Hello, my amazing readers! I have a new story for you guys. In this one, each chapter focuses on an argument/betrayal between two of the Baltics. First up, is Lithuania vs. Latvia. Please feel free to leave a review. They never fail to make my day and encourage me to keep writing. I already have Estonia's chapter planned out, but...I NEEDyour guy's help. I have no idea what to write for Lativa! Please, please help me out of this funk, and send me ideas; who should Latvia get angry with and why?

Now, thank you for honoring me by reading, and please enjoy.

Disclaimer: Hetalia does not belong to me.

"Вы, глупые мальчики! Иди сюда! Теперь!" Russia's roar tore through the house, like a wind on a Siberian plane. Lithuania's head shot up from his tedious work of folding laundry. An icy weight settled in the pit of his stomach. Quickly, he stood up and made his way to the massive foyer, where he knew Russia would be waiting.

As soon as he entered the room, he could practically taste the change in atmosphere. The air was thick and heavy with an impending sense of doom. The massive Slavic nation stood in front of the two younger Baltics. Both stood as if their spine were made from an inflexible rod. Dread sank its claws into Lithuania as he went to join them.

For a moment Russia stared at them, eyes lit with angry fire. Lithuania could hardly see his lips, they were pursed so tight. Any comment he might have made to calm the situation died on his tongue. Whatever crime had been committed was serious, no amount of talk would lessen the anger. Lithuania stood still, waiting for Russia to speak. His chest ached, and he had to repeatedly remind himself not to fidget. A drop of sweat trailed down his neck, but still Russia said nothing. Instead, he merely forced breath out between his clenched teeth. Oh god, Lithuania realized, he's too angry to speak! Lithuania's own breathing picked up speed, and his eyes clouded until all he could see, all he could here, all he could notice was Russia.

Finally, the giant nation gained control over himself. "I come home," he began, "from work. I go and talk to the Tzar. Together, we make sure that life is good, not just for me, and my people, but for you three as well."

"Thank you, Mr. Russia," the three stuttered out together. "Imagine my surprise though, when I come home and find that I have been stolen from!" Lithuania cast a quick glance at his two brothers. Their faces showed nothing but confusion. "Look at me Litva!" Russia snarled and immediately blue eyes were trained back on him.

"Latvia, did someone come in to our house and over power you and your brothers?"

"N-no sir." Latvia whimpered.

"Hmm. Then one of you must have stolen from me." Panic tightened its hold on Lithuania's heart. No, no, no. This can't be happening. If he thinks one of us stole…what's missing…can we change his mind?

"Estonia," Russia barked, and said nation stood a little straighter. "Are you not satisfied in my home? Do I not provide you with more than enough food? More than enough clothing? Are you not tucked into a warm bed every night?"

"We have all we need…and more sir."

Russia scrutinized him for a moment longer before resting his eyes on Lithuania.

"Litva, are you angry with me? Are you and your brothers trying to punish me?"

Lithuania shook his head. "No sir. Never sir. We-"

"Silence!" Russia interrupted him. "One of you is lying, because…" from behind his back he pulled an empty vodka bottle. "I found this in my cabinet. And four more of its friends. All empty. Do any of you care to explain how this happened?"

"M-aybe you drank it all and put them back," Latvia suggested meekly. Lithuania swiveled his head to gawk at his youngest brother. Latvia, he wanted to wail. Shut up! But Latvia was never good at keeping his thoughts in his head. "M-maybe you forgot that you had drank them all. N-not cause you were drunk! N-no. Maybe…it's cause you were so busy. Taking care of us and all."

"Do you think I am stupid, little one?" Russia growled. With eyes widened by fear, Latvia shook his head. "N-no sir!"

"Then why is my vodka missing?" The anger in that one sentence had all three Baltics trembling. Come on Lietuva. Get control over yourself. Fix this!

"Mr. Russia," he began tensely. Russia's eyes locked on him. "perhaps…" his voice squeaked so he cleared it and began again. "I think one of us got so wrapped up in cleaning the kitchen, that we didn't notice when we put five empty vodka bottles back in the pantry."

Russia raised an eyebrow. "You, Litva, somehow managed to put five empty vodka bottles back into the cupboard?"

