Estonia strolled cheerfully through the overly decorated halls, humming a happy tune under his breath. It was a stormy winter night, and now, hot chocolate sounded delicious. Perhaps Lithuania would join him?
Dear, sweet Lithuania. A crease furrowed his brow as the image of the shy brunette flashed across his mind. Russia had pulled him into his 'office' two days ago. Estonia hadn't seen him since, and two days was a really long time. Knowing Russia, anything could be happening behind those padlocked doors, although he rather doubted that they were watching movies and eating popcorn in there.
He just hoped it wasn't what usually happened. Estonia wasn't sure how many of Lithuania's silent tears had soaked into the oaken floors of Russia's 'office'. He walked past the suspicious door and resisted the urge to press his ear against it.
For about three seconds.
He dove back to the door, and eavesdropped, hoping to hear something, anything! Sure enough, the faint sound of crying drifted from underneath the door. "Lithuania?" he whispered, "Is that you in there?"
"Y-yes," Lithuania sniffled. "Estonia? Is that you?" He gently scooted towards the door. Please be Estonia...I don't want anyone else...
"Yes, it's me. Can you open the door? Are you ok?" Lithuania did not reply, and Estonia adjusted his glasses while patiently waiting. At last, the door clicked open and Estonia flung his arms around Lithuania.
"You're all bruised and cut up!" Estonia gasped. "What happened?" Lithuania had bruises dotted all over him, and his shirt was torn. A cut on his cheek dripped blood, and he had dark circles under his eyes. HIs feet were bare and he was shivering in the freezing room. It was hardly any better than the cold outside.
"Russia...he dragged me in here." Lithuania trembled and Estonia pulled him closer. "He wanted t-to...to..." He began to cry and Estonia hushed him comfortingly.
It's ok, you don't have to say..." Estonia thumbed away Lithuania's tears, hating seeing him so broken and sad. That damn Russia!
Lithuania inhaled deeply, but shakily. "I tried to stand up for myself, but...he hit me. And then he did it anyway. And then he hit me more." He dissolved into tears again.
Estonia hugged him and let him cry into his shirt, and rubbed calming circles on his back. "I'm so sorry..." he felt a tear slip from his own eye, "Of all the people to hurt like that, why you?! Why?! You don't deserve this! You don't deserve any pain in your life because you are nice! You are so nice! Even to tyrants like Russian and assholes like Poland!"
Thankfully, Lithuania had stopped crying. "You really think I'm...nice?" He almost looked like a little kid, eyes shining with hope at the compliment.
"Of course I think you're nice! You're beyond nice! That's why you don't deserve," he gestured wildly around the room, "this."
"I always thought maybe I had done something terrible, and just forgot about it. And maybe this was God's punishment." He looked down, weakly trying to smile.
"Don't you ever think that!" Estonia hissed fiercely. Lithuania flinched and he instantly felt terrible for snapping. He wrapped his arms around Lithuania again and cradled him gently. "Shhh, I'm sorry. Do you want to get some hot cocoa with me?"
Lithuania sniffed again and nodded, wincing as Estonia helped him get up. He smiled faintly.
"I'd love to."
*ahem*, expect smut-smut in the future...
;)
