather than giving them, and being able to destroy what Reich was so proud of. Because he deserved it.

Psychology...

Psychology of a country told her she.. really shouldn't think that way. She knew very well from before that Reich was never fully 'in control' of his actions, per say, but she still believed he was to blame, she of course knew it was Hitler's fault, his influence really started this, and technically if she hadn't killed Reich's family- ...

That was too much for her head to think of at the moment. She needed to pay attention to this operation.

It was dark out. He didn't like smoking, yet he - for some out of the ordinary reason - wanted a cigarette. He wondered if that's why Canada smoked, at least, from what he remembered, she smoked. Maybe she put that behind her. It made sense, reminded her of her war days, he thought so, at least.

A warm breeze passed by. The winds of August were always nice, an average temperature of 20°C was always nice at night, nightly strolls were pleasant.

Yes. Night time was a nice time, Reich liked nightly walks, mainly because he had so much stress he rarely slept anymore. Hitler had put so much responsibility on him, constantly assigning new tasks. He never caught a break, never. Quite honestly, sometimes he wondered how nice it may be to not be at war, but his fuhrer would disapprove of such an idea. All of Europe had to be Germany's, after all... he didn't say it, but it was ingrained into him at this point.


A chilling hand placed itself on his shoulders and Reich subtly tensed up, his jaw clenching slightly. Speak of the devil, they say.

"Why are you up so late? Shouldn't you at least be working?" His voice already laced with the slightest tint of irritation. Naturally, he had no regard whatsoever for Reich's free time, he probably wished Reich was a robot who did nothing but work, at least that's what Reich himself believed.

"I'm taking a short break."

"How come? Work too stressful for you?" He asked, Reich could detect a slightly condescending tone to it. He hated being looked at like he was incompetent, especially by someone who was meant to encourage him.

"Not at all. It's going just fine." He replied.

Hitler's hum rang through his ears, a note of disbelief is what it was. "Are you sure?" He asked, his voice more genuine. "Well-" "no matter, it's not important, what's important, is that our military started Operation Barbarossa in.. hm, June? The 22nd to be exact. And.. it's August."


Ignoring how rude it was to just completely cut him off when he had attempted to be truthful, now he was bringing up the invasion. More condescending words. He was not incompetent. "Well yes, you have to consider how large the USSR is. The soviets have also resorted to their 'burn and escape' tactic, they are ruining any chance at using the resources inland." He responded afterwards.

"Yes, naturally they have not changed since Napoleon, however, our blitz is faster than their fire. Isn't that right?" He asked, the squeezing of Reich's shoulder not going unnoticed as the german tensed up again. "Of course not." He answered.
"Then how come they have not surrendered? And why the hell is our strategy seemingly too slow!?" He asked. One thing Reich always found eery was the anger that rose in his leader's voice yet that same voice never raised, keeping it's own composure.

Eery.

"Well-"

"That's not relevant. I think you aren't trying hard enough and neither are your men. I want you to work harder on this, is that clear?"

Reich's eyes widened slightly, finally turning to look at Hitler. "Mein fuhrer- I am already doing so much-! I need time for my necessities, working further on Barbarossa will take up whatever remaining time I have left." He replied, trying to reason with the man, who simply chuckled and patted Reich's shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll get sleep, after we've taken the Soviet Union." He replied before taking his hand off and walking away.

Wow. There goes any possibility of sleep then. He thought negatively. He took a deep breath and laughed, something he did while mad, he was sure he got that habit from Canada, she always laughed while mad. Why was he thinking of Canada? Whatever.

"Every day I swear I become more of a slave.." he laughed quietly again and then headed back for the direction of the Reichstag. It's okay.. countries wouldn't die from no sleep.. but they certainly couldn't function..

"I hope Adolf enjoys all the plans going to shit because I didn't get any sleep." He mumbled with annoyance, another laugh escaping him.


Walking, and walking, he thought about it. Why did he let himself be so rudely disregarded?? Why did he let his needs get disregarded so carelessly!? It was- completely unfair! He deserved to have his necessities taken care of. If a human neglected their needs, they would die in a matter of days. He had been neglecting most of his for a couple of months now. All for the sake of his leader getting what he wanted. It was disrespectful! Reich picked up the pace of his footsteps as he neared the building, deciding he would make a point to that Hitler that he deserved his own time to do his own things and take care of himself.

However, as he entered the building, seeing Hitler shout at another man, an anger that was seen quite frequently now, Reich was reminded of why he didn't. Because he disliked being yelled at, because he hated feeling scared. Hitler didn't scare him, but Canada had back then, and Hitler yelled as though he took a page out of her book.

"You are weak. Pathetic. A disgrace!"

Those words still haunted his mind even now. He decided to just head to his office. He didn't..

He just didn't want to be weak.

This was for a good cause after all... right...? A.. very good cause... one that...

Made him tired.....

And drowsy... weary, even....

A good cause, one that sounded as good as a bed right now...

A desk could substitute a bed....

Not the most pleasant but.. it worked...

Like a charm.

...

"What the hell do you think you are doing!? Sleeping? In the midst of a war? Get up and get back to work. Or if not, I'll find more things for you to do." The voice rang out, waking up Reich's... 5 minutes of sleep? Maybe less. Hard to tell when you're asleep, however.

He lifted his head and blinked his eyes open, being greeted with the sight of his leader's face was one of the most scary (in his opinion) things to wake up to, especially when he was mad. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak, being interrupted before his first pronunciation of the word 'sorry'.

"Save your apologies, I've heard them before, I don't care to hear them because I know they are not meant. You are sorry you got caught. Now. Get back to work, these soldiers are slacking and the blitz is more like thunder than lightning because of it." He said, the anger in his voice making itself very clear in his words, the underlining threat of what he'd do if Reich decided to forgot such words was daunting.

"Ye-"

"Oh. And also. Do you know what is happening in Norway?"

his face contorted into confusion "no? Am I meant to?"

The Austrian man smirked slightly before it dropped, slamming his hands down onto the desk "OF COURSE YOU ARE MEANT TO KNOW OF AIR RAIDS! IT IS PART OF THE MILITARY INFORMATION IS IT NOT!?" he shouted, loud angry German words and Reich's heart sank.


More work...? I'm going to go crazy before we even manage to take over europe! Let alone the whole world.


"Now." He said, his previous calm but tensed demeanor returning. "You will figure that out as well. The targets are coal mines, weather towers-" Reich's eyes narrowed slightly. "Weather towers? Mein fuhrer we cannot retaliate if our systems are down, we'd be sacrificing lives into uncertain weather!"

"Look at the sky and call it a day."

"We cannot be certain it will remain the same throughout the day-" "Then blitz them. Like we are doing to the cities in London. Lightning travels through storms. Now get to it."

He left Reich alone and he could have sworn he was going to cry. No sleep, more work, and now he was potentially sacrificing his soldiers to their death! It was too much. Far too much.... he didn't want to sound weak, but... maybe he'd go visit some- eh, not friends, they certainly hated his guts, one of them had already made an attempt on his life...

But he didn't have the energy or time to possibly go to Japan, and he certainly didn't want to go to Italy. So going to them was his best bet.


That might prove to work out.

Honorable crashouts I had while writing this chapter :

- KILL ME KILL ME KILL ME WTF AM I DOUNG OMG ISTG I WILL KMS BECAUSE WHY TF CANT I BE CREATIVE AND WRITE RH3JSISBWKEI3IJEJAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

RNWIZJEBOASO2NEJ3BRBSUDBRHXJBDBED D WHAT THE FOLULCUK IS CANADA DOING IDFK ANYMORE!!! IS CILLEKNAD COLD IDGAF ITS AUGUST AHHHHHHHHH

FUCKIJGG AUGUST WTH WHY TF IS IST STILL 1941 OMG I WILL LOW3 MY SHIT RN WBRJRJZBDBJASJBDNXHDBRR8XBDVSJZIHVV WHY CANT IT JUST BE 18TU38W7EH3 1884 IDFK WHAT ABOYT 1812 AND I JUDT WRITE ABOUT CANADAS FWAR WITH AMERICA ONG THAT WOULD BE KORE CREATIVE THAN WJRURBHZEHABIENRNDJDJSB AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

WHAT THE HELL AM I DOUBG KILL ME KILL ME KILL ME ISTG I WILL LOS3 MY HEAD KLOIE MAMARIE ANTOINETTE AHHHHHHH

- ISTG IF ONTARIO WAS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED AS FEMALE IM GONNA KMS CAUSE IDGAF ANYMORE ISTG I CANT REMEMEBER SHIT STUOID FKING CONCUSSISON AHHHHHHH AJJDB4UXHSBWISOEIWJSJDHWHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH IS QUEBEC A GIRL???????? SBSJAJAHAJAJHHHHHHHH IDC QUEBEC IS A GUY MAYBE 3HES TRANS IDKSJSHSHHHHH

(These are still in my notes app - where I write these chapters -  in the middle of certain texts.)

Chapter Text

"Oh. The devil returns."

The bitter response stopped Reich in his tracks. He was already reconsidering, but.. he was tired, and he just figured he could try whatever remaining luck he had, because eventually, it was bound to run out. He continued walking until stopping in front of the door. He unlocked and opened it and then quickly set the tray of food down and locked the door, not wanting to find out how long it would take for France to get to her feet and tackle him to the ground again like last time, even the thought of it had shivers running down his spine.


"What is this?" Denmark had asked, eyes narrowed as he looked at the carbohydrates before turning that suspicious gaze to Reich's of unease. "It's food." But that wasn't a good enough response for the Dane. "What else do you want me to say? It's not going to make you sick if that's what you were thinking, it was made by someone else anyway, I don't know what else to tell you." He suddenly argued defensively.

Denmark glanced back down at the food. France had just glared at Reich from the start "Nous ne voulons pas ton nourriture, Reich. Aller mourir ou quelque chose" she snarled. He could see the slight outline of Poland hiding behind her.

He did that. Why would he ever even try to be friendly with them?


"...right. I'll head off now." He said, standing up and brushing off the slight dust from his pants. "What is this about?" Belgium had finally decided to ask after holding his tongue in uncertainty. "I doubt you'd just.. feed us after God knows how long we've been in this place, for no reason." He said rather bluntly. "Oh. And if you're leaving, tell Netherlands I said hi."

Okay. That was that.

"I can't. Because I don't know where he is. I never captured your cousin. I never got to Iceland, I lied, okay? Because I don't like feeling weak and admitting I let potential prisoners get away. That doesn't sound like a leader. And if I lie- you give up hope- and- oh I don't even know. It was a stupid idea, but it was an idea no less. And it hasn't convinced any of you to even bother consider joining the axis so I don't care anymore. I lied. That's the point." He just blurted out without another thought that could have stopped him.


"Such character development, Reich! Did Hitler yell at your sorry ass?" France inquired, uncharacteristically speaking in German for a first time since capture.


Don't cry. Don't cry. Hitler was just scolding you. Don't cry. You deserved it. Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry.


So maybe he started crying, unable to contain himself anymore, he would have just abruptly left, but instead he pathetically sat down on the floor, wiping his tears which he really couldn't contain.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry." He choked out.


"Oh. So maybe he did." France concluded, a little distraught. Most of them were distraught. Reich never cried, well, not in front of others anyway. Not even during the Depression, not even when Weimar had died. He never cried. It made even Poland feel empathy, despite what he put the former through, Poland had never lost such empathy, but it was still shocking nonetheless.


Poland's soft voice spoke up as he moved to not hide behind France any longer. "What happened?" He asked, half expecting to be yelled at but Reich just got caught in more tears. "I'm so tired of this!! More and more and more work- and less rest, so much- no rest at all!! No sleep, and no eating, and no hydration and I'm tired! And- he makes me sacrifice my people to further our agenda- I'm so tired!! I'm a slave to someone who told me we were equal! Work work work work it's all work-!"

He continued mumbling gibberish until Denmark finally cut him off. "And you want us to pity you?" He asked rather sharply, although it was softer towards the end of his question. "No! I just- no!!" He defended. "So what do you want?"

Reich frowned further and a look of anger returned to his eyes. "Nothing! I'm just-" he groaned and stood up before storming off, leaving the four prisoners confused and rather off-put by the strange series of emotions he had portrayed in so little time.

"Well I doubt that was a long time." Denmark had remarked when decision had brought Reich back in front of the cell. France now slept soundly with Poland in her arms. Belgium slept against the Dane, equally as deep into his rest. "What brings you back?" He asked after a moment of silence. Reich mumbled something and then sat down in front of the cell. "I don't.. know." He huffed out. "Surely you must. What do you want?" He replied.

"... you're the only people who won't for sure yell at me for resting. Taking a break from my work." He forced himself to finally say. "Hitler giving you trouble? You know, Reich.. humans should not be scaring you into doing what they want. You are above them, not the other way around. It is your country, they just take off the responsibility of you having to manage it on your own. It's what monarchies do, governments, dictators-..." he trailed off then gave Reich a questioning look "unless.. you are not scared of them... but...-" he didn't have to finish before Reich abruptly blurted out: "Canada! She scares me. She has since the Great War. She yells, not often, but when she does, it's terrifying. She gets this- look in her eyes- like she wants to murder you in the most horrible ways imaginable- her yelling isn't- yelling either! She yells but her tone is so... sharp and... calm... it doesn't even sound like she's yelling."