"I thought they were full." Lithuania suggested nervously. "I…I can be very silly like that sometimes." He forced out a weak chuckle. "It won't happen again sir."

"Oh Litva, you are not silly…stupid…that is the right word for you."

Lithuania closed his eyes and bit his lip. "I'm sorry," he murmured.

"You're more stupid than I thought if you think I believe that." He crossed the room in three quick strides and gripped Lithuania's face in his gloved hand, forcing Lithuania's neck back. "What happened to my vodka?"

"I-I don't know sir!" His eyes flashed around and he caught sight of Latvia. The poor boy was shaking, and pale, and he kept mouthing something. Man žēl Man žēl; I'm sorry.

Oh Latvia. Lithuania wanted to hug his brother, he could just picture what had happened. Latvia had moved all the bottles from their shelves to clean it, when he knocked over a few. Scared, he put them back, hoping Russia would not find them.

I wish you would have told me. Estonia and I would have tried to find a way out of this. Russia saw him looking at Latvia. "Ah, Little Latvia," he said, releasing Lithuania and stalking over to the trembling mess of blond curls and petit body. "Do you have something to tell me?"

"I drank it!" Lithuania blurted out. "It was me, I drank your vodka." Relief shown in Estonia's eyes, and he flashed the eldest a strained smile. Lithuania returned it, and then resumed talking to Russia. "I'm sorry sir." Russia turned back to Lithuania, while Latvia ran to Estonia who pulled him into a protective embrace. They both watched the drama unfolding in front of them.

"You…Litva why?"

"I wanted to know what it tasted like. Poland and I only ever had…" he trailed off for Russia's face grew darker at that name. Nothing good ever came from mentioning Poland.

"If you would have asked me for a sip, I would have given it to you." Russia told him sadly. Lithuania couldn't meet his eyes. "And you drank five whole bottles? Litva, I think after your punishment, you and I will need to address your drinking problem. A tiny nation like you can't hold that much vodka. It's not healthy for you." Lithuania flushed. "I'm sorry," he whispered. Oh, I'm the one with a drinking problem? Mr. Russia, do you even see how crazy that is? Even if I did drink five bottles, it is practically nothing compared to what you can guzzle down."

"Why did you lie to me about it?"

Lithuania turned even more read. He hated himself, truly hated himself for what he was about to say, what he was about to make himself look like. "I didn't want you to be mad at me."

Russia smiled sadly at him. "Oh, little one. My little Lithuanian mouse. I would have been mad, da. But I will always forgive you. Now, instead of avoiding my anger, I am angry at you twice! Once for drinking, and two for lying. It would have been much easier if you just confessed, da?"

"I'm sorry."

Russia sighed. "I know you are. But that changes nothing. Come with me to the kitchen." Lithuania obediently followed Russia with leaden legs. As they walked, Lithuania focused on resigning himself to his fate. Please God, please don't let it be too bad, he prayed. Why does this always happen? Why can't we just discuss things like normal nations? Why does every mishap, accidental and purposeful result in some horrific punishment?

Lost in thoughts, Lithuania didn't notice when Russia stopped, so he bumped into him. Russia chuckled as Lithuania rubbed his slightly aching nose. "You're so cute Litvuska!" he chirped. Lithuania gave him a hopeful smile. If Russia was in a good mood, maybe the punishment could be avoided? As if sensing his thoughts, Russia's face morphed into a scowl. "No" he mumbled more to himself than the brown-haired servant. "Нет," he said again. "I must be firm. I must be firm." Lithuania deflated, this was not going to be an easy punishment.

"Take your shirt off Litva," Russia commanded. Lithuania complied. Russia watched him as he did so, but his darkened face never changed, even as Lithuania spent several agonizing seconds trying in vain to undo a button with trembling fingers. Finally, he managed to do so. Slipping off the shirt and undershirt, he folded them up neatly.

"Lay on the floor."

Lithuania sank to the floor, hating the cold against his belly. He's not even telling me good boy! That can't be good.

He jumped when he heard glass shattering next to him. He looked up in time to see Russia hurl another empty vodka glass against the floor. This one shattered too, and Russia picked up another. "Head down, Litva," he barked. "I don't want glass to get in those pretty eyes of yours."

