A/N: So this hasn't been updated in forever. Yea. About that. I fell out of the Hetalia fandom for a while but I was feeling nostalgic so I was looking back over this and remembered this story and suddenly I felt like finishing it so yea here's to a second attempt. Also I really hate abandoned fics so I felt really guilty for just leaving this. That said, I really didn't like where the original story was going (part of the main reason I dropped it) so I decided to try a different route with this one. It will probably get more serious as the story goes on though, knowing me.

"Community service."

"Your fault for messing up."

Alfred groaned, collapsing onto the chair and looking at the papers his boss had pushed towards him. It had been nearly a week since the brawl at his house and in that period Alfred had taken refuge in the White House, with heavy security constantly surrounding him. Though he had hardly been outside in the last week, he could constantly hear and catch glimpses of the massive crowd that had camped outside the White House.

From what Alfred understood though, none of the other Nations seemed to be faring any better; while he had not talked to anyone since leaving his home in Virginia, he had seen the news reports and it looked like the others were also attempting to avoid their media. There were throngs of reporters and concerned citizens alike camping outside the capitals of the world, hoping the catch a glimpse or speak to their respective personifications.

"Okay, fine" Alfred said, gritting his teeth, "Community service, I can take that but what the FUCK is this provision?" he asked, glaring at his boss and pointing to the document. They were in the Oval Office, discussing how the remedy Alfred's reputation with the public after the brawl. The general public had calmed down after the world leaders assured them that a third world war was in fact not looming on the horizon but the personifications of the nations themselves had been harshly criticized by the media for their behavior.

"Like I said" Alfred's boss said calmly, surveying his country as a mother might an unruly child, "It's a way to ensure that your public image is restored."

"I got that" Alfred said, "I get the whole save some orphans so they love me again but what is this provision about me having to work with one Ivan Braginski?"

"It's exactly what it sounds like" the President said, "Since you two decided to, so brilliantly, brawl on the floor in the middle of everything we have to prove to the world that you two actually get along wonderfully, no hard feelings from the Cold War. So, you've both been signed up to help with projects around the world to firstly, prove that Alfred F. Jones is a good person who cares and secondly, that America and Russia do not commonly fall into fist fights."

"But we do."

"And the world doesn't need to know that" the President said, rolling his eyes, "Look, Alfred we've got to get you back out there. The public's already furious that we've kept you locked up for the last week-"

"They're not the only ones" Alfred grumbled.

"But we have to make sure your image is intact" the President finished, ignoring Alfred, "Look, Alfred I'm sorry. I really am." His faces softened and he reached across the table, putting a hand on Alfred's arm, "I really am sorry that it's come to this. But please, please cooperate."

"Why can't I do this with someone else?" Alfred asked, looking aside, "Like…like Mattie. Or Arthur. Or hell, even Kiku yea that'd work!"

"Because you did not get into a brawl with those nations" the President responded, "Alfred, this is the best way to get your image back. Just be charming, likable and get along with Russia."

"Well what about China?" Alfred said, "China was also involved!"

"Yes but all accounts say China was pushed into the fight by another nation, whose identity still remains unknown" the President said, "So really, the world sees him as an innocent victim in all of this. No, it was just you and Russia duking it out on the ground as far as anyone's concerned. And really, it's not that bad. All the others are taking similar actions, based on which terrible pictures of them got out. I believe France and England are working together, as well as the Nordics, Hungary and Germany, namely because of her fight with Germany's brother, China is working with Japan…the list goes on and on you see."

Alfred slumped further into his seat, "I'm not getting out of this one am I?" he muttered.

"Nope" his President said cheerfully, "Glad you figured that out so fast because you have a press conference with Russia in three hours to announce your joint projects."

"Three hours!?" Alfred cried, sitting upright instantly, "Why so soon? Why'd you wait so long to tell me about this!?"

"We just got the details worked out, Alfred" the President said, sighing heavily, "You know how messed up your politics are. I told you as soon as I figured everything out…unfortunately your dear founders did not find it necessary to include an amendment concerning one Alfred F. Jones in the Constitution so we also had to figure out exactly how to work with you. In short, it was a mess."

"I'd imagine" Alfred said, smiling wryly, "this is awful though" he moaned, "I just hope I make it out of this alive."

"You know I feel the same" the President said, "Now, you probably want to clean up a bit. The public's going to speak to Mr. Alfred F. Jones for the first time and we want to make a good impression."

The room was horribly crowded, Alfred noted with a slight squirming in his stomach. He was sitting on a small stage, with his President standing behind a podium to his right and Ivan to his left. To Ivan's left stood Ivan's president, behind a podium as well. The two nations had said nothing to each other upon arrival and instead had opted to completely ignore each other, Alfred trying to maintain his cheerful grin and Ivan smiling pleasantly out at the crowd.

