Hard to Get - Chapter 3 - Talk
Title: Hard to Get
Author: mystery_wings12 (published originally on fanfiction as mysterywings)
Rating: T
Warnings: Language
Summary: Historical fic, world-war-two era. This chapter features conversations Vietnam and America have with the President Roosevelt, China, England, and Japan!
A while back...
"So, Jones," Franklin said to the nation standing in front of his desk, while his black pen danced speedily over white papers. "How did your visit with Vichy in Indochina go?"
America chuckled lightly, his arm reaching up to smooth blonde hair back from his forehead. He reddened slightly and answered, "Well, boss...I met this girl…"
Franklin Delano Roosevelt looked up from his paperwork with raised eyebrows and blinked at his nation's shameless, smitten grin. Such a young face, he thought. Roosevelt forgot, sometimes, that even though his nation was over a century old, Alfred still possessed the ardent emotions of the teenager he really was.
The president grinned back and winked a blue-gray eye.
"Well tell me all about her, Jones, right after you tell me what that son-of-a-bitch Vichy had to say. And maybe I can help you out…"
The wheels of a gleaming oak wheelchair whispered against the hardwood floor of the White House. The seated President Roosevelt stretched out a hand and, with some effort, pushed open the door to his Oval Office.
"Jones."
Alfred was inside, standing by the largest window.
"Jones, I better tell you something."
The country turned. "Yes, boss?"
Franklin took a breath and released the news in his exhale. "Vietnam's been invaded by Japan."
America's face went blank; then his blue eyes widened in shock. "Aw, shit!" he exclaimed. "Didn't we tell him to keep his hands off her?"
"A letter was sent saying that, Jones, but Japan seems to disregard anything thrown at him!" The president shook his head.
"Well give 'im something to regard! I don't care if that guy's supposed to be our ally; he has to get the hell away from Vietnam!"
"Jones," said Franklin with a wary tone. "I know what a wonderful day you had with that girl, but her occupation brings other troubles. She supplied half of our rubber, after all, and now…well, now we're not getting any of that."
America nodded to show understanding, but something inside of him - something small, something insistent - knew that he didn't care about the rubber supply as much as he should have. An idea struck him, though, which quickly covered this fact:
"What if we stopped selling Japan oil?"
President put hand on his chin. "…If we can get Australia and Holland to do the same, I don't think Japan could handle such a shortage!" Roosevelt rolled over to America to pat his charge on the shoulder, but (in his seated position) could only give his hand a firm shake. Roosevelt said fiercely, "Good idea, Jones! We can make sure that Japan won't get a drop of fuel from us!"
"Haha! Thanks…"
America turned back to the window, the glass reflecting his furrowed brows. The nation stared at the capital city outside for a moment, and then his gaze fell back to his concerned President, jaw re-set in determination. "I'd really like to help her out, Franklin. I said I would."
Roosevelt heaved a sigh. "I'm trying hard, Jones. But I also have to keep you out of conflict."
A hesitation. "Er, tell me, Al. Do you…want to join the war?"
America thought about sitting in ditches. He had crouched in there for days, but it always felt like millennia. Then the roar of a machine gun would pierce the anxious silence, and he would feel as useless as the mud around his ankles as a fresh, red color bloomed on the clothing of a neighboring soldier.
America remembered when a canister of poison gas would fly through the air, and men cried out and clamped their hands over their eyes after the can's resulting clatter upon the ground.
America saw perfectly Vietnam's eyes - the prettiest honey-brown orbs he had ever seen - when she told him of Vichy's abuse.
"I'm not sure, Frank."
"…That's all right, son."
1941
Vietnam's cheek still stung as she hurriedly approached the steps of a house with an upward-curved roof. Over her black hair was a pale yellow blanket, the ends of which she held to her chest. She released one of the blanket ends to rap sharply on the front door.
China appeared in the doorway with a disheveled pony tail and several fresh cuts on his cheek and neck. Upon seeing her, his nearly identical (but darker) brown eyes narrowed in annoyance, emphasizing the bags beneath them. Vietnam didn't show how surprised she was at his condition.
"Ai ya," China exhaled, clearly weary. "What do you want?"
"I need your help, China," Vietnam said, solemnly as ever. Her former teacher's knuckles turned white as his fingers dug into the edge of the wood door. Vietnam added hurriedly, "I know you're very busy. Truly, I do."
"I would hope so," China said bluntly. "You give him resources to beat me, don't you?" There was no question about which "him" China was talking about.
Vietnam twitched in annoyance. "Give?" she bristled. "Japan's stealingeverything I have! He invaded me." She threw off her head cover to reveal the scabbing gash on her cheek. "I want to get him off my back-"
Both countries stared at each for one, two blinks - reaching an understanding.
"As badly as you do," Vietnam finished.
Vietnam and China have never been comfy with each other - except, perhaps, a very long time ago, but certainly not at that time. Disagreements and Vietnam's rebellion left them bitter. Still, desperate situations can forge unlikely allies. This was one of those times.
"You want to annoy Japan for me," stated China. Then, with a slight smirk: "And you need me to organize you."
