Chancing on Salvation

Summary: "Someone in this room wants to die." The nations walk into the meeting room one day to find this note plastered on the table. Through their shock, will they be able to identify the suicidal nation before it's too late?

Chapter One: Discovery

"'Suicide. It's something I've been thinking about. Not too seriously, but I have been thinking about it.'

That's the note. Word for word. And I know it's word for word because I wrote it dozens of times before delivering it. I'd write it, throw it away, write it, crumple it up, throw it away.

But why was I writing it to begin with? I asked myself that question every time I printed the words onto a new sheet of paper. Why was I writing this note? It was a lie. I hadn't been thinking about it. Not really. Not in detail. The thought would come into my head and I'd push it away.

But I pushed it away a lot."

― Jay Asher, Thirteen Reasons Why

"I can't believe you dragged me along again! Not awesome, West!" Prussia complained as he walked behind Germany to the meeting room. The nation had been threatened with the absence of all his beer, so Prussia had reluctantly tagged along. "You may not be a nation, but you still need to know the state of world affairs!" the other reprimanded.

"'World affairs', huh? What, did Romano cheat on Spain or something?" Prussia teased, laughing when his brother glared at him. "Oh, look, it's cute little Italy!" he noticed, and went to chat with the pasta-loving nation. Germany groaned.

Nearby, America was talking to his northern neighbor enthusiastically. "Hey, bro! Did'ya check out the expansion of McDonald's worldwide? I bet there's even some in that north place of yours!" he was saying, grinning in triumph. He was confused when Canada- Canadia?- shook his head. "No, Nunavut is the only McDonald's-free province in my country. I doubt they would appreciate one either." the nation corrected, prompting America to begin a rant about how McDonalds was the best place on earth.

"Owwww!" Denmark whined as Norway strangled him with his tie again. "Why do you even wear a tie when it will be used to torture you, anyway?" Iceland questioned curiously. "H' pr'b'bly d'dn't real'ze th't." Sweden remarked, making Finland chuckle nervously as the Dane and Swede began a glaring contest.

On the other side of the room, Russia was talking happily with the Baltic states (who didn't seem to return the elation), and Ukraine was holding a conversation with her sister. Japan was conversing pleasantly with China and Korea (mostly China...) at the entrance. Overall, most of the nations were present, with Greece and Turkey glaring at each other in a corner. It was the World meeting, after all, and they didn't dare skip it in fear of missing something important. Besides, it was being held in England this time, ensuring that they actually made progress with their work.

"Is everyone- get off me, frog!- here? Alright, we should start heading in, then." Britain instructed, opening the door. The nations quickly hung their coat on a nearby coat stand and followed. They entered the room noisily- it was large, with a giant table in the middle capable of seating at least 20. No one took much notice of their surroundings as they went to sit in their assigned chair- the seating plans had been created weeks ago.

America sat down beside Japan, dragging the chair back with a loud noise. Suddenly, he paused. "Hey, guys! Look, there's a note in the middle of the table!" he exclaimed emphatically. Climbing on the table ("Feet off the table, America!"), he grabbed the rectangular piece of paper and sat down, starting to read it aloud.

"Dude, check this out! It says 'someone in this room wants... to... die...' WHAT?" the nation shouted, doubting what he had just read. Britain sighed. "Give it here." he instructed as America passed the note to him. It was certainly well made; the silver plated lettering and lightly scented paper made it seem more like a wedding invitation than a possible suicide note. Still, the sharp font on the dark blue background gave it a dreary feel, and there was no writing other than the words in the front. "...He's right. 'Someone in this room wants to die.' is what it says. C-could this possibly be a hoax? After all, why would a nation want to..."

"Actually, it's possible. Bad economy would certainly make us suffer. And suicide is the only way for us to die, non? Besides, we've been alive for so long, if someone was just sick of it..." France reasoned. There was a moment of silence as the nations realized the implications.

