Gazing at his beautiful sunflower, Ivan felt his face flush. No one had ever wanted him just because they liked him (excluding his little sister Belarus with her desire to marry him), and no one had ever managed to become his equal. Only his Fredka had ever challenged him, made him want to dominate (not break, never break) the young nation and be dominated in return. It felt amazing and was one of the reasons he knew that the plans their partnership started from would make both succeed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia or any of its characters.

Chapter 5

America was in one of his many state homes, this time one of the bigger ones as he finished final preparations for dinner. Tonight's menu would be beef stroganoff with creamy mashed potatoes and a garden salad. He didn't normally eat fancy like this, but he was having a friend over, so why not do something extra for a person who truly likes him. Hearing the doorbell ring, America happily yelled for his guest to enter as he set the table. The blond heard the quiet footsteps approach and turned to Lithuania softly smiling at the door frame. Beckoning the brunet over, they sat down and began their tradition of who serves whom; America as the host, or Lithuania as the guest and former employee. Finally tugging the serving spoon from the older's grasp with a playful glare; America served a large portion to one of his best friends, really, only friend other than Japan and his twin Canada.

Over the course of their meal, the two filled the dining room with light chatter and laughter, reminiscing over past stories or gossip about other nations. America sighed happily as he leaned against his chair, patting his full belly in delight as he rested back in his chair. He really did enjoy having Lithuania over; he was one of the few that didn't think he was some idiotic child playing superhero and instead treated him like an adult nation worthy of a fellow nation's respect.

It made him feel slightly bad about his true intentions by inviting Lithuania to his house, but it would be for a good cause (and everyone loves a good cause: "save the ocean, the environment,etc.") and Lithuania would surely understand and appreciate what America had to do later. He wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for the benefit of his fellow nations and their people; he was the hero after all and he always did what was best for the greater good.

(Flashback)

Just like everyone else, America was done with the wars, the fighting, all the politics and arguing, it's why he was so persistent towards the idea of world peace. He'd been sure that after World War II and the creation of the United Nations would let nations talk instead of fight, but it seemed he just kept fighting what felt like an uphill battle. Despite fighting for the ideals and rights he believed in, helping others with their problems, sending them aid and supplies, he was thanked with scorn by his fellow nations. Instead of acknowledging his efforts or thanking him, they accused him of pushing and invading their country too much, and then accuse him of not keeping his promises when something happens and he isn't holding their hand.

It had gotten to the point where it was slowly driving America mad as well as wear him down. If it had continued on any longer, he probably would've flipped his shit and try nuking everyone; it'd feel great in the moment, but he knew he'd (probably) regret it and dammit, the consequences wouldn't be worth it. Ironically, his salvation was found in the form of his violet eyed archrival that had enticed and challenged the American like no one else had ever done.

For the first time in his existence, he was able to go toe to toe with someone without holding anything back; his strength, his intelligence, all his skills were fully employed in order to combat the commie bastard. And America loved every second of it.

After their war concluded with all the intensity of a mind blowing orgasm, it left America craving...more. Around him, the world returned to their pointless squabbling and pointing fingers, but he didn't care. He just wanted the attention of Russia back on him, to get that amazing intensity and distraction from the stupidity of the rest of the world.

(Flashback ends)

And it was this desire that gave him an amazing idea. If he liberated the world to free them from themselves, then he'd be truly appreciated as the hero of the free world and maybe if he could convince the Russian to help him, he'd have the Russian's attention in a more flattering way, like they almost were so long ago, before the Soviet Union…

"Mr. America? Mr. America? Alfred?"

America blinked back to his surroundings and grinned at the curious Lithuania sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment for zoning out during a mission.

"Sorry 'bout that Toris, I think I went into a food coma for a sec there. Did you say something?" America said quickly.

"Ah, it's no problem America, the food was really good. But, it's just-, I thought I heard something and was wondering if you left a TV on again, you tend to do that even though it wastes energy, but then you weren't saying anything and so I was getting worried that-"

"Dude, chill, it's okay. Actually, now that you're here, there's something I wanted to show you, c'mon!" cheered America as he excitedly tugged Lithuania from the table towards the stairs leading to his basement.

"It's something I've been working on for a while, it's not finished yet, but I really want you to see it, I think you'll like it."

They reached the bottom of the steps and Lithuania was surprised at the new addition to America's basement. Instead of his usual oak doors that led to his downstairs office, storage room, and spare rooms that had yet to fulfill a purpose, there was now a hallway of new cement leading to a heavy titanium door locked by a passcode. It was rather ominous for the sunny American to have and the apprehension must have shown on his face. Despite the blonde's reassurance, Lithuania couldn't stop the sinking feeling in his gut, the same feeling that came prior to wars and major issues that affected his people. As he followed America through the door, he was met with the sight of another hallway, though this one was much longer and brightly lit. As he began walking down the hallway, he missed the subtle click of the door locking behind America. Tuning out the sound of the chatty nation next to him (thanks to centuries of friendship with Poland), Lithuania strolled down the hallway, confusion rising as he passed large floor to ceiling mirrors lining both walls.

"Alfred, is your secret project throwing a runway show?"

America stared for a moment for bursting into raucous laughter as he slapped Lithuania's back and almost sent the smaller man sprawling to the ground. Lithuania flushed in embarrassment at the response to his obviously ridiculous question; it's just when it comes to America, it could be a valid question.

