A/N: I'm so sorry for the lateness! I just got on holidays and I'm already lazy! I was going to use the time to type stories, but I couldn't get any good ideas. Sorry if it's lacking, I rush when I'm worried. As always, Hetalia belongs to Himaruya Hidekazu. If I owned it, why would I be typing up Fanfiction?

Sunday brought an ocean of rain to Vilnius. Yesterday was an average sunny day, attracting flocking tourist to the white beaches of the Baltic Sea, sun shining, waiting for victims to burn. There wasn't a forecast for a drizzle either, so people took it as an error in the system.

"Wow, did they take all of the water in the world and dump it on us?" Estonia remarked, wrapped in woollen scarfs and thick blankets.

Lithuania looked up from his mug of coffee. "I assume so," he answered. "I'm sorry about the heating problem; it always short-circuits when it rains heavily."

"Well that's why you should let me take a look at it," the blond sighed, adding another blanket to the pile of wool that was his friend. "And while you're at it, take a break from all of the housework. You have a small house, and no one's going to lecture you if there's one imperfection."

Lithuania turned his gaze to the window. It was true that he awoke early just to straighten the food cabinet that was sorted into different categories every week and to attend the gardens. He couldn't change that though. After living as one of Russia's slaves, housework was second nature, embedded into his mind. The amount of housework that the brunette did worried everyone, even America, who always told him to relax. That was strange, coming from someone that was once his boss.

"But if I don't do it, I'll fall into a lazy habit, and everything will rot and overgrow. I can't leave things like that,"

Estonia stood up and collected the empty mugs, bottoms stained a brown similar to the green-eyed Baltic. "It's okay; you'll never go that far. Just remember that we're free from Russia. He can't boss you around anymore."

Lithuania nodded. "Your right, thank you." He paused, eyes focusing on a case filled with board games and jigsaw puzzles. "Are you up for Jenga?"

"Ahh, that's the fourth time in a row you beat me, Estija!" Lithuania exclaimed, eyes filled with amusement as the Jenga blocks fell to the floor.

"Hey, I can teach you if you want," the bespectacled nation teased. "Do you want to play chess now?"

"Sure, but you're really good at that too," laughing, Lithuania packed the blocks away, forcing one stubborn piece of wood into the container. Just as he finished, the doorbell rang.

Surprised that someone was outside in this weather, Estonia walked over to the door. "Yes, who is it?" he asked as he opened the door. It was hard to see through the rain, but without a doubt, he knew that figure: Russia.

"Hello comrade," he smiled, violet eyes brightened from the light within the house. "I didn't expect you here."

Estonia clenched his fists. "What are you doing here?" he asked, voice icy cold and hushed. "You don't own us anymore; you can't do anything to us."

The tall nation was taken aback, face covered in innocence. "I'm not allowed to visit my friends time to time? I just wanted to have a talk."

Lithuania, confused as to why his friend was taking so long, went over to the entrance. "Hey Estonia," he called out, "who's at the door? You should let th… Y-You?!"

Russia turned to face his 'ex'. "Ah, hello Литва," he greeted. "I was waiting for you. Can I come in?"

The former Soviets exchanged glances. Sure, they both disliked the tyrannical ex-leader, but it was raining, so they had no other choice but to offer shelter.

"Thank you, friends," the Russian bowed, using the ends of his long scarf as a towel for his hair. "Ah, Lithy, may I talk to you in private?"

Green eyes clouded with worry, Lithuania nodded agreement. "Just you and me?"

"Da. In your bedroom, if you don't mind."

The Lithuanian shot a glance at Estonia, as if to say, "Don't worry", and lead Russia to the main bedroom.

The Estonian, with no clue as to what to do or what would happen, filled a bucket up with water. From experience, he knew about the things that happened whenever Russia was alone with one of the Baltics, especially when it was just him and the eldest. A shiver ran down Estonia's back as he remembered the scars that were sewed into his friend's back, the scars that will always remind him that he once belonged to the Soviet Union, and he would never be completely free. Those scars will never heal, never go away.

It seemed like centuries when the two nations re-appeared, eyes sealing the mysteries with not a chance of escape. No screams had been heard in that period, although that didn't mean anything. Was he entirely tied down, mouth closed together? The blond shook bad thoughts from his head. As far as Russia went, he didn't appear sinister enough to beat someone in their own home while a guest was over. But Russia is Russia, he thought.

The large nation beckoned farewell, disappearing ghost-like into the never ending storm. Unnerved, Estonia asked, "What did he do?"

Lithuania smiled, eyes somewhat far away. "Nothing that would concern you," he replied cheerfully. "Should I start making dinner now?"

Estonia nodded, wondering why something was being kept from him.