Obediently, Lithuania buried his face in his arms. Every time the sound of breaking glass rung through the kitchen, he flinched. Russia said nothing to comfort him, indicating just how irate he actually was.

In total, Lithuania counted five broken bottles shattering on the floor. Head still hidden, as it would remain until Russia gave him another command, Lithuania felt the presence of his giant master kneel down beside him. A leather glove touched his back, and Lithuania tensed.

"Remember Litva, you brought this on yourself. You deserve what is about to happen to you for lying and stealing, da?"

"D-da."

Russia was silent, and Lithuania waited in agony for his punishment to begin. Fear made his stomach sour, and his chest hurt.

Without warning, a glass shard buried itself in Lithuania's back.

Lithuania breathed through his nose. He would not make a sound at the first cut. A second shard joined the first, going so deep, Lithuania could feel it scraping against his backbone. Another, and another, and another, and another. The cuts kept forming, yet they hurt so much more than he expected. The cycle continued on, more and more cuts forming across his body.

"Mhm!" Lithuania groaned. Russia paused. "Ah, now we're getting somewhere. Remember Litva, I can't tell if you're learning if I can't hear you crying."

Another cut. "Ah-ahh!"

It felt like every inch of his back had been sliced, but still, Russia continued on-and with every cut Lithuania made sure he voiced his pain.

Finally, Russia stopped, and Lithuania lay panting on the floor. "Look at me Litva," Russia whispered. Lithuania did, and Russia thumbed away the few involuntary tears of pain. "They will come out in a week, and then I will forgive you." Grunting, Russia rose to his feet. "Don't forget your chores," he said before leaving.

Lithuania's mind whirled. Come out in a week? What does that mean? He turned around to get a glimpse of his back and was met with an explosion of pain. "Uh-uhnn!" Lithuania whimpered. Deeply embedded in his back where dozens of shards from the broken vodka bottles. They weren't cuts after all, Lithuania realized miserably. He allowed his head to flop back to the floor, before gathering his strength and pushing himself up. He had to swallow down a scream. Every time he moved his back hurt, and several shards had been positioned so they scraped bone. A week! Mr. Russia's going to leave me like this for a week! Despair seeped into the battered nation's body, and Lithuania blinked away the burning tears that flooded his eyes. Remember why you did it. For Latvia. Thinking of his little brother, Lithuania realized that both boys were probably very worried. Slowly he put back on his shirt and limped out of the kitchen.

Latvia was there to greet him in the hallway.

"L-Lithuania, a-are you okay? I'm so, so, s-sorry!" Latvia wrapped his skinny arms around Lithuania's thin torso and buried his head in his older brother's shirt. Lithuania gasped, but couldn't bring himself to make Latvia let go, not when he was so obviously distraught. He ran his fingers through golden curls. "It's okay Latti. It's okay, don't cry. Hey, look at me."

Latvia let out a whimper. "I'm sorry!" he wailed again, voice muffled.

"Latti," Lithuania said softly, "I'm not mad, honest. It's okay. I don't mind taking the punishment for you. Remember, I told you years ago you could always blame your accidents on me, and I wouldn't care." Sometimes, in his secret heart of hearts, Lithuania regretted telling his two brothers that. They never blamed things on him, but Lithuania felt that they expected him to step in. But then again, that was his job, he had to protect them. They shouldn't be beaten, after all, they had never been empires, they couldn't handle it.

Latvia sobbed harder, while Lithuania stroked his hair. "Do you want to tell me what happened?" he questioned gently. Unloading was Latvia's best combat against guilt.

With watery, violet eyes, Latvia looked at him. "I-I was angry, so I, I, I…dumped it in the garden."

Lithuania froze. "W-what?"

"I dumped out the vodka!" Latvia wailed. Lithuania pried the little nation off him and looked into his eyes, his own blue eyes desperate and pleading. "You dumped it out on purpose?"

Shame-faced, Latvia nodded.

"B-but, weren't you afraid of the punishment? Didn't you care about what Russia would do to you?" Lithuania pleaded, dreading the answer, but refusing to believe it might be true. This will all make sense in a moment. Latvia wouldn't do that to me.

