A/N:: I hadto edit this chapter. It was killing me. I looked back at it and died a little on the inside. Hopefully, it's a lot better. I would like to thank Sammi, my best friend and beta reader for just about every chapter.

Edit: jk, Sammi stopped helping me after chapter 5, but it's okay because I learned how to write.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia

4,345… 4,346… 4,347… Alfred checked off the numbers as he went down the aisle, counting each bomb. You can never be too careful…He thought to himself. He wasn't risking any chance of being destroyed by that crazy commie, Ivan. Alfred adjusted his small brown hat that sat on top of his head, Nantucket boldly from the rest of his blonde hair. The underground store room was dark and depressing, but it gave him a sense of security. In these times, everyone needed to feel secure, even if it was a room full of artillery many stories underground.

The young American went back to counting, checking everything off on his list. By the time he had finished with his aisle, he dropped the list off to the records keeper on the floor and left. The air outside the store room was cold but then again, everything had an enveloping coldness about it. Wrapping his work blazer tighter around him, he walked up the stairs to the ground level where he could at least get into his favorite jacket. The old bomber jacket had served him well through so much. He couldn't help but use it a sort of security blanket. The worn leather and patches triggered so many memories. He closed his blue eyes for a second to calm himself before he started crying due to an emotional breakdown.

Just thinking about getting into the warm leather bomber jacket was enough to motivate him to get out of the small, bleak building faster. The last flight of stairs came into view and a light was shining through the lightly tinted window. He raced up the final flight with a light grace that a man of his stature wouldn't be expected to have.

Alfred emerged from the door, a large smile stretched out across his face. The other men looked at him for a second before shrugging off the unusual behavior. Usually the man had a solemn expression like many people did during these times. Alfred strutted across the room and slipped into the well worn jacket. He sighed happily and signed out, putting his card through the puncher. Despite usually getting to work rather late, he always left on time or worked some over time. He was lazy, sure, but he wanted his home to be safe and tried to make up lost time.

The cold late fall wind blew his golden blonde hair out of place. He blinked it out of his eyes and fought to put the flying strands back where they belonged. He narrowed his sky blue eyes, glaring at the strands of blonde hair that had found their way, once again, in his face.

"So we meet again…" He chuckled. This time he left the hair how it was, giving up on trying to fix it.

The walk home wasn't bad at all once he got going. He rounded the familiar corners and walked down the streets he usually did until he got to his home on the outskirts of a friendly town. He scanned over the wrap-around porch for Tony, his alien friend. The grey creature wasn't there waiting for him like puppy. Alfred became worried. What if one of Ivan's crazy spies stole his best friend?

"Hey Tony! I'm home!" He called, his usual grin stretched across his face. The small, grey alien suddenly appeared from the front doorway. Alfred ran up his porch steps, a huge grin stretched across his face. He was so relieved that the grey creature was still there. Tony one was one of his few friends and he didn't want to lose the little guy.

"It's about fucking time!" Tony mumbled, crossing his arms and glaring up at the blonde. Alfred laughed as he squatted to pat Tony on his smooth grey head.

"Sorry little dude! The job today was a little long, but it'll be shorter tomorrow… hopefully." Alfred stood up and opened the door to his unorganized house. Empty cups and paper wads covered the coffee table along with stacks of magazines and books on science, particularly space. He smiled and plopped down onto his couch which seemed to be the only clean surface.

"You have no idea how good it feels to sit down…" He said to no one, really. Alfred hoped Tony would at least acknowledge that he spoke. He sat up and looked at the alien who was now listening intently on the land line telephone in the kitchen. Alfred tilted his head to the side and gave Tony a questioning look. The alien looked at him and hung up the phone.

"Those fucking limeys want you for a world meetin' tomorrow." Tony grumbled. Alfred laughed. Finally he would get out of the rut he seemed to be in lately.

"I love seeing the others!" Alfred hoped those words would convince himself that not everyone had some sort of grudge against him. Hopefully he could motivate himself.

"Humph. I think you just want out that dead end work your boss has been puttin' you in." Tony picked up a deck of cards and started playing solitaire. Alfred wanted to play a game with him, but he also wanted his hero sleep. Alfred quietly made his way up the stairs to his bedroom.

To an extent, Tony was right. He was stressed to his limit these days. Ivan and his boss were always a threat. It took his all not to attack the bastard in meetings. If it were up to him, Ivan wouldn't even be allowed to come. Alfred had proposed a secret password to come into the meeting room countless times, but no one seemed to vote for his ideas.

Alfred lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. Hopefully tomorrow would be different and that stupid commie would just go away. If only he were that lucky.