Poland was so sick of being the cause of Lithuania's pain.

Although he was often accused of being ditsy (and most certainly was at times), he wasn't completely oblivious. He knew exactly why Russia singled him out specifically and he knew exactly why Lithuania tended to get punished worse after the two of them had been friendly.

Russia was in love with Lithuania.

There wasn't a doubt in Poland's mind that this was true. Obviously, the huge nation saw Feliks as a threat to his "relationship" with the brunette, even though the little blonde would have sworn that Toris had left all feelings for him in the eighteenth century. Nowadays, the former commonwealth nations had a shaky friendship, at best, even if that was not at all what Poland wanted on the inside. Ivan had nothing to worry about.

Still, it wasn't Poland's opinion that mattered in who received punishment.

The only thing that Feliks could think to do was to stop trying to reconnect with Toris. It was not what his heart wanted, but it was the only thing he could try to ebb the pain for his former partner.

It would have to come off as genuine, too. He could not just half-heartedly tell Lithuania to leave him alone. Toris was smart and he would know that something was going on. The Baltic nation had to believe him. He would have to be cruel to be kind.

The little blonde found who he was looking for in the hall.

"Poland, hey," Lithuania greeted with a smile.

Poland hesitated at the warm greeting and almost faltered in his plan. He had to go through with it, though. There wasn't a choice.

"Leave me alone, Liet," he responded, putting his hands on his hips. "God, you're like so annoying, ya know? As if I'd like even want to talk to you."

Lithuania backed up a step and looked as though he had been slapped.

"Wh-what?" he asked in complete confusion. "I-I thought we had… I thought we'd been getting along better lately…"

"Why would I like want to get along better with a loser like you?" Feliks replied.

"Why a-are you being like this?" Toris wondered, hurt in his eyes.

Poland made a big show about rolling his eyes, but it was more to keep from looking at the sadness in the other man's face than anything else.

"Like I need to explain myself to you," he answered. "Stay out of my way and like out of my life."

He stormed past Lithuania, who went in the completely opposite direction and did not try to stop him. As soon as he was around the corner, he leaned against the wall. He sank down to the floor and pulled his knees to his chest. He felt tears slip out of his eyes as he laid his head down on his knees.

Poland was so sick of being the cause of Lithuania's pain.