Evolution

Chapter 1

It was the first conference after the World War III where all the countries appeared - not counting those who passed away, of course. Unfortunately, nothing was the same after the war; many parts of the globe had been devastated, and even those who survived had suffered a lot. There were countries who took so much damage they would stay crippled for the rest of their lives. America had gotten seriously wounded in his leg, and since then had to use a cane to walk. On the other hand there were also countries who very quickly rebuilt their lands, like Germany and Italy, who where now openly together. All the nations started to recover before long, and tried their best to create a new and better world. The New United Nations Committee (NUNC) had been called in order to monitor the behaviour of the nations who had caused the most problems. The strongest European powers were in the committee, as well as America and Japan. They kept an especially close eye on Russia and China in particular, as they were the ones who had started the war. Fortunately both empires became quite humble and peaceful during all those years.
“Since all of you are now here, I wish to mention a very important issue.” England spoke during the meeting. He was one of the creators of the NUNC, so his opinion mattered a lot. “We all know that our world wouldn't survived another war. Therefore, we should take measures to prevent in from happening again, in every way possible. I suggest that every country should disarm.”
Loud noises could be heard when the other nations started discussing the issue.
“I disagree!” Germany decided to express his thoughts. “We won't feel secure without an army.”
“If nobody has an army, there won't be a reason to feel insecure,” explained Switzerland.
“What about natural disasters or terrorism? There will always be a reason to have an army,” America countered, and some nodded in agreement.
“Fine, lets vote,” decided England.
Eventually, it turned out that the majority of countries preferred to stay armed, although not every one of them could.
“That reminds me of something.” Arthur continued. “Russia, China, you remember the agreement, right? There’s exactly one year left till it expires.”
“Don't worry, England, we don't have an army. You can check if you want.” Ivan said with a usual smile, which Arthur was sure was false.
“We also agreed that you may not create any new countries till that time. Please, bear it in mind.”
Normally England wouldn't even mention that, but since he knew Russia and China were pretty close, he preferred to make sure they weren't up to anything, especially as recently, the nations were undergoing some unusual. No matter how strange it seemed for the first few decades of the change, it soon became fact that some males had gained the ability to reproduce with other males. Scientist, in order to explain such a phenomenon, stated that it was due to the growing lack of females that made nature find such a peculiar way of defending the species from extinction. It still wasn't very common for males to get pregnant, but knowing Russia's aspire to expansion, and his relationship with China, England preferred to take some extra precautions. He could not forgive them for what they had done to Alfred.
“I assure you we won't violate the agreement,” said China, ending the conversation on that particular subject.
The next part of the meeting was devoted to the economy and how to deal with hunger and poverty, which was still a big problem after the war. Some of the nicely prospering countries were becoming bored and impatient, Italy in particular. He just couldn't wait until he would get out of this room, go with Germany somewhere private, and make sweet passionate love to him. He spent the rest of the meeting groping Ludwig's knee under the table, leaning on him, and whispering how he loves him and needs him, making Germany was blush furiously. Eventually Ludwig got so excited that, as one of the leaders of NUNC, he suggested a break.
Because of the recess, travelling became very troublesome. Many nations instead used accessible rooms in the conference building. Italy stormed into his chamber, dragging Germany with him. If somebody stood beside the door, they could hear Feliciano moaning “Please, in me, in me,” or “oh god, I love you so much.” Well, France sometimes did, but he was not the only one who likes hearing what other nations were doing behind closed doors. England couldn't help himself from spying - it was in his blood. He especially liked to spy on those he didn't trust, so he stood at the door of Russia's room, with a glass cup placed against it.
Inside, the atmosphere was quite tense. China was walking from one wall to another, obviously worried with something.
“I can't believe it,” he said. “How can he know?”
“He doesn't know anything.” Russia seemed perfectly calm.
“But he suspects something, otherwise he wouldn't say about all those things.”
“There's no way he could suspect something, he just wanted to scare you. Here, sit beside me.” Ivan said with a soothing voice, and grabbed Yao by the hand. “Calm down, getting nervous won't make you any good. Everything will be fine.” He embraced his lover with one arm, and with the other he started playing with his long hair. “England hates us so he'll do everything to make us feel insecure, but I doubt he could actually suspect anything. He's not too smart.”
“But what if he finds out?”
“He won't.” Russia placed a light kiss on China's lips. “I won't let him.”
England was absolutely shocked. When he started spying on them, he didn't actually think he would hear something like that. He even used to believe that Russia had learned his lesson and became humble, innocent nation, but now he realised that only an idiot would be fooled but Ivan's sweet smile. Nations didn't change just like that, and even now, all those years after the war, Russia and China were able to lie straight to England’s eyes during World Conferences.
“And they call me a pervert.”
Arthur almost jumped when he heard Francis' voice.
----
Things always used to be changing between England and America. They were close, then they fought, then they were close again, and so on. There were still some aspects Arthur disliked about Alfred, but he still worried about him, and even felt responsible for him, especially after Russia had hurt America so badly in the war.