"I…" Latvia choked, "I knew you would take it for me."

The pain in his back was nothing compared to the pain in his chest. He stared at Latvia. "No," he whispered, frantically shaking his head. "No. You wouldn't do that to me. You love me. You wouldn't…I…"

"Lithy, I'm sorry. Please…"

"Don't you dare speak to me," Lithuania snarled, cutting him off. "Don't you ever speak to me again."

Latvia turned pale. "Lithy, please, just listen to me!" The little boy begged, and tried to hold Lithuania's hand, but the older nation backed away. "How could you do that?" he repeated again. His face twisted as he tried to stop the tears, tried to stop the ache in his heart. Turning on his heal, he sprinted away, the pain in his back momentarily forgotten. He left Latvia standing in the hall, whispering over and over. "Lietuvai, es atvainojos. Lūdzu atgriezies. Lūdzu, nevilcini. Man žēl. Es esmu tik žēl."

XXX

Lithuania was able to make it to the library before he collapsed. He rested his head on a soft chair -that he wasn't allowed to sit on unless he had Mr. Russia's express permission-sobbing.

"Lithuania?" He jumped and turned around to see Estonia standing in the doorway. Frantically, he scrubbed his eyes, trying to erase all traces of tears. "Estonia," he said with a forced smile, "I was going to dust in here. It really needs it."

"I'll help you," Estonia replied, walking in and pulling Lithuania to his feet. He stared at the bloodied shirt. "Did Mr. Russia bandage you after…"

Lithuania blushed and shook his head, wilting a bit when he saw Estonia's face tighten. "You know I hate it when you do that. If he doesn't clean you up, you need to come to me. It's not good for your wounds to go untreated. That's how you get sick." He let out a sigh. "And you've ruined your shirt. I may not clean clothes, but I've seen the hours you clean to get blood stains out." With a disappointed shake of his head, he grabbed Lithuania's hand and tugged on it. "Let's go to the bathroom and get you cleaned up."

"Mr. Russia wanted the chores done."

"I think Mr. Russia would be angrier at having to buy you another shirt."

They stood in silence, trying to decide on the best course of action. Whatever they chose, Russia would be angry, so it was merely deciding which would make him less angry. As in all cases involving Russia, Estonia followed Lithuania's led.

"I…I probably should get cleaned up," the brunette eventually determined, and they two made their way to the bathroom.

Estonia didn't make a sound when Lithuania pulled off his shirt, but he did grow noticeably pale. Like usual, Lithuania refused to meet his eyes, instead staring at his hands in shame. No matter how many times Estonia lied and promised it didn't bother him, Lithuania refused to believe him, his damaged back becoming one of his most touchy insecurities.

In silence, Estonia took a damp washcloth, and lighting dabbed it against the scarred back. Typically, they worked in silence. He hated the silence, it allowed his mind to wander to places he didn't like, but he respected Lithuania enough not to demand he to talk. However, he was very surprised when Lithuania mumbled something.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you. Am I hurting you?" He asked.

"No. I just wondered…do you love me?"

Estonia blushed. "W-what?"

"I just…do you love me? Actually care for me? Or am I just a convenient shield to hide behind. Someone to blame all your mistakes on so Mr. Russia doesn't beat you?" The bitterness in Lithuania's voice surprised Estonia. Where is this coming from? "We didn't ask you to take on our punishments Leedu. That was something you chose all on your own…but, of course I care for you. You're my brother."

Lithuania captured Estonia gaze with an intense look. "Do you ever do something you know will make Mr. Russia mad, just because you know it's be me who gets in trouble and not you?"

Hot emotion flared up. "You really think me that cruel? That selfish? That I think you as just a walking, talking meat shield?"

Lithuania bowed his head. "Latvia does," he whispered.

"What?"

"It was Latvia who dumped out Mr. Russia's vodka. On purpose. And he wasn't afraid of getting in trouble…because he knew he could blame it on me!" Lithuania dissolved into tears, covering his face with his hands. Estonia desperately wished for the silence again. Forget talking, anything would be better than watching his brother cry. That was something he didn't know how to fix.

