The Aftermath of War [Hetalia RusAme]

Chapter 15 - Rising Tensions

If days started the way they do in movies, you'd think Alfred would have a peaceful, uneventful day. The weather was warm for an early September day, the sun was shining, and he managed to make it to work before 9:00 after dropping Anna off at school. He passed a newspaper stand, stopping to check the weather report, and nothing more.

Alfred rarely did more than glance at the headlines in the newspaper. Yes, local news was important, but he had bigger things to worry about. After all, he did work for the federal government. If there was any news that affected the country as a whole, he usually knew about it before the general public did.

Though, it'd be nice to have someone tell him these things to his face, instead of slapping a small stack of papers onto his desk before he got there. Or leaving a hastily written note that only said, 'see me in my office' on top of them. He instantly recognized the handwriting of President Truman. Alfred sighed and moved the note, skimming over the paperwork. Amongst the legal jargon and soon-to-be-classified statements, a select few words almost immediately caught his attention: 'The Soviet Union' and 'atomic bomb'.

Shit.

Alfred rushed to the Oval Office, nearly knocking some poor Senator to the ground. Once he burst through the doors, he nearly crashed into the President himself.

"Shit!"

"Whoa!" Truman took a step back. "Calm down, man."

"I..." Alfred took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "Listen. The first thing I see when I get to my office is a stack of papers and a note telling me to meet you in your office. That's usually not a good thing. Immediately after that, I read that the U.S.S.R. now, apparently, has an atom bomb. But no, you're right, I'll just calm down. It's not that big of a deal, right?" His face turned to a scowl. "Don't tell me to calm down ever again. Got it?"

President Truman sighed. "Got it. I'm sorry." He gathered a few papers from his desk, motioning for Alfred to follow him. "C'mon. We have to go."

"But you said..." Alfred began, then decided to drop it. Bigger issues to worry about. "The Pentagon, right?"

President Truman didn't respond, and again, Alfred decided to drop it.

Alfred grabbed his things, then followed the President to the car. The tension in the air was thick. Truman was the first to break the silence.

"Not uh, not the best start to your day, huh?" He asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

Alfred, meanwhile, was looking out the passenger side window. "Is that rhetorical, or do you want an actual answer?"

"Whichever you feel comfortable with."

"Heh, alright." Alfred focused on the papers in his hands. He read the first few paragraphs before he said something. "Could be better. I think I'd rather not have to worry about a possible nuclear threat in the near future. Or hearing the words from my boss, not from a stack of papers."

The President sighed. "I know. But, with you living in New York, I can't know for sure when you'll get to Washington. That was my best option."

"If this is your way of trying to get me to move somewhere closer, I've already told you I'll think about it," Alfred said, going back to look out the window. Some of the leaves had begun to turn various shades of oranges and yellows as they moved closer to their destination.

"I'm aware," Truman countered, "but that's always an option. I'm sure someone would be willing to help you."

"And I'd rather make that decision and do it myself." he turned towards his boss. "And, with all due respect sir, I'm not sure if you're the best person to tell me to let someone do this for me. There are people who are paid to escort you anywhere you're needed, and yet you insist on driving yourself. Literally doing it right now. Just saying."