"O-oh no! We have to help them! Fratello, let's make pasta for everybody-"

"Pasta won't help right now, idiota!" Romano yelled back, although just as worried as Italy was.

China bit his lip as he studied the others. Who could it be...? Why would someone leave a note? Perhaps as a parting warning? A final hint that the mentioned nation was losing it, and that they needed to do something...

"In any case, we need to stop them! Listen, whoever you are, we can help-" Spain was cut off as Romano interrupted him. "It could be you for all we know!"

Everyone quieted down again as they registered Romano's comment. It could be anyone. Someone, in this room, wanted to take their own life. Someone was fed up with living. Perhaps it was one of their siblings- or their lover? The nations began to look at their families desperately, praying that they were all right. Tension was building up in the air.

"Listen, this note could be describing any nation in this room. We can't jump to any conclusions." Germany's strong voice attempted to reason. But he was worried as well. It couldn't be Italy, he wouldn't... or would he?

"Hm, if it were handwritten, then we could compare writing, but the letters are clearly typed." Russia frowned. While the nation didn't seem outwardly concerned, he couldn't doubt the fear that it could be one of his sisters. Perhaps Belarus had finally given up on him? Or maybe Ukraine's responsibilities were too overwhelming...

"M-maybe we should all just be there for each other this week." Finland suggested weakly. The other Nordics DID seem like they could do something like that, however much the happy nation wanted to believe in them. They had been especially hard on Iceland in the past week, and Denmark and Sweden argued just this morning... Sweden placed a hand on his shoulders to comfort him.

"T-that's a g-good idea." America stuttered. After all, it was quite spooky in a way... But he was the hero, and heroes were supposed to save the people in danger! He glanced at his family. Britain and France seemed somber, and Canada looked shocked and worried. His own countenance probably mirrored theirs...

The meeting commenced, taking on a more serious mood than any of the previous ones. The significance of the note prevented the customary interruptions and inane commentary from happening. The tenseness in the air was almost palpable.

Which was why they were relieved when the lunch break came around at 12:30. The nations practically jumped out of their seats and ran out of the room. Not for food, but in order to appease their uneasiness.

...oOo...

"H-hey, tomato bastard..." Romano started nervously. The Spaniard had dragged him to a nearby coffee shop, and they were seated at a table close to the window with doughnuts and smoothies in front of them (don't ask; Spain had ordered). "Hm? Yes, Lovi?" Spain answered back with a smile.

"D-don't call me that..." Romano mumbled, but returned to his point. "You- Are you okay? Not that I c-care or anything, but... y-you can tell me if something is bothering you, bastard..." he trailed off awkwardly, and Spain stared at him in surprise. "You thought the note was talking about me?" he laughed. "No, absolutely not! I was actually going to ask you the same thing. Tell me, Lovi..." he tilted the Italian's chin up so that they were looking into each other's eyes. "Is there anything at all that you aren't comfortable with?"

Romano blushed, "N-no way. I'm not stupid enough to think about things l-like suicide." He hesitantly smiled, and accepted the embrace that he found himself in a few moments later. "I'm glad. So we're both in the clear, sì?" Romano nodded against his chest. Spain sighed in relief. So it wasn't Romano. The dark haired Italian just seemed so... Spain shook his head. He shouldn't doubt his little Lovi! His eyes flickered in determination, and he realized that Romano was feeling the same way. "W-we have to find that idiot, and kick some sense into him." he declared, and the other agreed immediately. "Suicide is something horrible... I'd be mucho triste if it was someone I loved."

A/N Well, that's two people cleared. Or is it? Anyway, I don't want to add in the characters for the story description just yet, since it would probably be a spoiler. Oh yeah, I go with the headcanon that a nation can only die when it commits suicide (this was someone else's... I forget who...). Who do you guys think it is, and whom do you think left the note? :)

Also, I recently became a beta-reader, so feel free to ask me to edit anything (I can get back to you in an hour)! Thanks for reading, and please leave a review! :D