"... I take it your chancellor has similar.. ways of yelling at you."

Reich looked away and nodded slightly. "I don't want your pity. I just don't want his anger."


Denmark, thinking for a moment and then returning his attention to the pitiful appearance of the German, spoke again: "well come here and you can get some sleep." He said. Reich looked at him suspiciously "you're tricking me to escape." The former shook his head, "not at all. I'm not an idiot, Reich. I am simply offering you the ability to get the sleep you have so clearly been starved of." Reich shifted slightly, not trusting the other, but he really wanted sleep, and it sounded much more appealing than staying awake any longer. So hesitantly and with slight reluctance, he stood up, grabbed a small keyring from his pocket and unlocked the cell. He held the handle for a moment before opening the door and then closing it behind him, although not locking it. Honestly, he didn't care so much if they bother to escape, he didn't care about much whilst so tired. Deprived of sleep.

He slowly sat down next to Denmark, having been pulled down after a moment of considerable annoyance from the Dane's side. "So aggressive.." he muttered, noticing a glare from the former in his peripherals and quickly adding: "which is well deserved..."


Denmark wrapped an arm around Reich, who was a little twitchy at first but eventually relaxed and curled up against him, closing his eyes and rather quickly passing out on the other. Denmark wasn't the 'forgiving and forgetting' type, but he could recognize a few things about Reich, so just once, he'd do just that. After all, the softer Reich got, the more likely the war would turn and Germany would lose the war.


The longer Reich slept, the more time Denmark had to think in complete silence. He never hated Reich, well, he supposed he did when Germany was threatening Iceland, his people, his country... but it's not like he actively hated him, and neither had Belgium really, nor had Poland, or even France. Infact, they hadn't really known he.. existed, until one meeting, when he was younger, he was brought to a meeting with Weimar. Yes. That was where Canada had met him, and America, several others as well. That would have been the.. 20s...?


"Stay put and don't touch anything. Okay?"

"Okay." The younger German mumbled with slight annoyance. He didn't want to be at that stupid meeting, he'd rather be... well, what else really was there to do? This probably would end up being the most entertaining thing he could do. He brought a notebook, maybe he'd draw for a little while, or doodle, or make insulting images of his brother because he thought they were funny.

His humor was, more so just insulting people, and they'd pretend it was a joke, either being intentionally or unintentionally dumb, he didn't care. He could say a lot and get away with it because Weimar always defended him, saying he didn't mature as quickly as Weimar had been forced to. Reich thought it a little insulting his brother believed him to be emotionally stunted. He didn't think he was.

He thought he was perfectly fine without...

Parents....

"Hey kiddo, you doing okay?"

Reich flinched and looked up. Red and white was what colored his view. He had never met this nation before, he assumed that maybe he was one of the adults, the countries his age recognized one another from the adults. "Ich bin gut." He muttered back. "English not the best I take it?" He asked softly. Reich forced a nod. He hated admitting it. He couldn't speak English well. And what hadn't helped was the insults directed at him by Canada during the war. It just made him lose any inspiration to learn English. Normally he would to prove her wrong, but her words cut so deep they still left impact when he did so much as think of picking up English.

"Hey, it's okay, just answer the best you can. I can't speak the greatest German, so maybe you can teach me some German and I'll teach you English?" He asked softly. Reich, although not sure if this went against the rules established for him by Weimar, nodded. "Anyway, my name is Denmark. What is yours?" He asked, crouching down in front of the German. "Reich..." he mumbled. "Ahh, you're Weimar's brother? Deut- or.. how do you pronounce that..?" Reich mumbled softly: "call... me.. Reich..."

"Reich it is." Denmark smiled, standing back up and shaking Reich's hand. "Nice to meet you."

Reich just nodded, glancing up at Denmark again, who, now looked over. There seemed to be some arguing going on between the nations who were present, so Denmark gently took the German's hand again and led him out the room. "Ach-! Ich kann nicht-" Reich began to protest, but he fell quiet as Denmark gave him a silencing look. "How about we go outside? What do you like to do outside?" Reich found himself being asked.

Reich couldn't remember being outside other than fighting. Fighting and fighting and- oh-!

Reich retracted as he saw a distant figure, accompanied by another, oh, he knew those two well, he wanted nothing to do with them- oh absolutely nothing! He didn't want to be insulted, or looked at with disgust- he didn't want to be scared, not now!!

"Reich. What is the matter?" Denmark asked, tightening his grip on the former's hand. "Inside. Inside inside inside!! Bitte-! Inside-!" He cried, a bit too loud, - it should be noted - because it alerted the two figures. Reich cowarded behind Denmark.

Yes. That was the German he had met in the 20s. A child, who was much more fearful, but then grew more social with everyone, and yet now.. hardly recognizable. Denmark hoped this would all blow over some day.. and Reich could be who he actually is.

Not..

Whatever this was.

Hawaii was so nice to visit the time of year. December.. it was so cold! He loved taking holidays in tropical places, and it was so great Hawaii was a place he didn't even have to travel to another country to visit. Not a single trouble flooded his mind. It was nice to take a break from his duties, enjoying warm weather. It had been one of the best decisions ever to not engage in this war. Infact, it was even better that because he was entirely neutral, he could supply the allies without having to fight, funding his economy further. It was wonderful what being neutral could do. He should have taken notes from Switzerland all those times he had thought about starting or fighting in a war, being neutral was awesome, well, except for the fact Switzerland didn't exploit it like he had been doing.

Switzerland was an interesting case, always neutral, never got involved in anything. In a way, it made sense, and definitely saved them Swiss a lot of trouble. After all, they were pretty much the center of Europe, enemies could be all around them, but remaining neutral, well, not a problem! It was also worth mentioning that perhaps the threats of blowing up those mountains and effectively enclosing the country for good was a good indicator to the Axis that Switzerland was not kidding around, and if someone planned to invade his country, his entire population was military experienced, quite a powerful enemy in consideration. He had also heard that Hitler himself enjoyed skiing in the Swiss Alps, maybe he'd try that sometime, but for now, the beaches of Hawaii were perfect occasion.


America checked his watch. 7:49AM which would have been 1:19PM in Washington. He liked to think he could time travel, it was quite funny, but he knew that he'd have to return to the capital eventually, but before then..

He could take a little break from work. It's not the people needed him that much. They could manage with just Roosevelt in charge. That was the point of leaders, to take responsibility off of nations to get a break, well, maybe not entirely- but.. it justified his reasons for being in Hawaii. Roosevelt had this under complete control, all was good.

7:55AM

No.

No no no-

All was good.

ALL WAS FUCKING GOOD!!!

NO!!

A bomb hit. And that was it. The Japanese, declared war on America, just by Pearl Harbor alone. An hour it lasted, an hour that they destroyed the base.

THEY WEREN'T EVEN ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL!

America had been distraught. Simply having been relaxing on his chair. He received a message from his men, from those who were on watch at that time. Terrible. Terrible terrible TERRIBLE!

America hadn't expected it, it confused him, in shocked him, and most importantly, it worried him. "Was anyone injured? Killed??" Had been his inquiry.

Close to 2,400 people had been killed. Civilians and military personnel, and almost 1,180 were injured. that had been the given answer. It didn't make sense, nor had it made sense they last hour that he had spent on a plane, flying back to Washington. Naturally the press had to stop him from speaking to Roosevelt, asking him so many questions. He had never felt this overwhelmed since WWI. He didn't have time to answer any questions.

He had to find Franklin.


So imagine his surprise, well, not really surprise, to see the very man himself, being bombarded with questions he was struggling to answer. America forced every reporter in there out. He did not need his leader as overwhelmed as he was. He needed a voice of common sense, or reason. However, upon asking, it didn't seem like he had either at the moment. Just as confused, just as distraught as America had been.

"Whywouldtheydoit! Whywouldtheychooseaneutraltarget!?" America asked so rapidly that it was pretty much unintelligible.

"United- just.. please, I can't deal with many questions so quickly. Take a deep breath- and ask."

The former took a deep breath, held it, and then breathed out, and repeated himself: "why would they choose a neutral target? It doesn't make sense!"

"They chose China, who were neutral, they chose korea, also neutral, and the Phillipines.. also neutral.. Christmas islands.. We've known for a bit that they were going after neutral enemies. The Japanese have made it clear they intend to dominate the pacific.. and Asia in general." Roosevelt said, the panic rising in his tone was becoming more evident and it just further strained America's nerves. He had been hoping his leader could at least try and settle his fears, but this was unlikely.

They would have to engage in war.

"For crying out loud! Damned japs! Attacking our soil! That means anyone could be a spy-! Oh god I gotta tell Canada, she can't have any spies in her country!" America blurted out all at once, and before Roosevelt could say another word, he disappeared.

"... sometimes I wonder if I should worry about sentences like that" he sighed, sitting down at his desk and writing some things down almost immediately. They would.. unfortunately, have to detain the Japanese people in their country, or have them sent back to Japan. Anyone could be a spy, America had been right. And they'd had so much immigration that it was impossible to know who was hiding their true intentions behind a friendly demeanor.

"Lord have mercy for what I am going to do.." he murmured under his breath.

"Calm down. You mean to tell me that you're joining the war? After claiming you never would?" Had been the first words to come out of her mouth after her brother barged into her office and said whatever words came to mind to explain the situation. "Why- actually, forget it..." America had been less worried, and she could tell he was getting back into that war setting. She didn't mind it, it wasn't as bad as she got during war, but nonetheless, it was just like 1917, when the Germans had sent a letter out to Mexico, to get them to start a war with the USA to prevent any complications, and that was how that involvement began, and now? The USA had actually been hit, a target, attacked! This was actually quite wonderful news, not- the casualties, of course, but the fact that America was joining the war, a victory in itself for the allies.


This was a win-win-loss. A win for the allies, a win for the war, and a loss for the casualties in Pearl Harbor.

"So how do you feel about axis now, eh?" Canada asked with a knowing smile. The American's eyes narrowed. "I will slaughter all three of them. They think they can just kill my people, attack my land, and get away with it!? On top of that. It seems the Germans and Italians have declared war, according to Hitler and Mussolini themselves. I do not know who possibly gave these assholes the 'all high and mighty' headspace, but I am going to bring them back down to earth so hard they won't even know what hit them." He declared bitterly. His sister grinned in amusement. "Ey, there's the brother I know. Glad to have you on board." She said.

America scowled. "I was enjoying my needed vacation."

"You've been on vacation for two years, I think you've had enough time." She replied.

"Two years too little..."

"Two years too many. Stop whining. The Great War foreshadowed this

"The Great War didn't involve my country getting damaged!"

"And yet you still joined, whilst knowing Mexico wouldn't have started a war anyway."

"I was going crazy missing the action."

"No!!!" The German cried.

"More work-  another enemy- we haven't even made it halfway to Moscow! What the hell was he thinking- declaring war! What the hell was she thinking, bombing the USA! Oh we are in so much damned trouble- oh this is just-" he began crying. He was losing it at this point.


"We. Are. Going. To. Lose."

"THIS. DAMN. WAR!"

Chapter Text

"Lord have mercy for what I am about to do..."

But the words held no meaning.

Kein Bedeutung

Happier times...

Happier times were when he was comforted by the very Canadian who slaughtered his parents...

Happier times...

Happier times before Hitler was in power...

Happier times...

There were no longer any "happier" times.

"How-" he gasped after the elongated pain had finally been put to a halt by the German.

"How the fuck- can you possibly-... switch- up-...
so damn- hah- this is pathetic.... I knew you were trying to-.... keep us off guard..... you nazi kraut!" He hissed, taking several shallow breaths as the German, in response, looked at him with a blank stare.

"I am simply wanting information. I will not lose this war." He stated with a sense of indifference, which without context, wouldn't be unlike him, but with the context of him having ordered for Denmark to be taken to a separate room and tortured, the indifference made less sense.

"You just don't want-.... hah-... for Hitler to yell at you again.... because- he'll... have your head- if you lose this war... isn't that right? You're just your dictator's lapdog!" He declared. Reich clenched his hands and his eye twitched. "Leave him to bleed out... to suffer! I have no use for him anyway." The German ordered before leaving with the click clack of his boots. The soldiers, following orders, left the room and the Dane, who was still tied to the chair, coughing up blood.

"Cher Dieu, si vous plaiz, donne nous un changement... un changement pour le meilleur... pour que les allies gagnent... pour que les allemands ne prend pas l'europe... pour que les pouvoirs axis ne prend pas controle du monde...."

It was late at night, France pleaded again and again, prayers that she hoped would be answered, but she wasn't sure of anymore. The sobbing of Poland couldn't be unheard, echoing through the prison as he cried and cried...