The smirk was not missed. "I'm sure I would be perfectly capable of organizing myself if Vichy France wasn't breathing down my neck all the time," Vietnam retorted. Her co-owner had been smothering recently, making the organization of her rebellion difficult. It wasn't until today - when France's palm cracked so hard against her cheek that she saw stars - when Vietnam gathered up the gall to seek China.
Vietnam cleared her throat slightly, remembering what she was there for. "But yes. I would be grateful for your aid. You also have some of my people - anti-colonialists that moved here…"
The door swung wide open. "Come on in, Vietnam. It's been a while since you've called me"-the Chinese man's lips curved upwards into a content smile-"teacher."
March 1941
England and America sat at a too-large oaken table. Beside America's elbow was a cup of dark-brown coffee; England, tea. The meeting was organized to discuss what would happen if America joined the war and, at the moment, England was speaking: "Assuming that you declare war on Germany, we'll have to assume you'll go to war with Italy and Japan as well. I think to destroy the Axis, we'll must sustain a strong air offensive…"
After rattling off strategies for several minutes, England cleared his throat, his hand passing over the black eye he earned from the Blitz as his fingers ran through more-mussed-than-usual hair. "Of course," he said, looking off the side, "this is all depending on whether you actually join the war."
Though his chin rested on his palm, America - for once - had been listening raptly. War was important. He was good at it. "Maybe," he loosely replied. Then, a bit randomly: "Say. What do you think about freeing colonies in Asia?"
England swiftly stood and punched America hard in the jaw. The younger nation's chair clattered on the floor as he fell backwards. The island country crossed his arms.
"Don't. Even. Think. About it."
America scrambled back to his feet. "What the hell was that for? Oh." Blue eyes narrowed behind glasses. "This is about India, isn't it?"
"If one thing must be maintained, it is the British Commonwealth, you wanker. That includes my territory in the Far East," the empire stressed, placing both hands on the tabletop and leaning in menacingly towards his younger.
"Oh, yeah? Just thinking about yourself? France has colonies there too. You know, the countries of Indochina: Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam!"
"What makes you think that you can make prepositions for post-war, when you're just sitting on your bum while the rest of us are getting whipped?" snapped England, pointing to the mottled purple bruise around his right eye.
"Because France has been treating those colonies like crap for far too long!"
"Since when do you care about that part of the world?" This time there was a touch of fear in the Brit's voice. "Your territorial interest is in the western hemisphere, you hear? Western!"
"I don't want to own anyone there!" America shouted, throwing up his hands. "Dammit, France just has to leave her alone."
When England stared in silence, America realized what he had let slip. Oh shit…
A smirk twitched at the edge of the elder's mouth. "So there's a lady involved. I see."
The island country seemed to find this amusing. America watched with a disturbed expression as England broke into a grin. "Stop smiling like that. It's creeping me out."
"Don't be a fool, America."
Love is complicated for nations. Relationships with humans literally die short; relationships with fellow countries are doomed to eventually fray. Sure, there were things like Austria and Hungary's marriage - extremely envied, by the way - but even that didn't last. There are simply too many things going on in the world for two countries to continue staring into the eyes of their lovers forever. They usually learn this the hard way and, as a result, most countries are careful with their emotional affairs, to save his or her heart from a couple of shatterings. Being a nation was already difficult enough. Don't be a fool…
America pretended the advice referred to something else. "What do you mean! The French colonies are owned by Vichy now. What's wrong with taking a couple colonies away when Vichy's our enemy?"
"I believe we are trying to weaken the enemy, not help him," England remarked, rolling his green eyes. "If the people of France know that if the Allies win, their colonies would be stripped away, they'll have more motives to support Vichy's side than ever! This idea, I'm afraid, is doing nothing to aid us."
America glanced around, as if there was anyone else in the room to back him up. "You're an ass," he finally said to his elder.
"Don't be angry because I'm right," England responded coolly. "Now"-England steepled his fingers very calmly, which would never make you guess he just socked a world superpower in the face-"let's move on with the war strategy, shall we?"
They continued on, though it was all strained. Because Alfred realized that being Vietnam's hero would be harder than he thought.
I want to free her, he thought, as the meeting came to a close and the two men stood from the table to leave. I want to, and she deserves it-but is it worth the trouble?
America was in deep thought about this while he walked back to his house through the streets of D.C. The cold, sharp, almost-spring air seemed to put things in perspective. There was a whole world out there, a world that he'd like to help. Vietnam was just one person; perhaps he couldn't afford risking too much for just a girl-
"America."
America jerked to a stop on the sidewalk, surprised to see England behind him. A wooly plaid scarf partly concealed his uncomfortable scowl, but his knit-together thick eyebrows revealed all his restlessness.
"Yeah?"
"I'll…I'll see what I can do. About…this girl. A part of Indochina, correct?"
"Yeah. Vietnam."
One of the bushy brows rose, but England gruffly replied, "No promises, but perhaps I can help. If you provide some yourself."
"Really? Thanks, man!"
"I can't believe I actually said that…" America heard England mutter to himself as the peevish country sharply strolled off. America stuffed his hands in his pockets and went whistling down the street-once more a hopeful, aspiring hero in love.
