Time for the November month, yes I know it's late, but hey; butter late than never, right?

I don't have much to say about this chapter, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

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Much could change during a month. Very little could change during a month. When October became November many thought that it wasn't so bad. Only five month left. They could deal with that. They got new routines, life went on. There were small meetings, big meetings, meetings at home, in the office, hotel rooms. As far as America knew, everything was going great. No one complained openly to him about their partner, or the fact that they no longer were with the one they wanted to be with.

It was foolish really, to think that it was going to continue to be this easy. Ukraine and Canada were the first one to notice that. Ukraine while she was dealing with a drunk Finland (since Estonia refused to see him at the moment) going on about Denmark. Canada while Denmark was away in Stockholm. Denmark and Sweden would have noticed it too, if they had given the bruises and marks they gave one another more thought; they didn't and remained clueless.

China noticed too, when Russia had decides to show up on his doorstep for a surprise visit. His reaction, though, was a bit different from the others; he was fed up with stupid Europeans and Americans and whatever and as soon as this is over he will call him self sick for at least three meetings and ignore the source of his headache.

Iceland noticed it a week or so later, when Seychelles had to go home over the weekend.

"One month when it comes to company" Iceland told Norway over the phone. "Years when it comes to loneliness." Norway didn't respond to that.

oOoOoOo

"Why this movie?" Russia sat down with the big bowl of popcorn. It was movie-night, and Latvia and Lithuania had finally gone back to them, with a vague promise that next time they would have Greece and Poland with them. Estonia didn't came with them anymore, which Russia was thankful for; there were after all a chance that Belarus would follow him here. "Of all movies you could find in that old box of mine, you picked this?"

"Well, it was one of the few ones with English titles" Sweden answered as the movie started. "and since you have the DVD I though you wouldn't mind."

"Nee, I do mind, I don't want to watch it." Russia said in a childish voice while keeping his intense stare at her. But just as her glare no longer had the effect it had on him in the beginning, his did not have the same effect on her either. After all, it had been a month.

"Then close your eyes" Sweden threw some popcorn at him, before she crawled up beside him. He would have something against every movie she picked from that box; it was boring, he had watched it already (as if she couldn't figure that one out herself) and so on.

"But honestly, a Bond-movie?" Russia laid back an watched the ceiling.

"You are the one that owned it, beside it's From Russia with love, how bad could it be?" Sweden didn't keep track over the bond-movies she had actually seen.

"I got it as a present from little America. He thought it was funny since it has my name in it."

"The Swedish name is '007 ser rött"..." Sweden said. "It means '007 sees red'"

"Why didn't you have the Swedish words for 'From Russia with love'?"

"Because that is från Ryssland med kärlek, which sounds stupid." Russia laughed at that. This really were the best moments, whenever he got her in defense mood she got so talkative (or she stopped talking completely and just stared at him, so he stared back; that could go on for a few hours). Besides, he found it easy to get her in that mood.

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"I can't see the movie if you keep doing that." Sweden said as Russia kissed her neck. She had, somehow, ended up in his lap. He did say he didn't want to watch the movie though.

"Is that really what bothers you?" he mumbled against her neck.

"...yes that is really what bothers me."

And just like that he had turned her around, so she was now facing him. Away from the TV.

"So how do you expect me to watch it now?" She let out a surprised yelp when she suddenly lay on the sofa, with Russia on top of her.

"See, you can watch. I don't want to so I'm going to do this instead, да?" he said as he went back to kiss her neck, probably working on leaving a mark there. Which is not good since there is a meeting in three days. What if somebody sees them? What if Finland sees them?

"No, Ivan, you can't"

"Sure I can." It wasn't like she was struggling to get away anyway, she just lay there.

"N-no, it will be visible." Russia looked at her with an almost bored expression on his face.

"Use make-up. Probably for the best. If, for example, Belarus sees you; she'll go nuts."

Though, Belarus was not the nation that she was worried about. If Denmark saw the mark, she would never hear the end of it.

Russia on the other hand saw this as a good excuse to relax, it had been a rather hectic week. He had been listening to the different political parties and had heard every argument at least twice, and the election was still a month away.

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It was not a big meeting, thankfully. Finland was not even there. Belarus was though. Which meant Estonia should be here somewhere. Belarus was at the moment talking to Lithuania and they seem to get along; until she and Russia had walked in.

Denmark flashed her a grin.

"Long time no see." He said and sat down next to her. "Why are we here?"

"I talked to you yesterday. And you spend last weekend with me" Denmark's grin turned into a smirk.

"So I did"

"Only a few of us were invited. We're two of them." Sweden ignored him.

"What, have they pulled our names out of a hat like America? This is ridiculous." Sweden shrugged. To be honest she didn't even know what they were supposed to be talking about. They never accomplished anything anyhow.

She looked over at Belarus, who sat next to an unhappy Russia and glared at her. But she didn't do anything. In fact, when the meeting ended all she did was just sit there until Sweden and Russia had left.

oOoOoOo

Canada was a shy person. Denmark's way with shy people was so embarrass them as much as possible. Canada was shy, nervous, nice and rather... Denmark didn't know what to call it. And he was cute; Denmark didn't do well with cuteness. He got nervous around cute things.