"I'm sure your just mistaken," he finally said.

Lithuania shook his head. "No. He told me so himself."

Estonia didn't know how to respond. That doesn't sound like Latvia, but Lithuania is normally so good at reading people.

Lithuania sighed. "I don't want to see him," he confessed.

"Lithuania," Estonia began sadly,

"I know, I know, I have too. But I won't talk to him. I can't talk to him." He looked at Estonia, eyes glimmering with emotion, desperate to be told everything would be okay, that it was all a dream. There were somethings Estonia couldn't lie about.

"I understand," was all he could say. "I…I don't really blame you." Lithuania let out a sob of relief and clung to Estonia burring his face in his shoulder. Estonia stiffened, shivering as he felt a few tears on his neck. He didn't push Lithuania away, and he awkwardly patted his hair. In a moment Lithuania had his emotions once more under control. "Sorry, I know you hate being hugged."

"Yeah." Estonia agreed weakly. "Sorry."

Lithuania smiled at him, and Estonia breathed a sigh in relief. Good, everyone was back to normal…except the relationship with Latvia and Lithuania, but that could be dealt with.

"Would you bandage my back now?" Lithuania asked cautiously.

"I should probably remove the glass first."

Lithuania looked down, humiliation rolling off him in waves. "We're not allowed. It has to stay in for a week."

Estonia pursed his lips, but bandaged Lithuania and helped him into a new shirt. All in silence.

XXX

The week past at an agonizing crawl. Lithuania limped around the house, dutifully attending his chores, though he had bitten his lip to a bloody mess in attempts to stifle whimpers of pain. The first few days, Latvia followed his brother around like a forlorn puppy, begging for forgiveness. Lithuania refused to speak, or even look at him, and eventually, Latvia gave up.

"Give him time," Estonia whispered one night when Lithuania was already asleep and all three were curled up in the bed. "You really hurt him Latti."

"I didn't mean too. I was just so angry at Mr. Russia, that I didn't think. And then I just put the bottles back. I should've hidden them or told Mr. Russia, but I was so scared Est! And whenever Lithy gets in trouble, sometimes I hear him howling in pain and if it hurts enough to make him cry then, then," a few tears trailed down his nose. He snuggled close to Estonia. "Will he ever forgive me?"

Estonia didn't respond, thinking hard. Lithuania was forgiving by nature, but this was a personal betrayal. Latvia stared up at him with watery eyes, awaiting his verdict. "I," Estonia said slowly, "I don't know how much time it will take…but yes, I do believe he will forgive you."

"I wish it were now," Latvia whimpered. "I miss him a lot."

XXX

At the end of the week, late in the evening, Russia called Lithuania to the breakfast room. The table had been cleared and covered with a white sheet. On a tea-tray sat a rusty looking pair of tweezers, and a knife. "Alright Litva, I believe you've learned from your punishment, da?"

"Yes sir, I have."

"Good," Russia cooed. "How about you tell me what it was that you learned."

"To never steal from you, as you always find out," Lithuania gave his response to the floor.

"And…" Russia prompted.

"You'd rather be angry at me instead of me lying to you."

"That's right little one, good boy."

Lithuania balled his fists. He hated being spoken to like a child! It made him feel stupid. Russia said he was stupid, but Lithuania was determined not to believe him. However, given his belief that Latvia actually cared for him…well, Lithuania was certainly not doing much to dispel that image.

"Come to me Litvuska." Slowly Lithuania edged closer to Russia. The man banged his fist on the table, and Lithuania flinched, head snapping up. He expected to see anger, but instead, the giant was smiling at him with soft eyes. "Hop up!" he said again, banging on the table. The noises made Lithuania flinch, but he understood that Russia was not toying with him, not trying to make him afraid, rather, he was simply unaware of just how much force his was using.

With help from Russia, Lithuania climbed on to the table. There he sat with legs dangling over the edge. "Shirt off Litva," Russia told him gently. With trembling hands Lithuania struggled with the buttons. Panic set in when he was unable to open them. He started panting and shaking. Get a hold of yourself Lietuva! He snapped. I can't. I'm scared. What's he going to do? I don't like not knowing. Oh god, not knowing, that's the worst part of it!

