A/N: I know, I know I jump a lot from event to event and year to year, but that's because well I'm not as well versed in pre-1900 as many others perhaps, and second because character development is complicated. I promise that once I get to areas I'm more at ease with in terms of history the chapters will most likely get longer and more tightly space in terms of time. Might even be a chapter for an even because those events are... gonna need a lot of development. Anywho, here is really the chapter where we first get to see a not-so-shiny Alfred.

Sea To Shining Sea

St. Petersburg, Russian Empire, November 3rd, 1831

Ivan eyed the boy in front of him – he was still a boy, sweet, youthful, almost cherub-faced. But he had very clearly grown since the last time he had seen the young nation – his jaw somewhat more defined than it had been, his high cheekbones more obvious, and he was far taller than Ivan remembered, too. Last time he had seen Alfred, he had been about two heads shorter than him, but now there was only about a head left. He'd heard there were a few new stars added to his flag. The boy seemed preoccupied, but as a young nation it was understandable.

"You seem worried," Ivan asked, which caused Alfred's eyes to turn to him.

"Nothing specific, there's a lot going on a bit everywhere," Alfred shrugged, his hands stuffed into his pockets. "I heard you were… uh… busy around here, too."

Ivan tilted his head to the side momentarily in concession. "Europe always tends to be. I had a few disagreements with Poland and my sisters, but it is all sorted now." Ivan saw Alfred wasn't too happy about that idea, but he remained silent - the Old World was something he still couldn't understand, not that Ivan could blame him for not even wanting to try to. "Britain, on the other hand, is very much treading on my nerves, and it seems the situation may get only more complicated."

Alfred scoffed. "Is that a surprise though? He hates your guts, so I'm not honestly too shocked at seeing him trying to… what is he trying to do?"

"I believe he thinks himself entitled and destined to educate Central Asia, what with him being - in his own terms - the 'most industrially advanced great power'. His pride will someday be the downfall of him."

"And he wonders where I get my arrogance," Alfred huffed.

Ivan laughed at that. A sideways glance at the younger nation told him he wasn't amused, however. "Are you sure you are alright?"

"Just states bickering between themselves and with my government. It's messy, but nothing unexpected. I mean, I'm still relatively young so, you know, a lot to sort out, right?"

To Ivan, it seemed as if he were seeking some sort of comfort. He decided to provide it, if only to ease the youth's mind. "Yes, perfectly normal."

"But back to England, is this gonna be a subject for war?" Alfred asked, and there seemed to be both curiosity and worry on his mind. Perhaps he was worried of another European war that would drag his continent into it. Perhaps he was worried for other reasons.

Ivan tilted his head side to side. "Perhaps. However, I believe this will develop in a rather... different manner. Britain is... he's a strategist. After all, he did not become an Empire just by random. Have you ever played chess?"

Alfred frowned. "No, but I know what it's about. Kind of."

"Well, he seems intent on playing a large scale game of chess - neither of us going to war, merely building up our armies and buffer zones, spreading our influence at the most."

Alfred shook his head. "That seems boring and pointless. Why the hell would anyone want to do that?"

Ivan shrugged, deciding not to delve into the matter deeper. It would resolve itself in a matter of time anyway. "There are a lot of reasons, and none of them should concern you. This is indeed a very boring matter."

"What about the... the other things? You know, Poland, and your sisters?"

Ivan raised an eyebrow. It seemed the boy had a deep interest in the affairs of Europe, far more than he used to have. "Petty squabbles, nothing more than that. It is sorted now, and I doubt any of them will attempt it again."

"What, defying you?"

Ivan looked at Alfred, and could see the way in which he seemed reluctant to accept the way with which Ivan dealt with things - the way Europe dealt with things, be it politics, war, their territories. "You must understand you live a far different life than the rest of us, over here. We've been here thousands of years, this is nothing new for any of us. Your ideals for freedom and liberty are, at the most, thought of as quaint over here. It is not to say we dismiss them - we merely consider them idealistic, not achievable, taking into account the current ways of matters. It is impossible for us to conceive a rule that you consider fair. It would, most likely, lead to nothing less than chaos. The people here are used to being ruled in a certain way, and so that is the way things should remain."

Ivan saw that Alfred seemed less unsettled, but continued. "Even you see disagreements in your day-to-day, and your democracy is what you consider the only way to rule. Imagine us, the Old World, changing to democracy, when the people have no idea what to do with this,... new liberty they've been given." Ivan shook his head. "Nothing very good can come from that."

Alfred shrugged. "I know, I know. I just don't... understand it. It's a different way of life, from which I was only too happy to break away."

"Indeed, you were. And you seem to be faring just fine so far."

Alfred only smiled.

