Russia continued walking down the snowy bridge, leaning on his pipe like a cane. He didn't mind being alone, he was used to it really. As he walked, he thought of the tasks his superior had given to him earlier. Even someone as lonely and cold as him couldn't even consider doing it. A sharp 'aiya' from ahead stopped him in his tracks. He looked at the familiar face and smiled. "Oh, hello there friend!"
"I wanted to see if you would let me come over to your place, aru." Russia smiled and nodded as he held out his arm for China to grab. China ran to him and took his arm, holding his friend up. "Did you hurt your leg again, aru?" "Da. I was… "He contemplated the information he was about to release to his closest friend. "I was… commanded to fight with America again today. Orders are orders da?" China looked down, sympathetically. "Da, aru." They looked up at each other and laughed. Without saying anything else, they walked through the heavy snow to the place where Russia lived. "Oh wow! This is amazing, aru!" China said as he observed the massive space filled with beautiful instruments, paintings, furniture, and pottery. "Is it not? Da, I've been collecting over the centuries. Feel free to… enjoy yourself. Hurt nothing, da?" Russia smiled and limped over to an embroidered chair while China continued to explore the advances of Russia's house. Another exclamation told Russia that China just found the kitchen utensils. "What an odd liking…" Russia said to himself as he took off his boots. Meanwhile, China was testing Russia's kitchen knives, cleaning one or two. "Ah, what a disappointment. He always leaves… whatever this is… on his knives, aru!" China turned around to see his friend dressed in his regular pants and an undershirt. "Aiya!" China jerked around, blushing. Russia, not noticing, went behind China and hugged him as any friend would. China blushed a little harder and shrugged Russia off to hide his emotion. "Stop that! People might get the wrong idea, aru!" Russia bowed his head and backed off. "Da… Sorry." "I- It's nothing, aru." Russia looked down at his feet. "China, there's something I have to tell you." China turned to see Russia's saddened face. "China, you're my closest friend, nyet? But I was scared to get close to you… because I knew this day would come…" He paused and winced. "China, I've been ordered to kill you."
China held tight to the knife he was holding, ready to defend himself, but Russia just stood there, tears welling up from his soft purple eyes. China slowly lowered his uplifted hands, quivering. "You mean…"
"Da…. I am to kill you. But how could I? I know orders are orders, but nyet, I cannot do it!" Russia's hands quivered as he went to hug his friend again. China shoved the knife onto Russia's built chest, crying. "Do it! Orders are orders, aru!" Russia broke down into tears and grabbed the knife. "I'm sorry…" China looked up and smiled. "Do it, aru." Russia lifted the knife and held it to his friends quivering throat. "I- I'm sorry… So sorry…"
Russia woke up sweating and turned his head to see China quietly sleeping on Russia's chest. He smiled and put his head back on his pillow. "Ah. I see." And he allowed himself the next few moments to watch China cling to his waist. Alive and well, his best friend. His purple eyes swelled with happiness and he went back to sleep.