Hey guys! Y'know, it's only been a couple years since I updated. No biggie, right? *sweats*

AHEM ANYWAYS I have good news: I WILL be returning to writing Hetalia stuff, and I WILL be updating To Strangle a Heart! However, I'm going to be re-booting the whole story, because looking back on this one makes me cringe (just a lil bit tho, not too bad =w=), plus there's some things in the plot that I want to change. But I still like the base idea so I want to work with it again.

But yeah! I'll hopefully put up the first chapter soon. And make sure to keep an eye out for other stories that will be coming! If you'd like to stay updated on this and my other fics, make sure to follow this account if you haven't already! Thanks for all your patience, you guys. And what amazes me is that I still have new people following and favoriting this story frequently. Like, damn. You guys are the best.

Alllllrighty that about sums it u—

Actually, never mind. XDDD Just for kicks, I'ma throw in the unfinished part of chapter 4 that I just discovered in my file drive. Read it for shits and giggles, if ya want. It's obviously unedited and stuff, but it's long enough and you've all waited so long on that awful cliffhanger that I might as well show it.

So without further ado…

To Strangle a Heart, part 4 (INCOMPLETE!)

x

Russia leaned closer until the tips of their noses brushed together. "Very cute indeed. You looked peaceful, like a sleeping baby. So different from the stubborn loudmouth I am used to seeing…"

Alfred swallowed dryly. His throat felt like sandpaper, and he couldn't find the will in him to speak up. And so instead, he chanted two words over and over in his head, as if that would somehow fix things. Get off get off get off get off

"It is interesting, how much our short time together has affected your state of mind. Your reaction back in the conference room was much more intense than I had anticipated." He reached up, absentmindedly twirling the stubborn cowlick of his captive's hair. "Tell me, are you afraid, Alfredka?" He leaned down and kissed gently at the American's jaw, inhaling his scent.

"A-ah…" America shivered at the contact, toes curling inward as the Russian continued to touch him, hot breath now ghosting over his lips. He could already feel his body getting aroused from the touches, and the thought thoroughly frightened him. His mind was racing again in endless circles, flashbacks of that day not even a week ago beating themselves into his skull. No, not again! I don't want to do it again!

"…I asked you a question, Amerika. That means you must answer, correct?" That voice which had just seconds ago been light and teasing was now in a low undertone, threatening in every sense of the word. It left no room for disagreement.

With their faces so close together, Alfred had nowhere else to look. He instead opted to squeeze his eyes shut, gasping softly at every little touch and movement. Dammit, why was he reacting like this again? "N-no… A hero…is never scared, ah!"

Russia chuckled softly, his voice returning to its previous cheeriness. "Hum… I had a feeling you would say that…" With the back of his hand he gently caressed the younger's cheek, allowing his thumb to brush over a quivering bottom lip. "Well, Hero, I have a proposition for you."

America's gaze hardened at that. "Fuck no." Despite the fact that he was currently terrified out of his wits—and would never in a million years admit it—he managed to spit those words out with defiance.

Whatever it was, there was no way in hell he was gonna accept this bastard's so-called "proposition"…

Russia's smile widened ever so slightly. "Hold on, now, you have not even heard what I have to say. Do not be so quick to refuse…"

For some reason, America had this nagging feeling that he would be forced to listen whether or not he wanted to. Russia quite literally had him trapped beneath him, and if their last close encounter had been any indication, then he was not going to be released any time soon.

Not until he gets what he wants, the American realized with much horror.

When America remained silent, Russia hummed in approval, pressing his hips forward and simultaneously tugging on the wayward strand, which in turn elicited a particularly loud whine from the blond. "There we go. See, it feels much better for little Amerika when he cooperates, да? Unlike last time."

Alfred shivered.

He paused a moment, enjoying the look of total fear on his enemy's face. "Now as I was saying, I have an offer I would like to make to you. It will be in your best interest to accept—"

"—I know, so just fucking spit it out already—w-what do you want?" the younger blond gasped.

Russia pressed the tip of his nose into America's cheek and inhaled deeply, as if he was addicted to the smell of the other's skin. He took his time to respond, ensuring every word was spoken clearly and deliberately. "You will become one with me. You will give your body to me…And if you refuse to do so…" he nibbled on America's lower lip affectionately—sweetly, even—but at the same time, something about the notion was unnerving, and it was clear that behind the man's sweet facade was something much more sinister.

"…I will take my country's entire stock of nuclear weapons," he continued, voice once again dropping down an octave, "and obliterate your entire country, as well as every living being that resides within."

America froze. At that very moment, he could have sworn his heart stopped beating.

His mind went into overload.

He…He can't be serious, his government is probably just as unwilling to go to nuclear war as mine, the world's gonna hate him, it's gonna kill millions of people, surely he wouldn't go to such measures—But he's Russia, I mean from what I've heard he's practically controlling Europe and Asia right now, and I doubt many would try to go up against him with his massive power, a-and— America's head spun in nauseous circles as he debated back and forth and tried to come up with some kind of coherent response, all the while feeling more and more pressured by the teasing hot breath lingering over his lips and the uncomfortable weight pressing on his now aching erection. He somehow managed to sputter out, "How… How do I know you're not just bluffing?"

The towering nation chuckled cheerfully. "Well…You don't! And that is the fun of it. But are you willing to take that chance, Mr. Hero?"

I can't do this, I don't want to do this, I really don't know what to do, why can't someone help me, why is he doing this—

"A~me~ri~ka~" Ivan cooed, "I am not a man of patience… So, what do you say?"