Norway is cute too, Denmark figured, totally not in the same way but still. To Canada he wasn't nervous; he was loud and obnoxious. Canada welcomed Denmark's loud statements, hugs, kisses, his need for body contact. And he never glared at him (like Sweden) or gave him bruises (like Norway) or seriously injuries (like Sweden and Norway).

Canada's only problem was his brother. America had a tendency to show up uninvited (which apparently Denmark also had, if you listened to Norway). Really, it was enough with one loud, obnoxious nation; Canada ain't no saint. Not that he thought Norway would allow America to just ditch him (he probably didn't want to deal with Denmark, Canada assumed).

"...it was a waste of time" Denmark said as Canada gave him his breakfast; pancakes. Again. That guy surely like his pancakes, he thought.

"Eh?"

"Meaningless! A whole day wasted in that meeting room. It took us an hour to get everyone to know what we were talking about. And we were like ten people there!" Denmark ranted, a bit louder; he had been in a bad mood since he got home.

"I'm sure it wasn't meaningless" Canada said in a small voice. "I bet you met some friends-"

"And my only entertainment was the games on my phone" Denmark continued. "So Sweden just had to take the phone away from me. I swear, she only did that to see me die of boredom." Canada sighed. "Or at least just to annoy me!"

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Russia woke up in a nice, cozy warmth. Hell awaited him if he would just open his eyes. But who would be volunteering to wake up to that. It wasn't until he felt the warmth move that he force one of his eyes open. She was starting to wake up too. They had gone to bed after another movie, and several glasses of vodka on his side and several glasses of beers on hers, and at the door to 'their' bedroom she had said something about him having to work harder if he ever wanted to go further than just kissing. Which just showed how drunk she was. Then she had just left him there. To be honest he wasn't sure on how he got from the doorway over to the bed.

Not that it really mattered now.

"What time is it?" he hear Sweden mumble, which wasn't easy. Russia slowly turned his head to his digital watch; bad idea, bad idea! Sunlight. Who is the idiot who didn't close the curtains last night?

"Morning" he answered as she sat up in the bed.

"When's the next meeting?"

"Two weeks. Hehe, now Svea, shouldn't you know that?" Stupid headache, stupid sunlight. Two meeting in the same moth was something rare, even if one of them was rather small.

"Shut up."

"Are you like that to everyone inte morning" Russia smiled childishly, what had he done to deserve this (three bottles of vodka). "Or are you giving me special treatment?"

Sweden didn't answer. Instead she just looked at him, let out a small grunt and then got out of the bed. Russia sat up and looked after her. This is how they start all of their mornings, minus the hungover. He woke up, she woke up, a small conversation about nothing important and then her leaving the bed. Odd thing one can become so used to in just a month.

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The first time she kissed him, she tasted like sunlight. The more she kissed him, the more her taste involved. Seychelles tasted like sunlight, salt water and fish. It wasn't unpleasant, he rather liked it.

The first time she kissed him, he tasted... fresh. Cold freshness. Later she noticed that he tasted like cold freshness, salt water and fish. She liked it.

The first kiss had been gentle, soft and shy. the time afterwards had been awkward, at first they didn't talk to each other. Then they tried talking about everything except the kiss. And Seychelles realized that Iceland wouldn't be the one who took the first step. He was too innocent.

Seychelles liked being in charge, and Iceland was too busy feeling every touch, every whisper and sent to do anything about it. He had done this and more before (even if Seychelles didn't believe him); with his big brother(which is why he never could call Norway that, it would just prove how messed up his family is).

Seychelles was still in heaven. Iceland thought her to see the world from a different view, his company was of the best quality (according to her; but she didn't have a lot to compare too). And she could train all her little tricks on him as much as she wanted. Papa France would be so proud of her.

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Sweden let out a sigh as Russia opened the door. It was clear that she didn't want this. He didn't blame her though. It was probably bad enough to know that Finland now were with another one, she didn't need to see it too.

But then again, why should it bother her? More impotently, why that it bother him that it bothered her? Russia looked around the room, with a smile never leaving his face. Sweden didn't seem to notice (or she simply didn't care), perhaps she had gotten used to it. He saw America and Norway, making their way over to them. And he could hear America going on about something, only to wave to them and continue over to where Germany was standing. Norway on the other hand took the seat next to Sweden.

Other nations soon filled the room. He almost missed Finland and Ukraine among them. To be honest, he wouldn't have found them if he hadn't been looking for Belarus, who were standing next to her sister.

He could hear a bell ring, announcing that the meeting was about to begin. Suddenly Belarus was standing right in front of him.

"Big brother" she said in a low voice, which sent shivers down his spine. He nodded, not even looking up to see the insane expression she always seemed to wear.

"Belarus" he had no idea who she had been paired up with (which he should since Estonia had told him more then once), but he truly felt sorry for the nation. Yet, the slightest feelings of jealousy shoot through him like lightning. She could be so nice, gentle and caring when she wanted to.

