Oh hell, no.

Messing with China is like going through a complex labyrinth with hundreds and thousands of dead-ends, complete with a Minotaur in each one. There are countless of reasons why he couldn't do so, as well as wouldn't dream to really try, it's a whole minefield around him.

Chen wasn't just the country who sent numerous skeptical marine forces sighted in the Philippines, especially the infamous Spratly Islands and West Philippine Sea tension at hand, but he was also his twin sister's best friend. Even with the ice between the two men, he considered the Chinese like his own brother, he wouldn't dare start a conflict with him... and unfortunately, the same goes for Ame.

Del was just also beginning to like China, he wouldn't want to ruin that (they were childhood best friends in the first place, but soon broke their friendship due to an explainable reason). Most importantly, he's afraid of the communist, no doubt. At this point, my heart bleeds for Philip—he was stuck in a huge dilemma.

"Ame," the Filipino tried to hide his gulp, "This is a terrible idea."

"... Why is that so?" Joe was not surprised the shorter country would object. He just continued to smile at him, fixing his shades every now and then.

Philip didn't like that look of his friend at all. It seems like if the US already sorted things out no matter how much he refuses. "Well..." he tried to continue, even though he knew the country before him was already aware, "You see, they're a huge country of power."

"So?"

"You won't stand a chance."

"And?"

"This is a friendly, peaceful international council meeting we're attending, need I remind you of that? We shouldn't cause a war by all means, it's risky if we dare tried, knowing other countries will be watching us."

"What else?"

"Besides, he's my," he was quiet on the last part, "Ally."

There was a moment of silence between the two leaders. America shifted his foot after a couple of minutes, while Philippines fiddled carelessly with the zipper of his jacket. It was after Joe rubbed his hands together when he finally broke the uneasy tranquility.

"Phil, stop being such a wimp, will ya?" he snickered, staring at the floor.

"I'm not some stupid wimp." Philip quietly whimpered in annoyance.

"Listen, Philip, you want to ensure the safety of your people, and their dignity, right? Then how will you do so when you yourself cannot maintain your own? I'm doing you a huge favor as a friend, your only friend, Pip." he started to grin in a twisted manner, "And don't you dare tell me I don't stand a chance-I own too much of enough already, you're forgetting that one main element of mine, bud."

No matter how he felt very opposed to America's ideals, it's not like he had any much of a choice. Joe is a super power, carefree at its best as a country, and Pip was nothing more than scattered leftovers after countless tragedies.

So he sighed, "It shouldn't cause a war, you got that?"

America smiled at his friend's words in delight, "Roger. It won't even leave a scratch on yer shore, ya got my word on that."

I highly doubt that, Philippines rolled his eyes in thought.

________________________________

"I see you've been avoiding me the whole afternoon." the larger countryhuman spoke in a low voice.

"America!" Sia yelped in surprise, laughing anxiously right after, "I did not see you there, you look great! How are you? Did you guys sort things out with Phil and Chen?" she randomly poured everything in. Dangit, shut your bloody mouth, Sia. This is awkward.

Obviously, she didn't know why she was suddenly all jittery. This is just America, he's her friend, she shouldn't feel this way for him.

Or she was only overreacting to the fact that he popped out of nowhere which caused her to jump.

Joe, on the other hand, had his questioning eye brow up at her for the sudden overflow of retorts. She was afraid he might've noticed her nervousness, but was relieved to see a smile playing on his lips before laughing it all off.

"What's gotten into ya, Ruskibits? You looked too eager to see me, ey?" he chuckled to a mischievous smirk, much to her confusion, "But don't worry, we'll get that alone time we always wanted to have after the meeting."

The last time she came face-to-face with the guy, he left a bad impression, which made this scene quite shivering for her rather than feeling embarrassed. He threatened her to declare war several times between his and her country, if ever she dared try to reach out and make contracts to countries under US alliance, especially to Philippines, as he was not just a friend but it seemed he was more than that. One of "America's most brilliant prized possessions", he would never dream of anyone lay a delicate figure on him.

But why the sudden change of atmosphere?

Did he finally calmed himself down, away from thoughts on nukes? And what he said earlier was an attempt flirt? Why would he-

Frick it, Russia, what the sack is wrong with your head lately??, she thought, which almost made me doubt this book could be Rusame instead of Rusphil, but forget what I said, let's move on.

Ignoring his retort, she quickly changed the topic, "Anyways, what was that all about with the sneaking-Chen facade?" She asked in wonder, whilst looking around cautiously in case China or any other countries might hear.