“I'm confused,” said Arthur when he visited Alfred in his house. “Or maybe it's only anger?”
“What happened?” asked Alfred, seeing that his friend had something on his mind.
“I accidentally overheard a conversation between Russia and China.”
“Accidentally?” America couldn't believe that England would actually overhear anything accidentally.
Arthur ignored his comment.
“I'm absolutely certain they are hiding something. China seemed pretty upset with what I told him during conference - I mean that part about new countries.”
“Are you suggesting that they may actually...No...you really think so?” America looked very surprised.
“Of course. I might have misunderstood them, but I cannot ignore what I heard. I must do something quickly. I won't let them violate the terms of agreement and get away with it.”
-----
There weren’t any servants left in Russia's palace except the people who would come from time to time and help with different things in exchange for food and vodka, and loyal Lithuania who would never leave his master. But apart from that, and his beloved China, Ivan was left on his own. Latvia and Estonia had moved out declared independence, and his sisters had died during the war. He grabbed their photo while tiding up his sleeping chamber, and thought how lonely he'd become. If not for Yao, his life would have become completely void. He looked forward for the day when his empire would be strong again, when the other nations would fear him and respect him, and his palace wouldn't be so empty any more.
“Maybe you should hide this picture, it brings back bad memories,” suggested China when he entered the room.
“Memories are a good thing.” Russia put the photo back.
“I hate it when I see you sad.”
“I'm not sad.” Russia smiled, and looked at his lover. “Actually I'm very happy, because at last, things are getting better. They're just the way I want them to be.”
The peacefulness of the moment was interrupted by Lithuania who stormed into the chamber looking anxious and uneasy.
“I'm sorry, but I received a letter. It's addressed to you, master China” Toris explained trembling slightly.
China took the letter. His eyes grew wide as he read the address.
“It's from NUNC,” he said with fear, “but it's signed by England.” He noticed when he started reading. “He wants to meet with me, he says it's very important.”
“Can I have a look?” Russia took the letter and his smile instantly faded away.
“Oh no, what should I do? Why does it have to happen now? It's not fair!” China got even more upset.
“You should go, he can't see that you're afraid. If you don't come, he'll definitely suspect something,” explained Ivan. He handed the letter back in the envelope to Lithuania, who looked the most frightened of them all.
“How can you be so calm?” Yao asked his lover.
“Because he wants me to be afraid, and I refuse to give him this satisfaction.”
China placed his head on Russia's broad chest and embraced him. He felt Ivan running a finger down his spine, causing a nice shiver through his body. He wanted to stay like that forever, but he knew Russia was right. He had to go and act, still keeping England and the rest of the NUNC in darkness.
----
“I'm glad you showed up so quickly.” Arthur commented, having a cup of tea with Yao.
He didn't want it to look too formal so they met in his house.
“Just get straight to the point. Believe me, I want to go back home,” said China, trying not to reveal any emotions.
“Fine, I will be one hundred percent honest with you. I brought you here because I heard, of course by accident, you and Russia speaking about things which made me, how can I say, a bit concerned.”
“What do you mean?” China looked calm, but inside he was one big bundle of nerves.
“I know how close you and Ivan are, and I also know that some males have this... you know... ability. So there's only one think I really want to know, and please forgive my boldness, but... are you expecting a child?”
“I beg your pardon?!” Yao blushed furiously, feeling embarrassed, shocked and humiliated at the same time.
“Are you pregnant? It is a simple question, so just give me a simple answer - yes or no?” England's eyes almost bored into him.
“Of course not!” China raised his voice.
“Good, so you won't mind getting examined by my doctor, just to make sure?” Arthur stayed calm for the whole time. He also seemed pretty confident.
This time Yao was really furious. He just wanted to wipe the smug smile away from England's face.
“Fine,” he agreed eventually. What else could he do?
Ivan was sitting in the hothouse and re-reading old books when Yao came back. China had a very angry expression on his face, and he trembled even more then Lithuania usually did. He didn't even kiss his lover or say hello. First he had to get things out of his mind.
“I've never been so humiliated in my life!” complained China. “He treated me like some kind of a racing horse, having me examined by his doctor.”
“What did he say?” Russia stood up, and put his large hands on Yao's shoulders.
“When he found out that I'm perfectly normal, he looked pretty dumbfounded.”
“See? I told you everything's going to be fine.” Ivan smiled and gave China a large hug.
“Well, I satisfied his curiosity for a while, but... do you really think he's that stupid?”
---
This time it was Arthur who was walking nervously from one wall to another, sipping at a cup of tea to cool his nerves. He had been at it for the entire day – some things just wouldn’t stop bothering him.
“Jesus Christ, just sit down!” Even America, who was usually calm in such a situation, couldn't stand it any more.
“I don't get it. He checked him twice, and they said that he's not even capable of bearing children.”
“Maybe you really misunderstood them?”
“No, I remember what I've heard.” England sat down at last. For a moment he was completely lost in his thoughts, then his expression changed into one of realization.
 “Actually there is one possibility I haven't taken into account.”