Belgium couldn't sleep... he was so close to snapping at Poland, and at one point he did, which resulted in him being slapped by France. It was.. weird.. without Denmark in that cell any longer.. They had gone mad. He had been keeping both the Belgian and Pole stable, it seemed, France could manage alone, but not so much with taking care of the younger nations.

"God has failed you.... and yet you cry of faith..."

"I-"

"Who said you could speak?"

"God said I could!"

She laughed condescendingly.

"God did? Just now? Don't make me laugh. God does not answer your kind ."

"My kind!? How do you live with yourself!!"

"Oh, quite easily." She smiled, crouching down and squeezing his jaw tight enough to forcefully open his mouth, like a dog would open theirs if you squeezed between the teeth just far back enough. Reich was no- dog !

"Aren't you so cute like that." She laughed as he whined in pain and clawed at her arm to get it away, which was met with the tightening on his jaw and a knife near the eye. "Would you like to try that once more?"

"No..." he mouthed, unable to find his voice in fear of her believing him to be raising it at her.

"That's what I thought."

She pulled the knife away and tossed it aside, then reached into her uniform pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, letting go of his mouth but stomping her boot on his hand to prevent him from trying to leave, instead, he yelped and clenched his jaw.

She pulled out a box of cigarettes and took two out then put the box away in her pocket again. Then placed one in her mouth. "You smoke?"

"Nein." He replied weakly.

"Well you do now." She stated, grabbing his jaw again and forcing it open once more, placing the second cigarette in his mouth and then letting go. And like a coward he thought himself as, he kept it in his mouth despite hating the taste of it.


She finally took her foot off his hand and grabbed a lighter, flicking it a few times before a flame grew and she lit her cigarette and then his.

She chuckled again and put the lighter away, taking a drag of her cigarette and watching him intently, likely, from what he assumed, to hint to him to do the same.


But he refused.


So she crushed his hand under her boot, breaking at least a finger, then smiled and walked off.


And that was when he saw her last during that treacherous war.

He sobbed, from a broken hand, from the disgust of the cigarette, from being the witness of the brutality of his parents...

From war.

As he cried... despite her words.. he whispered soft prayers... for everything to be okay..

Because nothing was okay.

"Father, son, and holy spirit... give us rest and end this war, every day as we strain resources, and put our lives on the line, but all seems hopeless as we die, and watch our comrades fall.... give us the peace we desire, for the love of our God, families, and friends..." the soldier whispered.

It was January, not a sign of Moscow, or anything. He watched people die of starvation, of hypothermia...

Nothing was okay.

"Faith." She began. Mackenzie sighed in exasperation. "You always say words as though we had been talking the entire time. Must I tape your mouth shut too?"

She gave him an irritated look. "You treat me like I'm a prisoner without rights."

"That's what you're treating the germans, Italians, ukraniens- oh, and now japanese as." Her look added a scowl. "The War Measures Act doesn't count." She muttered, throwing a pen at him. He didn't flinch, just narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "How old are you?"

She grinned. "75 years old. But that's excluding the time I was Nouvelle France, and Upper-Lower Canada." She said with a wink. He just looked at her blankly. "Oooh, you mean human years. I believe I'm 25."

"Do you make up those numbers? Or are you doing some sort of odd math?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Math. You take the age, divide by 3."

"Why three?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Haven't thought about that. I'll ask UK later." She shrugged, throwing another pen at King, which hit his head, this time flinching. She smiled victoriously. "Finally! Attempt number 9 and you're out of it. So anywho, faith-" she paused, waited until his reluctant attention was on her, and then continued: "Faith is a controversial thing. Many lose it during times of war, others believe that faith is what will help them win war..." she trailed off and before King could add a word, continued on. "You think Hitler believes faith will save him? I wonder if that bastard is even religious... Reich may be... hm, never actually thought about it."

The man sighed as he picked up the last pen off the ground, a total of 9 pens in his hands. "What is this about? Every time.. first it was the Romeo and Juliet line, psychology.. now this- and then what?"

She shrugged. "I just get bored every now and again, however, you can not say that my boredom topics don't strike something that can apply to our situation." She sighed. "When am I allowed out of this office?" "When you stop running out of it." Canada mocked his words under her breath before sighing. "I think-" "Oh that's never good." King said, a hint of a smile creeping on his lips. Canada scowled again. "Stop interrupting. I was going to say, that unreasonably so, I have been quite a piece of shit towards you. I'm not sure. I won't say it's the effects of Reich's influence, that wouldn't be taking responsibility. But I have been acting out of place- so.. I will work on my behavior towards you. Especially now that America is in the war, I should start taking this a little more seriously."

King raised and eyebrow. "How.. surprisingly self-aware that entire statement was. I appreciate your sudden.. change of heart?" She shrugged. "Sure. Something like that..." she smiled and then another pen hit his head. This time he was the one scowling as the Canadian laughed. "Sorry, eh? I like even numbers."

Standing there. A few feet away.

She stood there. A few feet away.

He coughed. Coughed and coughed...

Unable to breathe.

She stood there. A few feet away.

Frozen.

Frozen? Yes. Frozen in her spot.

He coughed. And coughed. And coughed. Looking down at the side table as he took short gasps for the air that struggled into his lungs.

Gasping.. coughing...

"This is... ridiculous.." he gasped.

She wasn't sure what to do. Just standing there. Watching him grip onto the side table. To keep him standing.

Tears could have fallen. But she wiped them before then.

He didn't need to die now... she couldn't lose him now...

Gasping.. it stopped.

Coughing and wheezing... it stopped.

She knew it would be okay to walk away now. He was stable again. So she did. And in another room, she whispered quiet prayers, soft and simple, with no choice in the matter, tears started up again and joined her whispered words.

"Not now.... I can't lose him now ..."

It wasn't their fault..

Poland had turned into a ghetto. Rules that forced them to live worse off than the previous rule before it. And it worsened their lives, again.. again... again.... unbearable to live, yet she still held hope...

That it would be over some day..

"You ever think god hates us? Sending us into these wars..."

"Didn't even know you still believed in that bastard... But if there is one... I bet he's laughing at our arses right now."

"Don't lose faith.. one day it will all be over."

"You mean the day we are dead.?"

"... don't be pessimistic..."

"Look, kid... in times like this.. it's really the only thing we can be."

"No! We can- we can be hopeful- and- we can be strong and be optimistic that God will-"

"Stopped caring what god did a good while ago. You weren't there to see human brutality at its worst form in the Great war, don't talk to me about God."

"... sorry, sergeant.."

Crying faith. in front of the heart that stabs yours.

She paused and twirled her pen around.

Crying faith, when all that happens around you are wars.

She stopped again.

Poetry.. it was how she kept her sanity most of these days. That and harassing Reich through letters. She wasn't sure if he burned or shredded or ripped them up, but it was amusing to think of him so pissy from her constant letters of utter bullshit or some fucked up poem that she thought of because she felt she was slowly going mad from everything happening around her. The stress of it all seemed to get to her more easily nowadays, it was really.. only a matter of time...

We are our ourselves, only trying to do what is right.

...

Yet all we can agree on is how brutal we can fight.

She set her pen down and stared at the paper. It was no later than 4 in the morning. Being cooped up in King's office because she was being a 'stubborn brat' as the prime minister stated, and deciding not to leave, starting a petty "bet" that she would still be there by the next day.

You fight with honesty, bravery and pride.

Yet all you have done is betrayed, harmed and lied.

You cry of faith, I can hear it loud and clear.

And while you cry so loud, I can hear your very fear.

She frowned. "... you cry of faith, loud and clear... cry so loud.. hear your fear..." she said, skimming over the recently added lines of the poem under her breath.

For a God that has failed you, yet here we are.

Stuck in war while you pray to a shooting star.

She looked over the poem again.

Crying faith. in front of the heart that stabs yours.
Crying faith, when all that happens around you are wars
We are our ourselves, only trying to do what is right.
Yet all we can agree on is how brutal we can fight.
You claim to fight with honesty, bravery and pride.
Yet all you have done is betrayed, harmed and lied.
You cry of faith, I can hear it loud and clear.
And while you cry so loud, I can hear your very fear.
For a God that has failed you, yet here we are.
Stuck in war while you pray to a shooting star.

She wasn't certain if she should add another line.

She figured this was far more than enough, especially for Reich, but she wasn't as confident with mailing it... She stared at the poem for a few moments and then grabbed another piece of paper, writing the same poem down on it and then folding it and shoving it in her pocket. She took the other paper, the original poem paper, grabbed and envelope, addressed it to the Reichstag, then placed the poem inside, sealing it with a sticker that she had found in King's desk drawer.

She took the letter, stared at it for a moment and then set it aside.

She was tired.

She needed sleep.

"Hah... faith... such an.. odd concept.." she murmured, closing her eyes as she rested her head on her arms on the desk.

Falling into a quiet sleep. Without a single disturbance.

Chapter Text

"The odds we will lose are zero! The Third Reich will prosper! We will conquer the remainder Europe, and then, the world! To prove to everyone we are the superior race! Along with our trusted allies we shall-"

The TV cut off and Netherlands looked at Canada with a raised brow.

"I can't stand him, or Reich. Or Germans in general." She muttered. "Iceland is also still present in this house, I do not want Hitler's lies to fool or scare him. Reich's influence from capturing Denmark has done far too much to Iceland already."


Netherlands couldn't see himself arguing with that logic. "You think that it could be true...?" He asked, somewhat reluctantly, as though he knew it would upset her, but it was begging far too loud to be asked that his mind could not silence the thought. "No. He's.. wrong." She thought for a moment. "How many countries are there in Europe?" She asked to nobody in particular. "31. There's 31. How many has Reich taken?..." she thought again. "Well definitely not more than half. There is nothing to worry about." She said with a scowl.

"But maybe you should be worried... just because Germany has not invaded them, does not mean they are on our side, or neutral." Canada's scowl worsened. "Yes, yes I know some of them are belligerents. It doesn't-" she sighed. "It does matter. But even then- they don't become the majority.."

But she knew that was a lie. If she was going based off of everything, Reich had taken 11 countries, and an additional 10 had become axis powers. That was 21, out of 31.

That was far more than what he'd have needed for a majority, which was 16.


"Just stop talking about it." She ordered bitterly.

"You're mad at me now?" He asked. She snapped her head to look at him. "I will be very soon. Don't even try to pull one of your stupid stunts like last time." He scoffed. "A kiss is not a stunt. Perhaps as dangerous when you're mad, but not a stunt."


Sensing that she wasn't going to budge, he let out an audible sigh and stood up, and in a few moments, he was lying on the couch, laughing as she forced him to lie there while lying on top of him. "I said to stop talking about it, not just get up and leave. There is a difference."

"Hah- you're going to kill me." He laughed. She rolled her eyes. "Okay look. If there are 21 countries, out of 31, who are axis powers by force or by choice, and the remainder ten, which is actually 2 who are allied powers because the other 8 are neutral.. what are the odds the allied powers win."

Netherlands put an end to his laughter and thought. Well, there are 2 possible outcomes. Are we excluding the neutral countries?"

"Yes."

"Alright.. then we have 23 countries. 23 is not divisible by anything, so we will round up to 24 and pretend that Malta has independence. 24 and 21 are both divisible by 3, so we will go based on that. 24 is 8 groups of 3, which means our percentages are... well, 4 groups is 25%, so ÷ 2, each group of 3 is 12.5%. 7 groups of 3 is 21, 7 x 12.5 is 70... 84... + 3.5... 87.5%. Which means the allied powers would end up with the percentage of..  12.5%. In my conclusion, as you continue to rid of my oxygen and crush my lungs, the chances of the Axis winning is 87.5%, and the chance of the allies winning is 12.5%. But you must remember, anything can happen, and this is simply counting Europes numbers."


She thought for a moment, and then asked. "And if we include the neutral countries?"

Netherlands took a deep breath "that is.. 31 countries, yes?"

"Mhm.. from what I remember" she replied, tracing shapes on his back absentmindedly.


"Because it is, again, easier on my brain to do this without a prime number in the way, which 31 is, we will consider Malta independant again and now we have 32. 32 is divisible by 2, 4, 8, 16... um... and that's all. Our numbers are 3 for allied powers, 8 for neutrals, and 21 for axis. And.. none of those numbers match up..." he sighed. "Let me think about that for a moment."


He muttered under his breath for a moment and then spoke loud enough for Canada to hear again. "We will.. do these numbers by 2. It's just the easiest I can think of. So, in 32, there are 16 groups of two, in a 16th, well- an 8th is 12.5%.. so a 16th is 5.. 6... 6.25%. So each group of two is 6.25%. In 21, 2 can fit into the number 10.5 times. 10.5 x 6.25 is... 60..." he paused and then shook his head. "No that is not happening. Okay. We are going to redo this, to make it 30. I am going to say that the axis powers have 20, and.. yeah, just, they have 20 now. Anyway. 2 goes into 20, 10 times, so, 10 x 6.25 is 62.5%. Now, 2 goes into 8, 4 times. 4 x 6.25 is 24.. 24.8... + 0.2... 25%. And lastly, 2 goes into 2 once, so, 1 x 6.25 is 6.25%.  In this conclusion, first off, I'd like to say that I'm not sure what outcome the neutral side would have, but that is irrelevant. The axis powers would have a 62.5% chance of winning, the neutral countries with 25% chance of.. some kind of outcome, and the allies with 6.25%... wait.. that adds up- right?"