San Antonio, Texas, December 30th, 1845

Before the war, he had purchased the Louisiana Territory from France. The sheer amount of land he had managed to acquire had been a surprise to him, after having merely sought New Orleans – but he had gotten so much more out of the bargain. When he had first ridden a horse across those prairies and that wide area of land, expanding in every direction, that was when it had felt real, and when he had first felt the reality of expanding. He'd had to admit, it hadn't been a bad feeling at all.

And when he had relieved Spain of his burdensome Floridian territory, he'd heard people mark it a clear triumph of American diplomacy, succeeding after so many years of pointless dispute and finally settled the border between the Empire and the United States. Well, that was until María had gained her independence, and the border was set between the United States and Mexico instead. But that had been a rather proud moment too, seeing how his country was truly establishing itself, and expanding very fast.

But now, it seemed that María was bent on making life difficult for the both of them. Currently, she was completely ignoring his attempts at helping her.

"Keep your nose out of my country!" She huffed, her voice irritated - but Alfred decided against paying it any mind.

"I'm just trying to help!"

"I've warned you before, Alfred, and I will warn you again. This is my country, these are my people, and Texas is my matter to deal with. You leave the territory alone, and we will both be far happier that way."

"They clearly want to be independent, just let them be-"

María huffed. "Oh, for what? For you to annex them freely? I don't think so - and this kind of poinsettismo is exactly what my people are talking about! You are little better than those European bastards unless you let us live our own lives and deal with our own matters. Contrary to what you may believe, this continent is not yours alone!"

"I don't want to 'just annex them' for no reason! They clearly no longer want to be a part of Mexico!" Alfred had tried everything, from negotiation to... well, nothing much more, really.

"Leave it alone. Texas is my territory."

Alfred rolled his eyes. "What are you even going on about? They declared a Republic."

"And that changes nothing," María countered. "I warn you for the last time; you annex Texas, I declare war on you."

Alfred's eyes flashed, but María, with her back turned on Alfred, missed the look that crossed his face. "Fine, if that's how you want to go about it, I'm willing too. Even if my government doesn't like the idea of annexation, if you don't solve this quickly, we will. Remember, this is also my border we're talking about."

María whirled around, outrage plain on her face. "It is my territory! You will deal with whatever outcome I settle on!"

Alfred scowled. "Believe you me, that's not how it works. The people of Texas have the right to be heard too, and that they will be."

María frowned as she saw Alfred storm out of the building, her mind whirling through her options. The man had seemed far too intent on Texas for him not to have had an ulterior agenda - and the words manifest destiny haunted the back of her thoughts.

Alexandrapol, Russian Empire, February 1856

"I thought you were adamant on neutrality?" Ivan asked.

Alfred hesitated. There was a pause, before he answered. "I am."

"Yet you are here," Ivan continued.

Alfred nodded slowly. "I... am." Ivan raised an eyebrow in question. Alfred sighed. "I'm not officially involved, I'm not here to represent the United States as... as a nation. I'm here to - uh - represent... the volunteers, my citizens. You know?" Alfred coughed into his hand. "They wouldn't let me pick sides so... I have citizens here who volunteered to help with the wounded and all, so that's what I'm here for. Well..." Alfred looked away.

Ivan raised an eyebrow. "Well?"

"Well, there's been some stuff comin' up, and well I was sent here with a Military Commission."

Ivan was interested - no official involvement, but a Commission was still sent. "A Commission?"

"To... study. Things."

"Things," Ivan reiterated.

"War. How war is done around here. They think I might learn something from how you guys go about war, that I can then use to protect the rest of my country. I mean it's a lot bigger now than it was not long ago, so I need adequate defense. So here I am, taking lessons from you people, trying to kill each other."

Ivan resisted the urge to laugh. Alfred was dodging the main reason, but he would play along. "So take lessons, there is plenty of war to go around."

Alfred glared at Ivan, before sighing. "I came here because I wanted to see how you were faring," he admitted. "You're losing, no?"

"I am."

"How are you-"

"Alfred, I have been through this many times before. It is a war like any other. There is no need for you to worry," Ivan said.

Alfred looked ready to argue, but then fell silent. "I came here to make sure you're fine, so, that's what I'm doing."

Ivan's lips curled slightly,

Russian Alaska, January 1859

Ivan turned another page in his book when a heavy knock came at the door. He very rarely stayed at the house, but he was currently expecting one of two guests - his first guess was that it would most likely be Arthur.

He went to open the door, and to his surprise, it was Alfred standing there, looking more tired than Ivan remembered.

"Uhm..." Alfred started, and looked rather put-off. Ivan waited patiently as Alfred gathered his wits. Alfred seemed to have many things he wanted to say, and finally what ended up coming out was, "A bidding war?"

Ivan made a noise of acknowledgement, and allowed Alfred to step further into the Alaskan house. "Yes, my Emperor seemed to think it would perhaps something of that kind may be favourable to us."