Belarus slowly turned her head to Sweden, who had been staring right in front of her most of the time and sometimes even glancing at Norway whenever he said something, low enough for Russia not to hear. When she felt the intense gaze from the nation in front of Russia she slowly turned to look Belarus in the eyes. Like always she wore an expressionless face and Belarus' grew more and more insane. She did stand there until Germany told everyone to sit down, and Sweden continued to stare down in her papers while Russia smiled sweetly to everyone who looked their way. It was rather embarrassing.

He saw his big sister sitting across the table. She looked happy, like she had not spent the few hours before the meeting crying and apologizing like she used to. Finland, who sat next to her, seemed less at ease. In the corner of his eyes he saw a slight blush on Sweden's face, and he soon realized that if he didn't stop staring at Finland, said nation would soon be standing up shouting at him because of the pressure.

That would have been Russia's goal if Sweden hadn't elbowed him in his side.

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After the meeting, which had turned out to be nothing else than a waste of time (no surprise there, but no one actually minded as long as their bosses got something done), Russia just disappeared. Sweden had honestly no idea where he was. One second he was there, sitting next to her, the next he had somehow been replaced by Iceland. Who seemed rather uncomfortable by having her staring at him.

He wasn't in the meeting room anymore, and when she checked the hall he wasn't there either. Nor was he outside. When she turned to go back to her seat she bumped in Italy, who got scared and hid behind Germany.

In the meeting room, Denmark had made his way over to Norway, who were still in his seat.

"What do you want?" she heard Norway growl as she entered the room. For a moment she thought he meant her.

"Oh come on, guys!" Denmark shouted. "I miss you. And you are the one I talk to the least. I even talk to him and Sweden once every week!" here he made a motion to Iceland. "Sweden!"

"Yes, what?" she asked, making Denmark jump in his place. Norway raised his eyebrow at Iceland, who sighed and reach for his pocket.

"Nothing, I was just making a point. Yes!" Iceland gave him a little broaches, a token that showed that you were the last one who surprised Norway. They had turned it into a game. "Hey, long time no see!"

"I talked to you two days ago." Sweden stared at him. Denmark just rolled his eyes. "And the meeting two weeks ago. And the weekend before that. I still have a mark on my shoulder left!"

"Really you do? Let me se!" Denmark shouted exited as he worked on getting her stand still long enough to take her shirt a bit off.

"What? NO!"

"Oi knock it off" Norway shouted.

Suddenly Iceland remembered why he didn't want Seychelles to meet his family.

"Hey, hey. I was just messing around." Denmark said with a smirk. "What's up with you anyway?"

"I, um..." Sweden started. "I lost Russia, I have no idea where he is."

Denmark stared dumbly at her, before he glanced at Norway and handed her the broach.

"How did you lose him?" Iceland asked, equally as chocked. "I mean... he's a giant."

"I don't think she meant to lose him." Norway said matter-oh-factly. "Although, if anyone were to lose Russia and not find him afterwards it would be you."

"Shut up" but Norway just smirked. Iceland pointed at the door where Russia now had showed up with a very happy Ukraine, a bored Poland and the arguing Finland and Estonia.

oOoOoOo

She never thought she would live to see the day when she would find herself wishing that she knew Russian. Almost every day for the past two week she and Russia had been watching the news for information about the debating parties. Russia translated half about if, but he was too deep in the debating to the upcoming election that he more or less forgot to translate from time to time. In the end she had to watch the Swedish news on the internet to be able to understand the rest.

Not much had happened after the meeting. They had gone home to Russia. He took her out one evening to a fancy restaurant where they had got fairly drunk and had to walk home in the cold. Thankfully they were used to the dark, sunlight are a rare product during the winter season in the north.

Somehow they had got home, all she remembers was some laughing and a few flying snowballs and some kissing. She remembers being pushed against the wall, kissing furiously, stumbling through the house. Being pushed on the bed and the weight of someone over her. All in a blur.

She had honestly thought that he would be rough in bed, not gentle. Or maybe it was the alcohol.

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While Sweden and Russia had been drunk; Finland and Ukraine had been sober when they slept with each other. She had been upset by something that had happened during the meeting (but on the other hand, she was always upset by something), and she refused to tell him why. And he had been lonely. So very lonely.

Usually when he didn't have Sweden, he had Estonia to keep him from doing something stupid. But he wasn't exactly talking to Finland at the moment. More like shouting and yelling.

Ukraine was warm and nice, and she was there. He felt guilty afterwards, but he wasn't going to show her that.

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It was the last Sunday in November, and the first of advent. Russia smiled at her when she lit the candle. She had made him promise that they would travel to Sweden on the 8th of December and spend the rest of the month there. After all, by then the election would be over, and the leading party should be ready to start. Beside, the humans have learn how to run a nation without them. they had been reduced to paperwork and an image of their nation to other nations.

Russia watch the first out of for candles burn. It had been a rather good second moth. Not bad at all.