"62.5 + 25 is 87.5.. + 6.25 is..." before Canada could finish, Netherlands groaned in frustration. "I had the parting wrong... oh my- well, I am not calculating that again, my head hurts, and so does my torso from you laying on it. The point is, the axis powers will always have a favorable outcome."

Canada frowned. "Si vous plaiz? Pour moi?" She smiled. Netherlands gave her an irritated look as if he couldn't believe she was asking, but he knew to expect it when she wanted an answer, so entirely reluctant, he calculated it again.


For the 3rd time.

"If you divide it by.. 15.. because 2 goes into 30, 15 times if we are going by two..."

He sighed.

"5 groups is 20%.. 20 ÷ 3 is 6.66.. or 6.67 rounded up..." he paused again. "6.67% is a 15th. 20 ÷ 2 is 10, 10 x 6.67 is 66.7%, that's for the axis powers. 8 ÷ 2 is 4, 4 x 6.67 is.. 24... 2.4... 0.28... so 26.68% for the neutral countries... and 2 ÷ 2 is 1, so 6.67% for the allies." Concluded. "Please add that up, I can't do anymore math after that." He said weakly after.

"66.7 + 26.68 is.. 93.38.. + 6.67.. 99.9... 100.05%..."

"Good enough." Netherlands said, rubbing his head. "Why do I even listen to a bully like you?" He mumbled. Canada grinned and gave him a kiss. "Because you adore me?"

"I was thinking some sort of form of-" he paused and sighed softly as she began to massage his scalp.

"Some form of?" She asked. "Nevermind..." he replied.

Canada frowned as silence fell upon them both. "87.5% chance.. and 66.7% chance.." she said softly. "I know those are not the answers or odds you wanted to hear... like I said.. that's only Europe, and that's assuming they are all equal in military size, population, etc, and also, we don't know what can happen in a few weeks, or months.. years.." she closed her eyes. "I suppose not.."

 "We are such.. dirty liars." He muttered to the mirror in front of him. "Dirty liars who lie to our people! As if we are doing the best thing possible!" He said with disgust. "Lying gets you killed- and everyone else hurt-!" He yelled, taking the mirror, lifting it above his head, and throwing it across his office, eyes widening as it shattered.

"Oh no.. no no no- oh god what is wrong with me!? I'm letting anger get in the way- I can't-" he paused, hearing footsteps that suddenly snapped him back out of his trace of fear. "When did I-" he paused. "It was an ugly mirror anyway..."


Lately, he had been losing his mind, and the frequent letters mailed to him did not help at all. They were so dark, it sometimes gave him nightmares. Somehow they always striked a cord in him, a very personal cord it should be noted. Whether that was her intent or not, it really did not matter, the idea that she spent her supposed free time doing this, it just further stressed him out. How could one be so carefree, writing stupid statements or dark poetic pieces. He certainly envied her level of unbothered, all he was was bothered at this point in time.

He remembered a time he wasn't bothered by everything, and he was able to relax. He must've been experiencing the same thing his brother had during the Depression right now, after all, Weimar had been taking on so many stresses and so much work, filled with pressure and demands and... he could see why his brother had accepted his fate in the fire... he would have likely done the same, although.. he actually liked living.

"Weimarrrrr" he had been whining for at least several minutes now. "Weimarrrrrr" he'd repeat again and again and again until his brother snapped at him.

He wasn't sure why he got so much amusement out of seeing his brother angry, likely because Weimar hardly expressed anger towards anyone, especially after the war had finalized and Germany had been hit with the Treaty of Versailles. Maybe Reich just wanted to see something that wasn't fatigue, or a falsely plastered smile...

Once again, Weimar ordered for Reich to be taken away, and those irritating police people of the Reichstag would come and haul him out of the office. Reich had hardly anything to do in that stupid building. What was there to do? He couldn't play any board games by himself, and drawing or painting wasn't satisfactory either.


Reich sat boredly on one of the stairs, not even looking up when he was greeted. "Well good day, Reich. Is your brother around?" The accented voice laughed. "Well why wouldn't he be.." and then the footsteps faded. Afterwards, Reich could still feel a presence and he looked up, movie away as he saw the proximity in which he and Canada were apart from eachother.

"Why would he bring you along!?" He asked.

"I could not answer that even if I wanted to, which is to say I do not know." She had responded, sitting down on the same step, keeping a respectful distance away from him.

"..." Reich narrowed his eyes but took his gaze off her and just focused on the scenery instead. "Why." Was all he asked.

"Why what?"

"Why act so pleasant and friendly around me? After what you did? I was sure you would.. continue to mock me." He replied.

"Believe what you will, but I don't like who I was then, and I couldn't express enough how sorry I am for what I did, how I did it... and more importantly, how I acted about it." She stated, albeit more softly than before, seemingly regretful to even speak about it.

Reich scoffed. "It's been years, you've apologized at least once every time you've seen me. You can go back to hating Germans." Canada frowned, turned to look at him, and then grabbed him and pulled him over so he was forced to sit directly beside her.

"Now you listen here. I never hated Germans. I hated war, and it made me crazy and I wanted it to end, so it made me bitter, and insanely angry, and I am terribly sorry that my bitterness and anger and craziness extended to the murder of your parents and disrespectful and cruel words targeted towards you, but I will have you know I do not want to repeat that version of myself and I simply want you to be aware that I am trying to do better and that is why I keep apologizing."

Reich wasn't sure what to say to that, other than the first thing that came to mind: "you're squishing me!" He blurted out, squirming a little until she let go of him. He looked at her for a moment and once again, found himself unable to say anything else, as he then asked. "Do you like chess?"

"I do."

Reich lost his frown as it grew into a smile. He stood up quickly and then ran inside the building. Canada, looking utterly confused, got up and followed him.

How the hell Reich had managed to secure a friendship with the Canadian after playing chess was quite possibly the biggest mystery in his altered opinion.

Yes, altered, because there was no way his opinions were his own, considering the fear of Hitler, the stress...

One without stress and without any of the experience Reich had, would say that running a country sounded very ideal. Reich would say, and has said before, that he wishes he had just moved to Switzerland instead. Technically speaking, he could have given up the right to rule his country. Very few did so, but there were instances... Bavaria had given up his thrown to Prussia after a nasty series of arguments, at least that's what the German had heard from his father. And well.. Lithuania had combined his rights to his country with Poland, Prussia used to claim that Poland just had Lithuania wrapped around her finger, making the latter a type of slave... However that was a different Poland than the one who Reich assumed was still crying in that cell like the latter had seen before leaving. And then again, Prussia had the pride of an eagle like his flag suggested, it wasn't a question on why he was so bitter about the idea of an alliance.


Reich sighed to himself and sat on the floor. He was lonely, but not lonely enough to go visit his prisoners this time. That had been a moment of weakness... besides he was-

Knock knock.

"Come in." He called, abruptly standing up just incase it was the fuhrer-

Reich thought for a quick moment. Why did he call Hitler fuhrer? Reich was technically fuhrer... Hitler was.. the chancellor yes, but not-

An envelope was placed in his hands and then the door shut. Reich didn't even bother read the back, knowing by the maple leaf rondelle on the wax that made it painfully obvious who it was from.

At least she was creative when she sealed it. Sometimes wax, other times a sticker, one time it was dried blood...

Creative yes, the last one was just gut wrenching and disgusting.


Inside the envelope, we're the contents of paper, and a small drawing. It looked childish, but that made sense when he saw that there was a note on the drawing. Iceland drew this. Was all it read. It was a drawing of Germany.. holding a white flag, as in surrender.

So that was fun. At least he knew where Iceland was being kept, he wouldn't have to stall when Adolf asked the next time.

As for the letter..


Deutsches Reich,

If that is what you are still called.

Based on rough estimates that Netherlands had kindly given me, with the assumption we are all equals, the allies of Europe have a 12.5/100% chance of winning this war. Firstly, that is including Europe only. Secondly, there may be a 12.5% chance of victory, but there is a 100% chance of me beating your ass the next time I see you.

Mark my words in your filthy blood.

Best regards,

Dominion du Canada.


And it was.. shocking, how one could deliver such a message, and yet still continue with a formal sign off. 'Best regards'? Who says that after threatening another??

He then paused again. "Wait- Netherlands? Did I read that right..?" He mumbled, skimming over it again, his eye twitching. "You mean to tell me- hah... that the two nations I've been having to avoid speaking of- are.."

"In Canada!?" His eye twitched and he crumpled up the letter.

"Of all- places.... of ALL GODDAMN PLACES!" He complained, eyes widening as he became aware of how loud he was being compared to the otherwise silent surrounding area.

"..." one deep breath after the other, in an attempt to calm himself from the irritation he was experiencing for not just assuming the two key nations were hidden in Canada, an obvious location... well he supposed that was what happened when one wasn't thinking straight.


They tended to forget important details.

Devil's in details he supposed...

And another.. letter... well, a week later was actually much later than normal, perhaps she got busy.

If there were two of us, in an ideal situation, the odds of us winning or losing are 50%

"This again..? Didn't you say you'd beat my ass..?" He murmured.

11 million people in one country, and 69 million people in the other.

Where did she find these statistics?!

According to population, the chances of success are 13.75% and 86.25%

".. I try to understand.." he sighed.

Except what's great, is population doesn't matter, when your leader is dead, and all that's left is you. Those odds sound much too hopeful when you're all alone, don't they?

Reich noticed his body shiver, her words implied... a lot.

When it's just you and me, what would you say the odds are that you'd be the one holding the white flag up like a pathetic coward you claim not to be?

"..." he didn't say it, but the number she gave was relatively close to his mental number.

Let's say 87%.

And why not 100% ? Well, for starters, I'm not cocky, and secondly, the odds of me not seeing you face to face is being included.

Maybe you are dead before then.

Much more appealing, I believe.

Reich crumpled up the paper and threw it in the trash bin, and then picked it up and shredded it. The crackle and buzzing of the machine destroying that letter was the only peace he could really bring himself.


He didn't want to die.


And he certainly didn't want her being the one holding the blade when he did.

Chapter Text

So maybe it wasn't just the Germans who felt a falter in themselves, but the Japanese too.

Who would have guessed that the emperor of the sea would be losing to the West.. or whatever they were called in Asia.

A victory for the Americans it seemed, taking the island of Midway was a turning point. A very large one.


TURNING POINT IN THE PACIFIC THEATRE OF WAR

USA ESTABLISHES DOMINANCE IN THE PACIFIC


the newspapers refused to report on anything but this significant event. It pissed Reich off to no end, just like Japan had felt a significant humiliation.

"Our best pilots will win this battle! The west is nothing compared to my empire." She retorted.

"Then why is it that America has driven you so far back?" He murmured, freezing slightly as his words registered far too late, and he found himself unable to look her in the eyes after what he said sunk in.


"Excuse me?"

But he couldn't back down. "You heard me."


"Oh? So you are a hypocrite now?! You mention my delay in the Pacific while you struggle to take the Soviet Union? My apologies, Dritter Deutsches Reich. I was not aware that you had the right to comment on my moment of weakness when you have been experiencing yours for a year!"

He scowled and stood up from the chair where he had been sitting since they had all met up. "I have been sharing my resources with ungrateful people like you! Destroying Amerikaner ships- delaying their cargo- you should be grateful for my help!" He shouted.


She laughed bitterly and snapped her gaze at Italy, who had been silently eating a cracker.

"Take my side here. I am older than him, and I am far more competent! He is a hypocrite and should not be discussing my part-time flaws when he himself seems to have nothing but!"

Reich gasped and turned to face Italy, just as harshly speaking up; "She may be older but don't you dare forget how many times I've saved your soldiers against bloodshed from the allies! You owe me your support for this- I have been supplying you and her with supplies whilst draining my own!"

"He doesn't have to. Don't forget that! He clearly only does it so that he can use it as leverage against you! I would never do such a thing to my allies! I actually have honor ."


"TAKE THAT BACK, YOU-"


"Please stop arguing you two-" Italy begged, almost immediately being retaliated against as a conjoined "SHUT UP!" Was heard by his two allies.


"This empire has dominated the Pacific for centuries!"

"Well if your empire was so great- it's a wonder how die Dritter Reich has accomplished more in 9 years than Imperial Japan has in the last couple centuries. Explain that to me, Japan."

"Asia is bigger than Europe, you kraut."

"Kraut!? You're one to talk, damn jap."


"Guys please-"

"HALT DIE KLAPPE! YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED NOTHING TO THIS ALLIANCE!" Reich screamed.

"That's not-"

"Oh shut your mouth, will you? This alliance was built on the foundation of us working together and so far you have dragged us further down than thought possible! You get no say in who says what. You are of no use to this conversation and hardly of any use in general." Japan hissed.


Reich looked back at her. His gaze turned to confusion as if the fight had never taken place. "What were we saying?"