Alfred turned to Ivan, a slightly incredulous look on his face. "And how is that working out?"

Ivan shrugged. "It is not, really. I have yet to receive anything beyond a half-hearted response from the British. Arthur seems to have little interest in the land."

Alfred snorted. "Yeah, well, I think he's got as much territory up north as he wants with Matthew. But why'd you approach us, if you want to sell it to the Brits?"

"We do not want to sell it to the British."

"But you approached them?"

"We asked if they were interested. We don't particularly want to sell it to the British, but we could also use the extra money, really."

Alfred glowered at Ivan, but dropped the look in favour of a roll of his eyes. "Well, I can't buy." Alfred fell into one of the rather plush armchairs in the living area, and Ivan seated himself in another nearby chair with a raised eyebrow.

"What do you mean with that?"

"That I cannot buy Alaska."

Ivan leaned back in the chair, not quite understanding what the issue at hand really was. "I understand you may be put off by the fact we also propositioned the British, but that was merely a poor attempt at getting a bit more for the territory than we most likely will get. After the last war..." Ivan refused to say he was in need of help - which he most certainly was not - but perhaps Alfred would see his point. "Furthermore, Arthur is rather interested in travelling further and further up north, and should another war break out between the two of us, I fear Alaska may be one of the centres of interest in that war. It is a remote and vulnerable territory, and I believe that should the United States own the territory such a thing may not happen - you would not be affected by any such war, and I would be able to concentrate my forces some-"

Alfred huffed, his leg bouncing up and down - his agitation was clear. "Just - I don't know, don't start a war, then!"

Ivan eyed the young nation - who was definitely avoiding eye contact with him - curiously. "Alfred, is something the matter?" He knew there was some level of political unrest in the United States, but he had been able to pay very little attention to what was going on in the country otherwise.

"I'm..." Alfred winced. "I'm fine. Just some issues I gotta deal with here and there. I - some states are acting up, it's nothing."

"Is that why you will not buy the territory?"

Alfred looked at Ivan. "Yeah," he conceded. "I'm just..." He paused. "I'm just a bit - uh - well, scared, and I just need to focus on what's going on at the moment with what I have already instead of just getting more territory to deal with. I'm sorry, I just can't right now."

Ivan nodded. "I understand. You should have merely said that at the beginning. Also," he continued, "I doubt the British will display any more interest than they have for now, and so the offer still stands should you want it."

Alfred smiled. "Thanks."

"And should you need help, Alfred, know that I will stand by you," Ivan finished.

"I'm glad to hear that," Alfred smiled a bit more, and there was something akin to the same look he had seen some years earlier in the careless youth. But as Alfred's smile faded slowly, his eyes drifting back to the furniture, Ivan saw that it may be one of the few times he would get to see that pure innocence again.

Notes:

- So it turns out Russia has a bit of a history of Cold War-esque stand-offs. Between (about) 1830 and 1895, Russia and the British Empire had a political confrontation over Afghanistan and other Central Asian areas. Russia was scared of Britain adding inroads into the Middle East. Britain was scared of Russia's expansion in Asia, and its threat to India. It led to a number of wars: First and Second Anglo-Afghan War, and First and Second Anglo-Sikh War. Britain wanted to establish buffer states between the two empires, but some of these were annexed by Russia.

- The November Uprising (or Polish Russian war, 1830-31) was a military uprising in Poland against Russia. The uprising was joined by people in Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine. Sadly for Poland, it ended with a decree to the end of Polish autonomy in the Russian Empire.

- Texas was complicated for the US and Mexico. Initially a Mexican territory, Texas declared independence as the Republic of Texas in 1836. Despite Mexican threats to the US of war should the US annex Texas, the US went ahead and did so in 1845. This in turn led to the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848.

- Because of the Crimean War, the Russian Empire was in dire need of money. Also, the British Empire had begun to take interest in migrating up north in its Canadian territories, and so they feared that should another war break out between these two empires that Russian America (Alaska) would be an easy and vulnerable target for the British. They thus tried to sell it, approaching both the Americans and Brits about it in the hopes of starting a bidding war. However, it didn't work: the British showed little interest in the territory, and the Americans were dealing with a lot of political issues - the fear of a civil war was constantly rising, and therefore the Americans did not want to buy any more territory when they had to concentrate their military forces possibly on their own territory.

A/N: I am so sorry this is such a short chapter but I do promise the next one will be a lot, a lot longer and will have both more character arc and relationship development I swear once I get time to write it I hope this filler chapter wasn't too boring but I hope you will stick with me until at least the next chapter - that one I'm diving deep into the American Civil War, with obviously the European involvement in it. I'm just on a bit of a kind of hiatus because of school and uni applications and all that so pleaaaaase bear with me! I promise this will get better and I have definitely not abandoned this.