"Are you sure you want to do this? Chasing him...There'll be no going back if he reacts properly,"

"I know, but for him...I'll do anything," Belarus turned away from Lithuania. "You understand. If I leave him, it'll all turn out bad,"

Lithuania held out a hand as snow starts to fall. Slowly covering their little hill outside the manor. "Yes, but what about you? Don't you care what will happen to you?"

"What makes you think I'm weak?" She snapped back at him. Her pale face turns back to his, and for once, blatant fear can be seen. "What would give it away? Why, why do you think I would fail at this?" Her face shriveled up a little, and her lower lip went under her perfect teeth.

"Nothing, love. Nothing would...But you have to know, I'll still worry about you," Lithuania's eyes lingered over to her, but he turned them back to the snow before he could see her face again. The snow was laying down thicker now.

"That's stupid. I'm strong. I can handle it,"

"So? Even if you're strong, doesn't mean he can't get to you. It doesn't mean he still can't hurt you!" Lithuania turned back to her. He grabbed her arms, almost like to shake her out of it, but she shoved him away.

"Russia wouldn't...And if I do it right, he wouldn't ever want to," She let out a sigh, and looked back to Lith. "You know, I love you...But I love him, too. And he's my brother. I have to watch over him. If no one else is there, what will happen? I can't let anything happen to him,"

"Do you really think this is the best way?"

"He knows the world is cruel, but I don't think he knows how cruel he is, as well..."

"So why not leave him? Run away, or lock him up, or anything! Putting yourself up like this...There has to be another way,"

"I couldn't..."

"You could,"

"No,"

The snow was covering up around their feet. Lithuania tipped his left toe up, and it fell all around his leg. "Bela...I could do it. I could keep you safe. Don't you see? It'll all be fine, if you just...Just let me take care of it,"

"Lith..."

And he made the worst mistake he ever made. Looking back, he saw her tears slowly work their way down her reddening cheeks. His eyes widened, but before he could reach out to her, she ran down the hill. Back to that place.

"Bela...I hope he doesn't hurt you,"