"We are blaming our losses on Italy because it's not out of line and anyone would believe it." She responded calmly.

"Right." He nodded.

"Tha-" he shut his mouth and just went back to eating his cracker when given deadly glares, daring him to try objecting again.

"Headlines everywhere. What happened to your 'Best fighter pilots' of Japan, huh?"

"Shut your mouth you are no better." She snarled.

"Actually, my wehrmacht has advanced into Stalingrad. We are practically victorious in the face of the east! While you end up surrendering to the Amerikaners, I will celebrate my victory in the Soviet Union."


That pride he held along with the sentence was enough to tick her off and she finally slapped that stupid grin off his face.

"Anything can happen, Deutsches. Don't forget that." She warned before slapping him again. "I can't believe I felt an emotion stronger than neutrality towards your pathetic character."

"Jealous japanese..." He mumbled with irritation.

"Guilible Germans." she retorted.

...

"Idiotic Italians." They both shared after a moment of silence.

"I heard about Midway."

"Yeah? What of it?"

"Are you confident?"

"I'm American . I'll be damned if I let myself doubt my abilities against those Japs." He replied, a smile of reassurance spreading to his face when Canada looked as if she was close to doubting his response.


"Relax, will you? If it gets to be too much, I'll back out."

She nudged him with annoyance. "You're such a liar, you don't 'back out' you just become more aggressive."

"One of us has to do it. Would you prefer it be me or Miss pacific?" He questioned, handing her a folder.

"I would prefer it be you- and what is this?" She opened the folder and skimmed through it before handing it back to him. He took it and tossed it on a nearby table. "It's a project in the works. Rounding up some scientists, mathematicians.. the brains of America, to be short."

"What for? Building a secret weapon?"

One smile was all it took from the American to answer her question.

"What is it?"

"Something that reclaims my dominance in this war."

"You joined this war last year."


"I won't take back my statement."

She groaned and hit him in the side. "Tell me what you're trying to make!!" She demanded. America snickered. "No no no. Not happening. I don't think you deserve to know since you're attacking me. Doesn't really sound like you're following through on our alliance."

She hit him in the side again.

"Tell me!!"

"Don't think so."

"Tell me!!!!"

"No."

"Asshole!"

"No-... wait-" he paused and laughed again, grabbing the folder and chucking it out the window.

She gasped. "Why would you be so careless with something like that?" She shouted, smacking him on the arm.

"Ow you're so abusive!" He chuckled again.

"So I've been told. Answer the question!"

"Because I have copies and that wasn't one of them. You think I'd potentially lose confidential plans like that? You're in over your head from this war stuff." He grimaced as she smacked him harder on the arm. "You're such a little- ugh! I'm going to have some planes blow you and this stupid building up!" She complained.


"Bingo."


"A- wait- wait wait what?" She gasped again, eyes widening. "Oh my god, you're building a bomb."

"So are you Mr Pacific since you've won this battle then?"

"No.. I'm still me, although Japan is no longer Emperor of the sea. She can call it quits attempting to turn the tide back in her favor."

"America.."

He groaned and turned his chair around so the back faced his sister. "I know she won't quit, she's a stubborn woman, but there is no hope that she will win. She's lost her best fighter pilots, her best warships, it's like playing battleship and I've sunk all but one of her pieces, and the one is a small ship."

"You don't know that.."

"Whose side are you even on?!" He exclaimed in confusion, turning his chair back around to face her. "Because right now, it sounds like you're trying to doubt me- or perhaps you're trying to humble me-"

"Ame-"

"My pride is too big for your liking? Or are you just upset you are not seeing victory in Europe?"

"Shut up! Oh my- sometimes you're worse than New Zealand. At least she just asks questions, unlike you who asks them and then jumps to conclusions far too quickly."


The silence took over once again and then a slight snicker escaped America and was cut short when he could see her scowl in warning.

...

"You need to lighten up."

"You try losing to Germans of all people!"

"You're right.. they're pretty smart people, sly too."

"AMERICA" she shouted with growing annoyance.


And then the silence came back, and was then interrupted by another short laugh which was then replaced with a fake cough.


"You're so unserious, for Christ's sake."

"You're taking this too hard."


The silence returned and it was here to stay this time. As they both looked through the window. The sun was setting by this time, the window overlooking a garden that was properly maintained. The silence was peaceful, at least America thought so. It was once that the silence had not been overwhelming, as it usually meant there was enemy around the corner. But no. Standing in the White House, dusk swiftly approaching as the sun set.


"I'm sorry.."

"For what exactly?"

"That you can be so unserious in times of war." She hissed.

He sighed and just covered her mouth. "I had forgotten that you don't hand out apologies unless they're for dramatic measure. It's no wonder you're related to France."

His hand was slapped away as he finished that comment, and she could only do so much as retort quickly: "You're related in such ways to her too!"

His eye twitched, having finally had enough of this. "Louisiana purchase is the only claim to 'french' I have part of my country. France, sure, helped me in my revolution against my own father, but I am not related to her by any sense of... well, just not related to her. I am related to UK and him alone." He then turned his head to face her, who was still looking out the window, letting his words settle in her mind.

"As for you. You are related to France. It's no wonder you have such a spirit inside you, considering Napoleon and all that jazz.. all that aside, you're not his child, just like I am not France's."


"What? I am his daughter-"

"You're not." He cut her off firmly, his eyes narrowing the slightest. "You were just.. taken by him and raised into who you are now by him. I am his child, Australia and New Zealand are his.. Malta.. hell, even Newfoundland Labrador - whose territory is literally connected to yours - is his. You are just.. someone he favorites because you listen to him and wouldn't think of rebellion if it hit you in the face. That aside, you are not related to him, or any of us, his actual children."


The silence filled the gaps, more awkwardly this time. After a moment, he watched as she finally turned and walked off, clearly having struck a nerve with her. "Truth hurts.." he mumbled before turning to look back out the window.

Chapter Text

"There is all this snow... and ugh! It's just snow. I was promised Soviets to kill..." the soldier, young and naive at best description, mumbled as his squadron continued trekking through the knee-deep snow.

"No wonder the soviets froze in Finland.." another beside him chimed in before the two of them had gotten yelled at by their CO.

"Sorry, Sir." They said at similar times before continuing their march against the freezing winds and the icicles that pricked at their eyes. The fact was, it was a daunting task that they had to go through this hellish city searching for and killing any soviets they spotted.

They hadn't even found anyone. If there were soviets in this city, it would be unoticeable and damn they must've been good hiders because those soldiers had been informed that they outnumbered the soviets 10-1, yet here they were, freezing half to death in Russia, because their leader had been overconfident with their success rate, figuring they'd be at Moscow by the fall of 1941, and yet here they were, a year later, in this hellish winter.

It had been nicer in July and August, unlike now, in the midst of October, freezing cold temperatures biting at their people, their weapons, their panzers... terrible terrible weather that one could only hope to end far too soon.


"Enemy spotted at '4 o'clock, take-" and then a gunshot and their CO was dead.

Everyone must have had a collective idea, as they got into defensive positions and with confidence they didn't have, they began searching more thoroughly. Another shot, another and again and again and.. again..

More soldiers dead, more screams were heard. Frostbite was the least of their worries when they were being mercilessly killed by ghosts, at least it appeared that way. A frostbitten hand could've been debated whether it were better or worse than one that had been shot off in a misdirected gunshot, but a frostbitten leg was normally better than one bleeding, considering the former would be numb and the latter's icy blood would sting back to the winter hell they panicked in.


The surprise was unmearsurable, they just seemed to all surround them, coming out of nowhere. At least they were prepared for their winter.

 It was a wonder. Stalin couldn't seem to understand the concept of sufficient supplies. One soldier has the bullets, one has the gun, two makes one as they say, but that was hardly relevant. 'You will not surrender, you will fight until death' sounded like a brave statement, but when they were the ones fighting this battle, confidence wasn't the main M.O for them. It was like he hardly knew what war was, even despite his experience with this, did he have experience? Nobody truly knew and nobody really questioned it.

Imagine that, a dictator leading thousands and millions into a war without actual knowledge of it. That would suck against the Germans, considering their leader had previously fought in WWI. It's so ironic, one man dead would have prevented this. But that hardly mattered. Frostbite, Germans, harsh winds, buildings as cover.. there were too many dangers to focus on their leader.


One bullet went in, another man shot it out. This would repeat, again, and again, and again, until bullets had run out. What did they do then? Figure it out themselves! Stalin hadn't given direct instructions except for the usual 'don't, under any circumstances, surrender' speech that he seemed to love repeating, whether for dramatic effect or for the soldiers who had short-term memory. Hardly relevant in this setting. Those who surrendered were 'cowards' and 'weak'. What was a soviet? Neither of those.

In hindsight, it seemed like Stalin's method of 'two soldiers one gun' made sense, either due to lack of objection from fear, or because nobody truly questioned it, but now it was rather clear that it was just lack of resources, which made sense, having lost close to 80% of theirs in the Winter War, which they had pathetically 'won' but with a higher loss than the Finnish. And guess who was draining their resources once again? The Finnish, alongside the Germans this time around.

"Shoot, reload, fire."

The words, no matter how quiet or loud, meant the same thing, and were repeated that way. Cold winds sometimes blocked the words but despite that all, if a commander was visibly talking, they knew it was to do just that. Shoot. Reload. Fire. The mantra was always the same tone despite yelling or whispering.


Shoot. Reload. Fire.


And when they ran out of bullets, they just had to keep going. Surrender was the true enemy in this fight, keeping Stalingrad proudly russian was also a good motivation that kept the soviets from noticing the freezing cold. Perhaps if they had been given alcohol beforehand they would've done as well as they had during the Finnish war, which didn't say much but it helped navigate the pain to a part of their heads that was left untouched.

Until their bodies froze over and they finally fell down into a deadly slumber. Ignoring the inevitable frostbite worked wonders to forget that their friends were dying... to forget that they would soon be nothing more than human popsicles, waiting to be discovered in the deep snow that they would be buried in. Until spring melted the snow away and left a warm blanket to bloom over their corpses. Until those days arrived they would be left forgotten, abandoned by their comrades, their superiors, their families who would wait and wait.. and wait and wait... and wait and wait for their return. Until the dreadful news of their bodies being amongst many, their families left to suffer in mental distress as they realized they had lost their brothers, their fathers, their friends, their children.

Until that day arrived, they would suffer in the harsh winters, their leader not caring whatsoever who made it back alive or not, only about the success of his soldiers, the success of keeping the motherland home to the soviets and their families, throwing people into this fight until the Germans faltered and retreated.

And as the Germans finally realized how they continued to be closed into, surrounded by the enemies they swore to defeat, that they swore they'd kill until none remained, it was far too late. And as dying breathes whispered prayers to families, whispered regrets, whispered sorrows, it all fell to deaf ears.


Because that, was the reality of war.

"We're sending our people into a certain death." Soviet mumbled.


"What's new?"


He looked up from his papers and gave an unamused look. "Alright, fair, but we're allies, so let's be civil and not.. snarky."


"Mhm.."


"You said that the shipment would arrive by this weekend? Remind me of what day in the week it is?"


"There have been some issues with workers. The others are currently attempting to make up for the lack of resources on the country's behalf."


He held back a complaint, trying to be civil as he had said previously, although it was a little difficult when promises were not being fulfilled. "And when should I expect them?" He finally asked, shuffling the papers around.


"No later than Wednesday, earliest should be Monday."


"So a day at the earliest, three at the latest?" He confirmed.


"Yes."


He paused and drummed his fingers on the desk, narrowing his gaze at the other nation before relaxing it. "Your responses are curt."


"I'm aware."


"Eager to part ways?" He paused the drumming and his eyes found themselves glancing over the other's demeanor, mainly posture, which was, expectantly, tense.


"Possibly."


"Well I suppose I didn't expect much kindness considering your side of things... however it's not everyday I see you in my territory-"


"Unlike the Germans."


He paused, and a slight smile cracked onto his face. He looked down at the wood and held back a laugh before looking at the nation on the other side of the desk. "So nothing is of issue than?"


"My schedule has been rudely interrupted. I am just in a slightly bitter mood."


He nodded and glanced over at the child who had just snuck into the office. "Ukraine, don't touch that" he said sharply when the child had attempted to grab something off a shelf.


"I hadn't known you had children."


"Well, much like Stalin, I keep that private." He murmured, stepping over to the Ukrainian and picking her up in his arms. "Do you have children?" He then asked, looking up at the other expectantly for an answer he could assume he knew the answer to.


"No."


"Still not-"


"At that age in my life..? No. Shockingly."


"Surely you want one?"


"I'll take one of yours."


He laughed again and set Ukraine down before patting the other on the shoulder.

"Is nice to have successors, no?"


"If you die."


He frowned.

"Alright. Hypothetical wise.. if you had a kid.. what would you name them?"


"I'm not sure."


"What's holding you back from having one anyway? It's not much work, really. I'm sure you know how this stuff goes about."


"War. Soviet. There is war. Why would I bring a child into a life where I am still at war? You work hard enough so that your children never have to. Same goes for war."


