My breath hitched slightly, my back pressed hard against the wall. I held my polar bear in my arms tightly, holding him up by his armpits. Russia was sitting just in front of me, anger seeming to radiate off of him in waves. I was positive he hadn't seen me yet, but my invisibility only really worked in a room of at least two or more people other than myself. Most people can sense when they aren't by themselves. That's when they actually look for someone and they usually find me. I felt myself bite my lip, nervous that he would spot me at any moment. I was too terrified to try and walk to the door, my feet felt nailed to the floor. What was best for right now was to be calm, quiet.

I quickly squeezed my eyes shut, taking slow, even breaths. Maybe he will just leave, silently fume out the door. I really don't want to get involved with Russia, I don't want to cause any trouble. Trouble was exactly the thing I would get into once Russia noticed me, though. Maybe I should try to escape quickly...

I opened one eye a peek, holding in a sigh of relief that Russia still hadn't seemed to sense me in the room with him. I had a pretty decent reason in my mind for why he was so mad. Al had flipped on him during the meeting, spitting out his "You stupid Commie!" facade in front of everyone. Germany even tried to get him to stop, but Al wouldn't have it. He ripped Russia a new one, making fun of his sisters and vodka, telling him his government is bad and lots of other rude things. Of course, all of that including a large amount of unnecessary swearing. That really got Russia angry. Al had finished ranting and was taking deep breaths. Russia hadn't said one word since Al started. They stared at each other for a few minutes before Al tried opening his mouth again to spew some more garbage. Russia interrupted him, his voice terrifyingly calm.

"One more word and I'll kill you"

was what he said, staring at my brother with such malice, hatred and intent to kill that it made my brother, of all people, stay quiet. The two of them stared at each other for a few minutes; Al frustrated beyond belief and Russia quietly fuming. In any other circumstance, I would have at least giggled at how red my brother's face was going, but this was not just any circumstance. There was no doubt in my mind that Russia wouldn't hesitate in staying true to his word. Al stormed out after that, I guess taking Russia's threat seriously.

The meeting carried on very tensely until even Germany couldn't take the silent Russian. He declared the meeting over and gave everyone permission to leave. I usually stay behind for a few minutes to clean up the garbage that people leave from snacks, stack the chairs and wipe down the table. I hate leaving some place messy, I feel like it's disrespectful. So, every meeting I stayed behind. No one notices and no one stays behind either; everyone is usually in a rush to get out.

Russia stayed behind this time though, still sitting unmoving in his seat since Al's comments. I had gotten up and simply decided to wait out of sight until he left. I was positive he would have left by now, it had already been ten minutes. I didn't know what to do, I just wanted him to leave. Maybe if I calmly walk over to the door, acting as if nothing is wrong, he won't notice me. I nervously glance at the mess the room was left in, I couldn't stand leaving it like this. I would have to come back later, when Russia has already left, and then clean up. I hated making people do things that I can do myself, I felt guilty afterwards .. and lazy.

I inhaled a deep breath and turned towards the door, it's now or never. It's either leave by my own will or have Russia spot me and think that I was spying on him or something of that sort. I arched my shoulders back, steaded my shaking legs and started to walk. I made sure my eyes stayed at the door, not daring to look back at the eyes that I could feel digging into my back.

I heard the chair behind me scrape against the floor. I quickened my pace, a bead of sweat starting to stick to my temple.

"остановка," he spat, the venom in his words causing me to freeze in my place.

I spoke a lot of languages but, only a few fluently. Russian was one I hadn't had a lot of training in. I really only knew a handful of words and phrases. He had just told me to stop, and who in their right mind would ignore what he had just told me to do in this situation? I turned around slowly, trying impossibly hard to hide the fear in my eyes. Russia stood towering beside his chair, glaring at me as if I were an insect.

"I-I just was leaving, I-I, uhm, usually stay behind to clean up a bit since, uhm, ev-veryone leaves it dirty. I-I'm sor-ry?" I whispered, averting my gaze and squeezing Kumajaro tightly in my arms.

I stood, shaking, in silence as Russia continued to glare at me. I felt Kumajo yawn in my arms, stretching out his limbs.

"Who?" Kumagi questioned.

"Canada," I whispered back, placing my forehead against his for a split second, getting a little bit of comfort from the familiar feeling of his fur.

I glanced back up at Russia, who was still staring at me. I opened my mouth, but quickly thought twice before talking. I shut it and looked towards the door.

"I'll j-just get out of your way now,"

"Don't."

