(sorry, it might be formatted a bit weird! I didn’t have time to copy and paste it and edit it fully)
It had taken hours to get to the World Conference, which was held in New York City this year. The snow had been heavy, and it seemed like it would never stop falling again.
Alfred J. Jones had been sitting in the back of the limo, looking over his messy notes about his new "ideas" for the conference. He'd spent hours working on them, and he'd make sure everyone knew when he got there. It would be his third year attending the meeting, and he couldn't wait one more second.
Sitting next to him was his twin brother,
Matthew, who had flown in a few days ago from Canada. It wasn't a very enthusiastic meeting between the two, but it wasn't horrible at least.
Most of the time Alfred would be rambling about whatever he could talk about, all the way from the latest food trends to crazy sport games. It seemed like Matthew couldn't even get a word in. Not that it didn't matter much.
He was an introvert.
As the limousine pulled up to the large World Conference Building, Alfred immediately adjusted his posture, clearing his throat while smiling widely to his twin, obviously not getting an equal response. Just the city alone made him almost explode with excitement, even though he'd been here at least a dozen times. The two were then escorted out of the car and brought inside, being greeted by the large marble pillars, which were so detailed and pretty that Alfred almost wanted to cry, but he made sure to keep it in. Everyone else here was so serious.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5nGCcUxwv
He had to up his game and be a real man!107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLWBW0RS9m
He was led down the long halls to a big boardroom, and inside he almost melted with nervousness. Everyone important was there.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OjkghaOSr
EVERYONE! Mr. Bonnefoy, Mr. Wang, obviously Arthur, Mr. Lukasiewiez, and a few others. He quickly greeted them all with a wave or a hug, eventually making it to the back of the room. Except that there seemed to be an extra seat this year, that Alfred hadn't remembered being there.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2FkGDOPS3
And sitting in that seat was... Ivan Braginsky?107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4mjEDKGbw
"WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE THIS YEAR!?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMvciE3n8U
Everyone turned towards Alfred, immediately growing distasteful. They had assumed he'd be respectful and somewhat quieter this year, but obviously... not all things could be granted.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaMA5W5TkE
Though the others did agree that Ivan being here wasn't their best idea, it was still a good thing to do. The allies had been failing in their war efforts recently, and they needed someone strong to step up and support them.
That's when Ivan sat up in his seat, glancing over at Alfred with a small smile on his face, giving a little wave. He knew the reason for Alfred's struggles in the past. In fact, he'd been the reason for most of them. They stared at each other for a few seconds, before Arthur spoke up, walking between the two of them, lifting an arm to place on Arthur's shoulder, attempting to calm him, though he knew that would be impossible.
"Alfred, Mr. Braginsky has decided he'd choose to join us instead of... well, staying with the Axis Powers. It'd be nice if you would be respectful. Things haven't been going well for him recently."
Alfred just scoffed, glaring at Arthur like he'd just been personally insulted. In fact, it seem like he had been! Even though Alfred was one of the youngest in the Conference, he definitely wasn't the weakest! Just allowing Ivan into the meeting without permission or telling him at least earlier was just plain disrespect! It went silent for a second before Ivan started speaking, and it felt like everyone in the room was just holding their breath, waiting for him to say whatever he wanted to.
"Mr. Alfred, I apologize for popping up unexpectedly. I did not know it would piss you off. I just assumed you would want me here, since your current military is so... puny."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd3iKQ90Rm
To Alfred's dismay, nobody seemed to lash out at what the Russian had said.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1fcWLUavU
Puny!?107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGlCZkHmaG
As if! Ivan had left the Axis Powers because his own military was weak against Ludwig's! Just as Alfred was about to shoot up, he was immediately shoved back in his chair by Arthur, who's eyes seemed to burn into him, as if threatening him not to talk back. Alfred just spun the chair to the table, crossing his arms and huffing loudly to himself. It seemed that every Conference he would go to, nothing good ever came out of it, and everyone hated him immediately after.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpl6c0g5La
The meeting started, and thankfully Ivan hadn't gotten a word in yet. It went normally, with mostly Arthur and Francis discussing the Axis Powers and what they believed their next step would be for the war. Alfred got his usual talk time, in which he talked about his new ideas on defense and weapons. On top of that, he made sure he got ten more minutes to talk about how smart he was for thinking all of that up.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a7A5gaiCT
When Alfred went to sit back down, he saw out of the corner of his eyes what he had expected already. Ivan was still looking at him, still smiling like it had been permanently etched into him. He could barley keep the anger in, but since he had already embarrassed himself today, it seemed too stupid. A part of him felt a little glad for Arthur stepping in earlier. Alfred wasn't exactly a physical person, but he wouldn't be afraid to throw a punch or two if really provoked. And at that moment, he really was about going to.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xgu6SFvDB
The meeting had ended after another hour of presenting and debating, they all stood up and shook each other's hands, one at a time. As Alfred went down the line, he felt more anxious to make it to Ivan's. Not that he was scared or anything, but for the fact that he didn't want to shake hands at all. Never had he thought he'd be allies with Ivan, and it hurt his ego. Who would even shake their enemies hand!? A weak person!?107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXm658M7bi
As they eventually stood in front of each other, both staring like they were reading one another's souls, Ivan just raised his hand, not saying anything as Alfred reluctantly did the same. It was quick, too quick to be considered a formal handshake, but they succeeded (somewhat). Alfred immediately turned away, walking over to where Matthew had been standing near João. He did a hand gesture for the two of them to leave as soon as possible.
They then left, with Arthur being confused, embarrassed, and stressed from the whole night's ordeal, but overall exhausted. They both got back in the limo, and Arthur quickly slumped onto Matthew's lap, asleep within minutes.
ns216.73.216.121da2
and then Add to home screen.