Lightly chuckling, America tugged Lithuania towards the end of the hallway, and as they came closer, they began hearing a muffled sound that slowly got louder and seemed to be coming from behind the wall. The brunet looked on in curiosity as America pressed his thumb against a cleverly hidden scanner that then lifted up to show a panel that America punched a series of numbers. The wall began fading until to Lithuania's shock and disbelief, he saw Liechtenstein across the glass wall. She had been officially declared missing for four weeks, the Italian twins for three, and yet here she was, eyes wide with terror and fear...in America's basement. Lithuania saw Liechtenstein yell something at him through the glass before he sensed something behind him and quickly ducked out of the way. Turning face to face with America, the brunet voice quivered slightly in disbelief.

"America,-how could you? What-why would you kidnap Liechtenstein, what reason do you have for this?"

America stood there, eyes hidden by the glare of his glasses and face blank, a syringe in his right hand. He tilted his head, revealing ice cold blue eyes as a sardonic grin covered his face.

"It's nothing personal towards her or any of the others, really, I'm trying to save everyone like a true hero would, but you'll understand in time. Now, I did want to do this nicely, but apparently your stay in Russia's house has made you more aware of things being slipped into your meal, unlike that gullible idiot in there."

Nodding his head in Liechtenstein's direction, America smirked as he stepped towards Lithuania, who took a step back. The blond feinted towards Lithuania's left but the brunet didn't fall for it, lashing a foot and kicked America straight in the chest before running past America to the exit. Slightly winded, America quickly chased after Lithuania, and with a flying leap, tackled him to the ground. Quickly getting up, the stronger nation picked the other up by the leg and threw him into Liechtenstein's cell door. Her muffled screams at the small bits of blood splattered against the wall went ignored by the two nations, one wiping at the cut on his lip while glaring at the indifferent blues of the other casually acting like he didn't just throw one of his few friends into a wall.

Again, America threw himself at the shorter nation, syringe ready to finish the fight quickly with no fuss, but as he brought himself closer, Lithuania quickly grabbed America's arm and harshly twisted as he kneed into the blonde's side. Refusing to acknowledge the pain in his side, America bent backwards and, wrapping his other arm around Lithuania's back, body slammed the other nation to the floor, knocking all the breath out of the brunet's lungs. Swiftly kicking the downed nation in the head, America checked if he was really unconscious and then plunged the syringe into the unconscious nation as a precautionary measure. America picked him up and opened the cell already prepped in advance for its first inhabitant. Methodically, America removed and replaced Lithuania's outfit for a thin cotton outfit designed for all their incoming 'guests' as well as examining for any concealed weapons on his person. Pulling out another syringe, America carefully plunged it at the back of Lithuania's neck closer to the skull; this was where two cleverly designed microchips were injected, one a GPS transmitter while the other would emit electric shock enough to knock a nation out (willingly tested by both Russia and America in their more sadistic moments) as a deterrent for bad behavior. It was connected to the house system in case the nations tried to escape, as well as to America and Russia's phones for any further discipline.

After checking that the syringe was empty and that everything was set up as it should be, America gathered #0005's belongings, added the inmate's information to the system, and locked the cell. Dispassionately glancing at the sobbing girl in her cell, America left the prison hall, securely locking it behind him. Upon reaching the first floor, America sighed as he stared at the half empty dining table, wearily rubbing the back of his neck in exhaustion.

Even though it was necessary to their plans to subdue the other nations and make them properly understand how corrupt the world was and the need for a new order, America felt awful for treating his close friend like that; like he was just a stranger instead of the close confidant the blond had relied on for decades, keeping each other company during the smaller nation's brief stay at his house, a soothing presence that briefly alleviated his loneliness.

Depressed at the fact that he just locked his best friend away who would probably hate for long time, he silently cleaned up the dining area, putting away leftovers and thoroughly cleaning everything in the kitchen, anything to keep his hands busy and distracted from his thoughts. Finding nothing else to clean, America turned off all the lights and made his way upstairs, hating the fact that his house was so large despite being the only resident. It was moments like this that he truly felt the isolation of being a world superpower, alone at the top, too afraid to let others in for the fear that they would greedily shove him off. He was both admired and hated for his desire to help others fix their problems, for being the 'idiotic country who involved himself in other countries' affairs in order to avoid dealing with own messed up country.'

Reaching the landing of the second floor, America paused as he briefly heard noise from his room. No longer tired, America tread quietly to his cracked door, silently slipping one of his handgun out his pocket as he took a quick glance into the room, only to sigh in relief and exasperation as he further opened the door to see his Russian lover sleeping on his bed, the dim light of the TV washing over his peaceful face as he dreamed. Pocketing the gun, America softly closed the door and headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed; all thoughts of his imprisoned best friend replaced with fond thoughts about his silly lover who snuck into his house for no reason. Slipping into bed, his attention was caught by the breaking news headline replaying from earlier today.

"Several country leaders have reported great national treasures have gone missing over the past several weeks. They have not released any more information on what exactly has been stolen, but security measures have been taken to protect the remaining treasures and many of the world's leaders have begun to convene for an emergency UN meeting to further follow leads and investigations into this breach of global security. We will continue giving you updates…"

America smiled in satisfaction as he set the remote on his bedside table and cuddled under his sheets closer to his Russian teddy bear. The bed shifted as a large arm curled around the blond American and as his breathing steadied and became slower with sleep, matching smiles were seen on the slumbering lovers.

AN: I have no excuses for the massive delays on all of my stories, only that I will strive to do better. If you've been faithfully following me all this time, thank you for your patience and thank you so much for reading my work, it's truly appreciated. I hope everyone enjoys and has a great 2018.