The moon camouflaged with the night sky, black painted all over it. Dead roses, dyed a snow white, littered the clearing. A blond boy, about seventeen, sat up. Where was he?

The wind rustled dead leaves as a brown deer strolled over towards the boy. The deer had huge, emerald eyes and had white spots on its back. The boy stiffened when he saw the resemblance between the deer and someone else: a friend of his.

"Leedu, is that you?" the boy asked, holding out a hand.

The deer's eyes grew dark with fear of an unseen presence. Spooked, it scampered off into the thicket. "Hey, wait!" the boy pleaded.

Before he had a chance to follow the deer, the boy's vision faded to black, no longer seeing the deer or clearing. A voice rang in his ears, coated with a thick Russian accent. Some of the words sounded almost gibberish, but the message was clear: You cannot escape, little one. I'll always be a part of you; you'll always be one with me. It's useless to resist, just give up.

"Ei! Hoia minust eemale, deemon!" Estonia screamed, kicking the bedpost in fear.

Lithuania's eyes flew right open, shock rippling through his body. "Estija, what's the matter? A nightmare?" he questioned.

Estonia didn't respond; he just bunched the covers up, shaking and whimpering. His forehead was damp from cold perspiration, his head clouded with fear of his terrible vision.

"Okay, I'll go get some water," his friend said, racing off to the kitchen.

The blond boy held out a hand to stop him, but to no avail. Don't leave me alone, it's dangerous. He'll take you back, and I won't be able to do anything about it. He's already caused you enough agony and pain, anymore will break me down.

Lithuania returned with a glass of water and a hand towel. Upon seeing his friend, Estonia broke down into deep sobs. "Why, why was it you he was after?"

The brunette tilted his head if confusion. "Who was after me?" he asked, sitting down and lending an arm of comfort.

"Russia. All of those years, he unleashed all of his hate on you, even if he didn't know any better. We all knew he was still a child at heart, but his strength was unbelievable, even for a nation. For fifty years, he punished you, whipped you, did unthinkable things to you. I've seen the scars, so don't bother saying it didn't hurt. How did you put up with it, and why did you stand in for Latvia and me when it was our turn?"

Lithuania's frown turned into a slight smile, running fingers in short blond hair. "Because, if I resisted or ran away, it would be you instead. He picked on you the least, but he still hurt you. I wouldn't be able to bear the thought of either one of you ending up like me, scars covering both on the outside and the inside. I love you guys too much for that to happen."

With those words, the Estonian felt arms wrap around his waist and he was pulled over, lying down in bed. "Hey, what are..." he started, cut off by a kiss. He didn't need his glasses to see how blind he had really been, and he did see Lithuania as an older brother, not a love interest. For the second time that week he felt himself blush.

When they broke away, he put his glasses back on to gaze into those great pools of bright green. Resting his arms on Lithuania's shoulders, he whispered, "Do you really feel like that?"

The Lithuanian broke into a grin, taking his fiend's glasses and putting them on. "Of course, and I wanted to ask you something, but it's embarrassing. The whole point of this weekend was for me to ask a question, so here goes: w-will you go... out with me?"

Estonia was completely caught off guard. "It's a little sudden, are you sure you're not just lonely without Poland?"

"I'm sure. You said it yourself; I don't spend enough time with you. It will be awkward at first, but-"

"Hey, I just wanted to know if Poland was involved. I'd love to go out with you." Estonia chuckled, snuggling in under the Lithuanian's chin. A slight peck was placed on his forehead, followed by a "Thank you, Eduard."

The buzz of conversation filled the campus. As the two Baltic States entered the gates, Prussia strutted over, France and Spain in tow.

"Hey Lithy, how was your weekend?" the albino smirked. "Anything you want to share?"

"I heard you two had a sleepover," Spain chirped, looking innocent.

"Ohonhonhon, sleeping together, maybe?" France laughed.

"No, nothing interesting," Lithuania declared smoothly. "Now if you excuse me, we need to get to class."

As he and Estonia walked off, the Bad Touch Trio started singing the same playground song that Prussia sung at the markets. Ignoring it, the blond grasped Lithuania's hand, fingers intertwining. "Do you have any plans this weekend, Toris?"

Yay, the end! Now that it's over, I'll be able to fix mistakes that I've ignored. I apologise for any lovey-dovey themes, mistakes or bad translations. Goggle translated, so blame it.

Translations:

Литва - Lithuania (Russian Cyrillic)

Leedu - Lithuania (Estonian)

Ei! Hoia minust eemale, deemon - No! Stay away from me, demon (Estonian)

Thanks to all of you who have either followed, favourited or reviewed this story. You don't know how much it means to me, and I would mention you all by name, but I either can't be bothered to check who did, or don't know if you would like to be mentioned or not. Now, to make a Christmas-themed fic!