He nodded and ushered Ukraine out of the room, closing the door as he paused and thought for a hard moment then looked at the other again. "You are simply afraid that your child will have to become you in times of vain. Is that not right?"

He waited for a response, meanwhile the other stared at the room in silence.

"Well?"


"... I believe I should head back home. There are no other true matters to be discussed."


"Well.. nice of you to visit."

He received a nod in response and he stepped away from the door, his gaze on the nation who grabbed the doorknob and opened the door once again.


"Maybe I'd name them after me.."


"But they are not a Dominion of the British?"


"No... I mean.. just, Canada." She murmured before leaving and shutting the door behind her, leaving the soft click of it to echo through the room for a brief moment.

"It's terrible! They're freezing to death and the enemy has them surrounded! We really should put a halt to our plans until spring arrives!"

What was this? The 9th.. 10th time he'd brought up this issue? And what had been the answer every single time without missing a beat?

"We are german, not weak. You will not put a stop to anything or I will make sure you eat those words. Is that clear?"


But this time had been different. So many times that Reich had lost his voice, had now powered together to speak up for once. So when he had been told the same response for the 10th (presumably) time, he had found the courage to say something.

"Just because we are german and our motto is being strong, does not mean we are invincible! Humans are nothing compared to nations, we as nations require nothing but our heart to live, so while I could survive in harsh winters like the ones in Russia, our soldiers cannot! They need warmth, and they need their vital organs, and they need rest! If we continue this plan we will lose millions more for no true end goal! We will be throwing our men at something they are destined to die to." He had blurted out angrily. Perhaps it was the anger of Hitler's lack of care for his men, or maybe it was the constant dismissal of his concerns that had fueled this response, but it hadn't even stopped there.

"And that is not it. I am tired of you constantly dismissing my concerns regarding my people! Regarding our people! You are hardly the boss of me. At most, I am the boss of you, I am the embodiment of this country, I am the one in charge of it! You are simply the chancellor, the person chosen to help me with the responsibilities of my country! But you simply deny me the chance to even try and regulate anything about this country. I am the leader. You are the chancellor."


And that entire argument, is why he now sat on the floor, locked in a room by his OWN GUARDS, on the concern of 'irrational behavior' and 'self-endangerment.' And, true to Hitler's word, he had gotten the words Reich had said printed out on paper, and the one-page long argument now sat on the floor in front of him. By the words of Adolf. "You will either eat this paper, thus eating your words and learning to swallow such disrespect, or, you can apologize, or, last option, you can be a stubborn brat of a child and sit in this room until you learn what regret is."

So in simple terms, none of the options were good. Reich had refused to eat the paper because that was just disgusting either way, and he certainly didn't want to apologize for standing up for his position of power, and he didn't want to waste away in this room forever.


What was his bright plan? To open the window which Hitler had stupidly placed him in the room of, and climb out.

So now he walked through the snow, completely underestimating the cold at this moment in time. It was freezing, like putting himself in the boots of his soldiers who were fighting and dying in Stalingrad. It was cold. He hated cold. He hated it so terribly that he couldn't even think about the fact he was doing this to be stubborn, it was cold, but again, he didn't want to go back in the Reichstag and confront Hitler again, he knew he'd be in trouble.

It was cold.

He hated it so much. This was his fault. If he hadn't tried to argue with his leader, he wouldn't have been placed in that room, and then he wouldn't have ever had the idea to escape and climb out the window. This was his fault- no. It wasn't.

It was just cold...


And he was walking through the snow, it was snowing too, it was so cold.. freezing. This was his fault. What was he thinking? So much of his guidance was given by Hitler. Hitler was older, wiser.. everything that Reich wasn't, Hitler was. He should've never objected, never even thought about arguing with his leader.

Reich, still shivering and breathing a little heavier, walked back up the stairs of the Reichstag and dried himself off, as in, stood in the entrance until he warmed up. He then made his way to the office and knocked once, and without further answer he opened the door and his apologetic gaze met his leader's look of confusion.

"I have.. come to apologize for being irrational.. I spoke out of line and should not have argued with you after all you have done for me, nor should I have attempted to take control of what you have built or done. I regret my decision to attempt to be stubborn against your consequences and it will not be happening again." He said before the Austrian could get a word of surprise in.


A slight smile grew on his face as he stood up and walked over to Reich, patting him on the shoulder a little aggressively, his way of silently stating that Reich's actions would not be tolerated again and that this was his only warning. "I am thankful that you have come to realize your mistake. I assume the time spent alone you thought about your wrongdoings so I believe that is worth being forgiven." He said in a polite tone, but Reich had known the man long enough to hear the condescending warning in his voice.

"Thank you. My leader." Reich had simply uttered before being patted roughly on the back again, and then taking the silence as a sign to leave.

Somewhere in his words, he felt he had made a costly mistake.. but it hardly mattered, Hitler was always right after all..



Always.

Chapter Text

"Being burned by someone you trusted... it must feel worse than being burned by an already established enemy..."

Words that rung in one's head for a stupidly annoying amount of time.

But they had made sense now.

"... you know I truly am sorry... War and.. anger... turns you into a monster you can't bear to look back at yourself as...."

It hadn't made sense then... the sentences... the words...

They made him slightly upset... seeing such guilt consume an individual.

"... I'm not.. wanting to push you in a direction you are not comfortable with... however I.."

Those words had.. been recently after the war... the 20s... the Treaty of Versailles had not taken its full toll on the German people.

"... what should I say?.... I would.. like to call you my friend..."

He remembered it. Vividly, infact. Sitting in a field. It was an international meeting, held in the Netherlands. Beautiful fields... tulips...

He very much loved that country... perhaps that's why he had been more reluctant to go through it... well, now. Before, when he was still so... eager to conquer... he hardly cared for those fields...

They were exceptionally beautiful.. Netherlands surely had a way of maintaining his lands...


So beautiful...


"I hope you.. are... able to look at me.. past what I've done... I know I couldn't but.. it means everything to me to reconcile..."

Until those memories arised... the burning of those fields... watching the flowers, the beauty, the love of those fields, burn up in cold, cruel hate.

"Nada! I hope I'm not interrupting?"

What was it he had hated so much about the dutchman anyway? He had done hardly anything wrong in contrast to right. He was kind.. despite what Reich's parents had done.. despite it all and what they had ruined of the dutch's neighbor and cousin.. he had never hated Reich, nor had he found pleasure in looking at him as though he were less than. Other nations had taken that route, that's how Reich had hated them.

But Netherlands... what was it...


"Nada?"

It was a nickname... what was so...?

"It's what he calls me, shortens the name.. my father calls me such as well."

It couldn't have been that...

What had convinced him to burn those fields without remorse? What. Was. It?

"You must really like her..."

The tone of such a question never crossed him as to be one of jealousy. Reich had seen the Canadian as a friend, not a real care what Netherlands saw her as.

"Possibly.."

What had made him so...

"I think you're holding something back.."

Angry... towards these fields..

"Well... I suppose I'd like to marry her one day... with her father and mother's blessing, of course."

There had been something in that context.. it had pissed him off but he had never said anything.

"How is Weimar holding up? I have not heard of him for a fair while. Last time was.. Versailles? Yes, that ordeal. Is he doing well?"


Reich's answer had been short, given that he hardly enjoyed talking about Weimar regarding the wellbeing of the economy. It was terrible to see Weimar, that dreadful face upon realizing the debt that would sweep the German economy and crash it. He had known it would. Reich had never understood it before but if you knew anything about economics.. £6.6 billion was a shit ton of money to pay out that would drive anyone into debt, especially the German economy that had just suffered heavily from the expenses of war.

"He's okay... seems a little twitchier recently.. I suppose that's all, really."

That.. yes. That had been what- why he had been angry... in his mind, at least from what his parents had taught him, compliments were insults to German pride. Asking how one was meant they didn't believe the other was doing well; physically, mentally, etc. That's why. And it was so ridiculous now thinking back on it. Getting angry enough to burn fields over such a comment. He certainly owed the Dutchman a severe and sincere apology, that was, if he had the chance to see the latter again before dying at.. someone's hands..

"Do you really love her so much?"

"I can't imagine who wouldn't.."

Reich finally zoned back in, hardly remembering why he had begun to think back on this anyway, but he did notice the tears.

It wasn't.. jealousy.. it was envy... or.. perhaps they were the same? He was envious of that comment.


'I can't imagine who wouldn't..'

Reich had always wanted such a comment made about him. He knew he hardly deserved it, but before this whole thing.. before the tragedies that took place.. he had wanted someone to say that about him. Being loved so much that it was hard to imagine someone didn't.. Canada had that. People loved her no matter what she did, and they saw her siblings the same way, especially America. War heroes.. they were war heroes.. Canada's men shot down Richthofen, America's men turned the tide and sealed the fate of the war, Canada's men took back a previously thought lost point: Vimy, America's men helped the British push the Germans out of France.. and when their warcrimes had been revealed, it was pointless. Everyone talked about the Germans.. their mustard gas, their brutal techniques.. nobody discussed the Canadians and their cruel stunt during the Christmas Truce, or the Americans and their unnecessary explosions.


That's why Reich had been angered.. the comment about Weimar's wellbeing had fueled it, but that comment.. the envy of Canada being looked at in such a heroic way rather than a war criminal... in the heat of the moment, burning those fields had felt like a middle finger to the dutch himself, showing how even his precious Canada couldn't save his country.

"Reich? Leaving so soon?"

He remembered making up the excuse of needing to get back to the station before he missed the train, despite it having been several hours before it would arrive.

...

"Do you think he was just saying that to get away from me?"

"Eh quoi?" 

He looked at her for a moment and then smiled slightly. "Don't worry about it..."

She handed him a small, weaved crown of tulips. "I hope.. I was allowed to do that?" She asked softly. He nodded and placed it on his head. "I couldn't imagine anything better than this. Pick as many as you'd like, I won't stop you."

So much love in that gaze.. it was a wonder how Canada had never noticed it before.

"Do you think Reich worries people constantly judge him for what his family has done?" He asked.

"It may be all he thinks about.."

He frowned and looked in the direction that Reich had taken off in. "I hope he realizes people don't look at him like less than.. they think he's a very wonderful individual.. who just got stuck with parents who did wrongly motivated things.."

"He wouldn't believe you if you told him that.."


Reich's head falling on the desk had been enough to startle him from his dozing. When was the last time he had slept? Must have been a year ago at this point. He was so busy.. there was nothing- oh no, that's right. His mind was just blocking out the fact he had visited his prisoners and slept against one of them. That had been the last time he'd slept, properly rested without fear of his leader appearing and giving him a worse reason to be tired.

He wouldn't go to them again. Not after in blind anger he had tortured Denmark, only to later discover where the Icelandic was when reading that specific letter from Canada. One which he'd kept as evidence the next time Hitler would expectantly ask - the next time territory or something of the like was brought up - where the child resided now.


Why had he-? Oh.. yes.. that operation thing.. happening... somewhere..

He was exhausted. Maybe a walk could.. take place.. clear his head.

...

Walking along, he found himself in that same prison. He hoped to pass by the cell of his captives rather quickly, unfortunately that wasn't quick enough. The sharp voice of Denmark rang out as he attempted to pass by.

"Reich."

The German reluctantly turned to look at the other. "What...?"

"You look tired. Still forgetting to sleep?"

"I'm not forg-...." he huffed as a slight smile crossed the Dane's face. "How clever.." he mocked with sarcasm.

"I know. Quite smart, aren't I? Nothing better to do really. Just trying to heal from what you did, but that's unimportant." He stated, patting the floor next to him. That was an invitation.

"We both know I don't deserve that.."

"Sure. But I'm letting bygones be bygones, besides, I really don't think the stunt you pulled before was on your own terms."

Reich swallowed and hesitantly approached the cell. "Is this your plan to kill me?"

"If I wanted to do that, I would've broken out of this place already and found you. Don't be stubborn, you know you want rest. You quite literally began sobbing about lack thereof the other day."

"... don't remind me.."


But despite the need to get back to his work, and- oh forget it. It hardly mattered. Before he couldn't think further about that, he had already sat himself beside the other, allowing himself to rest on Denmark as the latter held him close. He really shouldn't have said it, but despite the momentary arguing in his head, he mumbled out a quiet; "I know where Iceland is..."

Denmark frowned at this and paused he motion of his hand rubbing up and down Reich's back. A motion that the German whined inaudibly at upon it being stopped. "That wasn't a threat.. I just.. received a letter from Canada and- she mentioned he was in her country... even if.. I told Hitler.. there would be no way any forces could be sent there to take him. I suppose.. I'm trying to say he's safe..." he whispered.

Denmark resumed the motion and for the slightest second, a small smile was found on his lips. "Iceland is safe..?" He asked. Reich hummed in response which was all the former needed. "Thank you.. for letting me know..."

"You're welcome..."


Again, despite himself, he cuddled up closer to the Dane and felt the desire to ask a simple and quiet question. "Is-... did.. before I did all that I have.. did the others like me.. as a person..."

