Author's Note: Much of this version is the same, so please bear with the same-ness.
It was cold. Agonizingly cold.
But, then again, the small country was trekking through Russia in the middle of winter in nothing but a red turtleneck, a black skirt that whipped around her thighs, and fuzzy black boots. Despite being nearly frozen, Reich moved forward against the wind. She was on her way to her Vater's house. Germany was not really her father, but he had been responsible for her existence. If it had not been for the small military base built on a temperate island in the Pacific, she would never been born. Despite being an independent nation, she still deferred to her Vater. She visited him at least once a year.
The girl cursed through pursed, frozen lips. She should have taken Ludwig's advice. He always told her to stay out of Russia. He was worried that Ivan would take her prisoner and torture her. She paid no mind to his warnings, wanting instead to get to his house as soon as possible. Her country did not have an airport; only a small runway for emergency landings.
Reich tripped in the knee-high snow and landed face first in the icy, white snow. She cursed loudly, as she lay in the snow. Her breath came out in a white cloud. A shiver ran through her body. She considered simply laying there and waiting for spring. The thought made her laugh, a harsh sound. Tears leaked from her eyes to freeze on her cheek. She was really cold. Really, REALLY cold.
As she began to force her frozen limbs to move, Reich felt a hand grab the back of her shirt and haul her to her feet. She wobbled slightly, as her feet sank back into the snow. The girl, surprised at the occurrence, whirled around to look at who had retrieved her from the snow. A smiling Ivan met her startled gaze.
"You should really wear a coat, da." Ivan said pleasantly. His voice did not quite match the slightly strained smile he was sporting. Reich nodded her head.
"I forgot to grab one when I left the island." She said with a nervous laugh. She had heard of Russia's legendary streak of cruelness. She scratched the back of her head nervously. She was not sure how to proceed. She decided to turn and start back on her way.
Movement behind her and a sudden warmth brought Reich to a stop. She turned to look at Ivan, hands immediately going to the overcoat he had dropped onto her shoulders. She was shocked that the rumored cold-hearted country had given her his coat.
"Remember to wear a coat next time or General Winter will get you." Ivan warned before turning and walking away from the shocked girl.
Reich nodded mutely at Russia's back. Once he was lost in the flurry of snow, she slipped her arms into the sleeves and fastened the large coat. She was practically drowning in the brown coat.
"Thank you." She whispered, hugging the coat to herself. It was warm from Ivan's body heat and smelled of him and blood and sunflowers. It was an interesting smell. She flipped up the collar and started towards Ludwig's once more, thawing within the warm piece of clothing.