Russia made a noise, but Lithuania was too scared to look up. "I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me Mr. Russia. I'll do better, I promise."

A large hand patted russet hair. "Hush little one. I'll help you." Without asking, Russia's hands attacked Lithuania's buttons, easily undoing them. Lithuania sat child-like, staring at his master with wide, round, eyes. He winced when Russia threw his shirt on the floor. He would prefer it to be folded, or at least draped over a chair.

Gently Russia guided Lithuania onto his stomach. "Alright Litvuska, here's the plan da? You have thirty-six teeny pieces of glass in your back. I will remove all of them, and then you will go to bed a happy nation because you have learned from your punishment and been forgiven." The voice was so high pitched, and happy, it didn't match the situation at all.

"Yes sir."

"Good boy, let's begin-oh, I almost forgot!" Lithuania raised his head, alarm coursing through his veins as Russia scurried off, and appeared a moment later. He clucked his tongue and forced Lithuania's head back down, but this time, his cheek was met with the soft fabric of Russia's favorite pillow. "Now you'll be more comfortable!" Russia said happily.

Lithuania just stared at him.

The large nation let out a sigh. "Oh Litvuska." He ran his thumb over Lithuania's eyes, which quickly closed, only to open them when the digit was gone. "You have such pretty eyes," Russia told him, running a thick finger over once-again closed eyelids. He stroked Lithuania's cheek, and Lithuania opened his eyes again. "But you look so frightened! Why? You shouldn't be scared. I keep telling you, your punishment is over. Now I just have to remove the glass."

Lithuania whimpered.

"No, no!" Russia cooed. "It won't hurt. This is not a punishment."

It will, it will! Lithuania wanted to sob. Pain doesn't depend on if your good or not!

"Repeat after me Litvuska. This,"

"…This-"

"Is not-"

"I-is not-"

"A punishment."

"A p-p-pun-punishment."

"Good boy! You feel better, da?"

Lithuania nodded yes, while inside he screamed no.

"Then we shall begin."

Lithuania buried his face in the pillow. He could feel the coolness of the tweezers on his back, trying to get a grip on a shard. Deep breathes, in and out, in and out, in and-

"Aghh!" A primal scream tore itself from Lithuania's throat. Removing the glass hurt, it was so much worse than going in. And Russia didn't know how to be gentle. He gave another yank and Lithuania howled. "Litva! What's wrong?"

"It hurts!" Lithuania wailed.

"No," Russia said, though he sounded doubtful, "you are mistaken. You merely think it hurts, but it doesn't da? Now shh, I don't like it when you cry."

He moved on to another piece of glass, trying to tear it out. Over the course of a week, the skin slowly started repairing itself, and grew over the pieces. Another sharp tug and the glass slid free.

"S-stop, stop, stop!" Lithuania begged. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry-aghnn!"

A third piece of glass came out, and Russia paused, staring at down at Lithuania. The small nation had accidentally pushed the pillow to the floor, and was trembling, eyes scrunched closed. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he continued to whisper, "please no more."

Tears pricked violet eyes. This wasn't supposed to happen. His little friend was not supposed to cry so. This wasn't a punishment, it wasn't meant to hurt. Russia wiped at his eyes, he couldn't do this, not when Lithuania hadn't done anything wrong. He needed to prove that this was not a punishment.

"Estonia! Latvia! Come!" He called at the top of his lungs. A large smile formed when they quickly rushed in. So obedient, Russia thought as he beamed at them, they must really like me.

"You two would like to help me, da?"

Two shaky da's came back. Poor boys, Litva's screams must have upset them.

"Good, Estonia, you will remove the glass from Litva's back. Latvia, you and I will talk to Litva and keep him calm. Let me know if you need rope Estonia. Litva can be incredibly squirmy."

Estonia nodded gravely and picked up the tweezers.

Lithuania watched this exchange with half-lidded eyes, and deep, shuddering breaths. He couldn't scream now, not now that his brothers were here, he didn't want to scare them. Russia crouched down in front of his face with a smile. "Don't worry Litva. I'm here, nothing's going to hurt you." He stroked the brunette locks and nodded at Estonia, a sign to start.