"They loved you. Canada always told everyone these stories about how wonderful you and your brother were... oh everyone thought you were a great kid.."

Reich felt himself beginning to tear up. "Canda did... that for me...?"

"Well not just her.. Netherlands, Australia.. America, Poland.. they all made everyone understand that you were a good person.. born to parents who had been too caught up in something which led to their demise..."


"Oh god..." Reich choked out, "I- oh god..." he couldn't help but repeat.

"Oh.. don't cry.. it's alright.." Denmark consoled him, wiping tears from the German's eyes and holding him a little closer. "Reich you're not.. how can I put this? You were never a bad person... I think.. you've just been carved into who you are now because of all that has happened. I believe that someday, people will understand.. although they may not forget... they'll try to forgive..."

Reich let out another choked sob and hugged Denmark tightly, which wasn't very hard, but in his current state, it worked. He sniffled, and then hiccupped a few times, and finally it died down a few small wipes of the eyes later.


Silence fell over the cell, the soft breathing of the other nations, still very much asleep, and now the slightly sniffled breathing of Reich to add to the mix. "May I?" Denmarks question pulled Reich out of a slight daze, confusion crossing his face. "Heh?" He asked. Denmark looked at him and then tapped the military cap on the other's head.

"Oh.. yeah.. sure.." he mumbled, closing his eyes and putting his head back against Denmark's chest, the same nation now removing the cap and gently brushing through Reich's hair, lightly massaging his scalp. "Iceland loved when I did this.. said it felt nice." He said as a bit of small talk.

"I can imagine why.." Reich muttered back. He opened his eyes again and stared the other's collar for a moment. "I'm not.. sure how to say this.." he began. "I.. think that.. you remind me of my father..." he added in a whisper.

"I'm heavily flattered, Reich.." had been the given response.

Pride and slight fear of the response held back his next question: Would you be my father.. if I asked...?

"We'll call it Operation Torch. It will be targeting French North Africa and all parties involved will be expected to play their parts accordingly. If you have an issue, you can bring that up with me."


The words trailed along her mind as she sat on her bed, Iceland already fast asleep against her as Netherlands fixed her patch. She wasn't sure why it had broken, but right after that meeting it had just snapped off.

"Could you explain to me again how your eye ended up looking like a swastika?" He suddenly asked.

She frowned and closed her left eye again. "I'm not sure. It's scarred, it has always been the same as it was quand j'etais Nouvelle France.. my theory was that it was not scarred in a regular fashion and along with France being under German control, it changed up like so.."

"And.. the hair?"

"It's always been blue. I just.. dye it red, or, used to, anyway. Haven't had the time to do that this entire war.. so naturally, it grows out in it's original color.."

"Why color it? Blue suits you just as nicely as the red does. And especially the faded area, a very beautiful purple it makes, no?"

Nouvelle France was blue. I am not 'Nouvelle France' anymore...

Canada shook her head despite Netherlands being occupied and unable to see it. "Change is.. bound to happen."


"But you are still France's daughter, no? I see no reason to not embrace that. If my hair were orange because of my father, I'd keep it."

"You know that's not the same." She mumbled. "Your father was still in custody of you. France was.. after a certain point not allowed to call herself my mother until tensions between France and Great Britain eased up."


Netherlands shrugged and walked back over, carefully tying the patch around her head and adjusting it over her eye. "Does that feel alright?" He asked, his hands hovering near her face just incase he had to make another few adjustments. "It's perfect. Thank you for fixing it for me. I'd normally do that myself." She responded, watching as he sat down on the bed beside her. She noticed his lingering gaze on her hair and sighed.

"I'm just admiring it.." he claimed, having read her thoughts before they were spoken aloud. After a few moments in which he'd begun to absentmindedly caress the blue areas of her hair, he kissed the side of her head and then smiled at her. "If you ever decide to stop dyeing it, I'm in full support." He reassured her, giving another kiss on the cheek which finally made her crack a smile, which had been his goal.


Besides. He knew she had a lot of things to worry about. Figuring that showing her affection would just distract her from any worries she had about going back into a war setting.

"I think it's safe to say that splitting up is our best bet. To cover more territory and eliminate more threats."

The words hadn't bothered Canada, but they had stuck for a while for an odd reason.

She hadn't been exactly told to bring the most people with her, as UK and USA had established they would take care of most of this operation along with the French soldiers, but she was still wanted because they knew she would have several volunteers willing to help.

So along the area she and her soldiers marched. Having given them signals to follow and precautions beforehand.

"If you see a German, you shoot it. It's that simple. If at any point, it seems we are surrounded, you all will get yourselves out of there, alright? It is better you are find troops from the American or British side rather than I lose you all to German forces."

They had understood that pretty well. She was essentially telling them to save themselves, which was always something she told her people. To be completely honest, she really didn't care at this point if she were taken captive. Her people were always put first and if they had the chance to escape, that's what she preferred.

...

They had walked for a while, and a while more. There was a short blur between that walking and now. Commotion.. and then it was some shouting. Several orders from her side and another later.. and after it all, Canada had awoken to the words "we won" by that distinctly American voice.

How long had she been out? What had even happened? She couldn't recall. What she had remembered, was she had seen Reich, but he, along with his soldiers, had decided to leave them alone and then.. what?

A foggy memory was all she really had now.

But they won... so maybe it didn't matter...

Chapter Text

"How nice of your brother to invite us to Manhattan, agreed?"

"Supposedly."

He looked at her in confusion, noticing she was slightly zoned out. "Canada."

That seemed to snap her out of her daydream and she glanced back at him. "Yes, very considerate." She nodded before looking out the window of the train.

"But then again, he did say there was a surprise so I'm not sure what to expect from the same country who's last surprise was that he was making a bomb."

"We all have our ideas of surprise."

"Are you sure you are not making this out of envy of Reich's scientists?" She asked, staring at the plans that America had just given her to look at.

When he had said 'the brains of America' she truthfully was not prepared for the detail, the calculations, none of it. Hell- she always referred to Netherlands for mathematical formulas, but this was on an entirely different level.


Something that she would never admit considering this was her brother. She could never admit such astonishment to such a person.


"Who said I even cared what they were making? USA is top of the world in technological advancement. I'll be damned in some Nazis are gonna take my place." He scowled.

"You sent a very angry letter to me once, perhaps you were drinking... but however the matter was, you sent an angry letter, listing everything you despised about Reich. And his scientists-"

"Were not on that list and I never made a list so just drop it like I am going to drop these bombs on the world." He said, making a motion with his hand for her to silence herself.

"Getting pretty good at this propoganda, eh?" She teased, snickering as he punched her lightly in the arm. "No talking while you are in my country. It is now illegal, I will put in a law for congress by tonight!" He declared.


UK sighed softly, turning his attention to both Churchill and Roosevelt. "Just once I wish they could act like the adults they are as both countries and humans.."

This then sparked up a question: "How old are you in human years?" Mackenzie-King, on the other side of UK, asked.

"Well- I suppose I could say I'm around my 50s or-"

"But if you divide by three- how to do get fifty?" He abruptly asked.

UK blinked a few times in response, pinched the bridge of his nose, as if wondering if he heard that statement correctly, then looked at King, the line between confused and bewildered almost invisible in his expression. "Why am I dividing by three?" He questioned, watching as the prime minister's gaze focused on Canada, still bickering with America, then returned to UK.

"Canada told me she divides her country age by three to get her human age."

UK's lips quirked into a smile and then he forced himself to get rid of it, although not able to hide the chuckle that followed.

"You told me your age was divided by three!" He complained when Canada had made a remark on 'how quiet he was'

She smiled, looked away and covered her mouth to prevent laughter from being heard, then looked back at him. "It is!"
"No, your father says otherwise."

"Accusations accusations.. I never said it applied to anyone else." She shrugged.

King gasped in disbelief. "You acted like you did not even know why you divided it, infact- you said you'd ask your father about it!"


She mumbled under her breath in French and then replied: "I panicked.. you kept asking questions. I like to divide my age sometimes to get my ideal human age and then just use that as reasoning."

"I'm disappointed."

"Oops. I'm sorry." She replied, although not meaning it and didn't have any intent to mean so at all.

"No- disappointed I fell for that. I am always on guard when it comes to you, I never know if what you say is real or a very believable lie!"

That actually seemed to make Canada pause, thinking for a moment and slidding her foot across the floor back and forth. "Well, I actually am sorry about that. I suppose I have been a bit of a-" she paused and looked around, then continued "-piece of shit, so.. I suppose I can back off with the lying, especially in times when lying is just... stupid."

King looked at her a little dumbfounded. "That's all it took to get you to stop messing with my head??!" He exclaimed, momentarily stopping upon realizing how loud he'd been whilst saying that. "I thought it would be some bizarre practice- several centuries worth of prayers- and yet.. all I had to do, was point it out- and you stop? What world do I live in?" He laughed in bizarre amazement and then shook his head.


"Dear god, I've been blessed by saying the right things." He said, finally turning his attention to look at Canada and immediately his happiness was shot down by her glare.

"Do you often sleep with eyes open?" She asked.

"... no."

"I suggest you start doing so.." she warned before walking off.

He grimaced in response. "I will never win this..." he murmured, watching her wander off to speak with UK.

"What sparked this idea anyway? You get randomly motivated and I do worry half of the time why that is.."

"Nazi Germany's building one, why can't I?"

UK looked at him wide eyed. "Excuse me?"

"Yup. Europeans are freaking out over it. I'm surprised you haven't heard. Turns out they're building a nuke. So I'm going to get one made first, and those nazis can suck my-"

"Language."

America smiled and turned to look at his father. "I knew you'd say that. Nice to see the war hasn't altered your personality too much." He looked back at the diagram and then added: "Can I have Canada as part of my country now?"

"God no."

America nodded. "Yup. Still there."

"I often wonder where I went wrong with you.." UK murmured, then before the other could protest about the exact thing that had prequelled the revolution, UK immediately added: "I mean before the taxes. Do I regret it? Well.. considering your rebellion, yes. However, it was worth it in the end, because I watched France's economy suffer from helping you and then a revolution took place so- I suppose there are positives and negatives."

The American mumbled under his breath, likely curse words or some insult, but otherwise, silence fell over the two for a short while.

Until being broken by the brit again.


"I would like you to know that I am sorry regarding the taxes. At the time I had an ill headspace, it was unjust for me to put so much pressure on you and your people to fund a war only France and I were included in. It was- insulting that I even had the thought to make you pay for my actions. I hope you do understand my sincerity in this apology, I would have regretted the decision even if you had not rebelled against it."

"..."

America glanced at the floor for a moment and then looked at UK.

"I'll have you know; I do not regret my actions in any way." He stated firmly, then softening his voice as he turned his head back to the ground and added: "but I've long since forgiven you. Even if you burned my White House down."

"Oh don't even start, you tried to invade Canada. I rightfully defended my colony." UK smiled.

"It's not too late to change your mind..." he murmured.

"Oh? Is that what you told RE and France? I think Alaska and Louisiana are enough, don't you?" UK retorted.


America whined slightly and gave UK a pleading look. "But Canada is the second largest territory in the world! If I had Canada- I could also have the second largest country in the world. Please? What about Newfoundland and Labrador? They're not even part of Canada, at least let me have that territory? Please?"

"What's happening here?" Canada's voice suddenly interrupted.

"Your brother is trying to negotiate your dominion out of me." UK said at once.

America gasped and his eyes went wide. "Me? What? Who would say such a thing?! What?? Not me- hah, you're funny dad, no- what? I'll go find out who said that-" he laughed and then hurried off.

Canada looked somewhere in between confused and unsurprised by this, just turning to look back at her father.

"I think the radiation is getting to his head." She stated rather bluntly. UK nodded and smiled.

"What are you here for?"

Canada's entire face scrunched up in confusion and her head tilted, then her features relaxed as she understood the question. "Is it not too late to go back home?" She asked, gazing around the large warehouse and then looking back at UK, who nodded.

"It is too late. Are you homesick already?" He chuckled.

She shook her head. "Soviet and I-"

"Soviet??"

"... soviet... and I.. have been communicating back and forth recently... I am nervous that a letter has arrived and I will be late to receiving it, which will delay everything..."

"You're fine."

"I'm not, no."

He sighed and pulled her into a hug. "I meant you are fine to delay things a tad bit. And believe me, you may not think you are doing well, but you are doing better than you were the last time around."

Last time around... translated into memory was WWI.

"You are doing just fine." He additionally murmured.


"Oh sweet, family hug!" America declared, having come back, clearly not early enough to understand the context of the hug. So he came over and wrapped his arms around both of the countries.

Chapter Text

They're pushing back they're pushing back they're pushing back!!!

Footsteps all through the Reichstag, and they all belonged to one individual.

Up and down and left and right and another right and then north and south and east and north again and then south-west and-

Sowjet will kill me oh god he's going to kill me- when they reach Germany- no.. no no no they won't- we'll- uh- they won't!!

And back and forth and back and forth again.


Could fear do this? Make his heart race so much that he felt faint? He didn't panic like this- he never did-

God, how pathetic am I to feel faint from news?