"P-pardon?" I stammered back at the now smiling country, interest spread across his face. He still held a terrifying aura, however it wasn't nearly as bad as it was only a few moments ago.

"I thought you said you stay behind to clean." he smirked, raising an eyebrow in my direction.

"I-I do, nearly every meeting." I retort, practically squeezing Kumaja to death in my arms.

"Well, I haven't seen you clean yet. Were you lying to me?" he replied with an over-dramatic scowl.

"NO! No, of co-"

"Then why aren't you doing what you said you always do?"

"I t-thought that you w-wouldn't want me here. I was going to come back later to clean," I breathlessly whispered, getting confused and trying hard to understand what had turned his mood.

"Did I say that?"

"Say what?" I huffed, letting my eyebrows knit together.

"That I didn't want you here,"

"W-Well, I just assumed th-"

"I would stop assuming things about me." he smiled childishly, sitting back down in his seat. "Don't mind me, I'll just sit here. You can clean now if you want."

"I-I-But, uhm, sorry, what?" I murmured, my face tinted red.

"Go ahead and clean," Russia stated, sending a glare in my direction.

I bit my lip again, longingly looking at the door before I placed Kumamaru down on the floor, giving him a short pat on the head. Now I didn't really have a choice did I? I scolded myself for not running as fast as I could out the door when I had the chance.

I walked over to the garbage bin in the room which sat by the door. I picked it up, bringing it to the horseshoe shaped table. I stayed on the side of the table opposite of the chairs, starting at where Italy had sat, closest to the door. It had a multitude of trash piled on top, mostly chocolate wrappers. A pizza box was also placed with the wrappers. I left the box, planning on recycling it once finished with everything else, but put all the wrappers in the bin.

Germany's seat, which was beside Italy's, was clean. He always brought reusable containers and never left behind any crumbs either. Japan's seat was next to Germany's, and a few empty noodle cups were stacked there. I picked them up and placed them in the pizza box. I just had to rinse them out and they were good to recycle too.

"Why are you stacking garbage?" Russia questioned, leaning his elbows on the table and placing his head in his hands, the stupid smile still played out on his lips.

"I'm p-putting the recyclables all in one place so it is easier to pick up and toss in the bins outside on my way home," I reply shakily, staring at my hands as I moved to the next section

"Why go to so much trouble? I'd just throw it out," Russia smirked, staring at me as if trying to find something.

"I go to the trouble because it's better for everyone than just throwing it out. It only takes a few extra seconds of my time but it helps a bunch. Why not go through so little trouble to help out?" I manage to say, throwing a shaky smile in his direction, dusting off pastry crumbs.

I felt his glare hitting my back, causing me to shrink into myself as I carried on cleaning. "Note to self," I thought, "Never try to go against Russia's opinion when in the same room with him."

I cleaned a couple more sections, tossing the garbage into the bin and placing the recyclables with the rest until I found myself standing across the table from Russia. The only chair after his was my own which I had cleaned at lunch. I never left anything where I sat, I made sure I cleaned up before the meeting end.
Russia had a coffee cup that reeked of alcohol which he clutched in his hands. I had no doubt that it was heavily lined with Vodka. How much, I couldn't say, but I was almost sure more than there should have been.

"A-are you done with that?" I whispered, locking my eyes on the cup.

He didn't reply. I stood for a few seconds, shifting on my feet. Was he being difficult on purpose or was he just naturally stubborn?

"Well, when you are just put it with the recycla-" I murmured, already walking away.

"No,"

"So, your not done?" I asked, turning back around to face him.

"No,"

"N-No to not being done?" I replied, confused.

"What do you think?" he laughed darkly, staring at me with a twisted smile

"You told me not to assume," I said, completely exasperated.

"Thinking and assuming are -"

"The same thing," I whispered, interrupting him mid-way. I was getting a bit frustrated with the situation. "Just please tell me what you mean."

I felt my cheeks redden slightly, this whole mess was starting to put me on edge. I just wanted to clean up and leave, I didn't want to be having such a confusing conversation with such a scary country. I try as hard as I could to lock onto his eyes. He was ruffling my feathers and from the look on his face, he was doing it on purpose. I watched him as he stood up, leaning closer to me.

"No,"

I sucked in a deep breath, holding in the rant I wanted to go on. I spun around on my heel, walking away from the country who was now hysterically laughing in his chair. I placed the bin down beside the door and picked up the pizza box containing the recyclables.

"Until next time," I managed to say without stammering, giving him the best glare I could manage.

"Da, okay," Russia smiled, taking a swig from his coffee cup.