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To readers: please check the last chapter (my note). I'm planning on rewriting parts of this story.
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"Everyone, your attention please!" England yelled over the ruckus. The Nations of the world continued with their personal conversations, and their arguments. Austria had spent the past five minutes trying to convince Hungary to lower the frying pan she was currently wielding in an impromptu swordfight against Prussia, who shouldn't have even been at the meeting in the first place.
"Everybody! We have a conference to conduct!" Seeing that he wouldn't get any response by this course of action, England turned to the one Nation who wasn't involved in the fights. "Switzerland, if you will?"
The Nation addressed nodded, and fired his gun into the air. Within moments, the room was silent.
"Thank you. Now then," England began, sitting in his chair and smoothing out the ink-blue tie he wore, "we have much to discuss. As you know, Russia and Denmark are not in attendance, as they are discussing trade issues." A couple of the more perceptive Nations rolled their eyes at this. Ivan and Mathias were far more likely to be spending their time getting drunk than working on politics. England cleared his throat and continued.
The meeting went on, rambling through several topics before finally reaching the one most dreaded by the Nations at the conference. The subject they had avoided mentioning even after seeing the schedule for the meeting: an official decision on custody of the Baltic trio now that they were no longer under Russia's rule. Most of the Nations felt uncomfortable around the shy and fearful Baltics, unsure of what to say or how to act, afraid of accidentally offending or hurting them. Though never mentioned aloud, Lithuania's scars were no secret, and most of the attendees at this conference felt some level of compassion, some level of horror, towards Russia's treatment of the three. If young Latvia's tremors were any indication, their lives had been far worse than any of the Nations could imagine.
Though he approached the subject gently, England's eyes betrayed his nervousness. "We have yet to decide on...residences...for the three Baltic nations while their own homes are under repair-"
Poland stood and spoke, relieving England of his burden. "Liet's staying with me. He's, like, happy there. Aren't you, Liet?" Lithuania nodded silently, clearly as uncomfortable with the subject as the rest.
"And Latvia with me and Su-san," Finland added, voice strong.
"That...that seems appropriate. I...we..." England struggled to begin the sentence. Clearly frustrated with the delay, America loudly interrupted, "Why're ya all being so nervous? I mean, Lithuania and the others might have been dirty evil commies, but it's not like they're gunna kill you-"
"AMERICA!" England screamed, almost unable to believe the tactlessness, the ignorance, of such a statement.
"What? What'd I say?"
Amidst gasps of shock from the other Nations, England was on his feet within moments, grabbing America by the collar and dragging him from the room.
Dirty commies? Maybe, but not by choice. And it certainly wasn't by choice that he had gained the reputation of being weak and hurt. Didn't they realize that his own strength was what had kept him sane and alive under Russia's rule? And it had been his own strength that had secured his freedom.
"You idiot!" England growled as the doors slammed behind them, shoving America into the hallway. "What on EARTH possessed you to say that!"
America looked absolutely bewildered. "But you...they... you seem to be afraid of them..."
"Idiot! You stupid boy, can you not understand?" he yelled, outraged. "We are not afraid! Everybody's being so cautious because we don't want to upset them! Do you have any idea what Russia did to them? Especially Lithuania!" England's voice was cold with fury and frustration. "If you were in any way proficient at reading the god-damned atmosphere in the room, you would know what that boy has suffered!"
America still looked confused. England growled in annoyance.
"When Lithuania was in your employ, when he worked for you, did you ever raise your voice? Were you ever displeased, or angry?" England glared at his ignorant former colony, crossing his arms over his suit. Unseen, a small fairy chirped in his ear, asking why had he left the conference so early, when would he be able to play with her...
"Well," America began, "there was that time he gave me the wrong coffee; I had been out at the bar with Matthew and...and I think I yelled at him. Not a lot, but..."
"And how did he react?" England prompted, his anger waning.
"He was scared, as if he was expecting me to hurt him...ohh!" A terrible realization came over America.
"Yes," England said, his voice gentler now. "That's what their life with Russia was like."
"I..I didn't..." America's hair drooped in remorse. England looked him in the eyes for a moment, then opened the door again, holding America's wrist firmly as if he was a disobedient child.
They returned to the conference room solemnly. Not a word had been spoken during their absence.
Silently, America approached the timid Nation seated beside Poland. "Lithuania," he began quietly, painfully aware of the stir his remarks had caused, "I...I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."
"That's all right. I'm not offended," Lithuania said softly, offering America a faint, forgiving smile. America nodded, eyes still dim with shame.
He and England returned to their seats, and the meeting continued, although more subdued than before. A verdict on the Baltics was soon reached: Lithuania would remain with Poland, and Estonia and Latvia with the two Nordics who had offered their hospitality. The talk then turned to reports and deadlines before wrapping up for the week.
The Nations exchanged documents and handshakes, and stepped into the hall to talk with their advisors. America had cheered up considerably, and seemed to be bugging an uninterested Greece for dessert recipes. England, glaring disapprovingly around the table, handed an envelope of papers to the ambassador accompanying him, and left the room. His expression brightened, though, as a winged green rabbit fluttered invisibly by his face; the Nation drawing a sugar cube from a coat pocket and holding it out for his friend.
Poland, who had quickly grown tired of the proceedings, grabbed his and Lithuania's folders from the table. "C'mon, Liet. I'm, like, so bored of this. Let's go do something more fun, kay? Canada's, like, lent me some movies we could watch!"
"Look, Poland, Norway wants this report by next week. I should be getting started-"
"But that's boring!" Poland whined. Liet sighed. Would his friend ever understand his priorities? Get the work done as soon as possible: that way you couldn't be accused of not doing it, and there would be less of a chance of getting into trouble, less of a reason for anyone to be dissatisfied... He shivered, shaking off that train of thought.
"Maybe I could spare a little time-" He was interrupted by Poland's squeal of delight.
"Hey! I've got, like, the greatestest idea! Wait here, Liet!" He bounded off to where his politicians waited in the adjoining chamber. Liet had to smile at that. Standing safe by his friend, he could almost imagine they were back in their grand empire, their proud Golden Age, before Russia and partitioning and Nazis and Soviets and everything else that had happened since those days. Almost, but not quite.
The resilient "Phoenix" hadn't let his history diminish his ever-optimistic demeanor one bit. Lithuania hadn't been so fortunate.
The over-excitable Poland leapt back into the room, nearly knocking over a startled-looking Canada. He tossed a small satchel at Liet, who caught it neatly. Years under Russia had given him the constant awareness of a cat. Or maybe of a wolf?
"What's this?"
"Emergency supplies. Mr. Grumpypants back there insisted we bring it. I told 'im we were gunna do some patrol stuff. So there's, like, no work tonight!" Poland said.
"That's still work, you know. We can't just fool around-" Lithuania began, but Poland was already pulling him out the door.