XXX

In the end, it took an hour and a half to remove all the glass from Lithuania's back. Much to Estonia's chagrin, he had to ask Russia to tie his brother down because the injured nation slipped into a blind panic and fought to escape Estonia. Half way through the process, Russia left the room and didn't come back. Estonia heard him mumble something about vodka, too much blood, and not a punishment Litva. There was a lot of blood, in fact, Lithuania's back was slick with it, and the sheets were probably permanently stained. Estonia quickly ripped the last piece of glass from Lithuania's back, thinking to hell with being gentle this needed to be over now. He sank to the ground, holding his head in bloodied hands. "We're done," he managed to get out. "It's over Lithuania." The oldest Baltic said nothing, merely lay exhausted on the table, throat sore from screaming, and wrists and ankles rubbed raw from the binds.

Latvia was trembling in a corner, tears pouring down his face. "I'm sorry Lithuania. I'm so sorry."

Lithuania gave a weak moan. He lay still for a minute longer, then forced himself off the table. His legs nearly gave out, but he gripped the table, hard and forced remained upright.

"We had better get you cleaned up," he croaked to Estonia. The younger brother looked up, normally impassive face glistening with tears. "I didn't want to," he said.

"I know. It's okay, let's go."

"W-what about Latvia?"

Lithuania cast a glance at the boy in the corner. He looked so tiny and miserable. Lithuania's head hurt, he didn't know what to do, forgive or keep himself protected from the little traitor. "Leedu," Estonia whispered gently. "Please."

"Come on Latvia, Estonia needs your help."

XXX

Despite the bloody mess of mangled flesh, Lithuania insisted Estonia wash the blood from his hands first. He was equally insistent that Estonia change clothes. "Don't worry about me," he cooed in a scratchy voice, his throat still sore. "You get into bed, you've had a rough day."

"What about you?" Estonia asked, not able to meet the blue eyes.

"I'll help him," Latvia said. Lithuania stiffened but then smiled. "Yes, Latvia will help me. Go to bed, you'll feel better in the morning." He pressed a gentle kiss on Estonia's temple. "It wasn't your fault Est. I don't blame you, that was all Mr. Russia." Estonia nodded, then hurried to the bedroom, furiously sniffling.

Latvia cast Lithuania a shy glance. "So how does…"

"I have it under control," Lithuania told him sharply.

"W-what?"

"I can clean myself up and bandage myself just fine. You can go ahead and leave."

"B-but I want to help!" Latvia sniffled.

"I don't want your," Lithuania snarled but forced himself to relax. There was no need to terrorize Latvia. "I have it under control." He said evenly. "You go get ready for bed."

Sadly, Latvia turned to go, pausing in the door way. He took a deep breath and turned back around. The Latvian boy trembled fiercely, but his eyes were steady. "I'm telling Mr. Russia."

"What?"

"I-I'm going to t-tell Mr. R-Russia that i-it was me who d-d-dumped out his vodka."

Lithuania stared at him.

"I h-h-hate that you h-hate me!" Latvia whimpered. "A-and if I-I-I tell Mr. Russia, m-maybe you'll see t-that y-you're my b-brother, n-not a m-my h-human shield."

Lithuania still stared, unable to form a word.

Latvia gave a trembling smile. "I love you Lithuania. You're my big brother." He turned and walked out the door.

Lithuania sat frozen, trying to understand what was happening. "No!" he screeched, barreling out of the bathroom and grabbing Latvia. "No," he whispered in the messy curls. "I f-forgive you."

"R-really?"

Lithuania nodded, so Latvia kissed him on his cheek. "I've missed you so much Lithy. So much. And I'm so, so, so, so, so sorry for getting you in trouble. I promise I won't ever do it again."

"Never on purpose," Lithuania amended.

"Never, ever," Latvia firmly insisted.

Lithuania didn't reply, so Latvia hugged him again, resting his head on Lithuania's chest. Despite the overwhelming scent of blood, Latvia could smell his brother. He smelled faintly of wheat and sunshine.

They stay like that, holding each other on the hallway floor, till morning, where Russia found them curled together and fast asleep.