Fall 1941
Japan blew off steam from his tea, lips puckered slightly. "Tea, America-san?" he offered, and a Japanese servant placed a similar cup on America's side of the table.
"Thanks, Japan."
America didn't drink any, but he welcomed the hot porcelain that warmed his hands in the autumn chill.
The scene of the two sitting at a low Japanese table was picturesque-as most scenes in Japan are. Outside, branches adorned with ruby-red leaves swayed and rustled in the wind. The windows of Japan's house were left open, letting in crisp air that was just as cold as the two countries' current relations.
Their friendship, once so full of promise, trade, and amity, was crumbling, crumpling-like a shriveled leaf in the fall. Recent years were not friendly between the two nations, especially since the war started, when neither country has been doing the other any favors.
America clutched the teacup tighter and forced a grin. "So…lots of things to talk about, huh Japan?"
"Yes." Japan closed his eyes and took a sip of his tea, exhaling slightly. "I believe our bosses wanted us to have this meeting to reconcile, as friends. Though…"-Japan looked up from his cup with slightly narrowed eyes-"With your oil embargo and whatnot, I'm not sure if we can claim to be friends anymore."
"Aw, c'mon man, we can get past this!" insisted America. "You're different than Italy or Germany. You're my pal-I don't want to go against you."
"The two men you speak of with such scorn happen to be my two closest companions. They respect me, and we relate to each other," Japan said evenly. He looked down into his steaming cup, ill at ease. "Unlike you and I. I must admit…I've always felt as if you look down on me."
Japan's words were wounded and - for a moment - America was listening to his shy friend again. It made him feel all the worse.
"Japan…it doesn't have to be like this. You don't need to take over other countries, alright? That doesn't give you respect. That doesn't make people admire you. It makes people fear you. It will burn the whole world in hell.
"I know!" continued America confidently. "You just gotta withdraw from China, all right? I think that's what really made things tense between us. And…and leave Southern Asia alone, too, all right? You know, Vietnam and…everyone else down there." He could not control his blush.
"I refuse," Japan answered curtly, his face a hardened mask of indifference once more. "I am my own country, and I am strong enough not to bend to the will of others. My decisions are mine alone."
America nearly crushed the porcelain cup between his palms. "Fine!" he shot back angrily. "Be that way!"
The silence was thick enough to cut.
"So I guess...I guess things have changed between us."
"I suppose," nodded Japan.
The two regarded each other coldly for several more moments, until America shook his head, stood from the table, and exited the house, leaving a full cup of tepid tea.
A few minutes after the fair-haired nation left, Japan felt a hand touch his shoulder.
"So," inquired Japan's boss. "How did the meeting go?"
Japan whipped around, in one of his rare fits of anger. "That arrogant fool has been thwarting me again and again ever since this war begun! This 'alliance' is beyond repair. Please"-Japan shut his eyes briefly-"drop this pretense of friendship. I wish for it no longer."
"We'll have to pretend just a while longer, Japan-san."
The nation sighed. Such was the way of bosses.
"What did he say in particular?" his leader asked.
"He demanded that I withdrew from China - and Southern Asia, for some reason. Why would he care about Southern Asia, of all places? It hardly applies to him," remarked Japan, furrowing his brow in thought.
"Have faith, friend," assured Japan's boss. "We'll do something about him soon."
"Excuse me?"
"Well of course. Such impudence must be punished, after all."
Historical Notes:
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the president of the United States during almost all of World War Two. He was quite popular (being re-elected several times), so I made him and America very close. (One of the reason FDR casually calls him "Jones." The other reason was because I thought it sounded really cool.) The disabled and wheelchair-ridden president was a strong supporter of freeing colonies in general, but he was also accused of being a bit of a warmonger, which I implied very subtlety in the fic.
The US, along with Holland and Australia, stopped selling Japan oil when he took over Indochina. After this it was estimated that Japan didn't even have enough oil to last for two more years (which is kind of funny) but it reinforced Japan's need to conquer more territory to replenish that oil...
Meanwhile, China was helping Vietnam out with her rebelling!
With war a rising possibility, America met with England to discuss just what would happen if he would join. This entire part was based off the US-British Staff Conference (ABC 1) that I found on Wikipedia, the best site evar. Psst...I made up the part with England saying that he might help America free Vietnam...but hey, no one said it DIDN'T happen! :D And the two did say they would support underground groups in resisting the Axis...which includes Vietnam's Rebellion Team! So ha.
Finally, America and Japan have a chat...but at this point they were like the two "friends" that secretly didn't like each other anymore...and their differences had created a huge chasm between them. The Japanese also felt the Americans were really condescending. Japan also plans to give America a what-for...I'm sure most of you can figure out what it is. I really don't think I have it in me to write about this "punishment" directly, so...yeah. It'll just be alluded to in future chappies.
A/N:
Ello! Sorry for having two chapters where America and Vietnam don't even look at each other...but next chappie STAR PAIR ACTION will occur for sure. Cuz America joins the war!
~mysterywings