When she stared back at Ame, however, there was a dark sensation around him the moment she asked, it made her palms turn cold. "No reason. It's just that," he paused leaning in on her ear to whisper, "I smell war."

Sia widened her eyes just as he pulled down his glasses a little to reveal two intimidating ice-cold blue irises, smiling at her in a maniacal fantasy, "You... Are also hiding something from the world as well, am I right?"

"Every country has its own top secret, confidential info, Mr. Joe." She immediately defended herself to ward away newfound suspicion. However, the way their current conversation led to the topic of secrets was undoubtedly nerve-wracking, so she wasn't entirely that calm.

"Thus, I see nothing significant will be gained if I answered your question." She added.

"Well, you got a point. I was only making sure." He laughed, his casually carefree self returning in his facial features, "Since I received a report on China's shady and misleading actions, I thought of checking his allies, hahaha, cuz y'know, you're his biggest ally."

She gulped, but stood firm as he backed away to look at her. She may not show it, but Ame knows exactly the kind of numb expression she's giving him, so he could only smile, pleased at her reaction.

Did he find out in the end? She sweatdropped, and frowned. No, as of now, he's only provoking her in hopes of accidentally leaking the beans-she won't let that happen.

"We're friends, Sia, you know that." He suddenly pointed out as he turned to leave, "Though it would've been better if we were allies as well."

She was left staring at the doorway he walked out of, all the while the countries around her were on their way out as well, buzzing with murmurs to their allied counterparts. Russia recalled rejecting alliance with the American power, some might've thought it was a stupid and hostile gesture, considering the history between them, but the reason she did it was most likely for the sake of pride.

She knew she didn't need America to survive, they were equals, and Ame knew that. Yet he insisted anyway, and unfortunately for him, Russia could see through him and the other countries like him very well.

Super countries don't have the capability to hide themselves, no matter how much they might even think of bribing the media—they just can't, they're huge!

Ukraine approached his sister, who was still staring at the door in a rather dim expression, noticing her fingers fidgeting every now and then. He did see America talk to her earlier—was she somehow worried about something he said?

"You look nervous." He said, as soon as he stood beside her.

Sia nodded, "Brother, Ame—"

"Did he know something?"

"... I'm afraid it seemed that way." She bit her lip as she said that. Rain was a little wavered, and whispered, "Was it something that's related to the China-issue earlier?"

"That... Might be it."

Her brother frowned, but quickly shook off the feeling of uneasiness, as he pat on both her shoulders. At times like these, worrying as well would definitely be even worse and useless, so he attempts to make her forget about her concerns as soon as possible in turn.

"Why don't we go out and buy some ice cream?" Was the first thing he said, of all the nonsensical things he could come up with.

"On a rainy day like this? I'll pass, besides, I don't like sweets." She sneered.

"But it's not just any ice cream! What was it called again, it's uh, I think it starts with an O? Orb..."

"Sorbetes." Sia rolled her eyes at Ukraine's obviously staged ignorance.

"Right, sorbetes~" he smiled in so carefree, "—your favourite."

"Do I have to tell you for the nth time, that I don't. Like. Swee—"

"He gave you one, don't you recall?" Rain smirked mischievously, trying not to spit a laugh at her fuming face.

Her eyes grew large in embarrassment, just as her brothers Belarus and Kazakhstan snuck into them. "Oooh~" El coyly grinned, his eyebrows climbing up and down in a lenny face, "I heard someone mentioned sorbetes."

"You guys are eating Sia's-favourite-sweet-that-isn't-entirely-true-since-she-doesn't-like-sweets-so-she-only-eats-it-for-the-sake-of-Phil—" Zach blurted out loudly and fast like a rapper, before being interrupted by his dear sister who quickly clamped his mouth shut.

"... I hate you all." She glared at them with a contrasting smile, and a nerve mark being visible on her chin.

"We love you, Russia!" All three brothers laughed lovingly in unison, in which she couldn't help but muster a small chuckle. O what will she do if they weren't there for her?

"Ms. Russia." A small but commanding voice called out to her. Sia turned to see none other than her frowny-faced best friend, Martial, gazing at her in a monotone behavior. While some might see this as a hostile gesture, the slav knew that the Filipina was normally like that, and she's completely fine with her friend being that way.

"What's the matter?" She asked.

"Brother wants to see you." Russia flushed at her friend's words. Philip... Wants to see me?