"…and so, to further prove the dedication our nations have, not only towards cooperation with each other but towards the improvement of communities throughout the globe, we are proud to announce a joint collaboration effort between Russia and the United States involved both Mr. Ivan Braginski and Mr. Alfred F. Jones where they will personally volunteer their services to help those in need." The President had finished speaking and nodded to the crowd, who politely clapped.

Russia's boss also clapped politely, nodding his head in approval, "We too would like to see a strong relationship grow between the United States and Russia…" he began his own speech and Alfred promptly tuned him out, his eyes scanning the crowd. He never liked reporters. Too often had he seen good men and women villainized by a small twist of their words. The idea that that kind of discretion would now be directed towards him made Alfred unhappy, but at the same time he hoped that at least the American news stations would show him some mercy.

"…and that is why we too have taken part in this project, to help not only our foreign relations but also communities throughout the globe." The Russian President finished speaking and smiled at the crowd as more polite applause rose from the audience, "Now, if anyone has any questions, we would be glad to take them…"

Instantly, everyone in the room jumped up and began speaking at the same time. Alfred glanced quickly over at Ivan and felt a small surge of relief upon realizing that the usual creepy grin he wore had been replaced by a small frown. So he wasn't the only one feeling nervous then.

There was some shouting by men in suits who stood beside the podiums and finally, the crowd was once again calmed down, "Please" said America's President, "One at a time."

A young male reporter, wearing a sharp suit and holding a small recorder was the first to ask a question, "This is directed to both Mr. Braginski and Mr. Jones." The reporter, Alfred noted, spoke with an American accent, "But could you please explain to us what exactly you are and how you came to be?"

"Ah…that's a good question." Alfred said before Ivan could speak, "Well we're Nations. Personification of Nations I suppose. As for how we came to be well I couldn't tell you that…I just remember being there. I don't remember being born or anything like that; I just remember waking up in the woods and wandering around, kinda lost really. I mean, I knew who I was and what was up but I didn't have the slightest clue as to how I got there."

"It is the same for me" Ivan nodded, speaking with his heavy accent, "We do not have memories of birth, just as you do not. We simply are. I remember waking up, somewhere dark and cold and wooded. I knew who I was instantly though I could not tell you why or how. How nations come to be, how we are born none of us could give you that answer."

The reporter nodded, sitting down. Another reporter, a young woman this time, stood up, also holding up a small recorder, "This question is also addressed to Mr. Braginski and Jones." She said, speaking with an Eastern European accent, though Alfred could not quite place it, "But how old are you?"

"Far older than I care to admit" Ivan smiled pleasantly, sending chills up Alfred spine, "I cannot say. I have died before, yes but I do not think that counts as a rebirth? No, it does not since I was the same-"

"You have died before?" the reporter asked, incredulous.

"Well of course" Ivan said, shrugging, "Many times. I have lost count at this point you see, but perhaps Mr. Jones could give you a number as he is far younger and has led a much more sheltered life…"

"I've had my fair share of deaths too" Alfred quickly responded, ignoring Ivan's smile, "Believe it or not, Mr. Braginski, I've been on the battlefield too."

"Ah yes, but the battlefield is the only place you have met with Death? Truly I envy such a luxurious existence!"

"Well just because some nations have leaders that couldn't care less about their people."

Ivan calmly stared at Alfred, quirking an eyebrow up. Alfred could feel the chill radiating from the larger nation but continued to glare at him, determined not to back down, "Careful what you say, young one." Ivan said, his voice a deadly calm, "It is ill-advised to talk poorly of matters you do not fully understand."

"Don't you dare talk down to me just because I'm younger than you, I'm just as capable as you, you co-"

"And that's all we have time for today" America's President said loudly, cutting Alfred off, "I'm sorry for the fact that we were only able to ask a few questions but these two need to head out and get to work!" he smiled at the news reporters who had jumped to their feet and were crying out in protest. The police officers held them back while the President all but screamed over the din, "I APPRECIATE EVERYONE FOR COMING OUT AND WISH YOU ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

With that, the President quickly ushered Alfred off the stage, followed by Ivan and his President.

"Well that was a near disaster" Alfred's President said, once Alfred, Ivan and Ivan's President had squeezed into the large black cars waiting for them outside the press conference, "Seriously Alfred? What were you thinking?"

"Yes" Ivan's President nodded in agreement, "You two must get along, come we must restore the world's faith that we are at peace!"

Ivan shrugged and said something in Russia, to which his boss quickly responded. Soon the two were lost in their own conversation, and Alfred's boss seemed too tired to yell at him so Alfred took to gloomily staring out the window. It seemed like things were getting worse and worse since the secret had been leaked and Alfred vowed to find out exactly who had done it, why, and make sure they suffered for it. Severely.

"So this is our first project" Alfred said, dumbly, looking at the small brick structure.

"If it makes you feel better, I did not advocate for you idiots to come here" the woman sitting next to Alfred and Ivan said in heavily accented English while glaring at the two nations who were uncomfortably wedged into the back of the smaller car, "I've had enough dealings caught between you two idiots and do not take any pleasure in being caught between you two again."