And he sat down. He couldn't really breathe, it was hard to breathe it was-

What was wrong with him?!

He just sat against the wall, gasping for air, but- it wasn't... what was happening? His entire body felt tingly, and numb, but very tingly, like he was being pricked by tiny little needles. And he could tell he was crying, but this wasn't- no... it wasn't being upset it was.. what was happening?

And his breathing was shaky, and his limbs still tingled, and he felt so very lightheaded, like he'd pass out at any given moment. And he stayed up against the wall, sitting there, crying but it was a force of habit from his body, a defense mechanism of some kind maybe?

And then it just... kind of faded out. Deep breath in, deep breath out, and that repeated until the tingle went away, and the tears stopped, and he calmed himself down, wiping the tears off his face and standing up again, silently making his way to a bathroom to wash his face.


Upon entering a bathroom and washing his face with warm water and then drying it with a cloth, he stared at himself in the mirror.

His hair was growing a little too long for his liking, and despite the fact that maybe nobody else could tell, he could see how tired he was in his eyes alone. And he was going a little crazy always wearing this uniform, and he was irritated by how much he looked like a kid, which was mainly because Hitler's influence of treating him like a child made him believe he was a child which, considering the fact he was responsible for choosing his human age, meant it influenced him to change it to that of a child, or, technically, a legal adult at 18.

In his eyes, all of the above listed were flaws of his that he needed to take care of. Even if that meant consuming drugs to make him look less tired, or adjusting the uniform to make it different but only in a subtle way, and bashing his head into a wall to remind him that he always had his human age at 22.

"Where are my scissors.." Reich murmured aloud, feeling his pockets and then opening one to pull out a small pair of scissors.

He'd been having some thoughts lately, so these were just.. a 'practical use' pair that he always kept with him..

For 'practical' reasons, of course.


Reich took of his cap and set it on the counter, then grabbed one side of his hair into a clump and began to cut away at it.

Snip snip snip snip

And after that he held a bunch of hair in his gloved hand and was staring at the shortened side in the mirror.

He was a picky person but.. his hair wasn't much of a problem considering that-

No. He wasn't going to think about that anymore. He tossed the cut hair into a trash can and then grabbed the other side, the longer side, and began to cut that too.

Snip snip snip-... snip

And then he threw that cut hair out too.

And then he put the scissors away and just stared at himself in the mirror. Sometimes he felt like he didn't even recognize himself. Sometimes- he'd see himself pre-depression, all happy, with a big smile, and then he'd see himself at the beginning of this war, angry and violent, and then he'd see himself now. Regretful of what he'd done in anger, regretting this entire war and what he'd become all because the great depression had destroyed that bright person he was.

He hated what he saw in himself now.

Fear.

"Ow.."

The soft word escaped her lips without much problem.

"Hey- hey you're okay.. can you hear me?"

She nodded. She could hear him alright, but she couldn't see anything. Like a white light.. brightness, but she couldn't see much more than blurs of color of her surroundings. She could feel the pain in her head. She could feel tears streaming down her face as she sobbed. It hurt. Her entire body hurt. Everything hurt.

"Hey, I know it hurts.. but do you think you can answer a couple questions?"

She nodded. She couldn't see who she was talking to.

"Date of birth?"

"... 1867.. July 1st .."

"Name?"

"... Dominion Canada.."

"Alright, can you tell me how many fingers I'm holding up?"

She shook her head and cried harder. "I can't- you're holding up fingers?!?"

"Hey, it's okay-"

"I can't see my hands!!" She sobbed.


She felt herself being lifted up by the arms gently after a moment of some more questioning, and then arms wrapped around her and she leaned her head on the person's shoulder.

"It's okay, Nada.. I've got you." She heard the voice whisper. "Come on.. I'll get you home, yeah?" He added.

"No no-- don't... pick mee up." She whined. "I feel- sick.. am I dying? Why can't I seeee?" She questioned as she began to cry again, clinging to the other while he gently rubbed her back.


When she had stopped crying, she was sat on the floor, leaning against a wall, waiting for the figure to come back and take her home, whilst simultaneously waiting for her vision to clear. She had been mumbling to herself for a bit.

"Maybe.. the reason you forget things after a concussion... is because you.. hit your hippo.. uh.. hippocampus.. and it.. resets.. your memory ou.. quelque chose..." she murmured. It sounded like mumble jumble but to her it sounded like she was a genius.

"You're taking a month off work. You can't possibly function like this."

"Canada, stop making this harder and just rest, please! It's really not that hard to take a break."

"Nada.. it'll be over before you know it."

So what was so wrong with one little concussion? She'd bled out before while still having the energy to rip someone's arm off, (circa 1916.)

"And then- they prescribed me pain medicine! I don't need pain medicine!"

"I'm aware.. we were both at the hospital when they prescribed you with it.." Netherlands sighed.

He really loved her, and he cared for her just as much, but sometimes he kind of wanted to shake some common sense into her, in hopes it would settle her complaints regarding rest.


"It's one stupid concussion! I've had worse! I don't need pain medicine! Infact- I argued with the doctors, and then they said 'you don't have the right headspace' but I do! And they are just idiots and-"

She continued to ramble on, and no matter how many times Netherlands repeated the phrase 'I know, I was there', she just continued on without care. He was getting close to considering the idea of locking her in her bedroom to prevent her from going to work, but knowing her, she'd climb out the window. And if he barricaded the windows, she'd find a hammer (because god forbid she doesn't have one hidden in the mattress) and smash the wall open, and go to work.

There really was no winning in this scenario.


In all that time of thinking, Netherlands hadn't even been listening, and so when the first thing he heard upon focusing on her again was: "Have you ever thought about having a kid..?"

He was very confused.

Yes, he'd been told that irritability was a common symptom of concussions, and so was occasional mood swings.. but this was just- soooo bizarre.

But it was a little nice that she wasn't arguing her point hours after seeing a doctor anymore, and instead was asking about something kind of strange but.. also sweet(?).

Canada stared at him blankly as he thought about her words. "I can't.. say I have." He responded.

She just began sobbing. "Soviet has kidsss, he has too manyy kidsss" she complained.

Nope.

Just very strange.


"Soviet is.. also older than you and-... he's um..."

Does Netherlands A: tell her he has more experience with kids and risk getting beaten to death, B: tell her that he has a different lifestyle than she does and risk getting beaten to death, C: both A and B, or D: ask her if she wants a kid and why she brought it up.

Since logical answers were going to cost him his life, he figured that telling her what she wanted to hear was his best bet.

"I mean.. do you want kids? I'm not sure why you're bringing this up."

His idea was to take this at face value. A concussed nation was not the most reliable person in terms of those topics.


She huffed and wiped her eyes. "I don't know! You should know!!" She complained.

Yeah. Unreliable.

"I-.. well.. it's a lot of responsibility... I think- um.. that the process of having a child is relatively easy but- keeping it.. is something a lot of nations have struggled with. Which leads to things like the Spanish-American war..."

"... a child? In the midst of a war? Bad idea. Children are not.. inherently 'distractions', but in times like these.. well, you understand what I'm saying." King murmured.

"I do. Except she won't let up." Netherlands replied.

King hummed and tapped his pen on the desk. "It's just the concussion talking. Once she's back at work, feeling better, that talk will be over and you won't have to worry."

"I have a feeling it won't."

The prime minister sighed. "If it doesn't... that will be dealt with when the time comes. Until then, try not to stress yourself over it."

Netherlands nodded, then looked around and nodded again. "I'll take my leave. Thank you for your insight, Mr. Mackenzie-King."

King watched as Netherlands left his office.

"How could have that gotten into her head.." he muttered when the door shut, figuring it best to shrug it off and forget about it, to keep his mind at peace while he worked.


Maybe he had better ways of ignoring such an idea, because Netherlands didn't, infact, it was still irritating his mind, thinking about what Canada had been crying about. It had to have been that meeting with Soviet a month or so back, when she'd gone to the USSR. From what he remembered, Soviet had a fair bit of children. It could've been that the sight of said children had given her a thought, and once her emotions were heightened from the concussion, it was a main topic of thought.

Now, it was very likely this would pass, and if not- well.. he wasn't exactly 'ready' to consider if it didn't, nor did he consider the idea. He didn't think about children, or consider the idea, for a couple reasons. One being that he didn't want to pull one of his father's stunts and have a child only to get the urge to claim more countries as children because of baby fever.

Although not the worst reason a nation had been invaded, it still wasn't what he wanted, so children was always a no guaranteed...

It was a guaranteed no, anyway..

"What?"

"The soviets.. are pushing back. My military- is losing on the eastern front."

"That's a good thing."

"No! Soviet- will kill me!"

"Most likely."

"And- he's on the allied side now- I heard this report and oh it is awful! I'm going to be massacred!"

France rolled her eyes. "Not if the younger ones convince them not to." She paused. "I mean.. more specifically.." she paused again and shook her head. "No, you'll likely be killed, unless by god's miracle they give us the option of what we want to happen to you, in which you'll be favorably spared.. for the most part."

"UK believes in the concept of 'victim prosecutors'. Which makes the victims of your crimes.. your jury, judge.. executor." Belgian murmured. "But it has to be a collective agreement between them, so who knows. Soviet may not agree, America may hang himself rather than allow it, Canada might rather murder you, all I know is Netherlands would be in favor. He's the only one I know well enough.. to know his decision."


Reich trailed his knife along the floor, carving into it random shapes of various sizes. "Soviet scares me. But so do the allies. The only way out of this is to further offense.. use more resources, kill onsight, no more prisoners..." he stated rather blankly.

"Reich.."

"No. No- I.. just need a plan.. and I will be fine.. I need- full offense.. I will not lose this war-" he continued.

The prisoners looked at each other with wary glances. "Reich.. slow down. You don't need to do that." Denmark replied. "For all you know, they just want to kill the nazis, maybe take you prisoner."

Reich abruptly stood up, done listening to their words. "No.. I need- to use more resources.. more.. military. The hitler youth-"

"Hitler what? Reich-"

But he just left without further explanation, his headpscpace already getting swirly, going back into that same warzone it had been at the beginning of '39. No reason, just the need to win.


"Well if they weren't gonna kill him before, they are definitely going to now." Belgium huffed.

"I'm being- serious.." she mumbled.

"You are concussed, I am not going to take that seriously."

"And if I say it when I'm out of concussion?"

Netherlands frowned. "Then... you're still concussed." He eventually said, glancing her way when she grabbed his hand that was combing through her hair while she rested her face on the pillow.

She turned her head to look at him with slight irritation.

"Why can't I want a child?"

"Because you have been adament about not having a child, and not considering it until after the war." Netherlands replied. "Why do you want one now?"

"Because.. kids are cute... and I want someone to run this dominion if it ever gains independance.." she murmured.

Yeah. Definitely still concussed.

"How about we re-discuss this at a later time, hm? You need rest.."

She rolled her eyes and let go of his hand, continuing to lay there, while now in deeper thought. "Think about it?.." she asked him, a slight plea to her tone.

"Alright.. but rest."

"Yeah.. okay."

Where did the motivation go?

All the planning within the last week, all the papers, the orders, the smiles from Hitler upon realizing Reich was starting up again and going back into the mindset that made humans cower and cities burn.

And now he was sitting on the floor, no- now he was lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling so blankly. Lacking motivation, the breakdown he'd just experienced an hour prior, and now he was stuck here. No, he wasn't 'stuck', but he was mentally blocked. What did they call that? Burnout? You burn so bright and use so much energy, neglect yourself in the process and now.. he was here.

That little spark was going to dim. But he couldn't let it dim, what would everyone think? He was doing so well, it would a letdown. People would look at him like he were pathetic, only working for himself. No.. he was the best at this, he was strategic, he was competent- scratch that, he was an over-achiever level of competent. He could burn a few more hours, finishing his next moves for the military, and he'd have the soviets running back and burning their land again until nothing remained. And once the entire union was nothing more than ashes, the Germans would take the East for good.

He couldn't just stop now. He had work to do. Things to plan, to fabricate. Blueprints to review, models to correct, failures to fix.

He was competent.

He was competent.

He.

Was.

Competent.

And he achieved things, and he solidified the power of the Third Reich, and he-

Was crashing.

Like a red giant exploded into a nebula.. and shrunk into a white dwarf. And later on, a black dwarf. Just orbiting around.. somewhere..

But he.. wasn't that. He was a red supergiant, that turned into a supernova and then became.. a black hole? Or.. a neutron star...

No, neutron star sounded better. Black holes were notorious.. cruel factors of the universe.. that destroyed everything in their paths and-...

Were just like him.

He was not a neutron star, the star that wreaked of glory or power. He was something others feared, were scared to encounter, let alone see.

He was a black hole.

Sucking the life out of people, destroying things in his path. In the name of a neutron star, he was the thing that left distaste in his mouth. He didn't want.. to be a feared ruler.

He wanted respect.. he wanted.. equality...

That's why he started this.

So the Germans would not be looked at like less than.


And all he's done since this began.. was further the belief that Germans were brutal monsters. Just like in WWI.