Alfred gulped, squeezing his eyes shut as if that would help him get through—or better yet, get him out of this nightmare. He opened his mouth to speak, voice smaller and weaker-sounding than he ever thought was possible for him. "I…I w—"

All of a sudden, there were several knocks on the other side of the door. Russia stilled, and they both looked up in confusion.

"…America? Are you awake yet? I came to check upon you."

It's England! Thank you, oh thank you so much England I could freaking marry you right now! America was the first to recover. "Uh…Yeah, I'm awake," he said before Russia was able to stop him.

"All right, I'm coming in." The knob was jiggled several times, but the door didn't open. "What in the world—why is it locked?" A muffled sigh could be heard. "I'm sorry to ask this, America, but it seems I've been locked out. Are you feeling well enough to get up and open the door for me? Otherwise I can just go back and get the key fr—"

"—NO! D-don't leave, seriously!" America let out a nervous laugh before looking to Russia, who by this point had fully realized the situation and climbed off the blond, those usually cool eyes wide with shock. He made a haphazard attempt to smooth out his clothes, looking around the room as if he were expecting to find a spot to hide.

Alfred shakily crawled out of the bed on his hands and knees, wincing slightly at the uncomfortable throbbing pressure between his legs. He took several deeps breaths as he combed his hair down frantically and stumbled over to the door. He reached for the lock, but just as he was about to twist it, Russia gripped his shoulder from behind him. America's eyes flitted to the overwhelmingly tall nation standing behind him. He had a look on his face that silently commanded, "Don't let him know I'm here."

Turning back to the door the American quickly slid back the bolt, creaking the wood open only about a third of the way to ensure that the Russian was obscured from view.

A pair of worried forest-green eyes stared right back into his sky blues. "Why did you deliberately get up to lock the door?"

I didn't lock the door-that was obviously Russia! The blond scratched the back of his head, scrambling for an excuse. "I, uh, I didn't wa-…I didn't want anyone walking in randomly… and... and, I could hear voices in the hall whenever someone walked past and it made my headache worse so I closed the door and locked it. So, yeah." He held his breath. Was that a good enough lie? He knew from past experience that he kind of sucked at lying.

England's gaze hardened as he took this information in, tilting his head slightly. "…I see." Despite the boy's strange behavior, the Briton seemed to accept this explanation without a second thought. At this, America resisted the urge to sigh in relief. His gaze dropped to the side. He couldn't keep eye contact, not if he wanted to keep the real reason for the locked door a secret. Namely, the person standing behind him just out of sight and death-gripping his shoulder.

After a few seconds England's eyes softened as he looked the American over once more. He then glanced at his wristwatch, brow furrowing ever so slightly. "Hm. Well, how are you feeling now? You seem to be much more awake than before."

The hand on Alfred's shoulder tightened, if that was even possible. "Huh? Oh, haha, yep, I'm real awake now! I…I feel great, actually!" He gritted out a smile. He didn't want to smile right now. Smiling hurt.

England returned it warily, still trying to read what was going on in that boy's mind. He really was acting quite peculiar. "…Really. Perfect, so perhaps you're feeling well enough to join me back at my home for a spot of tea? The meeting actually ended a while ago…We could go now, if you'd like—"

"—YES! I'd love to! Let's go! Tea…sounds fantastic right about now!" Like hell he was staying in here a second longer! Alfred shook the Russian off as subtly as possible and stepped forward, slamming the door shut with a little more force than necessary.

England blinked. "…You mean coffee, right? I thought you hated tea." His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "You always complain and ask for coffee instead."

"…Huh?" The other's words took a moment to process in his head. Oh. Shit. He hadn't even realized what he was saying! "…Did I say tea? Huh. Well, I meant coffee. Tea sucks ass. Guess I just wasn't paying much attention." He forced a cheeky grin at the other as they made their way down the hall to the exit. Oh god, he hoped that didn't just blow his cover!...

Fortunately England seemed to let the slip-up go, dismissing it with a simple shrug. "Hm. All right, then." Unbeknownst to him, his companion nearly died of relief again when the subject was dropped. If things kept up like this, Alfred was sure he would suffer from a heart attack by the end of the day… He glanced at the Brit, shifting his eyes to the floor as they walked out of the building.

Above all, he was safe, at least… for now.

x

x

"Would you prefer one lump of sugar or two?"

"…Three."

"Three is too many. That's not healthy, Alfred."

"Don't care. I want three. Gimme three."

England sighed, rolling his eyes before dumping three teaspoons into the American's cup. He stirred the contents for a few moments before sliding the cup and saucer a few inches across the table. "…You do realize that your tea is going to taste like sugar now, yes?"

America nodded, managing to crack a bit of a smile. He definitely felt more relaxed now that he was here, in England's home, with England, and not anywhere close to that man. He felt more safe right now than he had in a while… "Exactly, that's the point. I want the sugar to cover up the awful taste." He leaned back a little on the couch, picking the cup up and shifting a bit.

"Git. Do not insult my Earl Grey. You obviously are not capable of appreciating such a wonderful thing."

Alfred snorted at that, now rolling his eyes. "Sure, sure, whatever you say." Looking down into his own drink he stared for a few seconds before raising it up to his lips, taking a small sip. He made a bit of a face. Well, the sugar masked most of the unpleasant, bitter taste, but he'd definitely add another teaspoon when England wasn't looking.

x

OH SHIT THAT'S IT? Yeah that's it. That's the exact sentence I stopped typing at 2 years ago. Crazy to think about. Anyways, I'll be in touch soon~ I hope you enjoyed reading this part.

-Al