"Yea, thanks Maria" Alfred said, "We had a long flight and then were crammed into the back of this tiny car how about a "nice to see you Alfred"?"

"It isn't nice to see you"

"Ouch that stung. I thought we were friends." Alfred whined.

"And I don't care what you thought."

"How have things been with your people?" Ivan said abruptly, cutting into the conversation before Alfred could respond, "Have your people take kindly towards finding out that you were Colombia?"

Maria, the personification of Columbia laughed a deep and hearty sound. She was quite a beautiful young woman, with tanned skin, brown eyes and long dark hair that had been tied back into a ponytail that day. "Well because we had our own conference later that day, thankfully nobody from South or Central America was at Mr. Jones' house, remember?" Maria said, "So while I too have been having some…ah issues with people, I do not need to rebuild my image quite as badly. Now come, you must meet the children."

"This weather is quite different than what I am used to." Ivan said, as the three climbed out of the car and into a small throng of reporters. The police however, held them back and the three nations made their way up to the building, ignoring the shouts that came from the crowd and flashing from the cameras around them.

"Yea, well get used to it, looks like we might be here for a while" Alfred said, "And what's wrong? You're the one always talking about going somewhere warm. You're in Colombia. That not warm enough for you?"

"Oh my dear, stupid America" Ivan responded, sighing, "While I do enjoy warmer climates you must remember I am Russia. Now I understand you may not know where I am located on the map but I am situated very far north. When you move further away from the equator, temperature has a tendency to dro-"

"Shut it" Alfred snapped, "I know your lands are as frozen as your soul. So what? You know I get some pretty nasty temperatures too."

"Did it ever occur to you that perhaps I am not used to such heat and that such high temperatures may be somewhat difficult for me to adjust to?"

"Well that's why you're not wearing your commie coat." Alfred said, gesturing to the t-shirt and khakis Ivan wore, "But dude you are pale as fuck. Seriously I think I might go blind from looking at you."

"Oh stop it you two" Maria interrupted them, tossing a quick glare over her shoulder, "Isn't the whole point of this that you two are supposed to be getting along?"

They had reached the front of the brick building and Maria opened the door leading Alfred and Ivan into the building, "It is not air conditioned" Ivan noted, looking somewhat unhappy.

"Well of course it is not." Maria responded, "It has been rather cool this year and we are in my poorer districts. Now come on, follow me."

They walked a short distance down a hallway and soon entered a rather spacious room. A blackboard stood on the wall and several adults and children sitting at desks were staring at the three that entered.

"Hello" Maria said, in Spanish, smiling at the group of rather dumbstruck people. Instantly they grinned back, the connection between themselves and their nation too strong for them to stay uncomfortable around her, "I bring you two rather distinguished individuals, Mr. Alfred Jones from the United States" Alfred grinned broadly and saluted the group, "and Mr. Ivan Braginski from Russia" Ivan smiled pleasantly and nodded, "These two men will be acting as teachers in this wonderful school for the next few months. They are doing volunteer work for their respective countries and have decided to come visit our wonderful country to teach in an elementary school of ours! I hope you treat them with the respect they deserve and show how fantastic the Colombian people are!"

The students and adults alike nodded enthusiastically, smiling at the three Nations. Maria, comfortable around her people, walked over the group of adults, whom Alfred assumed to be the teachers and began speaking to them in Spanish, gesturing towards Ivan and Alfred as she spoke.

"Teaching" Alfred said, softly to Ivan and mindful of the man pairs of eyes upon him, "Our bosses sure love us."

"Speak for yourself but I find children rather relaxing" Ivan said, smiling at the children, who were smiling, somewhat hesitantly, back.

"Can you even speak Spanish?" Alfred asked, frowning.

"Most nations can speak every language, Alfred" Ivan responded coolly, "Is that a serious question? I do have to deal with international relations you know and a language barrier is a poor excuse to not deal with a country. It's one of my weaker languages but yes I can speak it."

"Just asking" Alfred shrugged, "Wonder what subjects we're gonna be assigned to…"

"Well it seems like the best way to make this work is you're each going to be assigned a group of students." Maria interrupted their conversation, startling Alfred, who had not heard her coming back, "You will both be given the curriculum and monitored by one of the actual teachers here. You will start tomorrow. Any questions? None? Good. Also, I will be stopping by to ensure you have not killed my people or burned the place to the ground because may god have mercy on your souls if you mess up. Now I'll show you to where you'll be staying for the duration of your stay here. Say good bye to the children."

Alfred and Ivan both quickly waved at the children and teachers before turning and following Maria out of the school.

A/N: So yea going a COMPLETELY different direction. Again I'm not entirely sure where that direction's going to end up but I'll get somewhere. Hopefully. Also, while there is going to be a lot of interaction between Russia and America I do not anticipate their relationship getting romantic at all. I really do love them playing off of each other but idk about romance.